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

Chapter 365. Blood Shadow Demon Art Stirs Up Turbulent Waves, Shifting Flowers and Jade Turns the Tide.
Shi Feiyang, along with his trusted confidants Wei Nianhua and Bai Zhen, disguised themselves and headed south.

His move was both to inspect the people's conditions and to take this opportunity to go to the Misty Peak of Taihu Lake to bring back his beloved wives Lin Ruoxue and Zhou Weirou. No matter how old they are, he wants them to have a happy and fulfilling life in their later years! The cicadas in Suzhou were just beginning to sing on the willow tips when Shi Feiyang went down the Xujiang River.

A corner of the bamboo curtain at the bow of the boat was lifted by the draft, revealing a thoughtful expression on his face.

Wei Nianhua sat at the bow of the boat, holding a long box. The cold light of the farewell hook inside the box pierced through the gaps, cutting the duckweed on the water's surface into neat halves.

Bai Zhen perched atop the mast like an eagle, his gaze sweeping over the painted boats and pavilions on both banks, his eagle-claw-like cuffs tightening subtly.

"As the saying goes, there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below." Shi Feiyang gently waved his folding fan, the four characters "Peace Under Heaven" inlaid with mother-of-pearl, a tribute from Jiangnan. "Does Minister Wei know why I chose Suzhou as my first stop on my southward journey?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Nianhua took out his secret report from his robes: "Your Majesty, this place is a crucial hub for the canal transport in Jiangnan. In the past three months, there have been five cases of official silver being robbed." He paused briefly, his gaze drifting towards the Rainbow Bridge in the distance. "However, this servant suspects that Your Majesty is more concerned about..." Before he could finish speaking, the bow of the boat had already turned into Zhuque Lane. The early summer sunlight filtered through the leaves, weaving patterns of scattered gold on the bluestone slabs.

When Shi Feiyang stepped ashore, he smelled the fragrance of osmanthus in the air—the golden osmanthus, which usually blooms in mid-autumn, was blooming early in early summer.

In a teahouse on a street corner, several scholars sat listening to a storyteller slam his gavel: "Ladies and gentlemen! Back in the day, when Hongli was in Miao territory..."

"Snap!" Wei Nianhua's folding fan suddenly slammed on the desk, startling the tea so much that it spilled from the rim of the cup. "Young man, do you know what crime it is to criticize the imperial court?"

Shi Feiyang raised his hand to stop him, his gaze falling on the dark patterns on the beams and pillars of the teahouse—the contact mark of the Red Flower Society. Without making a sound, he took out a copper coin from his sleeve, flicked it with his thumb, and the coin, like a hidden weapon, was embedded in the signboard of the silk shop across the street, precisely turning the character "Hu" into the character "Gu".

Seeing this, Bai Zhen leaped onto the roof and saw a green shadow flash past on the eaves twenty feet away.

As they approached the Guihua Tower, the gilded couplets on the vermilion gate shimmered in the sunlight. Shi Feiyang gazed at the lines, "Nobility fills the gate, reaching all corners of the world; fragrance fills the sleeves, intoxicating the three springs," when he was suddenly interrupted by the sound of abacus calculations coming from the inner hall.

The crackling sound was like a clear spring striking a stone, and it even matched the rhythm of "Three Variations on Plum Blossom". Every beat was as precise as when he listened to Zhou Weirou playing the zither at the Beggars' Sect headquarters.

Just as Wei Nianhua was about to push the door open, Shi Feiyang raised his hand to stop him, his fingertips lightly tapping on the cloud pattern on the door frame. The door hinges emitted a soft, dragon-like sound, a secret signal he and Zhou Weirou had agreed upon years ago—if they encountered an old friend, they would knock on the door using the Beggars' Sect's ultimate technique, "Dragon Soaring Through the Nine Abyss."

"Who is the distinguished guest?" A familiar voice, like a nightingale singing in a valley, carried the soft and gentle charm unique to Suzhou.

Zhou Weirou, dressed in a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), emerged from behind the counter, the jasmine hairpin in her hair swaying gently, emitting a delicate fragrance.

Shi Feiyang's pupils contracted sharply. A few years ago, when he secretly glanced at Zhou Weirou at Misty Peak, she was already showing fine lines around her eyes, but now her skin was as white as snow, and her eyebrows and eyes were even more charming, as if time had never left a mark on her.

The moment Zhou Weirou looked up, the teacup in her hand nearly fell to the ground.

The merchant before her was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, with a plain silver pendant at his waist swaying gently with his breath. His familiar posture, the heroic spirit between his brows and eyes, and the slight upturn of the corners of his mouth when he spoke all made her heart pound like a drum.

Zhou Weirou gripped the teacup tightly, her nails almost digging into her palm, barely managing to maintain a semblance of calm.

