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

Chapter 320. The Forbidden Palace is a place of intrigue and hidden dangers; a heroine calmly protects peace.

In the critical moment, the thunderous hoofbeats of the Northwest Salt Gang erupted. Xue Hongshan led his disciples at breakneck speed, his palms flashing as he unleashed his "Shadow Strike Technique," sending countless tiny palm shadows swarming towards the Hake soldiers like a bee.

Those palm shadows, seemingly invisible, struck the enemy's chest with pinpoint accuracy. The warriors struck paled instantly, their hearts and lungs ripped apart by the tangible palm shadows. They clutched their chests, writhing in agony, blood gushing from their seven orifices, blooming into eerie red plum blossoms on the snow.

Citroën and Xue Qiuchun, brother and sister, combine their swordsmanship, their sword moves as fluid as flowing clouds and cascading waterfalls.

They specialize in attacking Holy Church chanters; wherever their sword energy passes, the chanting abruptly ceases.

Seeing this, Altai became anxious, abandoned Ellie with his scimitar, and headed straight for Xuehong Mountain.

Ellie seized the opening, and her longsword, swift as a shooting star, pierced straight for his back.

Altai dodged to the side, only to see Shi Xiong's silver spear attacking from the flank.

He swung his knife to parry, but Liu Guihua's serpent whip wrapped around the blade, and Xie Wen's short blade was already pressed against his throat.

Looking at the battlefield where they were surrounded on all sides, Altai finally revealed a look of fear: "Impossible... the power of the Holy Church..."

"Evil cannot prevail over good. We represent justice. The power of cults will ultimately be no match for the will of the people!" With a swift swing of her longsword, golden sword energy pierced through Altai's chest. As their leader fell, the Hak soldiers were thrown into chaos.

Under the leadership and command of Qi Meizhen, the Naiman cavalry unleashed the "Seventeen Forms of Miao Sword Armor-Piercing" battle formation, annihilating the Hak cavalry and surging into the city like a tidal wave. The night sky over Qinglong City was stained crimson with blood, and this thrilling battle finally came to an end.

Standing atop the city wall, Elizabeth gazed upon the land ravaged by war, her heart filled with a myriad of emotions.

From a martial arts beauty to a tough female leader, she has experienced too many life-and-death trials.

As planned, Ellie appointed Chi Mei-zhen as the queen of the Hak tribe.

By this time, Yili's Naiman tribe and its subordinate Khorchin, Ordos, and Hake tribes had a total population of 2.7 million, becoming the largest tribal alliance on the grasslands.

The flames of war in Qinglong City have not yet been extinguished, and the stench of blood still lingers among the broken walls and ruins.

Ellie climbed onto the city wall, stepping on the shattered armor scattered on the ground. Her golden armor was covered with dark red bloodstains in the moonlight, making her look like a war god returning from a battlefield.

Gazing at the burning tents in the distance, she suddenly recalled her early days in the martial world, when she was merely a junior sister in the Hengshan Sect, known for her gentle smile. Now, however, she bore the weight of life and death for countless people. "Your Majesty, Khan Qi Meizhen is waiting at the City Lord's Mansion," Bai Zhi's voice interrupted her thoughts.

The Miao woman was surrounded by buzzing Gu worms, and her silver hair ornaments were stained with the brains of her enemies, yet she was still breathtakingly beautiful.

Ellie nodded slightly and sheathed her blood-stained longsword: "Pass down the order: leave Jin Liufu to guard the city gate, and have Shi Xiong reorganize the surrendered troops. Let this great grassland remember that wherever the Naiman's iron cavalry goes, it is the king's land."

Three days later, the sound of horses' hooves echoed rapidly on the bluestone road of Wulang City.

As Ellie's mount trod across the red carpet, she saw a welcoming procession already lined up at the city gate.

Shi Feiyang, draped in a black cloak, stood at the forefront. When their eyes met, the leader of the Xiong Ying Society's gaze instantly shifted from sharp to gentle: "You've worked hard, my queen." Before he finished speaking, he had already caught sight of Wu Zhong, who was leaning on a cane in the group.

The Iron Palm Swordsman's right arm was severed at the wrist, and black blood seeped from the white cloth wrapped around it, yet he still stubbornly stood up straight.

Shi Feiyang's throat tightened, and he strode forward to grasp Wu's intact left hand: "Brother Wu, your broken Iron Palm hurts me more than Lu Bing's dog head!"

