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

Zhang Jin, a hero known in the martial arts world as "Shi Gandang," fought valiantly, but was ultimately no match for Heshen's sharp swordsmanship. He was slashed in the shoulder, bleeding profusely, and was then finished off by Heshen with another blow, dying on the spot.

Shi Shuangying, an outstanding disciple of the Wuji Sect, was known as "the devil's nightmare." At this moment, he was also struggling against Heshen's blade, with several wounds already on his body. Ignoring the bloodstains on his chest, he mustered all his strength and swept out with his double hooks. This move, "Sweeping Across a Thousand Armies," carried the momentum of an overturned mountain, as if it wanted to crush all the enemies in front of him.

However, Mu Tie'a, the commander of the Bordered Yellow Banner cavalry, was no ordinary man either. His iron sword flashed coldly as he unleashed his signature move, "Lone Smoke Over the Desert." The sword and hook clashed with a deafening roar.

Amidst the flying sparks, Wei Chunhua felt a tremendous force, and the iron hook in her hand was violently jolted out of her grasp. Mu Tie'a pressed his advantage, his iron sword piercing Wei Chunhua's abdomen like a venomous snake.

Wei Chunhua's eyes widened, her face filled with resentment and anger.

He tried to reach out and grab Mutia, but his injuries were too severe, and his arm fell limply to his side. His body slowly collapsed onto the grassland for which he had fought and bled, and his blood quickly spread beneath him, mingling with the earth.

Before he died, he mustered his last strength to throw the iron hook straight at Sukhbaatar's face, but the hook missed.

While Heshen was attacking Chen Jialuo, You Ning seized the opportunity to grab Kasili and leap onto his warhorse, using the "Golden Crow Blade Technique" to force everyone back.

Chen Jialuo brandished his sword to give chase, but saw Wei Nianhua's farewell hook draw a poignant arc, its tip aimed precisely at his throat.

At the critical moment, Huo Qingtong's soft whip coiled around the parting hook like a nimble snake. Her moon-white clothes were covered in dust, but the emerald feather and yellow robe at her waist remained as bright as ever: "Chen Jialuo! Take the brothers and go!"

As dusk deepened, corpses littered the grassland. Chen Jialuo gazed in the direction You Ning had gone, and the jade bottle in his arms suddenly felt incredibly heavy.

Kasri's tears dripped onto the portrait on the bottle, blurring the face that haunted Qianlong's dreams. In the distance, Heshen's scimitar was still dripping blood, while Suhebalu's goose-feather saber, carrying the Red Flower Society's banner, fluttered in the wind.

The stench of blood on the grassland, mingled with the evening breeze, grew stronger, filling the nostrils of every Red Flower Society member and piercing their hearts. Jiang Sigen's corpse lay strewn on the ground, his blood seeping into the grassland, staining the green grass red and turning everyone's eyes red as well.

"We can't let them slaughter us like this anymore!" Xu Tianhong leaned on his iron crutch, which was deeply embedded in the soil, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes filled with grief, anger, and resentment. He looked around at the wounds on his brothers' bodies, at those who had fallen, and his anger burned fiercely within him.

Master Wuchen held the broken sword in one arm; the bloodstains on the sword had not yet dried and gleamed a dark red in the moonlight.

He looked up to the sky and roared, his voice filled with endless grief and anger: "Bai Zhen is dead, but the scoundrels are not finished! Today's grudge will be avenged one day!" His voice echoed over the grassland, startling a flock of night birds, which fluttered away into the distance.

Chen Jialuo turned to face the assembled heroes, his eyes sharp as an eagle, scanning each one: "Brothers, the Qing dynasty is so arrogant. If we back down now, we will not only be letting down our fallen brothers, but also the suffering people of the world! Our Red Flower Society has taken it upon itself to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming since its inception. Today, even if we fight to the last man, we will let them know that our chivalrous spirit is unshakable!"

“That’s right! Let’s fight them!” Wei Chunhua gripped the last remaining half of the double hooks in his hand. The hooks gleamed coldly in the moonlight, and his face was filled with a resolute expression.

Chang Hezhi and Chang Bozhi exchanged a glance, then simultaneously thrust out their palms. The power of their Black Sand Palms flickered in the night, and they roared in unison, "We will not rest until we have killed all these scoundrels!"

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Banshan took out several Flying Swallow Silver Shuttles from his robes and said with a firm gaze, "Chief, we cannot fight them head-on. They outnumber us and have superior weapons and armor. We need to outsmart them, find out their plans first, and then act when the opportunity arises."

