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

Chapter 367. Blood splattered on my robe, yet I have no regrets; my heart is bound to yours, and I willingly remain devoted.
Zhao Banshan's palm strike landed squarely on Fu Shouchuan's chest, sending him flying backward like a kite with a broken string. He crashed into a boulder on the shore, spitting out blood.

Seeing the situation was dire, Zhang Yi brandished his dog-beating stick in an attempt to break through. Yang Chengxie swept his double whips across, snapping the bamboo stick in two with a "crack."

Zhang Jin swung the bronze rod and smashed it hard onto Zhang Yi's skull.

The deputy leader of the Beggars' Sect stared wide-eyed, unable to believe until his death that he had fallen into the hands of this brute.

The rain had stopped sometime earlier, and moonlight spilled onto the lake, where corpses lay strewn across the land, gleaming with a cold, silvery light. In the distance, the sound of hurried hoofbeats came from the direction of Crimson Cloud Peak, and the blood of Taihu Lake would eventually flow into the turbulent waves of the rivers and lakes.

The Beggars' Clan, once the most powerful and influential gang in the martial arts world, has seen its strength greatly diminished due to internal divisions and external invasions.

The current Beggars' Sect leader, Fu Shouchuan, and deputy leader, Lu Chenzhou, were brutally killed by the Red Flower Society. Elders Fu Shouren, Zhang Ji, and others quickly led the remaining Beggars' Sect disciples to flee Taihu Lake and Suzhou City. They secretly discussed that if they wanted to take revenge on the Red Flower Society, they could only seek refuge with the imperial court.

So they disguised themselves and inquired everywhere about how to contact the experts at the Sticky Pole Office.

Chen Feng, a strategist from the Sticky Rod Office who was on his way south to secretly inspect the reclamation of wasteland and the reduction of rent and taxes in various places on behalf of Emperor Qianlong, learned of the news and secretly sent his guards to verify the situation. When he found out that the situation was true, he was overjoyed and then recruited Fu Shouren, Zhang Ji and others.

Because Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji had previously cooperated with the Red Flower Society under the leadership of their former leader, "Xiang Tiange," they knew about the Red Flower Society's secret headquarters.

Chen Feng then hurried south to Suzhou so that he could report the situation to Emperor Qianlong as soon as possible.

The crescent moon, like a hook, hangs obliquely above the eaves of Suzhou.

In the secret room of Simeng Inn, the candlelight flickered, casting Shi Feiyang's figure in and out of the light.

He gently stroked the mottled bloodstains on the jade dragon hook, listening to the watchman's clapper sound approaching from afar outside the window, a mysterious smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Your Majesty, the antidote has been given to Su Dai," You Ning reported softly. The girl's apricot-yellow palace sash was still stained with the blood from last night's battle. "The woman is still asleep and seems to be unconscious."

Shi Feiyang nodded slightly, his gaze shifting to the copper basin in the corner of the secret room.

Su Dai's pale face was reflected in the clear water, and the silver bracelet on her wrist, engraved with the word "red," gleamed coldly.

"Let her leave." Shi Feiyang said calmly, his voice as still as a deep pool. "Remember, make her feel like she escaped by sheer luck."

You Ning was taken aback, then curtsied: "This servant obeys. But... why not take this opportunity to interrogate her about the Red Flower Society's secrets?"

"The best strategy is to feign indifference to lure the enemy into a trap." Shi Feiyang stood up and paced back and forth, the breeze from his robes causing the candlelight to flicker. "Su Dai, this pawn, has even greater uses." Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Wei Nianhua pushed open the door and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, an urgent message has arrived from the Beggars' Sect!"

His face was solemn, and he held a secret letter in his hand. "The Beggars' Sect leader Fu Shouchuan and deputy leader Lu Chenzhou were both killed by the Red Flower Society. Elders Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji led the remaining disciples to escape from Taihu Lake. They are now searching for ways to contact the Sticky Pole Office, seemingly intending to seek refuge with them."

Shi Feiyang's pupils contracted slightly, and the Jade Dragon Hook was drawn half an inch from its sheath with a clang, its cold light illuminating the entire room: "Just as I expected. Since the Beggar Clan has been severely weakened, we should make good use of them."

He suddenly sneered, "Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji? Hmph, they cooperated with Xiang Tiange and the Red Flower Society back then, but now they want to serve the court. What use are such fickle people?" Before he finished speaking, another guard came to report, "Chen Feng, the strategist of the Sticky Rod Office, is requesting an audience and is waiting outside the hall."

Shi Feiyang pondered for a moment, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "I will not see them. Minister Wei, go and tell Chen Feng to have Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji lead the remaining Beggars' Sect disciples to join the Heaven and Earth Society."