Wu Zhong grinned, his half-missing tooth letting out a gust of wind: "Don't worry, Chief, the Demon-Subduing Palm in my left hand can still shatter the skull of those corrupt officials!" Xiao Lingling helped the one-eyed Miao Menlong walk over, the scabbards of their Mandarin Duck Swords already tattered.

Miao Menlong's only remaining right eye glistened with tears as he knelt on one knee: "Chief, though this eye of mine is blind, my archery skills..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shi Feiyang pulled him up, his tiger-like eyes filled with tears: "Brother Miao, every peacock feather you shot down is a knife that the Xiong Ying Society plunges into the heart of the imperial court!"

Suddenly, Shan Zhi, covered in bandages, staggered forward, the red ribbon of the plum blossom dart still tied around his waist: "Chief, the martial world calls us traitors, but if you just say one word..."

Shi Feiyang suddenly pulled the four men into his arms, his black cloak covering their battered bodies: "Infamy? Let them curse us! When we storm the Forbidden City, we'll write the history books of the world!"

At this moment, the horn on the city wall suddenly sounded.

Ellie walked slowly down the steps, the moonlight casting a sacred glow on her armor.

Shi Feiyang released his brother, knelt on one knee, and took her blood-stained hand: "My queen, you have truly achieved the hegemony of this grassland."

Ellie looked at her husband, her eyes and brows filled with exhaustion and pride: "Without your heroic act of killing Lu Bing, without the life-and-death struggle of all the brothers, how could there be today's Naiman Alliance and glory?" The sound of hooves came from afar. Xiang Kun's jade flute was wrapped in bandages, and Liao Pei's iron crutch was still dripping blood.

Behind them was a vast horde of disciples from the Xiong Ying Society—those “traitors” once despised by the martial arts world, now escorting people who had migrated from the Central Plains, forging a new path to survival on the grasslands.

Shi Feiyang held Yili's hand tightly, gazing at this hard-won peace, and suddenly remembered that many years ago when he was listening to the rain in Jiangnan, she had said that she wanted a world without strife.

"Look, this is our world of martial arts." Shi Feiyang's voice, carried by the evening breeze, drifted across the boundless grassland.

Ellie leaned on his shoulder, looking at the crowd embracing and weeping below the city wall, and finally smiled.

In the Forbidden City, Emperor Zhu Yijun was so enraged when he heard that Wu Zhong, Xiao Lingling, Miao Menlong, and Shan Zhi were actually spies sent by the Xiong Ying Society to deceive the court and facilitate the relocation of hundreds of thousands of Xiong Ying Society disciples. He nearly fainted from anger.

The eunuchs, palace maids, and imperial physicians were thrown into a panic. Inside the Qianqing Palace, the stench of ambergris mingled with the stench of blood. Emperor Wanli, Zhu Yijun, slumped on his dragon throne, large patches of dark red bloodstains stained the front of his dragon robe, like ink splashed on the setting sun.

His hand, gripping the memorial tightly, trembled uncontrollably, his knuckles turning almost transparent white. His eyes were bloodshot, as if he were about to devour the words on the memorial. "What a cunning scheme! What a double agent!" He suddenly slammed the memorial onto the gold-brick floor, his jade crown askew, his dragon beard trembling. "I've been supporting a bunch of useless fools, and yet hundreds of thousands of rebels have escaped right under my nose!"

The hall was completely silent; not a breath was allowed to be uttered by the officials. Only the flickering candlelight cast distorted and menacing shadows upon the crowd.

Feng Bao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, knelt down with a thud. His python robe brushed against the cold floor tiles, and his voice trembled as he said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! That traitor Wu Zhong has been lurking in the court for over a year. Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard's 'Eagle Eye Nine Investigations' failed to detect him. He is truly impossible to guard against!"

Before he could finish speaking, the celadon brush washer on the imperial desk smashed at his feet, shards of porcelain flying everywhere, leaving a sharp scratch on the ground.

"Unpredictable? What do you mean unpredictable? It's your incompetence! Incompetence!" Zhu Yijun coughed violently, and drops of blood seeped from between his fingers onto the bright yellow dragon pattern, resembling red plum blossoms.

