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

Chapter 323. A Ryukyu Couple's Heartfelt Melody, A Knight's Tender Feelings Under the Moonlight.

Three months after the wedding, the summer heat in Ryukyu became increasingly intense.

Accompanied by branch leader Bai Zhi and branch elders Shi Xiong and Shan Zhi, Shi Feiyang stood on the high platform of the newly built Xiong Ying Society branch, gazing at the merchant ships shuttling through the harbor and the disciples training, his gaze deep and unfathomable. The branch covered an area of ​​a hundred acres, its flying eaves and brackets hinting at the atmosphere of the martial arts world.

On the training ground, the disciples practiced the improved Hundred Victory Sword Technique, the wind from the swords whistling and startling a flock of seabirds.

The summer heat of Ryukyu, carried by the salty sea breeze, made the harbor scorching hot.

Under the eaves of the newly built branch of the Xiong Ying Society, Shi Feiyang gazed at the fleet of merchant ships with their masts standing like a forest in the distance, his dark-colored outfit stained with dark sweat under the scorching sun.

Suddenly, the sound of breaking wood came from afar. A disciple staggered over, a broken harpoon stuck in his shoulder: "Chief! The Liusha Gang has cut our anchor chain and... and set fire to the hold!"

Bai Zhiyu gripped the golden silkworm gu pouch at her waist tightly, the emerald green gu worms writhing restlessly inside: "These filthy creatures are truly tired of living."

Shi Xiong's white rainbow sword was already three inches out of its sheath, its blade reflecting the blood-red sunset, while Shan Zhi's plum blossom dart spun with a cold light between his fingers.

Shi Feiyang raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down, and white mist slowly rose from his palm—the Mingyu Gong was activated to the "Supreme Forgetfulness Ice Soul Cold Prison," and his skin under his black outfit shimmered with a glassy luster.

At the harbor pier, over 930 members of the Ryukyu Gang blocked the merchant ship like vicious dogs. Gang leader Hou Sanxie, a pipe dangling from his lips, a rusty steel knife resting on his shoulder, its blade still stained with undried blood, declared: "Shi Feiyang! The seas of Ryukyu belong to Hou!"

He grinned maliciously, revealing half a gold tooth. "I've heard your Hundred Victories Blade Technique can split mountains and cleave seas? I'd like to see it!" Shi Feiyang used the "Seven Steps of Dragon Walk," his figure flashing like a ghost across the scorching stone path. With each step, spiderweb-like ice patterns formed on the ground. "Does Chief Hou know," his voice was as cold as an icy pool, "that the first rule of the martial world is—"

Before he could finish speaking, three gang members suddenly sprang up, their harpoons thrusting in a triangular formation. "Shut up!" Shi Feiyang's palms flashed like knives as he unleashed the "Golden Dragon Coiling Claws" technique from the Hundred Victories Swordplay. Golden sword energy, carrying icy chill, traced a three-zhang-long arc of light in the air.

The man at the front was cleaved in two, harpoon and all, his blood splattering onto the scalding deck and rising in plumes of white steam.

Before the other two could even make contact with their harpoons, they were pulled backward by the vortex's suction and crashed heavily into the cargo container, the sound of their ribs breaking clearly audible.

Hou San's pupils constricted sharply. He slammed his pipe into Shi Feiyang's face, shouting, "Release the poison smoke!" More than ten gang members pulled out bamboo tubes from their robes, and yellow smoke instantly filled the harbor. Bai Zhi let out a sharp cry, and with a flick of her jade-like hands, nine golden silkworm gu worms transformed into green light and rushed into the smoke. Wherever the gu worms went, screams of agony filled the air—these gu worms specifically targeted vital points on people's joints, and those struck were invariably forced to kneel and clutch their legs, the cracking sounds of dislocated bones echoing everywhere.

Shi Feiyang moved through the poisonous fog as if it were empty, and when he activated the Mingyu Gong, his whole body became transparent like an ice sculpture.

He casually swung out two palms, and the sword energy of "Heaven and Earth Live Together" cleaved open a passage in the poisonous fog. The "Shocking Calamity" divine skill swept across like a scanner, and more than 900 disciples of the Liusha Gang trembled and jumped up. Their bodies were covered in frost, and they fell apart and cracked, leaving ice shards everywhere.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Hou San turned around and tried to jump into the sea to escape, but felt a strong force grabbing his ankle.

Shi Feiyang's Mingyu Gong true qi vortex suction force actually lifted him upside down, and he said in a cold voice, "Where is Chief Hou going?"

Hou San struggled desperately in mid-air, wildly swinging his steel knife: "You...you dare kill me? My master is..."

His voice abruptly stopped, and Shi Feiyang lightly touched the Tanzhong acupoint with his fingertip, allowing the icy true energy to spread along the meridians.

In an instant, Hou San's legs froze into ice, and the chill was creeping up his dantian.

