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

Zhao Banshan flicked his fingers rapidly, unleashing a torrent of bone-piercing nails and iron lotus seeds. The sound of these hidden weapons whistling through the air was infused with the soft power of Tai Chi, causing the enemy bandits to scream and fall, their blood splattering as they died. The crimson rock face was covered with debris and entrails, broken weapons and severed limbs scattered on the ice. The sounds of fighting, screams, and the clash of weapons echoed through the canyon.

The north wind, whipping up icicles like a thousand galloping horses, swept in. The crimson cliffs of the Red Cliff Valley, ravaged by the blizzard, oozed a dark red liquid, resembling bloodstains frozen by time. The ice at the valley floor cracked inch by inch during the fierce battle, and crimson blood meandered along the fissures, staining the once silvery-white ice a grotesque amber hue—a breathtakingly gruesome scene.

Shi Feiyang, his dark armor stained with blood, still stood tall and straight like a pine tree standing in the snow. His crystal eyes reflected the carnage on the ground, radiating a chilling coldness. He slowly walked to Daoist Wuchen's side, his robes fluttering in the wind: "Daoist, you've been frightened. I am very grateful for your support on my trip to Jingzhou! However, the martial world is treacherous, and it's inevitable to encounter hidden arrows and suffer casualties!"

His voice was deep and resonant, yet it contained a subtle hint of concern.

Master Wuchen's white hair was disheveled, stained with blood and shards of ice. When his one-armed Qingming Sword was sheathed, it emitted a clear and melodious dragon's roar.

He stroked his blood-stained beard, exhausted but still retaining the dashing demeanor of a legendary swordsman: "Thank you so much, Chief Xiang, for saving my life! Chief Xiang is a man of great integrity and compassion, truly a great hero, worthy of respect and admiration!"

The aged voice, filled with sincere admiration, continued, "Today I have witnessed the power of the Heavenly Silkworm Skill; it is truly unfathomable! I never imagined that I and Chief Xiang would both come from the Wudang lineage. Such a connection is truly a fortunate thing!"

After saying that, he stared intently at Shi Feiyang, his eyes full of inquiry and admiration.

Shi Feiyang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the scattered enemy corpses and broken weapons, and said in a deep voice: "The martial world is full of turmoil, when will the bloodshed end? Only when the Beggars' Sect and the Red Flower Society join hands can the martial world be restored to peace."

He paused, gazing at the lingering smoke in the valley. "Let's go. First, rescue those innocent civilians who have been kidnapped. As for Ghost King Valley's money and provisions..."

He turned to look at Zhao Banshan and Wen Tailai, "Let the two families divide it equally, so as to help the common people."

"Excellent!" Zhao Banshan clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his round face beaming with generosity. "Chief Xiang is indeed a chivalrous and generous hero! My Red Flower Society will stand with the Beggars' Sect!" Wen Tailai brandished his blood-stained whip, his tiger eyes wide open, his voice like thunder: "Exactly! With such a reasonable ally, what is there to worry about in achieving great things!" His hearty laughter shook the snow off the cliff top, drawing echoes from the assembled heroes.

In an instant, bursts of laughter echoed through the valley, their sound shaking the heavens.

The Beggars' Sect disciples and Red Flower Society heroes were extremely excited, surging into the valley like a tidal wave. Some searched for the imprisoned civilians, while others inventoried the money and grain in the storerooms. Shouts and cheers mingled together, breaking the deathly silence of the previous battle. Lu Chenzhou, holding the Judge's Pen, watched the busy crowd and couldn't help but sigh, "After this battle, the prestige of the Beggars' Sect and the Red Flower Society will surely shake the entire martial world!"

Shi Feiyang stood with his hands behind his back, letting the wind and snow beat against him. Gazing at the churning dark clouds on the horizon, he slowly said, "This is just the beginning." His voice was as firm as iron. "The Qing Dynasty has not been destroyed, and treacherous officials still exist. We have a long way to go and a heavy responsibility to bear."

After everything was settled, the group set off on their journey home. Master Wuchen rode a white horse, his white hair fluttering in the wind; Zhao Banshan sat on a carriage loaded with money and provisions, chatting and laughing with his disciples; Wen Tailai, holding the reins, strode at the head of the group, exuding a powerful and energetic aura.

Shi Feiyang walked side by side with Lu Chenzhou, his glassy eyes reflecting the swirling snowflakes: "Brother Lu, look at this vast world, yet it's hard to find a peaceful place." Lu Chenzhou nodded and sighed: "Yes, but with the gang leader and all the heroes here, we will surely carve out a bright and clear world!"