His bloodshot eyes swept over the assembled officials, finally settling on Xiang Yushan, who had been reinstated as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. His gaze was as sharp as a hawk's. "Xiang Yushan, tell me, how should we tear that vixen, Yili, to pieces?"

The xiezhi badge on Xiang Yushan's purple robe gleamed coldly in the candlelight. This usually gloomy commander slowly stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the martial arts world of the Central Plains has been thrown into turmoil by the Xiong Ying Society. Internal troubles are hard to quell, and only by borrowing external forces can we achieve balance."

He flicked his wrist, and a yellowed map unfurled like a serpent. "The Kunlun Sect hides its troops atop the snow-capped mountains, their 'Ice Soul Mystic Art' combined with silver needles is deadly; the Western Regions Holy Sect lies dormant deep in the desert, skilled in the secret arts of the Corpse Forest, capable of controlling puppets; the Japanese Ronin are proficient in insidious ninjutsu, their Iaijutsu can kill in an instant. These three forces all have a grudge against the Naiman, if offered great benefits, they will surely be at my disposal."

"Absurd!" Minister of War Wang Shiqi suddenly stepped forward, the crane pattern on his official robes rising and falling with his trembling body. He abruptly flicked his sleeve and declared loudly, "Hiring foreign martial arts masters is tantamount to inviting wolves into the house! When the Japanese pirates invaded our borders, they burned, killed, and looted, causing immense suffering to the coastal people. Has Your Majesty forgotten such tragedies? If we now invite these barbarians again, and they harbor rebellious intentions in the future, the Ming Dynasty will be in jeopardy..."

"Shut up!" Xiang Yushan turned around abruptly, the embroidered spring knife at his waist clanging and flashing coldly. "Lord Wang is well-versed in the classics, but he is ignorant of current affairs! Yili now commands an army of 200,000, with fierce generals under her command. Her iron cavalry has trampled the grasslands, and the Central Plains will be next!"

He took a half step forward, a fierce glint in his eyes. "The Ice Soul Silver Needles of Kunlun, the secret techniques of the Corpse Forest in the Western Regions, and the Iaijutsu of Fusang—these techniques are unpredictable and elusive. How could those bandits of the Naiman possibly withstand them?"

A sudden clap of thunder erupted outside the palace, and lightning illuminated Zhu Yijun's distorted face, making his features appear particularly ferocious in the interplay of light and shadow.

He slammed his fist heavily on the armrest of the dragon throne, making the metal clang: "As you say, Xiang Qing! Issue a decree, offering ten thousand taels of gold and a hereditary title, to bring all the experts from these three sides here! I want to see how many lives that vixen, Ellie, has!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" The Vice Minister of Rites, sweating profusely, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "The Western Regions Holy Sect has long been colluding with the Hak tribe. That Yili has even defeated the powerful figures of three major tribes in succession, her methods are extremely ruthless. These foreign warriors have always been unruly. If we cannot control them, I'm afraid we'll be like driving away tigers at the front door and letting wolves in through the back." His voice stopped abruptly—Xiang Yushan had already approached him at some point, a poisoned bone-piercing nail pressed against his back, the icy touch making his whole body stiffen.

Xiang Yushan's lips curled into a sinister smile, his voice low and cold: "Is Your Excellency trying to boost the morale of others while diminishing your own? I've heard that your daughter is still unmarried. Wouldn't it be wonderful if she could form a marriage alliance with the envoy from the Western Regions?"

As he spoke, the dark patterns on his cuffs vaguely resembled the totems of the Western Regions Holy Religion, exuding an eerie aura.

"Enough!" Zhu Yijun slammed his hand on the table, his dragon robe fluttering, and roared, "Xiang Yushan, I order you to set off immediately. If you fail to accomplish this, bring me your head! Yili and Shi Feiyang, I want their heads hung high in the Forbidden City, so that all the rebels in the world will know that opposing the imperial family leads only to death!"

He staggered and steadied himself on the dragon throne, his eyes burning with a mad flame, as if he wanted to unleash all his anger.

Outside the palace, a torrential downpour turned the rainwater into a blood-red stream flowing down the dragon-headed beast's mouth.

As Xiang Yushan exited the palace, he deliberately stepped over the trembling hand of the Vice Minister. The cloud pattern on the scabbard of his embroidered spring knife was stained with blood, gleaming eerily in the rain. Once outside the palace, Xiang Yushan immediately ordered a meeting with Kang Fusheng, Lü Yuan, Cai Kun, Xiang Laixiang, and others who had not yet been reinstated to their posts. They secretly discussed how to assassinate Yili and dismantle the alliance of the Naiman, Khorchin, Hake, and Ordos tribes.

