Chapter 28: Homecoming

Inside the mountain cave, as he faced certain death, Qi Fei broke through the martial barrier with desperate resolve, unleashing his supreme technique to slay Guo Huai. Bearing grave wounds, he finally escaped from the Cliff of Reflection.

Qi Fei found a hidden spot deep in the forest, where he meditated for several hours, eventually suppressing the worst of his injuries. Raising his fractured right hand, he could not help but feel a lingering dread.

Previously, Qi Fei had broken through the martial barrier in the face of mortal peril, his cultivation reaching the Fifth Heaven, where internal strength could be projected outward. Yet, in unleashing his killing strike without regard for his injuries, his meridians and acupoints suffered grievous harm. Had it not been for the Eight-Armed Thunder Fist, which had tempered his body to perfection, his shattered right hand would have been utterly crippled.

Qi Fei channeled the chilling energy of spirit jade into the mangled meridians of his right hand, but even this profound force could not heal the bones in a short time.

Now, with wounds covering his body, Qi Fei knew he must quickly find a peaceful place to recover, lest lingering illnesses take root. In his battle with Guo Huai at the Cliff of Reflection, he had fought for his life, and his hasty escape surely left traces. From Guo Huai’s words, Qi Fei learned that the master of Danxia Sect was missing, the sect had fallen into chaos, and apart from the outer court, Qingyang Peak had already been overtaken by masters from the Xuan Zhen Temple.

Recalling Guo Huai’s hurried visits to the Cliff of Reflection, Qi Fei realized Guo Huai had feared arousing suspicion among the Xuan Zhen Temple masters on Qingyang Peak. Forced to linger in the forest due to his injuries, Qi Fei suspected that the Xuan Zhen Temple masters had already noticed Guo Huai’s unusual behavior. With the disciples of Xuan Zhen Temple searching in vain for Guo Huai beneath the cliff, they would certainly strengthen their vigilance in the mountains. If Qi Fei tried to descend in his current wounded state, it would be like delivering himself into their hands.

Qi Fei knew descending the mountain now was unwise, but he feared that a thorough investigation might reveal him as the one trapped in the cave, and Guo Huai’s suspicious actions would easily draw the attention of Xuan Zhen Temple. Then, Cangyun Mountain would no longer be a safe haven.

Escape could only be temporary, and besides, he was no longer the herbal boy of old. If he could heal his wounds, he might be able to stand against the Xuan Zhen Temple masters.

Weighing his options, Qi Fei finally devised a plan: he would risk returning to the outer court of Danxia Sect, concealing his cultivation and seeking refuge with his master, Mo Zhanpeng, hoping to recover while lying low.

Having resolved, Qi Fei did not hesitate. He tore off a strip of his sleeve, gritted his teeth as he wrapped his mangled right hand, and set out toward the outer court.

Through the forest, he moved swiftly, narrowly evading several patrols of Xuan Zhen Temple disciples in their Daoist robes. As he neared the valley where the outer court lay, Qi Fei, exhausted in body and spirit, relaxed for a moment—only to unexpectedly collide with a youth in grey.

Qi Fei’s nerves were frayed. He hesitated, unsure whether to silence the youth, when the boy suddenly exclaimed in a low voice, “Brother Qi? Qi Fei?”

Qi Fei steadied himself and, upon closer inspection, let out a long breath of relief. The youth was none other than Xu Yi, his old friend whom he had once rescued from Ma Deyuan.

Xu Yi seemed flustered, staring at Qi Fei and muttering, “Brother Qi, weren’t you supposed to be dead?”

Qi Fei was taken aback. “Xu Yi, where did you hear that?”

Xu Yi calmed himself, seeing Qi Fei covered in wounds and disheveled, hurried forward to support him. “A few months ago, rumors spread in the sect that the Grand Elder inspected the punished disciples at the Cliff of Reflection and found Brother Qi unable to endure its hardships, supposedly dying within Elder Huo’s forbidden formation. Brother Qi, you’re alive?”

