Volume One: Turmoil in Yan and Yun Chapter Twenty-One: Years Passed Since Departure (Part Two)

Feng Yang had already departed, while Feng Qi remained in the sky.

All over Yan Yun, many were searching for him, their motives varied, all linked to the Second Young Master, carrying either goodwill or malice.

But he cared not; whether they sought to provoke trouble through this affair or to find excuses to exonerate Feng Yang, it mattered little to him.

The times had changed, and the Divine Emperor had relaxed restrictions on such matters. Even in the era when prohibitions were at their strictest, he would have sent Feng Yang to Taixuan Mountain.

For the Feng family, this was a perilous move. For Feng Yang, it was a move for life.

A risky gamble always demanded caution, yet peril could be transformed into safety. But if one did not seize the opportunity in a move for life, how could he hope to survive from the brink?

He was satisfied with his own arrangements, yet another matter weighed heavily on his mind.

“If the Dao Child of Taixuan Mountain cannot even accomplish this, then this generation of disciples is lamentably weak,” Xue Wujie immediately saw through Feng Qi’s thoughts and spoke with a calm indifference.

Feng Qi reflected that he himself was the Sword Child of Xueyun Sect; if their roles were reversed, the Third Elder could easily suppress him without lifting a finger.

“Different ages, different realms, different opportunities—one cannot judge them equally,” Xue Wujie snorted coldly. “If you had reached the peak of comprehension at sixteen, would there still be a need for me to take you as my disciple?”

The implication was clear: Mingyuan had only reached the peak of comprehension.

To ascend from comprehension and launch a victorious assault against the Brilliance Realm, to win with the speed of a killing blow—was this the gulf between cultivation and the mundane world?

From his master’s tone, it seemed such feats were not uncommon; at least, the Sword Children of the other peaks in Xueyun Sect could certainly do it.

He found this rather intriguing.

His master’s words were interesting.

The road ahead seemed interesting.

So his mood inexplicably lightened, and he said, “Then who else could it be? Lord Jianji?”

Xue Wujie replied, “Jianji, Dao Sage, or perhaps some other old monster hidden for years—it’s all possible. Yet the likeliest scenario is something else.” He reached out and stroked Feng Qi’s head, continuing, “When a tree stands out in the forest, the wind will surely break it. Your performance on the Flowing Elegance List only shows your excellent talent; you are far from entering the sights of those at the Union Realm, not even I discovered you except by chance... If at sixteen you could glimpse the threshold of Brilliance, do you think the Azure Robe Tower and Eternal Night Palace would remain idle?”

The Azure Robe Tower was the foremost cult; though its vitality was greatly diminished of late, a centipede does not die easily, and its strength in the mortal world remained formidable. At least, the Bloodshed Pavilion was still the common enemy under heaven. The Pavilion had contended with righteous sects for years, and while Xuhai’s terrain played a part, the main reason was its own immense power.

Eternal Night Palace... All the unease in the Divine Dynasty over recent years originated from there, a testament to the might of the demon clan.

Feng Qi noticed that Xue Wujie had only mentioned the Azure Robe Tower and Eternal Night Palace.

“Those barbarians are not bad, but since Grand Ming does not dare leave the protection of the Great Light Array, a few priests alone could never kill you.”

Feng Qi thought to himself, so that was it, and then asked, “What about Crouching Dragon Isle?”

Xue Wujie scoffed dismissively, “The dragon clan fears death even more than the barbarians. Moreover, the demon clan has nearly vanished from the Divine Dynasty in recent years; lacking absolute strength, lacking sufficient intelligence, lacking a feasible opportunity—how could they slay you?”

Feng Qi still wanted to ask more.

Xue Wujie waved his hand, “Let’s not discuss matters that have not yet occurred.”

...

...

The reason for Feng Yang’s departure remained unknown, yet the scene of the Feng family’s Third Elder being defeated in a single move by a strange young man was witnessed by the people of Yanbei, causing a stir among the spectators.