"Your Majesty!" Wei Nianhua looked up in astonishment, "If the Beggars' Sect were to join the Heaven and Earth Society, wouldn't that mean..."

“That’s exactly what we want them to do,” Shi Feiyang interrupted him, the jade dragon hook drawing a graceful arc in the candlelight. “The Red Flower Society and the Heaven and Earth Society have always been outwardly united but inwardly divided. Now that we have the Beggars’ Gang as a pawn, I’m not worried about them developing any grudges against each other.”

A sinister smile curled at the corner of his lips. "The more chaotic the martial world becomes, the more stable my empire will be." Wei Nianhua suddenly understood, inwardly marveling at the emperor's profound strategy, and immediately accepted the order and left. Meanwhile, the Beggar Clan elders Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji were hiding in a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of Suzhou.

Fu Shouren's face was covered in blood, and the dog-beating stick in his hand was broken in two; Zhang Ji clutched his wound, panting heavily. "What should we do now?" Zhang Ji gritted his teeth, "The Red Flower Society has gone too far! We swear we won't rest until we avenge this!"

Fu Shouren pondered for a long time, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes: "Support the imperial court! Only by relying on the power of the government can we bring down the Red Flower Society!"

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the temple. The two men were startled and grabbed their weapons to prepare for battle. A guard from the Imperial Guard slowly entered, cupped his fists, and said, "Elders, my master invites you." Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji exchanged a glance, their eyes both lighting up with joy.

However, when they learned of Emperor Qianlong's decree, their expressions changed drastically.

"Join the Heaven and Earth Society?" Fu Shouren frowned. "This goes against our original intentions."

The guard sneered, "If the two elders are unwilling to obey, they can take their remaining troops and fight the Red Flower Society to the death."

He paused, his tone chilling, "However, with your current strength, I'm afraid..." Zhang Ji's face turned ashen, and he clenched his fists.

Fu Shouren pondered for a long time before finally sighing, "So be it! Everything is up to His Majesty's orders. But... if we join the Heaven and Earth Society, how should we proceed?" "Simply follow His Majesty's plan and spread negative news about the Red Flower Society within the Heaven and Earth Society," the guard said coldly. "When the two factions clash, that will be your day of revenge." Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji accepted the order and left.

Under the cover of night, they led the remaining disciples of the Beggars' Sect southwards quietly.

All of this was within Shi Feiyang's calculations.

The night sky over Suzhou was overcast. Shi Feiyang stood in front of the small attic on the third floor of the inn, gazing at the distant lights, and thought to himself: The Red Flower Society, the Heaven and Earth Society, the Beggars' Sect... these Jianghu forces are ultimately just pawns on his chessboard.

With a little trickery, they can be made to kill each other, and the Qing Dynasty's rule will be more secure.

As the wind blows, the four characters "戒急用忍" (meaning "avoid haste and be patient") on the jade dragon hook flicker in the moonlight, telling tales of the emperor's endless schemes and calculations.

Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji led the remnants of the Beggars' Sect southward, hiding during the day and moving at night, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

When they arrived at the Guangxi branch of the Heaven and Earth Society, they were already dressed in rags and looked disheveled.

Branch leader Wu Changfeng, nicknamed "Iron-Leg Water-Walker," saw a group of beggars requesting an audience. He initially intended to drive them away, but his expression changed drastically after hearing Fu Shouren introduce himself. "So you're friends from the Beggars' Clan! My apologies!" Wu Changfeng greeted them warmly, but a hint of wariness flashed in his eyes.

He knew full well the long-standing feud between the Beggars' Sect and the Red Flower Society, and that this group's sudden visit might conceal some unknown motive. That evening, the Heaven and Earth Society hosted a banquet for the Beggars' Sect members to welcome them. After several rounds of drinks, Fu Shouren suddenly slammed his wine bowl down: "Chief Wu, to be honest, we've come here to lend the Heaven and Earth Society a hand!"

"Oh?" Wu Changfeng raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that, Elder Fu?"

"The Red Flower Society is ambitious; not only has it swallowed up the foundation of our Beggars' Sect, but it also aspires to dominate the entire martial arts world!" Fu Shouren said earnestly. "They are secretly colluding with the imperial court, preparing to launch a coordinated attack from within and without to wipe out the Heaven and Earth Society!"

These words caused an uproar at the table. Zhang Ji seized the opportunity to produce a forged secret letter: "This is a secret letter intercepted from a traitor of the Red Flower Society. It clearly describes the deal between Yu Wanting and the government!"

Wu Changfeng took the secret letter and examined it repeatedly, his expression growing increasingly solemn. Although he had his doubts, he had no choice but to take precautions.

That very night, he dispatched a messenger on horseback to deliver the message back to headquarters.

