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

In early summer, the Helan Mountains are bathed in soft sunlight, as if nature has put on a light summer outfit.

The sky was clear and bright, with a few white clouds drifting leisurely, their dappled shadows moving slowly among the mountains.

A gentle breeze carries the fresh scent of grass and the fragrance of wildflowers, making one feel relaxed and happy.

The green in the mountains grew even deeper, with trees growing lush and verdant.

The stream babbles merrily, clear and transparent, weaving merrily among the rocks and tree roots, making a pleasant sound. Occasionally, a bird or two skims across the water, splashing a few drops before quickly flying away into the distance.

In the distance, the snow-capped mountains still stand majestically, but under the warm sunshine of early summer, the snow line gradually rises, exposing more rocks and soil, showcasing a unique rugged beauty.

At the foot of the mountain, wildflowers bloom in vibrant colors, contrasting beautifully with the greenery of the mountains, creating a captivating scene.

In early summer, the entire Helan Mountains present both a majestic and magnificent landscape, as well as a delicate and gentle charm.

Tu Yanfei, the beautiful disciple of the Huashan Sword Sect and the leader of the Northwest Branch of the Beggars' Sect, was standing in front of the castle's pavilion. She stood with her hands behind her back, quietly watching the Beggars' Sect disciples practice their martial arts in the training ground.

Not far away, Gu Yi, the eldest disciple of the Huashan Sword Sect, led his men back with a shipment of goods. They were all covered in blood, clearly having just gone through a fierce battle.

The Beggars' Sect disciples on the training ground were all in high spirits, their fists and feet moving with incredible speed and momentum, showcasing the unique martial arts style of the Beggars' Sect. Tu Yanfei nodded slightly, quite satisfied with the disciples' performance.

The scorching sun of the Northwest beat down on the Helan Mountains, and the watchtower of the Beggars' Sect's Northwest Branch stood majestically amidst the heatwave.

Tu Yanfei stood with her hands behind her back in front of the carved window of the pavilion. Her moon-white dress swayed gently in the wind, and the tassel of the green sword hanging at her waist brushed against her calves, casting shimmering shadows on the scorching green bricks.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like cold stars reflecting snow, and her delicate nose and red lips exuded the unique heroic spirit of the Huashan Sword Sect. Her high bun, tied with red silk, swayed slightly in the mountain breeze, as if she were about to transform into a startled swan and fly away at any moment.

On the training ground, shouts from the Beggars' Sect disciples rose and fell.

Amidst the flashing of staffs, some displayed the exquisite "Dog-Tossing-to-the-Sky" move, while others practiced the powerful Dragon-Subduing Palm technique. Tu Yanfei watched this bustling scene, a faint smile unconsciously appearing on his lips, thinking to himself, "Our Beggars' Sect is brimming with vitality everywhere."

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves approached from afar, accompanied by heavy breathing.

She looked up and saw a troop of people approaching, kicking up dust. Leading them was Gu Yi, the eldest disciple of the Huashan Sword Sect. Blood was still dripping from the hem of his clothes, and his golden chainmail was torn in many places. The disciples behind him were also all wounded, their battle robes stained with blood.

Tu Yanfei quickly went downstairs, her skirt flowing like a cloud across the steps.

Gu Yi dismounted and knelt on one knee: "Master!" His voice was hoarse, revealing his undisguised exhaustion, "This journey was extremely dangerous. We were ambushed by the Iron Halberd Society at Wushaoling and almost lost all our brothers!"

Tu Yanfei frowned slightly and gently helped Gu Yi up with her delicate hand: "Get up and talk first. How are the casualties among the brothers?" Her gaze swept over the wounds on everyone's bodies, and a trace of heartache flashed in her eyes.

Gu Yi sighed, "We lost seven people and more than ten were seriously injured. But fortunately, the grain transport entrusted by the Canal Gang is safe and sound."

He paused, his eyes blazing with anger. "This time, the Iron Halberd Society's Grand Master, Hei Buqiu, personally led the team, and the Vice Grand Master, Erqing, possessed the unpredictable 'Sky-Splitting Halberd Technique.' Elder Xiao Heling was pierced through the shoulder by the tip of his halberd while protecting the caravan."

Tu Yanfei gripped the sword hilt tightly, her knuckles turning white: "How dare the Iron Halberd Society be so rampant! Hei Buqiu's 'Mixed Yuan Iron Halberd Skill' is already difficult to deal with, and with Erqing's Fangtian Halberd Technique added on, it is indeed troublesome."