In early autumn, the capital city was shrouded in a thin veil of golden mist. The ginkgo leaves, not yet turned yellow, were already swirling and falling in the morning breeze.

On Zhuque Avenue, the carriages of high-ranking officials and nobles rolled over the bluestone slabs. The incense leaking from the gaps in the carriage curtains mingled with the sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts from the street vendors, weaving a luxurious net in the air.

As the eight-bearer sedan chair carrying Xiang Yushan passed through Xuanwu Gate, the copper bells on the eaves jingled in the wind, startling the crows roosting on the city tower.

The person inside the sedan chair slightly lifted the curtain, revealing a face with sharp features. Beneath his sword-like eyebrows, a pair of phoenix eyes gleamed with a sharp light, and the corners of his mouth curled up in a half-smile, revealing a sinister and ruthless look.

Lu Hongye and Yang Xueer, who were strolling with their son, knew that these people gathering together were up to no good. They quickly carried their son back to their inn, released carrier pigeons, and sent the information to "Flying Eagle Detective" Xie Wen.

Beneath the winding corridor of Xiangyu Mountain Mansion, three pairs of eyes were already waiting in the shadows. Kang Fusheng wore an old blue robe, with half a withered leaf still clinging to the hem, which made his face look even more haggard, his cheeks sunken, and his sparse gray beard hanging on his chin.

His eyes were covered with fine wrinkles, but they couldn't hide the cunning glint that occasionally flashed in his cloudy eyes.

At this moment, he was using two silver needles to pick at the old scabs under his fingernails. His thin, bony fingers had prominent knuckles and bulging veins, resembling the gnarled branches of an old tree that had weathered many storms.

Lu Yuan was a burly man with a broad back and thick waist. A hideous scar ran diagonally from his left eyebrow to his right cheek, adding to his menacing aura. He toyed with the deerskin whip at his waist, the barbs at the tip still tinged with dark red. His eyes, like copper bells, flashed with a fierce light from time to time, and a savage grin played on his lips, revealing the brutality of a ruthless bandit.

Cai Kun was as strong as an iron tower, with a full beard that stood up like steel needles, and his skin was dark and rough from the years and the frost.

He leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed, his brass knuckles gleaming coldly in the sunlight. His thick brows were furrowed, and his eyes conveyed a sense of composure and vigilance, like a ferocious beast ready to pounce at any moment.

"Everyone's here." Xiang Yushan took off his purple robe and casually tossed it to a servant, revealing a moon-white undergarment embroidered with a mythical beast. He held his head high and surveyed the crowd with an imposing gaze. "His Majesty wants us to get rid of the Naiman Queen. Gentlemen, tell me, where should we begin?"

Kang Sheng scoffed, his wrinkles crinkling into a deep knot. A silver needle pierced the pillar with a "ding." He curled his lip, revealing a set of broken teeth: "Shi Feiyang's Mingyu Kung Fu is impervious to swords and spears, and Yi Li is protected by those desperate thugs from the Xiong Ying Society. A frontal assault? It's like throwing eggs down the stone steps of Wudang Mountain."

He stroked his beard, a cunning glint in his cloudy eyes, and tapped the pillars with his withered fingers. He then said in a low voice, "We need to use the power of the Japanese pirates to carry out a diversionary tactic, to transfer Shi Feiyang from the grasslands to Jiangnan. That way, assassinating Yili will be much easier."

"Brilliant plan!" Lü Yuan suddenly stood up straight, his tiger eyes wide open, the scars on his face contorting with his expression. The deerskin whip cracked in the air as he waved his arms, spittle flying as he shouted, "That guy surnamed Shi will definitely lead the disciples of the Xiong Ying Society to guard the coastline. Without these evil stars, with the Master of the Corpse Forest in the Western Regions, the Ice Soul Fairy of Kunlun, and the ninja masters of Fusang, are we afraid we can't take down a Yili?"

Cai Kun frowned, his thick brows furrowing and his full beard trembling. He said in a deep voice, "Do you think the Japanese pirates come at a moment's notice? How much effort did Lord Hu Zongxian put in to quell the maritime threat back then?"