Meanwhile, Shi Feiyang had arrived in Hangzhou. Dressed as a wealthy merchant, he hosted a banquet for renowned scholars from Jiangnan on a pleasure boat on West Lake. Ostensibly, it was a charade of composing poems, but in reality, he was secretly manipulating the political landscape of the martial arts world.

"Your Majesty, the Heaven and Earth Society has received news from the Beggars' Sect," Wei Nianhua reported in a low voice. "Chief Chen Jinnan is currently convening various branch leaders for discussions."

Shi Feiyang lightly waved his folding fan, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Chen Jinnan is cunning and calculating; he probably won't believe us so easily. However..." A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, "...we still have a backup plan."

The following day, news suddenly spread throughout the martial arts world: Yu Wanting, the leader of the Red Flower Society, had secretly met with imperial officials to discuss the annihilation of the Heaven and Earth Society. The news caused an uproar in the martial arts world. Inside the Heaven and Earth Society's headquarters, the atmosphere was as heavy as iron.

Chen Jinnan frowned as he looked at the secret report on the table: "This matter is suspicious and should not be trusted lightly. However, we must be wary of others. Send the order down to all branch offices to strengthen their defenses!" However, the development of events far exceeded his expectations.

Just as the Heaven and Earth Society was on high alert, clashes between the Red Flower Society and the Heaven and Earth Society occurred one after another in various places. These clashes seemed accidental, but in fact, they were all secretly planned by Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji. They took advantage of the Beggars' Sect disciples' familiarity with the terrain to create conflict between the two factions and provoke a fight.

The night in Quanzhou, Fujian, was torn apart by torrential rain, and the bronze bell of Kaiyuan Temple wailed in the thunderstorm.

Wen Tailai slammed his bronze double clubs down on the bluestone slab, sending shards of stone mixed with blood flying into the air: "You scum of the Heaven and Earth Society! Today I'll show you that the Red Flower Society is not to be trifled with!"

The dark-faced, bearded man was covered in blood, and the charred palm print on his chest from the iron palm strike had an eerie purplish-blue hue.

"Thunderbolt Hand, quite the boast!" Li Dahai's towering body shattered the puddles, his iron palm cleaving through the rain, the force of which extinguished lanterns ten feet away. "When you wiped out my senior brother's entire family, where was this imposing manner? Take this 'Thunderous Might'!"

Before he finished speaking, a dark blue-black energy ball condensed in his palm, which was the Heaven and Earth Society's ultimate martial art, "Earth-Shaking Iron Palm".

The moment the two powerful palm strikes collided, the air emitted a piercing explosion.

Wen Tailai wielded his double sticks like an impenetrable wall, but then felt a numbness in his hands and saw fine cracks appear on the bronze sticks.

He roared and unleashed the ultimate move of his sect's secret technique, "Thunderbolt Palm," "Thunderous Strike," his palms striking out with a faint sound of wind and thunder.

Instead of retreating, Li Dahai advanced, his iron palm transforming into a "mountain-shattering" force, forcefully repelling the opponent's palm strike. "Brother Wen, I'm here to help you!" "Nine-Lives Leopard" Wei Chunhua's double hooks flew, the cold light reflecting off his handsome yet blood-stained face. "You rats of the Heaven and Earth Society, taste the power of the Red Flower Society's 'Soul-Chasing Hook'!"

Before he could finish speaking, three disciples of the Heaven and Earth Society lunged at him with their knives raised. Wei Chunhua moved like lightning, his double hooks drawing strange arcs, instantly severing the tendons of two men. His third strike barely avoided their throats, but the hook tip grazed his face, causing blood to flow freely.

In the midst of the chaotic battle, Zhang Zhaozhong's Qingfeng sword suddenly came out of its sheath, the four characters "Taiji Hanyuan" on the blade gleaming coldly in the lightning.

He used the Nine Palaces Step, unleashing the Wudang "Soft Cloud Sword Technique," a seemingly gentle sword move that aimed precisely at vital points. "Remnants of the Red Flower Society, today is your death day!" The sword tip, like a serpent spitting its tongue, aimed straight for Wen Tailai's back.

At the critical moment, Zhang Jin swung his bronze cudgel, deflecting the longsword with a clang. "Are these Wudang scum here to interfere?" Zhang Jin, his face covered in blood, his single eye blazing with fury, shouted, "Taste my 'Mountain-Splitting Rock-Shattering'!"

The bronze staff slammed down with tremendous force, but Zhang Zhaozhong dodged to the side and instead thrust his sword at the opponent's wrist.

Suddenly, the Chang brothers' flying claws attacked from both sides, and the iron chains coiled around his sword like serpents.

Chang Hezhi sneered, "Little Taoist, where do you think you're going to run to!" Li Dahai seized the opportunity to strike out with "Heaven-Shaking Iron Palm" again. Wen Tailai crossed his two sticks to block, but was sent flying backward by the force of the palm, crashing through the wooden window of a tavern on the street.

