Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Inside Story

Qi Fei narrowly escaped death from the Cliff of Reflection and, with the help of his former friend Xu Yi, finally returned to the outer quarters of the Danxia Sect where he once lived.

Inside the simple side room of the outer quarters, after several days of recovery, Qi Fei, lying on the bed, had regained a trace of color in his cheeks; his injuries, at least, had not worsened.

Mo Zhanpeng sat at the bedside, channeled his internal energy to examine Qi Fei’s wounds, then frowned and said, “The energy within your body is scattered, your meridians have suffered severe damage; you will need more time to recuperate. But your right hand… I fear…”

Qi Fei propped himself up slightly, leaning against the headboard, and asked, “Master, is there any hope my right hand will recover?”

Mo Zhanpeng slowly shook his head, sighing, “Though you’ve reached the third stage of martial cultivation, tempering tendon and bone, you had not yet refined your body to perfection. Now, with the bones in your right hand shattered, even if you receive treatment, it will be difficult to use martial arts with your fist again.”

A look of relief at surviving disaster flashed across Qi Fei’s face. Having already reached the fifth stage of martial cultivation, his body had been fully refined, and with the lingering spiritual energy from the ice martial soul nourishing him day and night, it would not be long before the bones in his right hand would be restored.

Concerned that his disciple, having survived against all odds, might lose heart, Mo Zhanpeng patted Qi Fei’s shoulder and offered comfort, “Do not be discouraged. Previously, I was too trusting of that old scoundrel Guo Huai, and believed you had perished at the Cliff of Reflection. That you have survived is already a blessing.”

With a shift of thought, Mo Zhanpeng pressed further, “By the way, how did you escape from the bottom of the Cliff of Reflection?”

Qi Fei’s thoughts raced. He recalled that Guo Huai, for the support of the Xuan Zhen Monastery, had not hesitated to hand over the sect’s foundation. Hearing his master curse Guo Huai as an old scoundrel, Qi Fei surmised that the two were now irreconcilable enemies.

Though Qi Fei had not spent much time with Mo Zhanpeng, he knew well his master’s upright nature. If he did not trust Mo Zhanpeng’s character, he would never have dared linger in the sect’s outer quarters.

Relying on the mystical powers of the “Lingxi Art,” Qi Fei decided to conceal his true strength to avoid further complications, but recounted to Mo Zhanpeng in detail all that had occurred beneath the Cliff of Reflection.

Mo Zhanpeng’s brows furrowed deeply. After listening to Qi Fei’s account, he said in a grave tone, “So you were imprisoned beneath the cliff for half a year. But why did Guo Huai claim you were already dead? Did you truly possess a Gathering Pill? Moreover, Guo Huai’s cultivation far surpassed mine—how could he have been so easily wounded by you within the Four Symbols Infinite Sword Formation?”

Seeing the doubt on his master’s face, Qi Fei knew that a careless answer might chill his master’s heart. With a wry smile, he replied, “To be honest, Master, besides the Gathering Pill, I did gain another opportunity. Otherwise, how could my martial cultivation have advanced so quickly in half a year? Yet, people can be treacherous, and since the sect leader and Guo Huai harbored ill intent, I had to be cautious. Please forgive me. At the cliff, Guo Huai was preoccupied with the sword formation’s power and did not realize I possessed martial arts of the highest order. His carelessness allowed me to catch him off guard and wound him.”

Mo Zhanpeng’s suspicions eased somewhat, then he said, “The sect leader’s whereabouts are unknown, but I am not Guo Huai—I will not covet the opportunities you gained. Rest assured. But as you said, since Guo Huai was cast into the ravine by you, it’s unlikely he survived. The villains of the Xuan Zhen Monastery on Qingyang Peak will not let this go. News of your return has already spread; there is no doubt word will reach them. From now on, remain here and focus on your recovery—leave the rest to me.”

Qi Fei was deeply moved but still worried. In this world, treasures invite disaster; possessing secrets often leads to deadly danger. After a moment’s thought, he ventured, “To tell the truth, Master, I acquired an unparalleled internal fist technique, the ‘Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist,’ from the valley. If you do not disdain it, I would like to offer it to you.”

Mo Zhanpeng was taken aback, then grew solemn. “Your intention alone is enough. The sect is in peril, and I am already struggling to protect myself. If word spread that you possessed such a manual, the Xuan Zhen Monastery would certainly act. This must be considered carefully. You must not mention it to anyone. Treasures can bring more harm than good.”

