Chapter Forty-Nine: Breaking the Perilous Deadlock

Within the pavilion, Zhuo Jin’er remained calm and collected, watching as Qi Fei’s expression changed dramatically. “You need not panic,” she said, her gaze steady. “If I could discern that you possess a fated opportunity, how could I not also know that this fortune has long since merged with you? You have mastered the demonic sect’s heart-devil technique and bear true martial energy—does this mean that the master you met half a year ago is none other than Blood Shadow, the elder who betrayed the heart-devil sect?”

Qi Fei was so shaken he nearly fainted. From his mere words and a handful of clues, this sorceress of the Yin-Yang Path had pierced the truth in a single sentence. It was laughable that he had once believed he could disguise the supreme sword technique of the Mystic Heart Sword Sect as an exquisite fist technique and thus deceive outsiders; he had greatly underestimated others’ intelligence and cunning.

Qi Fei no longer dared to slight Zhuo Jin’er’s abilities. As they were both clever, he did not conceal the truth and admitted openly, “Miss Zhuo, have you heard my master’s name?”

A trace of surprise flickered across Zhuo Jin’er’s face. She laughed lightly. “So your master truly is Blood Shadow? I only spoke casually and never expected my guess would turn out correct.”

With each subtle expression, Zhuo Jin’er’s sincerity was hard to discern, leaving Qi Fei with a headache. He could not tell how much of her words were true and immediately pleaded, “Miss Zhuo, please don’t make sport of me. Tell me—do you truly know my master?”

Zhuo Jin’er slowly shook her head. “I’ve only heard of your master’s reputation. Blood Shadow was once a prodigy of the Mystic Heart Sword Sect, but later lost all his cultivation and joined the heart-devil sect. Because he possessed a rare treasure, his skills grew rapidly, eventually arousing the sect leader’s suspicion, which led to his betrayal. This tale is well known among the demonic sects—I have only heard a little, but it seems you have inherited a great fortune.”

Qi Fei secretly thanked his luck. Had he not encountered Zhuo Jin’er tonight, his carelessness might have exposed his hidden treasure in the future.

“Miss Zhuo, if you keep this matter secret, I will surely help you resolve your grievances with the Yin-Yang Path’s sect leader when the day comes,” Qi Fei promised, having no choice but to accept her terms.

Zhuo Jin’er appeared satisfied and, seeing Qi Fei’s anxiety, smiled to reassure him. “You need not worry about your secret leaking. If my body were not naturally attuned to the Yin essence, I would never have sensed that pure and mysterious spiritual energy within you.”

Seeing that Zhuo Jin’er spoke sincerely, Qi Fei gradually relaxed. Though curious about her so-called Yin essence constitution, he feared trouble and refrained from asking further.

Qi Fei’s thoughts shifted, and he could not help but ask, “Miss Zhuo, does Sima Yan know you are a disciple of the Yin-Yang Path?”

Zhuo Jin’er nodded slowly. “Sima Yan only knows I am of the Yin-Yang Path, but is unaware that I have already left the sect. Besides him, no one in the Seven Absolutes Sect knows my true identity. Why do you ask? Are you puzzled that the Seven Absolutes Sect claims to be righteous, yet Sima Yan would seek help from a disciple of the demonic sect?”

“I am indeed puzzled,” Qi Fei admitted. “You previously said that even if I invoked the heart-devil sect’s name, it would bring disaster upon me. Why, then, would Sima Yan invite a disciple of the demonic sect to deal with the Mystic Truth Temple?”

Zhuo Jin’er replied indifferently, “Though the Seven Absolutes Sect calls itself righteous, Sima Yan is not one of those pedantic people who prattle about eradicating evil. To the Seven Absolutes Sect, I am a strong ally against Mystic Truth Temple, so Sima Yan treats me as an honored guest. With proper arrangements, when the time comes to face Mystic Truth Temple, who will know my true identity?”

Qi Fei sneered inwardly. The divide between good and evil truly exists only in the mind; to defeat Mystic Truth Temple, the Seven Absolutes Sect is willing to risk everything. Now that he was entangled with this sorceress, he wondered how he would escape in the future.

The pavilion fell silent for a moment. Zhuo Jin’er, restless, blinked at Qi Fei and asked, “Your injuries will not heal quickly—do you still have the strength to meet the Seven Absolutes Sect leader soon?”

Qi Fei trembled at her words, anger and alarm rising. “What do you mean by that? Did you tell the Seven Absolutes Sect disciples searching the valley about my hiding place?”

Zhuo Jin’er complained irritably, “Good intentions never pay off. When have I ever told them your whereabouts? You are clever—think about it: you’re hiding here, and the Seven Absolutes Sect searched Moonwatch Peak without finding you. Even if Sima Yan doesn’t suspect you’re here, he will surely come to the valley and ask me to use mystical methods to search for you.”

Qi Fei steadied himself, conceding that Zhuo Jin’er’s words had merit. He said, “Miss Zhuo, since you have use for me in the future, you surely don’t wish to see me harmed by the Seven Absolutes Sect. I beg you to help me escape Moonwatch Peak.”

Zhuo Jin’er suddenly frowned, then sighed. “Too late—Sima Yan is already outside the pavilion.”

Qi Fei was aghast; wounded as he was, he was no match for Sima Yan. His mind was in turmoil, and soon Sima Yan’s robust voice sounded from outside.