The north wind howled, swirling up the remaining snow and gradually burying everyone's footprints.

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Taihu Lake was shrouded in a thin mist. Amidst the vast expanse of water, the red lanterns of the Misty Peak Taihu Lake Water Village lit up one after another, casting shimmering golden light on the surface of the water. Zhou Weirou leaned against the carved wooden window, watching the wild geese returning in the sky, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade pendant at her waist—a token of the Beggars' Sect given to her by Shi Feiyang, which she treasured close to her body until it shone with a warm luster.

"Miss, Chief Xiang's ship has arrived!" The maid Xiao Tao's voice was filled with excitement.

Zhou Weirou turned around abruptly, sweeping the rouge box off the table with her wide sleeves, her fingertips, adorned with red nail polish, trembling slightly.

As she rushed to the water village dock, she saw Shi Feiyang gracefully landing on the snow-covered bow of the boat. His dark, fitted outfit accentuated his tall and straight figure, and his bright eyes shone like stars in the twilight. "My dear, you're finally back," Zhou Weirou said, her voice tight as she tried to remain calm by pulling her cloak tighter around herself. "The New Year's Eve dinner in the village can't wait." Before she finished speaking, Shi Feiyang had already taken off his fox fur coat and draped it over her shoulders, its warmth enveloping her slender frame. "It's windy on the lake; be careful not to catch a cold." Inside the water village, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, and the sounds of firecrackers filled the air.

Zhou Canghai personally welcomed Shi Feiyang to the seat of honor, his bushy beard trembling with laughter: "Good son-in-law, this year we must drink three hundred cups!"

Zhou Weirou's ears turned bright red, and she glared at her father reproachfully, but secretly put a piece of braised fish into Shi Feiyang's bowl: "Try this fish, I specially asked the chef to make it, and all the bones have been removed."

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhou Weirou suddenly tugged at Shi Feiyang's sleeve: "Come with me." Passing through a winding corridor, the two arrived at the highest pavilion in the water fortress, the Wanghu Pavilion. Outside, the snow had just stopped, and moonlight shone on the pristine white snow, like a layer of shattered silver. Zhou Weirou pulled a brocade box from her sleeve; inside was a pair of tiger-head boots embroidered with twin lotus blossoms: "Knowing you don't like wearing red makeup, I embroidered these… If you don't like them, I…"

"How could I dislike it?" Shi Feiyang gently held her hand. "This is the best New Year's gift I've ever received." His thumb rubbed the calluses on her fingertips—marks left from years of whip practice. "Tomorrow I'll wear it and go with you to the market to buy sugar figurines."

Zhou Weirou's eyes welled up with tears, and she suddenly tiptoed and lightly pecked his cheek.

Shi Feiyang pulled her into his arms, smelling the jasmine scent in her hair, gazing at the starry sky, and felt a sense of peace and tranquility.

As midnight approached, the melodious sound of bells echoed through the water village.

Zhou Weirou pulled Shi Feiyang to the lakeside and unwrapped the Kongming lantern wrapped in red silk: "I heard that making a wish upon it is the most effective."

She wrote down her wishes devoutly, the firelight making her cheeks flush: "I...I made two wishes. One is that the cause of overthrowing the Qing Dynasty will succeed soon, and the other..." She smiled slyly, "I won't tell you."

The night breeze of Taihu Lake carried the scent of jasmine from Zhou Weirou's hair. Shi Feiyang held her slender waist as they watched the Kongming lantern transform into a warm yellow dot in the sky.

As he looked down, he met the starlight in Zhou Weirou's eyes, his breath warm against her skin. "You guessed all my thoughts?" Her small fist landed on his chest, but it felt like a feather brushing against him. "You're just bullying me..."

The sound of the clapper broke their tender moment. Zhou Weirou looked up, snowflakes falling softly from her eyelashes: "My lord, we promised to do this every year at this time..."

Before she could finish speaking, Shi Feiyang kissed her trembling lips, his tongue brushing against the corner of her cool lips: "Year after year, I will never fail you." His hand covered her back, gently pulling her down onto the soft couch in the cabin. As the brocade quilt swayed, their vows transformed into hot breaths.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Taihu Lake resembles a giant bronze mirror formed by frost and snow. Cold mist flows slowly across the water, and the outline of the Misty Peak in the distance appears and disappears, just like a traditional Chinese ink painting.

