A Martial Odyssey

Chapter 31: The Top Exponent from the Virtuous Palace

Just as Yi Ping was sighing sadly, he was suddenly surrounded by Shui Yujian and Shui Meijian who embraced him side by side!

Nangong Le was stunned as he thought, "Yi Ping knows the twin sisters too? Why is that he seems to know all the beauties?"

Shui Meijian exclaimed tearfully, "Master, we have finally found you!"

Shui Yujian wiped a tear from her eyes as she said gently, "Master, you still have us. Maiden Xiao may not appreciate you but we do."

Ji Lingfeng and Lie Qing were startled at how close they were with Yi Ping.

Ji Lingfeng hummed coldly, "The two of you are so shameless. You are so young yet you are hugging a man so intimately."

Lie Qing wanted to say the same thing too but her injuries were severe and she could not muster her strength. So she was glad that Ji Lingfeng had actually spoken out what was in her mind.

Shui Yujian said coolly, "We are talking to our Master now; you don't have the right to interrupt us."

Ji Lingfeng said coldly, "Oh he is your master? I have never heard of clan protgs behaving so intimately with their master."

Shui Meijian smiled cheekily, "That is because Yi Ping is also our husband!"

Ji Lingfeng almost fainted from anger as she said coldly, "Just who is your husband?!"

Shui Meijian said, "You didn't hear me? Yi Ping is my husband."

Ji Lingfeng said coldly, "How shameless of you to claim Yi Ping as your husband."

Shui Yujian looked at Yi Ping with her eyes full of melody as she said, "It seems that she is hard of hearing. Yi Ping, tell her, you are our husband."

Yi Ping was stunned. When he looked at Shui Yujian's eyes, he began to recall the reason why he had ran away from the Eternal Ice Palace and his cheeks began to flush.

He stammered, "IIdon't know."

Ji Lingfeng was infuriated, "What do you mean by you do not know? It is either yes or no!"

Even Lie Qing said, "Yi Ping, youare really their husband?!"

Nangong Le smiled bitterly as he said, "Congratulations for having two lovely wives."

Qiu Wufeng smiled awkwardly as he said, "How many wives do you have, Brother Yi Ping."

Yi Ping replied unhappily, "Now it is not the time for jokes."

Even though Ding Yunzi was expressionless and was quiet but she was stunned by the audaciousness of Ji Lingfeng, Shui Yujian and Shui Meijian in declaring their sentiments as she thought, "Youxue, it is a lucky thing that you did not see this or you will surely be dismayed at this sight. This Yi Ping is nothing but a despicable Playboy! I am so wrong and I thought that he is a good man."

Ji Lingfeng looked at Yi Ping with hurt eyes, "Yi Ping, is that true? You have never told me before"

Yi Ping really did not know to reply as he thought bitterly, "No one will ever believe what I have said and believe that I did it in a moment of folly. Alas Yi Ping! First you let down Youxue, second you let down Yu'Er and Mei'Er. Now you let down Lingfengwhy must you hurt those that are closest to you?"

Just when he was about to say something, Lie Qing mustered all her strength and gave him a tight slap on his right cheek!

Shui Yujian was startled. She quickly recovered her composure and asked, "Why did"

Before Yi Ping could even recover from his astonishment and before Shui Yujian could finish her sentence, Ji Lingfeng had slapped him tightly on his left cheek!

Shui Meijian had not even recovered from her initial surprise yet as both slaps happened in a blink of an eye and almost the same time!

Everyone could see how emotional Ji Lingfeng and Lie Qing had been!

Yi Ping could only mutter, "Why did"

But even before he could finish, Lie Qing had coughed out blood and fainted!

Yi Ping quickly caught hold of her and panicky shouted, "Qing'Er, don't scare me. Wake up"

When Ji Lingfeng saw that Yi Ping was holding Lie Qing, she was so infuriated that she stormed to the entrance, alarming Yi Ping.

Yi Ping thought, "She is angry? Why shouldn't she? If I were her, I will be angry too"

Ji Lingfeng had already reached the door but she had stopped short of exiting the door.

Zuo Tianyi said quickly, "Yi Ping, say something to pacify her or she will really leave."

Yi Ping said, "Lingfeng, where are you going? It is dangerous for you to be alone"

Ji Lingfeng answered coldly, "Hmph, I have been roaming the fraternity alone since I am sixteen. You don't have to worry about me. I probably have more experience in the fraternity than you guys who drink like pigs."

Yi Ping, Qiu Wufeng and Gongsun Jing began to fluster.

Everyone was already anticipating that Maiden Ji would storm off the room as she was getting emotional.

That includes Yi Ping who was still holding onto Lie Qing and he was surrounded left and right by Shui Yujian and Shui Meijian. Yi Ping was really in an awkward position!

