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

Back then, the Shenshui Palace had flying eaves and arched beams, with wisteria vines entwined around its vermilion pillars, making it look like a fairyland.

"Tingting...are you there? Where are you?" Shi Feiyang's voice was torn apart by the mountain wind, and a layer of mist rose in his glassy eyes.

However, when Shi Feiyang looked around, apart from the white snow and the vast mountains, there was no trace of the Divine Water Palace. The once magnificent palace was gone without even a single broken brick. Only the biting mountain wind echoed through the empty valley, sounding like a mournful lament.

Shi Feiyang staggered and grabbed onto an ancient pine tree by the lake, the rough bark stinging his palms.

"Tingting, my beloved wife! Night Princess Jellyfish, where are you? Where is my Yu'er? Where is our son? You won't die, you've eaten so many of Xu Fu's elixirs! Where are you?" Shi Feiyang suddenly shouted at the mountains, his voice echoing through the valley.

"Where are you!" Before the first cry had even faded, the second and third cries followed in quick succession, startling a flock of gyrfalcons whose wings sliced ​​through the sky.

However, all that answered him was the increasingly urgent sound of the wind and the rustling snow rolling down the distant snow-capped peaks.

His crystal-clear eyes turned bloodshot, veins bulged on Shi Feiyang's palms, and his Heavenly Silkworm Technique unconsciously activated, the silver light from his palms instantly pulverizing the surrounding snow. "What exactly happened? Why isn't Liu Tingting here? Why has the Divine Water Palace disappeared? Why? Didn't Tingting become an immortal? Where is our son? Couldn't she protect him?" He muttered to himself, his voice filled with suppressed anger and sorrow.

The Divine Water Palace should have been impregnable, so what kind of change could have caused it to disappear without a trace in two hundred years?
Suddenly, he noticed something unusual beneath the ice on the lakeshore. Straining his eyes, he saw a half-section of a stone pillar carved with strange patterns.

Without hesitation, Shi Feiyang leaped into the icy lake water, his Heavenly Silkworm Skill forming a protective shield around his body to keep out the cold.

The moment my fingertips touched the stone pillar, a familiar scent wafted over me—it was Liu Tingting's unique magnolia fragrance.

"Tingting..." His voice became muffled in the water, but the trembling in it was undeniable.

As the stone pillar was slowly pulled out of the water, the mottled bloodstains on it were clearly visible.

Shi Feiyang clung tightly to the stone pillar, letting the icy water drip down his hair. Finally, he could no longer suppress his emotions and let out a mournful howl.

The long howl shook the snow within a ten-mile radius, causing it to fall and startling the birds that dared not land for a long time.

The mountain wind howled, as if responding to his sorrow; the Heavenly Lake sobbed, like a beautiful woman's unfinished lament.

Shi Feiyang stood holding the stone pillar for a long time before finally solemnly putting it into the deerskin bag at his waist.

He gazed at the distant mountains, a resolute light rekindling in his crystal-clear eyes: "Tingting, I will definitely find out the truth. Although the Divine Water Palace is gone, as long as I, Shi Feiyang, am still here, I will not let your efforts be in vain."

As he turned to leave, his steps were heavier than when he arrived, yet also more resolute.

The wind and snow of Changbai Mountain gradually buried his footprints, only the blue waves of Tianchi Lake still rippled, witnessing this obsession and persistence that spanned two hundred years. In late spring, the drizzle in Guangning Prefecture was as melancholy as Shi Feiyang, wearing a straw raincoat, stood in front of the "Giant Spirit Palm" martial arts school.

The mottled green patina on the bronze door knocker, damp with rainwater, seemed to overlap with the color of the bronze bells in my memory of the Divine Water Palace.

He took a deep breath, took out a century-old ginseng from Changbai Mountain from the deerskin bag—a treasure he had searched for after traversing all seven peaks—and raised his hand to knock on the door knocker.

"Who is visiting?" came the aged voice from inside the door. Shi Feiyang looked at the dim candlelight shining through the crack in the door and said in a slightly trembling voice, "This junior is Xiang Tiange. I have long admired the reputation of Senior Fan and have brought a small gift to request an audience."

With a creak, the old servant opened half the door, his gaze sweeping over the brocade box in his arms, his pupils suddenly contracting: "Honored guest, please wait a moment."

After passing through the winding corridor, Shi Feiyang met Fan Jie in the warm pavilion.