Shi Feiyang, dressed in a black martial arts outfit, stood at the bow of the boat. His glassy eyes reflected the misty haze, and the deerskin pouch at his waist trembled slightly in the river breeze, as if memories of the past were surging within it. Lu Chenzhou stood with his arms crossed, his black jade judge's pen tucked diagonally at his waist, the Big Dipper pattern gleaming with a faint light.

Zhang Yi carried a long sword with a bright red silk ribbon wrapped around its hilt, the tassel swaying uneasily in the wind; Zhou Weirou wore a snow-white fox fur coat, the silver bells in her hair jingling softly with her steps, yet they could not conceal the worry in her eyes.

“My lord, the wind on this lake is biting cold,” Zhou Weirou said with light steps, gently draping the cloak she was holding over Shi Feiyang’s shoulders. Her fingertips inadvertently touched the back of his icy hand. “Don’t hurt yourself again.” She looked up at him, her eyes filled with heartache.

Shi Feiyang grasped her hand, the warmth of his palm seeping through the fox fur: "Madam, look at the waters of Taihu Lake," his gaze swept across the lake towards Misty Peak, "just like the bond between my brothers and me, seemingly calm, yet turbulent beneath." His voice was deep, carrying the vicissitudes of time, "Many years ago today, Brother Xiang Kun shielded me from three bone-piercing nails in this very snowstorm." Lu Chenzhou stepped forward, his judge's pen tapping lightly in his palm, producing a crisp sound: "Chief, the brothers of the Xiong Ying Society are all upright and honorable men." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "However, the martial world is currently in turmoil, with various forces stirring. If you insist on going to the Great Grasslands..."

“My mind is made up.” Shi Feiyang turned around, a cold glint flashing in his glassy eyes. “The grasslands are the foundation we risked our lives for, but now they’ve been plundered by who knows who.” He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. “Xiang Kun, Wu Zhong, Xiao Lingling, Miao Menlong, Shan Zhi, Shi Xiong, Liao Pei, Lie Quan, Jin Liufu, Yang Feng, Gongsun Ren, Jiang Huotian, Lu Dechu, Xue Hongshan… Their remains may have long since become part of the grasslands, but I must find their bloodlines.”

Zhang Yi suddenly knelt on one knee, his longsword drawn half an inch before swiftly sheathing itself, emitting a clear, resonant sound: "Chief! You led me away from the bandit's den, taught me swordsmanship, and instilled in me the way of chivalry." He raised his head, his eyes burning with fervent flames, "Now is the time for me, Zhang Yi, to repay your kindness. Even if there are thousands of troops on the vast grasslands, I am willing to cut through all obstacles for you! Please take me with you, okay?"

Zhou Weirou broke free from Shi Feiyang's hand and quickly walked to Zhang Yi's side, kneeling down as well: "If my master is gone, I, Zhou Weirou, will follow him to the death." She turned to look at Shi Feiyang, her eyes as firm as iron, "You always say that heroes of the martial world should act swiftly and decisively, but in my heart, what you desire is what I seek in this life." Shi Feiyang looked at the three people in front of him, his chest heaving with anger.

He reached out and pulled Zhou Weirou up, then grasped Zhang Yi's arm and helped him up: "You all stay in the martial world. The Beggars' Sect's headquarters needs you to manage its businesses. With my martial arts skills, what does it matter if it's a dragon's den or a tiger's lair!"

He turned to look at Lu Chenzhou and said, "Brother Lu, you are an expert in Qimen Dunjia. We will need you to plan this trip carefully."

Lu Chenzhou clasped his hands in a salute: "Rest assured, Chief, I have already sent people to secretly investigate the situation on the Great Grasslands. However..."

He frowned slightly. "I've heard that the 'Grey Wolf Tribe' on the grasslands has recently been in close contact with the Qing government, I'm afraid..."

"Hmph!" Shi Feiyang snorted coldly, and with a slight exertion of his strength, a wisp of silver thread suddenly shot out from his palm, trembling slightly in the wind. "Whether it's a wolf or a tiger, if they dare to obstruct my search for my brother's bloodline, this Heavenly Silkworm Thread will teach them a lesson about the rules of the martial world!"

At this point, the ship had reached the foot of Misty Peak.

Shi Feiyang was the first to disembark, his steps heavy as he walked on the moss-covered stone steps. With each step, it seemed as if he were stepping on memories of the past.

Finally, they arrived at the familiar cemetery, where hundreds of tombstones stood in neat rows, silent in the cold wind.

