Chapter 87: A Divine Melody Shocks Heaven; I Wrestle Fate with the Celestial Realm

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Feng Ning was a meticulous man who never made promises lightly, but once he committed, he would give his all. Moreover, since Zhong Ming had previously entrusted him with the melody of “Invincible Under Heaven,” Feng Ning felt a debt of gratitude toward him. He added, “Sir, please feel free to come with all the details. Feng Ning owes you a favor and will repay it.”

Zhong Ming knew well that cultivators valued the principle of cause and effect above all; Feng Ning would never break his word lightly.

Without hesitation, Zhong Ming recounted the matter of Li Wangye in detail, including his father Li Jianye’s secret identity as the hidden crown prince and his current whereabouts.

“I only ask, Mr. Feng, that you take Li Wangye away and keep him safe. I have promised Li Jianye to protect his lineage.”

Bowing respectfully, Zhong Ming displayed complete sincerity—a rare humility in his demeanor.

Feng Ning hurriedly helped Zhong Ming to his feet and said, “I thought you had encountered some difficulty. If it’s not about dealing with the strongest immortal in the border city, Lord Yu, the rest are minor matters.”

Hearing Feng Ning mention immediately that he intended to kill Yu Tu, the strongest immortal of the border, Zhong Ming was secretly alarmed.

Yet, amidst his surprise, Zhong Ming’s face brightened with joy. He asked, “Mr. Feng, then you have agreed?”

“This is no hardship. Although Penglai is a place of ritual and music, protecting a mortal is well within my capacity.”

Upon Feng Ning’s acceptance, Zhong Ming clasped his hands and bowed again, “Thank you, Mr. Feng.”

Supporting Zhong Ming, they continued walking with hands behind their backs.

As they walked, Feng Ning spoke, “I can take Li Wangye back to Southern Han and guarantee that his Li Tang identity won’t be exposed easily. But you must understand, I, Feng Ning, have not attained the Tao of immortality and will eventually reach the end of my days. I can protect him for a time, but not for a lifetime.”

Nodding, Zhong Ming replied, “I understand. Mr. Feng, would it be feasible for Wangye to stay in Southern Han until he comes of age?”

Coming of age meant eighteen years old. Li Wangye was only five now, so there were thirteen years before that milestone—enough time for him to grow and for Li Jianye and Li Shicheng to settle their succession dispute.

Regardless of the outcome of this battle for the throne, once Li Wangye reached adulthood, he would have the agency to decide his own life.

After a moment’s thought, Feng Ning’s hand slipped inside his sleeve as he quietly calculated. After some time, he said, “Thirteen years is enough to repay your kindness. I accept the matter of Li Wangye. From today, he will live in Southern Han as my disciple.”

Feng Ning would take Li Wangye as his apprentice to repay his debt?

This was an outcome Zhong Ming had not anticipated, an extraordinary stroke of fortune for Li Wangye.

Zhong Ming’s smile grew broader. Bowing again, he refrained from overdoing it to avoid seeming overly mercenary, instead saying calmly, “That is excellent.”

With Li Wangye’s future settled, the two reached the village. Zhong Ming went to the Liang family to fetch Li Wangye, while Feng Ning returned to his residence to find Feng Mufei.

Holding Li Wangye’s hand, Zhong Ming led him toward Feng Ning’s dwelling.

At this moment, Li Wangye was still somewhat bewildered. Too young, he neither possessed his father’s endurance nor his elder brother’s composure and talent. At barely five, Li Wangye was still a mere child with only some cleverness in his head.

Zhong Ming spoke little on the way, but Li Wangye sensed something was about to happen.

After silently following halfway, Li Wangye could no longer hold back and asked, “Brother Zhong Ming, where are you taking me?”

“To be apprenticed. After that, you will leave Mud Village and go with your master to see the world.”

Upon hearing this, Li Wangye broke free from Zhong Ming’s hand and stood still at a distance.

