Chapter Twenty-Five: A Fight to the Death

There is a phrase, "beset on all sides," which perfectly describes Feng Yuan's predicament now—surrounded by enemies, unable to move, as if pinned down during lunch. Feng Fugui and his companions lunged forward, jaws wide, ready to bite Feng Yuan, while the ghost woman behind him reached out, intent on snapping his neck. At that moment, Feng Yuan felt as though he were bound and stretched over a fire, an unbearable torment.

But fear had long since vanished from Feng Yuan’s heart, replaced instead by a burning fury. There’s a saying: "When terror reaches its peak, it transforms into rage." Feng Yuan was now in just such a state. So what if you’re a ghost? In my previous life, I was a rogue—I’ve always been the one who delivers the blows, never the one to take them.

To survive, Feng Yuan was ready to risk everything.

"Ha!"

Just as Feng Fugui was about to bite him, Feng Yuan let out a roar, grabbed Feng Fugui’s clothes with both hands, lifted his foot, and kicked hard at Feng Fugui’s abdomen. Letting go, he flung himself backward, crashing into whatever lay behind.

In that moment between life and death, Feng Yuan’s old skills from brawling in his previous life surfaced. He moved swiftly, completing the maneuver in a flash, exerting every ounce of his strength.

A ripping sound echoed—the fabric on Feng Yuan’s chest tore under Feng Fugui’s grasp, but this allowed Feng Yuan to break free. He hurled backward, landing heavily on the ground.

"Ah!" The ghost woman shrieked, clearly caught off guard by Feng Yuan’s sudden move. She was pinned beneath his back, yet Feng Yuan felt as though he had fallen onto a bed of cotton; it didn’t hurt at all.

Her hands, which had been clutching his shoulders, now loosened. Without thinking, Feng Yuan rolled to the side, separating himself from the ghost woman, sprang up, and dashed into the house.

"Feng Yuan, return my life!" Feng Fugui shouted. In the next instant, he and his two companions floated swiftly toward Feng Yuan, moving with ghostly speed.

Feng Yuan glanced back, quickly sidestepping to avoid them, but in that moment, the ghost woman in white appeared before him. She reached out, her sharp claws clamping around his neck, nails piercing into his flesh, blood streaming forth. Pain washed over him.

"Feng Yuan, why run? Come and keep me company," the ghost woman said, her voice chilling.

"Compan—dream on!"

Feng Yuan spat the words through clenched teeth. His neck throbbed with agony, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but he refused to die. Summoning his will, he swung his fist with all his might, aiming straight at the ghost woman. The blow landed—but his fist passed straight through her body.

"You can no longer touch me. Come be with me!" she cackled, tightening her grip. At the same time, Feng Yuan felt several hands crawling up his back, the stench of blood flooding his senses.

Feng Fugui and his companions were upon him, jaws gaping, ready to tear him apart.

"I can’t die—I mustn’t die!" Feng Yuan told himself. At that instant, he recalled the nameless martial arts diagram, whose golden energy could supposedly shatter a tree. He had practiced this inner skill, but never tested it; surely it wasn’t for nothing.

With this in mind, Feng Yuan followed the gestures depicted in the diagram, raising his palm. The grain-sized golden light within his dantian suddenly surged forth, racing through his meridians to gather in his palm. In a heartbeat, his palm shone with dazzling gold.

The ghost woman in white was instantly seized by terror. Feng Yuan swung his hand, delivering a palm strike straight at her.

Boom!

A shrill scream burst forth as the ghost woman was blasted away, blue smoke billowing from her body as if she were aflame, and in the next instant, she vanished.

At the same time, Feng Fugui and his companions behind Feng Yuan disappeared as well. Feng Yuan’s head spun with dizziness; he collapsed to the floor, losing consciousness.

…

When Feng Yuan finally woke, it was already morning. He opened his eyes to find himself lying in bed. Sunshine poured in through the window, bathing the floor in gentle light and filling the room with peace.

He sat up, frowning slightly, his mind crowded with memories from the previous night—every detail clear. He never would have imagined the ghost woman would return, bringing Feng Fugui and his two companions. If not for the nameless martial art he’d cultivated, he would surely have lost his life.

After striking the ghost woman, she vanished, and he lost consciousness. Whatever happened afterward, he did not know. Nor could he tell if the ghost woman was dead or merely injured, or whether she would return to haunt him.

At least he was alive, lying in bed—surely no further danger had transpired. The ghost woman hadn’t returned; if she survived, she must have been wounded. If not dead, Feng Yuan knew he’d have to find a way to rid himself of her, or he wouldn’t dare stay here.

He guessed it was Hu Xiao who dragged him inside after hearing the commotion last night. He wondered where that little girl found the strength to carry him.

Feng Yuan reached up to touch his neck and shoulders, and was startled. Last night, the ghost woman had wounded him badly, nearly killing him, but now, as he felt his skin, there was not a mark to be found.

He hurried out of bed, went to the bronze mirror, and removed his shirt to check carefully. Indeed, there was not a single scar—how strange. His face was filled with confusion.

Could it all have been a dream? Impossible! But how could the wounds have vanished?

Just as he pondered this, the door opened and Hu Xiao entered carrying washing supplies. Seeing Feng Yuan awake, she smiled brightly and hurried over. "Young master, you’re awake! Thank goodness, you frightened me last night. Why did you faint in the courtyard?"

"It’s nothing, perhaps I was too exhausted. You didn’t see anything unusual, did you?" Feng Yuan asked.

"No, nothing at all. Why?" she replied.

"Nothing," Feng Yuan said, breathing a sigh of relief. As long as Hu Xiao hadn’t seen the ghost woman, she wouldn’t be scared.

"By the way, Xiao Xiao, when you brought me in last night, did I have any injuries?"

"None," Hu Xiao shook her head.

Feng Yuan felt perplexed, rubbing his chin in thought. This couldn’t be—he was sure he’d been wounded last night.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Open the door!"

"Open up!"

Suddenly, a furious pounding sounded from outside, as if someone intended to tear the house apart. So early in the morning—who could be so irate? Feng Yuan quickly headed outside…