Chapter 9

Yuan Long shot him a glance: "Have you forgotten the intelligence sent by Fatty Luo? Yue Ke is very likely to have died at this person's hands. Caution is the key to a long journey."

The crowd erupted in applause.

The opponent's martial arts skills were unexpectedly high, far surpassing Feiyang's expectations. They were much stronger than the last time with Yue Ke and that mysterious flower thief. Having drunk too much, Feiyang could only exert half of his full strength, and the Lightning Blade had turned into a slow blade, while Lingyun Crossing had nearly become Lingcao Crossing. Two streams of dark light circled around Feiyang, executing hooks to the abdomen, slashes to the legs, and strikes to the head and neck, leaving him in a state of confusion. Before long, he had already accumulated several wounds on his body.

Indeed, many can relate to this. Although it has been a year since the colleagues have been together, Feiyang has always been reticent about his lineage. Whenever asked, he stammers and hesitates. It is not that he does not want to speak, but rather that he does not know how to begin. How could he possibly say that he does not even know his master's name, let alone having seen his master's face? It is likely that no one would believe him. Moreover, the martial arts he currently practices are those of the deceased Yue Ke, which makes it even more difficult to discuss.

The keen-eyed individual immediately spotted a silver note worth ten thousand taels. With a swift motion, he took it and said: "Alright, we will take care of this matter. Young master, rest assured, that fellow won't live past three days!"

Wiping the cold sweat from my forehead, I suddenly felt pain all over my body. It was only then that I realized I had been scratched in several places by that damned mysterious person. I couldn't help but curse again. In this state, how could I go back? Forget it, I might as well spend the night at the yamen's guesthouse!

Yuan Long laughed and said: "In broad daylight, I saw Captain Bai Yun and Miss Lin together, enjoying each other's company. I fear for the two of them"

Pei Lixin sneered, "A mere county constable dares to compete with me for a woman; he truly must be tired of living." A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, "Yuan Long, find an opportunity to take care of him!"

Ma Wei and others were eager for the boss to say this, as they pushed Feiyang down while saying: "Thank you, boss. If you have any matters in the future, just look for us at Yuntou! With Yuntou's protection, you can be sure that your business in Meixian will thrive."

Yuan Ying said discontentedly: "A mere small constable, is it worth both of us going? I can handle it alone!"

Yuan Ying chuckled and said, "If the young master is willing to indulge in the pleasures of literature, I shall go and capture it tonight for your enjoyment, so why must you worry so much?"

After a few more drinks, Feiyang was already about eighty percent drunk. He slammed the table and shouted, "Today, I have drunk the most, and you all have drunk less. Come on, Ma Wei, you help me clear the levels, and each of you must toast to me, no one is to be left out!" He pointed at each person one by one, saying, "Then it's you, you, you!"

Another man in black emerged from the alley, "Lao Si, hurry up." The voice was somewhat impatient, clearly expressing dissatisfaction with how long the first man in black had taken.

Feiyang felt a chill in his heart; this person was coming for him. "Kid, there is a path to heaven that you refuse to take, yet you crash into the gates of hell; this is entirely your own doing." Before the words had left his mouth, two dark objects swept towards him at waist height. With a forceful push of his feet, Feiyang floated backward, narrowly evading the strike. His hand brushed against his waist, and he had already drawn his knife. The man in black let out a grunt, swinging his arms as he launched another attack. At that moment, Feiyang realized that his opponent was wielding a pair of tiger head hooks.

Watching a group of people stagger down, the boss smiled wryly and said, "How can I dare to take your money? Unless I no longer wish to do business in Meixian." Shaking his head, he called his staff to clean up the mess

After a cup was downed, everyone took their seats. Huang Gesheng then said: "Yuntou, what about your martial arts? We all admire you greatly, but we are curious about who you learned from. Which esteemed master could possibly cultivate a young talent like you, Yuntou?"

Having unsteadily stepped forward, he cast a sidelong glance at the shopkeeper, "Hmm?"

A trace of hesitation flashed in Yuan Longyan's eyes, "Young Master, our journey is of great importance. It is best not to encounter any unforeseen circumstances. Matters such as this should be discussed after this period has passed"

"Alright!" Ma Wei said happily, "Today we must make Yun Tou bleed a little." He dashed out to find Lin Yifeng, Huang Gesheng, and a few others.

Yuan Long pondered: "If the young master wishes to have a formal marriage, I believe that Lin Dehai would be more than willing, as such matters of climbing the dragon and attaching to the phoenix would surely delight him. But what about Miss Lin?" After a moment of contemplation, it seemed he was trying to find the right words to express his thoughts.

The midnight gong began to sound, and a tumultuous wave surged within Feiyang's stomach. Looking around, he dashed into an alley like the wind, opened his mouth, and with a loud "wow," he began to vomit profusely.

