Righteous Path and Vicissitudes: Bound by Affection
Hu Feng returned from the battle in the secret valley severely wounded and remained unconscious on his cot for a full three days.
During this time, the sect leader personally led the sect's physicians to keep watch by his side, using precious medicinal pills and superior spiritual channeling techniques to treat his wounds and sustain his life.
When he slowly regained consciousness, the first sight that met his eyes was his master Yuji Zi's face, filled with exhaustion yet unable to conceal a sense of relief. Yuji Zi's eye sockets were deeply sunken with dark bruises underneath, and his hair and beard, usually neatly bound, were currently somewhat disheveled.
"Master..." Hu Feng spoke, his throat dry and hoarse, sounding like friction from sandpaper.
Light instantly returned to Yuji Zi's eyes as he grabbed Hu Feng's hand, saying with agitation: "It is good that you are awake, good that you are awake! You child, you frightened your master to death!"
Fellow disciples gathered around, offering their warm regards and inquiries. Hu Feng propped his body up to sit, but pulled at his wounds, causing him to draw in a sharp breath of pain.
"Do not move about randomly!" Yuji Zi frowned and chided, yet his hands gently helped him lean back comfortably. "This great battle was perilous, and you recklessly burned your vital essence; it is already a supreme stroke of fortune that you managed to retrieve this life."
Hu Feng gave a bitter smile: "Master, this disciple is unfilial and has caused you worry. Yet those evil factions are rampant; how could this disciple shrink back?" Yuji Zi let out a long sigh and patted his shoulder: "Your temperament is best known to your master—you harbor a grand righteousness and are resolute and decisive. Yet ever since the calamity of Daoxiang Village and the departure of your parents, your heart and eyes have held nothing but hatred, and the malevolent Qi is far too heavy, which is disadvantageous to your cultivation."
Hu Feng's gaze dimmed, his hands clenching into fists with the knuckles turning white as he said through clenched teeth: "Master, this disciple witnessed with his own eyes his parents meeting a tragic death and the village reduced to ruins. The Blood Demon Palace and numerous evil factions have committed countless atrocities; if this hatred is not avenged, it is difficult for this disciple to pacify the resentment in his heart!"
Yuji Zi's face revealed unbearable pity as he slowly said: "Your master understands your suffering, but to be blindly driven by hatred easily leads to Inner Demons. Your master has been pondering on finding you a companion on the Dao, which might perhaps soften this all-pervasive malevolent Qi of yours, so that with someone accompanying and supporting you in the future, there might also be somewhat less rashness."
Hu Feng widened his eyes in utter astonishment: "Master, this disciple has never considered such a matter! Now that the evil factions have not been eliminated and the common people still suffer calamities, how could this disciple have the mind for romance?"
Yuji Zi shook his head with a slight smile: "Silly child, precisely because the road ahead is perilous and long, you need someone by your side to warm your heart. A companion on the Dao is not merely about romantic sentiments; they are also one who advances hand in hand and shares in weathering the storms. Moreover, this single word of affection might just be able to dissolve the obsession deep within your heart and aid your cultivation in ascending to a higher realm."
Hu Feng frowned, falling into deep thought, and for a moment lost his words.
A few days later, Hu Feng's injuries gradually healed and he was able to walk about on his feet. Yuji Zi thereupon began to secretly keep watch for suitable female disciples within the sect, and would often drag Hu Feng to "accidentally encounter" them all around the sect grounds.
On this day, master and disciple arrived at the martial arts arena, where a group of female disciples were practicing a sword formation with agile postures and sparkling spiritual light.
Yuji Zi's gaze roamed among the crowd, finally landing on a female disciple named Lin Yao, and he whispered to Hu Feng: "Look at that girl, Lin Yao. Her aptitudes are superior, her disposition is gentle, and her heart is kind. She is of an age similar to yours; how about her?"
Hu Feng raised his eyes to look. Lin Yao was dressed in white with a delicate and clear face, and when she smiled faintly her brows curved like crescent moons, resembling the warm sun of spring.