Shi Feiyang walked straight to the grave of "Iron Flute Scholar Xiang Kun." The inscription on the tombstone was blurred by time, but the iron flute pattern carved on the top of the tombstone remained clear. He slowly squatted down, his fingertips tracing the cold stone, and suddenly trembled violently: "Brother Xiang..."

The words caught in his throat, and it took a long time to burst out, "Back then you said you wanted to build a flute pavilion on the grassland so that heroes from all over the world could hear your music, but I didn't have time to help you realize that wish..."

He suddenly pulled a mottled iron flute from his pocket, with dark red bloodstains still remaining on it.

The moment the iron flute touched his lips, Zhou Weirou suddenly noticed a tear of blood seeping from the corner of Shi Feiyang's eye, which, against the backdrop of his glassy eyes, resembled a shattered ruby.

"Master!" Zhou Weirou exclaimed, trying to step forward, but Lu Chenzhou stopped her with his hand.

The tune played by Shi Feiyang was incoherent, sometimes sobbing like a weeping, sometimes soaring like a howling, startling countless crows in the forest.

The sound of flutes and wind intertwined, echoing above the cemetery, as if a dialogue transcending life and death.

Zhang Yi gripped his longsword tightly, the red ribbon on the hilt flapping against the back of his hand in the wind, but he was completely unaware of it.

Lu Chenzhou watched Shi Feiyang's retreating figure and sighed softly: "The gang leader's heart has been wounded before. Now, this old wound, which has not yet healed, will probably hurt again with this flute music."

Zhou Weirou's eyes were brimming with tears, but she held them back.

She knew that Shi Feiyang didn't need comfort at this moment; what he needed was to let the longing and guilt that had been building up for so many years be released through the sound of the flute. As the last note faded into the wind, Shi Feiyang slowly put down the iron flute, letting tears stream down his face.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a yellowed roll of drawings, which he unfolded—it was the design drawing of the Flute Pavilion drawn by Xiang Kun back then.

The edges of the drawing were severely damaged, but he repaired them neatly.

“Brother Xiang, look,” he said softly, as if the person in the tomb could truly hear him, “when I return from the grasslands, I will build a Flute Pavilion by Taihu Lake according to these blueprints. At that time, I will let the whole world know that the heroic spirits of the Cherry Blossom Society will never fade away!”

As dusk deepened, the group prepared to leave.

Shi Feiyang carefully placed the blueprints back into his pocket, then took out a handful of yellow soil from his sleeve and scattered it around the tombstone: "Brother, wait for me." As he turned around, his steps were more determined than when he came, and his glassy eyes shone with a light he had never seen before.

Zhou Weirou quickly caught up, gently took his arm, and said in a firm and trusting tone, "No matter how rugged the road ahead may be, I will fight alongside you." She looked up at him, her eyes revealing boundless trust and reliance.

Shi Feiyang gripped her hand tightly, finally managing a smile: "With you all by my side, what dangers in the martial world do I, Shi Feiyang, fear!" Despite the biting wind, it couldn't dispel the intense aura of chivalry hanging over the cemetery. This legend of the martial world will continue to be sung in the long river of time, following in their footsteps.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, the moonlight was pale as frost. The disciples of the Beggars' Sect's Jiangnan branch gathered at the City God Temple, only to be ambushed by the Blood Droplets.

Beneath the eaves, the sharp whistling of the flying guillotine shattered the tranquility of the night.

Elder Peng's iron sword was dulled, and dark red blood dripped down the blade, blooming into eerie flowers on the blue bricks.

With his single eye wide open, he witnessed Elder Liu being driven to the brink of despair by three assassins.

Elder Peng swung his sword and slashed at one person, but failed to dodge the blood-dripping darts that came from behind.

The sound of chains tearing through skin is chilling.

He swayed precariously, using the hilt of his knife for support, despair in his eyes: "Chief... if he doesn't come soon..."

"You vile beggars, tonight will be your end!" The nine-beaded blood-dripping dart in Etu's hand drew a sinister arc in the air, the clanging of chains like a death knell. He looked down at the groaning Beggar Clan disciples on the ground, a cruel smile playing on his lips: "You dare to defy the imperial court?" Before his words even finished, the tiles of the City God Temple suddenly shattered into dust.

Shi Feiyang flew over the rooftops, his glassy eyes flashing with a blood-red light in the night. With the Heavenly Silkworm Technique activated, his body was surrounded by silver light like a cascading Milky Way.

