Chapter 21: Meeting Qu Feiyan Again

Sunlight poured down, accompanied by a gentle warm breeze that brushed over all living things. Yet this perfect weather and the soft warmth brought no comfort to the two figures.

A young girl, dressed in a vibrant green garment, her skin fair and tender with a rosy glow, and a delicate, charming face, supported a man drenched in blood as they slipped into the tall grass.

Both were gasping for breath; the man’s panting was heavier, yet somehow faint.

“I’m dying!” he said.

The girl looked at him curiously. “You’re dying and still smiling?”

The man, Tian Boguang, chuckled. “I’ve been poisoned with a rare toxin. I was already a man on the brink of death. Counting the days, I have less than ten left. I’ve committed countless sins in my life and don’t know how many lives I’ve taken, but before I die, I’ve at least managed to do one good thing.”

Qu Feiyan was unconcerned. “Don’t worry, you won’t die. As long as we avoid those villains from the Songshan sect, I’ll have my big brother Ren cure your poison.”

Tian Boguang, bearing seven or eight sword wounds still bleeding, asked cautiously, “Who is your big brother Ren?”

Qu Feiyan’s bright eyes rolled sharply as she sized him up and pursed her lips. “Really ignorant, not even knowing my big brother Ren. Serves you right to die early.”

Tian Boguang was furious. Here he was, showing kindness in his last moments by saving this girl, and she cursed him to die sooner? Just as he was about to curse back, a thought stopped him.

His anger quickly faded, replaced by caution. “Hey, girl! Your big brother Ren—could he be… the legendary divine healer Ren Yi?”

Qu Feiyan’s eyes gleamed with admiration. She reached out her slightly rough hand and gently tapped his wounded shoulder. “You’re not completely clueless. Once the villains slip up, we’ll rush to Mount Hua’s Siguo Cliff to find my big brother Ren. That poison of yours won’t stand a chance against his divine skills.”

She spoke as if an elder sister scolding a younger brother, and Tian Boguang grinned in defeat without retorting.

“Ren is really your big brother?”

“Of course!” Qu Feiyan said proudly, lifting her chin.

Tian Boguang smiled wryly. “Let’s figure out how to get up the mountain.”

Qu Feiyan scoffed. “It’s all your fault. You couldn’t even beat a Songshan disciple, Di Xiu.”

Tian Boguang was angered. “Nonsense! Even if they were the famous thirteen guardians of Songshan, I wouldn’t fear them. It’s just that I lost my weapons on the mountain and suffered some internal injuries. If I hadn’t saved you, I’d be gone by now. Do you think that brat could have stopped me?”

Qu Feiyan glared. “Who asked you to save me?”

“You…” Tian Boguang took a deep breath. “I won’t stoop to your level.”

Qu Feiyan ignored him, muttering to herself, “First, the Songshan sect bullied my grandfather’s family. When big brother Ren comes, I’ll have him wipe out those dog thieves one by one.”

Suddenly, Tian Boguang’s ears twitched as a mocking laugh echoed from behind them.

A figure emerged from behind a tree, walking at a measured pace until standing before them. The newcomer held a broad sword that shimmered faintly and was dressed as a Songshan disciple.

Di Xiu laughed heartily. “Our master uncle asked me to patrol the mountain base, and what an interesting sight I’ve found—a little demon from the cult and a notorious lecher from the rivers and lakes. Killing you two will surely earn me a reward from the sect leader.”

Tian Boguang cursed, “What rotten luck!”

Di Xiu’s smile grew wider. “Seems I’m in luck.”

---

Tian Boguang glanced at the girl beside him and whispered, “You run first. Your big brother Ren is at Siguo Cliff on Mount Hua. If we can reach him, we’ll be saved.”

Qu Feiyan looked at him with disdain.

“You think Mount Hua is just a little hill? By the time I reach Siguo Cliff, you’ll be torn apart.”

Tian Boguang hissed, “If you don’t leave, we’ll both die!”

Qu Feiyan drew two short swords from her waist with a swish, clearly ready to fight.

Di Xiu chuckled coldly, swinging his broad sword in a long, sudden arc. The sword’s gleam lengthened sharply as it surged forward.

Qu Feiyan stood her ground, leaping forward and blocking with her short swords with a clear clang!

