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

The messenger dismounted, his black cloak stained with mud, but the military report in his arms was dry and new.

Shi Feiyang unfolded the yellowed Xuan paper, his fingertips lightly tracing the eight characters "Kobdo City falls, people are displaced," his palm trembling slightly.

He stared at those eight characters, and could feel the devastation of the disaster and the helplessness and suffering of the displaced people.

He looked up at the northwest horizon, where leaden clouds churned, much like the blizzard he had witnessed many years ago when he first joined the Beggars' Sect outside Yanmen Pass.

That snow, like the sky now, was heavy and oppressive, foreshadowing an ominous sign.

"Yonglian, come here." Shi Feiyang squatted down, his black jade belt buckle brushing against the child's tiger-head hat. The map was spread out on the bluestone, the broken city walls and charred villages were glaringly obvious, making one's eyes burn.

He pointed to the ruins on the map and explained the cruelty of war to Yonglian.

“Look at these smokes that no longer rise…” Shi Feiyang’s voice suddenly became very soft, as if he was afraid of disturbing the sleeping souls in the painting. “If the ruler of the world cannot protect his people, what difference is there between him and a tyrant and a traitor, even if he owns thousands of miles of land?”

His words were filled with sympathy for the people suffering in the war.

Yonglian touched the crooked city markers on the map, seemingly understanding but not quite, and suddenly pointed to the red dot at the ruins of Kobdo City: "Here... is there blood flowing here?" The child's question made Shi Feiyang's heart tighten, and he hugged the child tightly.

The scents of sandalwood and milk mingled, yet they couldn't mask the lingering stench of blood on the military report. Shi Feiyang's throat tightened; he understood that this wasn't just a tragedy for Kobdo, but a tragedy for the entire Qing Dynasty.

He looked up and saw Lady Fucha leaning against a vermilion pillar, her plain spring dress clinging to her slender waist in the wind, her hair ornaments swaying gently, like the red plum blossom in Tu Yanfei's hair when she was waiting for him on the top of Mount Hua.

Her eyes were filled with concern and worry, silently inquiring about the progress of the rebellion.

After Emperor Yongzheng took Ruoyao as his concubine, the undercurrents in the palace and the martial arts world would be stirred up into even more turbulent waves.

Shi Feiyang was unable to answer Fucha's silent question.

On the day of the investiture ceremony, Ruoyao stepped into Chuxiu Palace dressed in a crimson wedding gown, the heavy phoenix crown weighing down her neck. The bronze mirror reflected Yongzheng's smiling face, but the smile did not reach his eyes; it was more like the poisoned dagger in the imperial study.

"My beloved concubine, do you know why I chose you?" Yongzheng traced the old sword scar on her wrist with his fingertips. "This scar is far more interesting than the cosmetics in the harem."

Shi Feiyang, separated by nine layers of palace walls, listened to the distant sounds of bells and chimes, his fingers clattering as he crumpled the memorials. On his desk lay a secret report sent by Bai Zhen, each word glaringly obvious—on the day Ruoyao was promoted, Mu Zhang'a's remaining followers had staged a prison break in the suburbs.

He suddenly remembered the way Ruoyao danced with her sword at Peach Blossom Ferry, when her sword had not yet been stained with human blood.

Three days later in the Imperial Garden, Shi Feiyang held a celadon teacup and watched Ruoyao walk gracefully across the Nine-Bend Bridge.

She had shed her carefree spirit as a woman of the martial world, but a deep frost remained between her brows. "Greetings, Your Highness." She curtsied, and as her sleeve slipped down, Shi Feiyang caught a glimpse of a fresh wound wrapped around her wrist.

"How well does the Emperor treat you?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Shi Feiyang regretted them.

Ruoyao chuckled, her laughter tinged with a metallic rust: "Your Highness should ask, is the Emperor's poison potent enough?"

She suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice, saying, "Although Mu Zhang'a is dead, there are still hidden agents at the sticky pole, right here..." Before she could finish speaking, a eunuch's shrill voice came from afar: "Your Highness, the Emperor summons you to his service—"

That night, the candles in the Hall of Mental Cultivation burned all night. Shi Feiyang was pacing outside the palace walls when he suddenly felt his clothes being tightened and he was pulled into the shadows.

Ruoyao's veil was soaked with blood, and she clutched a blood-stained hairpin in her hand: "I saw a secret letter in the Emperor's study. You are not..."

She coughed violently, blood splattering onto Shi Feiyang's black brocade robe. "They want to..."

