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

Chapter 344. A heart of steel and ice reveals wisdom and courage; a soul of snow and jade conveys longing.

In early spring, Taihu Lake is sparkling, its surface like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and tender green willow branches on the shore.

Shi Feiyang and Zhou Weirou strolled along the lakeside path. The spring breeze was gentle, carrying a cool breeze and the fragrance of flowers. Their mood was as bright as the spring day.

In the distance, fishing boats return at dusk, and fishermen cast their nets to catch fish, creating a peaceful and idyllic rural scene.

They occasionally paused to quietly appreciate this rare tranquility.

Shi Feiyang gently put his arm around Zhou Weirou's shoulder, and the two smiled at each other. No words were needed; their feelings for each other were already clear.

Lu Chenzhou, Elder Peng, Zhang Yi, and Elder Liu enjoyed wine and chess on a painted boat in the lake, finding great pleasure in their company.

Although Shi Feiyang wanted to set off for the grasslands several times, his newlywed wife Zhou Weirou always refused.

She believes that the grasslands are still covered in ice and snow, and the journey is long and dangerous, so she suggests waiting until the snow melts before setting off.

At this moment, the sound of horses' hooves thundered like muffled thunder on the official road.

Etu led the remaining troops in a chaotic retreat, leaving only scattered remnants of the Nine-Bead Blood Droplet under the moonlight.

He removed his blood-stained mask, revealing half of his face burned by fire, his nails digging deeply into his palms: "Xiang Tiange, the blood feud of the brothers from the Sticky Pole Bureau that you killed—today, I will make you pay for this debt in blood!"

Suddenly, a dark figure appeared from the shadows and handed over a secret letter. The three characters "Sticking Rod Office" on the sealing wax were as red as blood.

Etu unfolded the letter and read it carefully, a sinister smile flashing in his eyes: "What a brilliant plan to kill two birds with one stone."

The imperial edict of Suzhou fluttered in the cold wind, the portrait of the disheveled "Xiang Tiange" blurred, a stark contrast to Shi Feiyang's handsome face. Inside the City God Temple, firewood crackled, and Shi Feiyang tore open a golden, juicy beggar's chicken, oil dripping from his fingers: "Back then, Hong Qigong led his brothers to eat roast chicken and still managed to defeat the Jin army. This lousy imperial edict is nothing but a toy the Qing court uses to scare three-year-olds."

He took a big bite of the chicken leg, crumbs sticking to the corners of his mouth, which made the disciples around him burst into laughter.

Zhou Weirou leaned against the mottled door frame, moonlight shining through the broken window frame onto her, turning her wide sleeves into a hazy silver veil.

She gazed at Shi Feiyang's untamed charm, a gentle ripple appearing in her eyes, her fingers unconsciously caressing the Xiong Ying jade pendant at her waist—a gift from Shi Feiyang, which she had warmed from holding it.

Suddenly, the sound of clashing metal came from outside the city. She lightly leaped onto the wall, her face instantly turning ashen: "It's government troops, and..."

Before he finished speaking, Shi Feiyang had already grabbed her slender waist and jumped down, the silver threads formed by the Heavenly Silkworm Technique buzzing between his fingers.

Zhou Weirou fell into his firm chest, smelling the familiar sandalwood scent mixed with the smell of blood, and her heart began to beat faster involuntarily.

From the direction of the city gate, thousands of Qing soldiers loomed overhead like dark clouds. The black-clad assassins' jade pendants, adorned with subtle patterns, gleamed with a ghostly blue luster under the moonlight—the very symbol of the Western Regions Blood Fiend Alliance. Elder Liu slammed his iron cane heavily on the ground, the iron rings causing dust to fall from the blue bricks: "Chief, judging from this formation, they're up to no good!"

Shi Feiyang threw his head back and laughed, his crystal eyes gleaming in the night, brighter than the stars in the sky: "What's the panic? Our secret passage is so well-known, even a mouse couldn't find it. Let's go back to Guihua Tower and enjoy the best food and drink!"

The candlelight flickered inside the secret passage, casting shadows of everyone on the moss-covered stone walls.

Zhou Weirou followed closely behind Shi Feiyang, gazing at his tall and straight back, her heart filled with a bittersweet feeling.

When everyone left the Stone Mansion ruins and entered the side room of Guihua Tower, a table was already set with steaming hot food and wine.

Shi Feiyang tore off a chicken leg and handed it to Zhou Weirou, his fingertip brushing against her fingertip: "Eat it quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

A hearty laugh came from the next room. Zhao Banshan lifted the curtain and entered, twirling his silver shuttle in his hand: "Chief Xiang, what a refined taste! How about you come with me to the capital and meet those corrupt Qing officials?"