The old man with snow-white hair was grinding herbs with a bronze medicine grinder. His thin, calloused fingers were steady as a rock.

“Young man, snow ginseng from Changbai Mountain is not easy to find.” Fan Jie didn’t even look up, the sound of the medicine grinder striking the bluestone suddenly becoming louder. “Tell me, do you want a martial arts manual, or do you want to inquire about the secrets of the martial world?”

Shi Feiyang knelt on one knee and gently pushed the brocade box across the table: "This junior only wishes to inquire about the events of the Divine Water Palace two hundred years ago."

Before he could finish speaking, the medicine grinder shattered with a "crack," Fan Jie's cloudy eyes bulged with bloodshot veins, and his withered fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly: "Where...where did you hear this name?"

"When I traveled to Tianchi Lake in Changbai Mountain, I found that there was no trace of the Divine Water Palace, and I was filled with doubts." Shi Feiyang said, his glassy eyes glistening with tears. "If you would be so kind as to enlighten me, I would be willing to guard the martial arts school for three years."

Fan Jie remained silent for a long time, then shakily took out a brass pipe, the sparks flickering in the darkness: "Two hundred years ago, an extraordinary woman appeared in the Divine Water Palace—Liu Rufei. That girl was more beautiful than the snow lotus of Tianchi Lake, but she fell in love with Shi Tianyu, the son of the palace master."

Ashes fell from the pipe. "Shi Tianyu inherited the unparalleled martial arts of Ye Ji Shui Mu and, together with Liu Rufei, devoted himself to the cause of resisting the Jin dynasty, making Nurhaci's Eight Banners army tremble with fear."

A metallic taste rose in Shi Feiyang's throat, and his fingernails dug deeply into his palms.

He seemed to see Liu Tingting teaching her son martial arts by candlelight, and Shi Tianyu charging into battle in his silver armor.

"And then?" His voice was so hoarse that he was almost unrecognizable.

"Later..." Fan Jie took a deep drag on his cigarette, the smoke gathering into a dark cloud above his head, "The Divine Water Palace moved to the southern border to avoid the war, and the old site of Tianchi gradually fell into disrepair. After Huang Taiji ascended the throne, he sent elite Qing troops to launch a night raid and burned it all to the ground."

The old man suddenly coughed violently, tapping his knuckles on the table. "Shi Tianyu fought to the death in the Battle of Songshan. Liu Rufei jumped into the sea of ​​fire with his body in her arms. The scene... tsk tsk, it was truly earth-shattering!"

The bloodshot in Liuli's eyes was almost bursting out, and Shi Feiyang bit his tongue hard to keep the sob from escaping his throat.

He recalled the magnolia pattern Liu Tingting had embroidered on the handkerchief, but now it transformed into a piercing pain, like a thousand arrows piercing his heart.

"Senior, have you heard of the new site of the Divine Water Palace?" His voice trembled almost imperceptibly.

Fan Jie exhaled the last puff of smoke, slamming his copper pipe heavily on the table: "Young man, some things should be left buried in the dust. The descendants of Shenshui Palace have already gone into hiding, so why are you so fixated on them... In fact, my ancestors were servants of Shenshui Palace!"

Before he could finish speaking, Shi Feiyang suddenly lifted Fan Jie's sleeve, revealing a tattoo of the Xiong Ying Society on his wrist—the mark of a Xiong Ying Society disciple. The old sect leader's pupils contracted sharply, and his pipe clattered to the ground: "You...you are..."

"This junior is merely a martial artist who admires heroes." Shi Feiyang slowly lowered Fan Jie's sleeve, the silver threads of the Heavenly Silkworm Skill emanating from his palm gleaming faintly in the shadows. "If senior could reveal a little, this junior would be willing to offer you his unique healing elixir."

Fan Jie stared into his glassy eyes, then suddenly burst into thunderous laughter: "Good! What a fine way to admire a hero!"

The old man took out a yellowed map from the sandalwood box and pointed to a place in southern Xinjiang. "Rumor has it they've rebuilt deep in the Ailao Mountains... Be careful!"

Before he could finish speaking, three bone-piercing nails shattered through the window and flew in!

Shi Feiyang spun around and swung his palm, spitting out silver threads from his palm to shred the hidden weapon. But then he saw dozens of dark figures flash past the window like ghosts.

Fan Jie grabbed the broken mortar and pestle, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit: "Well done! These old bones haven't been used in ages!"