“Within three breaths,” Shi Feiyang said in a completely emotionless tone, “if you don’t reveal the mastermind behind this, I’ll let you taste the pain of being frozen alive. I’ve already killed over a million people in the Central Plains, so I don’t care about killing a few hundred thousand more in Ryukyu.”

"I'll talk! I'll talk!" Hou San's teeth chattered, snot, tears, and blood streaming down his face. "It was the Fusang Merchant Guild that gave us three thousand taels of silver..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shi Feiyang suddenly slammed him onto the deck. Wherever the icy chill passed, Hou San's legs snapped instantly, ice crystals forming at the cuts, while the blood froze into a strange purplish-red.

The port was filled with the stench of blood and poison, and the surviving members of the Liusha gang knelt down and begged for mercy.

Shi Feiyang gazed at the churning flames on the sea, his robes fluttering in the wind. "Pass down my order," he said, "that the merchant ships be rebuilt within three days. And if any more foolish ones dare to challenge me," he stomped on the icicles beneath his feet, "let them go to sea with these shards of ice!"

After this battle, the Osaka Association's prestige in Ryukyu was further enhanced.

Shi Feiyang began to build his own maritime power. He recruited skilled craftsmen, improved ships, and built a fine merchant fleet.

Meanwhile, elite disciples were selected from the martial arts school and trained into a maritime escort force, equipped with specially made weapons, including crossbows from the Central Plains and harpoons and javelins from Ryukyu. The three princesses also displayed their respective strengths.

Princess Ryugetsu, leveraging her royal connections, opened up trade channels between the Oo Sakura Association and neighboring island nations; Princess Ryusei, exceptionally intelligent, assisted in managing the shops' accounts, keeping the business running smoothly; and Princess Ryuki, the third princess, mingled with her disciples, inspiring more and more Ryukyu youths to join the Oo Sakura Association.

The twilight over the northern grasslands seemed to be soaked in blood, and the setting sun, like a giant, bleeding eye, coldly looked down upon Black Wind Gorge.

Xie Zhichuan gripped the dull, lifeless glass poison bottle, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force, a low growl like that of a trapped beast escaping his throat.

Three days ago, he quietly landed in Liaodong with the smallpox virus that was enough to wipe out the Lindan tribe. However, he did not expect that he would run into the intercepting force led by Shi Ying, the leader of the Tianxing Sect, a hundred miles away from the royal camp.

On both sides of the canyon, the sea buckthorn bushes gleamed with cold light, and the poisoned hidden weapons of the Five Poisons Sect disciples glowed with an eerie light, tightly surrounding him and Li Wuduo.

Shi Ying wore a black Taoist robe with star patterns, the wide sleeves embroidered with intricate star maps. A bronze compass at her waist spun rapidly, its pointer trembling incessantly like a mad snake. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, and her eyes were like stars reflected in water; she was breathtakingly beautiful.

At this moment, Shi Ying parted her red lips slightly, her voice like a cold spring striking a stone: "Xie Zhichuan, do you really think you can stir up a bloodbath on the grasslands? Now that the Tianxing Sect has learned of this, they will not let you step out of this valley!"

With a wave of her jade hand, thirty-six bone-piercing nails shot out, weaving a dazzling star array in the air, making her face appear even more cold and beautiful.

Li Wuduo burst into laughter, her bluish-gray fingernails scraping across the rock face, sparks flying everywhere.

Her body was hunched over and her face was distorted, forming a stark contrast to the beauty of Lan Xiaodie not far away.

Lan Xiaodie's skin was like jade, her eyes like autumn water, and the jewels hanging from the jade hairpin in her hair swayed gently with her breath, like the most beautiful flower in spring. "Shi Ying, with your pathetic Heavenly Star Technique?" Li Wuduo flung out seven Gu worms, poisonous mist spreading in the air, "Try my Five Poisons Sect's Heart-Eating Gu!"

Lan Xiaodie's eyebrows furrowed as she drew the Azure Phosphorus Sword from her waist, its blade gleaming with a ghostly green light. "Li Wuduo, you betrayed the Five Poisons Sect first, today is your death day!" Before her words had even finished, the Azure Phosphorus Sword moved like a serpent emerging from its hole, its blade flashing and creating swirling poisonous mist that corroded deep pits in the sand it passed through.

Nine red snakes coiled around her shoulders, hissing and flicking their tongues, as if cheering on their mistress.

Xie Zhichuan suddenly roared to the sky, his body engulfed in crimson flames. He had activated the Kunlun Blazing Flame Technique to its peak, his clothes were torn apart inch by inch, and the blood vessels under his skin surged like boiling magma, making him look like a demon crawling out of hell.

"A bunch of ignorant fools!" He thrust out with both palms, and a wave of air at a thousand degrees Celsius swept over, instantly melting the sand into a glassy state. The poisoned hidden weapons of the Five Poisons Sect disciples turned into molten iron with a "hiss" as soon as they touched the heat wave and fell to the ground.

