Chapter 141: The Nine Yin Manual

Page (1/3)

Li Dayu laughed, “Why isn’t the beautiful Liu here? Hehe, still sleeping, huh? You’re amazing! When others look so good, you still have to be gentle and considerate. Haha, to pull this off on the first try, you’re incredible!”

Seeing Li Dayu giving him a thumbs-up, Long Fei grew even more annoyed and frowned. “What are you talking about? How would I know she didn’t come? Do you know?”

“You’re pretending. I saw you two go out together yesterday. Oh, by the way, I have a relative who runs an inn nearby. Next time you need a room, find me! I’ll give you a discount. After all, we’re students. There’s no need to waste so much money on hotels; that’s just throwing money away. It’s better to be economical. Plus, my relative has connections at the police station. If anything happens, they’ll know immediately,” Li Dayu said with a sly grin, probably having spent many nights at his relative’s inn himself.

Long Fei finally understood. This guy thought Liu Ruoyi wasn’t in class because Long Fei had spent the night with her, and he believed Long Fei was so impressive that Liu Ruoyi was bedridden. Sweat. Long Fei almost strangled Li Dayu in frustration and angrily said, “Go back to your seat, or I won’t be polite to you!”

Startled by Long Fei’s sudden change in attitude, Li Dayu obediently returned to his seat, slinking away quietly like a dog. Even Wang Ziguo, the teacher at the podium, shook his head. They were adults—what was wrong with changing seats? Was it worth acting like a dog?

During the lesson, Long Fei didn’t catch a word Wang Ziguo said. His mind was filled with thoughts of Liu Ruoyi. After class, he asked one of Liu Ruoyi’s dorm mates and learned that Liu Ruoyi had gone to the library. He knew she was deliberately avoiding him, but the library was indeed a good place—quiet and peaceful. Sitting there, one could think things through clearly. Long Fei had planned to call her but ultimately decided not to disturb her.

Perhaps, at this moment, the best thing Long Fei could do was let Liu Ruoyi have the peace to contemplate everything. Maybe when he returned from Yanjing, everything would change.

While thinking about the trip to Yanjing, Ye Wentian’s call came through, asking him to head to Dream Garden immediately.

After hanging up, a cold smile appeared at the corner of Long Fei’s mouth. Finally, he could delve deeper into this mystery. Perhaps the trip to Yanjing would bring unexpected gains.

Exiting the teaching building, Long Fei deliberately took a detour past the library’s entrance. Several times he wanted to go in and look but never did. What he didn’t know was that as he left, a pair of eyes peered at him from the window of the girls’ restroom in the library. Those eyes were tearful and aggrieved—none other than Liu Ruoyi’s.

Seeing Long Fei was a surprise, but shedding tears for him was inevitable, just like last night. Her tears always came so easily.

Slowly opening his eyes, Fenghuang felt the black veil covering his face had been removed, and his clothes had been changed into a white robe. This startled him greatly. Instinctively, he tried to jump out of bed, but realized he had no strength at all. His body was weak and limp, as if his bones had dissolved. When he tried to channel his inner energy, the powerful energy he had cultivated over years was scattered throughout his meridians, refusing to respond to his command no matter how hard he tried.

In all his life, Fenghuang had never felt such despair. It was like a wealthy businessman who had saved billions suddenly finding his funds frozen overnight, able only to watch but unable to use them. The feeling was more of frustration and despair than confusion or hesitation.

Yet, Fenghuang’s spirit was strong. Though he felt hopeless now, his years as an assassin had taught him never to give up before the end. He glanced around and realized he was lying in a quaint little cabin. Besides the bed beneath him, there were only a few simple tables and chairs.

The cabin’s window was open, and the door ajar. Through them, Fenghuang saw verdant mountains shrouded in thick mist. The calls of unknown insects and birds filled the air. A cool breeze carrying moist mist blew in, and faintly, he heard cows and sheep. Though he hadn’t stepped outside, he was certain he was far from the modern city, nestled in a peaceful mountain village, free from the clamor and restlessness of urban life, replaced by tranquility and nature.

A white shadow flickered as the Dragon Maiden entered holding a small porcelain bowl. An intense aroma of Chinese medicine wafted through the air. Seeing Fenghuang awake, she showed no surprise but smiled gently, placing the bowl on the bedside table. She then sat down and formed some strange hand seals. Her hands glowed white as she lightly brushed them over Fenghuang’s body, and he immediately felt some strength returning.

This was not their first meeting, so they exchanged no words. Fenghuang struggled to sit up and said quietly, “Thank you.”