Shi Feiyang stepped in front of the old man, his palms crossed: "Senior, please step back. These petty scoundrels will be dealt with by this junior."

He drew golden arcs in the air with both hands, and the blood-red moonlight was reflected in his glass-like eyes. "The story of the Divine Water Palace is far from over."

The late spring night rain, mixed with the smell of rust, was like blood falling from the sky, staining the bluestone path dark red. Shi Feiyang shielded Fan Jie behind him, his glassy eyes gleaming with a blood-red light in the rain, his true energy surging like an undercurrent, his clothes fluttering in the wind.

Suddenly, the copper bells on the eaves emitted a piercing buzz, and thirty-six dark figures silently approached, stepping on the tiles. They were dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, and the curved swords at their waists gleamed with an eerie blue light—these were the unique poisoned weapons of the elite "Blood Shadow Guards" of the Sticky Rod Office.

"Chief Xiang, you certainly have a refined taste, having the leisure to listen to an old man's storytelling!" The leader of the men in black lifted his bamboo hat, revealing a centipede-like scar on his face twisted like a venomous snake, his eyes filled with malice. "The Emperor has decreed that we must see you alive or dead! Xiang Tiange, today, I will take your head! Prepare to die!" Before he finished speaking, he flicked his sleeve, and three bone-piercing nails flew through the air with a whooshing sound. The nail heads glowed with a peacock-blue venom, drawing an eerie light in the rainy night.

Shi Feiyang lightly touched the ground with his toes, using the "Hidden Body and Name" lightness skill to leap back three zhang, his clothes brushing against the rain curtain without getting wet at all.

The Heavenly Silkworm Technique was activated instantly, and a crystal-clear light burst forth from his palm. Thousands of silver threads poured down like a cascading Milky Way, weaving a dense, impenetrable net in the air.

The moment the bone-piercing nail pierced the silver thread, it emitted a piercing metallic scraping sound, and was actually pulverized into powder, turning into tiny poisonous mists that drifted away in the rain.

He unleashed the "Hidden Dragon, Do Not Use" technique with both palms, and a yellowish-brown shockwave carrying rubble swept outwards. The three Blood Shadow Guards in the front row were unable to dodge in time, and their ribs shattered instantly. Blood and bits of flesh splattered in the rain, and strange blood flowers bloomed on the ground.

"What a fine new leader of the Beggars' Sect!" The scarred man sneered, his curved blade flashing with nine cold rays, the Sanskrit incantations engraved on the blade shimmering in the rain. "Today I'll show you the power of the 'Nine Netherworld Slashes' of the Sticky Pole Division!"

Before the blade even touched the ground, the stench of blood stung people's faces, and the air was thick with a nauseating smell of blood.

Shi Feiyang spun around to dodge, his dog-beating stick transforming into a green shadow as he thrust out. The move, "Beating Two Dogs with a Stick," was extremely cunning, the bamboo branch precisely striking the opponent's "Yangxi" acupoint on his wrist. The man in black groaned, his curved sword nearly slipping from his hand, and his wrist instantly swelled up considerably.

Seeing this, the remaining Blood Shadow Guards immediately formed a Bagua formation. As they swung their scimitars, a black aura pressed down like an iron curtain, cracking the bluestone slabs wherever it passed, and sending flying fragments of stone flying in all directions like hidden weapons.

"This is... the Blood Fiend Formation!" Fan Jie exclaimed from behind, gripping the medicine grinder tightly in his hand. "Chief Xiang, be careful! This formation specifically absorbs people's internal energy!"

Shi Feiyang put away his dog-beating stick and advanced instead of retreating. His body shone with silver light, and he activated the Heavenly Silkworm Skill to its limit. The silver silkworm threads that he spat out from his palms moved like living creatures. He used the move "Benefiting the Great River" and struck out with his palms with a force like surging waves, actually blasting a hole in the air shield.

The Heavenly Silkworm Technique allowed the silver threads to seep in, wrapping around the Blood Shadow Guard's meridians like spider silk.

The entangled assassins turned pale and purple. They could clearly feel their internal energy draining away along the silver threads. Some tried to circulate their energy to resist, but the silver threads suddenly tightened, tearing their dantian to pieces. Blood gushed from their seven orifices, a gruesome sight.

Seeing the situation was dire, the scarred man drew a soft whip from his waist and lashed it out, the tip of which was covered in sharp barbs: "Form a death formation!"