Shi Ying's beautiful eyes widened, her pupils suddenly contracted, and she bit her lower lip tightly. She quickly made a hand seal: "The Big Dipper, the stars shift and the constellations turn!" The bronze compass burst out with dazzling light, and the thirty-six bone-piercing nails actually flew back against the heat wave.

Xie Zhichuan snorted coldly and raised his hand to unleash a "Blazing Sky" attack. The crimson palm print collided with the bone-piercing nail, creating a deafening roar.

Amidst the flying debris, a Tianxing Sect disciple was unable to dodge in time and was torn to pieces by the shockwave. His severed limbs, mixed with sand, were thrown into the air, and blood rained down, spreading into hideous blood flowers on the ground.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Li Wuduo approached Lan Xiaodie, her ten fingernails gleaming with a sinister blue light.

Lan Xiaodie let out a delicate shout, and her Bilin Sword danced with layers of sword shadows. The poisonous mist collided with Li Wuduo's Gu poison in mid-air, making a "sizzling" sound.

During the fight, Li Wuduo suddenly ripped off the human skin mask around her neck—underneath it was a terrifying face covered with centipede-like patterns!
She opened her mouth and spat out a foul-smelling venom. Lan Xiaodie dodged to the side, but her sleeve was corroded and a large hole was made, revealing her snow-white skin. A few strands of her black hair fell down, adding to her tragic beauty.

"Trying to run away?" Li Wuduo laughed strangely and flung out spider silk, trapping Lan Xiaodie in the center.

The dense, venomous stingers on the spider silk pierced her skin, and Lan Xiaodie's face turned deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down her face.

At the critical moment, Shi Ying drew the Heavenly Star Sword, its blade shimmering with starlight.

She lightly touched the ground with her toes, her figure flashing like a phantom star as she arrived, the star-patterned soft whip wrapping around Li Wuduo's wrist and pulling hard.

As Li Wuduo staggered, Lan Xiaodie seized the opportunity to swing her Azure Phosphorus Sword, and the Golden Ring Snake bit down hard on Li Wuduo's throat.

Xie Zhichuan was greatly alarmed to see Li Wuduo in danger. He activated the Kunlun Blazing Flame Technique at full power, and the flames around him surged three zhang (approximately 10 meters) to form a giant fireman that turned half the sky crimson.

"Die, all of you!" he roared as he charged toward Shi Ying. Wherever he passed, the grass and trees instantly turned to ashes, and the ground cracked from the heat.

Shi Ying remained calm and composed, her jade-like hands rapidly manipulating the compass, her Heavenly Star Sword swirling with countless sword flowers. "Heavenly Star Falls!" Thirty-six bone-piercing nails converged like meteors, aiming straight for Xie Zhichuan's vital point.

Xie Zhichuan abruptly stopped his practice, attempting to withstand the attack with his protective inner energy. But at that moment, the glass poison bottle in his arms suddenly emitted a piercing cracking sound—it turned out that the thousand-degree high temperature of the Kunlun Blazing Flame Technique had actually killed all the smallpox viruses inside the bottle!

Xie Zhichuan stared at the poisonous water flowing in his hand, his eyes wide with despair and resentment.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Ying launched a full-scale attack. Her Heavenly Star Sword Technique was like a rain of stars, and the Starry Sky Array was at full power, suppressing him completely.

Seeing the situation was dire, Li Wuduo swiftly crushed the Gu worm in her arms. A strange cloud of smoke rose, and she used the opportunity to escape using her lightness skill.

Lan Xiaodie shouted angrily, "Where do you think you're going!" The Bilin Sword unleashed a thick cloud of poisonous mist, and nine red snakes pursued her relentlessly, their tongues coiling around her ankles.

Li Wuduo flung out a poisoned needle, but Lan Xiaodie parried it with her sword. Taking advantage of the moment, the golden-ringed snake bit her wrist. The two rolled and fought on the sand, their blood staining a large patch of grassland red. Li Wuduo's screams and Lan Xiaodie's shouts echoed through the valley.

Xie Zhichuan, his shoulder blade pierced by the bone-piercing nail, coughed up a mouthful of blood. Gazing at the dying flames, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed, "Good! Good Heavenly Star Sect! Good Five Poisons Sect!" Before his laughter subsided, Shi Ying's star-patterned whip had already wrapped around his neck: "Xie Zhichuan, your wicked scheme ends here." With a tightening of her wrist, Xie Zhichuan's laughter abruptly ceased, his eyes bulged, and a sickening cracking sound emanated from his neck.

However, Xie Zhichuan's intense heat from the flames burned through Shi Ying's star-patterned whip, allowing him to escape.

Li Wuduo also used her magic to break free from Lan Xiaodie's entanglement and escape.

