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

Chapter 424. Green Bamboo Plays with Wagang - Heavenly Silkworm Breaks the Mystery
The official road resembled a sheep's intestine softened by the scorching sun. Shi Feiyang, wearing a straw hat askew and carrying half a moldy sesame cake on a green bamboo stick, kicked pebbles on the scalding yellow dirt road.

Suddenly, a loud, booming voice came from the woods ahead: "This mountain is mine, these trees are mine! If you want to pass through here—" Before he could finish, the words "Leave your toll" were choked by the sound of his voice, causing him to cough.

Shi Feiyang stood on tiptoe to look and saw a man as black as an iron tower standing in the middle of the road with his hands on his hips, a large bronze axe swaying on his shoulder, and bits of scallion pancake still stuck to his cheeks. The man was wearing a dragon robe, but it was open, revealing his dark chest, where the dragon pattern embroidered with gold thread was stretched crookedly, looking like a flattened earthworm.

"This... Your Majesty?" Shi Feiyang scratched the back of his head and leaned closer. "The slit in your dragon robe is almost up to your waist. Is it a new style?" The man glared at him, slammed his axe heavily on the ground, sending dust flying. "What do you know, you little brat! I just took off my tattered hat as the Emperor of Wagang and came out to have some fun!"

As they were talking, billowing smoke rose in the distance, and more than twenty grain carts creaked and rattled as they drove in.

The man's eyes lit up, and he wielded his axe with great force: "Perfect timing! I'm itching for a fight—" Before he finished speaking, three men in black jumped down from the grain cart. The one in the middle waved his folding fan, on which the three blood-red characters "Disaster Relief Gang" were shockingly visible.

"Cheng Yaojin, you brute, how dare you touch our goods?" The man with the folding fan sneered. He was none other than Xiao Bixing, the deputy leader of the Disaster Relief Gang. "Xiao Xiao of the Vermilion Bird Altar and Xiao Yao of the Black Tortoise Altar, listen to my command, chop this black bastard to pieces!" As soon as he finished speaking, two black figures pounced out like ghosts, short blades in their sleeves glowing with a faint blue light, and rushed towards Cheng Yaojin.

Xiao Bixing flicked his fingertip against the fan ribs, and three bone-piercing nails pierced through the air: "That bastard Cheng Yaojin, he just sat on the top seat of Wagang Village, and his butt hasn't even warmed up yet!"

"Bullshit, you bastard!" Cheng Yaojin roared, his great axe whirling like a windmill, sending out a flash of cold light. "Come on, kid!" He used all his strength, the axe carrying the force of splitting mountains, to chop at Xiao Bixing's head. Unexpectedly, the kid was agile, dodging and flicking out nine steel spikes from his fan.

Cheng Yaojin changed his move in mid-air, unleashing a sweeping attack called "Little Devil Picks Teeth." The axe collided with the steel spikes, sparks flying everywhere. Xiao Bixing was so shocked that he staggered back three steps, his tiger's mouth splitting open.

He wielded the bronze axe with lightning speed, each strike accompanied by a whistling sound, the cold glint of the blade sending chills down one's spine.

His "ear-picking" move involves skillfully lifting the axe from bottom to top with lightning speed, making it impossible to defend against. His "hand-slicing" move involves sweeping the axe blade with great force, as if it were about to sever the opponent's arm.

The martial arts of the Disaster Relief Gang are characterized by speed, agility, and unpredictable attacks.

Xiao Xiao's butterfly twin blades are as fast as lightning, dazzling the eye; Xiao Yao's judge's pen is like a venomous snake's tongue, precise and deadly. Xiao Bixing's martial arts rely on skill; his folding fan can not only deflect steel spikes but also be used for defense, making him unpredictable.

At that moment, Xiao Xiao and Xiao Yao seized the opportunity to flank from both sides. Xiao Xiao wielded his butterfly twin blades with lightning speed, targeting Cheng Yaojin's lower body; while Xiao Yao used his judge's pen, like a venomous snake, to attack his throat.

Cheng Yaojin breathed heavily, wielding his axe like a torrential downpour. His moves, such as "ear picking" and "hand slicing," were fierce and ruthless, but he couldn't withstand the agility of these two boys.

Xiao Bixing sneered and waved his folding fan again. Three poisoned needles flew past Cheng Yaojin's ears and directly embedded themselves in the locust tree behind him, causing the bark to turn black and rot instantly.

"You little brat, you dare to play dirty tricks!" Cheng Yaojin was suddenly stabbed in the shoulder by Xiao Yao's Judge's Pen, and blood immediately stained his dragon robe. He was furious and unleashed his "Horse-Cutting Leg" attack, sweeping across the area, but was entangled by Xiao Xiao's twin swords.

Shi Feiyang muttered to himself, "These guys are really tough to deal with. I'll have to show them my true skills." A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he thought, "If I lose today, I'll be at a huge loss. I have to teach these guys a lesson that there are always people more capable than you."

Just as Xiao Bixing was about to take advantage of the situation, "Wait!"

Shi Feiyang rushed in carrying a wine gourd, his green bamboo stick aimed directly at Xiao Bixing's wrist, specifically the "Yangxi" acupoint. Xiao Bixing hurriedly defended himself, only to find that silvery-white, thread-like substances emerged from the other's palm, coiling around his meridians like live snakes.

He was horrified to discover that his internal energy was flowing back along the silver threads, and black blood began to gush from his seven orifices: "You... what kind of evil magic are you using!"