In an instant, the thirty-six people transformed into a crimson vortex. The net of light formed by their curved blades was impenetrable, and the resulting aura even forced the surrounding rain into mist. Shi Feiyang let out a long roar and soared into the air, his robes fluttering in the gale. His palm strike, "Flying Dragon in the Sky," carrying a crimson-gold dragon shadow, swooped down. The palm strike collided with the net of blades, exploding into dazzling sparks and creating a sharp, piercing explosion in the air.

The power of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms was extremely fierce. Two Blood Shadow Guards were sent flying backward, crashing into the wall and creating human-shaped bloody holes. The wall also collapsed due to the enormous impact. In the midst of the melee, Shi Feiyang caught a glimpse of a person with a silver bell hanging around their neck, and his heart trembled.

In an instant, Liu Tingting's voice, appearance, and smile flashed through his mind.

In that moment of distraction, three cold glints attacked from behind, moving so fast that it was impossible to react.

At the critical moment, Shi Feiyang used "Dense Clouds Without Rain," and the silver silk threads from his palm wove into a shield. With three crisp "clangs," the poisoned blade collided with the silver threads, sparks flying everywhere.

"Trying to get distracted? Die!" The scarred man seized the opportunity, his soft whip coiling like a serpent toward his throat, the barbs on the whip gleaming with a faint blue light.

Shi Feiyang countered with a backhand strike, unleashing a powerful "Dragon Tail Sweep," his palm strike sweeping across the area with the force of a thunderbolt.

The whip struck the palm with a metallic clang, and the soft whip was actually shattered, with blue smoke rising from the broken end.

Before the other party could react, the silver threads of the Heavenly Silkworm Technique had already pierced through all the major acupoints on his body.

Shi Feiyang's voice was as cold as frost: "Tell your master... I'm in charge of the Beggars' Sect!" With a clench of his palm, the scarred man's heart and lungs were ripped apart by the silkworm silk, blood flowed from his seven orifices, his pupils dilated, and his body collapsed to the ground like a rag doll.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the remaining Blood Shadow Guards threw out smoke bombs.

In an instant, thick smoke filled the air, and the pungent smell made it impossible to open one's eyes.

Shi Feiyang was prepared. The palm force of "Dragon Appears in the Field" transformed into a shield, and the silver silkworm threads that came out of his palm covered him like a fishing net.

Screams echoed through the smoke, accompanied by the sounds of bones shattering and flesh tearing apart.

When the smoke cleared, more than twenty corpses lay scattered on the ground, and the remaining Blood Shadow Guards were all wounded and looked fearful.

A crescent moon hung obliquely in the vast sky of Liaodong, its cold light spilling onto the ruins of Snow Eagle Fortress, reflecting the devastation and bloodstains scattered across the ground. Shi Feiyang, his black martial arts attire stained with blood, still had eyes as cold and stern as ever. Blood beads congealed on the dog-beating stick in his hand dripped slowly down the bamboo joints, spreading dark red marks on the thinly icy bluestone slab.

Leaning on the broken medicine grinder, Fan Jie's hunched figure appeared even more frail in the moonlight, dark red bloodstains embedded in the once warm sandalwood grain of the grinder. The white-haired old man gazed at the blood-soaked figure of the young man, his cloudy eyes surging with shock: "The martial arts of Chief Xiang are truly rare in the world!" His voice trembled, hoarse with the weariness of life, "This old man has lived for a hundred years, seen countless heroes and warriors, but I have never seen such a perfect blend of strength and gentleness in martial arts."

Shi Feiyang wiped the blood from his face, his movements casual yet exuding an innate elegance.

As dawn broke and the morning light and moonlight intertwined in his glassy eyes, they reflected a mixture of weariness and determination.

He tucked the blood-stained dog-beating stick into the mysterious deerskin bag at his waist. His clothes were stained with the blood of the enemy, which had soaked large areas of his clothes, but he seemed oblivious: "Old man, these people are just small fry."

He paused, his gaze fixed on the darkness in the distance. "The real trouble is yet to come..."

Before the words were finished, a thunderous sound of hooves came from afar, and the earth trembled slightly.

Shi Feiyang's expression suddenly turned cold, a chilling glint flashing in his glassy eyes. He turned to Fan Jie and asked in a low voice, "Senior, do you have any relatives nearby?"

Upon hearing this, a trace of sorrow flashed across Fan Jie's aged face.

He leaned shakily against the medicine grinder, the only thing keeping him from collapsing: "It's all gone, all gone..."