As dusk deepened, Black Wind Gorge was filled with the stench of blood and poisonous fog. Shi Ying gazed at Li Wuduo and Xie Zhichuan fleeing into the distance, her eyes as cold as frost: "Pass down the order: see them alive or dead. The peace of the grasslands cannot tolerate the slightest defilement."

Lan Xiaodie wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. Nine crimson snakes flicked their tongues at her feet. She gently stroked the Azure Phosphorescent Sword, her beautiful face, as delicate as a flower, filled with unwavering resolve. This thrilling battle had ultimately protected the peace of the grasslands.

Evening still lingered in the air, thick with the stench of blood and poisonous fog, while the sound of horses' hooves echoed like muffled thunder from the depths of the grassland.

Princess Gugra of the Lindan tribe, wearing a scarlet cloak trimmed with silver, rode a pure white Akhal-Teke horse at breakneck speed, followed by a hundred cavalrymen with scimitars gleaming in the moonlight, their imposing presence overwhelming.

"Master Shi! Master Lan!" Princess Gugra dismounted from afar, her hearty laughter startling the owls on the grass. "We have heard that you two heroines have bravely repelled the evil and protected the peace of our grasslands. The Lindan tribe will never forget such kindness!"

As she approached, the wolf fang totem hanging at her waist swayed gently with her steps, gleaming faintly in the moonlight. Shi Ying put away her star-patterned whip; her dark Taoist robe was still stained with mottled blood, but this did not diminish her celestial beauty.

She bowed slightly, her voice clear and cold like melting snow from the Tianshan Mountains: "Your Highness is too kind. We are men of the martial world, and it is only natural to help those in need. I am very grateful to 'Flying Eagle Detective' Xie Wen for his timely message via carrier pigeon."

Lan Xiaodie sheathed the Jade Phosphor Sword, the jewels in her hair jingling softly with her movements, like the most beautiful flowers in spring.

She blinked her clear, autumn-water-like eyes and said with a coquettish smile, "Yes, Xie Wen's news always travels faster than the wind on the grasslands. Speaking of which, it's been quite a while since I've seen my husband."

Princess Gugra put her arms around the two men's shoulders and laughed heartily, "Let's not talk about that now! Today I'm going to treat you two to a hearty drink of my grassland mare's milk wine!" She turned to the cavalry behind her and shouted, "Send word back to the tribe for a feast! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

In the capital of the Lindan tribe, bonfires illuminated half the sky.

Inside the sheepskin tent, copper wine jugs bubbled over charcoal fires, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of mare's milk wine and the smoky fragrance of roasted whole lamb.

Princess Gugra personally filled three gold-inlaid horn cups and said boldly, "This is the strongest mare's milk wine of my tribe, a toast to you two heroes!"

Shi Ying picked up her wine glass, took a small sip, and frowned, saying, "This wine is a bit strong, but it lacks a bit of elegance. It reminds me of the 'Drunken Immortal Dew' brewed with a hundred kinds of herbs when I was in Miao territory."

Lan Xiaodie tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp, then wiped her mouth and laughed, "I love this kind of refreshing feeling! Compared to the convoluted wines of Miao territory, the wine from the grasslands is much more comfortable to drink!" Her laughter was as clear as a silver bell, attracting the attention of everyone in the tent.

Princess Gugra slapped her thigh and laughed, "Good! As expected of the wives of Master Shi, each one of them is a heroine!" She suddenly lowered her voice, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes, "But the situation on the grassland is turbulent now. Nurhaci is secretly colluding with the court, and the Naiman tribe is probably in imminent danger."

Upon hearing this, Shi Ying gently stroked the bronze compass with her jade-like hand and said thoughtfully, "Xiao Die and I only managed to defeat Xie Zhichuan this time, which was merely a minor ailment. The real crisis is yet to come. Tomorrow, we will set off for Wulang City, the capital of the Naiman tribe, to meet with Queen Elizabeth and Sister Guihua, so that we can discuss countermeasures together." Lan Xiaodie played with the golden ringed snake at her waist and smiled slyly, "Speaking of which, I'd really like to see Sister Elizabeth's queenly demeanor. I've heard that she governs the Naiman tribe very well! And Sister Guihua, I still miss her osmanthus wine."

Three days later, Shi Ying and Lan Xiaodie rode fast horses, galloping through the morning mist towards the Naiman tribe.

The wind from the grassland swept over their clothes, and Shi Ying's star-patterned Taoist robe and Lan Xiaodie's colorful Miao costume fluttered in the wind.

When they saw the city walls of Wulang City in the distance, Lan Xiaodie suddenly pulled on the reins and pointed ahead, cheering, "Look! It's Sister Yili and Sister Guihua!" Queen Yili was wearing golden armor and a crown inlaid with jewels. Behind her was Liu Guihua in a red dress. Standing beside them were heroes of the Xiong Ying Society, such as Wu Zhong and Xiao Lingling.