His eyes were full of worry, and his brass knuckles unconsciously clenched and unclenched.

"Brother Cai, you don't understand." Xiang Laixiang, the martial arts eunuch, rose and strode forward, his golden hairpins swaying and shimmering. His eyes were alluring, a seductive smile playing on his lips, his fingertips tracing Kang Fusheng's shoulder. "Which of those ronin from the East Sea isn't greedy for money? We'll offer them ten thousand taels of gold and lend them a few official ships, and we're not afraid they'll cause trouble?" He tilted his head slightly, his eyes full of confidence and contempt. "I've heard that Japan has a 'Centipede Secret Technique' that can control living people as puppets. If we use it to deal with the steppe cavalry..."

Xiang Yushan suddenly raised his hand to interrupt, his eyes narrowing as his sharp gaze swept over the crowd like a hawk's: "Talk is cheap. Kang Sheng, immediately write to the East China Sea; Lü Yuan, contact the Western Regions caravan; Cai Kun, prepare the ships; Xiang Laixiang..."

He paused, his gaze lingering on Xiang's androgynous face for a moment, a barely perceptible glint of greed in his eyes. "Go to the palace. That old dog Feng Bao has recently become obsessed with the spices that are tribute from Persia. Find a way to get some information about the palace's secret passages from him."

Kang Sheng coughed lightly, hunched his back and took half a step forward, a sinister smile on his face: "Commander, don't forget that although Shi Feiyang's Mingyu Gong is strong, it has a fatal weakness."

He flicked his finger in the air, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Three inches below the Tanzhong acupoint. I saw him struggle there when we fought on the summit of Mount Hua. If we could find a master of acupoint striking..." "Brilliant!" Xiang Yushan clapped his hands and laughed, his face full of pride, his eyes flashing with cold light. "That's it! Once Shi Feiyang is lured to the southeast, we'll lay a trap. Even if that vixen Yili has three heads and six arms, she won't escape the double annihilation of the martial world and the imperial court!"

As dusk deepened, candlelight was lit in the study in the backyard of the mansion.

Kang Shengsheng spread out the Xuan paper, his withered hand holding the brush, his fingertips trembling slightly, the brush tip hovering above the inkstone for a long time without falling.

The autumn wind outside the window swirled up a few early-fallen ginkgo leaves. In a daze, he recalled Shi Feiyang standing atop the sea of ​​clouds, the aura of his Mingyu Skill flowing like that of a banished immortal. A complex expression flashed across his face, a mixture of jealousy, resentment, and an unspeakable hatred. "Shi Feiyang, oh Shi Feiyang," he murmured to himself, a ferocious smile twisting his lips. Finally, the pen fell to the ground. "This time, you have no choice but to be the 'greatest hero'."

In early autumn, the vast grassland is like a long ink painting scroll, with a clear blue sky and a few cotton-like white clouds floating lazily.

The distant mountains are draped in a thin veil of dark blue-green, while the pastures at our feet shimmer with a blend of golden and dark green hues, undulating in the autumn wind like surging waves. Herds of cattle and sheep are scattered throughout the grassland, like stars adorning this vast land, and the shepherds' long, melodious songs drift on the wind, adding a touch of poetry to this expansive landscape.

As the autumn sun slants across the landscape, the royal tents of the Naiman tribe stand out like dazzling pearls on the vast grasslands.

The central tent was edged with gold, and the scarlet curtains were embroidered with ferocious wolf totems that fluttered in the wind, exuding an imposing aura.

The silver eagle head decoration on the tent ceiling shone brightly in the sunlight, and the five-colored prayer flags hanging from the eagle's beak fluttered in the wind, their rustling mingled with the clear tinkling of copper bells. On the blue stone altar in front of the tent, sacrificial vessels made of cow skulls and agate beads gleamed coldly, and wisps of smoke rose from the burning wolf dung beside the altar, weaving a faint, mysterious atmosphere in the air.

Exquisitely carved bronze wine vessels were scattered all around, and ashes from last night's campfire still lingered on the sheepskin carpet. Several glossy warhorses leisurely chewed their fodder, occasionally neighing, adding a touch of life to this tranquil grassland.

The jingling of the bronze bells hanging from the gilded tent hooks seemed to whisper a tale of reluctance to part.