Yet he merely shook his head faintly: "Master, this disciple has no heart for this at the moment."
Yuji Zi feigned displeasure: "You are unwilling even to try getting along? Your master's painstaking efforts—will you disappoint them just like this?"
Even as he spoke, Lin Yao seemed to sense something and turned her head to look. Seeing that it was Hu Feng and his master, her cheeks flushed as she walked over gracefully and bowed: "Elder Yuji, Senior Brother Hu."
Her voice was crisp and pleasing to the ear, resembling silver bells.
Yuji Zi smiled benevolently: "Lin Yao, have there been any difficulties in your cultivation recently?"
Lin Yao shook her head, stole a glance at Hu Feng, and softly said: "Many thanks for the Elder's concern; there are none. I hear that Senior Brother Hu's severe injuries have just healed—I hope Senior Brother will take good care of his health."
Hu Feng cupped his fists in return: "Many thanks for Junior Sister Lin's thoughts." With that, he looked at his master, signaling with his eyes that they should leave quickly. Yuji Zi had no choice and could only take Hu Feng away.
On the way, Yuji Zi said in exasperation: "Such a fine girl—why won't you pay her any mind?"
Hu Feng smiled bitterly: "Master, this disciple bears a blood-soaked feud, and a war between the righteous and the evil is on the verge of breaking out. Should any day come..." Hu Feng did not wish to implicate others.
Yuji Zi was silent for a moment, then sighed: "Your master understands your concerns, but life is unpredictable, and perhaps fate will arrive one day. You should simply open your heart a little wider."
Before Hu Feng could reply, the sect's warning bell suddenly boomed, its urgent sound echoing through the heavens.
The expressions of both men changed, and with a flash of movement they headed straight for the main hall.The atmosphere inside the hall was as heavy as lead, and the sect leader spoke with a stern expression in a loud voice: "Scouts have reported that remnants of the Blood Demon Palace have colluded with the Youying stage and foreign evil factions, gathering a massive army at Soul-Broken Soul Valley. They appear set on launching a full-scale assault against our Rosy Clouds Sect, attempting to annihilate us in one stroke and seize the Spirit Abyss Mirror. The situation is critical!"
The killing intent around Hu Feng surged instantly, his eyes spitting fire: "These villains still refuse to give up! Sect Leader, this disciple requests to do battle and will surely slaughter them all without exception!" Numerous disciples responded in succession, passionately petitioning for battle.
The sect leader nodded: "This battle concerns the survival of the sect and the safety of the common people; we must exert our utmost effort. Elder Yuji, lead a team of elites to launch a surprise attack from the left flank; Hu Feng, take your fellow disciples to launch a frontal assault and disrupt the enemy's battle array. The remaining elders shall each guard their vital posts and remain strictly on guard against sneak attacks."
The crowd acknowledged their orders and swiftly prepared themselves to set out.Upon arriving at Soul-Valley of Broken Heart, everything that met the eye was rolling demonic shadows and soaring evil Qi.
The remnants of the Blood Demon Palace wore black robes with a billowing aura of blood shrouding their bodies; the people of the Youying stage wore dark purple robes entwined with chilling demonic power; and the foreign evil factions bore even stranger physiques with glowing eyes and bizarre demonic artifacts.
Hu Feng grasped the Red Sun Sword, taking the lead as he roared: "Kill!" Charging into the enemy array like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, the Red Sun Sword carried the combined forces of stars and flames, instantly cutting down a swathe of enemy heads.
The front row of Blood Demon sectarians chanted in unison, their demonic blood converging into a wall of blood to obstruct the onslaught.
Hu Feng sneered: "Insignificant tricks!" Channeling the Ethereal Sword Formula, sword shadows flew scatteringly, and the blood wall collapsed with a loud crash.
Seeing this, a Youying stage deacon formed seals with both hands, causing dark demonic power to lash out like a black python. Hu Feng dodged sideways and summoned the Spirit Abyss Mirror, its radiance dispersing the demonic python.
