"Where do you think you're going!"
Shi Ruifeng brandished his spear, lunging out once again.
"Humph! "
Pei Xuanjings eyes hardened, and he unsheathed his sword, accompanied by the forces of wind and thunder.
"Take this!"
Qiu Xingwen and Feng Hongfei, each launched their attack, trying to block Pei Xuanjing's escape route.
The two men moved simultaneously, one on each side of Pei Xuanjing, launching their attack with fury to form a pincer movement against him.
However, Pei Xuanjing clearly anticipated their strategy. He maintained his sword stance and with his left hand rapidly unleashed a series of palm strikes, an unending wave of energy blasting towards the two men.
Clang!
The Shenxiao Sword clashed with the long spear. Even the Divine Weapon, fashioned from the superior Mysterious Iron and pure gold, was left with a shallow scratch by the sword.
Hum!
Whoosh!
Without sparing a glance, Pei Xuanjing swept his Shenxiao Sword backwards. The fierce sword edge forced Qiu Xingwen and Feng Hongfei to retreat who were preparing for another joint attack.
His feet abruptly stepped onto the shaft of the spear held in Shi Ruifeng's hands.
Boom!
The immense force smashed the ground, generating wave after wave of tremors.
Shi Ruifeng roared, his veins bulging, and channeled his full strength into his spear, seemingly intending to topple Pei Xuanjing.
Yet, Pei Xuanjing had anticipated this. He leaped gracefully into the air and landed tens of feet away.
"Heh, heh." He glanced at the crowd and once again dashed off into the distance.
"Damn!"
"We've been tricked!"
Only then did they realize that Pei Xuanjing had planned this, using their own attacks to facilitate his escape.
But by the time they realized it, their opponent had already fled far away, leaving them to bemoan their incompetence.
The men shared a glance and sighed helplessly.
"With the three of us, it will be tough to capture him." Shi Ruifeng stood holding his spear, speaking with a grave expression.
Faced with his demoralizing words, the other two didn't oppose them but nodded slightly instead.
From this exchange, they had a first-hand experience of Pei Xuanjing's formidable strength.
They recognized that Shi Ruifeng's words were a face-saving gesture for them.
Capture him?
What a joke! If not for Pei Xuanjing evading the fight for some unknown reason, some of them might have lost their lives today.
In that moment, they understood that this man, whose name was held in high prestige by many, didn't exaggerate his capabilities.
Considering his track record, they were in no mood to become his stepping stone to further glory.
After all, no first-grade martial artist wanted to throw away their lavish and comfortable lives here, even if they were despised as stooges.
"Why not invite a few more experts?" suggested Feng Hongfei.
Shi Ruifeng and Qiu Xingwen nodded in agreement.
Despite their apprehension, they still had duties to fulfill.
They started to arrange for their deceased companion's bodies to be taken away and ordered their subordinates from Hejian Mansion to search the whole city for signs of Pei Xuanjing.
Leaving aside the fact that Shi Ruifeng and the others were starting to regard Pei Xuanjing as a formidable foe, and decided to call for reinforcements…
Soon after escaping, Pei Xuanjing quickly moved between several locations. By the time he emerged from somewhere, he had changed into a youthful outfit, looking completely different from his previous appearance.
Pei Xuanjing walked down several streets, following the markings on the road, and eventually arrived at the back door of a house.
Creak.
The back door of the house opened, revealing a bright-eyed, lean young man.
"Sir, please come in."
Pei Xuanjing nodded and followed the man into the house.
This house was obviously of affluence, with all the pavilions and kiosks one could think of. After several twists and turns, Pei Xuanjing was led to a pavilion.
"Sir, please wait here." The young man said. Pei Xuanjing nodded and entered the pavilion alone.
"Master."
Pei Xuanjing hadn't been waiting long when he heard a call from behind.
He turned to see Pang Hong, his face lit up with joy. He immediately ran towards Pei Xuanjing.
In the short span of two years, the once skinny Pang Hong had grown healthy and strong after starting his martial arts training. It had been nearly a year since Pei Xuanjing had left Tiandu and Pang Hong alone.
In that time, Pang Hong had grown taller and his face had shed some of its youthful innocence. The only thing unchanged was his bright eyes.
"Salutations to my master." Pang Hong halted a yard away from Pei Xuanjing and dutifully bowed his head in greeting.
Pei Xuanjing's face adorned a small smile as he replied, "You've already broken through to the ninth grade, well done. It seems your dedication to martial arts has not slackened."
