Wuxia: Become the 100-Victory Sword King at the Beginning

"You really know how to name your son! You gave him such a powerful name!" Shi Feiyang smiled gently.

Gugra buried her face in his chest, the silver bells in her hair swaying gently against his heartbeat: "Do you know? The name Ba Qianqiu is because I thought your 'Hundred Victories Sword Technique' was unparalleled in the world."

When she looked up, her eyes burned like a bonfire on the grassland. "I hope our son can be like you, a hero who stands tall and upright." Ba Qianqiu seemed to understand his mother's words. Suddenly, he waved his little hand and called out a muffled "Daddy" in a childish voice. He even kissed Shi Feiyang on the cheek, leaving his face covered in saliva.

Seeing this, Gugra burst into laughter through his tears: "Look at our Qianqiu, he's so clever, he knows how to please his father."

Looking at his wife and children in his arms, Shi Feiyang felt a warm current surge into his heart, dispelling the chill brought by the battle.

He gently hugged Gugra and then pinched Ba Qianqiu's little nose: "Come on, let's go home."

Shi Feiyang held Gu Gela's slender waist, while Ba Qianqiu giggled and clutched his father's blood-stained clothes, his chubby little hands leaving white marks on the black outfit. In the setting sun, the three figures gradually disappeared into the distance, casting long shadows on the snow.

This warm and touching picture tells the story of reunion and warmth after going through hardships.

At Snow Wolf Castle, Shi Feiyang spent a few days enjoying time with Princess Gugra and his son Ba Qianqiu.

That evening, the sound of hooves thundered across the snow-covered plain. Prince Lirak of the Lindan tribe galloped in on his chestnut horse, its blade breaking through the thin ice. Blood still dripped from the wolf-headed scimitar at his waist. "The Khan is gravely ill, and medicine is ineffective!" Lirak dismounted, a turquoise stone on his bronze bracers broken. "He has called out the prince consort's name three times today..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gugra staggered and grabbed Shi Feiyang's arm, his body trembling slightly beneath his moon-white cloak.

Ba Qianqiu seemed to sense her mother's unease and suddenly burst into tears, her cries startling a flock of crows across the empty snowfield.

They quickly set off on horseback, returning to the capital of the Lindan tribe.

Three days later, inside the golden-roofed tent in the capital of the Lindan tribe, the flame of the sheepskin candlestick flickered in the draft.

Dang Xin, his hands gaunt and emaciated, gripped Shi Feiyang's sleeve tightly. His cloudy, tiger-like eyes suddenly gleamed with a sharp light: "Good son-in-law...did you really slay the dog heads of the Kerza father and son?" He coughed violently, blood seeping from between his fingers staining his mink cloak crimson. "Lilak is kind enough, but lacks domineering spirit...if the heroes of the Xiong Ying Society could take over the grasslands..."

The sheepskin candlestick flickered in the cold wind. Suddenly, Dang Xin's sweat-drenched, withered fingers tightened, making a soft tearing sound as he gripped Shi Feiyang's dark sleeve. Just as Shi Feiyang was about to reply, a muffled thunderous roar of hooves echoed outside the tent, mixed with wolf-like battle howls.

Gugra's expression changed drastically. As he drew his short blade, a flash of cold light appeared, and he shielded Ba Qianqiu behind him: "It's the Second Prince's Wolf Banner Army! These jackals actually took advantage of Father's dying moments..."

Before he finished speaking, dozens of wolf-tooth arrows burst through the tent.

The cowhide tent was instantly riddled with holes, and the eagle feathers from the arrow's tail swept away the bronze wine cups on the table, shards of pottery and blood splattered on the totems of the sheepskin carpet.

Black-armored warriors, wielding spiked clubs wrapped with human skin, smashed through the tent flaps, and a foul wind, carrying snowflakes, rushed in.

The third prince, Batur, walked over amidst the broken pottery, his scimitar lifting Lirak's cloak: "The Great Khan's edict? It's nothing but a trick to fool a three-year-old! Only the one who can walk out of the golden tent today is worthy to be the master of the grasslands!"

Shi Feiyang's pupils contracted sharply, and the Mingyu Gong under his black outfit had been activated to the "Limitless Asura's Human Purgatory" level.

He lightly touched the ground with his toes, his figure transforming into a blur, and golden light surged from his palm like the rising sun.

"Welcoming Guests from the Pine Tree!" This opening move of the Hundred Victories Blade Technique was unleashed with the force of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, causing a piercing explosion in the air.

The three black-armored warriors, along with their clubs, were blasted into dust. The flying wood chips mixed with bits of flesh were driven into the tent pillars, spreading gruesome bloodstains on the cowhide.