Shi Feiyang tore off a piece of roasted meat and said with a smile, "I plan to take a trip to Liaodong."

Zhao Banshan raised an eyebrow and joked, "The Red Flower Society doesn't have a branch in Liaodong. If Chief Xiang goes there, he'll probably go hungry!"

Shi Feiyang picked up a piece of braised pork and put it into Zhou Weirou's bowl, shouting, "Keep it down! Keep it down!" which caused everyone to burst into laughter.

After everyone had left, Shi Feiyang strolled up to the manager's room on the third floor.

Steam rose from the hot water in the copper basin. Zhou Weirou gently undressed him, her fingertips tracing the unhealed sword wound on his back. Her eyes reddened with heartache: "Can you take me with you this time to Liaodong?"

Shi Feiyang turned around and hugged her, his nose brushing against the top of her head: "It's tough outside, I can't bear to see you suffer like that."

"I'm not afraid of hardship!" Zhou Weirou looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "As long as I can be by your side, I'm willing to go through fire and water."

Her fingers gently traced his features. "You don't know, every time you go out, I'm on tenterhooks, afraid that you'll..."

Before she could finish speaking, Shi Feiyang's kiss sealed her lips. "Silly girl," Shi Feiyang's voice was deep and gentle, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder. When I come back, I want to see our baby kicking inside you."

His palm covered her flat stomach. "Be a good girl and wait for me in Jiangnan. Take good care of yourself and get plump and healthy."

Zhou Weirou buried her head in his arms, listening to his strong heartbeat, and whispered, "You must come back safely. The child and I are waiting for you here..." Outside the window, the lanterns for the Lantern Festival were still shining, and the lights illuminated the two people who were tightly embracing each other.

Shi Feiyang gently stroked her long hair, lightly kissed her forehead, and tenderly promised, "No matter how dangerous Liaodong is, I will definitely return safely and protect this precious tenderness."

The bronze mirror on the third floor of Guihua Tower reflected the figures of the two. Shi Feiyang was dressed in tattered clothes, and the deerskin bag at his waist glowed slightly. Inside were a dog-beating stick, a black iron ring, and a pig-slaughtering knife.

Zhou Weirou held an ivory comb in her hand, her fingers trembling slightly, and strands of her dark hair slipped from between the comb's teeth, just like her chaotic thoughts.

"Is it really necessary to go?" Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, as if afraid of disturbing the surrounding tranquility. Her fingers gently traced the cloud-patterned embroidery on his shoulder. "Liaodong is bitterly cold, I'm worried about you..."

Shi Feiyang turned around and tightly grasped her cold hand. His glassy eyes reflected her reddened eyes: "Back then, the Xiong Ying Society took root in Liaodong. Now that the Beggars' Clan wants to grow stronger, it must find those old members. Moreover, with Brother Lu Chenzhou traveling with me, you can rest assured!"

He gently wiped away the tears that were about to fall from the corners of her eyes. "Do you still remember the Kongming lanterns by Taihu Lake? When I come back, we'll release another one and write our wishes even longer." Zhou Weirou suddenly threw herself into his arms, the jasmine scent in her hair mingling with the sandalwood scent on his body. "I don't care about any anti-Qing cause," she whispered. "If you lose even a single hair, I'll chase you to the ends of the earth and whip you with a soft whip."

Shi Feiyang burst into laughter, tightening his arms to pull her into a tight embrace.

The moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a silvery edge on the overlapping shadows of the two people.

As we stepped out of Guihua Tower, the neighing of a chestnut horse pierced the morning mist.

Zhou Weirou stood on the stone steps, her wide sleeves fluttering in the cold wind, like a butterfly with broken wings.

Shi Feiyang mounted his horse and looked back one last time. He saw her raise her right hand, and on her palm was a small cherry blossom drawn on it—the mark he had carved on her palm with silver thread when they first met.

The sound of horses' hooves shattered the bluestone slabs of Suzhou, but Shi Feiyang felt as if a thousand-pound stone was pressing on his heart.

The wind and snow in Liaodong seemed to be rushing towards him, making his eyes sting.

Memories of his past life flooded back like a tide: Liu Guihua's busy figure at the stove, the pearl hairpin trembling in Gong Simeng's hair as she played the zither, the frost and snow fluttering in Liu Tingting's clothes as she danced with her sword, and Lin Wanqing's gentle gaze as she sewed clothes for him under the lamp...

