Chapter 297: Not Knowing His Surname or Name (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 297: Who He Truly Is (Please Vote for Monthly Ticket)

Du Cang had already perished beyond death.

His skull had crumbled to fragments.

His breath had vanished entirely.

Had he merely heard Chen Yi’s words, he would have been half-killed with rage, then spoken with a trembling voice:

“The Way of Chess, the Way of Books, the Way of Guns, the Way of the Body—all fulfilled, the Way of Fists—complete. Yet what else do you possess?”

To this question, Chen Yi would surely have smiled and remained silent.

Just as now.

Xiao Wanz’er, upon sensing the hush that settled over the wreckage, lifted her head quietly. She took in the shattered remains of the hall, Du Cang’s corpse, then fixed her gaze upon Chen Yi’s towering figure.

“It is over?”

Chen Yi merely nodded once, then shook his head, gesturing to summon his spear and carry her away from the temple.

Xiao Wanz’er was left in his arms, though she had long since realized—nay, understood—that she no longer needed to question whether this man was truly Chen Yi. Still, a strange unease lingered.

With Du Cang’s threat extinguished, she found herself mortified by the circumstances.

Chen Yi paid her no mind, continuing to cradle her as they entered the Buddha chamber.

“You asked if it were finished,” he murmured.

“There is one final matter.”

He turned toward the temple’s crumbling corner, where Lu Yin Nan lay amid the debris—his body marred by bloodied stone chips, his face and skin torn and disfigured.

Xiao Wanz’er noticed him too, averting her face with visible reluctance.

She did not know Lu Yin Nan, yet she recognized the features of the Móshìyuē people. Even so, she would not at this moment declare that saving a life outweighed seven layers of Buddhist hell.

After all, the Xiao family and the Móshìyuē and the barbarian tribes were sworn mortal enemies.

“What will you do?”

Chen Yi smiled.

“Earlier I said I would tell you everything. I’ve been weighing whether to begin anew—from the day of the grand wedding.”

He gestured to Lu Yin Nan.

“This man was the one who caused my escape from that union.”

Xiao Wanz’er blinked. “He? He made you flee your wedding?”

But she quickly recovered. “Fleeing a wedding—you—you…”

“The man who died just now insisted you were… my grandfather’s design, a fabricated bride, a deception…”

Chen Yi met her gaze, smiling as he shook his head.

“I deceived him.”

“Events unfolded as they must. Yet who could foresee it would bring your elder sister such peril? Or that I would commit such a grave error?”

Despite her lingering bewilderment, Xiao Wanz’er felt a measure of relief.

“Then your face…”

Chen Yi tore open a corner of his face, revealing a familiar, comforting visage that soothed Xiao Wanz’er’s heart. He smoothed it back into place.

“Plastic surgery.”

Xiao Wanz’er exhaled fully, the last thread of doubt and trembling dissolving like mist.

At last, she could confirm the man before her was indeed Chen Yi—not some fabricated brother-in-law sent by Du Cang’s grandfather, nor any other impostor.

Rather than the pain of performance or pretense, she found herself untroubled by the reasons for his escape, or why he had wandered under the name “Liu Wu.”

Even his concealment of martial arts mattered little.

“The—should we return to the manor? If we delay, Grandfather, Grandfather will grow anxious.”

Chen Yi paused.

“You do not wish to learn the truth?”

Xiao Wanz’er lowered her voice.

“I trust you.”

After a moment, a faint blush crept across her cheeks, her head dipping into her collar as she continued:

“I mean—when the time is right, when all is settled—then you may tell me. Not yet, not now.”

“To return, to return—Grandfather truly will worry.”

Her whisper was barely audible, yet carried a tenderness that tugged at the heart.

Chen Yi chuckled softly, finally understanding her meaning. He nodded.

“Indeed, we’ve been away too long. We must return before someone arrives.”

With that, he pressed a bullet into Lu Yin Nan’s chest, ending his suffering without pain.

He had once intended to revive him, extract the truth about the forces behind his escape, then slay him. But now, necessity had vanished.

How fortunate for Lu Yin Nan.

Chen Yi glanced at Xiao Wanz’er, still hunched and shy, and guessed her neck had flushed crimson.