The Third Elder’s nature was well known throughout Yanbei; his strength was a frequent topic in the citizens’ idle conversations.

Some claimed his power rivaled that of the Yanbei King.

Some said he could only be compared to Bai Jian.

But no one believed he could lose to a youth who appeared barely in his twenties.

“How can this be?” someone muttered.

“This is impossible!” someone exclaimed in frustration.

Feng Muyun returned to the judges’ platform, sat down, and took a sip of tea, finding it somewhat cold.

The Fourth Prince spoke, “Though the Emperor has worked in recent years to bridge the relationship between sects and the secular world, the Astronomical Bureau and most of the court officials remain opposed. Yanbei has always been at the eye of the storm; the Second Young Master’s actions may well affect you.”

Feng Muyun replied, “It doesn’t matter.”

The Fourth Prince was not convinced, “Your Highness, even without this incident, the censors often submit memorials impeaching Yanbei’s military strength...”

He hesitated, unsure how to continue.

“You’ve already said that even without these events, I’d be impeached. So, whether this is added or not, it’s irrelevant—they always find a reason... The Emperor won’t recall me over such a trifling matter.” Feng Muyun suddenly laughed. “Besides, that is my child. Naturally, it is for me as a father to bear responsibility for his actions.”

The Fourth Prince said, “The Emperor certainly trusts you, Your Highness, but even he cannot wholly disregard the opinions of the court. If all officials unite in their objections, the Emperor will surely waver. Should you be called to the capital to report, what then?”

As the pillar of the Divine Dynasty, Yanbei had always been viewed with suspicion; in the years when its military was most formidable, the Divine Emperor received memorials against Yanbei almost daily.

Yet Feng Muyun showed no concern.

“The Grand Commandant has not had an easy time these past few years. He is upright and fiery by nature, making many enemies.” Though young, the Fourth Prince immediately saw Feng Muyun’s greatest reliance. “Let the old Grand Commandant worry less.”

Feng Muyun was momentarily stunned, finally facing the matter directly. “According to Your Highness, what should I do?”

The Fourth Prince answered, “I hear the heir has close ties with Xueyun Sect.”

Feng Muyun shook his head, “If the sect intervenes, it might only backfire.”

The Fourth Prince said, “Having Xueyun Sect step forward would be the best solution. The foundation of the Divine Dynasty lies with the people, but the sects are its greatest pillar. If Xueyun Sect intervenes, even if all civil and military officials raise doubts, the Emperor will consider it carefully.”

Feng Muyun still disagreed, “This matter may be trivial, but what of later? If the Feng family escapes through the sect’s influence, how many officials could sleep peacefully at night?”

He paused, then said, “Yang’er has some health issues; that should suffice as a starting point.”

The Fourth Prince sighed, “You have governed the army too long, Your Highness, and perhaps have forgotten the nature of the court.”

Feng Muyun frowned, “What do you mean by that?”

The Fourth Prince spoke earnestly, “The officials fear the commanders of the four regions, not because they doubt your loyalty, but because they worry your overwhelming military might threatens imperial authority. As officials of the Divine Dynasty, how could they simply watch? In such circumstances, they will use every means to weaken you, regardless of reason or fairness.”

The guilt lies in the present.

The guilt lies in the future.

Feng Muyun said, “Yanbei cannot be disarmed. This was the founding emperor’s edict.”

The Fourth Prince replied, “The demon clan has not invaded from the north for decades. Which official still remembers the demon clan beyond the barbarians?”

Feng Muyun glanced at the Fourth Prince, “I do not think that is a good thing.”

“Of course it is not,” said the Fourth Prince. “But now, aside from the history books, there is no evidence to prove the demon clan’s strength.”

Feng Muyun said, “The storyteller surely knows. With his prestige, he could easily convince the world.”

The Fourth Prince responded, “The storyteller has left the Imperial Academy for years; the court cannot control him. As for the Wanderer’s Pavilion... it only records worldly affairs—the demon clan is not among them.”

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