She gazed at the distant, rolling mountains, her eyes growing increasingly resolute. "It seems we must ask Father to come out of seclusion. He is the only one who has mastered the 'Three Green Peaks of Taiyue' sword technique of Mount Hua. Senior Brother Gu, immediately send a message back to Mount Hua by carrier pigeon, saying that Tu Yanfei earnestly requests Master to lead his disciples to aid our Beggars' Sect's Northwest Branch!"

Just as Gu Yi was about to turn and leave, a little beggar came running up, panting, "Master! The Chief has arrived at the training ground!" Tu Yanfei's body trembled violently, and the handkerchief in her hand fell to the ground with a "thud".

She turned sharply to look out the window, and there she saw the figure she had been longing for walking towards her against the light. Shi Feiyang's blue robe was tattered, but it couldn't hide his tall and straight figure; his glassy eyes shone brightly in the sunlight, carrying a reassuring power.

"Tiange," she whispered, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.

Countless days and nights of longing burst forth at this moment, and memories surged like a tide—his gentle teaching of sword techniques under the moonlight, his focused instruction in three moves of the Dog-Beating Stick Technique, and his parting words, "Wait for me."

She lifted her skirt and dashed out like a white lightning bolt. The red silk in her hair fluttered in the wind, like a burning flame.

Shi Feiyang seemed to sense something, and the two met eyes the moment he looked up.

"Tiange!" Tu Yanfei could no longer control herself and threw herself into Shi Feiyang's arms. Tears soaked his clothes, and her voice choked with sobs, "You've finally come! I've been waiting day and night, hoping to see you again."

Shi Feiyang held her trembling body tightly, feeling the familiar scent of cedar in her hair: "Fei'er, you've suffered so much." He gently stroked her long hair and comforted her, "I've heard about the Iron Halberd Society's affair. This time, we will make them pay for their crimes in blood!"

Tu Yanfei looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I knew it. As long as you're here, I'm not afraid of anything." She smiled through her tears and gently wiped the dust from Shi Feiyang's face. "But look at you, dressed in rags, you don't look like a leader at all."

Shi Feiyang smiled and took her hand: "In front of you, I have always been Tian Ge." He turned to look at the Beggar Clan disciples who were standing ready in the distance, his eyes gradually sharpening. "Pass down the order: prepare the troops! In three days, head straight for the Iron Halberd Society's headquarters!"

The summer night breeze, carrying the sweet fragrance of jujube blossoms, swept across the Beggars' Sect camp, causing Tu Yanfei's moon-white skirt to flutter in the wind, and the red silk in her hair to billow like flames in the twilight.

Shi Feiyang stood with his hands behind his back, his crystal-clear eyes reflecting the last rays of the setting sun. The Dog-Beating Staff at his waist swayed gently with his breath, emitting a soft hum. "Chief, a whole roasted lamb and strong liquor have been prepared for the banquet," a Beggar Clan disciple hurried forward to report.

Shi Feiyang nodded and attended the enthusiastic welcome banquet hosted by the Northwest Branch of the Beggars' Sect.

After the banquet, Shi Feiyang said to the others, "You all go first, Fei'er and I still have some things to talk about."

After everyone had left, Shi Feiyang suddenly grasped her hand. It was delicate to the touch but covered with calluses—marks left from years of sword practice.

Tu Yanfei looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the gradually brightening stars: "Tiange, is the 'head-chopping sword technique' you mentioned at the banquet today really that powerful?" Her voice was soft, but it couldn't hide the curiosity and longing in it.

Shi Feiyang smiled and pulled her towards the dense forest outside the camp: "Theory is no substitute for practice. Why don't I teach you myself?"

Deep in the dense forest, moonlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns of silver. The Vermilion Bird and the White Tiger had already disappeared into the shadows, like two guardian ghosts.

Shi Feiyang released Tu Yanfei's hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the bamboo stick transformed into a three-foot-long green sword: "This 'Head-Chopping Sword Technique' is not about speed, but about 'momentum.' It's like the Yellow River flowing down from the sky; no matter how powerful you are, you can't withstand its sharpness."

With a flick of his wrist, the sword flashed like lightning, unleashing the "Raging Shattering of the Heavenly Gate" strike. Wherever the sword energy reached, a pine tree as thick as a bowl snapped in two, the cut as clean as if sliced ​​by a knife. Tu Yanfei's beautiful eyes widened, and she gasped, "What domineering swordsmanship!"

Shi Feiyang sheathed his sword and stood there, his clothes fluttering in the wind: "This move borrows the power of heaven and earth and gathers the strength of the whole body. It seems clumsy, but it actually contains hidden secrets. However, if you encounter an enemy with agile movements..." Before he finished speaking, he suddenly moved and took an unexpected turn with his sword, using the "Neck-Entangling Style".