Pang Hong's voice was filled with emotion. "All my achievements today are due to your help, Master. I will never forget your kindness."
Pang Hong felt an indescribable amount of gratitude towards the man before him.
He knew that if it wasn't for him, he would still be the same insecure boy who didn't know if he would survive another day, maybe dying like a dog one day.
Without him, he wouldn't have been able to start practicing martial arts, much less be where he was today.
His words were heartfelt, and there wasn't a trace of insincerity in them.
When he heard about the troubles his master had encountered, it spontaneously worried him, and he wanted to take his master's place in it.
Having grown up in the tough streets of Tiandu, he Imew the cruelty of those people only too well.
His greatest fear was those people coming after him, not because he was afraid of death, but because he was afraid they would use him to coerce his master, thereby hurting his master. He was ready to lay down his life to make a statement.
So, when Lin Qingyi asked him if he was willing to leave and follow his master, Pang Hong agreed without hesitation.
He thought that any hesitation on his part would be disrespectful to his master.
"Congratulations to Brother Pei on your reunion with your disciple." A man clad in a brocade robe appeared in the distance, it was none other than Lin Qingyi.
Pei Xuanjing patted Pang Hong, who was slightly shaken, to soothe him.
Then he turned and bowed his head to Lin Qingyi, "Thank you, Brother Lin for your help."
"Brother Pei, you're being too polite. Compared to the help you've given me, this is merely a trivial matter." Lin Qingyi modestly declined.
He was being honest; compared to the assistance Pei Xuanjing had provided him, this matter was trivial.
Even though people knew that Pei Xuanjing had given martial arts instructions to Pang Hong, nobody would believe that a fierce and decisive person like him would go out of his way for an ordinary youth.
However, this very fact confirmed to Lin Qingyi that Pei Xuanjing wasn't the heartless kind, and he was willing to take a risk for this.
Pei Xuanjing just smiled and didn't linger on the matter.
He turned to Pang Hong and said, "Go pack your things. I have some matters to discuss with Brother
Lin.."
Watching Pang Hong's slowly retreating figure, Lin Qingyi complimented, "Brother Pei chose a fine disciple."
Lin Qingyi was not in the least bit flattering. He had spent a considerable amount of time with Pang Hong, understanding the young man's thought process well.
He was also well aware that the other party always carried a dagger on his person, seemingly prepared to use it against him should he try to exploit him against Pei Xuanjing.
Lin Qingyi wasn't offended by this, but rather, praised it deeply in his heart.
Such a sensible disciple, who knew when to advance or retreat and was willing to sacrifice, was something he might not be able to achieve himself, but he found such a person worthy of admiration nonetheless.
Pei Xuanjing smiled. Having heard Lin Qingyi's description, he also thought highly of Pang Hong. The boy's actions pleased him significantly.
Even though guiding the boy initially was unintentional, his cultivation of the boy was genuine.
And after spending so much time together, even if they were just a cat and a dog, it was inevitable for feelings to develop. That was why he asked Lin Qingyi to look after the boy.
He had prepared in advance. Even if Pang Hong would hesitate to leave with him because of his own affairs, he would still ask Lin Qingyi to take care of him and not involve him in the upcoming turmoil.
Of course, if that were the case, it would mean that he had misjudged and their friendship would naturally be nullified, with no ties between them anymore.
However, the fact that the boy had indeed decided to follow him proved that Pei Xuanjing had chosen correctly, thus being worthy of further cultivation.
After this, Pei Xuanjing would naturally intensify his cultivation of Pang Hong, truly treating him as his own disciple. Eventually, he could even pass on his own mantle to him.
The two took their seats on the stone benches in the pavilion. Lin Qingyi poured two cups of tea, before speaking, "Over the decades, I consider meeting you, Brother Pei, to be my greatest fortune."
Pei Xuanjing laughed and shook his head, "Brother Lin jests."
"Had it not been for Brother Pei, I would have died when you captured the Mire Sect Republican
Shentu Han." Lin Qingyi recalled their first meeting with Pei Xuanjing, and sighed, "Without Brother Pei, the grass on my grave would probably be three feet high by now."
Pei Xuanjing tried to brush off the compliment, "When I took action back then, it was because I had a grudge against the Mire Sect, it wasn't because…"
Lin Qingyi interrupted him, saying, "Regardless, Brother Pei, you saved not only my life, but also the lives of my brothers. That is an undeniable fact."