Nangong Le and Qiu Wufeng were looking enviably, wishing that they would be in Yi Ping position instead.

Nangong Le thought, "Since Yi Ping is unable to cherish Maiden Lingfeng, when she storms off I will immediately chase after her. Who knows, we may become a couple."

Ji Lingfeng just stood there and was brushing her long flowing hair as she thought, "When Xiao Youxue left the room earlier he did not even go after her. When I have left the last time, he did not even try to make a little effort to stop me. He is really so dumb."

That was why she was still waiting at the door for Yi Ping to ask her to stay or to pacify her.

Ding Yunzi was thinking, "Yi Ping, no maidens will tolerate such a guy that is indecisive. I am afraid today that you are going to hurt another maiden again. You are a good guy Yi Ping, treat others with respect and a sincere person. But sometimes, not everyone can understand you and think you are a fickle minded person. This will cause you to lose favor in the eyes of everyone that do not understand you."

All of a sudden, Ji Lingfeng brushed aside her long flowing hair and walked back to the center of room as she began to sit down, stunning everyone!

Yi Ping was startled, "You are not going?"

Shui Yujian was surprised as she asked, "You are not leaving?"

Shui Meijian asked, "Why did you come back for?"

Ji Lingfeng looked at everyone without batting an eye as she knew that everyone was looking at her for answers.

Even Ding Yunzi who was rarely wrong on her analysis was startled by her sudden reversal as she asked, "What is she thinking?"

Ji Lingfeng said coolly, "Hmph, I am just suddenly curious just exactly how many shameless vixens are there around Yi Ping that lingers around him like nasty flies. They can even claim him as their husband when it is not the truth."

She began to look at her fingernails and looked at Shui Meijian and Shui Yujian.

Shui Yujian said coolly, "It seems that you are trying to pick a fight with us."

Ji Lingfeng replied, "Hmph, so what?"

Shui Meijian looked at Yi Ping with doleful eyes, "We dare not. We are not as *****ing as you. We are just eighteen and you are trying to bully us. We are so pitiful"

Ji Lingfeng was startled at Shui Meijian's reply. This young maiden was smarter than she had appeared to be. Instead of being upset, she was using a soft approach and made it appeared as though she was the bully instead.

All of a sudden, Ji Lingfeng stole a glance at Ding Yunzi and blinked her eyes.

Ding Yunzi was startled but she did not show it. She quickly thought, "This Maiden Ji is not just a pretty doll. Her intellect is not beneath me"

Yi Ping asked, "Lingfeng, you are not leaving anymore?"

Ji Lingfeng said, "You seem eager for me to leave?"

Yi Ping smiled bitterly, "Of course not."

Ji Lingfeng smiled, "Of course I know you don't wish. All of you have come all the way just for me. If I walk off, you will have to find me again. Therefore I have decided to save you all the trouble from looking for me again."

Yi Ping rubbed his nose as he said, "True, true. If you walk off now, I may not be able to find you again."

Ji Lingfeng said to Shui Yujian and Shui Meijian, "If you are not here to look for me, both of you can leave immediately. Did you just hear that Yi Ping is here to look for me?"

Shui Yujian was exasperated as she said, "Youyou"

Shui Meijian immediately said, "Sister Lingfeng, we are so young. Surely you aren't thinking of bullying us? Yi Ping is indeed our Master and husband. We surely follow him whenever he goes. I'm Mei'Er and this is my sister Yu'Er."

Ji Lingfeng's eyes soften a little and this was not lost on Shui Yujian who had super sensitive sense with her 'Heart Intricacy Skill'.

Shui Yujian melancholy said, "We are orphans. Ever since our Mistress is gone, Yi Ping had been our Master. We are so young and have no one to depend upon. We know we shouldn't call Yi Ping our husband but our chastity"

Shui Meijian added woefully, "A maiden chastity is important. We know that our Master did it in a matter of folly. We don't blame him and we suffer in silence alone"

Shui Yujian began to sob, "We shouldn't say this in public to disgrace our Master but I hope Sister Lingfeng will take pity on us."

Ding Yunzi was startled and she looked at Yi Ping with a hateful look. Her expressions had suddenly changed and she was trembling.

Ji Lingfeng looked at Yi Ping with woeful expressions as she said coldly to him, "You are a beast in disguise."

Qiu Wufeng and Gongsun Jing began to sigh heavily when they had heard of their tragedies.

Nangong Le, Zuo Tianyi and Ding Yunzi were all thinking at the same time, "We promise to keep their protg mistress' news from Yi Ping but are we lying to Yi Ping? From the looks of it, these two sisters seem to be expert liars"

All of a sudden, the twin sisters were crying in Ji Lingfeng's embrace as they said. "We hope that Sister Lingfeng will take care of us and take us in as close sisters"

Shui Yujian blinked secretly at her sister, Shui Meijian as she thought, "Let this Lingfeng fight it out with Lie Qing and Ding Yunzi first while we wait on the fence. As long as we are coy and amicable, we have Yi Ping's hearts eventually."