This was clearly her long-lost husband, "Xiang Tiange," the leader of the Beggars' Sect who had once shared drinks and discussed the martial world with her under the moon at the sect's headquarters.

Xiang Ruixiang, dressed in a lake-blue long gown, pushed the abacus in front of his mother.

Shi Feiyang stepped into the shop and lightly tapped the counter with his folding fan: "The shopkeeper has some impressive skills. This 'rejuvenation' ability is probably even more mysterious than the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect?" Zhou Weirou's thoughts were pulled back to reality. She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and put on a professional smile: "Sir, you flatter me. I just used some beauty secrets from Suzhou."

She lightly brushed the abacus with her fingertips, and the seven beads sprang up at the same time, forming the Big Dipper formation in the air. This was a self-defense technique that Xiang Tiange had taught her years ago.

"It seems that the few gold bricks I secretly sent to the thatched cottage before have allowed you to revive this restaurant!" Shi Feiyang's voice seemed casual, but it contained a secret code that only the two of them could understand.

Zhou Weirou's eyes instantly welled up with tears. The hardships of raising her child alone, the countless nights of waiting, and the surprise and emotion of receiving the gold bricks all turned into tears welling up in her eyes.

She longed to rush over, embrace the person before her, and demand to know why he had been gone for so many years without a word, and to pour out all the longing and grievances she had endured over the years. But when she caught a glimpse of Shi Feiyang shaking his head slightly, she instantly came to her senses.

The person before him was no longer the Xiang Tiange he could embrace freely back then. He exuded an aura of authority without anger, and his every move carried the demeanor of a king.

She forced down the words "Tiange" that were about to escape her lips, her voice trembling slightly: "Thank you for your patronage, sir. If it weren't for the help of benefactors over the years, this little shop would probably have closed down long ago."

She lowered her head to organize the abacus, trying to hide the tears in her eyes, but her heart was churning with a thousand words.

She wanted to tell Xiang Tiange that over the years, the gold bricks had not only allowed her to repurchase the restaurant, but also enabled her to raise her son, teaching him martial arts and strategy; she wanted to express the fear and resilience she had shown while facing the storms of the martial world alone; she also wanted to ask where he had been all these years, and why he had suddenly disappeared and then reappeared. But in the end, she simply condensed all her emotions into a faint sentence: "If you don't mind, sir, our newly made Biluochun tea is worth trying." With that, she turned and walked towards the kitchen. Her back seemed calm, but her steps were somewhat unsteady, betraying the turmoil within her.

Shi Feiyang's gaze fell on the hidden compartment at the bottom of the abacus, where half a piece of brocade embroidered with dragon patterns could be vaguely seen.

Wei Nianhua suddenly spoke up: "This young man is quite shrewd. Has he considered the robbery of the rice shop in the west of the city three days ago?"

Xiang Ruixiang's fingers suddenly stopped, and the abacus beads rolled down like a rainstorm, but were caught by Bai Zhen's eagle claws just before they hit the ground.

“You flatter me, sir,” Zhou Weirou said with a chuckle as she returned with tea. She then took out an account book from a hidden compartment. “Our shop’s daily transaction details are all here. If you have any questions, please feel free to consult them.”

Shi Feiyang casually flipped open the ledger, only to find that the marginal notes on each page were written in Miao script as "safe" or "dangerous".

He was secretly alarmed, but remained outwardly calm: "Does the shopkeeper recognize this?" As he spoke, he gently placed a jade pendant engraved with the character "Xiang" on the counter. Zhou Weirou's face instantly turned pale; the dragon pattern on the jade pendant matched the silver bracelet on her wrist perfectly.

Xiang Ruixiang suddenly rushed over to protect the jade pendant, tears welling up in the boy's eyes: "Mother, this is..."

In early summer in Suzhou, willow catkins fluttered like snowflakes, landing on the vermilion gate of Guihua Tower.

"Ruixiang, step back." Zhou Weirou took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart. "Distinguished guest, please follow me."

Passing around the screen and through the winding corridor, behind the Taihu stone in the backyard, a blue stone slowly moves aside, revealing a dark secret passage.

Shi Feiyang waved to Bai Zhen and Wei Nianhua, signaling them to stay behind.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the secret passage. The damp air was filled with the familiar scent of agarwood—a gift he had given to Lin Ruoxue years ago. He never expected to smell it here again after so many years. At the end of the secret passage, a warm pavilion was dimly lit.

Lin Ruoxue, dressed in a long crimson gauze dress, was playing chess with Xiang Ruiyun under the lamp. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, and Shi Feiyang felt his breath catch in his throat.