Pei Lixin shot him a glance and said, "Yuan Long, aren't you just asking a question you already know the answer to?"

The strange laughter of the original wolf card: "I never expected that our young master has truly fallen in love this time!"

At this critical moment between life and death, a surge of heat suddenly rushed down from Feiyang's Baihui point like a torrent, passing through Fengfu, Tianchi, and Zhangmen, swiftly returning from Yongquan and dispersing rapidly into his limbs and bones. The immense power swept away Feiyang's intoxication, filling him with joy. Was this not the Hunyuan Divine Skill that he had been unable to practice? Could it be that at this crucial juncture, he had actually broken through the first level? Overjoyed, the dense inner strength surged like a tide into his waist knife.

At this moment, Feiyang was filled with strength, wielding his single knife with such skill that he forced the two opponents to retreat like a windmill. The second man in black assessed the situation and realized that if he delayed any longer, his companion would likely bleed to death. He then launched a series of fierce attacks to momentarily suppress Feiyang's onslaught, shouting loudly, "The wind is strong, let's go!" The two of them fled like the wind.

Just as Feiyang and Linyu were tormented by love and unable to sleep at night, in a lodge in Meixian, there was another person sighing and feeling restless, his temper frighteningly fierce. In less than an hour, he had already kicked three attendants out of his room, and the others were too scared to enter again. Only Pei Lixin and the four who closely followed him remained in the room

Ma Weidao: "Since these people arrived, there have been a lot more issues. Damn it, they treat us like servants, ordering us around. I've been quite annoyed these past few days. I hope these officials leave soon. Yuntou, later, I will treat you. Let's go to Zui Xian Lou for a few drinks, how about it?"

Feeling troubled, Feiyang thought it would be good to vent a little. "Alright, let's invite Lin Yifeng and a few others. Let's go out for a drink together, it's on me!"

The blades clashed with a dull thud, surprising the onlooker at the alley entrance. The first man in black was knocked back, exclaiming, "What the hell are you doing?"

This night was spent in a state of anxious unease. Along with him, there were two others who also suffered from insomnia. In the embroidery building of the courtyard behind the government office, Lin Yu lay in bed, tightly clutching the jade ring that Feiyang had given him, unable to fall asleep for a long time. Looking at the jade ring in his hand, Lin Yu's heart leaped like a little deer. Holding the ring up to the light, he could see that it was engraved with some obscure symbols and patterns; some areas were recessed while others were raised, yet this did not detract from the overall beauty of the jade. On the back of the ring, a line of poetry was inscribed: "But let the heart be as firm as gold and jade." Looking at the jade ring in his hand, Lin Yu's heart leaped like a little deer. Holding the ring up to the light, he could see that it was engraved with some obscure symbols and patterns; some areas were recessed while others were raised, yet this did not detract from the overall beauty of the jade. On the back of the ring, a line of poetry was inscribed: "But let the heart be as firm as gold and jade." Lin Yu couldn't help but smile sweetly; it was clear that this jade was a pair, undoubtedly a male and female ring, and that silly Feiyang must still have the male ring in his hand.

Pei Lixin exclaimed in anger: "How can I wait until then? What if that guy hears any rumors and runs away with my beauty?"

Yuan Long turned around and said to Pei Lixin, "Young Master, tomorrow we will secretly go to where Luo Pangzi is. He is a local power, and some matters still require his involvement." Pei Lixin nodded and replied, "Exactly." The two then whispered and discussed for a while longer before the others dispersed.

The calculated and determined spirit of flight began to wander through the streets in this manner

Yuan Hu then said: "Indeed, indeed, I can see that the girl has a spring-like expression, clearly showing her affection for that constable!"

Pei Lixin waved his hand: "No, no, let's not talk about how Lin Dehai from the Lin family is an official appointed by the court, and that my family has a history with them; he is someone my father promoted. As for Miss Lin, she is quite different from the woman I met before. This time, I intend to marry her formally. Hey, after all, hasn't my mother been urging me all along? This Miss Lin is truly remarkable, tsk tsk!" With a gulp, he swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Hey, after all, hasn't my mother been urging me all along? This Miss Lin is truly remarkable, tsk tsk!" With a gulp, he swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Pei Lixin sneered, "Does she really think so little of me?"

After the breakup, Feiyang staggered alone towards the east of the city. A cold wind blew through the street, and the effects of the alcohol began to wear off. He felt a chill in his heart, thinking, "I can't go back like this. If my parents see me, it would be bad! I should wander around the streets a bit longer and return only after I am completely sober."

Feiyang's heart skipped a beat: "What do you and the picture book know?"