Are the grass on their graves trembling in the cold wind, just like his heart at this moment?

Upon reaching a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city, Shi Feiyang dismounted.

The temple was covered in cobwebs, and the oil lamp on the shrine had long been extinguished. Only the half-frozen steamed bun on the offering table bore witness to the passage of time.

The once passionate young man has now experienced two lifetimes of vicissitudes.

“Snow Eagle Fortress…Eagle Beak Rock…” he murmured to himself, his palm pressed tightly against the cold stone wall.

Witnessing this scene, Lu Chenzhou thought to himself: "The gang leader is truly loyal and devoted! My life has been full of twists and turns, but I have finally met a wise leader! Indeed, the gang leader is worthy of my lifelong devotion!"

Shi Feiyang was still immersed in sad memories: Did the eaves of Snow Eagle Fortress still stand firm in the wind and snow? Did the banner embroidered with a majestic eagle on Eagle Beak Rock still flutter in the wind?

Suddenly, the deerskin pouch at his waist felt slightly warm, as if the Vermilion Bird and White Tiger could sense their master's emotions.

As night fell, Shi Feiyang and Lu Chenzhou rested in the mountain god temple.

The fire crackled as he took out a jade pendant from his deerskin bag, the very one Gong Simeng had given him years ago.

The cherry blossom pattern on the jade pendant has been worn smooth by time, yet it remains as clear as ever.

"Si Meng, Gui Hua, Ting Ting, Wan Qing, Yi Li, Xue Er..." He called softly to the flickering flames, "If you know this in the afterlife, watch how I stir up trouble in Liaodong once again." A wolf howl came from afar, and Shi Feiyang gripped the jade pendant tightly, a sharp, cold light flashing in his eyes.

He knew full well that what awaited him ahead was not only the graves of his deceased friends, but also the numerous deadly traps set by the Qing government.

But at this moment, those worries and longings transformed into an unwavering belief—he not only wanted to revive the Beggars' Sect, but also to ensure that the land of Liaodong would no longer be stained red with the blood of his lover and brothers.

As the first rays of dawn pierced through the clouds, Shi Feiyang and Lu Chenzhou mounted their horses. The two chestnut horses raised their heads and neighed, their hooves pounding the frost-covered ground.

Shi Feiyang gazed at the gradually brightening eastern horizon, the deerskin bag at his waist moving without wind, as if a thousand troops were gathering strength within it.

Liaodong, the land that bears the weight of his two lifetimes of joy and sorrow, he has returned.

Early spring in the Central Plains is even more desolate than the dead of winter, with heavy snow and strong winds rushing like a stampede of horses, hitting people's faces.

Shi Feiyang sat upright on his horse, circulating his Mingyu Gong technique. Ice-blue mist condensed around him into a crystal shield, keeping out the biting cold.

The BMW pounded through the snow, but the sound of its hooves was drowned out by the howling wind. In the distance, the mountains appeared and disappeared in the snow curtain, like a long ink painting scroll.

Upon reaching the foot of Mount Shaoshi, Shi Feiyang and Lu Chenzhou dismounted, lightly patted their horses' backs, and the two magnificent steeds transformed into streaks of light, disappearing into the mysterious deerskin pouch at Shi Feiyang's waist. Lu Chenzhou was once again dumbfounded, stunned, yet dared not ask any further questions.

Shi Feiyang straightened his clothes, looked up at the towering Shaolin Temple, smiled at Lu Chenzhou, and the two stepped onto the stone steps.

What he saw along the way stirred up a storm in the heart of the Beggar Clan leader.

A brand-new village now stands beside what was once a desolate mountain path.

Smoke curls from chimneys amidst the gray bricks and tiles, children laugh and chase each other, and the elderly lean against doors basking in the sun—a scene of tranquility and peace.

Shi Feiyang stopped and gazed at the stone tablet at the village entrance, which bore the three large characters "Huimin Village" in vigorous strokes.

An old farmer carrying buckets of water passed by. Seeing Shi Feiyang's imposing figure, he greeted him, "Are you going up the mountain to worship Buddha? The mountain path is rugged. Have a bowl of hot water before you go!" With that, he took a water bottle from his waist and handed it to him.

Shi Feiyang took the kettle, and the hot water went down his throat, warming his whole body.

He pointed to the village and asked, "Uncle, when was this village built? How come it's so prosperous?"

The old farmer grinned and said, "This is all thanks to the new policies of the imperial court! Three years ago, the court exempted us common people from taxes and even distributed seeds and farming tools. Now, even in this desolate wilderness, we can eat our fill and stay warm!"

