Chapter 6

Feng Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a calm smile and said, "Hurry up and state your terms. Be careful, or I might take you down with me. I'll just follow my two brothers to the netherworld."

Mao Shiba shouted excitedly, "Brother, you're right. Don't worry about us. Take out this old turtle, and we'll meet you in the underworld for a drink."

Wei Xiaobao, though pale with fear, still managed to say, "Good brothers, showing true loyalty. If we die, we'll die together. In eighteen years, we'll be heroes again."

The old eunuch thought for a moment. This young man was so resolute and had extraordinary martial arts skills. Even at his peak, he could only match this person. Now, he was far inferior. If he really killed the hostage, the young man might fight to the death, and he would not survive today. But then he had an idea and said with a feigned sigh, "We'll go to the palace together. When we're five hundred steps away from the palace, I'll release them."

Feng Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and found no flaws. The old eunuch hadn't coughed, indicating he was suppressing his injuries and could only use about seventy percent of his martial arts skills. Five hundred steps away, if he didn't release the hostages, Feng Xiaoxiao could kill him before he entered the palace. Once he released them, the distance would be enough to escape with the two. He nodded and said, "Be careful, or I might misunderstand."

The old eunuch called, "Xiaogui, help this young brother."

Xiaogui walked to Wei Xiaobao's side and pulled out a dagger, pressing it against his back.

The old eunuch grunted, "Fool, hide the dagger in your sleeve."

Xiaogui hurriedly pulled his hand back into his sleeve.

The old eunuch lifted Mao Shiba and turned to ask, "Where are you from, young friends?"

A large man glanced at Feng Xiaoxiao and said, "We are from Prince Zheng's mansion."

The old eunuch said, "Don't alarm anyone. If the prince asks, just say I'm the head of the imperial kitchen, Hai Gonggong." The men all agreed.

Hearing the old eunuch call himself Hai Gonggong, Feng Xiaoxiao confirmed he was Hai Dafu. Seeing his careful arrangements, he became even more cautious: "Hai Dafu is meticulous. He might be trying to make me let my guard down. I don't know what tricks he has up his sleeve. I must be careful."

The five of them cautiously made their way to the palace.

On the way, Hai Dafu behaved himself, neither speaking nor making any moves.

Feng Xiaoxiao focused his inner strength, his eyes fixed on Hai Dafu, and said, "Little brother, are you hurt? When the old eunuch releases you, run behind me, and I'll protect you."

Wei Xiaobao, moved, said, "Brother Feng, if we survive this, I'll form a brotherhood with you and the other brother, like Liu, Guan, and Zhang, in the Peach Garden."

Mao Shiba, excited, said, "Yes, we must do that." Then he added awkwardly, "Brother Feng, your martial arts are so high, do you look down on me?"

Feng Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "Brother, don't forget, I was the one who first sought your friendship. We've shared hardships and are already brothers."

Mao Shiba, delighted, called out, "Good brother!"

When they saw the palace gates, they walked a bit further, and Hai Dafu said, "Is this far enough?"

Feng Xiaoxiao nodded, "Move slowly, so I can see clearly."

Hai Dafu nodded and slowly released his grip.

Mao Shiba ran over quickly.

Hai Dafu took a step back and said, "Xiaogui, release the dagger slowly."

Xiaogui nodded, "Yes, Lord Hai," and slowly withdrew his hand.

Suddenly, Hai Dafu struck with a palm. "Slap!" Xiaogui was sent flying forward.

Feng Xiaoxiao was shocked. He never expected Hai Dafu to attack the young eunuch.

He quickly swung a punch, "Crack!" Xiaogui's spine broke, and he flew several meters, rolling on the ground. Afraid of Hai Dafu's counterattack, Feng Xiaoxiao used his full strength to punch twice, but both missed.

Hai Dafu, carrying Wei Xiaobao, was already close to the palace gates. Palace guards and officials' attendants were also rushing over.

Feng Xiaoxiao sighed, "I was one step behind." Suddenly, he remembered that Hai Dafu worked for Emperor Shunzhi and would need to report to him. If he killed Wei Xiaobao, wouldn't he fear Feng Xiaoxiao's pursuit? The matter he was handling was important, and he wouldn't risk a deep enmity with a martial arts expert over Wei Xiaobao. As long as his task was unfinished, Wei Xiaobao would be safe. Wei Xiaobao was also clever and might be indispensable to Hai Dafu. Once he connected with Emperor Kangxi, it was uncertain who would be dealing with whom.

He took a deep breath and shouted, "If he is harmed, you'll never leave the palace." Then he helped Mao Shiba up and, like an arrow, shot away from the crowd.

Feng Xiaoxiao found an old courtyard, listened for a while, and, hearing no one, climbed over the wall with Mao Shiba. The yard was overgrown with weeds, seemingly abandoned for a long time. At the house, Feng Xiaoxiao pushed the door open and said, "We'll stay here for now."

Mao Shiba, a bit dejected, said, "I wonder how Xiaobao is doing."

Feng Xiaoxiao comforted him, "Don't worry. That old eunuch is very cautious. As long as we're alive, he won't harm Wei brother. We should focus on healing and find a chance to save Xiaobao."