Even if they didn't know at the time, they later understood some of the grudges between Pei Xuanjing and the Mire Sect.
But no matter what, it was indisputable that Pei Xuanjing had saved Lin Qingyi's life.
Pei Xuanjing remained silent, listening as Lin Qingyi continued, "Later, when we cleared the Yin Bureau strongholds, Brother Pei saved me once again…'
"In fact, if we consider it carefully, had it not been for Brother Pei'S multiple interventions, there would be no 'me' today." said Lin Qingyi.
If it hadn't been for Pei Xuanjing's multiple interventions, he wouldn't have had so many meritorious deeds, wouldn't have risen so rapidly, and wouldn't have had his current power and status. In these two years, he made more progress than he had in the previous ten years combined.
Pei Xuanjing laughed, "Brother Lin, you're over-praising me."
They both sat there, discussing many past events.
Sometimes, when one thinks about it, so many things happen over a span of only two years.
After a while, Lin Qingyi finally said what he had been wanting to say, "Brother Pei, your assistance during these two years has been invaluable to me. I am forever grateful and will remember your kindness deeply."
However.
Pei Xuanjing added mentally.
"However, times have changed. Although we are friends, we have our own stands. I hold an official position in the imperial court, while you operate in the jianghu. You are a bandit wanted by the imperial court, while I am a court-appointed officer. Although we are friends, it's inevitable that we might have to confront each other one day. I hope that when that day comes, we each act in our own interests. I hope, Brother Pei, that you won't blame me, and also that you won't hesitate to make your move." Having said this, Lin Qingyi stood up and gave a bow.
He had benefited greatly from Pei Xuanjing and naturally, he needed to reciprocate.
If Pei Xuanjing continued to stand on the imperial court's side, they could both serve under the same roof, and Lin Qingyi would naturally have the opportunity to repay him in the future.
However, Pei Xuanjing had now fallen out with the imperial court, and their positions were clearly opposed.
As a member of the Brocade Guards, Lin Qingyi could let personal feelings get in the way, but he could not neglect his duty.
Although the Brocade Guards hadn't gotten involved at that point, it was just a matter of time.
And this also meant that sooner or later, he and Pei Xuanjing would have to cross swords.
Seeing Lin Qingyi being so serious, Pei Xuanjing's expression also turned solemn. He upheld Lin Qingyi and reassured him saying, "Brother Lin, rest assured that if ever such a day comes, I will not hesitate to act, thereby maintaining your duty."
At this moment, Pei Xuanjing's perception of Lin Qingyi underwent a significant change from the past.
If previously, Pei Xuanjing saw Lin Qingyi as nothing more than a bureaucrat yearning for power and status, with their amicability being just on the surface, his view radically transformed now.
All of a sudden, Pei Xuanjing began to understand why the Great Ming had been reigning supreme for 600 years, even though there were many forces covertly dominating various regions, no one dared to harbor any thoughts of rebellion.
It was not because of anything else, but because of the existence of people like Lin Qingyi.
You have to understand that the righteousness of the establishment of the Great Ming far exceeds that of previous dynasties. There are many defenders like Lin Qingyi as well.
That's why he said those words.
It was a sign of his respect for Lin Qingyi, even though Lin Qingyi was not currently a match for him.
After that, the two went their separate ways, each returning to their respective paths.
From that day forward, although their friendship remained, due to the differences in their positions, they became estranged from each other. If they were to meet again in the future, it would probably be a meeting of swords.
The next day, Pei Xuanjing hung his sword at his waist and, accompanied by Pang Hong, entered an inn again.
Not long after the two entered the inn, Qingyang Zi arrived, as if he had already known they would be staying here, and came to meet them once again.
After Pang Hong returned to his room, Qingyang Zi and Pei Xuanjing sat facing each other.
Pei Xuanjing sat quietly, not in any hurry, and calmly waited for Qingyang Zi to speak.
Seeing Pei Xuanjing sitting calmly and composed, Qingyang Zi couldn't help but admire his tranquility.
After a while, Qingyang Zi took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Pei Xuanjing, saying,
"You read it first. If there's anything you don't understand, I can explain."
Pei Xuanjing set down the teacup in his hand, accepted the letter from Qingyang Zi, but did not rush to open it. Instead, he slowly spoke, "Senior, I have a question that I am curious about. Was True
Martial Sect involved in the destruction of Shenxiao Sect?"
Hearing Pei Xuanjing's sudden question, Qingyang Zi was taken aback..