Shi Feiyang and Lu Chenzhou were both shocked. They continued on their way, only to see a group of soldiers escorting grain carts along the mountain path.

Seeing Lu Chenzhou's extraordinary bearing, the leader took the initiative to bow and said, "Is this chivalrous gentleman on his way to Shaolin Temple? The world is at peace now, and there are many pilgrims on the mountain. Please be careful and proceed with caution." Lu Chenzhou returned the bow, but his heart was filled with turbulent waves.

Shi Feiyang, dressed as a beggar, stood by the roadside and witnessed this scene. He thought to himself: Usually, the soldiers treat the people as fiercely as wolves, but today they are behaving so politely.

What shocked him even more was that the people he saw along the way, despite their simple clothes, all had rosy complexions and eyes that revealed a sense of peace.

This was completely different from the scene of widespread suffering he had imagined.

Lu Chenzhou accompanied Shi Feiyang up Shaoshi Mountain, where the melodious sound of the Shaolin Temple bells rang out.

As Shi Feiyang stepped through the mountain gate, he saw that the temple was bustling with incense and pilgrims coming and going in an endless stream.

When the guest monk saw Shi Feiyang and Lu Chenzhou arrive, he noticed that Shi Feiyang was dressed in rags, but Lu Chenzhou appeared dignified and imposing. So he put his hands together and said, "Amitabha, what brings you two benefactors to our humble temple?"

Shi Feiyang asked the monk in charge of the guest hall if he had heard of Master Yuanchi.

A gentle breeze stirred Shi Feiyang's disheveled hair. The monk in charge of the guest ceremony was startled when he saw Shi Feiyang's handsome face. He quickly put his hands together, bowed, and replied, "I have heard of it, but that was about two hundred years ago. At that time, Master Yuanchi passed away in grief because his beloved disciple Shi Feiyang had disappeared."

Upon hearing this, Shi Feiyang was deeply saddened and whispered that he was Xiang Tiange, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, and requested to meet a high-ranking monk.

After the monk who was in charge of receiving guests reported the news, he came out to greet Shi Feiyang.

Inside the meditation room, Shi Feiyang and Lu Chenzhou met the renowned monk, Master Kongjian. Although the master's hair was white, he was still in excellent spirits. "Chief Xiang, is there something troubling you that you've come here?" the master asked, revealing the truth in Shi Feiyang's mind.

Shi Feiyang sighed and recounted what he had seen and heard along the way: "Master, I once vowed to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming, but now it seems that the people are living in peace and prosperity, and the new policies of the court are benefiting the people. Does this great cause of overthrowing the Qing still have any meaning?"

Master Kongjian closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before slowly speaking: "Benefactor, this humble monk asks you, what is enlightenment? What is purity? What the people seek is nothing more than a peaceful and prosperous life. If the court can enable the people to live a good life, what difference does it make whether the country belongs to the Zhu family or the Aisin Gioro family?"

Shi Feiyang's heart skipped a beat, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. Indeed, he had always shouted "Overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming," but if the Qing Dynasty could bring happiness to the people, then what was the point of this slogan? He turned his head and saw that Lu Chenzhou's eyes were also filled with confusion. "However," Master Kongjian changed the subject, "whether the court can truly achieve lasting peace and stability still needs time to prove. If you, benefactor, care about the common people, you should take the world as your responsibility, rather than merely being fixated on the change of dynasties."

Shi Feiyang seemed to be deep in thought, and bowed deeply to the master.

Stepping out of the meditation room, I found that the snow had stopped sometime earlier, and the sunlight shone brightly on the golden glazed tiles of Shaolin Temple.

From a distant village came a children's song: "The new policy is good, the new policy is wonderful, the people live a carefree and happy life..."

Looking at this peaceful and prosperous world, Shi Feiyang's resolve grew stronger.

He understood that overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming might no longer be the only path, but protecting the people and achieving universal harmony was his true mission.

The setting sun on the summit of Shaoshi Mountain was like blood. Shi Feiyang tore his brocade robe to shreds, his messy hair whipping in the wind like wild grass. He asked Lu Chenzhou to go to the Northwest on his behalf to visit the two branch leaders, Tu Yanfei and Gu Yi.

The unparalleled lightness skill of "leaving no trace for a thousand miles" was pushed to its limit, and the figure transformed into a bluish-gray phantom, shattering the flying snow and rushing eastward.