The old man's voice choked, and tears welled up in his eyes. "When the Qing army entered the pass, my son, my grandson, and all my disciples followed Prince Kao Shan, Shi Tianyu..." His words trailed off, leaving only a heavy sigh. "In the eyes of the Qing people, we, the remnants of the previous dynasty, were nothing but ants to be trampled on. What about Yongzheng's new policies? The Eight Banners descendants were still high above, while we remained the lowest class."

He gave a wry smile, "Even if I live to be a hundred, what can I change?"

Looking at the old man's sorrowful expression, Shi Feiyang felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

He recalled the mission he was entrusted with, and the brothers who had sacrificed themselves for the greater good of the martial arts world and for the well-being of the people.

At that moment, the sound of horses' hooves grew closer and closer.

Without further hesitation, Shi Feiyang bent down and carried Fan Jie on his back. The lingering smell of blood on his robes mingled with the faint medicinal fragrance emanating from the old man.

"Senior, I apologize for the offense," Shi Feiyang said softly, then unleashed his unparalleled lightness skill, "Leaving No Trace for a Thousand Miles."

His figure swept across the ruins like a ghost, his clothes fluttering in the cold wind.

Each step felt like walking on invisible clouds, disappearing in the darkness before dawn in an instant.

Inside Snow Eagle Fortress, the busy reconstruction is in full swing.

The shouts of craftsmen and the clanging of iron clattered together, infusing the war-torn castle with new vitality. Shi Feiyang gently set Fan Jie down and announced loudly, "From this day forward, Senior Fan is the leader of the Liaodong branch of the Beggars' Sect, and also the lord of Snow Eagle Fortress!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd was first stunned, then erupted in thunderous cheers. Fan Jie stood there dumbfounded, his aged face filled with shock and emotion, tears welling up involuntarily: "Chief Xiang, what have I done to deserve this?"

He grabbed Shi Feiyang's sleeve, trembling, "Don't worry, this old man will definitely pass on the 'Giant Spirit Palm' technique to you in its entirety, so that every disciple of the Liaodong Beggars' Sect can become a true hero!"

As night deepened, warm lights illuminated the Snow Eagle Fortress.

Shi Feiyang and Fan Jie sat facing each other, with several jars of strong liquor and simple dishes on the table.

The aroma of wine and barbecue filled the air as the two men raised their glasses and drank heartily.

Upon hearing that his son Shi Tianyu, whom he had with Liu Tingting, was such a hero, Shi Feiyang felt a surge of pride.

I wonder if Shi Tianyu has a son? Does Shi Tianyu's son have a son?

How many great-great-grandchildren does my grandson have now? Where do they live?

However, the most urgent task is to find out if there is any news about Lin Wanqing in Liaodong.

“Senior,” Shi Feiyang put down his wine glass, his eyes shining brightly, “this junior would like to ask, is there ever a Changsheng Fort in Liaodong?”

Fan Jie frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then shook his head: "I've never heard of Changsheng Fort, but there is a Lin Family Fort in Liaodong."

He paused, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. "The Lin family has been in the medicinal herb business for generations. On the surface, they seem benevolent, but the world of martial arts is a treacherous place. Who knows what kind of shady dealings they might be hiding behind the scenes? Asking the gang leader about this... could it be..."

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Shi Feiyang's lips, and a cold glint flashed in his glassy eyes: "I've only heard some rumors and wanted to find out for myself." He picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. "This world is too big, and there are too many demons and monsters lurking in the shadows. Someone has to lift the veil of shame."

Looking at the resolute face of the young man before him, Fan Jie felt a surge of admiration.

He raised his wine glass and clinked it heavily with Shi Feiyang's: "Good! With someone like Chief Xiang around, this martial world will eventually have a brighter day!"

Outside the window, the night is dark and the cold wind is howling.

But within Snow Eagle Fortress, a warm and unwavering power surged—the passion and hope of the heroes and heroines of the martial world.

The next morning, Shi Feiyang quietly left Snow Eagle Fortress to search for Lin Family Fortress.

The wind in Liaodong, carrying fine snow, scraped across the vermilion walls of Linjiabao like icy blades.

Standing beneath the ancient locust tree, Shi Feiyang's glassy eyes reflected the mottled copper nails on the fortress gate, and in a daze, memories surged like a tide.

In her past life, in the Longevity Fortress, Lin Wanqing would always lean against the door, smiling as she waited for his return, her eyes full of tenderness.