Shi Feiyang stood in front of the tent, dressed in a black outfit. The Hundred Victory Blade at his waist gleamed with a cold light, which made his figure stand tall and straight like a pine tree.

Sunlight streamed down, gilding his handsome face and drawing the gazes of several ladies, who lingered there, unable to look away.

Ellie, dressed in a fiery red robe like the sunset, was incomparably beautiful. She moved with graceful steps, the ruby ​​tassels in her hair swaying gently with each step, making her eyes even brighter and more captivating.

Walking to Shi Feiyang's side, she stretched out her slender white hand and gently took his arm, saying softly, "My husband, I have been longing for your return day and night on this grassland. Now that you are going on a long journey, my heart is like a dandelion seed scattered by the wind, without any direction. But don't worry, with me here, the Naiman tribe will definitely be as solid as a rock, just waiting for your triumphant return."

As she spoke, she raised her head, her eyes filled with longing and determination, as if she wanted to lock him firmly in her gaze.

Liu Guihua swung the snake whip in her hand, the tip of the whip drawing a beautiful arc in the air and making a crisp sound.

She giggled and leaned closer, her eyes crinkling like a rose in full bloom: "My lord! Whoever dares to scheme behind your back, my serpent whip will be the first to object! Just stride forward boldly, and if you get tired or weary, look back, I'll always be behind you. If anyone dares to make you frown even slightly, I'll make sure they know that offending Madam Shi is no laughing matter!"

Her eyes were fiery and assertive, making no attempt to hide her protectiveness and love for Shi Feiyang.

Bai Zhi was dressed in traditional Miao clothing, her silver ornaments shimmering in the sunlight, their tinkling adding to her mysterious charm.

She walked gracefully to Shi Feiyang, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze: "My husband, the journey ahead is long and arduous, and we may encounter many dangers. You must be careful and protect yourself. If you encounter any difficulties, think of me and the Gu techniques I learned in Miao territory. They will surely help you overcome your troubles. No matter when or where, my heart will always be with you."

As she spoke, she gently took Shi Feiyang's hand and placed a small Gu worm amulet into his palm, her eyes filled with worry and concern.

Xue Qiuchun stood to the side, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes shy yet burning with passion.

Holding a cloak she had sewn herself, she timidly stepped forward: "Shi Lang... this is a cloak I made overnight. Although it can't compare to those expensive silks, it's a token of my affection. As autumn deepens, wearing it will feel like I'm by your side, protecting you from the cold. You... you must come back safely. I... I will wait for you here every day."

Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost a murmur, yet it was full of deep affection.

Looking at the beautiful and affectionate ladies before him, Shi Feiyang felt deeply moved and warmed.

He held their hands one by one and said affectionately, "Having you all here is the greatest blessing in my life, Shi Feiyang. When I return, I will make it up to you and share all the beauty of this world with you."

Several ladies had tears in their eyes and nestled close to Shi Feiyang, wanting to deeply remember this moment of warmth and affection.

After a long while, Shi Feiyang reluctantly let go of their hands and mounted his horse.

Looking back from horseback, he saw several ladies standing in front of the royal tent. Their figures gradually shrank, but he could still clearly see the longing and reluctance in their eyes, which condensed into strands of deep affection in the autumn wind, lingering in his heart for a long time.

Along the way, the autumn wind caressed our faces, and the horses galloped, raising clouds of dust.

Inside the Lindan tribe, Princess Gugra, dressed in magnificent Mongolian attire and adorned with exquisite headdress, resembled the most beautiful Gesang flower on the grassland.

The autumn wind, carrying the unique fragrance of the grassland, gently brushed against Shi Feiyang's face.

He rode a pure white steed, its mane flying wildly in the wind, like a celestial being descending on the wind.

The sound of horses' hooves clattered, raising clouds of dust that traced a faint trail behind him—the mark of his encounter with this grassland.

From a distance, the camp of the Lindan tribe looks like a dazzling pearl embedded in the grassland.

The white yurts are scattered in a pleasing manner, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys, blending into the sunset on the horizon.

Amidst this beautiful scenery, the most dazzling figure is none other than Princess Gugra, dressed in magnificent Mongolian attire. Her silk robe is embroidered with exquisite patterns, and the gold and silver threads shimmer with a captivating light in the sunlight.