Gugra placed the infant into Shi Xiong's arms, the silver ornaments jingling with the movement.

She used the Bai family's sword technique, her short blade slicing out plum blossoms in the cold.

As her moon-white skirt billowed, she slit the throats of two warriors, and warm blood gushed onto her pale cheeks.

Shi Feiyang's palms moved like lightning as he unleashed the "Slaying the Mortal World" move. Nine streaks of sword energy crisscrossed the area, causing blood and flesh to fly wherever they passed. Black armor shattered like paper under the golden sword light.

Batur's personal guards formed a shield formation, the wolf head totems on their bronze shields gleaming with an eerie light.

Shi Feiyang snorted coldly, and his body was filled with icy blue true energy, which was the Mingyu Skill "Supreme Forgetfulness Ice Soul Cold Prison".

As the palm swept across, frost instantly formed on the shield's surface, and the copper nails exploded like projectiles.

The guards bled from all seven orifices and collapsed before they could even scream. The frost and blood on their corpses intertwined to form eerie patterns.

Lirak brandished the Dragonscale Sword, the ruby ​​on its tassel already soaked in blood.

He fought desperately to entangle the second prince, his sword scraping sparks from the prince's armor.

Seeing this, Batur suddenly swung out a nine-section chain hammer, the barbs on the iron chain gleaming with a ghostly blue poison. Gugra cried out in alarm, leaping to shield Shi Feiyang from behind. Her short blade clashed with the chain hammer, and the sparks that flew ignited the silver ornaments at her temples.

"You're courting death!" Shi Feiyang's eyes were bloodshot as he unleashed the Hundred Victories Blade Technique, "Severing the Edge of Heaven," with both palms.

The golden blade of light collided with the chain hammer, and the resulting shockwave overturned half of the tent.

Batur screamed and flew backward, the crack on his breastplate, about an inch deep, looked like a bloody gash torn open on the grassland.

Shi Feiyang pressed his advantage, unleashing the deadly move "Heaven and Earth Live Together," which was imbued with the chilling aura of the Ice Soul Cold Prison. Batur was pinned to a pillar, and the blood mist spurting from his seven orifices drew a hideous mandala on the cowhide tent.

When the last rebel fell, the Golden-Topped Tent had become a living hell.

Shi Feiyang embraced the swaying Gugela, whose moon-white skirt was soaked in blood, like a red spider lily blooming on a snowfield.

A weak voice came from afar: "Thank you...brother-in-law..."

His dragon scale sword was still stuck in the second prince's chest as he slowly slid down from the throne.

The crimson sunset streamed through the tattered tent roof, illuminating the wide-open pupils of Dangxin, the great Khan of the grasslands—this eagle of the steppe died with his eyes wide open, his gaze seemingly fixed on the blood-stained grassland.

Inside the newly erected tent, the animal hide map still bore the bloodstains from the previous day's battle.

Lilac gently stroked the hilt of the dragon-scale sword, gazing at the bandages faintly visible beneath Shi Feiyang's dark outfit: "If it weren't for my brother-in-law's heroic efforts, this hat would probably be on the head of a jackal by now."

He suddenly pushed the gold-inlaid wine bowl forward, and the amber-colored mare's milk wine rippled in the bowl. "Why not stay on the grassland and become the great general who protects the nation for my Lindan tribe?"

Shi Feiyang picked up his wine bowl and took a sip. Looking at the wolf-head banner fluttering outside the tent, he recalled the bloody battle at the Golden Top Tent. Gugra's blood-stained moon-white dress fluttered like a butterfly in his memory: "I appreciate the Khan's kindness. However, I am used to being a carefree person in the martial world, and the wine gourd at my waist cannot hold an official seal."

He slammed the wine bowl down on the table, making a clear, resonant sound. “But as long as war breaks out on the grasslands, my Hundred Victories Knife Technique will surely arrive like thunder.”

Lilack remained silent for a long time, then suddenly untied the wolf-head jade pendant from his waist and slammed it on the table: "Good! From now on, this jade pendant will be the troop deployment order for Lindan's army!"

His gaze swept over Shi Feiyang: "It's just a pity for my sister and Qianqiu..."

Before the words were finished, the tent flap was suddenly lifted, and Gugra stood in the snow light, holding Ba Qianqiu in his arms, his moon-white cloak still covered with unmelted frost.

Ba Qianqiu began to babble, his chubby little hands reaching out to grab Shi Feiyang.

Shi Feiyang reached out and took the baby, his nose filled with the scent of milk mixed with the unique pine resin of the grassland.

Gugra gently traced the scabbed wound with her fingertips, her eyes filled with heartache: "Couldn't you have stayed a little longer? The birch forest of Snow Wolf Castle must be covered in icicles by now..."