He raised both palms high, and silkworm silk shot out from his palms, instantly piercing the throats of the two assassins before blood could even splatter.

"Give me back my brother's life!" Shi Feiyang's roar shook the eaves, and tiles fell one after another.

He unleashed a flurry of palm strikes, unleashing the "Regretful Dragon" move from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms! A crimson-gold dragon shadow coalesced in his palms, and the air crackled with a sharp, explosive sound wherever the palm strike landed. Five Blood Droplet masters were caught off guard; their ribs shattered with a deafening roar, their corpses flying backward like broken kites, crashing against the stone walls with a sickeningly loud cracking sound, their brains and blood splattering across the blue bricks in horrifying patterns.

Etu's pupils suddenly contracted, and he cried out in terror, "Hasn't the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms been lost for over two hundred years? How do you know this skill? Are you a human or a ghost?" He rapidly spun the Nine-Bead Blood Droplet in his hand to defend himself.

Shi Feiyang lightly touched the ground with his toes, his figure transforming into a golden stream of light that shot straight into the sky. He unleashed the move "Flying Dragon in the Sky," and in mid-air, his true energy surged, his clothes fluttered, and his palms struck the Tianling, Jianjing, and Tanzhong acupoints respectively.

Before the three assassins could even scream, their skulls, shoulder blades, and chest cavities were shattered, and blood and bone fragments rained down.

Witnessing this scene, the remaining Blood Droplet elites quickly formed the "Nine Netherworld Soul Array." All nine Blood Droplets activated simultaneously, their chains weaving into a tight net of death. Shi Feiyang smiled contemptuously, unleashing his Heavenly Silkworm Skill to its peak, silver threads in his palms slithering like countless silver snakes: "A mere trick! As long as I, Xiang Tiange, remain alive, the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms will never be lost!"

The Heavenly Silkworm Skill was unleashed at full power, with the silver silkworm threads spitting out from the palms piercing through the defenses and striking the assassins' bodies directly.

The assassins entangled in the silver threads paled instantly. They felt their internal energy rapidly draining away like a burst dam, and a sharp, tearing pain shot through their meridians. Some tried to circulate their internal energy to resist, only to discover that the silver threads were diverting their energy, sending it crashing into their internal organs!
A piercing scream tore through the night sky. The assassins who had been struck by the Heavenly Silkworm Silk bled from all seven orifices, their hands clutching their chests, yet unable to stop their inner strength from crumbling. Blood seeped from between their fingers, and some even vomited fragments of their hearts and lungs.

The candlelight inside the room flickered, casting distorted and warped shadows of the fighting figures.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of blood, which mingled with the smell of burning candle wax, creating an extremely unpleasant atmosphere.

Lu Chenzhou, the "Jade-Faced Judge," arrived swiftly like a ghost, his pair of black jade judge's pens emitting a ghostly blue light. The Big Dipper pattern carved on the pen handles flickered in the candlelight, as if it might transform into real stars at any moment and fall to earth.

His movements were light and agile, yet his steps were as steady as a rock; each step seemed to land on the enemy's vital points.

"Take this!" Lu Chenzhou shouted clearly, and the Judge's Pen struck the Tanzhong acupoint of the three assassins in an instant, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole.

The three men groaned, coughing up blood, and collapsed to the ground, without even a chance to resist. However, the situation did not improve. Seeing the dire circumstances, the burly man with the fleshy face, Etu, curled his lips into a sinister smile.

He suddenly brought the horn to his lips, and the sharp, piercing sound tore through the sky.

In an instant, the window shattered, and twenty black-clad Blood Droplet experts burst through the window.

The blood-dripping darts in their hands gleamed with a ghostly blue light, clearly coated with deadly poison, and in the darkness they resembled a group of fanged demons.

"Hahahaha! Xiang Tiange, tonight is your death day!" Etu's maniacal laughter echoed in the room. "The elites of the Sticky Pole Bureau have all come out. Even if you have wings, you cannot escape death!"

Shi Feiyang looked up at the sky and laughed loudly, the sound shaking the dust that had accumulated on the roof beams and causing it to fall.

He was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, his clothes fluttering in the wind. A cold glint flashed in his glassy eyes, like a sharp blade hidden in a deep pool: "Perfect timing! I was just worried about having no one to test my newly mastered technique!"

Before he finished speaking, he thrust out with both palms, and his powerful internal energy surged out like a river.

