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

Chapter 317. Storms Rise Before Misty Peak, Schemes and Intrigues Abound in Suzhou.

As dusk settled, it gradually seeped into the eaves and brackets of the Forbidden City in Beijing.

The frost that had condensed on the glazed tiles gleamed coldly in the setting sun, much like the chilling murderous intent in the emperor's eyes.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, secret reports on the dragon-patterned desk were scattered like autumn leaves, and the ink marks of the vermilion annotations, still wet, resembled congealed bloodstains under the flickering candlelight.

"Rebellion! Utter rebellion!" The bright yellow dragon robe swept past the dragon pillar, and the emperor, enraged, slammed the secret report onto the table.

The jade paperweight struck with a piercing sound, startling the copper bells under the eaves into ringing. "How dare these outlaws of the martial world tarnish the dignity of the imperial court on Mount Song? Do they think the laws of the Great Ming Dynasty are a joke? Issue an edict to the cabinet: if they cannot come up with a solution within three days, they will all be dismissed and investigated!"

The sound was like thunder, so loud that the eunuchs and palace maids in the hall all knelt down, not daring to breathe.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Grand Secretary Zhou Yanru, dressed in a crane-patterned robe and stroking his goatee, swept his gaze like that of a hawk over Lu Bing, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who was prostrate below the steps.

The candlelight cast flickering shadows on his face, revealing a shrewd and calculating air: "Lord Lu, Shi Feiyang's call to arms has garnered a great response from heroes of the martial world. If the imperial court were to forcibly use force, it might incite a popular uprising, repeating the fate of the White Lotus Sect. Does Lord Lu have any brilliant plan?"

The gold threads on Lu Bing's python robe swirled in the candlelight, resembling coiled venomous snakes.

He kowtowed heavily, his voice as cold as poisoned silver needles: "Your Majesty is wise, and Lord Zhou's words are absolutely correct. I believe we can emulate the 'Decree of Grace' from the Han Dynasty. The Xiong Ying Society is known for its chivalry, so the court might grant Shi Feiyang the title of 'Marquis of Zhennan,' and appoint his subordinates Liao Pei, Xie Wen, and others as adjutants and guerrilla commanders. On the surface, it is a grand imperial favor, but in reality, it is a way to divide and weaken their power. In this way, the people under Shi Feiyang's command will surely become resentful."

Zhou Yanru clapped his hands and laughed, the jade rings in his sleeves clinking together to produce a clear, melodious sound: "Brilliant! Brilliant! Under the pretext of suppressing bandits, order Shi Feiyang to lead his troops to Yunnan to jointly manage the border with the Mu family. The Mu family has guarded Yunnan for generations, with deep roots. How could they allow Shi Feiyang to grow too powerful? This is called the snipe and the clam fighting, while the court reaps the benefits!" After saying this, the two looked at each other and smiled, their eyes full of calculation.

Inside the Imperial Study, the atmosphere grew increasingly heavy.

The emperor stood with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the location of Bozhou on the map, his eyes piercing.

The personal eunuch, Wang Chengen, holding a secret letter, whispered, "Your Majesty, according to a secret report from the Eastern Depot, the Five Poisons Sect has recently been frequently interacting with the Miao chieftains, seemingly intending to form an alliance. This old servant is worried that the Five Poisons Sect and Shi Feiyang..."

"Silence!" The emperor grabbed a vermilion brush and fiercely circled an area on the map. The ink soaked through the silk, resembling a shocking scar. "Issue an edict to Guo Dunyi: secretly contact the local powerful families around Bozhou, promising them hereditary privileges, and order them to organize local militias. If Shi Feiyang makes any move, immediately cut off his supplies! I want to see what Shi Feiyang will use to resist the court without supplies!"

Meanwhile, a silent espionage war is unfolding above the Meridian Gate.

Xie Wen's tamed snow eagle spread its wings, its feathers as white as snow, drawing an elegant arc in the twilight.

Meanwhile, the carrier pigeons of the Eastern Depot, like black arrows, darted through the clouds. The snow eagle's sharp eyes locked onto the carrier pigeons, and it suddenly swooped down, its claws like hooks; the carrier pigeons, not to be outdone, nimbly dodged, their wings flapping in the air, making a "fluttering" sound.

Amidst the flurry of feathers, snow eagles and carrier pigeons clashed, a contest in the air that mirrored the power struggle between the imperial court and the martial arts world.

Outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the north wind howled, swirling up withered leaves from the ground.

This conspiracy within the Forbidden City, like the biting cold wind, is spreading silently, and a greater storm seems to be brewing. The grudges and feuds between the imperial court and the martial arts world will intensify as these schemes are implemented.