"I was just about to take you to see it." Shi Feiyang lowered his head and kissed the child's forehead, feeling the little one in his arms giggle. He looked at Lirak, his eyes as firm as a snow-capped peak: "After escorting the princess and her child to their final rest, I, Shi, will set off. But from now on, the grasslands and Jiangnan will be brothers who drink from the same river."

Three days later, the sacrificial fire of Khan Dangxin burned fiercely in the howling north wind. The crimson flames reflected the setting sun in the sky, and also stretched the shadows of Shi Feiyang, Gugra, and Ba Qianqiu long and lingering.

On the snow, Ba Qianqiu was taking his first unsteady steps.

He waved his chubby little hands, babbling and laughing, each step leaving deep footprints in the snow. Shi Feiyang held Gugra's hand tightly; those hands, which had once wielded short blades and fought bloody battles, were now soft and boneless, trembling slightly.

Gugra's white cloak fluttered in the wind, and the silver ornaments in her hair jingled, telling a story of silent sorrow. Fine ice crystals clung to her eyelashes, which, in the sunset's glow, resembled a Milky Way studded with stars—breathtakingly beautiful, yet tinged with endless desolation.

Suddenly, Gugra stopped and looked up at Shi Feiyang. Her deep blue eyes were filled with deep reluctance and longing. "Every time you left, you said you'd be back soon." Her voice was soft and trembling, as if a gust of wind could blow it away. "But every parting was so long, every day of waiting was so unbearable. I counted the stars in the sky, longed for the waxing and waning of the moon, but time seemed to be frozen, moving so slowly..."

Shi Feiyang felt a pang of pain in his heart and tightly embraced Gu Gela and Ba Qianqiu.

He could feel Gugra's body trembling slightly; it was a deep-seated unease and fear of loss.

“My princess,” he murmured softly, his voice full of tenderness, “when the first edelweiss blooms again in the birch forest, I will return with spring tea from Jiangnan. I promise you, this time, I won’t keep you waiting too long.”

Gugra buried her face in Shi Feiyang's chest, greedily inhaling his familiar scent—a mixture of blood, sweat, and his unique body odor that made her feel incredibly safe.

“I don’t care,” she pleaded like a child, “If you dare to lie to me, I’ll ride a fast horse to the ends of the earth and bring you back. You are mine, and only mine. No one can take you away from me…”

Ba Qianqiu seemed to sense the deep affection between his parents. He reached out his chubby little hand and patted Shi Feiyang's cheek, calling out indistinctly, "Daddy, Daddy..."

That innocent voice, like a warm current, flowed into their hearts.

Shi Feiyang lowered his head and gently kissed Gu Gela's forehead, then kissed Ba Qianqiu's little face: "Silly girl, how could I bear to lie to you? You and Qianqiu are the most precious treasures in my life. For you, I can give up everything. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, I will definitely return to your side."

He gazed at the distant, snow-capped mountains, the afterglow of the setting sun casting a golden glow upon them.

The next morning, before the morning mist had even dissipated, the birch forest of Snow Wolf Castle was already covered in silver frost.

Gugra leaned against the carved wooden door, watching Shi Feiyang tighten his black cloak. Suddenly, Ba Qianqiu pounced from behind her, her chubby little hands gripping Shi Feiyang's trouser leg tightly: "Daddy, don't go!" Her childish cries startled the crows on the branches.

Shi Feiyang knelt on the ground and warmed the frost on the child's eyelashes with his palms: "Qianqiu, be good. When you learn to sculpt a complete wolf head out of snow, Daddy will be back." As he spoke, he took out a small wooden horse from his pocket. The horse's mane was carved so lifelike that he had made it by candlelight last night.

The child stopped crying and started laughing, but still wouldn't let go, his drool wetting his trouser leg.

Gugra turned her face away, not wanting her husband to see her reddened eyes.

But when Shi Feiyang gently turned her chin with his fingers, tears still streamed down her face like a broken dam.

"Look, how did my prairie pearl turn into a crybaby?" Shi Feiyang wiped away her tears with his thumb, his fingertip brushing against the scar behind her ear left from protecting him. "I think about how to repay you for this scar every day."

“Repay?” Gugra suddenly grabbed his hand and pressed it to his heart. “If you keep me and Qianqiu here, then you have repaid for all eternity.”

She tiptoed, and the scent of pine resin mixed with the smell of blood wafted into Shi Feiyang's nostrils. "If you dare to forget your return date, I will take Qianqiu and travel all over Jiangnan to drag back your soul from whichever gentle place you are hiding."