Jars of fine wine spilled out, mixing with blood and winding into dark red streams along the street. "Fourth Brother!" Luo Bing wielded his mandarin duck swords with impenetrable skill, but was tightly entangled by the members of the Heaven and Earth Society. Throwing knives flew out one after another, but he could only temporarily halt his attack.

Zhang Zhaozhong broke free from the Chang brothers' entanglement, and his longsword suddenly transformed into seven sword flowers, which was the killing move of Wudang swordsmanship, "Seven Stars Chasing the Moon". Wen Tailai was about to get up when he felt a tingling and numb sensation in his acupoints all over his body - without knowing when, Zhang Zhaozhong had used "Acupoint Seizure and Meridian Cutting" to seal all the major acupoints on his body.

"Thunderbolt Hand, surrender!" With Qingfeng pressed against his throat, Zhang Zhaozhong's lips curled into a cold smile.

In the distance, Fu Shouren gazed at the corpses strewn across the ground, his dog-beating stick trembling slightly in his hand: "Brother Zhang, isn't this...isn't this killing too ruthless?"

Rain washed over his pale face, reflecting the hesitation in his eyes.

Zhang Ji gritted his teeth and gripped the hidden weapon in his sleeve: "Not ruthless? When the Red Flower Society wiped out our Liaodong branch, did they show any mercy?" He suddenly threw out three bone-piercing nails, which accurately hit a Red Flower Society disciple in the throat. "If we don't kill them all today, we will surely suffer the consequences in the future!"

The torrential rain stopped at some point, and the moonlight shone on the streets of Quanzhou, coating the scattered limbs and broken bodies with a layer of cold silver.

Upon hearing Chen Feng's report, Wei Nianhua suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly: "Good! Good! Pass down the order to have the Beggars' Sect spread rumors near the camps of the two factions, saying that Wen Tailai's capture is irrefutable proof of collusion between the Heaven and Earth Society and the imperial court!"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "The fire of the martial world must burn even brighter!" Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji, hidden in the shadows, exchanged a glance, both seeing fear and madness in each other's eyes. They knew they were already deeply entangled in this vortex of power struggles, with no turning back. In the distance, the bells of Kaiyuan Temple rang again, startling a flock of crows. Amidst the flapping of their wings, another bloody storm was brewing.

The bluestone slabs of Quanzhou's streets and alleys were soaked in blood and gleamed with an eerie purple light under the lightning.

The moment Wen Tailai was subdued by Zhang Zhaozhong, a heart-wrenching cry suddenly rang out from the crowd: "Let go of my husband!"

As the Mandarin Duck Blades flew from her hand, Luo Bing pinned a member of the Heaven and Earth Society to the wall. She staggered towards her husband, but was blocked by Li Dahai's iron palm. "The daughter of the Divine Blade Luo Yuantong has become a lackey of the Red Flower Society!" Li Dahai's palm strike was powerful and fierce. "Back then, your father swore brotherhood with my master. If he knew this in the afterlife, he would probably be so angry that he would lift the lid of his coffin!"

He brushed his palm across Luo Bing's cheek, leaving three bloody marks. "Do you still remember a few years ago, when your father slaughtered my senior brother's entire family to protect the Red Flower Society's secret messages? This blood debt must be repaid!" Luo Bing's pupils shrank, the past tearing at her heart like a knife.

She remembered that rainy night when her father returned covered in blood, clutching a blood-stained brocade box tightly in his arms.

The senior brother that Li Dahai mentioned was none other than his father's most respected sworn brother.

"That's a misunderstanding!" she screamed hoarsely, the Mandarin Duck Blades drawing a tragic arc in the lightning. "My father, before he died... kept saying he wanted to find your senior brother to apologize!" In the midst of the melee, Yu Yutong's golden flute suddenly appeared across his chest.

The flute music suddenly changed, transforming into the murderous tones of "Ambush from Ten Sides," but it stopped abruptly when Li Dahai saw the jade pendant at his waist—on that piece of mutton-fat jade, there was a dark pattern engraved that was identical to that of his deceased mother.

"You...you are Uncle Li's..." Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Zhaozhong's longsword was already piercing his throat.

Chang Hezhi's flying claw smashed the longsword away in time, and the iron chain wrapped around Zhang Zhaozhong's wrist and yanked hard: "Golden Flute Scholar, why are you wasting your breath talking to this Wudang scum!"

He unleashed his Black Sand Palm, but Li Dahai turned and swung his own palm. The two powerful palm strikes collided, and the resulting shockwave knocked over several people around them.

Chang Hezhi felt a sweet taste in his chest, and the blood that spurted out stained Li Dahai's clothes red.