Zhong Ming turned and saw Li Wangye standing there with tear-filled eyes; his voice quivered with tears, “I won’t go to any master. I want to wait in Mud Village for my father and mother to come back...”

Frowning deeply, Zhong Ming didn’t know how to explain Li Jianye’s journey to the imperial capital to fight for the throne. After some thought, he decided to continue deceiving Li Wangye.

Having not told Li Wangye the truth before, he was bound to weave one lie after another to conceal it.

Li Wangye was but a child. To tell him the harsh truth would be too cruel. Li Jianye and Li Guangling had already borne the responsibility of the Li family’s main branch; Li Wangye should not be dragged into this war.

At least, that was Zhong Ming’s belief: a child of only five needed above all a complete childhood.

Zhong Ming came beside Li Wangye and slowly crouched down. He sighed, “Wangye, you know your father and brother are retrieving something for you, but the path will be difficult.

If you learn some skills from your master, when you succeed, you will be able to help your father a great deal.

This apprenticeship is so you can grow up to share your father and brother’s burdens. Don’t you want that?”

Li Wangye was already crying. He shook his head, “I want to, but what if my father comes back and can’t find me?”

Zhong Ming forced a smile, though it was false: “That won’t happen. If your father returns, I will come and get you.”

After hesitating, the child slowly nodded.

Wiping away the tears from Li Wangye’s eyes, Zhong Ming patted his head, “That’s a real man’s spirit. Promise Brother Zhong Ming you won’t cry easily at your master’s place.”

“Okay, I won’t cry anymore, Brother Zhong Ming. I promise I won’t cry again.”

Rubbing his red eyes, Li Wangye vowed solemnly.

That promise, which Zhong Ming had thought little of, would make Li Wangye into a resolute child.

Zhong Ming sighed deeply through his nose, patted Li Wangye’s head in approval, and then led him onward.

Arriving at Feng Ning’s small courtyard, Zhong Ming saw Feng Ning and Feng Mufei waiting outside.

He brought Li Wangye into the yard and, after greeting Feng Ning, said, “Mr. Feng, no need to wait like this. You are too courteous.”

Feng Ning smiled, “Not all for you; I was also preparing to leave.”

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Zhong Ming frowned in surprise. He had not expected Feng Ning to leave today. “Mr. Feng, why such a hurry to depart?”

“The matter is done. It’s time to return. If I stay too long outside Wangxian City, Lord Yu inside the city might become suspicious.”

That made sense. At the border of Bai Yu Capital, the chief disciple of Penglai could not simply linger.

Zhong Ming quickly pushed Li Wangye before Feng Ning, “Mr. Feng, this is Li Wangye. I entrust him to your care.”

Then, quietly to Li Wangye, he said, “Wangye, call your master.”

Li Wangye looked up at the tall man before him, fearful but gathering courage. Kneeling, he called out, “Li Wangye of Mud Village pays respects to Master!”

With a thud, Li Wangye knelt before Feng Ning, his eyes still red-rimmed.

Seeing such proper etiquette, Feng Ning felt a measure of admiration. He waved his sleeve, summoning a gentle breeze that lifted Li Wangye up. “Good child, rise quickly!”

Feng Mufei, standing beside Feng Ning, happily ran to Li Wangye, took his hand, and smiled, “Father told me he would take on a disciple named Li Wangye. So it is you.”

A few days prior, Feng Mufei had run about the village with other children; among them, Li Wangye was one of her closest playmates.

Seeing an old friend, Li Wangye’s anxious heart finally calmed somewhat, though he only smiled without speaking.

With Li Wangye delivered, Feng Ning had no desire to linger. He cupped his hands, “Mr. Zhong, the hour grows late. I will not delay further and must set out.”

“Please, Mr. Feng.”

Zhong Ming quickly stepped back to give way, knowing Feng Ning would mount the enormous jade pipa.

Summoning the jade pipa, it grew with the wind until it was large enough to accommodate four or five people standing. Feng Ning waved his sleeve and, accompanied by Feng Mufei and Li Wangye, stepped onto the pipa.