Meanwhile, Shi Feiyang, far away in the martial world, was unaware that he had fallen into a carefully woven trap by the imperial court. What fate awaited him?

In winter, Suzhou is shrouded in a misty, ink-wash-like haze, with the thin ice on the moat reflecting off the gray-blue city walls, resembling an unfinished painting.

The Qili Shantang River meanders like a ribbon, with a few withered yellow sycamore leaves floating on the surface, slowly swirling with the undercurrent, seemingly unable to bear the weight of the city's unspoken thoughts. The branches of the weeping willows on both banks tremble gently in the cold wind, and occasionally a sparrow flutters by, startling a shower of golden sunlight.

Deep within the streets and alleys paved with bluestone slabs, the grand stone mansion's vermilion gates are half-closed, with a thin layer of frost condensing on the bronze door knockers.

Inside the garden, the Taihu stones are rugged and tiger-like, and a pond of withered lotus leaves is covered with a thin layer of snow, resembling a freehand painting casually splashed by some literati. A cold wind sweeps through the winding corridors, and the copper bells on the eaves emit a clear and melodious sound, which intertwines with the Suzhou storytelling tunes coming from afar, adding a touch of the unique charm of Jiangnan.

Shi Feiyang stood with his hands behind his back in front of the study window, his moon-white long robe swaying gently in the wind.

The icy blue true energy swirling around his fingertips was condensing the edges of the secret letter on the desk into fine frost flowers, and a chill spread along the lines of the letter, as if to freeze the oppressive aura from the imperial court.

"Chief!" Xie Wen rushed in, his black outfit covered in morning dew, the secret report in his hand crumpled.

The moment he unfurled the parchment scroll, his usually composed face suddenly changed color. "The imperial court has already established twelve military camps along the main routes of Yunnan and Guizhou, all under the control of the Mu Prince's Mansion. The 'Iron Saber Society,' secretly funded by Guo Dunyi, has even opened three martial arts schools in Bozhou, recruiting over a thousand disciples!"

Lan Xiaodie leaned against the carved door frame, a gilded bell jingling softly on her wrist. The colorful Gu worms unique to the Five Poisons Sect slowly crawled along her slender white fingertips, gleaming eerily in the candlelight: "Our spies have sent an urgent report that that old scoundrel Lu Bing is recruiting illusionists from the Western Regions everywhere, and is even offering ten thousand taels of gold for the 'Heart-Eating Gu.' This tactic is likely aimed at cutting off our lifeline."

Shi Feiyang suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter, the sound shaking the snow off the eaves. As he turned, his eyes flashed with a cold light like a drawn sword: "What a brilliant move—a promotion in name only, a demotion in reality, a stunt at the root of the problem! The court has played this game with exquisite skill. However…"

He looked up at the eagle circling in the sky, his voice carrying three parts boldness and seven parts coldness, "Am I, Shi Feiyang, like Song Jiang who knelt and surrendered? If they want to trap me, they'll have to see if they have the ability!"

Xie Wen frowned and lowered his voice, saying, "Chief, I'm afraid some brothers might be tempted by wealth and power and succumb to the imperial court's allure. The Xiong Ying Society has over 500,000 members; you can't judge a book by its cover."

Shi Feiyang raised his hand to stop him from speaking, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room.

Qi Meizhen gripped the hilt of her knife, her heroic face filled with vigilance; Xue Qiuchun gently stroked her abdomen, her gentle brows concealing worry; Lan Xiaodie played with the Gu worm, a faint sneer playing on her lips; Shi Ying twisted her handkerchief, her beautiful eyes filled with concern.

Even the young Shi Xiong gripped the short sword at his waist tightly, looking tense.

"Once the imperial decree arrives, I will summon all my brothers." Shi Feiyang walked slowly to the center of the crowd, the icy blue true energy in his palm gradually dissipating. "If anyone wants to leave, I, Shi Feiyang, will not stop them. The world is a long road, so let's part ways amicably."

He paused, his gaze softening. "But I believe that my brothers who have fought alongside me will not be blinded by this empty piece of paper."

Xue Qiuchun stepped forward, her voice soft yet firm: "Feiyang, no matter what lies ahead, I will be with you. We survived the bloody battle at Qianzhangping, so why should we fear the court's conspiracies and schemes?"

Lan Xiaodie scoffed and put the Gu worm into her sleeve: "Hmph! The entire Five Poisons Sect obeys my orders. Anyone who dares to betray me will taste the pain of being devoured by ten thousand Gu!" Shi Ying timidly said: "Shi Lang, no matter what, I will follow you. Wherever you are, that is my home."