His palms throbbed with blood, and the icy blue mist flowing from his Mingyu Gong collided with the snowflakes, drawing crystalline trails in the air, like sword marks left behind by immortals. In early spring, the Northwest was a world sealed by ice and snow.

The Helan Mountains stretch endlessly, like a slumbering dragon, covered in thick snow, a silvery white expanse.

The biting wind howled past, but it couldn't stir up a single speck of sand, leaving only sharp wind streaks on the snow.

The castle of the Beggars' Sect's Northwest Branch is hidden deep in the dense forests of the Helan Mountains.

Icicles hung upside down from the eaves of the castle, shimmering with a cold light in the dim sunlight.

Tu Yanfei was dressed in a light purple outfit, her clothes fluttering in the wind, like a violet blooming in the snow.

She stood by the window, her eyes filled with longing and melancholy. The snow before her seemed to transform into the person she cherished most—Xiang Tiange's skin as smooth as glass.

"Xiang Tiange... Tiange... Where are you? Are you in the gentle land of Jiangnan? For several months, I have exhausted all my efforts to build this Beggars' Sect Northwest Branch for you, but what about you? Do you know that my heart is filled with longing, just like the Helan Mountains covered with white snow, leaving no room for anything else..." Tu Yanfei's voice was soft and mournful, like snowflakes scattered by the cold wind, carrying endless sorrow.

At this moment, Tu Yanfei's father, Tu Weng, the head of the Huashan Sword Sect, walked into the room with steady steps.

He was dressed in a long black robe, his face serious, but his eyes held a hint of worry: "Fei'er, what is it about Xiang Tiange that makes you so infatuated? This world is dangerous, you must not let a man cloud your judgment."

Tu Yanfei turned around, a stubborn glint in her eyes: "Father, you don't understand. Tiange has lofty ambitions and superb martial arts skills. His eyes are like the ice and snow of the Helan Mountains, cold yet warm. The time I spent with him, though short, is unforgettable. I established this Northwest branch for him not only for the Beggars' Sect's cause, but also to protect this land for him in the Northwest."

Gu You, the eldest disciple of the Huashan Sword Sect, also entered the room at this moment. He was handsome, and there was a hint of jealousy in his eyes: "Junior Sister, there are countless heroes in this martial world. Why are you so obsessed with Xiang Tiange? Although I, Gu You, am not talented, I am willing to go through fire and water for you. Why are you so persistent?"

Tu Yanfei bit her red lips lightly, her gaze resolute: "Senior Brother Gu, I understand your feelings, but my heart has already belonged to Tiange. His every smile, every gesture, is deeply imprinted in my heart. My longing for him is like the Northwest in early spring, covered by ice and snow, yet still burning brightly."

Elder Xiao Heling of the Huashan Sword Sect stroked his beard and shook his head slightly: "Nephew, the path of the martial world is full of uncertainties. Your feelings for Xiang Tiange are certainly touching, but you must also consider your own safety. Now that the Beggars' Sect Northwest Branch has just been established, all the surrounding forces are coveting it. As the branch leader, you bear a heavy responsibility."

Tu Yanfei nodded slightly, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Elder Xiao, I am well aware of my responsibilities. My longing for Tiange will not affect my management of this Northwest Branch. I will protect this land and wait for Tiange's arrival. Even if the road ahead is full of thorns, I will guard this icy land of the Northwest for him."

The cold wind howled outside the window, telling of Tu Yanfei's burning and deep longing.

The snow-capped mountains of Helan bear witness to her affection, just as her love for Xiang Tiange is unwavering.

Suddenly, there was a burst of rapid footsteps.

Tu Yanfei's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Xiang Tiange has arrived?

A hint of expectation flashed in her eyes, and her heart, which had been covered in ice and snow, seemed to feel a touch of warmth.

“Fei’er, news has come that Xiang Tiange clashed with the people of the Sticky Pole Bureau in Jiangnan. Although he won a great victory, his hatred for the imperial court has deepened!” Tu Yanfei’s father, Tu Weng, said with a solemn expression.

"What? Tiange is injured?" Tu Yanfei's face turned pale instantly. She gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her eyes filled with worry. "Father, I'm going to Jiangnan. I'm going to take care of Tiange. Please help look after the Northwest Branch with Senior Brother Gu and Elder Xiao."

Tu Weng frowned slightly: "Fei'er, this Northwest branch has just been established. If you leave, how will the affairs of this branch be handled? Moreover, the situation in Jiangnan is complicated right now. What help can a woman like you provide?"