A lightness settled in his chest.

Xiao Wanz’er, so sensible, had grown precious to him.

Thinking this, Chen Yi retrieved his pack, donning a hood over Xiao Wanz’er’s head as he instructed:

“I will deliver you back to the Hou family. If the elders inquire, place the blame upon me.”

“Remember—‘the Long Spear’ Liu Wu.”

Xiao Wanz’er lifted the hood, her pale, slightly flushed face streaked with rain-soaked hair.

“You—you don’t want Grandfather… or Jinghong to know about this?”

Chen Yi nodded, pressing a clean cloth from his pack to her cheek, wiping away the rain.

“Not yet. I trust your elder sister to keep this secret.”

Xiao Wanz’er nodded without hesitation.

“I promise.”

A secret…

Like the poem her brother-in-law had written to her—a secret…

For her, it was no burden.

“Let us go.”

Chen Yi gathered his belongings, naturally drawing Xiao Wanz’er close, preparing to leap into the air.

But at the moment his gaze rose, he hesitated, his expression grave as he stared up at the storm-laden sky.

There, suspended in the clouds above, stood a figure—unknown, yet watching them.

As thunder boomed and lightning split the darkness, the flash illuminated the stranger, revealing his form:

A robe white as snow, his long black hair bound by a crimson ribbon at the nape of his neck, his face sharp and cold beneath the storm.

His countenance was merely upright, yet his eyes—vast and bottomless as the abyss itself.

More critically, that man was actually standing upon a single-edged longsword shaped like a Tang blade at this very moment.

As if he were a sword immortal.

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and Chen Yi abandoned his intention of using the Qi-Gazing Technique to investigate the newcomer's aura.

Not because he discerned the aura upon him, but because he could discern nothing at all.

This reminded him of his previous experience investigating Old Immortal Bai.

For no apparent reason, a certainty arose in his heart that the swordsman currently standing in the heavens possessed strength on par with Old Immortal Bai.

Xiao Wan'er noticed his expression, raised her eyes to look, but saw nothing, prompting her to speak: "What is it?"

Chen Yi shook his head, "It is nothing, let us go."

An individual of such immense power, if he were an enemy, would be impossible to evade even if one wished to hide.

He simply took Xiao Wan'er in his arms and swept directly toward the Shuzhou prefectural city in the distance.

To his surprise, barely a mile into his flight, a clear voice drifted into his ears, its tone bearing a hint of cold detachment:

"On the fifteenth of October, Gongye Bai and I shall duel upon the upper reaches of the Chishui River."

"You are qualified to come and witness the battle."

Chen Yi heard the words clearly, suppressed the urge to look back, and flew away with ever-increasing swiftness.

As expected, his judgment had not erred.

A swordsman capable of dueling Old Immortal Bai could defeat him even while granting him the advantage of a single hand.

Fortunately, this person seemed somewhat eccentric, merely telling him something along the lines of "you are qualified."

What a jest.

Whether he was qualified and whether he would actually go to witness the battle were two entirely separate matters.

An affair of no benefit, why should he go there to join the commotion.

When deities clash, lesser spirits suffer.

The swordsman in the heavens watched them recede in silence, then lightly lifted his foot, his sword transforming into a rainbow of light, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Only Yuan Jingxuan, who had just escorted Asutai onto a small boat, stood amidst the falling rain, staring blankly at that drifting white-robed figure.

Beside him, Asutai paid no heed to such things; he merely watched the departing Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er, a smile curling the corners of his mouth:

"He is not dead."

"Then, Liu Hong must die."

Yuan Jingxuan returned to his senses at the sound, though his rugged countenance was filled with gravity, and instead of responding to the words, he growled low:

"Hoist the sails!"

Asutai was slightly startled and turned his head in surprise, "Grandfather, you..."

Before he could finish, Yuan Jingxuan raised a hand to interrupt him, whispering in halting Wei language:

"Do not ask, be silent, we must return as quickly as possible!"

Asutai offered an acknowledgment, cast another glance in the direction Chen Yi had departed, and turned to re-enter the cabin.

Leaving only Yuan Jingxuan, built like a standing savage bear, remaining alone at the stern of the boat.

He scanned the horizon with focused vigilance, as though fearing a sword might descend from the heavens.