Qi Meizhen slammed her Miao sword into the ground and declared loudly, "My lord, if the court dares to invade, I am willing to lead my warriors to fight them to the death!" Shi Feiyang looked at his wives who had shared life and death with him, and his heart was filled with warmth.

He patted Shi Xiong on the shoulder, then looked around at everyone and said slowly, "The sun shines on everyone who looks up, and life treats every earnest person kindly. Good luck doesn't come out of thin air; it's either hidden in hard work or in perseverance. Be disciplined in prosperity, heal yourself in adversity, be strong in the trough, and find your own way in times of injustice. Our Xiong Ying Society has weathered countless storms along the way, so why would we be afraid of this little commotion? If the imperial court wants to scheme against us, then let them know that those in the martial world take life and death lightly, and if they're not convinced, then let's fight!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the room shouted in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles.

The cold wind howled past, but it couldn't dispel the passionate spirit that filled the room.

The snow in the courtyard gradually melted under the sun, seemingly foreshadowing an even bigger storm that was about to sweep through the seemingly peaceful city of Suzhou.

Three days later, a light snow fell in Suzhou.

A thin layer of frost had accumulated on the vermilion eaves of the grand stone mansion, and the red silk ribbons around the necks of the stone lions in front of the gate fluttered in the cold wind, making them look like generals adorned with colorful decorations.

Inside the council hall, the bronze incense burner was burning brightly, and the sandalwood fragrance mingled with the glint of swords and spears emanating from the crowd, lingering between the beams.

The imperial edict, painted in bright yellow, lay open on the octagonal table, its coiled dragon embroidered in gold thread gleaming coldly in the candlelight. Shi Feiyang leaned back in his armchair, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the armrests. Icy blue true energy flowed along the grain of the sandalwood, forming tiny ice flowers on the tabletop.

Inside the hall, more than twenty heroes sat or stood. Liao Pei, the master of Tongbei Quan, leaned on his iron crutch on the blue bricks, while Lie Quan, the master of Qiankun Dao, occasionally let his scabbard clink against Xiao Lingling's sword tassel, producing a crisp sound.

Suddenly, Wu Zhong, nicknamed "Iron Palm," stepped forward, his black iron palm gauntlets beneath his python-patterned belt gleaming with an eerie light: "Chief! The imperial court is bestowing official titles and ranks, and 500,000 brothers can secure a better future—this is an immense stroke of luck!"

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Lingling beside him had already gracefully knelt down, the mandarin duck swords lightly touching on her knees, making a sound like pearls clashing: "A woman follows her husband wherever he goes, whether he's a chicken or a dog. Wu Lang's idea is Lingling's wish."

Xiang Kun, the "Iron Flute Scholar," suddenly tightened his grip on the jade flute, a half-sigh escaping his throat.

He caught a glimpse of Xiao Lingling's eyes glancing up at her husband, and he recalled how she had shielded him from a hidden weapon on Peach Blossom Island. Before the flute music even began, his heart was already breaking.

Liao Pei slowly stood up, leaning on his iron crutch, a cracking sound coming from his joints: "I'm afraid my old bones can't withstand the open and covert attacks of officialdom."

He paused, his cloudy gaze sweeping over everyone. "Back then, atop Mount Hua, we swore an oath—we don't seek high office or great wealth, but only to live a life without shame in the martial world!" Lie Quan slammed the Qiankun Blade into the ground, the blade vibrating so loudly that the candlelight flickered. "I'm used to a life of leisure, what right do you have for me to become a servile official? I'd rather go back to fishing in Taihu Lake for another ten years!"

Miao Menlong, the "divine archer," couldn't contain himself; the feathered arrows in his quiver trembled slightly. "Isn't the purpose of learning martial arts to serve the court? Guarding the frontier and securing a good reputation for one's wife and children—isn't that better than fighting and killing in the martial world?"

"Plum Blossom Dart" Shan Zhi stroked the dart pouch in his sleeve, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. Though he didn't speak, a look of longing appeared in his eyes.

Lu Wending, the "Sword of Tianshan," stroked the ice patterns on his sword hilt and said coldly, "I only want to return to Tianshan to see the snow. I can't learn the intricacies of officialdom." Beside him, the Blood Rakshasa suddenly lifted her veil, her scarlet face contorted in the firelight: "Even ghosts would avoid my face! What kind of official am I? I'd rather continue being a vengeful ghost of the Jianghu!" Jin Liufu, the "Water Dragon," suddenly burst into laughter, splashing wine that left dark marks on the blue bricks: "Brother Lu, with your barrel-shaped figure, you probably can't fit into an official sedan chair, can you?"