Her headdress was exquisite, with coral, pearls, and gemstones complementing each other, making her face as radiant and beautiful as the rising sun. When Gugra saw Shi Feiyang's figure in the distance, her eyes lit up with a dazzling light, as if stars had fallen into them.

She lifted her skirt lightly and ran towards him with light steps, the silver ornaments in her hair jingling like a cheerful melody.

"Shi Lang!" she called out sweetly, her voice filled with barely suppressed joy. Shi Feiyang dismounted and opened his arms to embrace Gu Gela tightly. Feeling the softness and warmth of the woman in his arms, his heart softened as well.

Gugra raised her head, her cheeks flushed like the sunset, her eyes filled with shyness and joy: "Shilang, is the beauty of this grassland to your liking?" Her voice was soft and melodious, with a hint of caution, as if she was afraid of receiving a negative answer.

Shi Feiyang gently cupped her face in his hands, his thumb lightly caressing her delicate skin: "With you by my side, everything on this grassland surpasses a thousand beautiful sights in the world. Look, the azure sky, the white clouds, and this vast grassland—in my eyes, none of them compare to the slightest smile in your eyes." His words were sincere and affectionate, each word carrying a burning warmth that reached deep into Gugra's heart.

Upon hearing this, Gugra's eyes welled up with tears, but a happy smile spread across his lips.

She buried her head in Shi Feiyang's chest and murmured, "Shi Lang, since you came, this grassland has truly come alive. Before, I always felt that although the grassland was beautiful, it was too lonely. But now, as long as I can see you, be with you, even if it's just standing here quietly, I feel incredibly happy." From then on, their figures could often be seen walking side by side on the grassland.

Gugra always held onto Shi Feiyang's arm tightly, unwilling to let go for even a moment.

On this day, she would pick a beautiful Gesang flower, gently tuck it into Shi Feiyang's hair, and then say with a smile, "Shi Lang, you look more beautiful with this flower on you than with all the beautiful scenery on this grassland."

A little later, she would mischievously run ahead, then turn around and stretch out her hand to Shi Feiyang: "Shi Lang, come and chase me! If you can't catch me, I'll get angry!" No matter how mischievous she was, Shi Feiyang would always smile indulgently, following closely behind her, letting her laugh freely on the grassland. Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was mid-autumn.

The night on the grassland is exceptionally quiet, and the bright moonlight shines like mercury on the earth, draping everything in a silver veil.

Shi Feiyang and Gugra sat in front of the yurt. Gugra leaned on Shi Feiyang's shoulder, her arms wrapped around his, her eyes full of dependence and affection. "Shi Lang, do you think we will always be this happy?" Gugra asked softly, a hint of unease in her voice.

Shi Feiyang lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead: "Silly girl, with me here, we will not only be happy forever, but also see all the beautiful scenery in this world hand in hand. In the future, no matter what difficulties we encounter, I will stand in front of you and never let you suffer any grievances."

Gugra raised her head, her eyes sparkling with emotion: "Shi Lang, meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life. For you, I am willing to do anything, even go through fire and water, I will never flinch. As long as I can stay by your side, I have no other desires." As she spoke, she leaned her head even closer on Shi Feiyang's shoulder, wanting to completely integrate herself into his life.

Suddenly, a breeze as light as a feather swept by, and "Flying Eagle Detective" Xie Wen appeared like a ghost, using his "Flying Floss and Light Smoke Skill".

Xie Wen was dressed in a black outfit, his face was solemn, and fine beads of sweat were hanging on his forehead.

He knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice, "Chief, something terrible has happened! Thirty-six villages along the coast of Jiangnan have been suddenly plundered by three-masted ghost ships. It's extremely bizarre. The ships are flying black flags, and there are no people in sight, but there are eerie ghostly cries coming from them. The fishermen who were plundered have turned into living corpses and are attacking passing caravans. Wherever they go, there is devastation."

Upon hearing this, Shi Feiyang's face instantly darkened, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. He said in a cold voice, "Such an evil thing has happened! It seems that there must be a mysterious force behind this."

Gugla also paled, gripping Shi Feiyang's arm tightly, her voice trembling slightly: "Shi Lang, what... what should we do?"

Shi Feiyang patted her hand and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Xie Wen, tell me in detail, is there anything special about this ghost ship?"