Chen Jialuo nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "What Brother Zhao said is absolutely right. Brother Xu, you should quickly send your brothers to investigate the camp location and troop deployment of the Nine Gates Admiral Suhebalu, the commander of the Bordered Yellow Banner Cavalry Mutia, and others; Daoist Wuchen and Wei Chunhua, you should lead your brothers to set up an ambush nearby to prevent them from launching another surprise attack; Brother Zhao, you, Luo Bing, and Wen Tailai are responsible for protecting the wounded brothers and finding a safe place to rest temporarily."

Everyone took orders and took quick action.

Xu Tianhong selected several disciples with exceptional lightness skills and quick wit, whispered a few instructions, and then they vanished into the night on the grassland like owls. Meanwhile, Daoist Wuchen and Wei Chunhua, along with their brothers, armed themselves and, under the cover of darkness, quietly ambushed the main road leading to the Red Flower Society's temporary camp. Some hid in the grass, others behind mounds, holding their breath and awaiting the enemy's arrival.

Zhao Banshan, Luo Bing, and Wen Tailai escorted their wounded brother deeper into the grassland. Luo Bing cautiously observed the surroundings, glancing back at the battlefield every now and then, her eyes filled with worry.

Despite his injuries, Wen Tailai mustered his strength and walked at the front of the group, clearing the way for everyone.

The night, like thick ink, slowly seeped into the grassland.

Chen Jialuo stood atop the cairn, the moonlight casting his long shadow diagonally across the withered meadow. In the distance, the lights of the Qing army camp flickered like fireflies, and the sounds of string and wind instruments and the laughter of soldiers could be faintly heard.

He stroked the vine patterns on the soft sword, which Huo Qingtong had woven herself, but now they pricked his palm painfully.

"Master!" The scout stumbled forward, his cloak soaked with night dew. "Sukhbaatar's convoy is carrying thirty grain carts, escorted by Mutia's iron cavalry, and personally escorted by Heshen! The carts... the carts are full of gold, pearls, and silks destined for the Hui people!"

These words struck Chen Jialuo like a thunderbolt. He felt the world spin, a metallic taste rising in his throat, and his soft sword clattered to the ground.

He staggered and grabbed the prayer flags of the ovoo, the faded strips of cloth fluttering in the wind, vaguely resembling Huo Qingtong's emerald feather and yellow shirt.

Master Wuchen's broken sword was drawn with a clang: "What a despicable dog emperor! He actually uses these vulgar things to win people's hearts!"

Xu Tianhong slammed his iron crutch heavily on the ground, startling a group of sand rats: "Miss Huo Qingtong has always been a woman of great virtue and righteousness, how could she..."

Before she could finish speaking, Luo Bing burst into tears: "The Fourth Master's injuries haven't fully healed yet. We risked our lives, only to see the Hui tribe defect to the enemy?"

Her pair of mandarin ducks drew silver arcs in the moonlight, but instead slashed at the red ribbon binding her hair.

Chen Jialuo lay on the cool grass, gazing at the shifting starry sky. The tender whispers between Emperor Qianlong and Huo Qingtong atop Mount Tai flashed through his mind, now like sharp blades piercing his heart. A bitter laugh escaped his throat: "That dog of an emperor was right… In this chaotic world, gold and silver are indeed more valuable than chivalry."

As dawn pierced the night, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly echoed across the grassland.

Three hundred Hui cavalrymen swept in like a red cloud, with Huo Qingtong's green horse leading the charge.

Her emerald feather and yellow dress were covered in dust, and the tear stains at the corners of her eyes were still wet, but they froze into ice crystals in the morning light.

Chen Jialuo stared blankly at the long sword at her waist.

Huo Qingtong reined in his horse, and the green steed reared up: "Chief Chen, let go! Emperor Qianlong is willing to bestow upon Kasili the title of Imperial Concubine, exempt the Hui people from taxes for ten years, and also..."

"Shut up!" Master Wuchen shattered the stone tablet beside him with a single arm. "Huo Qingtong, you actually want to exchange your sister's life for wealth and glory?" He pointed his broken sword straight at the sky. "Did your father die on the battlefield just to kneel down like this today?"

Huo Qingtong's lips trembled violently, her knuckles turning white from clenching her fists: "You think I don't know? But with 100,000 iron cavalry pressing in, the Hui people's old, weak, women, and children..."