"There can be no mistake!"

"The Great Wei Dynasty is indeed a land of spiritual eminence and extraordinary talents, to possess such a young... Earthly Immortal!"

Compared to that peerless swordsman, Chen Yi, who had just forcefully slain the third-grade Du Cang with a fifth-grade cultivation, was not even worth mentioning.

"It is just that I know not his name..."

...

Chen Yi came like the wind, and so he departed like the wind.

Flying high in the heavens.

Unchecked by wind or rain.

Even Xiao Wan'er by his side, shielded by his true essence, rarely had any wind or rain fall upon her person.

In a mere fifteen minutes, the two traversed a hundred miles.

They spotted the martial artists who had pursued from the prefectural city, eager to witness the excitement.

Among them was the beggar dressed in tattered rags.

Hearing the faint sound of breaking air, he beheld the two figures in the sky, his face registering a touch of astonishment:

"It is over?"

Seeing that Chen Yi paid him no heed, the old beggar wasted no time on further words and hurriedly rushed toward the direction from whence he came.

Though it was over, he still wished to look upon the place where this "Liu Wu" had previously fought his grand battle.

Meanwhile, within the crowd, Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang turned around without a word, pursuing toward the prefectural city.

As they ran, Shen Huatang could not contain her joy: "Senior Sister, it is the Eldest Miss, the Eldest Miss has returned."

Xie Tingyun was likewise overjoyed, pulling her up into the sky, "I knew the Eldest Miss was blessed by heaven and would be perfectly fine!"

Several martial artists in the vicinity realized the situation as well, though they had only heard the sounds and had not seen Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er.

"Beggar Cao, did you see the 'Dragon Spear'?"

"I saw him, he has returned."

"Then is there no excitement left to watch? What a pity... We missed the duel between Liu Wu and Liu Lang earlier, which filled us with regret, and now we have missed this one too."

"Eh? Beggar Cao, you are running in the wrong direction, that is not the way back to the prefectural city."

"I am going to see whom Liu Wu fought and killed."

"Over there? Let us go together, let us go together."

The old beggar surnamed Cao journeyed with his head down, offering no further response, allowing them to follow behind him.

The commotion of these few individuals also drew the attention of others searching from different directions.

Because after leaving the northern city gate, most people did not know Chen Yi's whereabouts and could only wander about to try their luck.

Just like Chen Yunfan, Ning Yu, and Niu Shan, who arrived a step too late.

Just like the middle-aged man trailing far behind them.

Even Jiang Xing brought Lou Yuxue and Cui Qingwu to conceal their tracks, observing the several figures receding into the sky.

"The 'Dragon Spear' Liu Wu lives... Du Cang is dead?"

With the White Tiger Guard's arrangements in Shuzhou, Jiang Xing could naturally deduce the identity of the person who had abducted Xiao Wan'er.

None other than—it could only be the audaciously bold Du Cang.

Lou Yuxue also felt a breath of relief in her heart, smiling faintly, "The Lord Pavilion Master regards the 'Dragon Spear' so highly, surely he knew of his extraordinary natural talent long ago."

Cui Qingwu remained silent, merely gazing blankly at Chen Yunfan and the others who had pulled their reins in the distance.

Xingxing nodded, pondered for a moment, and then followed the crowd.

"Come on, let's go take a look—should be able to see something worthwhile."

Whether it was Liu Wu, the so-called Long Spear, or confirming whether Du Cang was truly dead.

Yuxue had no objections, trailing behind him.

Cui Qingwu fell silent for a moment, then followed suit—she had already noticed Chen Yifan and his group had no intention of returning to the city.

The facts were indeed so.

When Chen Yifan saw "Liu Wu" returning with Xiao Wanyan in his arms, a wave of relief washed over him, and he muttered curses under his breath:

"I came rushing here in a panic, and not even a single sword was drawn!"

"Damn dog, if you had any guts, you could've said something! Made me run all this way for nothing!"

Ning Yu, standing beside him, didn't quite grasp why he was so worked up.

After all, the young lord didn't seem particularly angry—merely a flicker of indignation, as if grumbling.

But ever since Chen Yifan had been around, he'd never heard the young lord speak of "Long Spear" Liu Wu before.