As the fierce battle raged on, Hu Feng caught sight out of the corner of his eye of a fellow disciple struck down by a demonic artifact of the foreign evil ones, collapsing to the ground with life and death uncertain.
Burning with anxiety, he shouted: "Protect our fellow disciple!" Pulling back to provide reinforcement, he consecutively executed several moves of the Nine Yang True Formula along the way, the scorching high temperature forcing back the surrounding enemies.
Propping up the injured fellow disciple and feeding him a medicinal pill, Hu Feng was filled with self-reproach: "Hold on, do not close your eyes!" He turned to shout to the crowd: "Do not panic, keep the sword formation steady!"
Yuji Zi led his troop in killing their way over from the left flank, joining forces with Hu Feng. Seeing him covered in blood, Yuji Zi said with heartache: "Feng'er, be careful!"
Hu Feng nodded, his gaze resolute: "Master, rest assured, this disciple will surely break this coalition!"
Having spoken, he once again threw himself into the fray, locking onto the coalition's commander—the newly appointed vice palace master of the Blood Demon Palace. This person's demonic Qi was so dense it seemed substantial, and a pair of blood-red eyes revealed cruelty and cunning.
Hu Feng pointed his sword at the vice palace master: "Hand over your life!"
The vice palace master smiled grimly: "Hu Feng, today shall be your burial ground!"
Dancing with both hands, demonic clouds churned, transforming into a sky full of demonic shadows that surged toward Hu Feng like a tidal wave.
Hu Feng showed not a shred of fear, executing his ultimate trump card, "Chaotic Devouring." A spiritual vortex appeared out of thin air, swallowing the demonic shadows. Taking advantage of the momentum to close in, he savagely thrust the Red Sun Sword toward the vice palace master's throat.
The vice palace master dodged sideways, yet his cheek was grazed by the sword wind. Growing furious with embarrassment, he summoned the demonic artifact known as the "Blood Fiend Demonic Bell." The bell boomed, its soundwaves carrying a demonic impact that caused Hu Feng's ears to ache sharply and his body to sway.
Seeing this, Yuji Zi rushed over at high speed, summoning a spiritual protective shield with both hands to block the soundwave as he shouted: "Feng'er, do not panic!"
Hu Feng steadied his stance, and the Spirit Abyss Mirror blazed with brilliant light, striking out in a joint attack with the Red Sun Sword. The mirror's light entwined with the sword shadows, doubling their power.
After a protracted battle, the coalition forces gradually proved no match, suffering heavy casualties and beginning to scatter in flight.
How could Hu Feng be willing to let them go? He raised his sword intending to pursue, but was stopped by a voice transmission from the sect leader: "Do not pursue a desperate enemy; beware of traps, return to the sect first!" Hu Feng resentfully withdrew his sword and led the crowd on the return journey.
Upon returning to the sect, though exhausted, the crowd could not conceal their excitement; this battle had severely battered the enemy forces, boosting morale greatly. Yuji Zi sought out Hu Feng, handing him a bottle of medicinal pills: "Feng'er, go tend to your injuries. Also, regarding the matter of a companion on the Dao, do not be too resistant to it; fate may quietly arrive on any given day."
Hu Feng accepted the medicinal pills and smiled helplessly: "Master, this disciple knows you mean well, but right now the righteous and the evil are irreconcilable, and this disciple truly finds it difficult to spare his mind."
A few days later, the sect received a plea for help from a neighboring village, stating that mysterious black-robed individuals frequently took advantage of the night to abduct villagers, suspected to be minions of the evil factions.
Hu Feng volunteered to go investigate, and Yuji Zi, feeling uneasy, insisted on accompanying him.
The two flew on their swords and before long arrived at the village. They found the village dead silent, the houses dilapidated, and the villagers hiding inside their homes trembling with fear.
Locating the village chief, Hu Feng inquired about the details, and the village chief trembled as he said: "During the night a bunch of black-robed fiends came; they possessed immense strength and bizarre magic, capturing quite a few able-bodied men and maidens. We truly had no way out!"