She looked at Chen Jialuo, her eyes pleading, "Chief Chen, we both understand that the best outcome is for the people to live peaceful and happy lives..."

"The best ending?" Chen Jialuo slowly picked up his soft sword, the blade catching a ray of morning light. "Huo Qingtong, the chivalry we once talked about was nothing but child's play in your eyes?" He suddenly laughed, startling the quails in the grass. "So, even chivalry in the martial world is no match for ten thousand taels of gold!"

Luo Bing suddenly threw a flying knife, which embedded itself in a boulder in front of Huo Qingtong's horse: "We thought you were a heroine! You actually want to push your own sister into a fire pit!"

Zhao Banshan reached out to stop her, but Huo Qingtong dismounted and knelt in front of Chen Jialuo.

Her silver bracelet clinked against the stone slab. "I swear on the lives of three hundred warriors of the Hui people," her voice choked with emotion, "that if you all leave the martial world, I will never see you again..."

The surging anger in Chen Jialuo's chest suddenly transformed into boundless sorrow. "Huo Qingtong, do you still remember the promise we made at the foot of Tianshan Mountain?" His voice was as soft as the wind. "You said you would admire the snow lotus with me, and watch the Red Flower Society together..."

"Enough!" Huo Qingtong abruptly stood up, drew her long sword from her waist, and with a flash of cold light, severed a lock of her own hair. She tossed the lock of hair into the air, turned to the Hui warriors behind her, and shouted, "From this day forward, Huo Qingtong is no longer your leader!"

Her yellow robes fluttered in the wind like burning flames. "I will return to my sect at Tianshan and never set foot in the martial world again!"

As the first rays of sunlight fully illuminated the grassland, Huo Qingtong's silhouette had already become a tiny dot on the horizon. Chen Jialuo, clutching the half-strand of hair she had left behind, suddenly felt the soft sword in his hand weigh an immense weight.

In the distance, Heshen's convoy slowly made its way towards the Hui camp, the tracks left by the wheels like scars etched into his heart. And on this vast desert, the clash between chivalry and loyalty was ultimately sharper than any sword.

In early autumn, the Forbidden City, bathed in the glow of the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns, displays an unparalleled beauty and grandeur. Under a clear blue sky, the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City gleam in the sunlight, their golden roofs contrasting beautifully with the vermilion walls, creating a scene reminiscent of a meticulously crafted imperial painting.

Chrysanthemums bloom in the Imperial Garden, some as red as fire, some as yellow as gold, and some as white as snow. They adorn this royal garden with their most splendid appearance, adding elegance and vitality to the Forbidden City.

Inside and outside the palace walls, ancient trees reach for the sky, their lush green canopy adding a touch of tranquility and peace to this solemn palace. In the distance, the palace complex, arranged in a staggered and progressive manner, displays a magnificent and imposing aura.

The pavilions and towers nearby, with their carved beams and painted rafters, reveal the craftsmen's exquisite skills and ultimate pursuit of beauty in every detail.

A gentle autumn breeze carries the sweet fragrance of chrysanthemums and osmanthus, transporting one to a secluded paradise far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world. The crystal-clear Jinshui River shimmers in the sunlight, reflecting the ancient trees and palaces lining its banks.

The air inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the luminous pearls on the gilded dragon pillars illuminated the hall as if it were daytime. Shi Feiyang leaned against the dragon couch, his bright yellow brocade robe half-open, and Kasili in his arms was like a jade sculpture. The twin lotus patterns embroidered on her apricot-yellow palace dress gleamed coldly in the candlelight.

She looked down at the gold-inlaid jade bracelet on her wrist, a gift given when she was made an imperial concubine, but it was pressing down on her wrist and causing pain.

“Your Majesty,” Wei Nianhua said, her knuckles white as she gripped the parting hook, the tip leaving a fine mark on the gold brick floor, “the remnants of the Red Flower Society have retreated into the depths of the Tianshan Mountains, and Huo Qingtong of the Hui tribe has also shaved her head and become a nun.”

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Feng stepped forward, waving his large black gold fan. The four characters "Peace Under Heaven" on the fan reflected the flickering candlelight: "The Ministry of Revenue has allocated three million taels of silver, which is enough to repair the northwest border defenses."

Sukhbaatar's goose-feather saber still hung at his waist, the Manchu incantations on the scabbard stained with lingering blood: "Seal of the Governor-General of Zhili, Your Majesty..."

Before he could finish speaking, Mu Tie'a suddenly knelt on one knee, his iron sword slamming heavily on the ground: "I will give my life for the position of Commander of the Nine Gates!"