The sword light darted like a serpent, moving from top to bottom, then suddenly slashing from the lower left, accompanied by a piercing shriek in the air.

Tu Yanfei felt a chill rush to her face and subconsciously took a half step back, only to see Shi Feiyang's sword tip stop just three inches from her throat, the blade humming. "This sword strike seems circuitous, but it actually calculated the opponent's retreat route accurately." Shi Feiyang sheathed his sword, his fingertips tracing her burning cheek, "But the most powerful one is still 'Execution Ground Beheading'."

He suddenly grabbed her hand and placed the sword hilt into her palm: "Watch closely." Tu Yanfei felt a surge of powerful internal energy flow through her arm into the sword. Shi Feiyang slowly raised her hand, and the sword tip pointed straight at the sky.

In an instant, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and the light of the stars and moon gathered on the tip of the sword.

“This move is the best move of having no moves,” Shi Feiyang’s voice rang in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe. “You only need to act according to your heart and let the sword intent flow naturally.” With that, he released her hand.

Tu Yanfei lightly flicked her jade wrist, and the tip of her sword drew a strange arc.

This seemingly casual sword strike caused the surrounding vegetation to sway without wind, and even cracked the ground with a sword mark half a foot deep.

"I did it!" She turned around in surprise, only to unexpectedly bump into Shi Feiyang's warm embrace. "Truly a gifted individual."

Shi Feiyang gently embraced her waist, his glassy eyes filled with pride. "However, this sword technique is too fierce. Unless it is a matter of life and death, it should not be used lightly."

He lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead. "I taught you swordsmanship so that you could protect yourself, not so that you could take risks."

Tu Yanfei buried her head in his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat: "With you here, I have nothing to fear. But if anyone dares to hurt you..."

She raised her head, a sharp glint in her eyes. "I'll show them the power of this 'Head-Chopping Sword Technique'!"

Shi Feiyang burst into laughter, picked up Tu Yanfei, and spun her around, the joyful laughter echoing through the forest.

At this moment, all the conflicts and grudges among sects in the outside world vanished like fleeting clouds.

In this tranquil, dense forest, only two loving hearts and a sword technique powerful enough to shake the martial arts world shine brightly in the night.

The chirping of summer insects weaves a soft net in the dense forest, while Shi Feiyang's laughter startles the pine needles into a rustling sound.

As Tu Yanfei was lifted up by the waist and spun into the air, her moon-white skirt fluttered like a startled swan spreading its wings. The jade hairpin in her hair fell to the ground, but Shi Feiyang gently hooked it with his toes and carefully tucked it back into her temple.

"Tian Ge!" she exclaimed, clutching his clothes tightly, but in the instant their eyes met, she was lost in the starry river reflected in his clear, glassy eyes. The spinning force suddenly slowed, and the Vermilion Bird's wings unfolded in the moonlight, like a crimson screen.

The tent curtains trembled slightly in the night breeze, like a shy beauty gently veiling her face.

Shi Feiyang carried her sideways into the room, the brocade quilt on the couch still retaining the warm fragrance of the daytime sunlight. Tu Yanfei looked up at his sharply defined jawline, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the throbbing pulse on his neck: "That move just now, 'Execution Ground Beheading'..."

"Shh—" Shi Feiyang lightly touched her lips with his fingertips, and gently brushed away the strands of hair that were stuck together with sweat with his other hand. "Let's not talk about swordsmanship now, let's talk about romance." His voice was as deep as a cello, stirring ripples in the quiet tent.

Tu Yanfei felt completely powerless and let him gently place her on the brocade quilt.
Moonlight filtered through the thin veil, illuminating his shoulders as if he were draped in a silver, scale-like armor. "Fei'er, do you know," Shi Feiyang leaned down to kiss away the moonlight from her eyelashes, "that the way your eyes reddened when you wielded your sword was more captivating than the azaleas of Mount Hua." Tu Yanfei suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his warm chest: "But what I want isn't for you to kill for me, but for you to live..."

Her voice was low and deep, like a sweet pastry, "Tiange, if I could exchange ten years of my life for your safety, I would definitely go to the King of Hell's palace to snatch back the Book of Life and Death." Shi Feiyang's throat moved slightly, and the brocade quilt rippled with the movement.

He gazed into her watery eyes and suddenly recalled her appearance in white amidst the Huashan sword formation when they first met—back then, she was like a thorny plum blossom in the cold, but now, she was willing to become as gentle as silk for him.