Shi Feiyang pulled her into a tight embrace, listening to her rapid heartbeat: "When the edelweiss blooms, I will hold a ten-mile-long banquet in the birch forest. I will use the aged daughter's red wine of the Caobang to exchange for you to dance a complete grassland whirlwind dance."

He lowered his head and kissed away the tears on her eyelashes, but tasted a salty bitterness colder than snow.

The sound of Shi Xiong's horse hooves urging him on could be heard in the distance.

Gugra shoved him away abruptly, ripped the wolf fang pendant from her neck and shoved it into his palm: "Wear this, as if I'm biting your heart."

The north wind whipped up sand and pebbles, pounding against the arrow tower of Snow Wolf Fortress. Shi Feiyang was just stuffing the last piece of milk curd into Ba Qianqiu's palm when he suddenly heard the soft tinkling of a copper bell on the eaves. A gray shadow landed like a night owl. "Flying Eagle Detective" Xie Wenxuan's black-clad uniform was covered in the frost and snow of the northern frontier, and the eagle-shaped pendant at his waist was still swaying slightly: "Chief, there is a secret agreement between the Bozhou rebels and the Mongol camp in the Hetao region, which concerns the safety of the imperial army of 100,000."

Gugra's silver ornaments suddenly made a soft clattering sound, and she instinctively shielded the child behind her: "Master Xie, do you know the details?"

Before she could finish speaking, Shi Feiyang had already pressed down on her trembling hand, his Mingyu Gong (a martial arts technique) subtly activating beneath his dark, tight-fitting clothes: "Since it's something deadly, it must be heavily guarded. Brother Xie, your lightness skill is exceptional; would you be willing to come with me on this journey?"

Xie Wen knelt on one knee, the scabbard at his waist clanging against the blue bricks: "This humble officer is willing to lead the way!"

As he spoke, he had already put his arm around Shi Xiong and used the "Flying Floss and Light Smoke Skill" to walk away through the snow.

Shi Feiyang looked back at his wife and children. Gu Gelai's white cloak fluttered in the wind, like a stubborn white poppy on a snowy plain.

He lightly touched the eaves with his toes, unleashing his unparalleled lightness skill of "leaving no trace for a thousand miles," his figure transforming into a faint afterimage and merging into the night.

The cowhide lanterns at the Hetao camp swayed in the wind and snow, resembling eerie green will-o'-the-wisps.

The north wind was like a knife, stinging people's faces.

Under the cover of night, Shi Feiyang and Xie Wen trekked across the undulating snowfield.

Xie Wen used the "Flying Catkins and Light Smoke Skill" and his figure was as light as a swallow. Shi Xiong was protected in his arms and only felt the wind whistling in his ears.

Shi Feiyang then unleashed the "Leave No Footprints for a Thousand Miles" technique. With his clothes fluttering, he left only shallow footprints wherever he went, which were quickly buried by the wind and snow.

The Hetao Mongol camp was close at hand, with dozens of felt tents arranged in a neat and orderly fashion. Torches lit up the surrounding area, and patrolling soldiers moved back and forth. The sound of their footsteps and the clash of weapons was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Shi Feiyang moved close to the ground, using the shadows to slowly approach, with Xie Wen following closely behind, drawing his iron knife from his waist, the blade gleaming with a cold light.

"Be careful, there's a guard every five steps and a sentry every ten steps. The defense is even tighter than we imagined." Shi Feiyang lowered his voice, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a hawk. Xie Wen nodded, his eyes revealing vigilance and decisiveness.

The two men held their breath, waiting for the patrol to pass. Then, Shi Feiyang unleashed a move from the "Hundred Victories Saber Technique," "Welcoming Guests from the Pine Tree," his palms silently sweeping towards the two guards. Before they could even react, they collapsed limply to the ground, without even a groan.

Xie Wen and Shi Xiong quickly stepped forward and dragged the body into the shadows, their movements extremely swift.

They continued deeper into the area, when suddenly they heard footsteps ahead.

Shi Feiyang's eyes narrowed, and he pulled Xie Wen into the shadows of the felt tent. A troop of cavalry galloped past, their hooves splashing up clouds of snow.

After the cavalry had gone some distance, Shi Feiyang frowned: "Such frequent patrols must mean they've noticed something. We need to speed things up."

Finally, they arrived outside Baiqiu's tent. Shi Feiyang peered through the gaps in the felt tent and saw Baiqiu and Zhuolitu sitting around a fire. A sheepskin scroll lay open on a table, covered with dense writing. Baiqiu held a wine flask in his hand, tilted his head back, and took a large gulp, laughing gruffly, "When the imperial army steps into the ambush, we'll make sure they don't leave alive!"