Xie Wen stood up, his brows furrowed, and recalled: "When that ghost ship was sailing, the sea was moving on its own even without wind, and the waves were churning. Black mist swirled around the ship, and some dark shadows could be vaguely seen moving about, but their appearances were unclear. What was even stranger was that those zombies were incredibly strong, and ordinary swords and knives could not harm them in the slightest. Only fire could completely destroy them."

Shi Feiyang pondered for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Let's go! Gather our troops immediately and head to Jiangnan. No matter who's behind this, daring to stir up trouble within the borders of our Great Ming, we will make them pay the price!"

His voice was firm and authoritative.

Xie Wen clasped his hands in a fist salute, bowed, and accepted the order. He then used the "Flying Floss and Light Smoke Technique" to quickly merge into the air and disappear instantly.

The autumn wind, carrying blades of grass, swept past the felt tents of the Lindan tribe, making the silver ornaments in Princess Gugra's hair jingle. Her rose-red silk robe billowed in the wind, and the twin lotus flowers embroidered on the hem appeared and disappeared in the twilight, just like her fluctuating emotions at this moment.

Shi Feiyang was packing his bags outside the tent. His black outfit fluttered in the wind, and the cold light of the dragon pagoda ring on his left middle finger made his features appear even more handsome.

Gugra leaned against the carved birch pillar, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread on her cuffs, watching him carefully tie up the dry rations and water pouches. Every movement made her heart ache.

Finally, she took a few light steps, as if afraid of disturbing something, and asked in a soft, sweet voice, "Shi Lang, do you really have to leave?"

When Shi Feiyang turned around, he saw her eyes sparkling.

The sunset cast a soft glow on her face, and tiny stars clung to her eyelashes, which were damp with tears. His heart tightened, and he reached out to fasten the pearl tassels in her hair that had been ruffled by the wind: "The people of Jiangnan are suffering from the Japanese pirates; how can I stand idly by?"

“But…” Gugra buried her face in his chest, the sound of his heartbeat beneath his silk robes making her feel even more aggrieved, “You’ve only been back a short while, and you haven’t even tasted a drop of the newly brewed mare’s milk wine in the tent.”

When she looked up, tears were already glistening in the corners of her eyes, sparkling in the setting sun. "Shilang, the nights on the grassland are so cold. Without you here, I can hardly fall asleep."

Shi Feiyang's throat bobbed, and the warm luster that emanated from his Mingyu Gong could not conceal the heartache in his eyes.

He gently cupped her face, wiping away the tears on her cheeks with his fingertips: "Once I've pacified Jiangnan, I'll take you to see all four seasons of the grasslands. The sea of ​​Gesang flowers in spring, the Milky Way cascading down in midsummer, and more..."

"Don't listen to anything about the future!" Gugra suddenly gripped his collar tightly, the rose-red sleeve falling down to reveal the wolf-tooth silver bracelet he had given him on his wrist. "Shilang, every time you leave, I count the stars in front of the felt tent. Only when I count a thousand stars can I wait for your return."

She tiptoed and pressed her face against his cold scabbard. "The smell of blood on this blade terrifies me every time I smell it. I'm afraid of what might happen one day..." Before she could finish speaking, she was already sobbing uncontrollably. Shi Feiyang felt a deep sorrow in his heart. Unconsciously, he activated his Mingyu Gong, and a soft halo enveloped her.

He lowered his head and kissed away the tears on her eyelashes, whispering, "My dear girl, look at this wolf tooth—" He took off the silver bracelet from her wrist, "Back then, I killed the alpha wolf in the wolf pack, and this wolf tooth became our token of love. As long as it's still here, I will definitely return to your side."

Gugra suddenly removed the coral necklace from her neck, the fiery red coral beads trembling in her palm: "That Shi Lang wears this; seeing it is like seeing me." She tied the necklace around his waist, her fingertips tracing the folds of his tight-fitting clothes. "If you encounter danger, touch this coral. On the grasslands, I will protect you with all my prayers."

The autumn wind howled, and the desolate melody of the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) drifted from afar.

Gugra held onto Shi Feiyang tightly, refusing to let go until the moment he mounted his horse. She still stood on tiptoe, reaching for his hand: "Shi Lang, you must always remember, there is someone on the grassland who will wait, watching the moonlight, watching the felt tent, watching our vow, waiting forever."

Her voice was torn apart by the wind, turning into longing that drifted across the sky, while Shi Feiyang's figure gradually merged into the blood-red setting sun.

(End of this chapter)