A whooshing sound suddenly arose as three bone-piercing nails grazed past Ruoyao's ears. Shi Feiyang spun around and swung his palm, the sword energy of "Hundred Victories Sword Technique: Slaying the Mortal World" cleaving through the night, revealing twelve men in black emerging from the shadows, their curved swords gleaming with an eerie blue light.

Ruoyao struggled to draw the soft sword from her waist. "Go!" Shi Feiyang grabbed her wrist, activated the Mingyu Gong at full power, and ice crystals formed all over his body.

The leader of the men in black sneered, "Fourth Prince, you're quite the show-off. But tonight, none of you will leave here alive!"

The curved blade in his hand drew a half-blood moon, which was the "Onikiri-ryu" sword technique of the Fusang Merchant Guild.

In the midst of the chaos, Ruoyao suddenly pushed Shi Feiyang aside and plunged her soft sword into the throat of an assassin.

But a blood flower bloomed on her chest—sometime earlier, another bone-piercing nail had pierced through her shoulder blade.

Shi Feiyang's eyes were bloodshot as he unleashed the "Hundred Victories Saber Technique: Viewing the Vast Ocean" with both palms. Wherever the cold air passed, the man in black instantly turned into an ice sculpture.

"Don't worry about me..." Ruoyao leaned against the palace wall, black blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, "They already knew you weren't Hongli..."

Her voice stopped abruptly, and the fragments of the secret letter she was clutching in her hand fell to the ground.

Shi Feiyang picked it up with trembling hands. He saw the five characters "Haining Chenjiazi" written on it, the ink still wet.

However, Shi Feiyang was relieved because Yongzheng did not suspect that he was "Xiang Tiange," and the blood-dropping device at the sticky rod had not found any information that he was "Xiang Tiange." The sound of guards' footsteps came from afar, and Shi Feiyang gently put Ruoyao down.

Moonlight shone on her pale face. Shi Feiyang took off his outer robe and covered her with it, his glassy eyes filled with murderous intent.

This time, he dared not use his internal energy to heal Ruoyao, but he took out Tianshan Snow Lotus Water, Lesser Rejuvenation Pill, and Greater Rejuvenation Pill from the mysterious deerskin bag at his waist and put them into Ruoyao's hand, saying in a low voice: "Cleanse the wound with Snow Lotus Water, and take the Lesser and Greater Rejuvenation Pills with warm water. You will be fine!"

Ruoyao nodded slightly, and Shi Feiyang turned and left.

Reports on the battles of the Dzungar Khanate kept arriving.

"Madam, please take good care of Lian'er for me." Shi Feiyang carefully placed the young child into those warm and loving arms. As he turned around, his black arrow sleeve inadvertently swept the jade paperweight off the table, making a crisp sound.

As she watched Shi Feiyang's retreating figure, Fucha had a thousand words she wanted to say, but in the end she only said softly, "I will pray for you before the Buddha."

Shi Feiyang did not stop, but just as he was about to step out of the moon gate, he reached out and steadily caught the warm jade thrown by Lady Fucha—a precious mutton-fat jade pendant that he had obtained from a salt merchant in Yangzhou when they pledged their love, engraved with their shared vows.

In late spring, the scent of ambergris lingered in the Qianqing Palace.

Shi Feiyang, dressed in a four-clawed python robe, stood respectfully with his glassy eyes reflecting the plaque that read "Upright and Honorable." He listened as Emperor Yongzheng slammed the tiger tally for suppressing the rebellion heavily onto the sandalwood table: "Hongli, the Dzungar Khanate has repeatedly invaded our borders. I have decided to appoint you as the Grand General Who Pacifies the Distant Regions."

As soon as the words were spoken, Wei Nianhua and Chen Feng, the commanders of the Sticky Rod Office, immediately stepped forward with their fists clasped. The blood-dripping darts hanging from their waists gleamed coldly—ostensibly for protecting the emperor, but in reality for monitoring, to ensure that everything was under the emperor's control.

Ruoyao, standing behind Emperor Yongzheng, had tears in her eyes as she followed Shi Feiyang's figure intently.

Her heart was filled with love for Shi Feiyang, but fate played a cruel trick on her, making her a concubine of Emperor Yongzheng, and she could only keep this feeling deep in her heart.

However, upon hearing the appointment, Shi Feiyang was completely relieved. His "Father Emperor" wanted him to accumulate military merits so that he could take control of the army in the future.