Zhuo Litu's eyes were sinister as he echoed, "If this plan succeeds, we will join forces with Yang Yinglong of Bozhou and become the overlords of the world! The prosperity of the Central Plains will all fall into our hands."

Shi Feiyang's heart sank. Just as he was about to take action, he suddenly heard a strange noise behind him.

He turned around abruptly and saw three Mongolian warriors approaching silently, their scimitars gleaming coldly in the firelight.

"Damn it, we've been discovered!" Xie Wen shouted, drawing his iron sword with a flash of cold light as he aimed straight at the nearest warrior.

Shi Feiyang's palms flew, unleashing the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique" killing move "Slaying the Mortal World," with nine streaks of sword energy crisscrossing across the battlefield.

With a whoosh of the palm strike, a samurai's scimitar was shattered, his chest caved in, and he collapsed to the ground, spitting out blood.

Another warrior swung his sword at him, but Shi Feiyang dodged to the side. Golden light burst forth from his palm, and he unleashed the "Severing the Sky" move from the Hundred Victories Sword Technique. The powerful shockwave sent the warrior flying, crashing heavily into the felt tent.

Xie Wen was locked in combat with the remaining warriors, their embroidered spring knives clashing against each other, sparks flying everywhere.

That samurai possessed immense strength, and each of his strikes carried the force of a thousand pounds.

Xie Wen moved nimbly, skillfully dodging the attacks, finding an opening, and thrusting his blade towards the warrior's throat.

The warrior hurriedly parried, but Xie Wen suddenly changed his move, turning his blade to slash open the warrior's abdomen, causing blood to gush out.

At this moment, Bai Qiu and Zhuo Litu, who were inside the tent, heard the commotion and rushed out with a group of warriors.

Bai Qiu, his face contorted with rage, brandished his spiked club and roared, "You audacious scoundrels! How dare you ruin my grand plan! Today, I'll make sure you never leave alive!"

Shi Feiyang's eyes flashed like lightning as he activated the "Supreme Forgetfulness: Ice Soul Cold Prison" technique of the Mingyu Gong, causing icy blue true energy to surge around him. He roared, "Well done!" and unleashed the ultimate move of the Hundred Victories Saber Technique, "Heaven and Earth Coexisting," with both palms transforming into golden vortexes that collided violently with the charging warriors. Wherever the shockwave passed, the stone fence collapsed with a crash, and the flying bricks and stones smashed the warriors, breaking their bones and tendons.

Immediately afterwards, Shi Feiyang unleashed another move from the "Hundred Victories Saber Technique," "Welcoming Guests from the Pine Tree."

The palm wind condensed and did not disperse, like two invisible sharp blades, precisely severing the tent ropes.

The moment the felt tent collapsed with a crash, he had already darted in like a ghost, golden light surging from his palm. Before anyone could react, he grabbed the parchment scroll from the table. The writing on the scroll flickered in the firelight, revealing the wolf head totem of the Bozhou rebels.

Xie Wenze protected Shi Xiong, dodging left and right in the melee.

The Embroidered Spring Blade flew up and down, as agile as a swimming dragon, taking down several enemies in succession.

But the enemy's numbers grew, and the situation became increasingly critical.

Knowing he couldn't linger, Shi Feiyang shouted, "Brother Xie, let's retreat!" He waved his hands repeatedly, forcing back the enemies who were close behind, and then, pulling Xie Wen and Shi Xiong along, used his lightness skill to run out of the camp. Bai Qiu and the others gave chase, their battle cries shaking the heavens.

Shi Feiyang turned around, a ruthless glint in his eyes. He suddenly stopped, unleashing the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique" killing move, "Severing the Sky's Edge," with both palms. The powerful blade energy swept out like a raging storm. The pursuers scattered in panic, their formation thrown into chaos.

However, more than twenty Mongolian warriors surrounded them, brandishing scimitars.

Shi Feiyang spun around and swung his palm, transforming the "Slaying the Mortal World" move into nine streaks of light. Wherever the sword energy passed, shields shattered and blades broke.

The centurion, leading the charge, roared and unleashed several slashes, only to see Shi Feiyang's body surge with icy blue true energy—the very essence of the Mingyu Skill, "Supreme Forgetfulness: Ice Soul Cold Prison." The two internal forces collided, causing the centurion's tiger's mouth to crack, and his curved blade to freeze into ice shards.

Xie Wen protected Shi Xiong as they fought and retreated, his iron blade flashing coldly in the night. He suddenly shouted, "Chief, watch your back!"

Hearing the sound, Shi Feiyang turned to the side, and three bone-piercing arrows flew past his ears, embedding themselves in the felt tent behind him with a muffled thud.

