Chapter 577 One Thousand Slaps to the Lower Back
"There is nothing to forgive. I am merely a wandering traveler," Lin Feng said with a faint smile.
Tang Jingyan nodded respectfully. Throughout the cultivation world, many supreme experts preferred to conceal themselves among mortals.
Such individuals often possessed eccentric personalities and strange habits. Some enjoyed living as farmers, while others disguised themselves as merchants, scholars, or even beggars.
Compared to those legends, Feng Lin’s desire to travel incognito was hardly surprising.
"I understand, Senior Feng Lin," Tang Jingyan said politely. "Please follow me. The Tang Clan will do everything in our power to make your stay here as comfortable and memorable as possible."
Lin Feng nodded lightly.
Soon, Tang Jingyan personally escorted him into the heart of the Tang Clan’s territory.
The clan elders had already received word of what had happened at the entrance and immediately arranged the highest level of hospitality available.
A luxurious courtyard was prepared exclusively for him. Spirit flowers bloomed along stone pathways, while clear streams flowed peacefully through elegant gardens.
Several beautiful servants stood ready to attend to any request, though Lin Feng politely dismissed most of them.
Within only a few hours, news of Feng Lin’s arrival spread throughout the entire clan.
The story of how he had casually shown the peak of what the dao of painting looked like had become the hottest topic of discussion.
Everywhere he went, disciples and elders alike greeted him with deep bows and respectful expressions.
"No wonder Miss Jingyan treats him with such respect."
"He must be some hidden old monster."
"I heard he demonstrated a single line which showed an entire universe inside the canvas."
"That’s true. I heard that many seniors got breakthroughs one after another just looking at that single line."
Rumors became more exaggerated with every retelling. Naturally, Tang Jingyan did not simply rely on assumptions.
As the future leader of the Tang Clan, she understood the importance of gathering accurate information.
While treating Lin Feng with utmost respect, she quietly ordered the clan’s intelligence network to investigate him. Messages were sent throughout Clear Moon City.
Spies, informants, merchants, and hidden agents all began collecting information regarding the mysterious Feng Lin and whether he was the medicine king Lin Feng in the first place.
Several hours later, the gathered reports arrived in a jade slip. Tang Jingyan opened it and carefully examined its contents. The more she read, the more shocked she became.
According to every report, Lin Feng was still present in Clear Moon City. Not only that, but he had been seen teaching classes exactly as usual. Many witnesses confirmed his presence.
Thousands of students had attended his lectures that very day. Others had seen him walking through the city streets.
The timelines perfectly overlapped with Feng Lin’s appearance at the Tang Clan. Tang Jingyan frowned deeply. That was impossible.
After repeatedly reviewing the reports, she finally put away the jade slip and looked toward the distant horizon.
"So they really aren’t the same person," she murmured softly. A strange light flashed through her beautiful eyes.
"Clear Moon City is becoming more and more mysterious." Originally, she had believed that Feng Lin was simply Lin Feng using another identity.
After all, both men were extraordinarily talented, possessed unfathomable cultivation, and appeared around the same time. The similarities had been too numerous to ignore.
Yet the intelligence gathered by the clan left little room for doubt. There truly existed two terrifying geniuses.
One was Lin Feng, the famous teacher whose reputation was rapidly spreading throughout Clear Moon City.
The other was Feng Lin, an unfathomable expert whose casual actions already inspired fear and respect from powerful cultivators. Tang Jingyan could not help feeling astonished.
A single Lin Feng was already enough to shake the entire region. Now another Feng Lin had appeared.
Furthermore, unlike Lin Feng, whose accomplishments were mostly known in teaching and cultivation and healing, Feng Lin had displayed an incomprehensibly profound mastery of the Dao of Painting.
Even recalling the painting he had created earlier caused her heart to tremble. Its mysteries seemed endless. Its Dao was profound beyond imagination.
Such an achievement was something countless painters could spend several lifetimes pursuing without success.
"To think that two such monsters would appear in the same city at the same time..." Tang Jingyan shook her head slowly.
***
Later that day, Tang Jingyan personally came to invite Lin Feng and Daoist Falling Snow to the grand feast that the Tang Clan had prepared in their honor.
As one of the most distinguished guests the clan had welcomed in centuries, every detail of the banquet had been carefully arranged.
The finest spirit wine had been brought out from the clan’s treasury, rare delicacies had been prepared by the most skilled chefs, and even several elders had volunteered to attend personally.
Standing outside the courtyard where Lin Feng was staying, Tang Jingyan took a deep breath before knocking lightly on the door.