Blood beads seeping from the seams of his armor dripped onto the dragon-patterned floor tiles, resembling blooming red plum blossoms.

Heshen concealed his crescent-shaped dagger in his sleeve, yet his smile was more obsequious than anyone else's: "His Majesty's blessings are boundless; sooner or later, the world will be his..."

He glanced at Kasili in Shi Feiyang's arms, then changed the subject, "However, Her Majesty has been quite melancholy lately. I dare to request permission to hold a grand wedding for His Majesty and Consort Youning to bring joy to the palace!"

You Ning's hand holding the iron knife trembled violently, the marks of the Golden Crow Sword Technique still etched on her palm.

Looking at the five-clawed golden dragon on Shi Feiyang's robe, she suddenly remembered that on the grassland, that iron knife had also been stained with the blood of the Red Flower Society.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness..." As she knelt, her pearl headdress fell apart, and one of the pearls rolled right to Kasili's feet.

Kasili finally raised her eyes, looking at Youning's reddened eyes, and remembered that day on the grassland, when this woman's iron knife almost slit her throat. And now, they had both become canaries in this nine-layered palace.

She subconsciously gripped Shi Feiyang's sleeve, but touched the jade dragon hook at his waist.

"Good!" Shi Feiyang suddenly burst into laughter, the sonic boom from Mingyu Gong causing the candlelight to flicker. "Heshen is promoted to Chief of the Imperial Guards, Chen Feng is appointed Minister of Revenue, Suhebalu is appointed Governor-General of Zhili, Mutie'a takes over the Nine Gates, and Lu Fangtian is in charge of the Sticky Rod Office..."

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on You Ning. "You Ning is promoted to Noble Lady, and her wedding will take place in three days." Lu Fangtian secretly channeled his power into his Heavenly Gang Finger in his sleeve, and the wind from his finger brushed against the candle wick, causing the flame to suddenly and strangely bend to one side.

He gazed at Heshen's fawning smile, recalling how this man, eager to claim credit, had personally beheaded Zhang Jin with his crescent-shaped blade. And now, that man held the imperial edict, his voice shrill like an owl's: "Your Majesty is wise! On this joyous day, I will surely keep the capital ablaze all night..."

“Enough.” Kasili suddenly spoke, her voice as cold as melting snow on the Tianshan Mountains. She broke free from Shi Feiyang’s embrace, her apricot-yellow skirt sweeping across the jewels scattered on the ground. “If His Majesty truly wishes for great joy, perhaps he should send the people of the Hui tribe…”

"Shut up!" Shi Feiyang's body shone with a burst of jade-like light, and a vortex of suction force emanated from his palm, causing Kasili to stagger half a step involuntarily. He narrowed his eyes, displaying his imperial majesty: "You only need to be a good imperial concubine. The affairs of the world are none of your concern."

Suddenly, the sound of the night watchman's drum echoed outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation; it was already past midnight. You Ning gazed at her pale palms, where calluses from the "Golden Crow Saber Technique" still lingered. She recalled her master's dying words: "The martial world is treacherous; do not covet glory and wealth." But when Shi Feiyang placed the phoenix coronet and wedding gown before her, those vows turned to ashes. Three days later, the Forbidden City was adorned with lanterns and decorations.

You Ning was dressed in a wedding robe, her face pale as paper beneath the veil. As she was led into the bridal chamber, she vaguely heard the sound of camel bells in the distance—the sound was very similar to that of a Hui caravan, or perhaps the silver bells of Huo Qingtong riding her horse.

As the red candles flickered, Shi Feiyang lifted her veil. Her skin, radiant and translucent from the Mingyu Gong, reminded her of the bloody battle on the grasslands. "My beloved consort," Shi Feiyang's voice held an irresistible tenderness, "from this day forward, this harem of three thousand..."

Before he could finish speaking, You Ning suddenly caught a glimpse of a dark figure flashing outside the window. The figure was dressed in a simple blue robe, with what appeared to be half a piece of jade hanging from their waist. She abruptly stood up, knocking over the cups of wine on the table. Kasili stood under the eaves of Kunning Palace, watching the fireworks fill the sky.

She removed the pearls from her head and tossed them one by one into the night sky. As the pearls fell, they seemed, for a fleeting moment, to resemble the stars of the Tianshan Mountains.