He unleashed another move from the Hundred Victories Blade Technique, "Severing the Edge of Heaven," with both palms. The golden blade light collided with the rain of arrows, and the resulting shockwave knocked the pursuers to the ground.

In the midst of the melee, a samurai swung his meteor hammer straight at Shi Xiong.

Xie Wen swung his knife to parry, but was then entangled by another enemy.

Shi Feiyang's eyes were bloodshot as he unleashed the ultimate move of the Hundred Victories Sword Technique, "Heaven and Earth Live Together." The moment his palms struck out, the air emitted a piercing shriek. The warrior, along with his hammer, was blasted into dust, and blood mist splattered on the snow-white wool felt, resembling blooming red plum blossoms.

When they broke through the encirclement, Shi Feiyang's black outfit was stained with blood.

The three hid in an abandoned ovoo (sacred cairn). Shi Feiyang unfolded the parchment scroll, and in the firelight, the irrefutable evidence of collusion between the Bozhou rebels and the Mongol tribes was shocking. "Such a secret would be intercepted and killed if it were sent by ordinary means."

As Shi Feiyang gazed at the lights of the camp in the distance, he suddenly remembered the "salt code" technique secretly passed down by the Jiangnan Canal Gang.

Three days later, Xie Wen and Shi Xiong set off disguised as salt merchants.

The blank sheepskin in Xie Wen's arms looked ordinary, but it was actually used to draw the key points of the secret agreement and the camp's defense layout with concentrated salt water.

When this special "salt-stained map" was immersed in the water vat of the military camp, pale blue characters slowly emerged: "At the third quarter of the hour of Xu (7:45 PM), the Fire Oxen Formation launched a surprise attack on the Western Camp of Flying Horse Pass, and all the provisions were stored in the Silver-Topped Tent..."

At this moment, Shi Feiyang was standing on the arrow tower of Snow Wolf Fortress, looking at the dark clouds on the southern horizon.

Gugra handed her warm mare's milk, a silver ornament dangling gently from her temple: "This time, I'll wait for news with you."

Ba Qianqiu suddenly held up a wooden pony, and his childish voice echoed in the wind and snow: "The pony that Daddy drew will bring back good news!"

Three days later, the copper bells of Snow Wolf Fortress wailed in the cold wind. Xie Wen, carrying the frost and snow of the northern frontier, swept into the front courtyard, his black outfit still covered with icicles.

Shi Xiong jumped off Xie Wen's back, his little face red from the cold, but he couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes: "Sect Leader! Elder Liao and the others..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Wen knelt on one knee, the eagle-shaped pendant at his waist trembling slightly with his breath: "Reporting to the Grand Master, our elders Liao Pei and Lie Quan, along with our members, the Seven Heroes of Wudang and the Fifteen Shaolin monks, have already decisively defeated Yang Yinglong's rebel army's Fire Ox Formation three days ago!"

The bronze wine cup in Shi Feiyang's hand clattered to the ground, leaving dark stains on the sheepskin carpet.

Ba Qianqiu, nestled in Gu Ge's arms, suddenly giggled and waved her chubby little hands to grab her father's trembling clothes.

"Really?" Shi Feiyang took two steps forward, his Mingyu Kung Fu unconsciously circulating beneath his dark-colored martial arts attire. "Wudang and Shaolin are actually willing to lend a hand?"

"Exactly!" Xie Wen unfolded the blood-stained secret letter. The handwriting, though smudged by snow water, was still clearly legible. "Elder Liao said that Shaolin's 'Demon-Subduing Staff Technique' is specifically designed to counter the madness of the Fire Ox Formation, and Wudang's 'Two Elements Sword Formation' has completely blocked the rebels' retreat! However, there is now a more urgent situation. This battle requires the Grand Master to personally take action to have any chance of victory. According to the message sent by the Heavenly Star Sect via carrier pigeon, Poisonous Lady Yin Jiu Niang has emerged from seclusion. This person has a face as beautiful as a young girl, but is actually a sixty-year-old woman. She has mastered the 'Golden Body of Ten Thousand Poisons,' and her breath can kill."

He handed over the letter, his knuckles still showing the bluish-purple marks of frostbite.

Gugra's silver ornaments jingled amidst the joyful laughter of the child in her arms. Gazing at the renewed fervor in her husband's eyes, she suddenly realized that this brief reunion was about to come to an end.

Ba Qianqiu, oblivious to everything, staggered towards Shi Feiyang, mumbling incoherently, "Daddy beats bad guys! Daddy rides a big horse!"

Shi Feiyang lifted his son high and kissed his chubby cheek: "Okay! After Daddy quells the rebellion in Bozhou, I'll take you to see the real horses!"

His voice carried a hint of laughter, but his gaze was already fixed on the dark clouds on the southern horizon—where new smoke of battle was billowing.