Chang Bozhi's eyes were bloodshot, and the iron chain wrapped around Li Dahai's ankle like a venomous snake. "When you burned my master to death with poisonous fire, did you ever think about retribution?" He suddenly exerted force, pulling Li Dahai to the ground, but Wei Chunhua's double hooks blocked his way.

Wei Chunhua's handsome face was covered in wounds, blood dripping from the hook tip: "Brother Chang, run! Otherwise, we will all be captured!"

In the distance, the bells of Kaiyuan Temple rang out again, mingling with the groans of the dying.

Luo Bing finally broke free, only to find that Wen Tailai had already been taken away by Zhang Zhaozhong. Clutching the blood-stained mandarin duck knives, she stared at Li Dahai's retreating figure, then suddenly slammed the knives into the ground: "Li Dahai, I'll remember this debt!"

Meanwhile, Fu Shouren and Zhang Ji, hidden in the shadows, looked at each other's blood-stained faces and suddenly burst into wild laughter.

Laughter startled the owls under the eaves, and with a flapping of their wings, another tale of love and hate was buried forever beneath the blood-soaked bluestone slabs of Quanzhou. A thin mist shrouded the summer night of West Lake, and the glass lanterns on the painted boats shimmered the lake water like scattered gold.

Shi Feiyang leaned against the Xiangfei bamboo couch, the mutton-fat jade thumb ring in his hand reflecting the candlelight, while Wei Nianhua's voice echoed in the cabin as he listened to her report.

The governor of Jiangnan stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, while the general's sword occasionally struck the deck, making a crisp sound.

"Your Majesty, grain prices in Hangzhou, Suzhou and other places have risen to three times that of last year. Starving people are scrambling for rice. The Hangzhou prefectural government office was besieged yesterday, and more than ten officials were killed or injured." Wei Nianhua knelt on one knee, the chain of the farewell hook dragging on the blue bricks with a harsh sound.

Shi Feiyang tapped lightly on the edge of the couch with his fingertips, his voice as cold as an icy pool: "Why has the disaster relief grain been delayed?" The governor's forehead was beaded with cold sweat, and he trembled as he replied, "Your Majesty, the grain transport has been repeatedly robbed by江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) thieves along the way. Just the day before yesterday, three boats carrying grain… vanished without a trace." "江湖?" Shi Feiyang suddenly stood up, the hem of his robe sweeping over the celadon teacup on the table. "I want to see which heroes dare to threaten the very lifeline of the court! Issue the order: mobilize the entire Imperial Guard. If no clues are found within ten days…"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the pale faces of the crowd. "You'll all come back with your heads!" The general, mustering his courage, spoke up: "Your Majesty, I believe the most urgent task is to stabilize grain prices. The Jiangnan region is a land of fish and rice; if we could..."

"I have my own plans." Shi Feiyang interrupted him, walked to the side of the ship, and looked at the Leifeng Pagoda that was faintly visible in the distance. "When Emperor Kangxi exempted taxes and levies, the people were won over. Order the Ministry of Revenue to exempt all taxes in Jiangnan for the next two years. Also, order the Department of Agriculture to promote the planting of sweet potatoes and corn. These crops are drought-resistant and high-yielding, and are most suitable for emergency relief."

As they were talking, footsteps came from outside the cabin. Su Dai was dressed in a plain white silk dress, looking haggard, and the silver hairpin in her hair had lost its former luster.

She followed Chen Feng to Shi Feiyang and gracefully knelt down: "Your Majesty, this humble person..." "Get up."

Shi Feiyang turned around, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment, "I heard you suffered a lot at Taihu Lake?"

Su Dai bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes: "The Red Flower Society, the Beggars' Sect... they all won't tolerate me. Only the Emperor..."

"Do you know why I kept you here?" Shi Feiyang suddenly approached, the scent of ambergris mixed with the smell of blood wafting towards her. "Because you, this pawn, are still useful." He reached out and lifted her chin. "Go and tell the Red Flower Society's liaison station in Hangzhou that the canal robbery was the work of the Heaven and Earth Society."

Su Dai trembled all over: "But...but this..."

"What?" Shi Feiyang sneered, "Have you forgotten that countless gangs want to kill you? If it weren't for my secret help, you would have become a lonely ghost in the mass grave long ago." "Yes, sir!" Su Dai obediently obeyed the order and left. Chen Feng led the experts of the Sticky Pole Bureau, disguised as martial arts heroes, to accompany her and secretly protect Su Dai's safety.

It's clear that the emperor likes Su Dai, although he also uses her as a pawn.

Shi Feiyang walked to the bow of the boat, watching Su Dai's beautiful figure disappear from sight. He then summoned Wei Nianhua to the bow and asked him to report on the Qing army's suppression of the rebellion in Dajinchuan. ...