Joyful music drifted from afar; she knew it was You Ning's wedding. As for herself, the day she stepped into the Forbidden City, she had already left her heart in the desert winds and sands. At this moment, the Forbidden City was filled with song and dance. Heshen, holding a wine cup, watched Shi Feiyang and You Ning exchange toasts, a sinister glint in his eyes. He stroked his newly acquired seal of the Chief Guard, plotting how to wipe out the Heaven and Earth Society in one fell swoop.

Outside these layers of palace walls, snow lotuses bloom on the summit of Tianshan Mountain in the cold wind. Chen Jialuo holds the emerald feather left by Huo Qingtong, gazing in the direction of the capital. His soft sword gleams coldly in the moonlight, and tears stream down his handsome face.

On a cold dew night, the bronze bells on the corner towers of the Forbidden City wailed mournfully in the wind. Heshen leaned against the white marble railing of the Chuxiu Palace, the scabbard of his crescent-shaped dagger tapping against the blue bricks.

The lights of Kunning Palace in the distance made his triangular eyes gleam with a ghostly light. Suddenly, he heard a series of footsteps coming from the corridor. Lu Fangtian, the commander of the Sticky Pole Office, was coming with the broken moonlight. The Heavenly Gang Finger Force flowed in his sleeves, causing the lanterns and candles by the roadside to flicker.

“Commander Lu has arrived at just the right time.” Heshen’s fingertips traced the Taotie pattern on the scabbard. “The Heaven and Earth Society’s ‘Green Wood Hall’ has been causing trouble on the Grand Canal recently. Not only did they rob three official grain ships, but they also carved the words ‘Overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming’ in blood on the bows of the ships.”

He suddenly lowered his voice, "I heard that their leader wields a Burmese knife that can cut through iron like mud."

Lu Fangtian's hawk-like eyes narrowed sharply, and a barely perceptible gust of wind shot out from his sleeve, shattering the locust tree leaves three zhang away into dust: "They're nothing but a rabble. Tomorrow I'll have the Sticky Pole Bureau spread a net wide, and they'll be taught a lesson..."

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of a folding fan opening and closing came from the moon gate on the west side.

Chen Feng strolled out, waving a large black gold fan. The four characters on the fan, "Enrich the Country and Strengthen the Army," gleamed in the night.

"You two have quite the refined taste." Chen Feng's gaze swept over the curved sword at Heshen's waist. "The Ministry of Revenue just allocated another 20,000 taels of military pay. Could it be that some scoundrels from the Heaven and Earth Society..." Before he could finish speaking, Mu Tie'a, the Nine Gates Commander, had already drawn his iron sword three inches from its sheath. The cold gleam made the scars on his face look ferocious and alive. "Lord Chen, are you doubting the Nine Gates Commander? I'd like to ask you, why are the shipping tallies for the grain transport in your hands?"

The air solidified instantly.

Heshen suddenly laughed loudly, drew his curved sword half a foot from its sheath, and then slowly pushed it back: "We are all the emperor's trusted ministers, why should we hurt our harmony?"

He pulled half a bloodstained jade pendant from his sleeve. "I found this at the canal dock. I heard... it has some connection with the Imperial Study?"

The lanterns under the eaves suddenly shook violently, and Wei Nianhua's figure, holding the parting hook, appeared like a ghost.

The hook tip touched the ground with a soft "ding," startling the night owls under the eaves.

The Grand Secretary's python robe fluttered in the wind: "The Imperial Guard's sticky pole is becoming more and more like the Embroidered Uniform Guard. But to wipe out the Heaven and Earth Society, brute force alone won't do."

He suddenly swung out his farewell hook, which caught a copper bell on a pillar. The bell's clear, resonant sound contained hidden internal force, making everyone's eardrums ache.

Lu Fangtian launched the first attack with his Heavenly Gang Finger, sending five fingers hurtling towards Wei Nianhua's face like lightning.

Wei Nianhua dodged to the side, her parting hook drawing a poignant arc, drawing all the wind from her finger towards Chen Feng. Chen Feng's black gold fan rapidly unfolded, the mechanisms between the fan ribs clanging, and nine bone-piercing nails shot out in the shape of the Big Dipper, but were turned into a light curtain by Mu Tie'a's iron sword, sparks flying as the sword hummed.

"Enough!" Heshen leaped up the stone steps and unleashed a "Divine Blade Slash" with his crescent-shaped scimitar. Wherever the blade's energy passed, the blue bricks shattered inch by inch.