It seems that the five characters "Haining Chenjiazi" collected at the sticky pole were a rumor spread by the Red Flower Society.

Whose son was "Hongli"? Didn't Emperor Yongzheng know? Heh heh! It seems that letting the Beggars' Sect and the Red Flower Society go before was a complete mistake. Not being ruthless enough, not being cold-blooded enough, really wasn't cut out to be an emperor!
As night fell, Shi Feiyang summoned his three generals to his palace.

Suhebalu, a former subordinate of Nian Gengyao, was as tall and strong as an iron tower. He stroked the goose feather knife in his hand and sneered with a hint of contempt: "Your Highness, you are so delicate and tender. I'm afraid you have never experienced the harshness of the desert winds and sands."

Lieutenant General Mutia, fanning himself with a folding fan, continued Sukhbaatar's words, "This humble general has heard that Prince Bao is skilled in calligraphy and poetry. Why not wield your brush and ink in the central command tent and make friends through literature?"

Only General Yue Zhongqi knelt on one knee, his tone firm and resolute: "This humble general is willing to be the vanguard and wipe out the Dzungars!" Shi Feiyang gently stroked the black iron scabbard, then suddenly burst into loud laughter, a laugh that resounded through the sky like thunder: "Tomorrow at the training ground, I will exchange a few moves with you generals!"

The next day, the training ground was shrouded in yellow sand. Shi Feiyang stepped into the training ground, his black soft armor covered by a moon-white brocade robe, and the mutton-fat jade pendant at his waist swayed gently with each step, reflecting a warm halo.

His crystal-clear eyes swept across the training ground. In the distance, banners billowed in the heat, like burning flames. The three commanders were already waiting there, the atmosphere tense and ready to fight. Sukhbaatar stood tall in front, his goose-feather saber as thick as an ordinary man's arm, its blade marked with the marks of time, yet still gleaming with a chilling light.

This former subordinate of Nian Gengyao stared wide-eyed at Shi Feiyang with disdain. His rough hands tapped the scabbard with a dull thud, as if in provocation.

Mu Tie'a, dressed as a scholar-general, waved a folding fan in his hand, but his eyes revealed shrewdness and calculation. He would occasionally tap his palm with the fan ribs, as if he was thinking about how to give this young Prince Bao a hard time.

Only Yue Zhongqi, clad in silver armor, stood ramrod straight like a spear, his gaze fixed firmly on Shi Feiyang, exuding a chilling aura, yet also carrying a hint of scrutiny. Around the training ground, thousands of soldiers stood in neat rows, their voices rising like a tidal wave.

"How could Prince Bao, with his fair skin, understand military strategy and martial arts?"

"I heard he spends all his time in the Prince's mansion writing and painting; he probably can't even ride a horse properly." The whispers reached Shi Feiyang's ears like venomous snakes, but he remained calm and composed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"I've heard that Prince Bao is exceptionally talented, but I wonder about his martial arts skills?" Sukhbaatar broke the silence first, his voice booming like a bell, echoing throughout the training ground and making everyone's eardrums ache. "My eyes only admire heroes who can kill enemies on the battlefield!"

After saying that, he suddenly plunged his goose-feather saber into the sand beside him, the hilt trembling and kicking up a cloud of yellow sand.

The surrounding soldiers whispered among themselves, anticipating the exciting duel that was about to unfold.

Shi Feiyang smiled slightly and walked forward slowly, his robe catching the breeze and stirring up the yellow sand beneath his feet. "I have long heard of General Su's reputation." His voice was clear and unhurried, carrying an innate majesty. "Today is a good day to learn from you, and I hope you will not hesitate to enlighten me."

After speaking, he casually tossed the brocade robe to the guards behind him, revealing the smooth lines of the black armor underneath. The black iron sword hanging at his waist gleamed with a cold, eerie light in the sunlight, and the ancient Miao script on the hilt seemed to speak of mysterious power.

When Sukhbaatar saw Shi Feiyang accept the challenge, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he burst into a furious roar, his voice as loud as thunder.

His muscular arms, veins bulging, charged forward, swinging his goose-feather saber. The blade sliced ​​through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

He unleashed his "Heaven and Earth Splitting" move! His swordsmanship was fierce and domineering, the wind from his blade carrying yellow sand, like a giant yellow dragon, aimed straight at Shi Feiyang's face.

Upon seeing this, the surrounding soldiers cried out in alarm, and some of the more timid ones even closed their eyes, afraid of witnessing the bloody scene.