Knock.
Knock.
A moment later, Yun Wanqing’s voice sounded from within.
"Come in."
Tang Jingyan pushed open the door. The moment she stepped inside, however, her eyes widened. For a brief instant, she even wondered whether she had entered the wrong courtyard.
Lin Feng was sitting comfortably on a chair beneath a flowering spirit tree while Yun Wanqing stood behind him.
Her graceful hands moved skillfully across his shoulders and back as she carefully massaged him. The scene itself was not particularly shocking.
What truly shocked Tang Jingyan was the atmosphere between them. Yun Wanqing was fully naked and there was an intimacy there that outsiders could immediately sense.
Yun Wanqing’s usually cold and detached demeanor had completely disappeared.
Her movements were gentle, her expression soft, and her eyes carried an affection that Tang Jingyan had never seen before.
The famous Daoist Falling Snow, whom countless geniuses admired from afar, was treating Lin Feng with a tenderness usually reserved for lifelong companions.
The contrast was so great that Tang Jingyan found it difficult to believe. For a few moments, she simply stood there silently.
Neither Lin Feng nor Yun Wanqing appeared bothered by her presence. It was as though they had become completely accustomed to one another.
Seeing this, Tang Jingyan felt an unfamiliar feeling emerge within her heart.
Envy.
A small part of her envied Yun Wanqing. Throughout her life, she had met countless talented cultivators. Many had pursued her. Many had attempted to impress her.
Many had boasted of their achievements, their cultivation, and their status. Yet none of them had ever made her heart move. None of them could compare to the mysterious man before her.
Senior Feng Lin possessed overwhelming strength, profound wisdom, extraordinary artistic attainment, and an effortless confidence that seemed completely natural.
Most importantly, he never tried to show off. Everything he did appeared casual. Yet every action left people speechless.
The more Tang Jingyan learned about him, the more difficult it became to look away.
"Sister Wanqing already found such an impressive man," she thought. Her gaze lingered on Lin Feng for a moment.
"If I allow this opportunity to pass, who knows when I will ever encounter another person like Senior Feng Lin?" The thought caused her resolve to strengthen considerably.
Cultivators often pursued opportunities with unwavering determination. If they could fight heaven and earth for a chance at immortality, why should matters of the heart be any different?
After gathering herself, Tang Jingyan finally remembered why she had come.
"The feast is ready, Senior Feng Lin," she announced politely.
"Hmm..." Lin Feng responded lazily without opening his eyes.
"I’ll be there in a moment."
Tang Jingyan nodded but did not immediately leave. Instead, she remained standing where she was, observing the pair.
"I didn’t know that you enjoyed massages, Senior," she said with a smile.
"It has its uses." Lin Feng’s reply was as casual as ever.
Yun Wanqing chuckled softly.
"Senior Feng Lin is usually busy with countless matters. A little relaxation is beneficial."
Tang Jingyan couldn’t help but laugh.
The image of an unfathomable expert quietly enjoying a massage somehow made him appear more approachable. For a moment, the atmosphere became relaxed.
Then a thought suddenly appeared in Tang Jingyan’s mind. Her heartbeat accelerated. She hesitated. Then hesitated again.
Several times she nearly spoke, only to stop herself at the last second. Eventually, she gathered her courage.
"I wonder..." Her voice became softer.
"...would Senior Feng Lin allow me to help as well?" The words were barely above a whisper.
The moment they left her lips, her face immediately became warm.
Tang Jingyan was normally calm and composed. As the young mistress of the Tang Clan, she was accustomed to handling important matters without hesitation.
Yet saying those few words felt more difficult than facing a powerful enemy. Yun Wanqing paused briefly before looking toward her friend. A faint smile appeared on her lips.
She understood exactly what Tang Jingyan was feeling. After all, she herself had once experienced the same thing. Lin Feng finally opened his eyes.
His gaze landed on Tang Jingyan. For a moment, neither spoke. Tang Jingyan’s heart pounded loudly.
Under Lin Feng’s calm gaze, she felt as though all her thoughts had become completely transparent. Yet she did not retreat. Instead, she met his eyes directly.
Seeing this, Lin Feng smiled.
"If that is truly what you wish, then who am I to refuse a beauty such as yourself?"
Tang Jingyan’s heart skipped a beat. Although the answer was simple, hearing it from Lin Feng caused a wave of happiness to rise within her chest.
Even Yun Wanqing laughed softly.
"Come then, Sister Jingyan."
Tang Jingyan stepped forward. The distance between them suddenly felt much shorter than before.