His triangular eyes swept over the crowd: "The Emperor is waiting to see the outcome, not to make us fight amongst ourselves!" He picked up the jade pendant from the ground and twirled it in the moonlight. "The Vermilion Bird pattern on this jade pendant is a token of the Heaven and Earth Society's 'Vermilion Bird Hall.' They will definitely ambush us at Tianqiao on the Ghost Festival in three days."

Chen Feng closed his folding fan, a calculating glint in his eyes: "The Tianqiao Bridge is winding and has many bends, perfect for catching a turtle in a jar. However, we need someone to pose as a grain transport official to lure the snake out of its hole."

His gaze fell on Mu Tie'a. "The Nine Gates Admiral's imposing appearance will surely fool those rebels."

Mu Tie'a's iron sword slammed into the blue bricks, causing the entire covered bridge to sway slightly: "Lord Chen, do you want me to be your bait?" His scarred face twitched. "Don't forget, three years ago when the Tongzhou granary was attacked, whose Ministry of Revenue's account books disappeared without a trace!"

Wei Nianhua suddenly chuckled, his sword flashing gracefully as he parted: "Instead of mutual suspicion, let's each use our strengths. Commander Lu's Heavenly Finger will block their retreat, while Lord He's curved sword will face the enemy head-on. Lord Chen, in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, will be responsible for cutting off their supplies..."

His voice suddenly turned icy cold, "As for Admiral Mu, all we need to do is set up an empty city ploy on the overpass."

Frost, formed from the cold dew, fell softly onto everyone's shoulders. Heshen tucked the jade pendant into his robes, his curved blade flashing coldly in the moonlight: "Meet me at Tianqiao at midnight three days from now. If anything goes wrong..."

His gaze swept over the crowd. "Go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation with your heads on your hands and see the Emperor."

The night wind rustled the bronze bells at the corner of the palace, producing a clear yet chilling sound.

The four figures cast extremely long shadows under the palace lanterns, resembling four unsheathed sharp blades.

In the distance, the third watch drum sounded from the Bell and Drum Towers, startling a flock of crows into flight. Beyond these heavy palace walls, the Heaven and Earth Society's spies had already sent out the message: another life-or-death struggle between the imperial court and the martial world was quietly seeping into every inch of the capital, just like the chilling autumn dew.

On the night of the Ghost Festival, the moat under the overpass glowed with eerie green phosphorescence.

Heshen was dressed in the uniform of a military officer in charge of the Grand Canal, with a crescent-shaped dagger hidden under his cloak, and a cold glint flashing in his triangular eyes.

He gazed at the Kongming lanterns hanging high on the bridge when suddenly the sound of the night watchman's clapper broke the deathly silence—it was already past midnight.

"Kill!" With a roar, the thirty-six Kongming lanterns suddenly exploded, and the members of the Heaven and Earth Society's Green Wood Hall leaped down from the eaves like black crows.

The leader of the gang held a Burmese knife, its blade gleaming with an eerie blue light—the infamous "Azure Nether Blade." He glanced at Heshen and sneered, "You treacherous official, how dare you!" Before he finished speaking, Lu Fangtian's Heavenly Gang Finger had already pierced through the air.

As he moved with his Bagua footwork, five finger strikes, as elusive as ghosts, aimed directly at the vital points of the Heaven and Earth Society members. One of the henchmen swung his knife to block, only to see the edge of his finger slice across the blade, actually cutting a foot-long notch in the steel blade.

"You dog thief from the Tiangang Pointing Eight Trigrams Sect!" the henchman roared as he charged forward, but when he was three steps away from Lu Fangtian, he suddenly froze on the spot—seven finger gusts had pierced through seven vital acupoints on his body.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Heshen swung his curved blade, unleashing the starting stance of his "Divine Blade Slash." The blade flashed like the blazing sun, forcing the three oncoming assassins to retreat repeatedly. "You scum from the Heaven and Earth Society, how dare you rob the imperial grain transport?" A ruthless glint flashed in his triangular eyes. Suddenly, the blade shifted, cleaving one of the assassins attempting a sneak attack in two at the waist. Blood splattered onto the stone bridge railing, making the blood-stained words "Overthrow the Qing and Restore the Ming" even more glaring.

At this moment, the Overlord Spear of Yue Shan, the commander of the Imperial Guard, was like a dragon emerging from the sea; wherever the spear tassel swept, the bluestone bricks shattered.

"Take this!" he roared, aiming the spear tip straight for the throat of the Azure Blade leader.

The helmsman dodged to the side, his Burmese knife slicing in an arc and severing the tassel of the Overlord Spear.