Shi Feiyang remained calm. As the blade approached, he lightly touched the ground with his toes and floated backward as gracefully as a willow catkin. His movements were elegant and swift, like a nimble swallow in flight.

Sukhbaatar's strike missed its mark, but he didn't stop. Instead, he turned and swept the ground horizontally, the force of which carved a deep trench in the ground, sending sand and dust flying everywhere. Shi Feiyang didn't retreat but advanced, pressing forward to meet the blade. He quietly activated his Mingyu Gong, his crystalline true energy flowing beneath his skin, making him appear like a war god sculpted from ice and snow, his skin gleaming with a faint jade-like luster.

Just as the goose-feather blade was about to touch his body, he suddenly stretched out his right hand and grabbed the blade with his bare hands.

The drill ground fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone's eyes widened, unable to believe what they saw.

Sukhbaatar's eyes widened in disbelief. He tried with all his might to pull back his long sword, the veins on his neck bulging, but he found that Shi Feiyang's hand was like an iron clamp, not moving an inch.

“General, your move is powerful enough,” Shi Feiyang said, “but it leaves little room for maneuver.” A chilling aura surged from Shi Feiyang’s palm, and wisps of white energy spilled out from his palm, instantly spreading to Sukhbaatar’s longsword. In the blink of an eye, the longsword was covered with a thick layer of frost.

Before he finished speaking, Shi Feiyang flicked his wrist, and a powerful surge of internal energy flowed through the blade.

Sukhbaatar felt a tremendous force surge through him, involuntarily releasing his grip on the hilt of his sword. He staggered back a few steps, collapsing onto the ground with a thud, his face as pale as paper. He stared at the longsword in his hand, now frozen solid, then at Shi Feiyang. His disdain had been replaced by shock, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Mu Tie'a unfolded his folding fan with a "whoosh" and it transformed into a sharp sword. He stepped on the Bagua position and used the Wudang "Two Elements Sword Technique".

The sword shadows were numerous, like countless stars, aimed directly at Shi Feiyang's vital points. His swordsmanship was exquisite, each strike concealing deadly intent, completely different from Suhebalu's fierce saber technique. The combination of softness and hardness was just right, creating a powerful aura in the training ground.

Shi Feiyang remained expressionless, his movements unpredictable, as he unleashed the "Transferring Flowers and Jade" divine skill.

His sleeves fluttered, and a strange suction force emanated from his palms, distorting the surrounding air.

Muti'a's sword suddenly changed direction uncontrollably, thrusting straight at Sukhbaatar.

Sukhbaatar was terrified and quickly dodged to the side, but the sword tip still tore his shoulder, drawing blood that was particularly glaring in the sunlight. The two men's moves collided, and the powerful force of the impact stirred up a cloud of yellow sand, startling the warhorses in the training ground to rear up, their neighing echoing through the sky. Some soldiers were even knocked to the ground by the force of the impact.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang stepped forward, his aura suddenly surging, and an invisible pressure spread out.

He unleashed the "Hundred Victories Saber Technique: Viewing the Vast Ocean"! Using his palm as a saber, the palm wind howled like a raging storm, and the air whistled sharply wherever it passed. The flagpole in the training ground, which was more than ten feet tall, snapped in half under the impact of the palm wind and fell to the ground with a "boom," stirring up a cloud of dust.

Amidst the swirling dust, Shi Feiyang appeared like a war god descending, exuding an imposing aura. The training ground fell instantly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

All the generals and soldiers stared wide-eyed at Shi Feiyang, their eyes filled with awe and shock.

They had never seen such amazing martial arts, such powerful strength.

The soldiers, who had been discussing this a moment ago, now held their breath, their faces filled with fear and admiration.

Yue Zhongqi's pupils contracted sharply. He stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a loud voice, "This humble general was blind to your greatness and is willing to serve you like a dog or a horse!" His voice was firm and powerful, and it was particularly clear in the silent training ground. His eyes were full of respect for the strong.

Shi Feiyang strode forward, personally helped Yue Zhongqi up, and slid a jade pendant engraved with the words "loyalty and bravery" from his sleeve, handing it to him: "General Yue is loyal and courageous. This is a secondary tiger tally personally made by me. With this, it will be as if I am here in person."

Yue Zhongqi accepted the jade pendant with trembling hands, his heart filled with emotion and gratitude. When he looked up at Shi Feiyang, his gaze held a newfound loyalty and devotion, as if he had found a wise lord worthy of his lifelong devotion.