"Silly girl," he said with a smile, gently biting her earlobe, "you, this delicate flower, should be held in the palm of my hand and cherished, not stained with blood for me."

Tu Yanfei suddenly looked up and offered a passionate kiss.

Outside the tent, the white tiger let out a low whimper, while the vermilion bird gently shook its wings, scattering countless stars into the curtain.

As the first rays of dawn pierced through the curtains, Tu Yanfei nestled in Shi Feiyang's arms, her fingertips gently tracing the cinnabar mole on his chest—the mark she had placed with lipstick the night before. She looked up at him, the morning light gilding his silhouette, and her eyes reflected a steadfastness more radiant than the rising sun.

The earthen ramparts outside Ningxia City glowed a dark reddish-brown under the scorching sun. On the mound of the Iron Halberd Society's headquarters, a fierce wind whipped up sand and gravel, lashing the cowhide tents like arrows. Hei Buqiu sat cross-legged on a tiger-skin chair, rhythmically tapping the armrest with a short halberd made of fine iron, producing a teeth-grinding "crackling" sound.

"Gu Yi's Huashan swordsmanship is nothing but a show!" He suddenly sneered, a sinister glint in his triangular eyes. "That day during the robbery, his 'Thirteen Forms of the Soaring Dragon' couldn't even withstand the halberd wind of Vice Chief Er, let alone Tu Yanfei." Er Qing stroked the halberd at his waist, its gilded shaft reflecting the flickering candlelight. "The Chief Chief is absolutely right. The reputation of the Huashan Sword Sect is probably just hype." He suddenly pulled out a gold brick from his robes and tossed it between his palms. "The Sticky Pole Bureau has gone all out this time. If we don't uproot the Beggars' Sect's Northwest Branch..."

"Wait!" Elder Yandi suddenly stood up, the iron chains under his sheepskin coat rattling. "What good intentions does the imperial court have? They just want to use us to make the martial arts world fight amongst themselves! Once they're both exhausted, they'll reap the benefits!"

"Hmph!" Hei Buqiu slammed his short halberd heavily onto the table, sending wood chips flying. "Elder Yandi, have you been terrified by the Beggars' Sect? Do you intend to disobey the orders of the Sticky Rod Office?" Another elder, Su Shi, also rose to advise, "Chief, please calm down. What Yandi says is not without reason. Back then, the Northwest Canal Gang fell into the trap of the imperial court and suffered complete annihilation."

"Shut up!" Erqing roared, his halberd suddenly drawing half a foot from its sheath, a cold glint in its eyes. "If you dare to embolden the enemy again, don't blame me for being merciless under my halberd!"

Just as tensions were rising inside the tent, a long, drawn-out horn sounded in the distance. Hei Buqiu's expression changed drastically, and he grabbed his short halberd and rushed out the door.

The north wind whipped up sand and gravel like thousands of fine needles, causing the earthen Great Wall outside Ningxia City to emit a mournful sound.

Hei Buqiu's triangular eyes flashed with ferocity as he stared at the four figures rushing towards him across the sky. He slammed his short halberd heavily against the tiger-skin chair: "You've come at the right time! Today, I'll make sure you don't leave alive!"

Before he finished speaking, Shi Feiyang arrived, his feet treading on a blue light. His crystal-clear eyes, reflecting the blazing sun, were even more dazzling than the weapons in the hands of the Iron Halberd Society members.

Tu Yanfei followed closely behind, her moon-white dress fluttering like a banner. The green sword at her waist was still sheathed, but its aura had already shaken the sand and gravel within three zhang (approximately 10 meters) into mid-air. The red silk in her hair was blown into blood-red flames by the gale. With each step she took, she not only shattered the sand and gravel, but also caused the ground to tremble faintly.

Gu Yi raised his sword and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Heling. Their sword strikes complemented each other, forming an invisible wall of energy around them.

"Heavenly Halberd Formation, activate!" Erqing roared, and three hundred Iron Halberd Society henchmen suddenly surged out from around the mound.

Long halberds stood like a forest, short halberds like teeth, their surfaces gleaming with a bluish-black rust under the blazing sun. The stench of blood permeating the formation was almost tangible. The burly men in the front row roared in unison, and the twelve long halberds formed a strangling grid, aiming straight for Shi Feiyang's throat, heart, and dantian—three vital acupoints.

Shi Feiyang smirked and released the emerald green dog-beating stick, which flew out of his hand and drew a strange arc in the air.

"Luring the dogs into the stronghold!" The bamboo stick struck Erqing's wrist holding the halberd precisely, and with a crisp cracking sound, the halberd flew out of his hand.