Thousands of miles away in the Dajinchuan Valley, the autumn wind whipped up sand and gravel, causing the Qing army's tents to sway precariously.

Fuheng stared at the dense red dots on the map, his brows furrowed in worry. Saloben held Lewuwei, a place of high mountains and dense forests, easy to defend and difficult to attack. For three months, the Qing army had suffered heavy losses but had not made an inch of progress.

"My lord, General Yue requests an audience." The report from his personal guard interrupted his thoughts.

Yue Zhongqi strode in, his armor still stained with blood: "Lord Fu, if this continues, our supplies will run out, and morale will surely collapse! I have been ordered by the Emperor to come from Zhili to provide reinforcements, and I am willing to lead three thousand elite troops to take a shortcut and take Lewuwei directly!"

Fu Heng stared into the old general's bloodshot eyes and slowly nodded: "Good! But Sharoben is cunning, you must be careful." He suddenly lowered his voice, "The Emperor said that this battle can only be won, not lost, otherwise..."

Yue Zhongqi gripped the sword at his waist: "This subordinate understands!" Half a month later, the night sky over Lewuwei was illuminated red by torches.

Yue Zhongqi's elite troops moved through the dense forest like ghosts, but just as they were about to reach the gate of the stronghold, they suddenly heard horns sounding all around.

Countless logs and rocks cascaded down the mountain, causing heavy casualties among the Qing army.

"Not good! We've been ambushed!" Yue Zhongqi swung his sword, cutting off the incoming arrows. "Retreat! Retreat quickly!" Just then, Sharoben appeared on a tall horse, his long sword pointing directly at the Qing army: "So this is all the Qing cavalry has to offer! Today, I'll make sure you don't leave alive!"

At the critical moment, Fuheng arrived with reinforcements. He waved his command flag, and cannons roared, causing rocks to collapse.

Upon seeing this, Saloben's expression changed drastically, and he reined in his horse to retreat: "Fuheng, you're ruthless! We'll see!" After this battle, Saloben was severely weakened. Half a month later, he sent someone to deliver a letter of surrender, willing to return Zewang and his seal, and to pay tribute every year.

Fu Heng gazed at the distant snow-capped mountains, let out a long sigh, and murmured, "Your Majesty, this battle has finally... lived up to Your Majesty's grace."

On a painted boat on West Lake, Shi Feiyang fiddled with Saloben's timekeeping watch, a cold smile playing on his lips.

He turned to Wei Nianhua and said, "Issue an imperial decree to commend Fu Heng. Promote Yue Zhongqi to Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi! As for the Jianghu..."

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. "It's time for them to taste the consequences of going against the imperial court." As night deepened, the painted boat slowly sailed into the center of the lake.

Mid-autumn on the north bank of the Yangtze River was filled with a fishy wind, and Shi Feiyang's painted boat cut through the waves in the reed marshes.

Su Dai leaned against the carved ship window, watching Wei Nianhua wipe the farewell hook outside the cabin, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the hem of her clothes—which was still stained with the bloodstains left by the assassin when he died three days ago.

As night deepened, a sharp sound of iron claws tearing through the air suddenly came from the bow of the boat. Bai Zhen's eagle eyes widened, and his five iron fingers gripped a bone-piercing nail: "Assassins!" Before he finished speaking, twelve black figures broke out of the water from the reeds.

The masked leader drew his longsword, aiming directly for Shi Feiyang's throat.

You Ning let out a delicate shout, and the Golden Crow Blade unleashed a crimson blade light, its "scorching sun melting gold" blade momentum deflecting the longsword.

Instead of retreating, the assassin advanced, unleashing the Wudang "Soft Cloud Sword Technique," the tip of his sword suddenly transforming into seven cold rays.

"A mere trick!" Lu Fangtian roared, drawing the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) with his palms in front of his chest, his Tiangang Finger Technique as elusive as a ghost.

Wherever his finger touched, ripples spread through the air, and the assassin's sword strikes were distorted by the invisible force of energy.

Wei Nianhua's parting hook pierced the air at the opportune moment, unleashing the Thirty-Six Forms of Hook Locking Heaven and Earth. Silver light collided with sword light, sparks scattering onto Su Dai's skirt, burning black spots. Shi Feiyang stood with his hands behind his back on the cabin roof, his Mingyu Gong quietly circulating, his skin glowing with a crystalline luster.

He looked down at the chaotic battle below and suddenly sneered: "Those scum from the Red Flower Society are truly courting death."

Before he could finish speaking, an assassin leaped onto the bow of the ship, a soft sword hidden in his sleeve aimed straight at his back.

At the critical moment, Shi Feiyang used the "Shifting Flowers and Jade" technique, seemingly casually waving his sleeve, which led the soft sword to another companion.