Queen Elizabeth stepped forward, her eyes filled with joy: "Sister Shiying, Sister Xiaodie, we've been waiting for you!" She turned to the crowd behind her and said, "Quickly, prepare the wine! Today we're going to have a welcome feast for our two sisters!"

Liu Guihua held their hands, her eyes reddening, "I was so worried about you! I heard you fought Xie Zhichuan in Black Wind Gorge, were you injured?"

She looked the two of them up and down, her eyes full of concern.

Shi Ying held Liu Guihua's hand and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, sister. We're fine. But the situation on the grassland is not optimistic."

Wu Zhong clasped his hands and said, "Ladies, you have come at the perfect time! Nurhaci's army has already gathered at the border, and we are just wondering what to do."

Xiao Lingling winked playfully: "But now it's all good. With all of you ladies here, we're sure to come up with a plan to defeat the enemy!"

The group chatted and laughed as they walked into the city, the afterglow of the setting sun casting a magnificent panorama of the martial arts world upon them.

The city gates of Wulang City slowly opened, welcoming these heroes who were about to stir up a storm on the grasslands.

The evening drum at Shaolin Temple on Mount Song startled crows into flight, while inside the main hall, sandalwood incense wafted and candlelight flickered.

The 109-year-old Master Yuanchi wore a faded kasaya, his withered fingers gently stroking the cracks in his prayer mat. Ginkgo leaves fluttered down onto his shoulders outside the window, but no one dared to approach and brush them away.

"Xiaofeng, He Jia." An aged voice echoed in the empty hall, startling the swallows and sparrows on the beams into a flurry of flight. The two disciples rushed in upon hearing the voice. Ren Xiaofeng was dressed in a moon-white monk's robe, surrounded by a faint golden halo, a sign that he had successfully cultivated the Shaoyang Divine Skill. He Jia, on the other hand, had a goose-shaped sword slung across his shoulder, and the hem of his black outfit was damp with the morning dew of Mount Song.

"Master." The two bowed in unison, their eyes drawn to the yellowed secret report of the martial arts world in Master Yuanchi's hand.

The ink on the secret report was still wet, and it clearly read: "The Ryukyu branch of the Xiong Ying Society is rising, and Nurhaci's army is pressing on the Naiman."

Master Yuanchi's cloudy eyes suddenly lit up with a sharp light, like the ever-burning lamp on the eaves of an ancient temple: "Shi Feiyang is expanding his territory overseas, but he is unaware that undercurrents are surging in the Central Plains. Nurhaci has wolfish ambitions, and the Naiman tribe is in imminent danger."

He coughed violently a few times, causing the prayer beads to sway in front of his chest. "Although Shaolin does not get involved in the affairs of the martial world, the greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people. You two should hurry to the grasslands and lend Queen Elizabeth a hand."

Ren Xiaofeng frowned slightly: "Master, Shaolin has an ancestral precept of 'not getting involved in military or political affairs'."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Master Yuanchi's sharp gaze.

The old monk slammed his withered hand heavily onto the prayer mat, shaking off a cloud of yellow sand: "If we wait until the flames of war reach the Shaolin Temple before talking about ancestral precepts? Shi Feiyang has the world in his heart; his foundation is the livelihood of the people!"

He Jia gripped the goose-shaped sword tightly, the copper ring on the scabbard making a soft clanging sound: "Disciple understands! I will certainly protect the peace of the grasslands!"

He was usually so forthright, but now his eyes were unusually serious. "It's just that Nurhaci has many experts under his command. I've heard that 'Blood Hand Yama' Baturu's Eagle Claw technique can tear tigers and leopards apart, and 'Iron-Faced Judge' Suchahar's Judge's Pen is used to strike vital points."

"The Lesser Yang Divine Skill can break through Yin poison, and the Wild Goose Blade Technique can overcome fierceness." Master Yuanchi slowly rose, his figure hunched over like an old pine tree beneath his cassock. "Queen Elizabeth's Cloud Mist Sword Technique, Lan Xiaodie's Five Poisons Sword Technique, Shi Ying's Heavenly Star Sword Technique, Liu Guihua's Spirit Snake Whip Technique, Wu Zhong's Six Harmonies True Scripture, and Xiang Kun's Iron Flute Wave-Generating Technique are all martial arts masterpieces. Which one is inferior to the generals under Nurhaci?"

The words abruptly stopped, and the old monk tremblingly pulled a bronze token engraved with the words "Shaolin" from his robes. "If you encounter any dire situations on this journey, you can use this token to command the lay disciples of Shaolin." The next morning, the frost had not yet faded in front of the Shaolin Temple gate. Ren Xiaofeng and He Jia rode side by side, their horses' hooves crushing the ginkgo leaves scattered on the ground.

As they reached the mountainside, they suddenly heard the clear sound of a bell behind them, one hundred and eight times, each sound resonating deep within their souls. He Jia reined in the bell and turned to look at the ancient temple, which stood atop the mountain in the morning light, like a silent stone statue.