Eight years have passed, yet her appearance remains unchanged. The jade hairpin adorned with twin lotus blossoms, worn at the side of her hair, gleams warmly in the candlelight—the very gift he personally chose as a token of their love.

"My husband, you've finally returned." Lin Ruoxue placed a piece on the board, the crisp sound echoing in the quiet, warm pavilion.

The black pieces on the chessboard are arranged in a "feigned attack while secretly advancing" formation, as if telling the story of their forbearance and scheming in the martial arts world over the years.

Shi Feiyang choked up, a thousand words stuck in his chest.

He slowly walked up to Lin Ruoxue, his hand trembling as he reached out to touch her cheek, but then stopped in mid-air.

"Xue'er, you've suffered so much these past years." His voice was low and hoarse, filled with deep remorse.

Zhou Weirou gently closed the door, leaned against the wall, and finally burst into tears.

She looked at the man who was both familiar and unfamiliar to her, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

He left suddenly that year, leaving her and her unborn child alone to face the storms of life.

Now, when they meet again, he is no longer Xiang Tiange, who strolled with her under the moon at the Beggars' Sect headquarters, but "Hongli," who exudes the aura of an emperor.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Zhou Weirou's voice trembled with tears. "All these years, we thought you..."

Shi Feiyang turned around, his eyes filled with pain: "I had no choice. I had to leave back then for the sake of the bigger picture. But I have never forgotten you. All the gold bricks and gold leaves over the years were secretly delivered by me personally."

Lin Ruoxue stood up, walked to his side, and took his hand: "We understand. We haven't been idle all these years. This Guihua Pavilion has long become our stronghold in the martial arts world." She pointed to the chessboard, "The Red Flower Society and the Heaven and Earth Society's every move cannot escape our eyes."

Xiang Ruixiang and Xiang Ruiyun exchanged a glance and stepped forward.

The boys' eyes held both unfamiliarity with their father and a hint of curiosity and anticipation. Looking at his two sons, Shi Feiyang felt a mixture of relief and self-reproach: "Over the years, I've wronged you so much. But from now on, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

Inside the warm room, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the faces of the four people.

Eight years of separation, there are so many things to say, so many feelings to express.

Outside the window, the night in Suzhou deepened, but in this small, warm room, a renewed sense of hope was rekindled.

In the warm pavilion deep inside the secret passage, candlelight cast the shadows of the three people onto the blue stone wall.

Shi Feiyang gazed at the black pieces on the chessboard, their strategy a feint, but a covert maneuver. Eight years ago, the image of him and Lin Ruoxue fighting side-by-side in Liaodong flashed before his eyes—she wielded a soft sword, the silver bell on its tassel resonating with his Dragon Roar Blade, routing the Lin Family Fortress, the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor, and the Qing court's henchmen. "Xiang Tiange, do you know what these past years have been like…" Zhou Weirou's voice choked with emotion, her fingertips still warm from touching the jade pendant.

The moment the silver bracelet on her wrist touched the dragon pattern on the jade pendant, it felt as if an electric current surged through her body. All those nights spent alone in her empty room, all those cold nights spent hiding from pursuers with her child, all surged up at that moment.

Shi Feiyang suddenly pulled the two into his arms, the twelve symbols on his dragon robe brushing against their temples. Lin Ruoxue smelled the unfamiliar ambergris scent on him, but deep within that fragrance, she recognized the scent of the sachet she had sewn herself eight years ago when they parted.

Xiang Ruixiang and Xiang Ruiyun exchanged a glance, and the boy's clenched fist slowly loosened—it turned out that their mother's frequent staring at the moon was not because she missed some vague "old friend," but because of their own father.

“Listen to me,” Shi Feiyang released his arms, his palms still warm from their touch, “Guihualou and Wanqing Teahouse can be entrusted to trusted confidants. Pack some essential items, and we’ll travel to the capital later with the Money Gang’s caravan.”

Zhou Weirou gazed at his face, both unfamiliar and familiar: "So...where have you been all these years? Why have you suddenly become like this?" Shi Feiyang's fingers gently stroked the twin lotus jade hairpin at Lin Ruoxue's temple, the pearl at the tip gleaming softly in the candlelight: "It's a long story, but one thing is certain—" His gaze swept over the hidden mechanisms and compartments in the warm pavilion, those intricate crossbow bolts and poison bottles, all self-defense techniques he had taught them, "From now on, our family will never be separated."

Xiang Ruixiang suddenly spoke, his voice revealing the composure of a martial artist: "Father, do you know why the osmanthus in Suzhou blooms out of season?" He waved his hand gently, and fine gold dust drifted in from outside the window, reflecting a strange light in the candlelight.

Lin Ruoxue's expression suddenly changed, and she was about to stop him when she saw Shi Feiyang pick up a chess piece. The four characters "Overthrow the Qing and Restore the Ming" on the bottom flickered in the firelight. "This is the Red Flower Society's 'Four Seasons Reversal Powder'."