The assassin couldn't stop in time; the blade pierced through his chest, and blood sprayed onto the carved railing, resembling blooming red plum blossoms.

Shi Feiyang roared, "Soldiers, in today's battle, there will be no mercy!" He then unleashed the "Slaying the Mortal World" move, transforming his palm into a blade and slashing out with the Hundred Victories Blade Technique. The palm wind was as fierce as the sun in the sky, and wherever the blade's light touched, three assassins were sent flying backward, crashing into the mast and breaking it.

As the broken wooden beam fell, You Ning's Golden Crow Blade slashed swiftly, and amidst the flying wood chips, the crimson blade flashed and took another person's throat.

Su Dai hid in the corner of the cabin, watching the icy mist surrounding Shi Feiyang—a sign that he was operating the Mingyu Gong at full power. His skin became increasingly transparent, like white ice shrouded in icy mist, and with every move he made, he attracted the assassins' weapons to his palms.

"Break the universe!" Shi Feiyang roared again, and a powerful shockwave shattered the three longswords. The aftershocks of the sword energy carved a ten-zhang-wide gap in the reed marsh.

Wei Nianhua's parting hook suddenly wrapped around an assassin's ankle and pulled him violently.

The moment the assassin fell to the ground, Bai Zhen's iron claws had already torn open half of his chest.

Lu Fangtian's Heavenly Gang Finger Technique drew an eight-trigram array in the air, and the edge of his finger sliced ​​across the enemy's neck like a sharp blade, causing blood to gush out like a spring.

In the midst of the chaos, Su Dai suddenly spotted a familiar emerald feather flashing through the crowd—it was Huo Qingtong's personal guard!

"Watch out on the left!" she blurted out, only to see three cold glints of light already piercing through the air.

A strange light flashed in Shi Feiyang's eyes, and he actually turned to block the hidden weapon for her. The vortex suction of the Mingyu Skill activated, and the three bone-piercing nails suddenly changed direction three inches away from him, shooting instead towards the launcher. As the assassin screamed and fell to the ground, Su Dai looked at Shi Feiyang's blood-stained sleeve, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

"Miss Su does care about me." Shi Feiyang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his tone ambiguous.

Before she could answer, another wave of assassins emerged from the water, their weapons glowing with a ghostly blue light—they were poisoned!

You Ning wielded the Golden Crow Blade with impenetrable skill, yet the crimson blade light was corroded by the poisonous mist, leaving black spots.

Wei Nianhua's farewell hook suddenly slipped from his grasp and was caught by an assassin's chain.

At the critical moment, Shi Feiyang unleashed the "Demon-Slaying Cloud," his palm strikes like a tidal wave, dispersing all the poisonous mist.

A thick mist swirled around him, and wherever he touched, the assassins' weapons frosted over.

"Go!" Bai Zhen grabbed Su Dai by the back of her collar with his iron claws, and together with the others, escorted Shi Feiyang back into the cabin.

As the sounds of fighting outside the ship gradually subsided, Su Dai gazed at Shi Feiyang's jade-like, transparent palm, where ice crystals were slowly condensing.

She suddenly remembered what Chen Jialuo, the new leader of the Red Flower Society, had said: "Emperor Qianlong is ruthless and absolutely untrustworthy."

But why is the figure that shielded her from the hidden weapon so clear?

The pleasure boat continued northward, with dozens of corpses floating in the reeds, their blood staining the river a dark red.

Shi Feiyang stood at the stern of the boat, gazing at the lights of Jinling City in the distance, gently tapping the railing with the jade dragon hook in his palm.

When Su Dai's eyes met his, she suddenly understood the meaning in his gaze—those so-called martial arts heroes were nothing more than pawns on the other side's chessboard, yet in the process of making those moves, they created unnecessary entanglements.

The river outside Jinling City shimmered like shattered silver under the moonlight. Inside the painted boat, red candles flickered, casting the figures of Shi Feiyang and Su Dai onto the silk curtains. The stench of the recent battle had not yet dissipated, yet the air was already filled with an alluring atmosphere.

Shi Feiyang gazed at Su Dai's pale yet still stunningly beautiful face, the image of her recklessly reminding him earlier still lingering in his mind. He slowly stepped forward, gently brushing away the stray strands of hair from her temple, his movements as tender as if touching a rare treasure. "Why did you take that blow for me?" His voice was deep and gentle, carrying a hint of tension he himself was unaware of.

Su Dai looked up at him, her eyes sparkling like ripples in spring water. The corners of her lips turned up slightly, revealing a gentle and affectionate smile: "I... I don't know why either, I just know I can't let you get hurt."

Her voice was soft as a murmur, carrying both girlish shyness and determination.