Before anyone could react, his palm shone brightly, and silver-white silkworm threads emerged like serpents, instantly entangling the three Iron Halberd Society elders.

"Ah—!" A shrill scream tore through the sky. The moment the silkworm silk pierced their skin, the three elders' expressions changed drastically, their inner strength being forcibly drained like water from a burst dam. Their pupils were bloodshot, their internal organs were shredded into pieces by the surging force, and the blood spurting from their seven orifices condensed into a blood mist in the air, turning Shi Feiyang's entire body into a scarlet Asura.

"No more dogs in the world!" Shi Feiyang used the momentum to leap into the air, and the dog-beating stick transformed into a sky full of green shadows.

At this moment, all thirty-six styles of staff techniques were integrated, and the air was shattered into visible ripples, blasting the front-row henchmen and their halberds into mincemeat.

Severed limbs and fragments of halberds rained down, instantly turning the sand into a dark red swamp. Tu Yanfei drew her longsword and unleashed her "Decapitation Sword Technique." Her movements were as lithe as a ghost, and wherever her sword flashed, halberds snapped like withered branches.

When "Raging Through the Heavenly Gate" was unleashed, the sword energy solidified into a tangible dragon head, slicing off half of a mound ten zhang away; "Execution Ground Beheading" descended, cleaving an elder in two, halberd and all, his entrails spilling out. She touched the ground with her toes, a red ribbon sweeping across another enemy's face, the "Neck-Entangling Strike" like a venomous snake coiling around his throat, the sword already piercing through. Gu Yi and Xiao Heling's swords combined in perfect harmony.

The two fighters used contrasting techniques, one forceful and the other gentle, their swordplay intertwining to create a net that forced the enemy attempting to flank them to retreat repeatedly.

Suddenly, five Iron Halberd Society experts formed the "Five Tigers Severing the Gate Formation," with their five short halberds striking out like tiger claws. However, Xiao Heling unleashed nine sword flowers with his longsword, suddenly executing the "Cloud Severing Heavenly Gate" technique from the "Three Green Peaks of Taiyue." The sword energy, like a bolt of lightning, swept across the sky, cleaving the formation in two.

Seeing the situation was dire, Hei Buqiu's short halberd transformed into a cold star, aiming straight for Shi Feiyang's back. Tu Yanfei let out a delicate shout, her Qingfeng sword flying from her hand, drawing seventy-two sword shadows in the air. "Don't hurt my husband!" Amidst the clang of swords, the two halberds clashed, sparks flying everywhere.

Hei Buqiu felt a numbness in his tiger's mouth, but when he saw Shi Feiyang turn around, his glass eyes flashed with killing intent. He used the "Dog-Beating Stick" technique to strike the dog's head with the "Chop" technique. The bamboo stick smashed down with tremendous force, actually smashing the short halberd in his hand into scrap iron.

Erqing seized the opportunity to snatch back the Fangtian Halberd, and his halberd technique suddenly changed, unleashing all thirteen moves of the "Sky-Splitting Thirteen Styles".

Amidst the countless shadows of halberds, Shi Feiyang neither dodged nor evaded. Suddenly, the Heavenly Silkworm Silk tripled in size, enveloping the entire area like a spider web.

The henchmen touched by the silkworm silk froze instantly, their bodies, drained of internal energy, collapsed like withered sacks. Seeing this, Tu Yanfei combined his longsword with Shi Feiyang's silkworm silk, and with a combination of strength and gentleness, he actually shredded Erqing's halberd shadow into pieces.

Hei Buqiu staggered backward, staring in horror at Shi Feiyang who was walking slowly towards him: "Are you a human or a ghost?"

A cold glint flashed in Shi Feiyang's glassy eyes, and the Heavenly Silkworm Silk coiled around the other's throat like a serpent: "Remember, those who offend the Beggars' Sect will be punished no matter how far away they are!" With a muffled thud, Hei Buqiu collapsed to the ground.

"The Iron Halberd Society has committed countless evils, and today is your death day!" Shi Feiyang roared, slamming his dog-beating stick into the sand.

In an instant, centered on the bamboo stick, all the yellow sand within a ten-zhang radius rose into the air, forming a sand curtain that blotted out the sky. When the sandstorm subsided, the Iron Halberd Society members lay scattered in pools of blood.

As the sun sets, the mound has become a battlefield.

Shi Feiyang stepped over the scattered limbs, his glassy eyes reflecting the blood-red sunset. Blood dripping from his dog-beating stick burned small, sizzling holes in the sand. Tu Yanfei sheathed her sword, her moon-white dress stained with blood, yet more radiant and captivating than ever: this battle would surely make the Beggars' Sect and the Huashan Sword Sect's reputation resound like thunder throughout the martial world.

