Volume One: The Turmoil of Yan and Yun Chapter Two: The Rising Wind
He is a subordinate of the Wind Rest Battalion, but that does not mean he still serves there.
Chang Si has been retired for many years, yet it does not stop him, like everyone else, from seeing Feng Qi as the future of Yanbei.
Why is Yanbei's future entrusted to him?
If anything were to happen, could a thousand deaths ever absolve his guilt?
“My lord…”
“No need to say it.”
“But…”
“My second brother and I left with Father’s permission. What else is there for you to worry about?”
Only then did Chang Si remember that the second young master was also in the caravan.
The pressure mounted further.
Feng Qi waved his hand. “Let’s just move on.”
Before long, the caravan arrived at Yanyang Pass, the first barrier defending against northern enemies. The city walls stood over ten zhang tall, three to four times the height of the Giant Demon Clan. After countless repairs, the walls were as solid as frozen iron; even the strongest of the demon clans could not leave a single mark.
From here, the eighteen passes of Yan Yun begin.
After a simple farewell to the caravan, Feng Qi led Feng Yang to the city guard to retrieve their stabled horses, heading south.
Once inside the Divine Dynasty’s territory, though not fraught with peril like the frontier, it was considerably safer. The Feng brothers lowered their vigilance against external foes and relaxed.
“Big brother, do you truly intend to marry the eldest daughter of the Murong family?” Feng Yang asked.
Feng Qi lay back on another horse, a stalk of Yanbei’s unique dried grass between his lips, and murmured assent.
He had picked up this habit from Third Uncle. Speaking of whom, it had been years since he last saw him. Perhaps, once matters here were settled, he should visit the Han Sea Desert.
“And what about Sister Xing? Weren’t you always fond of her?” Feng Yang pressed.
Feng Qi choked, nearly startled into falling from his horse.
“You silly boy! What makes you think I ever liked her?”
Feng Yang shot his brother a glance. “If you don’t like her, why are you so agitated?”
Feng Qi, somewhat irritated, snapped, “How many volumes of the Ten Thousand Scrolls have you studied?”
Feng Yang replied, “All but the last two. The rest I’ve memorized.”
“All memorized?” Feng Qi asked, doubt coloring his tone.
The Ten Thousand Scrolls, commonly known as the Dao Repository.
At their age, even reading through the Dao Repository was remarkable, let alone memorizing it.
Feng Yang nodded. “When you were ten, you could recall it all fluently. I’m sixteen now and have only just managed; why be surprised?”
Feng Qi considered this and found it made sense. After all, he had raised his brother himself—if he lacked even this much ability, it would hardly be justified.
Thinking it over, he resolved to reward Feng Yang and quietly said, “Luo Xing… I only regard her as a friend.”
Feng Yang remembered how that Yan Yun girl liked to follow behind his brother… trailing after Feng Qi. He sighed, but did not press the matter further, changing the subject. “By the way, brother, when you dealt with those green bandits, why did you use a sword?”
In the army, spears and halberds had always been the mainstay. As the master of Yanbei, the Feng family's Overlord Spear held a place on the Hundred Techniques List, and the Feng family disciples practiced only spear techniques, ignoring all others. Why would the heir apparent’s brother wield such a formidable sword?
That sword light could only be produced by someone who had trained day and night.
Feng Qi glanced at him and replied coolly, “Spears are too heavy. I dislike them.”
Feng Yang’s mouth fell open slightly. If the elders heard this, he’d be sentenced to at least two hours standing in the training grounds.
Perhaps sensing his thoughts, Feng Qi added lazily, “I won’t be punished. Even if I prefer swords, no one in the family can match my spear technique.”
Feng Yang rubbed his forehead. His brother was perfect in every way, except for this narcissism, which was truly hard to accept.
Feng Qi knew what Feng Yang was thinking, and gave him a cool glance, saying nothing.
Looking ahead, his brows suddenly arched.
Feng Yang paused, following his gaze.
A young general, clad in armor and weapons, appeared in their sight. He looked around eighteen or nineteen, wearing a white velvet silver crown, left hand on the reins, right hand holding a long spear.
“Well, I wondered why this arrogant riding posture felt so familiar… Turns out, it’s the young lord himself!”