"Round Bucket" Lu Dechu slammed his hand on the table, making the wine bowls clang loudly: "I'll just guard the docks of the Jiangnan Canal Gang, whoever wants to become an official can go!" The thin "Bamboo Pole" Jiang Huotian immediately clung to him, putting his arm around Lu Dechu's thick waist: "Now that I've married Brother Lu, naturally wherever he goes, I'll go too!" Hahahaha! Amidst the laughter of the whole room, the tense atmosphere eased slightly.

When Shi Feiyang stood up, a chill ran through his clothes.

He took out twelve gold leaves from the deerskin bag at his waist, each engraved with the cherry blossom emblem of the Xiong Ying Society: "Brother Wu, sister-in-law, Brother Miao, Brother Shan, the journey ahead is long and arduous. Consider each of the three gold leaves as your travel expenses."

The golden leaves landed in everyone's palms, making a clear, melodious sound. Shi Feiyang then said, "If you are not happy in the officialdom, the doors of the Xiong Ying Society will always be open to you. Oh, Shi Xiong, arrange a luncheon immediately, prepare plenty of wine and drinks, and let's send off our brothers in a lively celebration." As Shi Xiong took the order and left, he noticed half a jade pendant slipping from the Grand Master's sleeve—it was Xue Qiuchun's personal keepsake, a token of their love.

Outside the hall, the wind and snow intensified, but this choice between the martial world and the imperial court stirred up a storm in everyone's hearts that was even more ferocious than the winter snow of Suzhou.

Before long, the assembled heroes entered the council hall of the Shi Mansion to take their seats, the atmosphere inside heavy and solemn.

Ling Lanzhi lightly stroked the soft sword at her waist, her gaze cold and frosty. After sweeping over the crowd, she said, "My Ling family was full of loyal martyrs, all of whom died at the hands of treacherous officials in the court. Now, I will kneel before the court unless I, Ling Lanzhi, shed my blood on the spot!"

Before she finished speaking, sword energy was already flowing around her, causing sparks to fly from the charcoal fire in the bronze furnace beside her.

"Centipede" Gongsun Ren sat curled up in the corner, his fingers twisted like bamboo joints, his nails coated with dark red medicine. He chuckled sinisterly, "What's so good about being an official? You can kill whoever you want in the martial world, isn't that great? Those court officials are always scheming against each other, and you can lose your head in no time. I don't want to live that kind of life." As he spoke, several centipedes, each over a foot long, slid out from his sleeve, making a rustling sound as they crawled on the ground.

"Blue-faced Beast" Yang Feng slammed his hand on the table, causing the wine to spill out of the bowl. His face, full of fat, trembled as he roared in a rough voice, "I, Yang Feng, love the freedom of the martial world, drinking from big bowls and eating big chunks of meat! Going to be an official? Would it grind down my rebellious spirit? No way! I'd rather die than go!" His roar was as loud as a bell, startling the dust on the roof beams into falling.

"Flying Eagle Detective" Xie Wen, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stepped forward, unfolding a secret report in his hand. His gaze was as sharp as a hawk's: "Chief, according to reliable sources, the imperial court's offer of amnesty this time is fraught with hidden dangers. On the surface, they are bestowing official titles and ranks, but in reality, they intend to scatter us to various places and then defeat us one by one. I suggest that not only should we not accept the amnesty, but we should also take precautions as soon as possible!" He handed the report to Shi Feiyang, his eyes filled with worry and determination.

Madam Shi Ying moved gracefully to Shi Feiyang's side and said softly, "Shi Lang, whatever decision you make, Ying'er will support you. However, the path of the martial world is inherently dangerous, and now the imperial court is eyeing us covetously. I hope you will be careful."

She gently held Shi Feiyang's hand in her delicate hand, her eyes filled with concern and love.

Xue Qiu Chun gently stroked her slightly protruding belly and said softly, "My husband, all I hope for is to be safe and sound with you, whether in the martial world or dealing with the imperial court, as long as our family is together." Her voice was gentle, yet it revealed a firm determination, as if she wanted to share the storms with Shi Fei Yang.

Qi Meizhen drew her Miao sword, its cold light flashing, and declared with heroic spirit, "If the imperial court dares to invade, I, Qi Meizhen, will lead my sisters to charge ahead and slaughter them without leaving a single one alive! What amnesty? It's nothing but a conspiracy and trickery by the imperial court!"

Her Miao sword flashed coldly in the candlelight, displaying a heroic spirit that rivaled any man's.