On the second floor of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, several constables were drinking heartily. "Come, let us raise a glass to the clouds!" shouted Huang Gesheng in his booming voice. The constables all stood up together, and the somewhat intoxicated Yun Feiyang also rose to his feet. "Thank you, thank you, let us drink together!"

Before a word was spoken, Feiyang had already followed closely like a shadow. The glint of the blade flashed fiercely, striking towards the man in black like a sudden thunderstorm. The situation suddenly reversed, and it was now Feiyang who forced the man in black to retreat step by step. Another man in black, watching the battle, was astonished; how had this kid's martial arts suddenly improved by a level? He suddenly felt something splatter on his face, and upon touching it, he found it to be slick and slippery. With his rich experience, he immediately recognized it as blood. Upon closer inspection, his expression changed drastically. He reached out, and a pair of short forks appeared in his hands, and he quickly joined the fray. It turned out that in this brief moment, the first man in black was already covered in wounds, desperately enduring Feiyang's lightning-fast attacks.

Yuan Long shook his head and said, "Very well, Yuan Wolf and Yuan Eagle, you two go handle this matter. It must be executed flawlessly."

For several consecutive days, Feiyang had not seen Lin Yu in the backyard, which left him feeling quite troubled and perplexed about her intentions. His inner turmoil manifested on his face, causing him to be irritable about everything.

The crowd shouted, "No need to say anything, then we shall impose a penalty of wine, a penalty of wine!" Everyone present was familiar with the ways of the world and naturally understood the rules of certain sects. Thus, they no longer pressed for further inquiries, but insisted on the penalty of wine.

Hehe! Feiyang chuckled a few times, "It cannot be said, it cannot be said!"

The shopkeeper walked over with a smile, "Mr. Yun, it is difficult for you to come to my Zui Xian Lou, are you really going to trouble yourself with expenses? This meal is on me at Zui Xian Lou!"

"That's it!" The first man in black let out a sharp whistle, his pair of tiger-head hooks forming a cross. With a whoosh, they shot forward. At this moment, Feiyang found himself in a desperate situation, with no way to retreat. He could only let out a loud roar and swung his blade fiercely. Although he knew that this strike would not stop his opponent, it was still better than nothing.

After regaining his composure, Feiyang felt somewhat relieved. He thought to himself that this alcohol was truly not a good thing; if Lin Yu saw him in this state, she would definitely not want to have anything to do with him again. Just as he was wallowing in self-pity, a sudden sound of rustling fabric reached his ears. As he glanced over, a figure dressed in black and masked stood at the entrance of the alley, saying, "You little rascal, so this is where you are having fun. It made it easy for me to find you!"

By the time the banquet concluded, it was already past midnight. "Come, let's settle the bill!" Feiyang shouted.

Yuan Ying wanted to say something else, but Yuan Lang interjected, "Alright, Fourth Brother, when the time comes, I will show you the way, and you can handle it all by yourself, won't that be fine!"

In a state of urgent anxiety, I found myself at a loss for solutions, only able to retreat step by step. Suddenly, I felt a tightness in my back, realizing I had leaned against a wall, and behind me was a dead end, causing a chill to run through my heart

If there were outsiders present at this moment, the name Yuanlong would certainly startle them. Yuanlong, Yuanhu, Yuanlang, and Yuanying—twenty years ago, these four notorious figures were renowned throughout the martial world. At that time, they were indeed famous in the Jiangbei martial arts community, originating from Yingshan, and were also known as the Four Fiends of Yingshan. They were notorious for their ruthless actions, often destroying families and annihilating clans, and they would retaliate fiercely. Their names could truly silence a crying baby in the Jiangbei martial arts world. Suddenly, after ten years, they vanished from the martial world, and no news was heard of them, which genuinely relieved the people of the martial community. It was widely rumored that these four had been exterminated by the Divine Sword Manor, but unexpectedly, they had actually joined the government.

Ma Wei, who was on duty, clearly noticed that Yun Tou was in low spirits and said, "Yun Tou, what is bothering you? Sigh, even if you don't say anything, I already know!"

"Has the young master taken a liking to that young lady from the Lin family?" one of the four, clearly the leader, inquired.

After some thought, I took out a banknote from my sleeve and handed it over: "Yuan Long, I have never treated you poorly, and if you can handle this well this time, I will reward you handsomely!"

Behind him, Feiyang felt a mix of surprise and joy, along with a sense of confusion. These two individuals possessed formidable martial skills and coordinated closely, yet how had they become his enemies? Could they possibly be companions of the black-clad flower thief from earlier? After suffering a loss at his hands, they had come specifically to seek revenge. Regardless, he had managed to turn back from the gates of death today, and he couldn't help but feel grateful to that mysterious master: Thank you, Master. I hope your damn skills won't only show up when I'm about to meet my end; wouldn't it be better if I could practice earlier?