"The dragon appears in the field!" With a furious shout, a yellowish-brown wave of energy swept out. The assassin at the forefront felt a tremendous force rushing towards him. Before he could react, his internal organs were dislocated, and he died bleeding from all seven orifices.

The shockwave, still powerful, overturned all the tables, chairs, and benches in the room, sending wood chips flying everywhere.

Shi Feiyang moved swiftly, unleashing the "Wild Goose Approaching the Land" technique.

This palm strike was incredibly powerful, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing, as if the air was compressed to its limit.

The three assassins were caught off guard and struck by the palm strike, crashing into the wall, followed by several sounds of bones breaking.

Their bodies left deep, human-shaped bloodstains on the wall, and the blood slowly flowed down the wall, pooling on the ground.

Shi Feiyang moved swiftly through the enemy ranks, his figure elusive and elusive, like a ghost.

He skillfully combined the Heavenly Silkworm Skill with the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, showcasing a martial arts realm that blends strength and gentleness. Sometimes he would push with both palms simultaneously, using powerful palm force to send enemies flying; other times, a flash of silver light would appear in his palms, and the Heavenly Silkworm Silk would shoot out like a nimble snake, directly entering the enemy's body.

One of the assassins suddenly let out a sharp scream.

Shi Feiyang's silkworm silk had already wrapped around his wrist, and the silver threads quickly penetrated his skin, running along his meridians straight towards his heart.

The assassin's face was contorted, veins bulging. Despite his desperate struggle, he could not change his fate and collapsed limply to the ground.

Shi Feiyang fought with increasing ferocity, his eyes blazing with killing intent.

He shouted "Shock the whole world!" and unleashed a powerful palm strike, the force of which swept out like a giant wave.

More than ten experts from the Sticky Pole Division felt an irresistible and powerful force, which shook them so badly that they were knocked off balance and blood gushed from their ears, noses and mouths. Some of them were even thrown away and crashed into the screen inside the room.

Witnessing this scene, Etu was shocked, but he still pretended to be calm: "Hmph! Don't think that you can dominate the martial arts world with this little bit of ability! The imperial court will never allow the existence of martial arts gangs!" He waved his hand, and the remaining Blood Droplet masters quickly formed a formation, and the Blood Droplets in their hands spun even faster, emitting an unpleasant "buzzing" sound.

Lu Chenzhou, wielding the judge's pen, rejoined the fierce battle.

His writing style was cunning, specifically targeting the enemy's weaknesses. He roared, "You lackeys of the imperial court, what nonsense do you spout? The martial world is not ruled by the imperial court! Humph!" With a move called "Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness," the judge's pen transformed into countless cold stars, aiming directly at the enemy's vitals.

Amidst the flying blood and shadows, several more assassins fell to his pen.

Shi Feiyang and Lu Chenzhou, one powerful and the other gentle, complemented each other perfectly. Shi Feiyang's Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms were incredibly fierce, shattering the enemy's attacks; Lu Chenzhou's Judge's Pen technique was subtle and unpredictable, specifically designed to break through the enemy's defenses. Wherever the two went, corpses littered the ground, and blood stained it a dark red.

Inside the City God Temple, the candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows. Dozens of corpses lay scattered about, blood trickling through the cracks in the blue bricks, pooling into dark red puddlees in the low-lying areas. Etu, gazing at the carnage, his fat face twitched, a flicker of fear in his eyes, yet he still roared, "Attack! Whoever takes Xiang Tiange's head will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold!"

The gold-inlaid jade thumb ring in his hand gleamed coldly in the candlelight, creating an eerie contrast with the surrounding bloodshed.

Tempted by the hefty reward, the remaining Blood Droplet masters were consumed by greed for gold, their reason overwhelmed by desire.

Like rabid dogs, they brandished their blood-dripping darts, which shimmered with a ghostly blue light, and roared as they pounced on Shi Feiyang.

The buzzing sound emitted as the flying guillotine spun was like a death knell.

Shi Feiyang stood calmly, his black martial arts attire stained with blood, but his crystal eyes grew even colder, radiating a chilling killing intent. As the enemies approached, he suddenly unleashed both palms simultaneously, letting out a loud shout, and executed the "Sudden Strike" move. The powerful palm force erupted without warning, as if compressing the air to its limit. The three assassins felt an irresistible force bearing down on them, utterly unable to react. Their skulls were instantly shattered, brains and blood splattering out, leaving gruesome marks on the mottled wall.

Just then, a pink figure descended from the sky; it was Zhou Weirou.