Shi Feiyang crushed the chess piece into pieces, and the fragments fell onto the chessboard, filling the gaps in the black pieces' formation. He took out a scroll of secret reports from his sleeve, which was the Red Flower Society's plan to rob the canal transport that Lin Ruoxue was preparing to present.

Zhou Weirou suddenly gripped his wrist tightly: "Just how many things are you hiding from us?" She touched the calluses under Shi Feiyang's sleeve, marks left from years of holding a knife, but she also found a new mark at the base of his thumb—an indentation from holding a pen for a long time.

Shi Feiyang gently covered her hand: "Once you arrive in the capital, all the mysteries will be revealed." He gazed at the gradually darkening twilight outside the window; the lanterns on the pleasure boats on the Suzhou River were already lit. "Shi Taishan will arrange everything; he is..."

He paused, the image of the gilded abacus at the headquarters of the Money Gang on Suzaku Street flashing through his mind, "a trustworthy old friend."

When Shi Feiyang stepped out of Guihualou, Wei Nianhua and Bai Zhen were already waiting at the street corner.

The specially made night-clothes at the sticky pole gleamed with a ghostly blue light in the night, while the parting hook and eagle claws reflected a cold gleam in the moonlight.

"Master, there's unusual activity in the direction of Zuixianlou." Wei Nianhua handed over a map drawn by a secret agent, with the area marked in red being the area where the Red Flower Society frequently operated.

The night fog of Suzhou, carrying the fishy smell of the canal, spreads over the bluestone slabs, and the copper bells on the eaves of Zuixianlou Pavilion let out a dying wail in the wind.

As Shi Feiyang stepped across the threshold, a slight vibration suddenly came from the sandalwood floor tiles—a sign that the Red Flower Society's "Mountain-Shaking Thunder" mechanism was about to be activated.

Su Dai, a blind woman, though she calls herself blind, possesses a beauty that is as ethereal as a fairy, and is not blind to the eyes of the world.

Holding a simple and elegant pipa, she sat upright on the second floor, her posture graceful, like a moving painting.

The moonlight, like water, filtered through the exquisitely carved window lattice, gently falling upon her pale yet stunningly beautiful face.

Her skin was as white as snow, as delicate as jade, as if it would break at the slightest touch.

Those eyes, though claiming to be blind, seemed to contain endless depth and wisdom, captivating all who looked into them.

Her clothes were as light and graceful as a fairy's.

She wore an elegant, plain-colored long dress, the hem of which swayed gently in the wind, like ripples on water.

The dress is embroidered with exquisite patterns, delicate and vivid, as if the most beautiful scenery in nature has been embroidered on this long dress.

Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, flowing smoothly and gently in the wind, exuding a faint fragrance.

Su Dai sat there, like a white lotus quietly blooming, elegant and refined, beautiful as a fairy.

Her presence seemed to fill the entire space with poetry and artistry, making it impossible to look away.

As the strings vibrated, "The Lament of the Rainbow Skirt" suddenly transformed into the sound of tearing silk, and seventy-two strands of ice silkworm silk shot down like a torrential rain!

"Truly, 'a broken string startles the wind and rain'!" Wei Nianhua's farewell hook drew a half-moon in the air, and sparks flew as the black iron hook collided with the bone-piercing nail.

The commander of the sticky pole touched the ground with his toes, and the dark blue patterns on his night clothes flowed with his movements, like a dragon swimming in the dark night.

With a slight flick of his wrist, the parting hook pulverized the three bone-piercing nails into dust, its momentum undiminished, aiming straight for the throat of the assassin who had placed the hidden weapon on the second floor.

Wei Nianhua's hook technique allows him to break a single hook into three parts, making his attacks as agile and swift as a dragon emerging from the sea.

The farewell hook traces a beautiful yet deadly trajectory in the air, unleashing its unique power whether it's a single-point thrust or a wide-area strangulation attack.

In Wei Nianhua's hands, the parting hook seemed to come alive. Every swing was accompanied by the enemy's cries of pain and farewell, taking the enemy's head in an instant and achieving a true "parting".

Bai Zhen swooped onto the beams like an eagle, his iron claws carving five deep furrows into the carved wooden beams.

"The Red Flower Society's Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Formation?" His hawk-like eyes widened, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints. "Let me show you the 'Eagle Soaring Through the Sky' from the Sticky Pole!"

Before the words were even finished, the iron claws had already torn open the breastplates of the two assassins, and the five fingers, like hooks, ripped the flesh off one of their shoulder blades. Amidst the splattering blood and flesh, the flame totem tattooed on the assassin's back was clearly visible—the mark of the Vermilion Bird Hall of the Red Flower Society.