Shi Feiyang's heart trembled, and he could no longer suppress his feelings, so he suddenly pulled her into his arms.

Su Dai gasped, then felt his strong heartbeat through her chest. She buried her face in his chest, smelling the faint scent of ambergris mixed with the smell of blood on his body, and felt a surge of joy and peace in her heart.

"Su'er, do you know that I..." Shi Feiyang was about to speak when Su Dai gently pressed her finger to his lips.

"Don't say anything." Su Dai raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears. "Just let me lean on you like this, and don't say anything."

She buried her head back in his arms, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist, as if afraid that if she let go, all this beauty would vanish.

Bai Zhen, Wei Nianhua, and the others stood outside the cabin. Upon seeing this scene, they all tactfully lowered their eyes.

Chen Feng coughed lightly, raised his hand and lowered the heavy beaded curtain, shutting out the enchanting spring scenery inside the cabin.

As the beaded curtain swayed, light and shadow intertwined, adding a touch of hazy beauty to the ambiguous atmosphere.

Shi Feiyang picked up Su Dai and slowly walked to the bedside.

The soft quilt enveloped them both. Su Dai looked up at him, her eyes filled with longing and infatuation: "No matter who you are, no matter what the future holds, I, Su Dai, only wish to stay by your side in this life... this life."

Her voice trembled slightly, filled with endless affection.

Shi Feiyang lowered his head, his forehead touching hers, their breaths mingling: "Silly girl, how could I ever betray you?"

As he spoke, he gently kissed away the tears at the corners of her eyes, his movements tender and reverent.

Su Dai wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself closer to him, merging herself into his body. At this moment, the grudges of the martial world and the conflicts of the imperial court no longer mattered; her world consisted only of the man in her arms and her overflowing love.

Outside the painted boat, the river flowed gently, and the night was tender.

Inside the cabin, the red candles dimmed, and the two fell asleep in each other's arms, finding a moment of peace and sweetness amidst the chaos of the world.

The night fog of Nanjing drifted over the carved window lattices, casting a hazy veil over the painted boats.

Su Dai leaned against the rosewood couch, moonlight filtering through the silk curtains onto her snow-white dress. The pearl hairpin in her hair trembled gently with her breath, highlighting her beautiful features and snow-white skin.

As the candlelight flickered, her black hair cascaded down the brocade like a waterfall, her eyes were brimming with emotion and seemed about to weep, and her lips were slightly parted as if she wanted to tell a thousand stories. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

In the mountains on the outskirts of the city, Shi Feiyang, having finished his official duties, returned to the pleasure boat. Seeing his newlywed wife, Su Dai, so beautiful, he felt a tightness in his throat. He slowly stepped forward, his voice unconsciously softening: "Have you missed me?"

Su Dai looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with the gentle warmth of spring waters in Jiangnan in March: "As long as you are well." Her slender fingers gently caressed his handsome face, her fingertips slightly cool. "A day apart feels like three autumns!" Before she finished speaking, her eyes were already glistening with tears.

Shi Feiyang's heart skipped a beat, and he reached out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.

His fingertips brushed against her delicate, smooth cheeks, the touch as warm and smooth as jade.

Su Dai suddenly leaned forward, wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried her face in his chest. "From the first time you saved me, I knew that my heart... could never be taken back." Shi Feiyang could no longer restrain himself and pulled her into his arms.

The faint scent of jasmine lingered around Su Dai, and her soft body pressed against him, stirring his heart.

She tilted her head back, and the moonlight shone on her delicate nose and rosy lips, making her breathtakingly beautiful.

"You are so beautiful, and so foolish." Shi Feiyang lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "If I betray you, I fear I will be punished by heaven." Su Dai's cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him: "If you betray me, I will... I will become a vengeful ghost, haunting you for all eternity!"

She tiptoed and gave him a light kiss on the lips, then quickly pulled away, like a startled fawn.

Outside the cabin, Bai Zhen, Wei Nianhua, Lu Fangtian, and the others lowered their heads upon seeing this.

Chen Feng coughed lightly, and You Ning raised her hand to lower the heavy beaded curtain.

The beaded curtains clattered together, making a crisp sound, but couldn't drown out the tender whispers coming from inside the cabin. Shi Feiyang picked up Su Dai and carried her to the soft couch covered with a mandarin duck quilt. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of his shoulder: "Whether you are a chivalrous knight-errant, or..."

She paused for a moment, then said, "I like you as long as it's you."

The candlelight gradually dimmed, illuminating their embracing figures on the bed. Su Dai gazed up at him, her eyes filled with infatuation and longing. In this bloody and turbulent world of martial arts, she was willing to be that moth drawn to the flame, even knowing that fire lay ahead, she was willing to go without hesitation for him, giving him all her deepest affection.

(End of this chapter)