Lan Xiaodie toyed with the gilded bell and said with a charming smile, "The Five Poisons Sect has never aligned itself with the imperial court, and this time is no exception. If anyone wants to harm the Xiong Ying Society, they'll have to ask my Gu worms first!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a bell rang softly, and several colorful Gu worms flew out from her sleeve and hovered in the air.

"Iron Flute Scholar" Xiang Kun sighed softly, raised his jade flute and began to play. The flute music was melodious but carried a touch of sorrow: "The grudges of the martial world and the power struggles of the imperial court are all in vain. But since I have joined the Xiong Ying Society, I will live and die with my brothers. I, Xiang Kun, will never agree to the idea of ​​being granted amnesty."

The sound of the flute echoed in the hall, and everyone who heard it was filled with emotion.

Inside the council hall of the Shi family mansion, the crackling of charcoal fire cast flickering light on and off the faces of the people present.

Jin Liufu, nicknamed "Water Dragon," swung his wine jug, his steps unsteady, yet his eyes gleamed with an untamed spirit. He tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful of wine, the liquid dripping from his chin and soaking his robes. "Who cares about amnesty or not? As long as we have wine to drink, this is a good life! If the court wants to touch us, they'll have to get past me first!" With that, he slammed the wine jug to the ground with a loud crash. The jug shattered, and the wine trickled down the blue bricks, spreading its aroma far and wide. Shi Feiyang surveyed the assembled heroes in the hall, his gaze sweeping over their resolute faces, his eyes filled with satisfaction and emotion.

He slowly rose, his black robes fluttering behind him, and said in a deep voice, "Thank you for your trust, brothers! Since the founding of the Xiong Ying Society, we have been navigating the storms of the martial world, enduring countless bloody battles. How could the court's petty conspiracy frighten us! From this day forward, we will strengthen our defenses and recruit more talented individuals. I will let the court know that the Xiong Ying Society is not a pushover!"

His voice resounded throughout the hall like a great bell, each word powerful and resonant, stirring a surge of heroic spirit in everyone's hearts and arousing waves of passion.

Upon hearing these words, Wu Zhong, Xiao Lingling, Miao Menlong, and Shan Zhi felt a mix of emotions, their faces flushing and paling in turns. Wu Zhong opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed his words. Miao Menlong looked down at the gold leaf in his hand, his expression complex.

Xiao Lingling gently tugged at Wu Zhong's sleeve and whispered, "Husband, we..." Wu Zhong sighed, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Shi Feiyang, and forced a smile, "Chief, there is an urgent matter at home, so we will take our leave first. We will hold the farewell banquet another day."

The other three also clasped their hands in greeting, made excuses to leave hastily, their steps hurried, as if they wanted to escape the oppressive atmosphere.

After the four left, Shi Feiyang's expression hardened, and he beckoned Liao Pei and Lie Quan to come closer.

He lowered his voice, his gaze sharp as a hawk's: "Elder Liao, Elder Lie, now that those four have surrendered to the court, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and government officials will surely come to meet them. You two go to the vicinity of the government office immediately to keep watch. Remember, make sure they see you deliberately, to remind those people in the court not to think that we, Xiong Ying, are easy to bully!"

Liao Pei leaned on his iron crutch, the power of his "Tongbei Fist" trembling slightly on it, and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Chief. Although my old bones are not nimble, I can still keep an eye on a few people."

The "Qiankun Blade" at Lie Quan's waist hummed as he grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "If they dare to play any tricks, this blade won't stand for it!" The two men clasped their hands in a fist salute, turned around, and strode away, their figures quickly disappearing into the night.

Shi Feiyang then summoned Qi Meizhen, Shi Ying, and Shi Xiong to his side, his gaze gentle yet resolute: "Meizhen, Shi Ying, you two immediately take Shi Xiong by boat to Piaomiao Peak in Taihu Lake, gather the disciples of the main branch, and head north overnight to the Naiman tribe in the Great Grassland. The terrain there is vast, making it easy to hide, and the imperial court will have a hard time finding you in a short time. Be extremely careful on the road and do not reveal your whereabouts."

Qi Meizhen drew her Miao sword, its cold light flashing, and said loudly, "Husband, rest assured, with me here, I will ensure everyone's safety!" Shi Ying nodded gently, her beautiful eyes filled with affection: "Shi Lang, you must also be careful."

Shi Xiong gripped the short knife at his waist, his youthful face filled with determination: "Young Master, I will definitely protect the two ladies!" After receiving the order, the three hurriedly left, their steps quick yet steady.