Holding the Dog-Beating Stick, she moved with the lightness of a swallow, her clear, sweet voice ringing out: "You villains, taste the power of the Beggars' Sect's Dog-Beating Stick Technique!" The Dog-Beating Stick in her hand moved like a serpent emerging from its hole, employing the "turning" technique to unleash a series of moves such as "The Vicious Dog Bites Back" and "Quick Strike on the Dog's Rump." Her movements were agile and varied, the Dog-Beating Stick flying up and down, leaving the assassins dizzy and staggering.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhang Yi, the leader of the Beggars' Sect's Jiangnan branch, known as "White Streak in the Waves," charged forward with his sword. In a flash, several assassins had their throats pierced, their eyes widening as they collapsed dead. Shi Feiyang let out a long roar, his palm surging with silver light. The silver threads condensed from his Heavenly Silkworm Skill transformed into a rain of silver, perfectly complementing his "Leaping Through the Abyss" palm technique. Wherever the silver threads touched, it was like a sharp blade cutting through, splattering blood; wherever the palm wind passed, bones and tendons snapped.

Under Shi Feiyang's combined forceful and gentle attacks, the Blood Droplet masters were powerless to resist and fell down with screams of agony.

The City God Temple was littered with corpses, and the stench of blood grew stronger, almost suffocating.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the remaining few Blood Droplets turned to flee.

Zhou Weirou shouted, "Where do you think you're going!" She swung the dog-beating stick again, unleashing the "Entanglement" technique, and successively used exquisite moves such as "Ten Tricks of Fighting Dogs" and "Beating Two Dogs with a Stick." The dog-beating stick, like a maggot clinging to a bone, entangled the weapons and limbs of several assassins.

Zhang Yi acted swiftly, his longsword flashing like lightning, and with a cold glint, he stabbed the assassins to death on the ground.

Zhou Weirou shook the blood off the dog-beating stick, ran to Shi Feiyang's side, and smiled with her eyes crinkling: "Honey, we agreed to fight side by side, don't leave me behind!" Her smile was particularly bright on the bloody battlefield, yet it also carried a hint of stubbornness.

Seeing that all was lost, Etu's eyes were filled with fear, yet he was still unwilling to accept defeat.

He suddenly pulled out a smoke grenade, threw it, and shouted, "Retreat!"

In an instant, thick smoke billowed into the City God Temple, completely obscuring the view.

Shi Feiyang reacted quickly, swiftly wrapping his arms around Zhou Weirou's waist, the protective shield formed by his Heavenly Silkworm Skill tightly enveloping the two of them.

He leaned close to her ear, his voice low and gentle: "Please close your eyes."

As the smoke gradually dissipated, Shi Feiyang was seen shimmering with silver light, and his silken threads, like a fishing net, rushed towards the fleeing assassin.

Those Blood Droplet masters who tried to escape let out miserable howls as they were entangled in the silver threads.

The silver threads pierced their skin, sealed their acupoints, and entangled their meridians, cutting off their internal energy and causing unbearable pain.

Shi Feiyang's gaze was icy, his glassy eyes filled with murderous intent. Every strand of silver hair carried his anger, and wherever he passed, blood and flesh flew everywhere, a scene too painful to look at.

Zhou Weirou stared at Shi Feiyang's bloodied and battling figure, tears blurring her vision.

She gripped the soft whip tightly, silently vowing in her heart: "In this life, you will protect the martial world, and I will protect you."

Moonlight pierced through the dilapidated eaves of the temple, falling on their tightly clasped hands, casting an eternal glow upon their love.

The City God Temple was littered with corpses, and the air was filled with a nauseating stench of blood.

Shi Feiyang trod on congealed blood, his tiger-head boots slamming heavily onto the blue bricks, cracks spreading outwards like a spider web.

His face was grim, and he said in a deep voice, "Unfortunately, the ringleader of the villains escaped!"

Lu Chenzhou gripped the judge's pen tightly, strode forward quickly, and said in a loud and firm voice, "Don't worry, Chief, that thief has nowhere to escape."

The Beggars' Sect is regaining its former glory, and its intelligence network spans the globe. They will surely be able to apprehend the thief and bring him to justice.

His tone revealed an unwavering conviction.

Elder Peng struggled to his feet, his single eye reflecting the flickering candlelight, and reminded him with a worried tone, "Chief, although we have won this time, the Sticky Rod Office will not give up. They are very powerful, and we must take precautions in advance."