Night fog, carrying the stench of blood, drifted over the eaves of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, and an eerie dark red seeped into the jingling of the copper bells.

Zhang Zhaozhong, a young guard under Bai Zhen, slowly drew his sword. The four characters "Taiji Hanyuan" on the blade gleamed with a cold, eerie blue light under the moonlight, making his features appear even more sinister. He lightly flicked the spine of the sword, and with a hum, three masked assassins burst through the window, their three-edged daggers glowing green as they aimed straight for his throat.

"A mere trick!" The young guard sneered, a faint white aura rising from his body—the Pure Yang Limitless Skill had already reached its seventh level.

In a flash of green, the "Wind Sweeps Away Clouds" move of the Soft Cloud Sword Technique was suddenly unleashed. The sword light was like willow catkins flying in the air, but it concealed a deadly intent.

Before the leader's weapon could even touch the hem of his clothes, his wrist was already slashed open by the spine of the sword, leaving a deep wound that exposed the bone. Before he could even scream, the tip of the sword was already pressed against his throat.

Zhang Zhaozhong deliberately slowed his movements, watching the fear in his opponent's pupils gradually widen, before gently releasing the blade. Blood traced a winding path on the ground along the sword's edge. Suddenly, five dark figures swooped down from the beam, five poisoned daggers shaped like plum blossoms attacking.

Instead of retreating, Zhang Zhaozhong advanced, his figure like a ghost sneaking into the enemy formation, using the "Nine Palaces Linked Steps" to weave through the flashing swords.

The Soft Cloud Sword Technique transforms into "drizzling rain," with seemingly gentle sword moves, yet each strike precisely targets the enemy's vital points.

With a sharp crack, the assassin on the left had his knee severed by the sword tip, followed immediately by the shattering of his right shoulder blade. He collapsed to the ground, still with a look of astonishment on his face. "Wudang Cotton Palm, you can even withstand that?" Zhang Zhaozhong suddenly abandoned his sword and unleashed a palm strike. With a flurry of movements, the palm force of "White Clouds Kneading Fluff" surged forth like a raging river. The assassin directly in front raised his knife to block, but felt a soft force travel along the blade, as if his internal organs were being brutally kneaded by an invisible hand.

Black blood slowly seeped from his seven orifices. He staggered a few steps and collapsed to the ground with a thud. He twitched a few times and then stopped breathing.

At this moment, more than twenty assassins had gathered inside the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, completely surrounding Zhang Zhaozhong.

Zhang Zhaozhong licked the bloodstains splattered on the corner of his mouth, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, and the internal energy of the Pure Yang Limitless Skill surged like a river flowing backward, making the white aura around his body even more intense.

The Soft Cloud Sword Technique was unleashed, its speed and slowness unpredictable. Wherever the sword passed, assassins' weapons were knocked away, or their wrists were severed. A burly assassin swung a mountain-splitting axe, but Zhang Zhaozhong neither dodged nor evaded, instead taking the blow head-on with his bare hands.

With a "crack," the axe blade sank half an inch into his palm, but could not go any further.

"Is that all the strength you've got?" He sneered, unleashing the subtle power of the Wudang Cotton Palm technique. The assassin screamed and flew backward, crashing through several tables and chairs, his ribs shattered. In the chaos, Zhang Zhaozhong deliberately exposed an opening, drawing the attention of three assassins who attacked simultaneously.

Just as the weapon was about to touch his body, he suddenly spun around, and the green sword in his hand shot out like a snake, instantly piercing the throats of the three men.

Blood gushed out, splattering onto his moon-white outfit, blooming like flamboyant red plum blossoms.

"Who else?" He stepped over the corpses scattered on the ground, the Tai Chi pattern on his sword sheath stained with blood, looking ferocious and terrifying in the moonlight.

Zhang Zhaozhong stared at the still-breathing assassin struggling in a pool of blood, his eyes devoid of any pity. Instead, he crouched down and used the tip of his sword to lift the man's chin: "Tell me, where is the Red Flower Society's lair?"

Seeing that the other party gritted his teeth and refused to answer, he flicked his wrist and the tip of his sword pierced the other party's left eye. "Not going to talk? Then go to the Yellow Springs and think about it slowly."

Outside the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the night fog grew thicker, unable to conceal the stench of blood emanating from within.

Inside the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the beams and pillars trembled, and thirty-six black-clad assassins formed the "Earthly Array," their three-edged daggers flashing with blue light, standing like a forest.

You Ning's apricot-yellow palace sash fluttered in the bloody wind, and her fingers, gripping the short sword tightly, trembled slightly—this cold iron sword had once cut through the ice shards of the Forbidden City, but now it was to be stained with the blood of the martial world.