Feng Ning turned back, “Mr. Zhong, until we meet again.”

Zhong Ming cupped his hands, “Until we meet again.”

The jade pipa rose slowly into the air. Li Wangye, eyes still red, waved vigorously, “Brother Zhong Ming, wait for me to return!”

Zhong Ming forced a smile, “All right, Wangye. When you come back, Brother Zhong Ming will buy you crispy cakes!”

“I will eat to my heart’s content!”

“I’ll make sure you do!”

The jade pipa flew higher and higher; Li Wangye’s voice faded into the distance.

Zhong Ming’s smile turned suddenly bitter. He sniffed, his heart and nose sour, as if tasting a sour plum that made tears and mucus run freely.

Far away, the jade pipa became a streak of light heading toward Suiyun Mountain.

The blue sea and sky, white clouds swirling, were accompanied by a song.

Feng Ning’s singing of “Invincible Under Heaven” echoed in the mountains, the wind scattering the melody across this borderland.

“Wind sweeps wild sands up, clouds turn to rain upon the earth...”

A song full of chivalrous spirit and the harshness of the martial world, Feng Ning made it sound like a battlefield of clashing swords and horses.

The song faded, but the wind grew stronger, bending the ancient trees of the mountain.

The tall wild grasses bowed low, as if invisible hands were bending all things in the world.

The wind and the song forced everything in the borderland to bow their heads.

Countless common folk shivered in fear; the timid had already knelt.

Only Zhong Ming stood in the courtyard, gazing at the horizon, murmuring, “Mr. Feng’s singing grows more flavorful. The melody—he has learned it well.”

Feng Ning stood atop the jade pipa. After a while, the song ended.

Feng Mufei, enraptured, eyes shining, said, “Father, have you broken through to the infant stage?”

Feng Ning smiled silently, gazing at the small village for a moment before saying, “We owe thanks to Mr. Zhong’s melody.”

That day, Feng Ning advanced another step on the path to immortality, entering the life-struggle realm.

...

Residence in Bai Yu Capital.

Many disciples of Bai Yu Capital collapsed where they stood, unable to hold their items steady. The sound of breaking porcelain filled the air.

Many weaker disciples had already knelt; the melody’s overwhelming aura seemed intent on subduing this borderland.

Yu Tu, who was meditating inside, suddenly opened his eyes, his aura flickering behind him. The song disturbed him, unsettling his Dao heart.

Gritting his teeth, Yu Tu cursed, “You smiling tiger Feng Ning, still showing off as you leave?”

His Dao heart in turmoil, Yu Tu lost focus and floated down from his bed, approaching Fei Dacheng.

Fei Dacheng, sitting cross-legged on a mat, was less affected by the song. He simply opened his eyes, sweat beading his forehead.

The melody unsettled his Dao heart as well. He hurriedly stood and asked, “Master, what’s happening?”

Yu Tu scowled, “Nothing serious. Just a proud novice in the life-struggle realm showing off.”

Fei Dacheng was secretly surprised. He had come to understand cultivation a little over these days. After the Gathering Elixir stage was the Infant stage; his master was only at the late Infant stage. Yet this person had already broken through to the life-struggle realm.

To reach the life-struggle realm was rare in Bai Yu Capital—he was truly powerful.

In Fei Dacheng’s mind, living three hundred years past Gathering Elixir was a blessing. To reach Infant, let alone life-struggle, was unthinkable.

Clearly, Yu Tu was unmoved by Feng Ning’s melody. He opened the door and called out, “Dacheng, come out. No meditation today. I will teach you the Ice Condensation technique.”

After days of meditating in the mansion, Yu Tu was finally going to teach him an immortal art. Fei Dacheng was overjoyed, promptly agreeing and running outside.

Brother Ming, I have taken another step forward. Wait for me—I will help you cure your dantian ailment one day.

...

On a mountain path, a squad of slender-scale cavalry halted mid-road. The horses beneath them neighed wildly.