“Miss Zhuo, forgive me for disturbing you tonight. I have urgent matters to discuss—may I come up to the pavilion?”

Before Qi Fei could recover, Zhuo Jin’er called out, “I already have an honored guest tonight. If you do not mind, Sect Master Sima, you may come up and join us.”

Hearing this, Sima Yan’s face changed. He sent his internal energy probing into the pavilion; indeed, aside from the reclusive Zhuo Jin’er, there was another faint presence within.

“So, my young friend is hiding here with Miss Zhuo—how fortuitous!” Sima Yan laughed aloud, boldly stepping into the pavilion.

Qi Fei heard Sima Yan’s unhurried approach and reminded himself not to lose his composure. Turning, he saw Zhuo Jin’er sitting calmly at the table, smiling, and he relaxed, thinking that Sima Yan, however much he might hate him, would not dare act rashly in Zhuo Jin’er’s presence.

Zhuo Jin’er blinked at Qi Fei, quietly using her mystical arts to whisper, “If you cannot resolve this crisis, no matter your fortune, you will never achieve great things. I might as well earn favor by handing you over to the Seven Absolutes Sect leader.”

Her meaning was clear: she intended to stand by and watch how he handled Sima Yan. In desperation, Qi Fei’s mind raced, and he smiled at Zhuo Jin’er, then calmly seated himself at the carved peachwood table.

Sima Yan ascended the pavilion, glancing at the silent Qi Fei and Zhuo Jin’er, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Seeing Sima Yan enter, Qi Fei remained unruffled, calling out, “Sect Master Sima, forgive my offense tonight. It was my young junior sister who insisted I climb Moonwatch Peak to meet the martial experts of the Seven Absolutes Sect, causing such a commotion.”

Zhuo Jin’er was momentarily stunned, then understood Qi Fei’s strategy. A blush of embarrassment flashed across her beautiful face, inwardly cursing Qi Fei’s boldness—not only did he use the Yin-Yang Path as a shield, he spoke as if to take liberties with her.

Sima Yan was deeply astonished. How could the youth who caused chaos at Moonwatch Peak be Zhuo Jin’er’s senior brother? He looked at Zhuo Jin’er in confusion. “Miss Zhuo, this…”

Before Zhuo Jin’er could reply, Qi Fei rose slowly and sighed. “My junior sister is mischievous by nature. Our master worried for her and sent me to Cangyun Mountain to help. She grew angry, accusing me of meddling. Though I have mastered our sect’s mystical techniques, I am obsessed with martial arts, so she provoked me. In a fit of pride, I agreed to use Mystic Truth Temple’s talisman as a pretext to climb Moonwatch Peak for a contest with Seven Absolutes Sect’s martial experts. I apologize for any offense, Sect Master Sima.”

Sima Yan listened, observing Zhuo Jin’er’s unchanged demeanor, and believed him somewhat. Yet he still wondered: even if the Yin-Yang Path produced such a martial prodigy, the martial energy and fierce fist technique Qi Fei displayed were not typical of the demonic sects.

Qi Fei had anticipated Sima Yan’s doubts and added, “When we fought, I did not use my sect’s mystical arts, but relied on martial techniques my master acquired from the righteous Mystic Heart Sword Sect. Compared to the supreme arts of the Seven Absolutes Sect, they are equally formidable.”

Sima Yan’s doubts were dispelled. He had witnessed Qi Fei’s escape using mystical arts, and Zhuo Jin’er’s silence seemed to indicate annoyance at her meddling senior brother. Sima Yan believed him further.

Sima Yan laughed heartily, cupping his hands in greeting. “So you are a disciple of the Yin-Yang Path’s sect leader. My apologies—I did not catch your name?”

Qi Fei remained composed, raising his mangled hands in salute. “I dare not claim distinction. I am Qi Fei of the Yin-Yang Path, greetings to Sect Master Sima.”

Sima Yan looked at Qi Fei’s grotesque, bloodied hands, inwardly startled. This Qi Fei, though possessing mystical arts, chose to match martial prowess against Sima Yan’s innate strength—truly, those of the demonic path are ruthless.

Yet Sima Yan still wondered: even if Qi Fei claimed his nocturnal incursion was due to a quarrel with Zhuo Jin’er, why did he set a fire in the Seven Absolutes Sect’s rear courtyard? Was this Zhuo Jin’er’s idea, or was Qi Fei not actually a disciple of the Yin-Yang Path?

Sima Yan cast a subtle glance at Zhuo Jin’er, letting his martial energy flow quietly. If Zhuo Jin’er so much as gave a signal, he would not hesitate to kill Qi Fei.

Qi Fei was desperate, but dared not show any panic. He had no other recourse, so he glanced at Zhuo Jin’er, his trust evident in his eyes.

Seeing Sima Yan’s suspicions rise, Zhuo Jin’er realized that, though Qi Fei showed no plea, he had placed his life in her hands. She sighed softly, then feigned annoyance at Qi Fei, saying, “Senior brother, my affairs are not yours to meddle in. This time you came to Cangyun Mountain to find me—did master give you any instructions?”

Sima Yan was greatly surprised. So Qi Fei truly was a disciple of the Yin-Yang Path. Zhuo Jin’er’s words dispelled his doubts, and he thought, since Qi Fei possessed the Yin-Yang Path’s mystical arts, it was no wonder he had been so brazen in the mountains—he truly had reason to be fearless.