At this moment, Shi Feiyang's gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Wei Nianhua, the commander of the Sticky Pole Division, and Chen Feng. The two men had gloomy faces, their eyes flashing with vigilance and unease, and the blood-dripping darts at their waists gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

Wei Nianhua said with a forced smile, "Prince Bao is skilled in martial arts, but isn't this martial arts competition in the training ground a bit too childish?" Chen Feng echoed sarcastically, "Yes, one wouldn't be so gentle on the battlefield."

Shi Feiyang turned around, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, and slowly walked towards the two of them.

With each step he took, the chill in the air intensified.

“Commander Wei, Commander Chen,” Shi Feiyang’s voice was as cold as frost, “I naturally know the cruelty of the battlefield.”

As he spoke, he suddenly made his move, his speed as fast as lightning. Before Wei Nianhua and Chen Feng could react, he had already snatched the blood-dripping dart from their waists.

The two were shocked and hurriedly used their internal energy to counterattack. Shi Feiyang used "Shifting Flowers and Receiving Jade" to easily neutralize their attacks, while the blood droplets in his hand spun rapidly, emitting a chilling buzzing sound.

“Look,” Shi Feiyang said coldly, “this flying guillotine may be powerful, but if it falls into my hands, it will be nothing but scrap metal.”

Having said that, he suddenly threw the blood-dripping dart. The dart streaked across the sky like a meteor and accurately embedded itself in a boulder at the edge of the training ground. The boulder shattered instantly, sending fragments flying everywhere.

The crowd in the training ground was once again shocked by Shi Feiyang's strength, and they all gasped in astonishment.

Wei Nianhua and Chen Feng's faces turned ashen, but they dared not utter another word, their fear of Shi Feiyang growing even stronger.

Shi Feiyang surveyed the training ground and declared loudly, "Today's battle is not intended to diminish the prestige of you generals. Rather, I hope you can understand that only by uniting as one can we defeat the enemy on the battlefield, ensure the peace of our Great Qing territory, and protect the peaceful lives of our people!"

His words were powerful and resonant, filled with love and responsibility for his country, deeply moving everyone present.

"We are willing to obey Prince Bao's orders!" On the drill ground, the soldiers gripped their weapons tightly and shouted in unison, "Defend our homeland! Defend our homeland!" Their voices shook the heavens and startled the birds in the distant forest, bringing their morale to its peak.

After establishing his authority on the drill ground, Shi Feiyang's prestige in the army increased significantly.

The generals no longer looked down on him, but instead showed him more respect and obedience.

Shi Feiyang also took advantage of this opportunity to reorganize the army and train soldiers, making meticulous preparations for the upcoming suppression of the Dzungar rebellion.

In this turbulent situation, Shi Feiyang, like a confident chess player, carefully placed key pieces, steadily advancing towards his goal. The fierce winds of the Junggar Basin, like thousands of blunt knives, made the black iron chainmail hum and whistle.

Standing alone in front of the central command tent, Shi Feiyang's glassy eyes reflected the churning leaden clouds on the horizon.

The footsteps of 30,000 soldiers approached from afar, shaking the camel thorns on the Gobi Desert. He gently stroked the deerskin pouch at his waist, and the spirits of the Vermilion Bird and the White Tiger seemed to awaken within it, emitting low roars like dragons and tigers.

"Your Highness, the enemy vanguard is already ten miles away!" Bai Zhen rode up, his report torn to shreds by the wind. Shi Feiyang took off his cloak, revealing a double lotus pattern embroidered on the inner lining—it was made by Lady Fucha overnight, the stitches as fine as the rain in Jiangnan.

He stared at the faint reflection of the curved blade in the sand, and suddenly remembered Tu Yanfei's words: "The greatest hero is one who ensures that everyone in the world has wine to drink and food to eat." At this moment, the setting sun cast Shi Feiyang's shadow extremely long, covering the broken stones on the ground, like a long sword drawn from its sheath.

Shi Feiyang slowly drew his heavy black iron sword, the blade reflecting his handsome, pine-like face. Under the blood-red setting sun, he seemed like a war god who had stepped out of the Classic of Mountains and Seas. He took a deep breath, letting the cold wind of the Gobi Desert fill his lungs. What surged in his heart was the chivalry of a wandering swordsman, and even more so, the magnanimity of a wise and benevolent ruler.

"Prince Bao! The enemy's vanguard is already thirty miles away!" Bai Zhen galloped over again, the ice crystals that had formed on his armor falling off in a flurry.