At this moment, everything before my eyes overlapped with my memories, and a wave of sorrow washed over me.

The fortress gates suddenly swung open, and sixteen men in tight-fitting clothes lined up in a Bagua formation, their curved swords gleaming with a cold, eerie blue light.

The leader, wearing a bronze mask, spoke in a voice as sharp as a broken gong: "Where did this beggar come from, daring to cause trouble in Lin Family Fortress?"

Before he could finish speaking, a cold glint was already in his eyes.

Shi Feiyang sneered, his figure moving like a ghost as he dodged the blade with the "Hidden Dragon" technique.

The silkworm threads he spat out from his palm were like serpents emerging from their holes, instantly wrapping around the wrists of the three men: "Want to try the Beggar Clan's Heavenly Silkworm Skill?"

The three men's faces turned ashen, and their inner strength surged forth like water bursting from a dam, flowing along the silk threads.

Just as tensions were about to rise, a figure in white robes walked through the snow, his long sword swirling with nine sword flowers – the long-lost "Longevity Sword Technique"! Shi Feiyang's pupils constricted, and his breath seemed to stop.

The moonlight shone on the girl, outlining her exquisite features. Her eyebrows, eyes, and expression bore a striking resemblance to his Wanqing.

"Stop!" The young girl held her longsword horizontally, her voice gentle as jade, yet carrying an undeniable authority. "You have no grudge against my Lin Family Fortress, why must you be so ruthless?" Shi Feiyang slowly withdrew the Heavenly Silkworm Silk, his throat tightening, and he spoke with difficulty: "I am Xiang Tiange, the leader of the Beggar Clan, and I have come to pay my respects to the Fortress Master and inquire about the origins of the Longevity Sword Technique." His gaze was fixed on the girl, his glassy eyes surging with complex emotions—shock, longing, and a hint of disbelief and anticipation.

The young woman frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes: "My Lin Family Fortress has never had a 'Longevity Sword Technique,' you must have come to the wrong place."

Before he finished speaking, twelve bone-piercing nails suddenly shot out from the shadows, heading straight for Shi Feiyang's back!
Shi Feiyang snorted coldly and subconsciously unleashed a sudden palm strike, the shockwave knocking all the hidden weapons away.

But his mind was not on the sneak attack at all; his gaze remained fixed on the girl.

The silken threads, like silver rain, swirled around the throats of the three attackers, but his tone unconsciously softened: "The Lin Family Fortress's hospitality is indeed unique." The girl's expression changed slightly, and her longsword thrust out like a swimming dragon, unleashing the "Longevity Sword Technique: Azure Sea Tide"! The swordplay was gentle yet contained a deadly attack. Shi Feiyang unleashed a move called "Dragon Battle in the Wilds," striking out with powerful palm strikes.

The two forces collided, scattering snow everywhere, and the withered branches of the ancient locust tree snapped in response.

However, at the moment of their exchange, Shi Feiyang deliberately held back some of his strength, afraid of hurting the lovely girl in front of him who resembled Lin Wanqing.

"Is your swordsmanship truly unrelated to Changsheng Fortress?" Shi Feiyang asked softly while dodging, his tone tinged with anticipation.

His silkworm silk quietly wrapped around the girl's sword tassel, but trembled slightly the moment it touched her—the pattern on the sword tassel was exactly the same as the sword Lin Wanqing wore in her lifetime! At this moment, Shi Feiyang seemed to have returned to his past life, back to the time when he practiced swordsmanship with Wanqing.

Seeing that the sword tassel had been restrained, the girl flipped her wrist, and the sword technique suddenly changed to "Eternal Life Sword Technique: Ten Thousand Trees Competing for Spring"!
Amidst countless sword shadows, Shi Feiyang unleashed "Flying Dragon in the Sky," his figure rising from the ground, his palm strike as powerful as thunder.

But just as he was about to strike the girl, he abruptly stopped his palm strike, and was instead swept away by the sword wind, tearing a hole in his robe.

"Who exactly are you?" The girl sheathed her sword and stood there, her beautiful eyes wide open. "Why are you so familiar with the Longevity Sword Technique?"

Shi Feiyang looked at her, his eyes gradually becoming gentle and sorrowful: "Because, I once studied this sword technique day and night with someone."

He paused, his voice growing even lower, "Her name is Lin Wanqing, and she is the person I love most."