Gu Yi also chimed in, "Junior sister, Master is right. Your guarding of this Northwest branch is the greatest support you can give Xiang Tiange. If he knew that you were risking the safety of the branch for him, he probably wouldn't be able to focus on recovering."

Tu Yanfei bit her lip, tears glistening in her eyes: "But Tiange is injured, how can I sit idly by? I know the Northwest Branch has great responsibilities, but Tiange is the most important person in my life. I can't just watch him suffer in Jiangnan."

Xiao Heling sighed softly and said to Tu Yanfei, "Nephew, Xiang Tiange isn't injured. Didn't you understand? With Xiang Tiange's high level of martial arts, how could he be injured? Alas! We understand your intentions. But the Northwest Branch truly cannot do without you now. If you rashly go to Jiangnan, not only might you not be able to help, but you might also plunge the Northwest Branch into crisis. Do you still remember the expectations Xiang Tiange had when he entrusted the Northwest Branch to you?" Tu Yanfei slowly closed his eyes, and Xiang Tiange's cold and stern face appeared in his mind.

She took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and her gaze held a resolute glint: "Elder Xiao is right. I cannot abandon this Northwest branch because of personal feelings. I will guard this Northwest and wait for Tiange's safe return. But, Tiange, he..."

Tu Weng gently patted Tu Yanfei's shoulder: "Fei'er, it's good that you've come to your senses. The path of the martial world is full of hardships and challenges. As a disciple of the Huashan Sword Sect and the leader of the Northwest Branch of the Beggars' Sect, you must prioritize the overall situation."

Tu Yanfei nodded slightly, her eyes filled with determination: "Father, don't worry. I will guard this Northwest branch and wait for Tiange in this icy land. I believe that Tiange will return safely, and then this Northwest branch will be the foundation for us to jointly protect the martial world."

The cold wind still howled outside the window, and the snow on the Helan Mountains shimmered with a cold light under the sunlight.

Tu Yanfei stood by the window, her eyes gazing towards the direction of Jiangnan. Her heart, which had been covered by ice and snow, was now filled with longing and anticipation.

In her hand, she tightly held the jade pendant that Xiang Tiange had once given her, as if it were a bond between her and "Xiang Tiange." In this early spring in the Northwest, it was like a warm ray of light illuminating her path forward.

As he stepped into Liaodong, the howling north wind, carrying fine snow, seeped into his clothes. Shi Feiyang stood atop the hill, his crystal eyes reflecting the vast snowfield, when he suddenly staggered half a step—this land, steeped in memories of his past life, now seemed like a strange wasteland.

A metallic taste rose in his throat, and he suddenly pounded his chest: "Snow Eagle Fortress! Eagle Beak Rock! Have you really... really turned to dust with the passing of time?"

The roar startled a flock of crows, and in the flapping of their wings, the past glory of war and warmth became icicles stuck in my heart.

He stumbled and searched for three days in the wind and snow, asking everyone he met, "Do you know where Snow Eagle Fortress is? Where is Eagle Beak Rock?"

All I got in return was a blank shake of the head.

The old woodcutter puffed on his pipe, sparks flickering in the bowl: "The place you mentioned, sir, I've lived for sixty years and I've never even heard of it."

The village woman, carrying her child, hurried away, leaving only the words, "Has she gone mad from the cold? There's no Snow Eagle Fortress for miles around."

A few days later at dusk, Shi Feiyang stopped a peddler driving a cart in front of a dilapidated temple.

The man cracked his whip impatiently and said, "The place you're asking about is probably swallowed up by that earthquake during the Wanli era! My ancestors said that the mountains collapsed and the earth split open that year, and half the sky fell down..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shi Feiyang had already grabbed him by the collar, his inner energy surging: "Say that again!"

The peddler turned pale with fright and stammered as he repeated himself. Suddenly, Shi Feiyang felt his legs go weak and he knelt down in the snow.

A crimson tinge appeared in Shi Feiyang's glassy eyes as he recalled the cherry blossom tree he and Liu Guihua planted at the foot of Eagle's Beak Rock in his previous life, Gong Simeng's silhouette leaning against the carved wooden window of Snow Eagle Fortress playing the zither, and the frost flowers falling from Liu Tingting's hair as she danced with her sword.

He trembled as he reached for the deerskin pouch at his waist, where the handkerchief Lin Wanqing had embroidered before their parting was still hidden. But now, even the green hills where they were buried had vanished without a trace. "Hahahaha!" He suddenly threw his head back and laughed, the sound startling the snow on the temple beams, causing it to fall in a flurry. "Two hundred years! It's just a blink of an eye!"