Shui Meijian was also thinking the same, "Our protg mistress have taken Xiao Youxue back to the Eternal Ice Palace and leave us with these strangers. This Maiden Lingfeng can be our ally against them."

Ji Lingfeng began to sympathize with the twin sisters as she said gently, "Yu'Er and Mei'Er, if Yi Ping dares to bully you, I will surely teach him a lesson. Don't be afraid. You are all so young and should be happy. Alas, from now on, we are sisters. If he dares to take in another wife again, I will surely kill him."

Yi Ping smiled bitterly and was relieved that at least Ji Lingfeng was staying so he said, "Lingfeng, I"

But Ji Lingfeng interrupted him coldly as she said, "I didn't say I want to talk to you. You seem to be enjoying holding this vixen in your arms."

Yi Ping said, "Lie Qing has serious internal injuries. We need to take her to a place to recuperate first."

Ji Lingfeng said coldly, "I say I don't wish to talk to you now"

All of a sudden, Ji Lingfeng, Zuo Tianyi, Ding Yunzi, Shui Yujian, Shui Meijian and Yi Ping froze in fear.

They had sudden sensed a powerful malevolent aura that was silently approaching them!

Zuo Tianyi said, "What a deadly killing malevolent air."

Ding Yunzi had broken into a cold sweat, "That's Yuan Shao. We must quickly leave this place as soon as possible! Hurry!"

Yi Ping asked, "Who is this Yuan Shao? There is only one of him and we have so many? I am not afraid of him."

Qiu Wufeng said, "Why do we need to fear him for?"

Ding Yunzi said, "He is an elder of the Virtuous Palace. He may be ninety-seven year old this year but even our Protg Master Xiao Shuai is afraid of him. I didn't expect him to be here. We must quickly flee. Meet outside the city at the seven miles pavilion that is on the map."

She began to walk away when all of a sudden Yi Ping caught hold of her while still holding Lie Qing as he asked. "Yunzi, where are you going?"

Ding Yunzi said, "Yuan Shao may not know I have betrayed the Virtuous Palace yet. I will hold him back for a while. Everyone please go now, as fast as possible."

Zuo Tianyi said coldly, "Hey, don't touch her."

Yi Ping flustered as he quickly let go of Ding Yunzi's hand.

Ji Lingfeng was infuriated, "He didn't even try to grab my hand just now"

Ding Yunzi said, "Yi Ping is now my protg master. Mind your language, Tianyi."

Zuo Tianyi sighed, "Yunzi, why are you treating me so coldly? Let me go with you."

Gongsun Jing said, "Maiden Ding, I will go with you."

Ding Yunzi drawn out her long sword as she said, "Don't hinder me. You will only cause me to lose my life by tagging along. Yuan Shao kills anyone that is not from the Virtuous Palace and if anyone of you comes with me, he would know that I have betrayed the Virtuous Palace."

She paused solemnly for a while before she adds, "Don't ever think of following me. None of you here except for Lie Qing and Xiao Youxue can even hold thirty strokes from me. Yuan Shao can kill all of you in much less the time. Don't even bother to try."

Then she left the room hastily!

Ji Lingfeng was trembling, "This killing malevolentwe have no hope against it"

Shui Yujian said, "His malevolent aura can be felt from so far away. Normal opponents cannot stand against him. I cannot imagine if we are near him."

Shui Meijian nodded.

Yi Ping said, "Let's leave quickly before it is too late."

Zuo Tianyi gritted his teeth as he muttered, "She may be right. She may be safer on her own than with us." It was because even he was afraid and shaking now.

Yuan Shao had not reached but his sword and malevolent intentions had already rippled through them! And even top exponents like Yi Ping, Zuo Tianyi, Ji Lingfeng, Gong Jing, Nangong Le, Shui Yujian and Shui Meijian could all feel his startling presence!

They knew that he was very near and time was now essential!

Yi Ping said, "I don't blame her if she returns to the Virtuous Palace. I only hope she is safe. I never expected that the Virtuous Palace would have a super exponent of this caliber.

Zuo Tianyi smiled bitterly, "No wonder my grandfather warned me not to offend the Virtuous Palace in the past. Even Gongsun Bai did not inspire such fear in me"

Ji Lingfeng said, "Only someone who has killed countless number of people has this type of malevolent aura"

Nangong Le was smiling wryly as the group left the room, "We are running away from just one old man? It's funny, isn't it?"

Qiu Wufeng said, "You have seen the skills of Xiao Shuai and Maiden Ding? You have not seen real super exponents when they are fighting for real. I can still remember vividly how more than fifty fighters tried to take down the Celestial Fairy and barely even the battle had even start; half of us were already down."