The girl's heart trembled. Looking at the intense longing in Shi Feiyang's eyes, she was at a loss for what to do.

Just then, a faint sound of a mechanism turning came from underground!
Shi Feiyang's expression changed drastically. Without thinking, he suddenly grabbed the girl's waist and used his "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" lightness skill to leap into the air.

A deafening roar came from behind, and the spot where they had just been standing was swallowed up by a quicksand trap.

"Be careful!" Shi Feiyang held the girl in his arms, his silkworm silk forming a protective shield.

Dozens of poisoned crossbow bolts flew through the air, only to shatter upon contact with the protective shield.

He looked down at the girl in his arms, his eyes full of concern: "Are you alright?"

The girl looked at his face so close to hers, feeling his strong heartbeat, and her cheeks flushed slightly: "I...I'm fine."

After they landed, the girl looked at Shi Feiyang and asked softly, "What kind of person is Lin Wanqing that you mentioned?"

Shi Feiyang's gaze became distant and gentle: "She is graceful and elegant, and as beautiful as a fairy."

Her smile could melt the coldest ice and snow; her sword could sever all evil.

He paused, his voice trembling slightly, "Unfortunately, I will never see her again."

A pang of sadness welled up in the girl's heart. She bit her red lips and said, "Perhaps... perhaps she is thinking of you somewhere too."

Shi Feiyang looked at her, a glimmer of hope appearing in his glassy eyes: "I hope so." He took a deep breath, "No matter what, meeting you today makes me feel that there is still some warmth in this world."

The girl's heart suddenly raced. She turned her face away and whispered, "Come with me, I'll take you to see the Lord of the Fortress."

The two walked through many corridors and arrived at a secret room.

Just as the girl was about to push open the door, Shi Feiyang suddenly grabbed her: "Wait!"

The silkworm threads he spat out from his palm probed through the crack in the door like a spider web, then withdrew after a moment, carrying a faint stench of decay.

"There's something strange about this." Shi Feiyang's expression was grave. "Miss, could you tell me what the connection is between Lin Family Fort and Changsheng Fort?"

After hesitating for a long time, the girl finally said softly, "Actually... I've heard my father say since I was a child that Lin Family Fortress guards a secret about Longevity Fortress. However, my father never told me the details. But I always feel that this secret might be related to me. Oh, right, my father is not the lord of this fortress; he is just a servant, a steward."

At this point, he might feel that his status is humble, and compared with the status of "Xiang Tiange" as the leader of the Beggars' Sect, the difference is like heaven and earth, and there is a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Shi Feiyang looked at her, a surge of emotion welling up inside him.

He held the girl's hand: "No matter what dangers lie ahead, I will protect you. Because, in you, I seem to see her shadow again. And I, although the leader of a large gang, am really just a beggar who makes a living."

The girl gazed at their tightly clasped hands, her heart filled with ripples of emotion. She softly agreed, "Okay, let's uncover this secret together."

Despite the still-raging cold wind, a sense of warmth and anticipation welled up in their hearts.

Standing in front of the secret room, Shi Feiyang and the girl's eyes met, their breaths turning into a hazy white mist.

The girl gazed at their intertwined hands, a blush creeping onto her ears. She wanted to pull her hands away but was reluctant to let go of this warmth.

Shi Feiyang's crystal-clear eyes reflected her shy face, making it hard to tell whether this was an encounter in this life or a reunion in a past life. "My name is Lin Ruoxue," the girl said softly, her voice much gentler than when they first met. "I grew up in the fortress and had never heard of Changsheng Fortress, but my father repeatedly mentioned the words 'Changsheng Sword Manual' before he died."

Then, she looked up at Shi Feiyang, her eyes filled with confusion and expectation, "The Lin Wanqing you mentioned... could she be related to me?"

Shi Feiyang's Adam's apple bobbed; he wanted to speak, but didn't know where to begin.

He released his grip and took out a jade pendant from his pocket, which was the very one Lin Wanqing had given him years ago.

The two characters "长生" (longevity) engraved on the jade pendant emitted a soft luster in the dim light.

The moment Lin Ruoxue saw the jade pendant, her expression changed drastically—the jade pendant was strikingly similar to the one her mother kept close to her body!
"This... how is this possible?" Lin Ruoxue trembled as she took out her jade pendant. The two jade pendants combined to form the emblem of Changsheng Fortress. Suddenly, the rumbling sound of a mechanism turning came from the secret chamber. The walls slowly opened, revealing a dark room filled with ancient books.