Hu Feng frowned: "Do not fear; we will definitely find the villagers." Together with Yuji Zi, they tracked the trails outside the village to a mountain cave, and no sooner had they drawn near than miserable weeping drifted out from within.
Consumed by righteous fury, Hu Feng charged in first. Inside the cave, demonic shadows flickered—it was precisely Youying stage cultists standing guard over the abducted villagers.
Seeing Hu Feng and his companion enter, the cultists successively summoned their demonic artifacts to meet the enemy. Yuji Zi sneered: "Having committed countless atrocities, today shall be your day of death!"
Forming seals with both hands, his spiritual power transformed into several ribbons of light, instantly binding a number of cultists.
Hu Feng went straight to where the captive villagers were held, rescuing the crowd.
Even as he was busy, a cultist hidden in the dark launched a sneak attack, and Yuji Zi cried out in alarm: "Feng'er, watch out!" Flying forward to block the blow before Hu Feng, he was struck in the shoulder by a demonic artifact, blood seeping through.
Hu Feng's eyes split with rage: "Master!" He spun around and slew the ambushing cultist with a single sword stroke, then supported Yuji Zi: "Master, how are you?" Yuji Zi waved his hand: "It is nothing, a minor injury."
Rescuing the villagers, on the return journey Hu Feng was filled with remorse: "Master, it is all this disciple's carelessness that caused you to be injured."
Yuji Zi smiled: "Silly child, protecting you is what your master ought to do. As for you, hereafter in your actions you must never be rash; the pugilistic world is perilous, and murderous intent is concealed everywhere."
Hu Feng nodded solemnly: "This disciple will remember it."
Returning to the sect, Hu Feng attentively tended to Yuji Zi as he healed from his injuries. During this period Lin Yao frequently came to visit, bringing nourishing medicinal pills and pastries she had made herself.
Yuji Zi observed this in his eyes and quietly said to Hu Feng: "Look at this girl—how thoughtful she is, and she clearly has feelings for you. Can you not chat with her a bit more?"
Hu Feng had no choice but to keep Lin Yao company and speak a few words with her. Lin Yao smiled brightly and pleasantly, sharing amusing anecdotes from around the sect, while Hu Feng responded occasionally, though his demeanor remained somewhat reserved.
On this day, Hu Feng was in his room wiping the Red Sun Sword when Lin Yao knocked and entered, her hands behind her back, her cheeks flushed as she softly said: "Senior Brother Hu, I... I found an ancient text. Within it are some exquisite points of sword technique that might perhaps be useful to Senior Brother."
With these words, she handed over the ancient text. Hu Feng stood up to receive it and smiled in gratitude: "Many thanks to Junior Sister Lin for taking the trouble."
Lin Yao raised her head, her gaze burning: "Senior Brother, you harbor a grand righteousness and repeatedly brave danger to slay the enemy. I... I admire you greatly, and only hope Senior Brother will take care of himself hereafter and not get injured again."
Hu Feng felt a mild warmth in his heart, and looking at Lin Yao's sincere expression, he did not know how to respond for a moment.
At this time, the sect leader's order summoning everyone broke the awkwardness. Inside the main hall, the sect leader's expression was grave: "According to reliable intelligence, the remnants of the Blood Demon Palace have found a mysterious ruin, rumored to conceal something that can restrain the Spirit Abyss Mirror. If they are allowed to succeed, the future troubles will be boundless. Hu Feng, this time you must once again lead a team to go seize the initiative. Elder Yuji has injuries on his body, so he shall stay behind to anchor the sect."
Hu Feng cupped his fists in acknowledgment: "Sect Leader, rest assured; this disciple will definitely not fail his mission!"
Lin Yao's face was filled with worry as she stepped forward: "Senior Brother Hu, this journey is perilous; you must be extremely careful."
Hu Feng looked at her and nodded slightly: "Junior Sister, rest assured, I will return safely." Turning around, he resolutely strode out of the main hall and led the team speeding toward the mysterious ruins.