Before the laughter had even subsided, three dark figures broke through the wind and arrived.

Shi Feiyang abruptly stood up, the silver threads formed by his Heavenly Silkworm Technique already buzzing at his fingertips. He then saw the three men kneel down in unison. The elder at the head lifted his bamboo hat, revealing half of his burned face: "This subordinate, from the Liaodong branch of the Beggars' Sect, respectfully welcomes...respectfully welcomes the Sect Leader!"

It turns out that recently, while they were hiding from the Qing government's pursuit, they were unaware of the arrival of their leader. It was only after Elder Peng Xin of the Beggars' Sect sent a message by carrier pigeon to inquire about the whereabouts of "Xiang Tian Ge" that the Liaodong branch of the Beggars' Sect sent out disciples to search for him.

Shi Feiyang stared at the three elderly men in front of him, their clothes patched upon patched and covered with icicles. For a moment, they were a stark contrast to the peaceful and prosperous people living at the foot of Shaoshi Mountain.

As he reached out to help, his fingers lightly touched the thick calluses on the other's palm—marks left from years of wielding swords. "Snow Eagle Fortress is gone, Eagle Beak Rock has crumbled, but as long as humanity remains..."

Before the words were finished, the sound of horses' hooves, like muffled thunder, suddenly came from the distant snowfield, and the snow was shaken off by the iron hooves.

"It's the Blood Fiend Alliance!" The one-eyed old man suddenly gripped Shi Feiyang's wrist tightly, his eyes filled with terror. "They joined forces with the Sticky Rod Bureau and just three months ago massacred the anti-Qing stronghold in Gaizhou! The gang leader's portrait has been plastered all over the gates of Liaodong City, and the bounty is as high as 50,000 taels of silver!"

Shi Feiyang slowly raised his hand, his fingertips gently brushing away the tear stains at the corners of his eyes, his glass-like eyes flashing with a blood-red cold light in the wind and snow.

"You've come at the perfect time!" His voice was laced with a cold laugh like ice. "Today I'll show you that the will of the Xiong Ying Society is something that even heaven and earth cannot destroy!" Although he was the leader of the Beggars' Sect, he never forgot about the Xiong Ying Society.

Over three hundred Blood Fiend Alliance assassins surrounded them in a fan shape, the purple-robed leader's jade pendant, adorned with dark patterns, gleaming with a ghostly blue light. "Xiang Tiange, surrender!" The man's laughter was as piercing as an owl's. "You stirred up trouble in Jiangnan, thinking Liaodong was your safe haven?"

Before the words were even finished, three poisoned bone-piercing nails flew through the air.

Shi Feiyang lightly tapped his toes, unleashing his "Hidden Body and Name" lightness skill. His figure transformed into a phantom amidst the swirling snowflakes, moving with effortless grace. The Heavenly Silkworm Skill was swiftly activated, silver light shimmering in his palms as countless silver threads cascaded down like a galaxy, instantly pulverizing the Bone-Piercing Nail into powder.

He pushed forward with both palms, unleashing the move "Hidden Dragon, Do Not Use"! A yellowish-brown shockwave, mixed with gravel, swept past like a whirlwind. The assassins in the front row were unable to dodge in time; their ribs were shattered, and blood and bits of flesh sprayed onto the snow.

Upon seeing this, the man in purple robes swiftly drew his scimitar and let out a long roar: "Form the Nine Netherworld Soul Formation!" Instantly, the assassins formed a nine-square grid formation, and as they swung their scimitars, they created a black aura that turned trees into dust wherever they passed.

Shi Feiyang chose to face the challenge head-on. Suddenly, the dog-beating stick flew out of his hand and spun rapidly in the air: "Beat the two dogs!" The bamboo stick transformed into a three-zhang-long golden giant stick, directly shattering a corner of the air shield.

In the midst of the chaos, Shi Feiyang noticed a jade pendant on the waist of one of the assassins—the very same Western Region symbol he wore during the siege of the City God Temple.

He roared and leaped into the air, unleashing the move "Flying Dragon in the Sky." A crimson-gold dragon shadow roared out from his palm. Before the man could even scream, his brains splattered, and his body flew more than ten feet away like a kite with a broken string.

As soon as Shi Feiyang landed, he unleashed the "Crossing the Great River" move, striking out with palms that unleashed a force like surging waves. The three assassins were caught in the turbulence, their meridians severed, and they died instantly. His Heavenly Silkworm Technique's silver threads were even more unpredictable, sometimes piercing throats, sometimes shredding dantian, leaving a trail of blood mist wherever they went.