Shi Feiyang raised his hand to stop his report, his palm stroking the unsheathed sword at his waist—a heavy sword he had specially crafted from black iron, its blade engraved with ancient Miao seal script, each line having been soaked in the cold springs of Tianshan.

As the scimitars of the Dzungar cavalry gleamed coldly in the sunlight, Shi Feiyang slowly ascended the command platform. His Mingyu Gong technique circulated silently, the crystalline true energy flowing beneath his skin, making him appear like a war god sculpted from ice and snow.

"Form ranks in the 'Wild Goose Formation'!" His command, though accompanied by the whistling wind, clearly reached the ears of every soldier. "Let these bandits witness the might of the Qing Iron Army!" As soon as he finished speaking, the Dzungar's "Wolf Howling Formation" surged forward like a tidal wave.

The leading commander brandished a gilded scimitar and shouted in broken Mandarin, "Han dogs! Today we'll take your dog's head!" Shi Feiyang smirked coldly, his figure flashing as he weaved through the army like a ghost. He used his palm as a blade, unleashing the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique: Viewing the Vast Ocean"! The wind from his palm whipped up a cloud of yellow sand, like a raging sea.

Three cavalrymen and their horses were thrown back three zhang (approximately 10 meters) by the force of the impact. The sound of shattering armor mixed with screams startled the circling vultures. The commander's pupils contracted sharply, and his scimitar drew an eerie arc, precisely the "Three Forms of Moon Devouring"—a secret technique passed down by the Dzungars.

Shi Feiyang neither dodged nor evaded, but instead used his "Transferring Flowers and Jade" divine skill, causing a strange suction force to emanate from his palm. The moment the curved blade touched his sleeve, it defied common sense and changed direction, cleaving the guard beside him in two.

Before Qianhu could react, Shi Feiyang had already pressed forward, fully activating his Mingyu Gong, his skin glowing with a glass-like luster. He unleashed the "Slaying the Mortal World" move with overwhelming force, the blade carrying the momentum of splitting the heavens and earth, the air emitting a piercing shriek wherever it went.

Qianhu's scimitar shattered inch by inch, but its remaining force still cut down all the sand willows within ten feet behind him. Blood splattered on Shi Feiyang's chest, but was instantly frozen into ice crystals by the chilling power of Mingyu Gong, shimmering with an eerie light in the sunlight.

Upon seeing their leader's tragic death, the Dzungar army was thrown into chaos.

Seizing the opportunity, Shi Feiyang roared, "Soldiers! Kill!" He leaped into the air and unleashed the "Breaking the Universe" move! The sword energy unleashed by the Xuan Tie Heavy Blade transformed into a tangible golden dragon, and wherever it passed, cavalrymen and their horses were shredded into minced meat.

Wei Nianhua drew his farewell hook, the blue light flowing across its body reflecting on his cold and stern face.

This commander of the Sticky Rod Office was known for his ability to "draw blood with a hook," yet he casually strolled into the enemy ranks.

The parting hook traced twelve afterimages in the morning light, each strike aimed at the enemy's throat. "You little dogs of the Dzungars, do you recognize the Central Plains hook technique?" He chuckled, the hook tip ripping off the helmet of the seventh cavalryman, revealing the man's terrified eyes. "This move is called 'How Much Sorrow Can One Have!'"

As Chen Feng stepped into the battle, waving his black gold fan, the wild cursive script on the fan, which read "With a laugh, the enemy's ships and forts are reduced to ashes," was soaked in blood.

He lightly waved his folding fan, and thirty-six bone-piercing nails poured down like a torrential rain, specifically designed to knock enemies off their horses.

"Look, everyone!" he laughed, striking a cavalryman who was attempting a sneak attack in the face with his fan. "Hidden within this fan is the finest concealed weapon technique in Jiangnan!" Before he finished speaking, the large black gold fan unfolded, revealing a finely painted "Map of the Central Plains" on the back. "You cowards, how dare you defile my beautiful land?"

Bai Zhen's powerful Eagle Claw technique stirred up a bloody storm; wherever his iron claws passed, the enemy's throat would burst like a watermelon.

As he gazed at Shi Feiyang's figure moving freely among the thousands of troops, he suddenly recalled that last night in the tent, this Prince Bao had pointed to the map and sighed, "The Dzungars burn, kill, and plunder; in the end, it is the common people who suffer."

Among the enemy troops, another commander's "Three Forms of Moon Devouring" carried a strong aura of evil from the Western Regions, and his scimitar condensed into crescent-shaped black mist in the air.