As dusk deepened, Shi Feiyang packed his bags.

Gugra leaned against the carved wooden door, her moon-white cloak lifted by the draft, revealing her clenched, white fingers.

"You really have to go?" Her voice was as soft as snowflakes in the wind, and a layer of mist had gathered on her eyelashes. "Ba Qianqiu only just learned to call you 'Dad'!"

Shi Feiyang walked up to her, reached out and brushed away the stray hairs at her temples, his fingertips brushing against her furrowed brows, which were furrowed with worry: "Gela, although the fire ox formation has been broken, Yang Yinglong's main force has not been lost."

He paused, then embraced his wife and children, feeling Gugra's slightly trembling body. "When the war is over, I will definitely bring back osmanthus wine from Jiangnan and accompany you to see all the spring, summer, autumn and winter on the grassland."

Ba Qianqiu suddenly peeked out from his father's arms and patted Shi Feiyang's face with his little hands, which were still stained with milk: "Daddy keeps his word! Pinky promise!" The child's innocent voice made Gu Gela burst into laughter through his tears.

When she looked up, tears were already silently streaming down her face: "If you dare to break your promise..."

Before he finished speaking, Shi Feiyang lowered his head and kissed away the tears at the corners of her eyes, the warmth of their vow spreading through the wind and snow.

When the copper bell of Snow Wolf Castle rang again, Shi Feiyang's figure had already blended into the night.

Gugra held Ba Qianqiu atop the arrow tower, gazing in the direction her husband had gone until that dark figure completely disappeared into the snowfield.

The child in her arms suddenly pointed to the night sky: "Mommy, stars! Daddy has turned into a star!"

The moon-white cloak fluttered in the wind as Gugra hugged her son tighter, letting her tears fall onto the child's soft hair.

The morning fog at Feima Pass in Bozhou was as thick as ink, and the pungent smell of sulfur mixed with the stench of rotting corpses turned the bluestone tiles into an eerie bluish-gray.

In the sky, Shi Feiyang and Xie Wen carried Shi Xiong on their backs, circling and flying above Feima Pass.

Xie Wen used his "Flying Floss and Light Smoke Skill" to fly close to Shi Feiyang and said in a low voice, "Chief, Bozhou has been a place where Yelang witchcraft has been entrenched since ancient times. The secret techniques of each village are endless. The government troops have been suppressing it for ten years, but they have not even set foot in the miasma forest five miles away from the pass."

As he spoke, his gaze swept warily across the city wall, his knuckles clenching so tightly they turned white.

Before the words were finished, the copper bells on the city wall suddenly rang out, startling the crows that filled the mountain. More than thirty barefoot women descended the bone steps, the silver bells tied to their ankles clanging with a chilling sound, like death knells.

The woman in the center was dressed in a crimson gauze dress, with a golden hairpin swaying gently with her steps. Her face, which looked like that of a young woman in her late teens, could not hide the fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. She was none other than Yin Jiu Niang, the Poisonous Lady, whom Lan Qin'er, the vice leader of the Five Poisons Sect, had invited with a large sum of money.

Her fingertips traced the neck of the poisoned corpse beside her, leaving vivid marks of scarlet nail polish on the lividity. A sinister smile curled at the corner of her lips: "Heh heh! A bald monk from Shaolin dares to wade into this mess? Isn't he just courting death?"

The poisonous corpse she touched suddenly sprang to life, its dark blue veins bulging like living snakes beneath its skin, and a foul-smelling purple mist gushed from its seven orifices, instantly withering any flowers and plants it passed through.

Fifteen Shaolin monks chanted Buddhist mantras, their staffs standing like walls, forming the "Vajra Subduing Demon Formation."

As the stick flashed, the poisonous mist was dispersed in large swaths, but the moment it touched the tip of the stick, it made a "sizzling" sound. The sandalwood was instantly corroded, creating honeycomb-like holes, and wood chips mixed with poison splattered everywhere.

Yu Xuzi drew his longsword, its cold light reflecting off the cloud patterns on his Taoist robe, and roared, "Zhenwu vanquishes demons, how can we allow evil spirits to run rampant!" The Seven Masters of Wudang stood in the direction of the Big Dipper, their sword formation transforming into a rotating galaxy.

Yu Yangzi took an unconventional approach, unleashing the "Seven Stars Chasing the Moon" technique from the Wudang Soul-Chasing Swordplay. The sword tassel, like a serpent emerging from its hole, swept across the face of the poisonous corpse.

The rotting flesh suddenly rolled up like octopus tentacles, tightly binding the sword.