Yue Shan remained calm and unhurried, sweeping his spear horizontally with a move called "Sweeping Through a Thousand Armies," forcing the leader to retreat three steps.

You Ning's figure suddenly flew down from the top of the bridge, wielding his iron sword in the "Golden Crow Sword Technique." The sword light transformed into nine crimson rays, like the blazing sun in the sky, enveloping the five assassins who were besieging Lu Fangtian.

"You witch, stop your arrogance!" A master from the Heaven and Earth Society swung his sword to meet him, but You Ning lightly flicked the tip of her blade, using the opponent's force against him, deflecting his sword and then slashing his shoulder with her blade. Amidst the splattering of blood, her shoulder blade was actually split open.

In the midst of the chaos, Heshen seized the opportunity and suddenly released his crescent-shaped scimitar, which flew out with the force of a thunderbolt, aiming straight for the back of the Azure Nether Blade Master.

Hearing the wind behind him, the captain spun around and swung his sword to block, but felt a tremendous force coming from him, his tiger's mouth cracked, and the Burmese sword almost slipped from his hand.

Lu Fangtian's Heavenly Gang Finger technique suddenly changed, his Bagua footwork forming the "Li Huo Array." The twelve finger strikes, like serpents emerging from their holes, intertwined in the air to form a net.

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society cried out in alarm and swung their swords to block, only to see the finger strike pierce through the net of blades, aiming straight for their faces. A burly man threw a punch to block, but the edge of the finger grazed his fist, slicing off flesh and bone along with the finger. With a scream, half of his severed finger flew into the river.

Yue Shan's Overlord Spear suddenly trembled, its tip transforming into seven spear flowers. He roared and charged into the enemy ranks, sweeping his spear shaft horizontally, sending three assassins flying as they crashed into stone pillars on the bridge, their heads instantly bleeding profusely.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the leader of the Azure Blade feinted with his sword and tried to retreat, but was blocked by You Ning's iron sword.

"Where do you think you're going!" You Ning shouted, unleashing the ultimate move of the Golden Crow Blade Technique, "Golden Crow Falling Sun." The iron blade slashed down with fierce momentum, and the leader raised his blade to meet it, but with a "crack," the Azure Nether Blade was actually severed in two.

Taking advantage of the situation, You Ning kicked him in the chest. The leader screamed and flew backward, crashing into the bridge railing and spitting out blood.

Heshen picked up his curved sword and slowly approached the dying leader. "Speak! What is the true nature of the Heaven and Earth Society's headquarters..." Before he could finish speaking, a whooshing sound came from the shadows. He instinctively dodged to the side, and a bone-piercing nail flew past his ear, the words "Heaven and Earth Society" engraved on its end.

"Retreat!" Seeing the situation was dire, the surviving members of the Heaven and Earth Society all used their lightness skills to escape.

Lu Fangtian unleashed several gusts of wind with his Heavenly Gang Finger, but only managed to knock off a few pieces of clothing.

Yue Shan wanted to give chase, but He Shen stopped him with a raised hand: "Don't pursue a desperate enemy; first, deal with the remaining enemies!"

Corpses littered the overpass, and blood flowed down the stone steps into the moat, turning the shimmering waters crimson.

You Ning wiped the blood off the iron knife, gazing at the disappearing black shadow in the distance, a strange unease rising in her heart.

As Heshen gazed at the broken blade in his hand, a sinister glint flashed in his triangular eyes—he knew that this was merely a test by the Heaven and Earth Society, and a much bigger storm was yet to come.

On a Mid-Autumn Festival night, the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City are bathed in moonlight, gleaming with a cool, silvery glow.

The Imperial River meanders like a ribbon, its shimmering waves reflecting the palace eaves, yet deep within the currents, a dark red hue lingers—the traces left by the execution of Heaven and Earth Society spies the day before. The stench of blood mingles with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, drifting faintly in the night breeze.

As Heshen carried the gilded lacquer box through the corridor, his palms were already damp with a thin layer of sweat. His triangular eyes darted around as he secretly plotted how to make his attempt to curry favor flawlessly. With each step, he mentally rehearsed every word he was about to say, as if meticulously crafting a priceless piece of jade.

Inside the Shufangzhai, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and twelve ram-horn palace lanterns illuminated the room as if it were daytime. You Ning leaned against a gold-inlaid rosewood couch, dressed in a crimson brocade palace gown, the golden phoenixes embroidered on the hem of her skirt lifelike.