Knowing his master could not keep secrets easily, Qi Fei was relieved and reassured that Mo Zhanpeng was not tempted by the manual.

Seeing his master’s troubled expression, Qi Fei asked, “Master, how stands the situation in the mountains? If what Xu Yi said is true, and all the sect disciples on Qingyang Peak have defected to the Xuan Zhen Monastery, won’t it be difficult for you to resist them with only the outer quarters?”

Mo Zhanpeng gave a bitter smile. “What other choice did I have? The sect leader was ambushed and is still missing. The sect descended into chaos, and the Xuan Zhen Monastery took the opportunity to seize Qingyang Peak. Guo Huai and Elder Yang Zheng, seeking to protect themselves, surrendered the sect’s foundation. Now, Danxia Sect is in name only; most of the disciples have joined the Xuan Zhen Monastery. Even here in the outer quarters, people live in fear. Fortunately, Huo Zhongmou, serving under the Marquis of Martial Valor and gaining his favor, managed to secure the safety of the outer quarters for us.”

Qi Fei was surprised. “Huo Zhongmou? I thought his character questionable—he once had Ma Zhong and Ma Deyuan extort the outer disciples. I never expected him to show such loyalty.”

Mo Zhanpeng sneered. “Huo Zhongmou’s morals are indeed poor, but because the wealth he extorted was handed over to Xuan Zhen Monastery by Guo Huai, he now bears a deep grudge against them both. Moreover, trying to win the Marquis’s favor, he has become hostile to disciples of both Xuan Zhen and Seven Kill Sects. He set aside his private vendetta for now and, with the Marquis’s backing, joined forces with me to wrest the outer quarters from Xuan Zhen’s grasp.”

Qi Fei pondered for a moment, then sighed, “Master, since the Xuan Zhen Monastery seeks to swallow Danxia Sect, they surely won’t leave you and the outer quarters unscathed. The outer disciples have suffered under Ma Deyuan for years and lack talent. To rally them against Xuan Zhen is a daunting task.”

“When Xuan Zhen openly intervened in our affairs on Qingyang Peak, many were tempted to defect. But Xuan Zhen has no interest in mediocre disciples. I know the outer disciples are of little use; all I can rely on are Elder Sun and the disciples who left with me during the upheaval.” Mo Zhanpeng’s face was clouded with worry and dejection.

“Elder Sun?” Qi Fei echoed, his curiosity piqued.

A trace of comfort appeared on Mo Zhanpeng’s face as he explained, “During the sect’s crisis, the elders of Xuan Zhen were arrogant in the main hall, and Guo Huai shamelessly offered up our century-old foundation. For the sake of the sect’s future, I swallowed my anger and conspired with several elders. Only Elder Sun dared risk his life to follow me here with his disciples.”

A sudden thought struck Qi Fei, and he quickly asked, “Master, does Elder Sun practice martial arts or Daoist magic? How does his cultivation compare to yours and Huo Zhongmou’s?”

Mo Zhanpeng looked a bit surprised, then replied, “Elder Sun has studied Daoist arts for many years, but his cultivation is far inferior to Huo Zhongmou, who has mastered the third tier of the Daoist Divine Power. Due to limited talent, he has been stuck at the first tier for decades and only holds his position due to seniority.”

Qi Fei could not help feeling disappointed. He had hoped to use his recovery period to learn Daoist arts, but Elder Sun’s limited abilities made him doubt whether he could guide him in forming a spiritual soul.

Noticing Qi Fei’s disappointment, Mo Zhanpeng’s curiosity was piqued. “Qi Fei, do you wish to learn Daoist magic from Elder Sun?”

Qi Fei raised his battered right hand and smiled bitterly, “As you said, Master, my right hand may never again wield martial arts. With the sect in peril, I wish to study the Daoist arts to ease your burdens and help the sect.”

“Your heart is in the right place, but dual cultivation is not as easy as you think,” Mo Zhanpeng cautioned, fearing that discouragement might dampen Qi Fei’s resolve. After a pause, he relented, “Still, though Elder Sun’s cultivation is average, he is well-versed in Daoist training methods. If you wish to study, I’ll ask Elder Sun to instruct you tomorrow.”

Qi Fei was overjoyed. If Elder Sun could guide him in forming a spiritual soul, he could later practice the supreme techniques of the Heart Demon Sect. Once his right hand healed, combining his martial prowess with the profound arts of the Heart Demon Sect would make him unstoppable!

(P.S. Though the results are not ideal, I will persist with three chapters a day this week.)