Qi Fei was surprised, but quickly understood the source of the rumor. It must have been Guo Huai’s scheme to hoard the treasure for himself. Instead of anger, Qi Fei felt secretly delighted.

Guo Huai was cunning and held great prestige in Danxia Sect. Aside from his trusted disciples who died in the cave, others were surely deceived by the rumor. In this way, even if Guo Huai’s disappearance beneath the cliff were discovered by Xuan Zhen Temple, it would take time before suspicion fell on Qi Fei.

“It’s a long story. Let’s just say I was lucky enough to escape from the Cliff of Reflection.”

Qi Fei had learned from Guo Huai that the sect master was missing and the Xuan Zhen Temple had invaded. Wanting to learn more about the situation, he asked, “Xu Yi, I heard the sect is in chaos. What has happened over these months?”

Xu Yi sighed, voice sorrowful. “It’s hard to explain. The Grand Elder Guo Huai and Elder Yang Zheng on Qingyang Peak actually defected to Xuan Zhen Temple, handing over the sect’s century-old foundation. Fortunately, Elder Huo, who joined Marquis Weiwu’s camp, was highly regarded and managed to protect the outer court. Now Danxia Sect is split in two, and these days Elders Mo and Sun lead the disciples in the outer court.”

Qi Fei, drained of strength, was about to ask Xu Yi to take him to his master when suddenly, sharp whistling sounds pierced the air.

Qi Fei’s heart tightened. He sighed inwardly, knowing he had no strength left to fight and that trouble was near.

In an instant, two Xuan Zhen Temple disciples in Daoist robes, accompanied by a Danxia Sect disciple in white martial garb, blocked Qi Fei and Xu Yi’s path.

In his desperation, Qi Fei came up with a plan. He signaled Xu Yi with a glance, then feigned surprise and stepped forward to ask, “May I ask why you gentlemen are blocking our way?”

One Xuan Zhen Temple disciple, seeing Qi Fei’s battered and ragged state, frowned and asked, “Are you two disciples of the Danxia Sect’s outer court?”

Qi Fei nodded slowly, then put on a dejected air and sighed, “We are indeed outer court disciples. While gathering herbs in the mountains, we encountered a fierce tiger. My skills are lacking, so I was wounded by the beast. Thankfully, my brother here came to my aid and drove it away.”

Xu Yi hesitated, recalling Qi Fei’s earlier signal, and quickly echoed, “Yes! If I hadn’t arrived in time, my brother might have been devoured by that tiger.”

The Xuan Zhen Temple disciple sneered, his face full of disdain. “You two can’t even handle a beast. It speaks volumes about the strength of Danxia Sect’s outer court. Laughable that Mo Zhanpeng still hopes to use you outer court disciples to oppose Qingyang Peak, which is supported by us Xuan Zhen Temple. Truly foolish.”

The Danxia Sect disciple beside them looked at Qi Fei in puzzlement.

The wounded youth’s bloodstained clothes, though tattered, were clearly those of an inner disciple. Why would he claim to be from the outer court? The youth seemed vaguely familiar, but under the threat of Xuan Zhen Temple, he decided not to meddle. The words on his lips were swallowed before they could escape.

Once the three had gone, Qi Fei, who had narrowly escaped death, finally collapsed to the ground. Xu Yi, though unsure why Qi Fei had lied, knew now was not the time for questions. He quickly helped Qi Fei up and hurried toward the outer court.

Passing through the narrow mountain path, Xu Yi led Qi Fei back to the outer court. The disciples there, familiar with the man who had once killed Ma Yanwang for them, were shocked. Months ago, they had grieved upon hearing of Qi Fei’s supposed death. Now, seeing Xu Yi return with Qi Fei, the entire outer court was thrown into turmoil.

The legendary figure who had avenged them, defied sect rules to kill Ma Yanwang, and whose actions had prompted the sect master to allow outer court disciples access to cultivation methods—Qi Fei—had not died beneath the Cliff of Reflection. He had returned to the outer court.