Shi Feiyang neither dodged nor avoided, but instead circled his Mingyu Gong true energy, creating a vortex of suction force in his palm.

The moment the scimitar touched his sleeve, it turned as if a magnet had met iron, and with a soft thud, cleaved the shield-wielding guard in two.

The guard's eyes still held lingering fear, and Shi Feiyang felt a pang of pain in his heart. He recalled Ruoyao's blood-stained smile before she was seriously injured—what difference was there between the intrigue and treachery in this deep palace and the carnage on this battlefield?
Shi Feiyang roared, "Soldiers, kill!" The blade light of the Xuan Tie Heavy Saber pierced the clouds like the sun, descending with a world-shattering force, the air shrieking sharply. The enemy soldiers' scimitars shattered inch by inch, and the aftershocks of the blade's energy severed all the sand willows within a ten-zhang radius, the broken branches flying through the air like a falling yellow sandstorm. Blood splattered onto Shi Feiyang's clothes, but was frozen into ice crystals by the Ming Yu Gong technique, blooming like red plum blossoms on his black battle robe.

Immediately afterwards, Shi Feiyang leaped into the air and unleashed the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique: Breaking Heaven and Earth." The golden blade energy transformed into a giant dragon phantom. Wherever the dragon's head went, the cavalrymen and their horses were shredded into minced meat. Blood rained down from the sky, condensing into beads on his glass-like skin.

As he gazed at the retreating enemy army, he suddenly recalled the words of Lady Fucha: "If Your Highness has the well-being of all people in your heart, you are destined to suffer the hardships of this vast desert." At this moment, Wei Nianhua's farewell hook was dripping with blood, Chen Feng's folding fan was stained with blood, and Bai Zhen's iron claws were embedded with pieces of flesh.

As the three gathered around, they suddenly saw Shi Feiyang sheath his sword and sigh softly as he looked at the mess on the ground.

The sigh contained helplessness, heartache, and a hint of weariness—but not a trace of regret. "Let's call it a day," he said softly, his voice carrying a maturity beyond his years. "Let the medics treat as many wounded soldiers as possible, and let those who can be spared go home."

Bai Zhen was taken aback by these words, suddenly realizing that the young prince before him possessed a more captivating benevolence than the diligent emperor in the Forbidden City. As the sun set, Shi Feiyang climbed the sand dune alone. His heavy black iron sword lay at his feet, the words "Common People" on the hilt soaked in blood, yet all the more vividly clear. He gazed in the direction of the retreating Dzungars, thinking of Ruoyao.

The wind and sand swept across his brows, but could not conceal the tenderness in his eyes.

This battle was not for the glory of the imperial family, but for the common people to sleep peacefully amidst the smoke of cooking fires—Shi Feiyang will always be that chivalrous man with the world in his heart, and even wearing the magnificent robes of a prince cannot change his burning, pure heart.

After this battle, the Qing army's morale soared, and their long spears formed a forest, driving the routed enemy deep into the Gobi Desert. That day, just as the battle seemed decided, three whistling arrows suddenly pierced the sky. Shi Feiyang felt a sudden sense of alarm, and his Mingyu Gong instantly formed a protective aura around him.

Two thousand assassins armed with poisoned crossbows emerged from behind the sand dunes, raining down arrows like locusts, each one coated with a deadly poison that could kill instantly.

He activated the Mingyu Gong to the "Supreme Forgetfulness of Ice Soul Cold Prison!" and shouted, "Everyone be careful when facing the enemy!" His body was filled with a surge of cold energy, and the rain of arrows condensed into ice shards that fell down when they touched three feet in front of him.

Shi Feiyang unleashed a move called "Demon-Slaying Cloud!" He swept his blade horizontally, the vortex of blade energy shredding the remaining arrows. He touched the ground with his toes and pounced on the leader of the assassins like an eagle. Seeing this, the man pulled out a black powder bomb and hurled it at him with a sinister grin.

At the critical moment, Shi Feiyang used the "Transferring Flowers and Jade" technique to push the gunpowder shell back into the enemy's formation.

With a deafening roar, blood and flesh splattered everywhere, and thick smoke obscured half the sky.

As the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the Gobi Desert blood-red, Shi Feiyang sheathed his sword and stood there.

Thick scabs of blood had formed on his chainmail, but his crystal eyes remained as clear as ever.