Mao Shiba nodded in agreement and asked, "Brother Feng, how are your injuries?"

Feng Xiaoxiao smiled bitterly, "That old eunuch is very powerful. I can't use my inner strength for at least a month."

Mao Shiba was surprised, "That serious?"

Feng Xiaoxiao sighed, "The old eunuch has deep inner strength. In the entire martial world, he's a top expert. No wonder so many heroes have failed to assassinate the emperor."

Mao Shiba sighed, "I thought my skills were enough to travel the martial world, but it seems I've just been lucky these twenty years."

Feng Xiaoxiao laughed, "Don't underestimate yourself. It's rare to encounter such a high-level expert. Most people never see one in their lifetime."

Mao Shiba, finding his words amusing, laughed and said, "Brother Feng, you're wrong. Aren't you a top expert too? I've seen two in twenty years."

Feng Xiaoxiao smiled slightly, "How are your injuries, Brother Mao?"

Mao Shiba patted his chest, "Just a shock, I'm fine now."

Feng Xiaoxiao checked his pulse, finding it strong, and said, "For the next month, I need to meditate and heal. I'll trouble you during this time."

Mao Shiba laughed, "Brother Feng, just focus on healing."

After the fight with Hai Dafu, Feng Xiaoxiao realized a flaw in his internal cultivation. The Huanyuan Gong generated inner strength from the outside in, which, while powerful, was not of the highest quality. This made him vulnerable to internal injuries when fighting internal experts.

While meditating and healing, he pondered but found no solution by the time he was almost healed. Looking at the Golden Snake Sword, he murmured, "I'll have to use this more often."

He then thought, "Whether I find my uncle or A'Jiu, I can't leave Wei Xiaobao. To always follow Wei Xiaobao..." He said firmly, "The Heaven and Earth Society!" He continued, "Wei Xiaobao first dealt with the Heaven and Earth Society when killing Ao Bai. I remember it was at Prince Kang's mansion, but not the time. However, Wei Xiaobao will leave the palace when raiding Ao Bai's house. I just need to wait outside the palace when I hear the news of Emperor Kangxi capturing Ao Bai."

A month later, Feng Xiaoxiao's injuries were healed, and he discussed with Mao Shiba how to save Wei Xiaobao.

Feng Xiaoxiao said, "Brother Mao, to rescue someone from the palace, we need more than just the two of us. The Heaven and Earth Society is renowned, with countless experts. With their help, we might succeed."

Mao Shiba cheered, "Chen Jiaming, the leader of the Heaven and Earth Society, is a true hero. I've always wanted to meet him. Do you know him, Brother Feng?"

Feng Xiaoxiao shook his head, "I don't know anyone in the Heaven and Earth Society."

Mao Shiba was disappointed, "How do we find their heroes for help?"

Feng Xiaoxiao smiled, "I don't know their heroes, but my master had some influence in the martial world. If we can meet them, they will surely help."

Mao Shiba asked skeptically, "Who is your master?"

Feng Xiaoxiao held up the Golden Snake Sword wrapped in cloth and said, "My master's name is Yuan Chengzhi."

Mao Shiba repeated it a few times, his face turning red, and shouted, "To have a disciple like you, your master must be extraordinary. But I, Mao Shiba, am ignorant and haven't heard of this name."

Feng Xiaoxiao laughed, "It's normal not to have heard of him. My master has been in seclusion for over twenty years. How old were you then?"

Mao Shiba realized, "I was only a teenager, not yet in the martial world, so I hadn't heard of him."

Feng Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said, "My master is the son of Yuan Chonghuan, the great general. He was once the leader of the Huashan Sect and the martial alliance, commanding the Golden Snake Army. Later, when Li Zicheng let the Manchus into the pass and focused on looting Beijing, my master, enraged, led his troops to fight the Manchus alone. Outnumbered, he couldn't turn the tide and retired in despair."

Mao Shiba bowed in respect, "I admired Chen Jiaming, but now I also admire Yuan Daxia. I wish I could meet him."

Feng Xiaoxiao waved his hand, "That's not easy. My master is in seclusion overseas, and the journey by boat takes months."

Mao Shiba, embarrassed, said, "I can't meet him. I... I... I get seasick."

Feng Xiaoxiao was taken aback, then laughed, "You should go to the market more often and see if you can find any heroes from the Heaven and Earth Society. I'll wait near the palace for a chance to save Wei brother. We'll meet here every day. If anything happens, come to the palace gates to find me."

Mao Shiba enthusiastically agreed, and Feng Xiaoxiao smiled as he watched him leave.

In the following months, Feng Xiaoxiao often stayed near the palace market. He enjoyed small dishes and drinks, living a carefree life. One day, while eating at a tavern, he heard a commotion outside, followed by cheers.

Feng Xiaoxiao nodded, "Ao Bai must have been captured. This is the start of Wei Xiaobao's rise." He murmured, "A great bird rises on the wind, soaring nine thousand miles." He picked up the Golden Snake Sword, stood up, and joined the crowd outside.

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