The two entered the dark room. Shi Feiyang's gaze swept across the bookshelf and suddenly stopped on a yellowed notebook.

Upon opening it, it was revealed to be Lin Wanqing's handwriting!
Shi Feiyang's hands trembled slightly, and tears welled up in his glassy eyes.

Lin Ruoxue leaned closer, gazing intently at the delicate handwriting, her heart pounding. "So... Lin Wanqing is the cousin of my great-aunt's aunt's third aunt's sister! I really am related to Lin Wanqing! This relative of mine is truly amazing; she's actually a tribal queen from the grasslands! Amazing! Truly amazing! Absolutely amazing!"

Shi Feiyang murmured to himself, his voice choked with emotion, "So, she died back then while supporting Prince Shi Tianyu in resisting the Qing army!" He turned to look at Lin Ruoxue, his eyes filled with complex emotions, "And you, in both personality and appearance, are so much like her! A heroine! A true hero!"

Lin Ruoxue gazed into his affectionate eyes, her heart pounding with unprecedented excitement.

She had never imagined that her background was so intricately connected to this mysterious leader of the Beggars' Sect. "Then... what should I do now?" she asked softly, her voice unconsciously carrying a hint of dependence.

Shi Feiyang gripped her hand tightly and said firmly, "Ruoxue, I promised Wanqing that I would protect every piece of pure land in Liaodong. Now, I will protect you too." His glassy eyes burned with a blazing flame. "Come back to the Beggars' Sect with me. Together we will find Wanqing's descendants and fulfill Wanqing's unfinished wish." Lin Ruoxue looked at him, her defenses completely crumbling.

She leaned gently against Shi Feiyang's shoulder, feeling his warm body temperature: "Okay, I'll go with you."

Just then, a piercing alarm suddenly sounded in the dark room!
Countless poisoned arrows shot in from all directions. Shi Feiyang shouted, and the silkworm silk transformed into a silver shield to protect the two of them.

He unleashed the "Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms" technique, specifically the "Regretful Dragon" move, and the poisoned arrows shattered wherever his palm strikes.

"It seems someone doesn't want us to leave alive," Shi Feiyang said in a deep voice, shielding Lin Ruoxue behind him. "Hold on tight!" He wrapped his arms around her slender waist and used his unparalleled lightness skill, "Hidden Body and Name," to weave through the rain of arrows.

Lin Ruoxue hugged him tightly, feeling his strong heartbeat, and no longer felt afraid.

After rushing out of the dark room, a group of men in black surrounded them.

The leader sneered, "Lin Ruoxue, you are just a maid, yet you dared to sneak into the secret chamber and peek at the Longevity Sword Manual. You deserve to die!"

Shi Feiyang snorted coldly, a murderous glint flashing in his glassy eyes: "If you want to kill Ruoxue, you'll have to get past me first!"

He suddenly thrust out with both palms, and the palm force of "The Dragon Regrets" surged forth like a tidal wave.

The silkworm silk that was spat out from his palm danced wildly like silver snakes, and wherever it went, the men in black screamed and fell to the ground.

Lin Ruoxue gripped her longsword, wanting to help, but Shi Feiyang stopped her: "You stay behind me, protect yourself!" His voice was firm yet gentle, warming Lin Ruoxue's heart. She had never imagined that one day someone would be willing to risk everything to protect her.

In the heat of battle, Shi Feiyang suddenly discovered an opening in the enemy's defenses.

He unleashed the "Flying Dragon in the Sky" technique, leaping into the air and striking with powerful palm strikes. Silken threads, emerging from his palms, entangled the enemy's vital points, instantly subduing him. The remaining men in black, seeing this, fled in disarray.

"It's alright." Shi Feiyang turned to look at Lin Ruoxue, his eyes full of concern. "Are you hurt?"

Lin Ruoxue shook her head, looking at his blood-stained clothes, a pang of heartache gripping her: "You're injured? Oh, no! No! You said Lin Wanqing was the person you loved most, no! No! She's been dead for over a hundred years, and you're only eighteen or nineteen at most. No! No, you're lying to me, lying to me! Why are you lying to me? What grudge do I hold against you?"

Having said that, she angrily gripped her sword again, pointing it at Shi Feiyang's throat, and shouted sharply, "Speak! Who exactly are you? You damned liar, no matter how high your martial arts are, I'm not afraid of you. At most, I'll die with you! Humph!" (End of Chapter)