Feng Qi ignored him, nudging his horse with his toe to keep it moving.
Feng Yang saluted. “Greetings, cousin.”
The young man laughed lightly. “Second young master is more courteous than the heir apparent.”
He reached out to grab Feng Qi’s reins.
Feng Qi spat out the dried grass, infusing it with energy so it struck the armored hand with a crisp ring.
The young man was furious. “Feng Qi!”
Feng Qi replied coolly, “What is it, Yun Changqing?”
Seeing the tension rise between them, Feng Yang hurried to mediate. “Let it go, brother. Cousin means no harm. Just say less.”
He then turned to Yun Changqing. “Cousin, appearing here in full gear—is there something urgent? If so, my brother and I won’t disturb you.”
Yun Changqing snorted. “Didn’t you say you found Star Iron? I brought men to assist you.”
Feng Qi replied indifferently, “Assist us? So long as you’re not here to drag us down.”
Yun Changqing’s anger flared again. “Feng Qi!”
Feng Qi cleaned his ear. “I can hear you. No need to shout. If outsiders overheard, they’d think I owed you money.”
Feng Yang stepped aside, helpless.
These two had never gotten along since childhood. Even now, one a noble heir, the other a general, nothing had changed.
Their bickering carried on for some time before Yun Changqing’s men arrived, all sweating and panting.
Yun Changqing frowned. “Absurd! This short distance wore you out? How can you protect Yanbei’s people with such stamina?”
The soldiers felt wronged, thinking: the general was on horseback, but we had to sprint for dozens of li to catch up.
This time, Feng Qi did not mock him, staring blankly at the sky, lost in thought.
Yun Changqing’s lecture lasted quite a while, then he turned to Feng Yang. “Where’s the Star Iron?”
Feng Yang shook his storage pouch. “In here.”
Yun Changqing nodded. “Give it to your brother. We’ve received secret reports—someone covets your prize. The road ahead won’t be peaceful. Your brother is stronger; I’d feel more secure if he held it.”
Feng Yang replied, about to open the pouch.
“Leave it with you,” Feng Qi said in his usual careless way. “Security is irrelevant. All you need to know is this: you are Yanbei, you are the second young master. That’s enough.”
Yun Changqing’s expression changed. “Star Iron is priceless. Feng Yang hasn’t reached the Hunyuan Realm. How can you entrust it to him?”
Feng Qi arched his brow. “Are you questioning my brother’s strength?”
Yun Changqing clarified, “I mean no offense to him…”
Feng Qi sat up, staring at Yun Changqing. “I’ve said it before. This is Yanbei!”
The atmosphere grew tense. Feng Qi and Yun Changqing locked eyes, neither yielding.
The wind stirred, raising clouds of yellow sand.
Feng Qi made a sound.
Twice.
Yun Changqing drew his Overlord Spear from his energy chamber and shouted, “Form up!”
In an instant, the formation was set.
Only then did Feng Yang sense the blood in the wind.
Indeed, only lunatics from the evil cult would dare attack Yanbei’s heir and second young master on Yanbei soil.
Judging by the blood scent… Bloodshed Pavilion?
Feng Qi’s figure suddenly vanished, the sound of clashing metal ringing from the sand—he was already fighting the Bloodshed Pavilion’s men.
Yun Changqing, panicked, cursed aloud, “Damn it! Who told you to attack on your own?”
No one answered.
A soldier asked, “What now?”
Yun Changqing snapped, “Ignore him! Hold your position!”
The soldier shrank back, fearful.
Yun Changqing took a deep breath. “Fine. Chen Yun, Li Yang, go out and retrieve the young lord…”
Before he could finish, Feng Yang interrupted, “Don’t.”
Yun Changqing frowned. “You’re joining your brother’s recklessness?”
Feng Yang smiled. “Relax. Brother can’t lose.”
After a pause, he added, “He never has!”
The sandstorm gradually settled.
Feng Qi had not lost.
But he had not won either.
His opponent was a short woman, her body shrouded in a black robe, a long sword trembling above her shoulder.
Insight Realm!
Yun Changqing’s pupils contracted.
Such high-level cultists had not appeared in Yanbei for years.