Niushan scratched his head, bewildered. "Yu, why is the young lord cursing that Long Spear guy?"

"That's what he's saying."

"After we rescued Mistress Xiao, didn't we?"

"I don't know—go ask the young lord yourself."

"I'm not dare."

Ning Yu shot him a sideways glance. "Then shut up."

"Yu... brother..."

"Silence!"

Behind them, the middle-aged man in the short tunic and hooded cloak heard the commotion and quickly sped away—faster even than Chen Yifan's enhanced Starfly Butterfly Step.

He reached the peak of the mountain where Puyin Temple stood before anyone else.

The middle-aged man surveyed the scars of battle across the land, his gaze settling on Du Cang's corpse, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"'Wolf' Du Cang cultivated the Drowning Head Technique from the venerable master Bao Shiwu—its power to suppress and ensnare souls is formidable."

"Though 'Long Spear' Liu Wu isn't weak, he couldn't have defeated Du Cang without a single wound."

He examined Du Cang's body closely, then sensed the lingering spiritual residue in the air, his expression shifting slightly:

"Punching—did Liu Wu also cultivate Punching?"

Surprised, he scanned the area, and several scenes flashed through his mind:

Du Cang, wounded and desperate, trying to seize Liu Wu's spear; Du Cang's head crushed by a single punch from Liu Wu.

A growing confusion settled in his heart: "Could 'Long Spear' have a way to counter Du Cang's Drowning Head Technique?"

"Punching and Spear techniques lack the power to counter such a method—unless... his cultivation is unusual."

Like the Four Symbols Skill from Wei Shu's lineage, or the Tianjie martial arts—imbued with spiritual essence, they might possess the ability to dispel such techniques.

After a moment of contemplation, he still couldn't be certain, so he merely noted his findings and moved on.

Then, upon seeing the corpses inside the hall—Lord Gu, Lü Ninenan, and the young guard—he let out a surprised hiss.

"Lü Ninenan?"

"He's here too."

Earlier, he'd followed Chen Yifan out of town, unaware of Chen Yifan's parting with Lü Ninenan.

Though surprised for a moment, upon noticing faint sounds behind him, he made a swift decision.

He lifted Lü Ninenan's body and flew toward the Red River.

"Can't let the credit go to waste..."

Not long after, Chen Yifan and his companions arrived.

Upon seeing the scene, they all gaped in stunned silence, their faces frozen.

Even Chen Yifan, who had long suspected Chen Yifan's strength, now wore a complex expression.

"'Wood Man,' Puppet—those marks on the corpse's arm... the phoenix sigil... it must be Du Cang, the 'Wolf' general under Prince Ran!"

"Prince Ran's Du Cang stole Lady Xiao?"

"Du Cang must have forced 'Long Spear' Liu Wu to come here, killing him to avenge Lü Ninenan."

"He never imagined..."

"...that 'Long Spear' could defeat him with just fivefold merit against his threefold strength!"

Listening to the murmurs of admiration from the surrounding martial artists, Chen Yifan tightened his sword at his waist and spurred his horse forward.

"Back to the city!"

"Young lord?"

"What's the matter, standing there like an idiot?"

"You two... and me this fool—if we don't go train soon, we won't even be fit to polish your shoes!"

Ning Yu was baffled by this strange surge of competitive pride.

But when he saw Chen Yifan ride away without looking back, he had no choice but to call after Niushan.

Cui Qingwu, watching this, simply followed him back to the city, showing no interest in the battle scenes on the mountain.

Xingxing glanced at her, then moved to a secluded spot on the mountain with Yuxue, hiding their form.

After assessing the situation, even this white tiger guard and golden flag officer couldn't help but whistle in admiration:

"Female tiger, you're right."

"'Long Spear' truly has merit worthy of your master's attention."

Yuxue offered no reply, her beautiful eyes fixed on Du Cang's body, a mixture of joy and melancholy in her heart.

Liu Wu's killing of Du Cang filled her with satisfaction.

Yet it also meant she could never seek vengeance against Liu Wu again.

That 'debt' was worth fifteen thousand silver dollars.