"Golden Crow Appears!" The girl's clear voice was as loud as a nightingale's song, and a crimson phantom suddenly rose from the blade.

The assassin at the front raised his knife to parry, but felt a scorching wave of heat rush towards him, as if the sun were truly blazing overhead.

You Ning lightly touched the ground with her toes, spun around, and her short sword, like a snake spitting its tongue, sliced ​​across the inside of her opponent's wrist, instantly severing the tendon.

The man screamed and dropped his weapon. The next moment, blood gushed from his throat, splattering warm blood onto You Ning's beautiful face. She seemed oblivious, and with a backhand slash, she aimed for the top of the assassin's head.

Suddenly, five dark figures descended from the beam, wielding five poisoned daggers arranged in a plum blossom pattern.

Instead of retreating, You Ning advanced, unleashing the "Sun Wheel Revolving" technique from the "Seven Forms of the Golden Crow," his blade transforming into a crimson ring that swept across the area.

The moment the cold light and crimson glow collided, the two assassins' daggers were shattered into pieces, and the sharp fragments shot towards their companions like hidden weapons.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, You Ning pressed forward, her short sword darting into the enemy's weaknesses like a fish. First, she cut open one person's abdomen, spilling his intestines onto the ground. Then, with a backhand stab, she plunged the sword into another person's back, blood trickling down the hilt.

"Young lady, you're quite ruthless!" A bearded assassin grinned and swung his axe, the shockwave from the axe splitting the table in two.

You Ning's pupils contracted slightly, and she used "Golden Crow Spreads Wings" to soar into the air, her short sword thrusting straight down at the opponent's face.

The bearded man raised his axe to block, but with a "crack," the axe blade was severed.

Using the momentum, You Ning spun around, the blade slicing across the opponent's neck. Warm blood gushed out like a fountain, drawing a scarlet totem on the beam.

At the same time, Lu Fangtian, a young bodyguard under Bai Zhen, stood in the center of the battle circle, his hands forming the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) in front of his chest, a faint golden aura flowing around him. Twelve assassins surrounded him in a circle, their three-edged daggers thrusting forward like venomous snakes.

The young guard, Lu Fangtian, sneered, "Heavenly Gang Finger, break!" His fingertip swept across the "Li" position, and a golden beam shot out, striking the first assassin's Tanzhong acupoint. The man groaned and flew backward, shattering the wine jar as he spat out blood mixed with black poison.

“Three unbroken lines for Qian, six broken lines for Kun!” Lu Fangtian’s hands moved like butterflies flitting among flowers, outlining the Bagua diagram in the air.

The seemingly casual finger strikes actually hit the enemy's vital points with precision.

Some assassins, despite clearly avoiding the finger strikes, suddenly collapsed as if struck by lightning, their bodies convulsing, black blood slowly seeping from their seven orifices—this Heavenly Gang Finger Technique is specifically designed to break through protective true qi; wherever the internal force reaches, tendons and bones are shattered, and internal organs are completely destroyed.

A masked assassin swung his knife at Lu Fangtian, who neither dodged nor evaded, but instead pointed his fingertip at the assassin's "Quchi" acupoint.

The man's wrist suddenly went weak, and his weapon clattered to the ground.

Before he could react, the young guard had already lunged forward, his fingers like halberds, striking seven vital acupoints on the other man's head, including "Shen Ting" and "Bai Hui".

The assassin's eyes widened, and he made a "hoarse" sound, but he could no longer speak. He died, bleeding from all seven orifices.

Suddenly, the four assassins simultaneously threw out bone-piercing nails, the nail heads glowing with an eerie emerald light.

Lu Fangtian drew a Tai Chi symbol in front of his chest with both hands, using the Bagua School's "Cloud Hands to Deflect Force" technique to redirect all the hidden weapons to the right.

You Ning stepped in at the right moment, wielding her short sword to unleash a crimson curtain of blades, severing the bone-piercing nails one by one.

Amidst the flying sparks, she cried out, "Young Master Lu, watch me break through their formation!" The girl moved like lightning, heading straight for the assassin holding the command flag in the formation.

The man swung his spiked club at you, but You Ning skillfully spun along with the club's momentum, stabbing his short knife into the man's soft spot under his armpit.

The assassin screamed and fell to the ground. The moment the command flag in his hand fell to the ground, the Earthly Formation was thrown into chaos.

Lu Fangtian seized the opportunity, clapping his hands together in the Bagua direction, unleashing the killing move of the Tiangang Finger, "Bagua Soul Lock"! Golden finger beams crisscrossed, and wherever they touched, the assassins flew backward like kites with broken strings, crashing into the beams and pillars with a tooth-grinding cracking sound.