Upon seeing that their leader was dead, the members of the Iron Halberd Society scattered like birds and beasts.

Tu Yanfei sheathed her sword and walked to Shi Feiyang's side: "Tiange, with you here, even the most dangerous enemies are nothing to fear."

Shi Feiyang held her hand tightly, gazing at the blood-red sunset in the distance: "Fei'er, wherever there are people, there is a martial world; wherever there is a martial world, there is bloodshed and turmoil. The fact that we can live is a blessing, a happiness."

The wind swept across the mound, carrying away the corpses scattered on the ground.

This battle yielded a great deal of money and provisions for the Iron Halberd Society.

However, the news of Shi Feiyang's annihilation of the Iron Halberd Society spread like wildfire throughout the martial arts world.

When the blood-stained banners of the Iron Halberd Society are buried by the sandstorm, a new crisis, like molten lava surging from the ground, quietly approaches.

Upon learning of the impending destruction of the Iron Halberd from the Sticky Rod Office, a sinister chuckle echoed from the secret chamber.

He rubbed the secret letter in his hand, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "The Beggars' Clan is getting more and more arrogant. Do they think they can rest easy after killing a few small fry? Pass on my order to have the spies lurking in each branch wait for the right moment to strike."

Beneath the gilded mask of Xiao Qianwan, the leader of the Netherworld Alliance, a strange smile appeared. He lightly tapped the twisted vine and skull patterns on the token and ordered the shadowy figure, "The Northwest Branch of the Beggars' Sect will surely be severely weakened after this battle. Notify the Shadow Assassination Hall to prepare for a night raid."

Inside the castle of the Beggars' Sect's Northwest Branch in the Helan Mountains, Shi Feiyang unfolded the secret reports from various places, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper. Tu Yanfei stepped forward lightly, draped an outer robe over him, and said softly, "Tiange, is there trouble?"

Shi Feiyang grasped her hand and said in a deep voice, "The Iron Halberd Society is connected to the Sticky Rod Bureau behind the scenes, and this matter will definitely not end here. Moreover, the Netherworld Alliance is probably also plotting something." Gu Yi rushed over and said to Tu Yanfei with a solemn expression, "Master, a suspicious dark figure has been spotted outside the city. It is likely that people from the Netherworld Alliance are spying on us."

Tu Yanfei's eyes sharpened, and he gripped his sword hilt tightly: "You've come at the right time. I was just about to meet these cowardly rats. However, I should first send a message by carrier pigeon to inform all the liaison stations to be careful of the enemy's feint attack."

Meanwhile, in Shandong, Elder Peng and Elder Liu were helping Lin Ruoxue establish a branch.

They had just finalized a cooperation agreement with the local heroes when they received news that the Netherworld Alliance was active in the vicinity. Lin Ruoxue frowned slightly and said decisively, "Elders, we cannot sit idly by and wait for our doom. We must speed up the construction of the branch's defensive fortifications and send people to investigate the Netherworld Alliance's strongholds." Elder Peng nodded in praise, "Madam is a woman of exceptional talent. With Madam in charge, the Shandong branch will surely be impregnable."

Within the imperial city, Lu Chenzhou disguised himself as a wealthy merchant, moving among high-ranking officials and nobles. On the surface, he drank and chatted with the people of the Sticky Rod Bureau, but in reality, he secretly gathered intelligence. At a banquet, he overheard a commander of the Sticky Rod Bureau, after drinking, inadvertently mention the "Poisonous Scorpion Plan" targeting the Beggars' Clan.

Lu Chenzhou was shocked, realizing that the situation was far more serious than he had imagined, and sent a message to Shi Feiyang by carrier pigeon overnight.

After receiving the news from all sides, Shi Feiyang immediately sent a message by carrier pigeon to the Beggars' Sect heroes: "The enemy is coming with great force, we must take the initiative to attack. Tu Yanfei, guard the northwest, Lin Ruoxue, stabilize Shandong, and Lu Chenzhou, continue to investigate the capital. Elder Peng and Elder Liu, you should go to the Jiangnan branch immediately to assist Zhou Weirou in strengthening the defenses. As for me, I will personally lead a team to raid one of the Netherworld Alliance's strongholds and teach them a lesson."

Shi Feiyang held the dog-beating stick in his hand, his eyes like those of an eagle.

The northerly wind, carrying sand and gravel, crashed against the iron chains of the watchtower, making a wailing sound.