She was facing a bronze mirror, carefully drawing her eyebrows, the red gold and gemstone bracelet on her wrist making a crisp sound with her movements.

Hearing footsteps, she smiled faintly, but did not turn around.

Heshen, dressed in a python robe and jade belt, paused deliberately at the threshold, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down—he knew all too well the air You Ning was putting on at this moment, like an empress waiting for her subjects to pay homage.

"My God!" He exclaimed dramatically, "If Chang'e in the Moon Palace is the most beautiful woman in heaven, then the Empress is the goddess of the Nine Heavens descended to earth. Her eyebrows and her figure are so stunning that even the Queen Mother of the West in the Jade Pool would feel ashamed of herself!"

He knelt down with a thud, his knees hitting the blue bricks heavily, deliberately making a sound to show his respect, while holding the lacquer box steadily in his hands. "This servant dares to disturb Your Highness's elegant mood today, because I have obtained a rare item. Only Your Highness, with your unparalleled noble status, is worthy of such a treasure!"

His fawning tone rose and fell, just like a storyteller recounting a legendary tale.

You Ning finally turned around, her fingertips lightly touching the pearls and jade at her temples, her phoenix eyes slightly narrowed: "Lord He is always so considerate. I'm curious, what kind of rare treasures could possibly catch Lord He's eye?"

Her voice was soft and melodious, yet it held a sharp edge.

Heshen was overjoyed, knowing he had grasped You Ning's thirst for power and treasures. His face beamed, almost turning into a blooming peony, as he shakily lifted the lid of the box. Stealing glances at You Ning's expression, he exclaimed, shaking his head, "Your Majesty, look! This 'Phoenix of Nirvana' presented by Persia, with its twelve pigeon-blood rubies, each one more vibrant than the reddest sunset in the southern sky! But this servant thinks, even the most beautiful gems, without Your Majesty's captivating beauty to complement them, are nothing more than dull, lifeless stones!"

He deliberately lowered his voice and put on a mysterious air: "This phoenix has always perched on the parasol tree, but now that it has seen Your Majesty, it is so docile. It is clear that in this world, only Your Majesty is worthy of the title 'Empress of the World'!"

When You Ning murmured "Kunlun Mountains...Heaven and Earth Society headquarters..." He Shen's heart pounded wildly. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for! Kasili's favor with the emperor was a thorn in You Ning's side, and this jealousy was the perfect outlet.

He immediately prostrated himself, his voice filled with almost devout fervor: "Your Majesty is wise! That Kasili only won the Emperor's favor for a few days by relying on her exotic appearance. How could she be even one ten-thousandth as good as Your Majesty? You have both the heroic spirit of the grassland people who can shoot down eagles with a bow and arrow, and the ability to manipulate the harem!"

He suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming with flattery. "If Your Majesty can use this auspicious omen of the 'Phoenix Rebirth' to quell the rebellious Heaven and Earth Society, the Emperor will surely regard you as a wise and virtuous empress who can govern the country and bring peace! At that time, among the six palaces and three thousand beauties, who wouldn't respectfully call Your Majesty 'Empress'? The Phoenix Seal of the Forbidden City should rightfully be held in the hands of a genius like Your Majesty!"

Immediately afterward, Heshen added with perfect timing, "This servant is entirely at Your Majesty's command!" Heshen's voice trembled with excitement, and his forehead pressed heavily to the ground. "Whatever Your Majesty commands, this servant will go through fire and water without hesitation! In the future, throughout the entire Qing Dynasty, from high-ranking officials in the court to ordinary people in the marketplace, who will not know Your Majesty's wisdom and might? This vast empire, only Your Majesty can assist the Emperor and ensure its eternal stability!"

Outside the window, dark clouds gradually obscured the bright moon, and the night grew ever deeper. Heshen's legs were numb when he rose, yet he maintained a humble demeanor as he left the palace. Moonlight shone on his face, and a cunning glint flashed in his triangular eyes—this deal with You Ning was merely the first step on his path to the pinnacle of power.

In mid-autumn, the Hall of Mental Cultivation was shrouded in leaden clouds. Frost clung to the gilded dragon pillars, and the aroma of ambergris mingled with the scent of burning charcoal. Shi Feiyang leaned against the Nine-Dragon Sandalwood couch, his bright yellow brocade robe half-open, his fingertips toying with a Hetian jade thumb ring. The warm luster of the jade made the cold glint in his eyes even more intense. (End of Chapter)