He Jia choked up as she said, “Master…”

Ren Xiaofeng raised his hand to stop him, and the Shaoyang Divine Skill circulated, condensing a ball of golden light in his palm: "Master used a hundred years of cultivation to pray for us. Let's go, and not let down the prestige of Shaolin."

Two swift horses galloped like arrows, crossing the frozen surface of the Yellow River and traversing the howling north wind of Yanmen Pass. On the seventh day at dusk, they finally spotted the golden-roofed tent of the Naiman tribe. On the distant horizon, Nurhaci's military banners pressed down like dark clouds, and the sound of hooves shook the earth.

"You've come at the perfect time!" Queen Ellie, clad in golden armor, her crown's sapphire gleaming crimson in the setting sun, said, "I've heard you two are disciples of Shaolin. Do you dare to join me in guarding this last line of defense on the grasslands?"

Behind her, Lan Xiaodie was teasing the red snake on her shoulder, while Shi Ying gently stroked the bronze compass, its pointer spinning wildly.

Ren Xiaofeng clasped his hands together, and golden Buddhist light burst forth from his body: "Amitabha, now that I have entered the martial world, I should naturally keep the common people in mind."

He Jia suddenly drew his goose-shaped sword, its blade slicing through the twilight and startling a flock of crows: "Let Nurhaci's army taste the power of Shaolin martial arts!" At this moment, the last rays of the setting sun sank into the grassland, and the war drums thundered, shaking heaven and earth.

Dark clouds hung low, like battle flags soaked in blood fluttering in the gale.

On the city wall of Wulang City, the capital of the Naiman tribe, Queen Ellie's golden armor reflected the dark clouds, making her look like a war god reborn from the ashes.

She gripped the sapphire-encrusted scepter tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. Gazing at Nurhaci's army surging like a tide in the distance, two cold flames ignited in her eyes: "Send down the order! All battalions, hold your positions! Today will be their burial ground!"

Beneath the city walls, the heroes of the Xiong Ying Society stood in formation, as solid as iron.

Wu Zhong, the one-armed "Iron Palm," knelt beside a rusty Song Dynasty cannon carriage. The calluses on his palms rubbed the fuse of the Thunderclap Bomb, and a fierce glint flashed in his cloudy eyes: "These old things will let the Tartars taste the gunpowder of hundreds of years ago!"

Xiao Lingling's "Mandarin Duck Blades" crossbows gleamed with a chilling light. She gently stroked the carvings on the crossbows, a bloodthirsty smile playing on her lips: "Seventeen thousand three hundred crossbow bolts fired at once, let's see how you resist?"

Miao Menlong, the one-eyed "divine archer," nocked a feathered arrow to his bowstring, his single eye narrowed into a slit, the arrowhead pointing straight at the sky: "Today, let this rain of arrows dye the entire grassland red! This battle will surely bring a century of peace!"

"Report! Nurhaci's Eight Vajra Warriors have arrived at the front lines!"

The messenger stumbled and crashed into the battlements, his armor still stained with wet blood.

Before he finished speaking, four enemy generals had already ridden out.

The leader, "Iron-Armed Vajra" Wanyan Lie, was as tall as an iron tower, with bulging muscles in his arms. Every swing of his octagonal purple-gold hammer brought a sharp whistling sound. "Poisonous Serpent Venerable" Yelü Qi was surrounded by a blue mist, and the poisoned hidden weapons in the leather pouch at his waist gleamed eerily in the shadows. When "Wind-Chasing Sword" Murong Yun drew his longsword, the sword energy actually condensed into frost flowers in mid-air. "Heaven-Turning Palm" Gongsun Sheng's palms were as red as charcoal, and with each step he took, he left charred palm prints on the ground.

"Ladies of the Naiman tribe, do not put up a futile resistance!" Wanyan Lie's roar shook the city walls, causing bricks and stones to fall. "Surrender obediently, and this general will spare your corpses! As for the pretty ladies, this general can even take Nar and others as concubines!"

Ren Xiaofeng stepped forward, his moon-white monk's robe fluttering in the wind. The pale golden light of the Shaoyang Divine Skill shone brightly around him, like the sun breaking through the clouds: "The Buddhist sect is compassionate, but it also slays evil! Today I will let you witness the ultimate Shaolin skill!"

He thrust out with both palms, and the scorching heat of the "Shaoyang Palm" surged like a long river, colliding violently with the poisonous mist thrown out by Yelü Qi.

The poisonous mist instantly turned into wisps of smoke, but as it dissipated, it condensed into thousands of poisonous needles, raining down on Ren Xiaofeng's face.

He Jia's goose-shaped sword was already drawn, its blade flashing like a silver snake dancing wildly: "Senior brother, be careful!"

He spun around and stood in front of Ren Xiaofeng, his goose-shaped blade unleashing a barrage of blades that deflected all the poisoned needles.