Tu Yanfei walked barefoot across the cold blue bricks, her moon-white skirt sweeping across the desk, causing the unfinished battle report to rustle.

She gazed at her reddened eyes in the bronze mirror, her fingertips tracing the lip print Shi Feiyang had left the night before. Suddenly, she grabbed her Qingfeng sword and rushed towards the pavilion, the red ribbon in her hair whipping wildly behind her like blood. The moment the wooden door of the pavilion was flung open, Shi Feiyang's wolf-hair brush drew long, dark strokes on the defense map.

He looked up and saw Tu Yanfei with her hair disheveled, her chest heaving, and glistening tears rolling down her chin, spreading into dark patterns on her moon-white dress. "Tiange!" She staggered and threw herself into his arms, her nails digging deep into his back. "They say the Netherworld Alliance has a thousand assassins, and that your Heavenly Silkworm Silk can't stop them..." Shi Feiyang dropped his pen and picked her up, only to find her back soaked—he didn't know when she had run to him in the rain.

“Silly girl,” his voice was hoarse as he wiped the rain and tears from her face with his sleeve, “Even if the Netherworld Alliance has ten thousand men, this dog-beating stick of mine can still carve a bloody path for you.” Tu Yanfei suddenly bit his shoulder, the force almost drawing blood: “I don’t want any bloody path! I just want you to live!”

When she looked up, her eyes were so red they looked like they were about to bleed. "Do you know? These past few nights I've dreamt of you lying in front of me covered in blood, and when I wake up, the sheets are soaked with tears."

Shi Feiyang's Adam's apple bobbed, and his glassy eyes turned bloodshot.

He slammed her against the wall, his burning kiss landing on her trembling lips: "Fei'er, you can take my life if you want." His hand stroked her cold back, "But remember, my life is yours, so I won't die, and you won't be allowed to die either."

Tu Yanfei suddenly broke down in tears, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck: "I don't care! I don't care about the rules of the martial world! If you dare to die, I'll turn myself into a vengeful ghost and haunt you every night!" Her fingernails scratched five bloody marks on his back. "You are my god, my light. Without you, this martial world is an endless hell for me."

Shi Feiyang picked her up and turned to walk towards the soft couch. The candlelight cast their intertwined shadows on the wall: "Then what if this martial world becomes hell?"

He loosened her messy hair tie. "With you in my arms, even if I had to go to the eighteenth level of hell, I would gladly accept it."

The Vermilion Bird suddenly let out a clear and melodious cry, and the gust of wind stirred up by its wings ripped open the window frame.

Shi Feiyang picked up the limp Tu Yanfei and carried her out the window, where the moonlight bathed them in a silvery glow.

The white tiger roared and leaped onto the vermilion bird's back, carrying the two entwined lovers soaring into the clouds. Inside the tent, Tu Yanfei buried her face in the crook of his neck, her voice hoarse with contentment: "Tiange, crush me, mix me with your blood, and then we'll never be separated again."

The Vermilion Bird carried the two of them through the clouds, and the scattered starlight shone through the thin gauze of the tent, flowing like a silver river on Tu Yanfei's snow-white skin.

Shi Feiyang's hand around her waist held a domineering strength, his crystal eyes reflecting her flushed cheeks, burning hotter than the churning sunset clouds. "Fei'er, do you know," his voice gently brushed against her ear, deep and irresistible, "ever since you shielded me from that deadly sword energy in the Huashan Sword Formation, I've been plotting how to keep this stunning beauty by my side." His fingertips lightly traced the cinnabar "Heaven" character tattooed on her heart, burning like a wildfire, "and now, I've finally achieved my wish."

Tu Yanfei raised her head, her eyes still glistening with tears, yet now shimmering with the tide of emotion.

She wrapped her soft arms around his neck and buried her blushing cheeks in his chest: "You are my destiny's calamity. Knowing that I will be shattered to pieces, I am still willing to become a moth drawn to the flame."

Before she could finish speaking, her lips were sealed by his undeniable kiss, with a force that seemed to overturn the heavens and earth.

Outside the tent, the white tiger suddenly let out a low growl, and the vermilion bird responded with a long cry, the air currents from its wings causing the thin gauze tent to swell.

Tu Yanfei murmured, almost as if she were merging herself into his very bones: "Tiange, look at the heavens above, there are no grudges of the martial world, no bloodshed. Only you and me." Her fingertips gently stroked his sharply defined jawline. "How I wish time could stand still here, so I could be a prisoner in your arms forever." The brocade quilt in the tent billowed like flowing clouds.