The Dragon Maiden smiled. “Alright, now you can take this medicine. You didn’t know, did you? You’ve been unconscious for a whole day and night.”

Startled, Fenghuang frowned. “Why didn’t you wake me sooner? And did you seal my inner energy?”

Page (2/3)

“I wanted to wake you sooner, but this is a great calamity destined for you, beyond human control. Otherwise, I would have stopped you from going to the Koga clan long ago. You should be grateful you survived. As for your inner energy, yes, I sealed it because your body is too weak. If you wake and try to channel your energy, it will damage your meridians and hinder your recovery.” The Dragon Maiden calmly handed him the porcelain bowl, and without hesitation, Fenghuang drank it all without even frowning.

“Where are my clothes?” Fenghuang felt the white robe was nice but didn’t suit him, especially since he was used to covering his face with a black veil. Suddenly revealing his face felt odd.

“I cleaned and stored your clothes. I’ll give them back when you leave. You look beautiful in my clothes though. Why keep fooling yourself? Do you think covering your extraordinary beauty solves anything? It’s all fate—causes from past lives bring about present results. You must face it calmly. Believe this truth: what is destined for you, no one can snatch away; what isn’t meant for you, no matter how you seize it, you won’t get it back. Understand?” The Dragon Maiden sighed. Some things she couldn’t tell Fenghuang because she knew him too well. If mishandled, both she and Long Fei would be in trouble.

Fenghuang replied coldly, “Mind your own business.”

Honestly, Fenghuang respected the Dragon Maiden the most. She understood Fenghuang deeply and knew her many mysterious skills. Fenghuang was curious and respectful of the unknown. But seeing the Dragon Maiden stay with Long Fei while she could only watch quietly from the shadows—it was hard for her to remain calm.

The Dragon Maiden didn’t get angry, smiling instead. “I didn’t want to meddle either. But do you know why I saved you?”

Fenghuang said nothing. She wanted to say she didn’t need saving but didn’t.

“I know what you’re thinking—you think you don’t need my help, right?” The Dragon Maiden seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled.

Fenghuang was unsurprised. “Then why ask?”

“I saved you because of him. You know it too. I don’t want him to be heartbroken. And if you died, he might drag all of Japan down with him. Because if there’s anyone in this world who truly loves you, it’s only him. Your fate with him isn’t something simple words can explain. I can only say this: you cannot die. If you die, he dies. If he dies, I die. So, we’re not enemies but friends, right?”

The Dragon Maiden spoke earnestly, as if seeing a tragic scene, her eyes full of sorrow and compassion.

Fenghuang’s heart trembled. She believed every word. Thinking of Long Fei, her heart ached but also felt a trace of contentment. Yes, no matter what, Long Fei was the person closest to her. She could not die. She swore to guard Long Fei for life, never let him suffer, and eliminate all his rivals, so he could have whatever he desired!

“Then heal my wounds quickly. I must report the Water Moon Sect’s situation to him to prevent danger. As you saw, we’re no match for the Water Moon Sect!” Fenghuang’s tone softened.

The Dragon Maiden smiled, “No need to rush. You’ll recover soon. The disciple from the Water Moon Sect has already returned to the mountains. I don’t think the sect will appear again soon. They haven’t shown up for years. You really stirred up a hornet’s nest, but luckily, you still have time to prepare. By the time they come back, you won’t need to fear them anymore!”

Fenghuang didn’t fully understand but just wanted to heal quickly and inform Long Fei. She wouldn’t tell him about her injury unless he asked, to avoid worrying him.

“Where are we?” Fenghuang looked around and asked.

“We’re still in Japan. Don’t worry, this is a beautiful spot I found when I came here before. So I built this cabin. Every summer, I vacation here. The mountain isn’t high but inaccessible. Ordinary people can’t find it. You Chinese might call it a paradise,” the Dragon Maiden said with a smile, standing up.

“And my wounds?” Fenghuang tried to channel her inner energy but felt nothing, frowning. She had no mind to enjoy a paradise. Even if she were in Peach Blossom Village, she wouldn’t be carefree. She was used to killing and working for Long Fei. Doing nothing would kill her inside. Sometimes, constant work was the best healing.

The Dragon Maiden said seriously, “Your wounds are mostly healed. I only temporarily sealed your true energy. You can go out with me now but don’t channel your energy. I’ll fully heal your internal injuries soon, then you can use your energy. Also, I have a set of martial arts to teach you!”