The carved beams and painted rafters of Zuixianlou exuded a chilling aura in the night. Shi Feiyang lightly turned his folding fan, and a hidden three-inch cold blade was drawn from its sheath.

His pupils reflected the blood-red light inside the building, his robes fluttered without wind, and the crystalline halo surrounding him resembled the icy depths of a frozen pool—this was the "Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotions: Ice Soul Cold Prison" technique of Mingyu Gong. Suddenly, the Arhat on the fan painting "Hanshan and Shide" grinned, and black blood meandered along the patterns, staining the blue bricks with grotesque designs.

"The Blood Shadow Demon Art has reappeared in the martial world..." His voice was as cold as ice. "Master Beiku, twenty years ago you fled to the demonic path in the Shaolin fire cave, and today is your calamity." The shadow on the beam suddenly solidified into a human shape, and the gray-robed old monk stepped down, shattering the tiles. His palms were as black as ink, the very "Vajra Palm" of Shaolin. Beiku grinned, revealing a mouthful of black teeth: "What a Qianlong Emperor! He killed my disciple in Miao territory back then, and now he's ruining my grand plan again?" When he struck out with both palms, the air emitted a piercing shriek, and a dark purple ball of energy condensed in his palms.

Shi Feiyang drew a semicircle with his folding fan, and ice crystals spread with the force of his palm, building an ice wall between the two.

The moment their palms collided, the ice wall shattered with a deafening roar, and shards of ice shot out like projectiles.

With a wave of his sleeve, he shattered the ice, only to see Shi Feiyang already closing in, his folding fan transforming into a blade—the "Slaying the Mortal World" move from the Hundred Victories Blade Technique!
Where the cold light passed, the gray robe was torn three inches, revealing the flame totem embroidered inside—the "Fire Department" mark of the Red Flower Society.

"So you really have sided with the Red Flower Society!" Shi Feiyang roared, his skin glowing with a warm, jade-like color as he activated the Mingyu Gong. "Take this!" He unleashed the move "Watching the Vast Ocean"! The palm wind was like a raging wave crashing against the shore, actually drawing together the fragments of the surrounding tables and chairs into a vortex, which roared toward Xuan Ku's face.

The old monk waved his "Vajra Pestle" with both hands, but the fragments froze in mid-air and came crashing back down!

At that moment, the sound of a piano string snapping came from the second floor.

Su Dai's twin swords emerged like serpents from their holes, engaging in a fierce battle with Wei Nianhua's parting hook.

The "Hook Lock Universe" technique, controlled by the sticky rod, was already insidious, but now, combined with the icy mist, it became even more ruthless. Each time the hook tip grazed Su Dai's throat, it left a faint icy mark on the side of her neck.

"Does the young lady know why the hook at the sticky pole never misses?" Wei Nianhua lowered his voice, and suddenly barbs appeared on the hook, which was actually the "Soul-Chasing Hook," a secret weapon of the sticky pole! Su Dai did not answer, and her sword posture suddenly changed, and she used the "Yin-Yang Fish" from the Wudang "Two Elements Sword Technique".

Wei Nianhua's pupils constricted sharply—this was clearly Zhang Zhaozhong's signature move! Just then, Bai Zhen's iron claws tore open the throat of the last assassin. Turning around and seeing this, his eagle eyes widened: "When did the Red Flower Society steal Wudang kung fu?"

Shi Feiyang had already unleashed the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique," and the eerie blue light brought by the Jade Dragon Hook clashed fiercely with Xuan Ku's purplish-black demonic power.

Each time the hook trembled, it plowed deep furrows into the ground, and the soil under the blue bricks even froze into ice crystals.

Despite being struck three times by the "Demonic Cloud" technique, leaving three gaping wounds on his shoulder, chest, and dantian, he still grinned and unleashed the "Arhat Subduing Demon Palm": "You think your Frosty Palm can trap me? Heh heh, you're not Zuo Lengchan!"

Shi Feiyang chuckled coldly, "You bald monk, you can't even figure out what kind of martial arts technique the young master uses, yet you dare to call yourself a master? Humph!"

Taking advantage of the moment, Bei Ku unleashed his "Mighty Vajra Palm," but Shi Feiyang's hands flicked and guided Bei Ku's palm strike, which landed squarely on the chest of a masked assassin! Bei Ku also grunted and flew backward, crashing into a wine jar. In the instant he shattered the jar, he saw Su Dai's sword pointed at his throat—when had she broken through Wei Nianhua's defenses?
"Young Master, be careful!" You Ning's Golden Crow Blade shattered the flying hidden weapon, while Lu Fangtian's Heavenly Gang Finger simultaneously struck Su Dai's "Jianjing" acupoint.