Yuxue watched the growing clamor of voices among the martial artists, took a deep breath, and softly said:

"'Long Spear' could face Du Cang alone with fivefold merit—his potential far exceeds what his subordinates imagined."

Sir, do you think we should petition the Lord again?

Liang Xing thought for a moment and nodded. Indeed, we should write back to inform the Lord.

Including the other two matters as well…

…

About half an hour later.

Chen Yi carried Xiao Wanyan to the gates of the Xiao family estate, gazing at the brightly lit mansion from a distance. He whispered softly, “We’ve arrived.”

Xiao Wanyan blinked back to awareness, lifting her head to peer into the darkness below, and blurted out, “So soon?”

“Soon?”

Chen Yi arched an eyebrow and smiled, “My lady, you know, I can’t let Lord Hou be worried about you.”

Hearing the teasing in his words, Xiao Wanyan’s cheeks flushed, and she gently slapped his arm, “Stop teasing me.”

Chen Yi chuckled, “Of course not.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, they were silent.

After a while, Xiao Wanyan’s face grew even redder. She lowered her head and murmured softly, “It’s too late. Take me home.”

“Very well.”

“Then…”

“No need to worry about me. I’ve already made arrangements.”

As Chen Yi thought of the painting technique he’d used before leaving—infusing it with the accumulated hundred strands of fortune—he felt a smile tug at his lips.

As he’d guessed, the completed painting now held a certain illusionary power.

Though it couldn’t rival Du Cang’s little realm for lethal strikes, infused with the essence of the world, it possessed a certain spiritual awareness.

It could obscure and deceive, which was sufficient.

As he spoke, he lowered Xiao Wanyan into his arms and leaned close to her ear, whispering, “Remember what I said. I’ll tell you everything in due time.”

Xiao Wanyan’s neck trembled, and she nodded, “I’ll wait for you.”

Chen Yi smiled, then led Xiao Wanyan down to the gates of the Xiao estate, and called out loudly, “Lord Hou, I humbly present myself. My lady is unharmed.”

The butler and soldiers already stationed at the gate rushed forward.

“Thank goodness, thank goodness, my lady is safe and sound.”

“My sins are great—I failed to protect my lady!”

“Please, my lady, forgive us!”

Amid the clamor, Xiao Wanyan, now with some strength, gently stepped out of Chen Yi’s embrace and approached, “Everyone, please rise. I’m fine…”

Seeing this, Chen Yi smiled faintly and turned away.

Xiao Wanyan’s safe return eased his worry, and he should return to the Spring Lotus Garden promptly, lest the painting cause complications.

Xiao Wanyan seemed to sense something, glancing back once as he departed, noticing the faint smile on his face.

Perhaps it was a mix of sweetness and pride.

Not long after, Xiao Elder Grandfather arrived, inquiring after her. Seeing Xiao Wanyan return unharmed, he finally exhaled a long-suffering breath.

Xiao Wanyan hurried forward to pay respects, apologetically saying, “Grandfather, my daughter has caused you worry.”

“Come back, come back…”

The elder supported her, dispersing the soldiers, and led her into the mansion.

“My daughter, this time was saved thanks to Chen Yu. If it weren’t for his righteous intervention, I fear I might have…”

The old man’s words trailed off, as the tale of a gray-haired man sending a black-haired one home was one he’d witnessed too many times, unwilling to lose another loved one.

Yet when Xiao Wanyan heard “Chen Yu,” she visibly hesitated, her gaze uncertain.

“Grandfather, you mean Chen… Yu, ‘Liu Wu’?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t blame me for speaking too freely. This girl of yours is no longer young.”

“Chen Yu, my girl, I’ve taken a liking to him. Not only is he strong in martial arts, but also skilled in medicine. He’d make a fine match…”

“Grandfather, this—this is inappropriate!”

“How is it inappropriate? If he becomes your husband, perhaps the illness on your body might find relief.”

“Truly, truly inappropriate…”

Xiao Wanyan stammered, unable to voice her unspoken thoughts, her heart swelling with unspoken longing.

She longed to ask Chen Yi right then how many secrets he’d kept from everyone.

But before she could leave, the elder continued, “Well, I’ll arrange your marriage myself.”

“Lady Jinghong is returning soon. When she does, let her oversee things for you.”

“What?!”