The stench of blood had not yet dissipated inside the City God Temple, but Zhou Weirou was already oblivious to the mess on the ground.

She lifted her blood-stained skirt and hurried towards Shi Feiyang, her delicate hands trembling as she unfolded a snow-white silk handkerchief.

In the flickering candlelight, the silk handkerchief brushed against the bloodstain on his forehead, seemingly filled with a thousand tender feelings: "My lord, let me see."

She looked up, her starry eyes filled with worry, her fingertips hovering above his bleeding wound, hesitant to touch it. "The bloodstains are so hard to wipe away, it makes my heart ache."

Shi Feiyang grasped her cold hand in return, his glassy eyes reflecting the anxiety in hers, but a gentle smile curved his lips: "These are just superficial injuries, how can they compare to the breathtaking beauty you displayed when you descended from the sky just now?"

He suddenly pulled her into his arms, listening to her rapid heartbeat as they were so close. "With you by my side, even the deepest wounds can melt away like silk." Zhou Weirou buried her face in his blood-stained clothes, then suddenly seemed to remember something and hummed softly, "You're just good at sweet-talking."

When she looked up, her eyes sparkled, and her fingertips unconsciously tugged at his hem. "Tomorrow you're going to inspect those... properties named after people from the past?" Her voice rose slightly at the end, carrying a bittersweet feeling that she herself didn't even realize.

Shi Feiyang gently lifted her chin and lightly kissed her lips: "Silly girl, they have all become immortals, why are you jealous?"

His voice was deep and firm, “Once this matter is settled, I will take you to see all the beautiful sights in the world.”

The following morning, Suzhou was shrouded in a thin mist.

Shi Feiyang changed into a patched coarse cloth shirt and had his signature dog-beating stick hanging from his waist, making him look just like an ordinary beggar leader.

Zhou Weirou wore a light pink dress and a white jade hairpin was inserted diagonally in her hair. Although she deliberately concealed her sharpness, she could not hide the liveliness in her eyes.

She followed closely behind Shi Feiyang, occasionally using a silk handkerchief to brush the fluff off his shoulders.

As you approach Wanqing Teahouse, the carved wooden plaque gleams with a warm luster in the morning light.

Zhou Weirou stared at the plaque and suddenly stopped: "These two characters 'Wanqing' really accentuate the elegance of the teahouse."

She glanced at Shi Feiyang with a half-smile, "I wonder if that Madam Xiang is as gentle and refined as this teahouse?"

Shi Feiyang's eyes instantly reddened. He reached out and tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. Suddenly, he leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "They're all gone. Now, you are the only bright moon that illuminates my entire martial world."

The Meizhen Inn was bustling with noise, and the shouts of the waiters rose and fell.

Zhou Weirou covered her mouth and nose with an embroidered handkerchief, but when she caught a glimpse of Shi Feiyang's focused profile as he talked with the shopkeeper, she couldn't help but move closer: "Master, when you talk about business with the shopkeeper, you are more heroic than when you fight with someone."

She suddenly grasped his hand and gently drew circles in his palm. "These hands should touch me more often; they shouldn't always be stained with blood."

Upon arriving at the Yili Jewelry Store, the jade pendants in the shop window shimmered in the sunlight.

Zhou Weirou stared at the name "Ellie," then suddenly said coquettishly, "All the money earned from these shops will be handed over to me to manage." She tiptoed and quickly kissed him on the lips, "Otherwise... otherwise I'll pawn myself in this jewelry store and see if you're willing to redeem me?"

Shi Feiyang could no longer hold back. He pulled her into a secluded spot at the alley entrance and kissed her deeply against the mottled brick wall.

He finally released her after a long while, his forehead pressed against hers: "My little jealous pot, let alone these businesses, even the Beggars' Sect, the whole world..."

He gazed at her eyes, which were reddened with emotion, and said, "None of them can compare to the smile in the corners of your eyes and brows."

As dusk deepened, the two walked side by side on their way back to Guihua Tower.

Zhou Weirou leaned on his shoulder, listening to him recount his past in the martial arts world. The bitterness in her heart had long since turned into tender affection.

She suddenly stopped and looked at him earnestly: "My dear husband, from now on you must tell me all your stories. From when we first met to when we became friends, from our youth to our old age, you must not miss a single word."

Shi Feiyang put his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head: "Okay, for the rest of my life, my story will only have you."

The lights of Suzhou gradually illuminated the city, gently casting their intertwined figures onto the cobblestone path. (End of Chapter)