Immediately afterward, Shi Feiyang summoned Gongsun Ren and Yang Feng, his eyes gleaming: "Brother Gongsun, Brother Yang, you two immediately gather the disciples in Gusu City, close all our shops, inns, and pharmacies, and have everyone pack their belongings, take their families, and head north to meet up with the disciples of Piaomiao Peak. Remember, you must act in secrecy and not alert the imperial court."

Gongsun Ren's fingers twisted like a centipede as he smiled sinisterly: "Don't worry, Chief, I have ways to make sure those who try to gather information never return." Yang Feng's face trembled with menacing pain as he roared in a gruff voice, "I'd like to see which fool dares to stop me!"

The two accepted the order and left, their figures quickly disappearing into the night.

Shi Feiyang pondered for a moment, then summoned Jin Liufu, Lu Dechu, and Jiang Huotian: "Brother Jin, Brother Lu, Brother Jiang, the Jiangnan Canal Gang has become too powerful and has attracted a lot of attention over the years. The imperial court will take action against them sooner or later. Go and negotiate with the Jiangnan Sea Sand Gang. Transfer the gang to them for ten million taels of silver. If they make things difficult, just say that I, Shi Feiyang, owe them a favor. We're not afraid of anyone now, but for so many years, I, Shi, have never allowed any harm to our brothers. That's why our brothers have remained steadfast, following us through thick and thin. It's normal for a small number of members in a gang of over 500,000 to succumb to temptation and defect to the imperial court. Think about how many officials in the imperial court have been bribed by rebels and Japanese pirates over the years. With so many people in the world, it's impossible to truly achieve unity. To put it bluntly, everyone is just trying to make a living and live a better life."

Jin Liufu shook the newly replaced wine jug, his voice hazy with drunkenness yet firm: "Don't worry, Chief, with wine and money, there's nothing we can't reach an agreement on!"

Lu Dechu patted his round belly and said in a deep voice, "Anyone who dares to disrespect me, I'll sit on them and kill them!"

Jiang Huotian swayed his thin frame and laughed, "Wherever Brother Lu goes, I'll follow. Let's see who dares to be presumptuous!" With that, the three strode away. Finally, Shi Feiyang approached Lan Xiaodie and Xue Qiuchun, took Xue Qiuchun's hand, and said softly, "Qiuchun, you are pregnant and shouldn't travel, but Suzhou is no longer safe. Xiaodie, I'll trouble you to take Qiuchun with you, disguise yourself, and leave in a carriage to escort her to the Ningxia Saltworks for a while. It's a mixed bag there, making it easier to hide. Once the situation stabilizes, I'll come to pick you up."

Lan Xiaodie played with the gilded bell and said with a coquettish smile, "Don't worry, with the Gu worms of my Five Poisons Sect protecting you, even if the people of the imperial court have three heads and six arms, they won't be able to harm Qiu Chun in the slightest!" Xue Qiu Chun nodded gently, her eyes full of reluctance, "Fei Yang, you must be careful."

Shi Feiyang nodded, watching the two leave, silently praying for their safe journey.

As night deepened, everyone inside the Stone Mansion was busy at work. A relocation plan concerning the life and death of the Xiong Ying Society was quietly unfolding in the darkness, while an even greater storm seemed to be sweeping towards them.

Standing atop the high walls of the Shi family mansion, Shi Feiyang gazed at the flickering lights in the distance, pondering his next move.

The cold wind howled past, making his robes flutter, but it could not dispel the determination in his eyes.

After observing for a while, he leaped down from the high wall. "Xiang Kun, Lu Wending, you two go to Wudang and Emei immediately. Xue Luosha, Ling Lanzhi, you two go to Hengshan and have a chat with Master Chixia."

Shi Feiyang took out several secret letters. "Give these two letters to the sect leader. They detail the imperial court's conspiracy. Tell them that if the Xiong Ying Society is destroyed, the imperial court's next target will be the major sects. Invite them to join forces to resist the imperial court. If successful, the Xiong Ying Society will offer half of its assets as a reward." Xiang Kun gently stroked his jade flute, his expression solemn. "Rest assured, Grand Master, I will certainly not fail you."

Lu Wending gripped the hilt of his sword and said in a deep voice, "Wudang and Emei are of the same ilk as us, and they will surely not stand idly by."

The two men took the secret letter and turned to leave.

"Xie Wen, you will lead the 'Flying Eagle Guard' to infiltrate the capital." Shi Feiyang lowered his voice. "Closely monitor the actions of Lu Bing, Guo Dunyi, and others, paying particular attention to their interactions with Western Region illusionists and Miao chieftains. If any unusual activity is detected, immediately send a message back. If there is an opportunity, try to sow discord between them and the court officials, causing trouble in the court's inner court."