The ruins were located in desolate and remote deep mountains, surrounded on all sides by heavy mists and miasma.
Hu Feng summoned the Spirit Abyss Mirror, its radiance dispersing the mists, and led the crowd to slowly enter.
No sooner had they stepped inside than they saw the remnants of the Blood Demon Palace and the members of the Youying stage gathered around a stone platform. Hovering atop the platform was an object, its radiance obscure and exuding a bizarre aura.
Seeing Hu Feng arrive, the Blood Demon Palace's vice palace master laughed wildly: "You've arrived just in time, Hu Feng. Today this treasure shall belong to me, and you can just wait to be exterminated!"
Hu Feng roared angrily: "In your dreams!" He struck out first, the Red Sun Sword howling forth with the power of the stars.
The crowd instantly merged into a chaotic battle, spiritual power colliding with demonic power amid incessant roaring.
Hu Feng kept his eyes fixed on the treasure on the stone platform and broke away to sprint toward it, encountering heavy obstructions along the way.
A Youying stage deacon executed a dark forbidden spell, creating countless phantom clones of demonic shadows that surrounded Hu Feng at the core.
Burning with anxiety, Hu Feng channeled the Ethereal Sword Formula and the Astral Spirit Formula, sword shadows flying to shatter the demonic shadow clones. Yet the Blood Demon Palace cultists seized the opportunity to attack his fellow disciples in the rear, causing some to fall injured.
Hu Feng roared: "Protect the treasure, do not let them succeed!" Distracted for a moment, he was struck in the back by a demonic artifact, causing a mouthful of fresh blood to spray forth.
At the critical moment, Hu Feng hugged the Spirit Abyss Mirror tightly and chanted silently in his heart: "Lend me a helping hand!" The Spirit Abyss Mirror blazed brilliantly, shooting out a pillar of sacred light that dispersed the dark demonic power and purified the surrounding evil Qi.
Hu Feng forced himself up and hurled his body onto the stone platform. The instant his fingertips brushed the treasure, the Blood Demon Palace's vice palace master struck, unleashing a full-force blow toward Hu Feng.
Failing to dodge in time, Hu Feng was struck in the chest, yet he stubbornly clung to the treasure, gritting his teeth: "You want to take it away? No way!" The spiritual power all over his body churned violently as he engaged the vice palace master in a fight to the death.
Seeing this, his fellow disciples came desperately to his aid, the light of the sword formation flaring brightly to force the vice palace master back.
Hu Feng put away the treasure and shouted: "Retreat!" Fighting as they fell back, the crowd finally escaped the ruins.
On the road back to the sect, Hu Feng fell severely wounded into unconsciousness.
When he awoke again, he was already in the sect's infirmary, surrounded by fellow disciples at his bedside, while Yuji Zi looked on with immense satisfaction: "Feng'er, it is good that you are awake! This time you have rendered a great service once again, and that treasure has been properly placed."
With reddened eye sockets, Lin Yao brought over a bowl of medicinal soup: "Senior Brother Hu, drink your medicine quickly." Hu Feng accepted it and drained it in a single gulp. Looking at everyone's concerned gazes, a warm feeling suffused his heart.
When his body had recovered somewhat, Hu Feng sought out Yuji Zi and said solemnly: "Master, through this ordeal, this disciple has understood many things. You were right—having someone to care for and support one by one's side gives this disciple the strength to continue moving forward. This disciple is willing to try getting along with Junior Sister Lin and jointly bear the vicissitudes of this righteous path."
Yuji Zi burst into hearty laughter: "Good! Good! Your master has been hoping for this day. In the days ahead, let us advance hand in hand and protect the common people, and we will surely turn misfortune into fortune!"
Outside the window, the sunlight was pleasant, illuminating Hu Feng's resolute face. By his side, Lin Yao accompanied him with a gentle smile. Although the road ahead remained fraught with thorns, at this moment with love and care in his heart, that conviction to protect the common people grew ever more fervent. The war between righteousness and evil remained long, but he was no longer alone...