Murong Yun seized the opportunity to close in, his long sword aimed straight for his throat, the speed of the sword leaving afterimages in the air.

He Jia flipped over on her toes, the blade slicing across Murong Yun's shoulder, instantly tearing his skin and causing blood to splatter onto the withered grass.

Enraged by this, Wanyan Lie swung his double hammers, creating a massive black shadow that crashed down on He Jia with the force of splitting mountains and shattering rocks.

Shi Yingyu swiftly manipulated the bronze compass with her jade hand, and the star-patterned soft whip emerged like a serpent from its hole: "Do not harm my clan's hero! Heavenly Stars Fall!" Thirty-six bone-piercing nails, wrapped in starlight, shot towards Wanyan Lie's major acupoints from different angles.

Wanyan Lie swung his double hammers to block, sparks flying as blood seeped from his tiger's mouth and dripped down the hammer handles, scorching the ground.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Gongsun Sheng unleashed his "Blazing Heaven-Turning Palm," and wherever his palms passed, the grass and trees instantly turned to ashes.

Liu Guihua's soft whip, like a serpent emerging from its hole, wrapped around his wrist and yanked sharply: "You dog! Taste the power of your grandmother!" She leaped into the air, her soft whip twirling thirteen times in the air, leaving Gongsun Sheng's cheeks bruised and bleeding.

Gongsun Sheng roared and unleashed a palm strike. Liu Guihua dodged to the side, her clothes being torn open by the force of the palm, revealing a patch of snow-white skin. In doing so, she also threw out a hidden plum blossom dart, which grazed Gongsun Sheng's forehead.

Queen Elizabeth gripped her scepter, and the sapphire suddenly burst forth with dazzling light: "All troops, listen to my command! Fire!" Wu Zhong pulled the fuse sharply, and dozens of Song Dynasty cannons roared in unison. Thunderclaps, trailing long fiery tails, crashed into the enemy camp like meteors.

The explosion was deafening, flames shot into the sky, and Nurhaci's army was thrown into chaos, with screams echoing everywhere.

At this moment, Xiao Lingling's Ma Jun Repeating Crossbow Formation was also activated, with 17,300 crossbow bolts flying like locusts, shooting towards the enemy formation with a sharp whooshing sound.

Miao Menlong's Divine Arrow Battalion followed closely behind, their feathered arrows piercing through layers of dark clouds, heading straight for the enemy general.

Xiang Kun, the "Iron Flute Scholar," held an iron flute, the sound of which sometimes soared like a dragon's roar and sometimes sank like a tiger's howl. He commanded the Miao sword armor-piercing formation to advance like a tide. Wherever it passed, the Jin soldiers' iron armor was shattered into pieces, and blood stained the ground beneath their feet.

Smoke filled the air, and shouts of battle shook the heavens. Ren Xiaofeng's "Shaoyang Divine Skill" had reached its peak, and golden light dispelled all the poisonous mist around him; He Jia's goose-shaped knife was stained with blood, yet its edge grew ever sharper; Shi Ying's star-patterned soft whip whipped up gusts of bloody wind, each strike taking a life; Liu Guihua's soft whip danced in the rain of blood, like a blooming crimson rose.

Wanyan Lie brandished his double hammers, attempting to break through the defenses, but was stopped by Ren Xiaofeng and He Jia working together.

The intense heat of the Shaoyang Palm and the sharpness of the Goose-shaped Saber complemented each other, forcing him to retreat steadily.

Yelü Qi's poisonous mist was utterly powerless against the poisonous miasma unleashed by Lan Xiaodie's Jade Phosphorus Sword; Murong Yun's Wind Chaser Sword also paled in comparison to the radiance of Queen Elizabeth's scepter.

Seeing his companion in danger, Wanyan Lie roared and swung his double hammers with incredible speed, smashing them down towards Lan Xiaodie.

Ren Xiaofeng stepped forward, clapping his hands together to unleash the ultimate technique of the "Shaoyang Divine Skill," "Nine Yang Burning the Heavens."

The scorching palm wind collided with the double hammers, unleashing a deafening roar.

Wanyan Lie was so shocked that he staggered back three steps, blood streaming from his tiger's mouth.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Murong Yun suddenly extended his longsword by three feet and used the killing move "Wind Sweeps Away Clouds" from the "Chasing Wind Sword Technique".

He Jia brandished his goose-shaped blade, unleashing the "Goose Descending on the Sandy Shore" technique, the blade's light and sword shadows intertwining in the air. The two exchanged blows, neither gaining the upper hand.

Seeing that the battle was at a stalemate, Shi Ying waved her jade hand, and crimson flames ignited around her.

"Burning Blood Technique, manifest!" she shouted, her entire body transforming into a blazing flame as she charged towards the enemy. Wherever she passed, the air distorted, and the ground scorched black. Yelü Qi unleashed a cloud of poisonous mist, only to have it instantly vaporized by the intense heat of the Burning Blood Technique.