An assassin attempted a close-range sneak attack, but Shi Feiyang countered with a sudden move, his palm strike exploding without warning, shattering the man's skull and splattering red and white substances onto his companion's face.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the man in purple robes suddenly blew a horn.

Two hundred more assassins emerged from behind the snow hill, led by none other than the vice leader of the Blood Fiend Alliance!
The man wielded a chain hammer, its head covered in barbs: "Xiang Tiange, how dare you come to Liaodong to cause trouble? Hmph! Today is your death day!"

The chain hammer swept in with a whooshing sound, but Shi Feiyang dodged to the side and unleashed the move "Dragon Appears in the Field," transforming his palm force into an earth-yellow shield that firmly held the chain hammer in place. "Break!" Shi Feiyang roared, unleashing both the Heavenly Silkworm Skill and the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms simultaneously.

The silver silkworm threads that emerged from his palm wrapped around the chain hammer, and the force of his palm exploded, cracking the tiger's mouth of the vice leader, and the chain hammer flew out of his hand.

Before his opponent could react, Shi Feiyang spun around and slashed horizontally with his backhand. His "Dragon Tail Swing" palm technique was as powerful as thunder, directly breaking his spine.

At this moment, the surroundings had become a hellish scene, the snow dyed a glaring scarlet. Shi Feiyang was covered in blood, but his glassy eyes shone even brighter.

Watching the Blood Fiend Alliance retreat in disarray, he suddenly unleashed "Riding the Six Dragons," six golden dragon shadows soaring into the sky, leaving assassins either dead or maimed in their wake. The purple-robed man tried to escape, "Trying to leave? Do you think you can? Hmph!" Shi Feiyang strode forward, his palm unleashing silver threads of his Heavenly Silkworm Technique that pierced the purple-robed man's vital points. "Tell your master, the Beggars' Sect's spirit will never perish!"

Finally, she recovered from her grief and stopped mentioning the Sakura Gathering.

With a clench of his palm, the silkworm silk twisted and severed the purple-robed man's meridians, causing him to collapse to the ground like a tattered sack.

The snow started falling again at some point, the snowflakes fluttering down on the mountain of corpses and sea of ​​blood.

Shi Feiyang gripped the Dog-Beating Stick tightly, looked at the surviving Beggar Clan disciples, and whispered, "We will rebuild Snow Eagle Fortress."

His voice, mingled with the wind and snow, was as firm as iron: "This time, we will make it a thorn that the Qing court can never remove!"

After saying that, he took out five hundred taels of silver from the mysterious deerskin bag at his waist, handed it to the Beggar Clan disciple, and instructed them to quickly find a craftsman, a blacksmith, and a bricklayer.

The disciples excitedly obeyed the order and went off.

The mountain wind howled past, whipping up Shi Shi's messy hair, but it couldn't dispel the renewed fighting spirit in his eyes.

The biting wind was like a knife, carrying a chilling cold. Shi Feiyang used his "Leave No Trace for a Thousand Miles" lightness skill, his figure soaring like an eagle across the snowy forest. The branches of the ancient pines groaned in the gale, and snow fell in droves, but it didn't even touch the hem of his clothes.

Our destination, Changbai Mountain, has been reached.

As the altitude increases, the air becomes increasingly fresh and cold, and there seems to be a faint fragrance in the air, like the lingering scent of magnolia blossoms from the depths of memory.

When the majestic Heavenly Lake finally came into view, Shi Feiyang suddenly stopped using his light-footed technique.

The basalt beneath his feet began to crack inch by inch. He stared at the mirror-like surface embedded atop the mountains, his breath almost frozen.

In early spring, Tianchi Lake was not yet fully thawed. The azure waters intertwined with the white snow, while in the center of the lake, a pool of emerald water broke through the ice, like an open green eye of the earth. The distant snow-capped peaks were reflected on the lake's surface, together with the floating ice floes, creating a long ink painting. Occasionally, a mountain breeze would sweep by, causing the ice surface to tremble gently, and countless silvery ripples would flow across the water.

Shi Feiyang walked slowly towards the lakeside, the crisp sound of his boots crushing the thin ice breaking the silence between heaven and earth.

Memories flooded back—two hundred years ago, in the same early spring, Liu Tingting, dressed in a moon-white silk dress, danced gracefully on the white jade steps in front of the Divine Water Palace. White orchid petals from her hair drifted down with her dance, frolicking with the koi in the pond.

(End of this chapter)