Su Dai groaned and knelt down, the mother and child swords falling to the ground. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang used "Shifting Flowers and Jade" again, diverting the force of Bei Ku's palm towards the pillar. The entire nanmu tree collapsed with a crash, and in the dust, he had already approached Bei Ku from behind, the Jade Dragon Hook precisely hooking the opponent's collarbone.

"Speak! Where is the headquarters of the Red Flower Society?" Shi Feiyang's voice was chillingly cold. Under the high-speed activation of the Mingyu Gong, ice flowers even formed on the shoulder that was being hooked by Bei Ku. The old monk shook his head with a bitter smile, then suddenly bit his tongue.

Shi Feiyang's pupils contracted sharply. He waved his sleeve to shake the corpse away, only to see black blood spilling from Beiku's mouth, which turned into a poisonous mist that spread everywhere.

"Retreat!" Shi Feiyang roared, and the ambergris powder from his sleeve was released, mixing with the poisonous fog to form a purple mist.

Wei Nianhua threw out a grappling hook and grabbed Su Dai, while Bai Zhen grabbed Zhang Zhaozhong and leaped onto the roof. Just as everyone broke through the window, a muffled explosion came from inside Zuixianlou—gunpowder from somewhere had been ignited, and the entire building twisted and collapsed in the sea of ​​fire.

The mist from the Gusu River rushed towards him. Shi Feiyang looked at the unconscious Su Dai in his arms and noticed that the silver bracelet on her wrist was engraved with the character "Hong".

In the distance, the sound of the bell from Hanshan Temple startled a flock of crows. He took out the sachet that Lin Ruoxue had given him; the scent of the antidote mixed with the stench of blood was particularly pungent in the night fog.

"Master, the body is in a tragic state..." Wei Nianhua reported softly.

“Ignore it.” Shi Feiyang stared at the raging fire at Zuixianlou, the four characters “Jie Xiaoyong Ren” (meaning “Be patient and avoid haste”) on the jade dragon hook appearing exceptionally red in the firelight. “Thoroughly investigate Su Dai’s background, and also…”

He paused, his gaze growing even colder, "to investigate the repeated robberies of the grain transport funds and what connection they have with the Red Flower Society."

On the river, the lanterns on the painted boats still swayed gracefully, as if the bloody battle just now was nothing more than an illusory dream.

Shi Feiyang gently stroked the half-piece of dragon-patterned brocade in his sleeve, recalling Zhou Weirou's trembling fingertips in the warm pavilion of Guihua Tower.

The conflict between the martial arts world and the imperial court is like the flowing water of the Suzhou River; it appears calm on the surface, but undercurrents are surging beneath.

The jade dragon hook in his hand will eventually sever the layers of mist, leaving all the truth nowhere to hide.

At this moment, Su Dai had been forced against the wall by Wei Nianhua's parting hook.

Her twin swords were stained with blood, and her clothes were tattered, but her eyes remained firm and unyielding.

Shi Feiyang slowly approached, his folding fan lightly touching her throat: "When did the 'Three Transformations of Flowing Clouds' from the Sticky Pole become a martial art of the Red Flower Society?"

Su Dai suddenly burst into laughter, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth: "Your Majesty might as well guess who planted the 'Heart-Eating Gu' in your jade bracelet back then?"

Suddenly, the Hetian jade bracelet on Shi Feiyang's wrist became hot, and the worms inside the jade seemed to be stirring restlessly.

He subtly switched the antidote sachet, but when he touched Su Dai's wrist, he found that her pulse was erratic, indicating that she had been afflicted with the "Nine Revolutions Life-Stealing Gu," which was even more potent than the "Heart-Eating Gu."

Looking at Shi Feiyang's complicated gaze, Su Dai suddenly murmured, "Does the bell of Hanshan Temple still remember 'The Peacock Flies Southeast'?"

Outside the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, torrential rain poured down, washing away the blood on the ground into winding streams.

Shi Feiyang looked at the unconscious Su Dai in his arms. Blood droplets from the jade dragon hook fell onto the bluestone slab, resembling blooming red plum blossoms.

In the distance, the faint sound of the bell from Hanshan Temple could be heard, but it could not conceal the turbulent waves surging in his heart—how many unknown secrets were still hidden in this city of Suzhou? Shi Feiyang quickly pointed out Su Dai's secrets, had You Ning take Su Dai into custody, and then led the guards to investigate Hanshan Temple at night.

Pushing open the abbot's secret chamber, a painting titled "Nine Princes Struggling for the Throne" came into view, but the fourth prince, Yinzhen, was conspicuously absent.

Shi Feiyang stared at the mural, and memories flooded back like a tide, as if the bloody battle for the throne was right before his eyes.

As Su Dai gazed at his thoughtful expression, complex emotions welled up within her.

(End of this chapter)