Yang Yanlang’s horse, Luoxue, grew restless; no matter how he tried, he could not rein it in—all because of that grating melody.

Rubbing his ears, Yang Yanlang fumed, “Who’s singing that? This tune is unbearable.”

Beside him, a young scholar in green robes, Bo Nian, smiled, “That’s mistaken, General Yang. Listen closely. The tune is quite profound, but the singer’s pride aims to suppress others with the melody’s meaning. That’s why you find it unbearable.”

Hearing this, Yang Yanlang took a deep breath, focused, and listened carefully.

In his ears, the neighing and shouting faded. Only the melody drifted in the wind.

To Yang Yanlang, the song was not lyrics but a painting of a chivalrous hero wandering the world with a sword—drinking freely, galloping wildly, slaying foes.

One against hundreds, one against thousands, one against tens of thousands...

The figure in the song was invincible under heaven!

When the four words “Invincible Under Heaven” flashed in his mind, Yang Yanlang suddenly awoke. The silver dragon spear on his back hummed, emitting a clear dragon roar. The spear flew to his hand.

He thrust it deeply into the ground.

Yang Yanlang shouted, “How splendid! How splendid!”

A gentle breeze gathered around him, stirring his battle armor’s hem. The fine scales of the Suanni armor shimmered softly in the wind.

Originally at the Earth Fiend stage, Yang Yanlang leapt over ten levels of energy, breaking into the Heavenly Gang stage. His true qi reached eighty-two levels, all thanks to the song.

Bo Nian’s eyes were full of admiration. Clapping, he laughed, “General Yang is indeed a prodigy, finding a breakthrough in the melody.”

Then, feigning regret, he sighed, “It’s a pity General Yang did not pursue cultivation. Martial true qi has many flaws and ultimately low limits. Such a talent is wasted.”

Returning to reality, Yang Yanlang casually drew his silver dragon spear and laughed, “Sir Bo’s praise is too kind. I am but a warrior, how could I have the talent of those in the immortal palaces?”

“General Yang is too modest. Your talent is rare even in Bai Yu Capital. If you are willing, why not join Bai Yu Capital...”

Bo Nian’s words betrayed his desire to recruit Yang Yanlang.

But setting aside the need to abandon his internal true qi and martial skills to start anew, Yang Yanlang’s aversion to Bai Yu Capital made him refuse outright.

To avoid the topic, Yang Yanlang turned to rein in his white horse, loudly saying, “Sir Bo, I hear this melody is quite interesting, as if the singer is highly skilled and proud, with an invincible aura.”

Bo Nian, clever as he was, knew Yang Yanlang’s intent to deflect and ceased pressing the matter.

Composing himself, Bo Nian smiled again, “General Yang is correct. This person broke into the life-struggle realm with one song. Give him time, and he will surely be invincible in that realm.”

Invincible in the life-struggle realm?

Bo Nian’s appraisal of Feng Ning was startling. Whether he flattered Yang Yanlang or truly believed it was unclear.

Yang Yanlang gripped his spear, mounted, and looked southward, quietly saying, “Invincible under heaven? Ha! My eldest brother is the invincible hero of our martial world. I wonder who is stronger. Someday, I must see them spar.”

Bo Nian no longer smiled. He knew Qin Xiong well. If anyone in this martial world could defeat an Infant-stage immortal, he would laugh it off as madness.

But if that person were Qin Xiong, Bo Nian dared not speak lightly.

Invincible in the life-struggle realm—he might truly be able to challenge the invincible hero of the mortal world.

Seeing Bo Nian silent, Yang Yanlang did not press further. He raised his spear in a soft chant, calming the horses behind him.

The silver dragon spear hummed, and the hundred or so fine horses quieted, no longer panicked.

Yang Yanlang pointed his spear toward Wangxian City, “Huzi, organize the troops and press on. Ten more miles, and we will reach home.”

The exhausted soldiers finally smiled, their eyes shining once more.

A mixed squad of soldiers and Bai Yu Capital disciples raced toward Wangxian City, horses thundering, dust billowing.

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