Watching the Qing soldiers cleaning up the battlefield in the distance, he gently stroked the deerskin pouch at his waist and murmured to himself, "Fei'er, I will do everything in my power to protect every inch of this land." The night wind swept across the battlefield strewn with corpses, lifting Shi Feiyang's cloak and revealing the dog-beating stick pattern embroidered on the lining.

On this battlefield far removed from the martial world, the former leader of the Beggars' Sect, now known as Prince Bao, is writing another magnificent legend.

The scorching sun over the Hami Gobi Desert was suddenly swallowed by the yellow sand, and the world turned as dark as dusk.

Shi Feiyang stood before the central command tent, his black brocade robe fluttering in the wind, his glassy eyes gleaming eerily in the dust and mist. He took a deep breath, the stench of blood in the wind more pungent than sand, and abruptly drew his heavy black iron sword from his waist. The ancient Miao script engraved on the blade gleamed coldly in the shadows.

"Crescent Formation!" His command resounded like thunder. Thirty thousand warriors swiftly formed a crescent-shaped defensive formation, their spears like a dense forest, their shields like an impregnable wall. Before his words had even finished, the earth-shattering sound of hooves echoed from the depths of the sandstorm. Three thousand Dzungar cavalry surged forth like a black tide. Ashina Sun, leading the charge, clad in a scarlet cloak and wielding a wolf-headed staff, whipped up sand pillars ten feet high, appearing like an ancient behemoth baring its fangs and claws.

"Raging Sand Demon Art!" Yue Zhongqi held his spear high to guard the main tent. The moment the spear tip touched the sand pillar, his battle robe was torn by the sharp sand blades.

Shi Feiyang lightly touched his toes and leaped onto the high platform like a white crane. He activated the Mingyu Gong to the "Supreme Forgetfulness of Ice Soul Cold Prison", and his skin shone with a glass-like luster, making him look like a war god sculpted from ice and jade.

"Burn Heaven and Earth!" he roared, unleashing the Hundred Victories Blade Technique, imbued with icy chill, as golden blade energy crisscrossed like a blazing sun. Wherever the blade energy struck, the sand pillars instantly froze into ice, then exploded with a deafening roar, the shattered ice and yellow sand weaving together in the air to create a tragic spectacle.

Upon seeing this, Ashina Sun's eyes flashed with fear, but he immediately burst into wild laughter: "Hongli, is this all you've got?"

At that moment, three figures emerged from the flanks like ghosts. Wei Nianhua's Parting Hook flashed with a ghostly blue light, drawing twelve eerie arcs in the air—the "Twelve Soul-Hooking Forms" of the Parting Hook technique.

"You treacherous dogs of the Dzungars, taste the bitterness of this parting hook!" he shouted coldly, and the hook tip pierced the throat of a cavalryman with unerring accuracy. Blood gushed out, blooming into vivid red flowers on the sand.

Chen Feng waved his large, black fan. The wild cursive script on the fan, which read "With a laugh, the enemy's ships and towers are reduced to ashes," was eroded by the wind and sand, yet appeared even more vigorous and powerful. With a light flick of his fan, thirty-six bone-piercing nails poured down like a torrential rain, specifically designed to dismount the enemy.

"Western barbarians, how dare you act so arrogantly in the Central Plains?" He laughed loudly, and suddenly the fan ribs popped out, striking a cavalryman who was trying to sneak up on him in the face. The man screamed and his brains splattered out.

Bai Zhen's Mighty Eagle Claw Kung Fu unleashed a bloodbath; wherever his iron claws passed, the enemy's throat would burst like a watermelon.

He watched Shi Feiyang's figure darting through the sandstorm, recalling the prince's words in the tent last night: "This battle is not for fame or fortune, but only to protect the safety of the people." Seeing him risk his life to save a soldier trapped by a sand pillar, his heart warmed, and he swung his iron claws even more frantically, roaring: "You dogs, the golden claws and iron hooks are here!"

Seeing the situation was dire, Ashina Sun unleashed his wolf-headed staff with all his might, sending a sand pillar hurtling towards Shi Feiyang like a giant dragon.

Shi Feiyang neither dodged nor avoided, but instead used the "Transferring Flowers and Jade" divine skill, causing a strange suction force to emanate from his palm.

The moment the sand pillar touched his sleeve, it defied logic and turned, crashing down on the Dzungar cavalry, eliciting screams of agony.

"Impossible!" Ashina Sun exclaimed in astonishment, swinging his wolf-headed staff again. This time, he conjured a massive sand sphere and hurled it at Shi Feiyang. (End of Chapter)