Page (3/3)

“Martial arts?” Fenghuang was startled. “Must I learn it?”

“If you don’t want to turn and run next time you meet the Water Moon Sect, you’d better learn it. This set not only can save your life but also Long Fei’s. You don’t want anything to happen to him, do you?” The Dragon Maiden read Fenghuang’s thoughts perfectly.

Fenghuang had been about to refuse, but at the mention of Long Fei, she immediately agreed. Now she was curious about the martial arts.

The Dragon Maiden brushed her hands over Fenghuang again, who instantly felt a surge of strength and could move freely. Not daring to channel energy, she followed the Dragon Maiden out of the cabin.

Fenghuang admired the Dragon Maiden’s taste. Though the mountain was low, it was steep on all sides. White clouds and blue skies stretched endlessly. Besides the cabin, several cows and sheep grazed nearby. Unknown birds chirped in the large tree before the house. Seeing the Dragon Maiden, the animals seemed even livelier, especially a few green-eyed, red-feathered birds that flew to her shoulder, chattering nonstop.

The Dragon Maiden smiled as she spoke to the birds in a language Fenghuang couldn’t understand. The birds fluttered away, leaving Fenghuang blinking in amazement. It seemed the Dragon Maiden was truly born to communicate with all living things.

In front of the cabin was a green lawn, with some unknown flowers and medicinal herbs planted at one corner. The Dragon Maiden told Fenghuang to sit cross-legged facing east. The rising sun gently ascended. The Dragon Maiden sat behind Fenghuang, forming strange hand seals. Her hands glowed white with a misty aura as she placed them on Fenghuang’s back and softly said, “Gather your mind, close your eyes, and cultivate!”

Feeling a strange energy flow from the Dragon Maiden’s hands into her body, Fenghuang hurried to cultivate. The previously dormant inner energy responded like soldiers to a trumpet call, rushing to the energy source. Guided by the white energy, it swiftly circulated through her meridians. When passing through narrow ones, the energy automatically helped expand them before flowing onward.

The meridians bathed in this energy felt like parched soil meeting rain, making Fenghuang incredibly comfortable, almost wanting to cry out.

Soon, Fenghuang entered meditation. Even without the strange energy, her true energy circulated autonomously. With the meridians expanded, the energy flowed faster. After each circuit, Fenghuang felt her true energy grew purer. Though the quantity diminished, the quality improved.

When the Dragon Maiden withdrew her hands, Fenghuang continued cultivating on her own. After forty-nine small circuits, just over two hours had passed. The progress in those two hours surpassed what two years of training had achieved. What once flowed like a trickle now surged like a stampede. The energy ball in her dantian shrank from fist-sized to egg-sized and turned slightly yellow instead of pure white.

Stopping cultivation and opening her eyes, Fenghuang saw the Dragon Maiden smiling at her and gratefully said, “Thank you.”

Waving her hand, the Dragon Maiden pointed to the prepared lunch nearby and said, “Come, let’s eat first. While eating, I’ll explain the martial arts I want to teach you!”

The dishes were wild mountain vegetables but smelled delicious. As they sat, the Dragon Maiden began explaining the martial arts that even she found miraculous.

“You must be a pure yin body, right?” the Dragon Maiden smiled.

Fenghuang nodded.

“That’s right. Actually, only you can learn this martial art. The one who taught me said it was meant for a fated person named Fenghuang, so only you can learn it. I tried to learn it but couldn’t, hehe.”

Seeing Fenghuang’s astonished expression, the Dragon Maiden continued, “Don’t be surprised; it really is so. Getting this martial art was also destined. When I was eight, I visited your China with my Indian delegation. We stayed at the Yanjing Hotel. One day, I went with the group to see the Forbidden City. It’s truly a magnificent work of art, unmatched worldwide. The grandeur left a deep impression on me.”

Sensing she had digressed, the Dragon Maiden smiled, “Sorry, I got off track. That night after returning from the Forbidden City, I had a strange dream. A man clad in dragon scale-like clothes and wearing a crown told me he would teach me a Nine Yin manual internal skill to pass on to a woman named Fenghuang. He said he was entrusted by someone. I remember he spoke a lot, including mentioning Long Fei, though he called him the Azure Dragon then. I thought it was just a dream, but the details and the incantations remain clear. Though I couldn’t learn the Nine Yin manual, I understand it’s an extremely difficult internal martial art, with immense power once mastered. Only those with seven meridians and nine vessels can learn it. I already know you, like Long Fei, have an extra meridian beyond ordinary people. Am I right?”