"Prisoner?" Shi Feiyang gently nibbled on Tu Yanfei's earlobe, his laughter full of doting affection. "You are the lines on my palm, my destined home. Even if the entire martial world is against me, I will protect you in this small space."

The Vermilion Bird carried the devoted lovers over the majestic snow-capped mountains, while wisps of cloud swirled around the tent, forming a gentle barrier.

High above, far from the hustle and bustle of the world, love surges like strong liquor, purer than the millennia-old ice of Tianshan and more fiery than the gale of Kunlun, composing the most moving chapter between heaven and earth.

The Northwest Branch's watchtower cast a huge shadow in the twilight. Xiao Heling's white hair was like frost, and his withered fingers unconsciously rubbed the broken sword at his waist—a half-shard of blade that had been cut off by Erqing Fangtian Halberd during the Iron Halberd Battle.

When he caught a glimpse of Shi Feiyang carrying Tu Yan as he leaped onto the back of the Vermilion Bird, watching the giant crimson bird carry the two of them into the clouds, a sinister smile suddenly bloomed on his deeply lined face, like a venomous snake coiled among the gnarled branches of an old tree.

"A single encounter in the golden autumn breeze and jade dew surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world," he murmured to himself, a sharp, cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Turning around, he saw Gu You huddled in the corner. This usually aloof and cold-faced eldest disciple of the Huashan Sword Sect was now in tears, his knuckles white from the force of his grip. "What kind of behavior is this!" Xiao Heling roared, slamming his foot heavily on the blue brick, kicking up a cloud of dust. "Gu You, as the top disciple of Huashan, how can you be so disgraceful! There are countless beauties in the world, why must you debase yourself for Tu Yanfei?"

Gu Yi suddenly looked up, his eyes red as blood: "Elder! You don't understand! My junior sister and I grew up on Jade Maiden Peak, practicing swordsmanship together, watching the sunrise together," his voice choked with emotion, "but now she has become another man's wife!"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a gust of wind hit his face, and Xiao Heling's withered hand slapped him hard across the face.

"You good-for-nothing!" Xiao Heling's beard trembled, his eyes filled with anger and disappointment. "Your master spent twenty years painstakingly cultivating you, teaching you the 'Taiyue Three Green Peaks' sword technique, only for you to cry and whine here?"

He leaned closer to Gu Yi and lowered his voice, "Do you really think we came to the Northwest to help the Beggars' Sect set up a branch?"

Gu Yi was startled, and his longsword clattered to the ground: "Elder, what... do you mean by that?"

Xiao Heling sneered, a calculating glint in his eyes: "Last year, when the sect leader first met Xiang Tiange at Mount Hua, he sensed that he had a secret device hidden at his waist. While ordinary people might not be able to see it with their naked eyes, what kind of eyesight does your master possess?"

His withered fingers traced lines in the air. "The Huashan Sword Sect and the Qi Sect originally shared the same origin, but they split due to the upheaval a hundred years ago. If we could obtain Xiang Tiange's secret treasure..."

His gaze was intense. "Then we can revitalize Mount Hua and subdue the entire Qi Sect!" Gu Yi staggered backward, knocking over a weapon rack beside him. "So... Junior Sister's approach to Xiang Tiange was Master's scheme?"

"Finally, you've figured it out!" Xiao Heling clapped his hands and laughed, his laughter carrying an indescribable chill. "Tu Yanfei has married into the Beggars' Sect and is sharing a bed with Xiang Tiange. Are you still afraid of not being able to get that secret treasure? Once the mission is accomplished, she will naturally return to your side."

“But she…she will become…” Gu Yi’s voice trembled, “a betrayed person!”

"Shut up!" Xiao Heling was furious and slapped him across the face again. "What a foolish view! A man should prioritize the greater good when he stands between heaven and earth! Your master would even use his own daughter as a pawn for the revival of Mount Hua, yet you are preoccupied with personal feelings?"

He grabbed Gu Yi's collar, "Think about the tragic situation when the Qi Sect rebelled and our Sword Sect disciples were expelled from Mount Hua! Those fellow disciples who froze to death in the cold night, were their blood shed in vain?"

Gu Yi stared blankly at Xiao Heling, suddenly recalling that snowy night ten years ago—the Qi Sect launched a surprise attack on the Sword Sect, and he carried the heavily injured Tu Yanfei as they fled between cliffs, his junior sister's blood dripping onto his neck.

At this moment, the innocent and carefree girl from my memory has become a bargaining chip for the revival of the sect.

“But Junior Sister…” Gu Ren murmured, “is she really willing to be this pawn?” (End of Chapter)