Whether cult or orthodox, all were human. Even cultists did not wish for barbarians to invade the south. With the demon clan at the city gates, no cultist of excessive power should appear in Yanbei. This was the consensus among all humanity.
Why had she chosen this moment?
Was it truly for Star Iron?
What use would the cult have for Star Iron?
Was Feng Qi really her opponent?
Behind the woman stood eight figures in black, their energy fluctuations strong—likely Hunyuan Middle Realm.
Yun Changqing frowned, realizing the gravity of the situation. To hasten the rendezvous, he had brought only four comrades from the army, all Hunyuan Middle Realm, plus himself at Hunyuan Upper Realm. They could never hold off such a force.
Could it be… today was the day they would die?
The battle between Feng Qi and the woman grew ever more intense. Neither side dared move rashly; all waited for their strongest to resolve the duel.
Yet Feng Qi was only Hunyuan Upper Realm—his energy reserves could not match the woman’s. His spear technique was intricate, but lacked offensive power. No matter how exquisite, how could it win him victory?
Another shrill sword cry split the air.
Feng Qi and the woman separated, neither choosing to attack again.
“You’re impressive. Top of the Elegant List—your reputation is well deserved,” the woman said coolly.
Feng Qi smiled. “You too. If we truly fought to the finish, I might not be your equal.”
The woman was silent for a moment. “Why are you so familiar with the Insight Realm?”
Body Tempering, Hunyuan, Insight, Radiance, Illusory Dao, Unity. Each major realm was worlds apart. Insight surpassed Hunyuan not only in energy reserves, nor just in the power of skills used.
Insight’s strength lies in intent.
Sword is sword intent, saber is saber intent.
Sword intent allows the sword to attack and defend, unpredictable and formidable against lesser foes.
Yet her sword intent had never once touched Feng Qi. Facing him, she almost felt she was still in the Hunyuan Realm!
Feng Qi did not answer, only shrugged. “Neither of us can win quickly, can we?”
The woman nodded.
Feng Qi smiled gently. “Then let’s settle this another way. What do you think?”
The woman pondered. “How do you propose?”
Feng Qi beckoned to Feng Yang, who hurried to his side.
Feng Qi draped an arm over Feng Yang’s shoulder, raising his chin. “Aside from you, pick anyone from your side. If they can defeat my brother, the Star Iron is yours!”
The scene fell silent—even the woman seemed baffled.
Yun Changqing cursed under his breath, about to object.
Feng Qi shot him a cold look, and Yun Changqing, frowning, held back.
The woman asked, “Are you sure?”
Feng Qi smiled. “I’m sure.”
The woman paused, then asked, “Has the second young master broken into Hunyuan Realm?”
Feng Qi replied, “Don’t worry, my brother is still at Body Tempering.”
Only, not quite the ordinary Body Tempering phase, he silently added.
The woman considered, then nodded. “As you wish, young lord. Chen Ding, step forward!”
The one called Chen Ding took a step forward. Though only Hunyuan Middle Realm, his energy suggested he could break through within days.
Feng Qi patted Feng Yang’s shoulder. “No problem, right?”
Feng Yang sighed, resigned. “What’s the problem… You called me out just to trick them, didn’t you?”
Feng Qi rolled his eyes, kicking his brother’s backside. “Enough chatter!”
Feng Yang stumbled into the arena, disgruntled.
Chen Ding faced him, mocking, “Yanbei’s second young master? Body Tempering?”
Feng Yang glanced up, as if looking at an idiot.
A flash of light, and he drew the Overlord Spear from his pouch.
Seeing this, Chen Ding’s contempt deepened.
Feng Yang stomped hard, his body shooting forward like a cannonball.
A streak of afterimage traced the air, his shoulder slamming into Chen Ding’s chest.
Overlord Spear, third form: Fierce Tiger Break!
Caught off guard, Chen Ding was sent flying, chest tight, his energy disrupted, hastily raising his sword to defend.
Feng Yang had no energy—he couldn’t possibly harm him!
Then came a sound of tearing air—a silver spear flew from afar, trailing afterimages and sonic tremors, and in Chen Ding’s stunned gaze, tore through his energy shield and sword defense, pinning him to the ground!
…
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