"Not good! Retreat quickly!" someone in Nurhaci's army shouted.

But it was too late. Shi Ying rushed into the enemy ranks like a ghost, and the flames of her Blood Burning Technique set the enemy soldiers ablaze.

Taking advantage of the situation, Lan Xiaodie released a large number of Gu worms, turning the area outside Wulang City into a living hell.

Wanyan Lie brandished his double hammers, attempting to block Shi Ying.

Shi Ying sneered and struck out with both palms. The powerful shockwave from the Burning Blood Technique sent the two hammers flying.

Wanyan Lie was struck by the shockwave, coughed up blood, and collapsed to the ground.

Seeing that things were not going well, Murong Yun turned around to escape, but He Jia cut off his arm with a knife and he fell to the ground with a scream.

Seeing that things were not going well, Yelü Qi tried to escape using his lightness skill, but Lan Xiaodie flicked out a poisoned whip and wrapped it around his ankle.

"Trying to run? Not so easy!" Lan Xiaodie sneered as she dragged Yelü Qi back.

Gongsun Sheng clutched his bleeding forehead, his eyes filled with terror: "How...how can the Naiman tribe have so many experts!"

He turned to flee, but Liu Guihua's soft whip wrapped around his ankle, dragging him back to the battlefield.

"Trying to run? Leave your life behind! Anyone who dares to offend my Naiman tribe will surely die!" Liu Guihua sneered, her soft whip coiling around his neck like a venomous snake. "Today is your death day!" With a tightening of her wrist, Gongsun Sheng's neck emitted a teeth-grinding cracking sound, his wide eyes filled with resentment.

The dark clouds gradually dispersed, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone on this tragic battlefield.

Nurhaci's army suffered heavy casualties, with most of his eight generals lost.

Beneath the walls of Wulang City, the heroes of the Xiong Ying Society and the warriors of the Naiman tribe cheered with joy. They had defended this land with their blood and lives.

Queen Ellie gazed at the corpses strewn across the ground, her eyes resolute: "As long as we are united, no enemy is to be feared!"

On the walls of Wulang City, cheers resounded. Queen Ellie looked at the wounded but spirited warriors, her eyes filled with satisfaction: "Today's victory is all thanks to your help! The Naiman tribe will forever remember this kindness!"

Ren Xiaofeng clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, may this battle preserve peace on the grasslands."

He Jia wiped the blood from the goose-shaped knife and said in a deep voice, "If anyone tries to invade, we will make sure they never return!"

Lan Xiaodie giggled as she withdrew the Gu worms: "Next time, if any of them are too blind, I'll let them taste something even more powerful!"

Shi Ying withdrew her Blood Burning Technique, her face slightly pale. Liu Guihua hurriedly stepped forward to support her: "Sister, please rest for a while."

Shi Ying smiled slightly: "It's alright. As long as I can protect this land, it's all worth it, no matter how tired I am."

As the sun set, its afterglow bathed the walls of Wulang City, bringing this fierce and bloody battle to a close.

The Kuroshio Current surged outside Ryukyu Island, and three pirate ships tore through the night like ghosts.

The skull and cross flag hanging at the bow fluttered in the bloody wind, and the flickering torches on the deck illuminated the pirates' ferocious faces.

Shi Feiyang stood atop the watchtower of the Xiong Ying Hui flagship, his Mingyu Gong activated to the "Supreme Forgetfulness of Ice Soul Cold Prison." The chill emanating from his body condensed into spiderweb-like ice patterns on the sea surface, and his skin beneath his black outfit shone with a glassy luster, making him resemble an ice sculpture.

"Chief, the enemy ship has entered the ambush zone!" Lu Chengfeng, the commander of the escort team, gripped the wave-slicing sword at his waist, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Shi Feiyang watched the approaching shadowy figure and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "Tell the brothers not to hold back later."

Before he finished speaking, the sound of a gong suddenly rang out from the pirate ship, and dozens of rockets came flying through the air, burning the flagship's canvas with a crackling sound.

"A mere trick!" Shi Feiyang thrust out with both palms, and the "Golden Dragon Coiling Claws" of the Hundred Victories Blade Technique, carrying the chilling aura of ice, soared into the sky.

The golden blade energy collided with the rocket, unleashing a deafening roar, and burning wood chips fell into the sea like meteors.

Shi Feiyang lightly touched the mast with his toes, and his figure swept towards the nearest pirate ship like a ghost. Wherever he passed, the air condensed into fine ice crystals.

Screams erupted one after another on the deck.

Shi Feiyang used his palm as a blade, and his "Golden Dragon Coiling Claws" move was as fast as lightning. Before the three pirates could even see his figure, they were torn to pieces by the blade energy.

Blood splattered onto the cold deck, instantly freezing into dark red ice crystals.

(End of this chapter)