Xie Wen unfolded the secret report in his hand, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's: "Don't worry, Chief, the Flying Eagle Guard will definitely be able to find out the secret!"

After everyone left, Shi Feiyang stood alone in the hall, gazing at the Xiong Ying Society banner hanging on the wall, and murmured, "The imperial court, we'll see how this unfolds!" As night deepened, everyone in the Shi residence was busy, while Shi Feiyang leisurely lay in the warm water of the bathtub in his spacious bedroom, taking a comfortable bath.

He was very calm; perhaps calmness has become an important part of his life.

Perhaps, many years ago, when he was in Liaodong, on the grasslands, and when he was incorporating the Naiman tribe, he had already foreseen what was happening today.

Three days later, Liao Pei and Lie Quan hurriedly returned with news: "Chief, those Imperial Guards were indeed secretly monitoring Wu Zhong and the others. When they saw us, they were clearly flustered and have sent someone to deliver an urgent message back to the capital!"

Shi Feiyang's lips curled into a cold smile: "Very well, let the court know that we are not unprepared." Under the cover of night, crows flew over the city walls of Suzhou, shaking off a few snowflakes onto the green tiles.

Shi Feiyang stood with his hands behind his back on the arrow tower of the Shi Mansion, gazing thoughtfully towards the west of the city. The faint light emanating from his skin when he circulated the Mingyu Gong was like the glow of cold jade in the night.

Suddenly, a soft clattering sound was heard from the roof tiles, and a slender figure landed like a ghost on the eaves corner—it was none other than "Bamboo Pole" Jiang Huotian.

"Chief!" Jiang Huotian shook the water droplets from his hair, his body still damp from Taihu Lake. "Those bastards from the Sea Sand Gang have finally given in! Ten million taels of silver, loaded onto five cargo ships, are currently hidden in the pleasure boats on Taihu Lake!"

As he spoke, his slender fingers gestured excitedly, and the moonlight made the dirt under his fingernails clearly visible.

A cold glint flashed in Shi Feiyang's eyes, and the deerskin bag at his waist moved automatically without wind: "That's excellent. This silver is not only our life-saving money, but also our confidence."

Before he finished speaking, his inner energy suddenly condensed, and he used the "Leave No Trace for a Thousand Miles" lightness skill. He lightly touched the eaves with his toes and swept across the streets like a night owl, leaving only a faint white mist in his wake before disappearing into the vast night.

On the shores of Taihu Lake, the cold moon hangs high, and the lanterns on the painted boats sway in the wind, casting a crimson glow on the lake's surface.

When Shi Feiyang landed on the bow of the boat, the boat did not shake at all.

He gazed at the mountain of silver boxes piled up inside the cabin, a cold smile playing on his lips, and icy blue true energy surged in his palm.

The seemingly ordinary deerskin bag suddenly emitted an eerie light, its opening widening like a vortex, and the millions of taels of silver transformed into streams of light, continuously being sucked into the bag. In a short while, the five cargo ships were completely empty, with only the water stains remaining on the hull gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"Master, what a skillful move!" Jiang Huotian, who had somehow caught up, stared at the empty cabin in amazement. "I've lived most of my life and never seen such a wondrous treasure!"

Shi Feiyang put away the deerskin bag, his expression cold and stern: "Go find Jin Liufu and Lu Chude immediately, and have them set sail tonight, heading north along the Yangtze River to Liaodong Bay. Inspect all the branch guilds and order all disciples to relocate to the Naiman tribe immediately. Remember, this must be done in secrecy. If there are any spies from the imperial court, kill them without mercy!"

He paused, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, "Liaodong is a strategically important place, and the imperial court is probably already on guard. You must be very careful on this trip."

Jiang Huotian knelt on one knee, his slender body taut and straight: "Rest assured, Chief! I will take care of it right away! If there is the slightest mistake, I am willing to cut off my own legs!" After saying that, he disappeared into the reeds on the shore like an arrow released from a bow.

The following morning, a thin mist enveloped Piaomiao Peak.

Liao Pei, leaning on his iron crutch, looked at his busy disciples with a furrowed brow: "Chief, are we really going to build a fake cemetery here? Isn't that cursing our brothers?"

Lie Quan, standing beside him, slammed the Qiankun Blade into the ground, sending shards of stone flying. "Brother Liao," he said, "the Grand Master has his own plans. In my opinion, let those bastards from the imperial court taste our power!"

Shi Feiyang stood on the edge of the cliff, his clothes fluttering in the mountain wind: "Elder Liao, Elder Lie, you should know that Wu Zhong and the others have surrendered to the imperial court and will definitely bring people to besiege them. This fake tomb is the first step to deceive them."