Yu Hengzi roared, and the sword energy of "Tian Gang Po Mo" cleaved through the poisonous corpse's torso. Before the rotting entrails could even hit the ground, they were corroded into black water by the red mist flicked from Yin Jiu Niang's sleeve, which rose up in wisps of white smoke on the bluestone. The pungent, burnt smell was nauseating.

The Emei heroine Su Qinghan lightly touched the eaves with her toes, and her Qingming sword spun in a "golden summit Buddha light" pattern.

Nine golden beams collided with the poisonous mist, producing a shrill whistle like shattering glass.

She wielded her sword with swift, graceful movements, the sword's momentum flowing like clouds.

Suddenly, Yin Jiuniang let out a coquettish laugh, her neck stretched out three inches, and her blood-red tongue shot out like a poisoned arrow.

Su Qinghan's pupils contracted sharply. She spun around and leaned back, the jade hairpin in her hair snapping with a "clang." Sparks landed on her pale cheek, leaving tiny bloodstains and burning a few strands of her hair. Elder Liao Pei of the Xiong Ying Society, a master of the "Tongbei Fist," roared like thunder, his arms outstretched like an ape, his fists flying with ferocious power. He shouted, "Brother Lie Quan, let's flank them from both sides!"

Lie Quan wielded the "Qiankun Blade," its blade flashing, forming a pincer attack with Liao Pei.

Yin Jiuniang touched the ground with her toes, her crimson gauze dress fluttering like a blood-red butterfly, and she transformed into three afterimages amidst the attack of the two.

Ling Lanzhi swung her sword and thrust it forward, but the moment the sword tip pierced through the afterimage, Yin Jiuniang appeared behind her, her fingertips laced with poisoned silver needles piercing through the air.

Lu Wending, wielding the sword of "Tianshan Sword," unleashed a sweeping attack, knocking away the poisonous insects. However, he was accidentally stung on the wrist by a scorpion, causing his entire arm to swell and turn purple instantly, with veins bulging. Despite this, he gritted his teeth and pulled Ling Lanzhi behind him.

Yu Xuzi pointed his sword at the sky, his Daoist robes fluttering in the wind: "Form the formation!"

The Wudang Seven Swords Formation suddenly accelerated, the sword light transforming into a golden cage that enveloped Yin Jiuniang. She remained calm and composed, a blood-red miasma rising from her body, withering the vegetation wherever it passed, and even covering the stones with a layer of gray-black poisonous rust.

Yu Yangzi's golden silk soft sword pierced the miasma, producing a crisp metallic sound, and in the blink of an eye, it was covered with spiderweb-like cracks.

Seeing this, Blood Rakshasa, the "Famous Sword of Tianshan," let out a delicate shout, used her sword as a knife, and slashed down with a fierce killing intent.

Yin Jiuniang neither dodged nor evaded, letting the blade slice across her neck without leaving a single wound. On the contrary, Xue Luosha suddenly staggered, her eyes rolled back, and black blood spilled from the corner of her mouth—it turned out that Yin Jiuniang's skin was already coated with a deadly poison, and ordinary weapons would poison her upon contact.

Wu Zhong, nicknamed "Iron Palm," roared and unleashed the "Foolish Old Man Moves the Mountain" move from the "Subduing Demon Palm" technique, the palm wind dispersing the poisonous mist.

Yin Jiuniang snorted coldly, and the poisonous bead flicked from her fingertip collided with the palm wind, causing the poisonous smoke to rise like a mushroom cloud.

Wu Zhong hurriedly held his breath, but still felt a metallic taste in his throat. A surge of heat rushed up his throat, and black blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, staining his chest red.

Seeing the situation was dire, Xiao Lingling, known as the "Mandarin Duck Blades," urgently ordered, "Retreat! Quickly retreat back into the pass!"

Xiong Ying led his three thousand disciples in a retreating battle, eventually retreating back into Feima Pass.

Shi Ying, the leader of the Tianxing Sect who had already taken up residence at Feima Pass, carried her son Shi Nian on her back and quickly approached the assembled heroes. The jade bottle in her hand gleamed with a warm luster: "Heroes, quickly take this 'Tianxing Pill,' which can cure all poisons!"

The assembled heroes hurriedly expressed their gratitude: "Thank you, Madam Shi!" Ling Lanzhi and Su Qinghan were instantly dumbfounded, never expecting that Shi Ying, the leader of the Heavenly Star Sect, was also Madam Shi. How could Shi Feiyang have so many beautiful wives? Heavens!

The female soldiers of the Tianxing Sect headquarters carried warm water and distributed it cup by cup to the wounded heroes.

Immediately afterwards, they skillfully cleaned and bandaged everyone's wounds, their movements gentle yet efficient, bringing a rare touch of warmth. (End of Chapter)