Though the sound was crisp, the force was tremendous. Qu Feiyan’s arms trembled from the impact—she was a girl, too young, while the Songshan sword style was known for its power.

The broad sword struck like a long spear or halberd, formidable in both presence and strength.

Knowing she couldn’t match the force, Qu Feiyan nimbly stepped back several paces, then twisted her body and advanced again.

Di Xiu’s heavy strike didn’t knock her swords away, to his slight surprise. As she twisted and attacked again, his sword technique shifted suddenly.

Her short sword slashed diagonally; Di Xiu crossed swords to block. Qu Feiyan avoided a prolonged clash, withdrawing her sword without pressing the attack.

Di Xiu saw she was trying to evade his strength with agility, and sneered, standing still.

Qu Feiyan waved her short swords, moving left and right, the sword light soft and fluid around him. Her steps were light, her figure graceful and swift—like a butterfly dancing among flowers or a warbler darting through leaves.

Yet Di Xiu merely raised his sword to block, his defense so tight that Qu Feiyan found herself unable to break through.

Seeing that he wouldn’t attack, the girl cursed loudly, “You cowardly turtle! If you’re so afraid, why don’t you leave?”

She couldn’t outrun him, and now her attempt to lure an attack had failed. Her only option was to provoke him.

Di Xiu smiled coldly, said nothing, and strode toward the seated Tian Boguang.

Tian Boguang, resigned to death, tried to time his move to suddenly grab Di Xiu’s legs, hoping the girl could then finish him off.

But he underestimated Qu Feiyan, who was loyal and resolute. Seeing Tian Boguang in danger, she gritted her teeth and charged forward.

With a sharp cry, she leapt and thrust her right short sword from behind while her left hand followed with a swift strike.

Di Xiu’s lips curled into a cold smile as he swung his broad sword diagonally, sweeping again.

“Clang!” The dull metallic sound rang out, heavier this time.

The sword struck her right short sword, sending a jolt of numbness through her entire right arm, and she lost grip.

Her left short sword stabbed quickly, but Di Xiu raised his sword to parry, knocking it away as well.

These two strikes disarmed Qu Feiyan and sent her tumbling to the ground.

Di Xiu’s sword tip pressed against her pale neck as he laughed, “You, a mere girl, dare to fight me?”

“Do Songshan disciples only bully little girls?” she spat back.

---

Di Xiu glanced at Tian Boguang and sneered, “So you’re the infamous lecher of the martial world. Even an innocent girl like this you wouldn’t spare.”

Tian Boguang cursed, “Damn you! I may be worthless, but not that despicable!”

Di Xiu said, “Since you’re protecting this girl, watch closely.”

With a flick of his hand, the broad sword shot forward.

Qu Feiyan closed her eyes, bracing for death.

Tian Boguang’s eyes widened as he prepared to shout a warning, but then a soft rustling sound came—a sharp, piercing noise.

A single leaf shot through the air, cutting the space like a blade, swifter than the wind, sharper than a knife, deadlier than a hidden weapon.

Before the sword could strike, the leaf landed on the ground.

Di Xiu screamed in pain and staggered back in panic.

A verdant leaf was embedded deeply in his wrist, an inch deep!

He gritted his teeth, lips trembling, eyes wide in horror at the terrible sight on his wrist.

The breeze rustled the trees above, leaves fluttering once more.

Di Xiu’s heart nearly leapt from his chest as he frantically scanned around.

“Who—who’s there?”

Suddenly, the sound of wind chimes rang out, tied to a horse’s harness. The sound of hoofbeats mingled with the chimes as a figure led a horse slowly toward them.

Though the presence was known, Di Xiu’s fear deepened when he saw the figure’s silver hair.

“Ah, it’s Big Brother Ren!”

Joyful voices rang out, but Di Xiu immediately turned and sprang away, ready to flee.

Ren Yi moved with steady grace, flipping his right hand with a slow but profoundly skilled motion that was difficult to comprehend.

After forming a shape with a green leaf, the leaf suddenly radiated a deadly aura.

In his hand, it was no longer an ordinary leaf but a razor-sharp flying blade.

With a snap of his fingers, Ren Yi sent the leaf flying like a lightning-fast dagger.

Di Xiu was still airborne, but with a stifled groan, his life ended abruptly.

A lifeless body, he crashed to the ground.