Nangong Le smiled bitterly as he thought, "I have seen the Celestial Fairy earlier and the skills displayed by Lie Qing. Their martial skills are out of the world. I just don't believe an old man from the Virtuous Palace can be as good as them"

All of a sudden Yi Ping said, "Yu'Er, Mei'Er, help me to carry Lie Qing."

Shui Yujian cried out melancholy, "Master, where are you going?"

Yi Ping simply smiled, "Don't worry. I won't be in trouble and will keep a good distant in case Yunzi is in trouble." And he was gone.

It was only then that the group realized that both Zuo Tianyi and Yi Ping were both missing from the group!

Ji Lingfeng said coldly, "They are foolish, so let them be."

But she was saying silently to herself, "Yi Ping, why are you always meddling into troubles? You must know your limitations."

Shui Meijian said, "I wonder who are more foolish. The Holy Hex Sect or Yi Ping. For the Holy Hex Sect to fight against so many martial clans are more foolish."

Ji Lingfeng smiled mysteriously, "The orthodox clans will soon know that they are courting their own death should they come to the Western Fraternity."

Gongsun Jing asked, "Why is it so? Aren't there a number of powerful orthodox clans in the Western Fraternity too?"

Ji Lingfeng hummed coldly, "However, they all seem to forget that a hidden rule of the Western Fraternity. No matter if they are unorthodox or orthodox martial clans, no clans shall exterminate the other or that will incur the wrath of the other Emei Clans and the Celestial Palace."

There were more than a hundred martial clans in the Western Fraternity and the majority called themselves the Emei Clan when they were outside the Western Fraternity and that included the Holy Hex Sect.

Most martial clans in the western fraternity did not want to reveal their protg masters and clans openly. While it was understandable for the unorthodox clans, it was mystifying for even the orthodox clans to follow suit as well!

Qiu Wufeng said, "The Celestial Palace is a myth"

Ji Lingfeng interrupted sharply, "We have all thought it is so too. But perhaps because the ambitious plans of the Honor Manor has even disturbed the Celestial Palace, so this time they are sending a Celestial Envoy to the Holy Hex Sect to help us."

Gongsun Jing was startled, "There is a Celestial Envoy from the Celestial Palace?! The information network of the Honor Manor is the best in the fraternity. Why is that we have not heard anything about the Celestial Palace for the past two hundred years?"

Ji Lingfeng said coldly, "The information network of the Honor Manor is just so and so. You can't even recognize Xiao Shuai that day and you can't even recognize the traitors within your own clan."

Gongsun Jing flustered but he quickly asked again, "How big are the reinforcements of the Celestial Palace?"

Ji Lingfeng said, "Just one."

Everyone was startled, "Just one!?"

Nangong Le quipped, "It seems that we are also courting our own death if we go to the Holy Hex Sect now. Why don't we go to the Tranquil City? I have two great friends and brothers that are from there and one of them is even the Protg Master of the Tranquil City."

Shui Yujian smiled, "We know Priest Liu Qingcheng too."

Nangong Le laughed, "Of course. We have all met before. I am sure if I was to ask Priest Liu Qingcheng, he would forgive your past transgression and let you take refuge in the Tranquil City where we will be safe for the time being."

Shui Meijian smiled as she added, "No need. He will take us in no matter what you will say."

Nangong Le was puzzled but he continued to smile, "The Tranquil City has very strict rules about entertaining strangers, especially women. Unless I speak for you, it is very unlikely that Liu Qingcheng will take you in."

Shui Meijian said, "He is our Protg Master too. If your disciples come knocking on your doors, will you reject them?"

Nangong Le was stunned, "Liu Qingcheng is also your protg master!? He has never told me"

He made a silent vow to teach Liu Qingcheng a lesson when they had met as he thought, "You have two such beautiful protgs and yet you pretended otherwise. Liu Qingcheng, Liu Qingcheng, you are such a good friend of mine."

Gongsun Jing interrupted Nangong Le, "The Celestial Envoy must be an old martial master. No matter what, it is a good opportunity for us to pay him a visit and to learn some superior epitome skills from him."

Qiu Wufeng nodded, "That is right. Meeting a worthy master will save us a lot of wrongful training in the future. For his daringness to come alone, he must be a top exponent. May I know what the name of this honorable martial master is?"

Ji Lingfeng smiled bitterly, "Hmph, she is not a 'He'. Her fraternity name is the Joyful Goddess and you better don't talk to her or you will surely regret it. She has weird red eyes like this Maiden Lie Qing too. Trust me, you have to be respectful to her at all times as she is highly erratic. On her first day of arrival at the Holy Hex Sect, more than a dozen of our top fighters were killed by her. If I tell you, she is mentally unsound, would you believe?"

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