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

Chapter 413. Whispers by Candlelight: Two Hearts Working Together
Nangong Xiaodie slowly awoke in the morning light. In the dim light filtering through the curtains, Shi Feiyang was leaning against the window frame, wiping his Xuan Shuang Blade. His blood-stained clothes were casually open, revealing the gruesome new wound on his chest.

She struggled to get up, the movement aggravating her wound and causing her to groan.

"Don't move!" Shi Feiyang instantly flashed to the bedside, his palm pressed against her back, channeling a warm stream of true energy. "If you keep moving, the wound will reopen." His fingertips brushed against her pale lips, and he suddenly pulled a candied fruit from his deerskin bag. "Try it, I got it from Lianxing, it's sweeter than Yaoyue's smile." Nangong Xiaodie had the candied fruit in her mouth, but she reached out and grabbed his sleeve: "Don't hide it from me, the way you stared at Yihua Palace last night... was it related to the code left by Brother Xiao?" Her fingertips trembled slightly, "Although I am a woman, I am not someone who can't take things."

Shi Feiyang remained silent for a long time before slamming the Xuan Shuang Blade heavily onto the table, causing the candlelight to flicker violently. "Fine! Then I'll tell you—Palace Mistress Yaoyue is the mastermind behind Murong Hui!" He opened his palm; the character "moon" that Xiao Chong had carved on his deathbed had faded, but it still burned like a branding iron. "Think about it, if there wasn't someone working from the inside, how could Murong Hui have broken through the natural defenses of Yihua Palace time and time again?"

Nangong Xiaodie's expression changed drastically, and the candied fruit in her hand fell to the ground with a "clatter": "Impossible! Sister Yaoyue has always been cold-hearted and indifferent, how could she...?"

"Cold-hearted and heartless?" Shi Feiyang suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter full of sarcasm. "She coldly watched Murong Hui massacre Nangong Wan, but then 'coincidentally' appeared at the crucial moment to 'rescue' her. Did she really think everyone else was a fool?"

He grabbed the wine jar on the table and took a big gulp, the wine dripping down his chin. "That woman's ambition is deeper than the Northern Sea!"

Nangong Xiaodie bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears: "But what should we do? The Yihua Palace is full of experts, and the Mingyu Skill is even more..."

"What are you afraid of?" Shi Feiyang suddenly leaned closer, his nose almost touching hers. "My Mingyu Kung Fu is no joke!"

He circulated his inner energy, his skin instantly becoming as transparent as glass, and the vortex in his palm sucked up the candlestick on the table. "Don't forget, her 'Transferring Flowers and Jade' technique can borrow strength, so I'll make sure she doesn't get her way!"

He suddenly pulled out a tattered copy of the "Nine Heavens Sword Manual," the peach blossoms tucked between the pages already withered: "Last night I comprehended the true meaning of 'Sword Ruins Annihilation,' and combined it with the Hundred Victories Blade Technique..." Before he could finish speaking, Nangong Xiaodie suddenly reached out and covered his mouth: "I believe you."

Her eyes were gentle yet resolute. "But I want to come too." Shi Feiyang was taken aback, then grasped her hand and pressed it to his heart. "Do you know how dangerous this journey is? If Yaoyue finds out that we know the truth, she will not spare us."

His thumb traced the thin calluses on her palm, marks left from sword practice. "I'd rather venture into the lion's den myself..."

"Shut up!" Nangong Xiaodie suddenly looked up, tears welling in her eyes. "Shi Feiyang, do you think I'm a weak woman hiding behind you?" She drew the soft sword from beside her pillow, the tip of which lifted a strand of his hair. "Back in the Peach Blossom Formation, if I hadn't held He Qiulian back, how could you have escaped unscathed?" Shi Feiyang looked at her stubborn expression and suddenly laughed, pulling her tightly into his arms. "Good! No wonder you're the woman I, Shi Feiyang, have chosen!" He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Tomorrow at dusk, let's first sound out Lianxing. That girl is kind-hearted, perhaps..." "Perhaps she's also involved."

Nangong Xiaodie chimed in, lightly tapping his back with her fingertips, "But Lianxing has always been at odds with Sister Yaoyue. If we could persuade her..."

"Then the impregnable walls of the Yihua Palace have cracked!" Shi Feiyang excitedly pinched her cheek, then suddenly became serious and said, "But it's a deal, if we really fight, you just need to protect yourself. After I break through the ninth level of Yaoyue's Mingyu Skill, then..."

"Let's admire the apricot blossoms of Jiangnan together again." Nangong Xiaodie tiptoed and gently pecked his lips. "Shi Lang, no matter what lies ahead, we will be together through life and death."

Outside the window, dark clouds had already covered the sky, and a downpour was imminent.