He turned to the two men, his gaze sharp as a hawk's. "When the government troops attack, you will lead your troops to feign defeat and lure the enemy deep into your territory. But before you retreat, you must lay three layers of traps in the mountain paths, bamboo forests, and caves. Use everything you can—rolling stones, poison smoke, hidden crossbows!"

Liao Pei pondered for a moment, then slammed his iron crutch heavily on the ground: "This old man understands! Let's carve 'Tomb of the Martyrs of the Xiong Ying Society' on the tombstone. Those imperial lackeys will surely lower their guard. Once they get close, we'll make sure they don't leave alive!" Lie Quan laughed heartily, patting the wine gourd at his waist: "Good! When the imperial people arrive, I'll use this Qiankun Blade to give them a proper 'farewell'!"

Shi Feiyang nodded and took out a jade bottle from his robes: "This contains 'Bone-Corroding Powder,' specially made by Sect Leader Lan. Sprinkle it around the trap. Once someone is hit, they will turn into blood within half an incense stick's time. And this..."

He then took out a sheepskin map, saying, "This is a hidden passage on Misty Peak. Do not use it unless absolutely necessary."

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from afar.

Shi Feiyang's expression hardened: "Prepare immediately, the storm is coming. Remember, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood. If the situation turns bad, retreat to the Naiman tribe immediately!" With that, he leaped into the air and disappeared among the misty mountains, leaving Liao Pei and Lie Quan watching the direction he left in, gripping their weapons tightly.

On Taihu Lake, Jin Liufu and his fleet quietly set sail, with wine flags fluttering in the wind at the bows of the boats.

On Misty Peak, the disciples were busy digging tombs and inscribing inscriptions.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of Gusu City, countless eyes were watching the Xiong Ying Society's every move closely, and an even greater storm was brewing.

The north wind swept through Suzhou with snowflakes like a knife, the gray city walls were covered with ice, and the ice on the moat was cracked with spiderweb-like patterns.

The copper bells hanging under the eaves of the government office jingled loudly, startling a few crows huddled in the corner, their hoarse cries piercing the deathly silence.

Lu Bing leaned back in the tiger-skin chair, the gold-threaded dragon on his python robe gleaming coldly in the flickering candlelight.

His eyes were half-closed, and his right hand slowly turned the jade thumb ring, the jade clinking softly. His left hand tapped the armrest intermittently, the rhythm of his knuckles striking the sandalwood wood surprisingly matching the howling wind and snow outside the hall.

When he heard footsteps outside the hall, he raised an eyebrow slightly, his narrow phoenix eyes narrowing, a barely perceptible glint of shrewdness flashing within them. "Sir, those few outlaws from the martial world request an audience," a commander of the Imperial Guards reported.

Lu Bing straightened his back, sat up straight, and reached out to straighten the collar of his python robe before slowly speaking, "Oh?" He drew out the last syllable, carrying the languor and arrogance of a superior, "Let them in."

After saying that, he leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, rested his elbows on the armrests, and rested his chin on his clasped fingers, staring at the doorway with a half-smile.

As Wu Zhong and his three companions stepped into the hall, a cold wind blew in, carrying snowflakes that caused the candlelight to flicker.

Upon seeing this, Lu Bing frowned slightly, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes. He gently shook his sleeves, as if trying to shake off the chill.

Xiao Lingling subconsciously shrank her neck, but Wu Zhong secretly grabbed her sleeve.

Miao Menlong gripped the bow and arrow at his waist, his knuckles turning white with tension.

Shan Zhi lowered his head, not daring to meet the eyes of the people in the hall.

"Hahaha!" Lu Bing suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly, the laughter sharp and unrestrained, causing the dust accumulated on the beams to fall down.

He laughed so hard he was bent over, the hem of his python robe swaying with his movements. He clutched his stomach with his right hand and kept slapping the armrest with his left. "I've long heard that the Xiong Ying Gathering is full of talented people. How come only a few cats and dogs have come today?"

As he laughed heartily, he casually wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, but his gaze remained icy cold.

The rehabilitation trainee stepped forward, a half-smile on his face: "Brave Warrior Wu, I've heard that the Xiong Ying Society has 500,000 men. Could it be that Shi Feiyang has hidden them all in his belt?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall burst into laughter, except for Xiang Yushan, who stood in the shadows with his arms crossed, his face ashen.

Lu Bing reached out and picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew away the foam, took a small sip, but kept his eyes fixed on Wu Zhong, as if trying to see through his heart.

(End of this chapter)