Shi Feiyang, with Nangong Xiaodie in his arms, looked towards the direction of Yihua Palace. The Xuan Shuang Blade in his arms was slightly hot, as if sensing its master's fighting spirit.

As night fell, Shi Feiyang and Nangong Xiaodie slipped into the Yihua Palace like wisps of smoke. The sweet fragrance of osmanthus wafted from the residence of Palace Master Lianxing. Shi Feiyang pinched his nose and chuckled, "This smell is so strong that you can tell from three miles away that Sister Lianxing is making pastries again."

Nangong Xiaodie rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't hide the smile in her eyes. The soft sword slid silently half an inch in her palm as she watched for any movement around her. The two climbed over the low palace wall and suddenly saw a figure flashing ahead.

Shi Feiyang reacted swiftly, using his "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" technique to subdue the man instantly. Just as he was about to speak, a sweet voice called out, "Shi Lang?" It was Lian Xing, carrying a food box, looking at them with a surprised expression.

"Shh!" Shi Feiyang hurriedly covered her mouth, used his Mingyu Gong to scan the surroundings, and only let go after confirming that no one was around. "Where is Sister going? Is she going to deliver 'poison' pastries to Yaoyue?" He glanced at the oil paper peeking out from the gap in the food box and deliberately winked.

Lianxing slapped his hand away, her cheeks slightly flushed: "You're always being cheeky! I... I brought you osmanthus cakes. I heard you were injured in Nangong Wan." She opened the food box, the golden cakes still steaming. "Try them, this time I put in double the amount of honey."

Seeing this, Nangong Xiaodie felt a surge of warmth in her heart, but she didn't forget her business: "Sister Lianxing, we have come here to discuss important matters. It concerns Murong Hui, and... Palace Master Yaoyue." Before she could finish speaking, the pastries in Lianxing's hands suddenly fell to the ground, and her face instantly turned pale.

Shi Feiyang squatted down, picked up the dust-covered pastries, and used his inner energy to dry them: "Sister, don't be afraid, we already know. The mastermind behind Murong Hui is none other than your seemingly cold and aloof sister."

He handed the pastries back to Lianxing, his eyes piercing. "If you know anything, please tell me. Don't let her ambition ruin the century-old reputation of Yihua Palace."

Lianxing's hand holding the pastry trembled uncontrollably, tears welling up in her eyes: "I...I had my suspicions, but she's my sister, I..." She choked up and couldn't continue.

Nangong Xiaodie gently hugged her: "We understand your difficulties, but in the end, someone has to stand up for you."

Shi Feiyang suddenly took out the "moon" symbol that Xiao Chong had carved on his palm before his death and showed it to him in the candlelight: "Sister, look, this is a clue that Brother Xiao obtained with his life. The Palace Mistress of Yaoyue Palace is using the prestige of Yihua Palace to secretly manipulate Murong Hui and cause chaos in the martial arts world. Her goal is probably to dominate the martial arts world."

Lianxing stared at the blurry symbols and gritted her teeth, saying, "I once accidentally discovered a book called 'The Essentials of the Martial Arts Alliance' hidden in her study. It was filled with dense markings of the weaknesses of various sects. I didn't dare to make a fuss at the time, hoping... hoping that I was just overthinking it."

"Great! With this clue, we have a breakthrough!" Shi Feiyang rubbed his hands excitedly. "Tomorrow I will go and steal that book. Xiao Die, you and Sister Lianxing will stay here to provide backup and act according to the situation."

Nangong Xiaodie frowned: "No, it's too dangerous. Yaoyue's study must be full of traps, and there's her personal guard..." Before she could finish speaking, Shi Feiyang pressed his finger to her lips: "Don't worry, I'm a well-known 'Master Thief' in the martial arts world. Stealing a book is a piece of cake."

Lianxing suddenly pulled out a jade whistle from her sleeve: "This is the Yihua Palace dispatch whistle, which can mobilize some guards in critical moments. You take it, in case..." She stuffed the jade whistle into Shi Feiyang's hand, her eyes full of worry.

Shi Feiyang put away the jade whistle and grinned, "With this treasure, we're like a tiger with wings! Sister, just wait and see the show!" He turned to look at Nangong Xiaodie, his eyes filled with love, "Tomorrow at 7 PM, we'll meet at the back window of the study. Don't be late."

Nangong Xiaodie gripped her soft sword tightly and nodded firmly: "Shi Lang, be careful in everything. If there is any unusual activity, I will be there immediately."

As night deepened, the three agreed on the details of their plan under the osmanthus tree, and Shi Feiyang and Nangong Xiaodie quietly left.

As Lianxing watched their departing figures, she felt a mix of emotions and silently prayed that everything would go well.

(End of this chapter)