Xiao Xiao and Xiao Yao immediately abandoned Cheng Yaojin and rushed towards Shi Feiyang. Shi Feiyang yelled and used the "Dog-Beating Stick Technique," striking Xiao Xiao's throat with the "Stick to the Mangy Dog" and forcing Xiao Yao back with the "Reverse Strike to the Dog's Body."

The most incredible thing was that the silver silkworm thread that Shi Feiyang spat out from his left palm was like a maggot clinging to bone, instantly activating upon contact and burrowing into the opponent's body along the weapon. The moment Xiao Yao's judge's pen touched the bamboo stick, his whole body convulsed, his throat emitted strange noises, and his internal energy surged wildly through his meridians, finally exploding with a "bang," splattering blood mist everywhere.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Cheng Yaojin swung his great axe, unleashing a sweeping "Horse-Cutting Leg" attack. Xiao Xiao raised his sword to parry, but with a "crack," his butterfly twin swords were cleaved in two. Terrified, Xiao Xiao turned and ran, but Cheng Yaojin caught up and cleaved him in half at the waist with his giant axe.

Seizing the opportunity, Shi Feiyang unleashed a move called "Pushing the Dog to the Sky," picking up pebbles from the ground and hurling them at Xiao Bixing like a torrential rain. The deputy leader of the Disaster Relief Gang was struck by a stone, screaming as he collapsed to the ground, bleeding from all seven orifices, and died.

The situation changed in an instant. The members of the Disaster Relief Gang, who had initially held the upper hand, were reduced to corpses strewn across the battlefield in the blink of an eye by Shi Feiyang's bizarre Heavenly Silkworm Skill and Cheng Yaojin's frenzied axe techniques. Cheng Yaojin, panting and leaning on his blood-stained axe, looked at the mess on the ground and suddenly burst into laughter: "That's exhilarating! More exhilarating than being an emperor!" He turned to Shi Feiyang and said, "Kid, your skill is even more unpredictable than my three axe blows!"

Just as Shi Feiyang was about to tease Cheng Yaojin, he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves.

A troop of silver-armored cavalry galloped in, the leading general pointing his silver spear diagonally, his face as resolute as if carved by a knife.

Upon seeing the scene before him, he abruptly dismounted and knelt down with a thud: "Young Master Li, please accept three bows from Uncle Bao!"

Shi Feiyang was so startled that he dropped his wine gourd and rushed to help him up, saying, "No, no! Uncle, have you mistaken me for someone else?"

The general—it was Qin Qiong—choked up with tears in his eyes: "Back then, when you saved the Tang family, you were just a child. Although you are now completely different, how could I, Shubao, mistake your chivalrous spirit!"

Shi Feiyang's eyes darted around, and he thought it best not to reveal his identity as a member of the Yihua Palace, so he sighed and said, "Brother Shubao, you flatter me..."

Before she could finish speaking, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar. Changsun Yue, dressed in white, reined in her horse and looked at the scene. Her gaze suddenly turned cold as she looked at Shi Feiyang—she clearly heard the words "Young Master Li," and remembering Li Yuan's power, her eyes instantly became like poisoned arrows.

After Qin Qiong helped Cheng Yaojin leave, Changsun Yue quietly rode after them. Shi Feiyang hummed an off-key tune, then suddenly turned around and shouted into the air, "Miss Changsun, we've been following you for so long, would you like to try my osmanthus cake? It's moldy, but the more you chew, the more 'flavorful' it becomes!"

A cold snort came from the woods, startling a whole bunch of crows into flight, but there was no further response.

However, at that moment, the sound of a hidden weapon cutting through the air rang out, and Shi Feiyang's expression changed drastically—Changsun Yue was in danger!
He rushed towards the sound and found that in an open space, Shan Xiongxin, who had followed Qin Qiong to find Cheng Yaojin, had discovered Changsun Yue. So, after Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin left, he led a group of outlaws to quietly surround Changsun Yue.

Under the moonlight, Changsun Yue's white clothes were stained red with blood, but he still held the long sword in his hand straight.

Shi Feiyang suddenly froze—this woman, who was always as cold as ice, now had a look in her eyes that reminded him of the icy coldness of the Yihua Palace. In the midst of the fierce battle, Shi Feiyang unleashed the Heavenly Silkworm Technique, his silver threads weaving through the enemy ranks like silver snakes.

Upon seeing this, Shan Xiongxin shouted and thrust his spear straight at Shi Feiyang's face.

Shi Feiyang neither dodged nor evaded; his green bamboo staff suddenly shot out, a move known as "Beating the Dog's Head with a Staff"! Shan Xiongxin hastily retreated to defend, only to see that the silver threads emanating from Shi Feiyang's left palm had already entangled the spear, advancing straight down the shaft. "Li Er, you bastard, return my father and brothers' lives! Otherwise, I'll fight you to the death!" Shan Xiongxin retreated in a disheveled state, his eyes filled with shock, yet he roared with rage.

Shi Feiyang suddenly understood why Qin Qiong had knelt down when he saw him earlier, and chuckled: "This young master does not change his name or surname—" Before he could finish speaking, he saw Changsun Yue suddenly stagger.

His heart tightened, and without waiting for a reply, he leaped forward to shield her. After repelling Shan Xiongxin, Shi Feiyang turned to look at Changsun Yue, only to see her blood-stained face in the moonlight. For some reason, this woman, who always kept everyone at arm's length, reminded him of the plum blossom blooming in the snow in the Yihua Palace.

"Thank you," Changsun Yue said softly, her voice hoarse. Shi Feiyang suddenly leaned closer and said with a wicked smile, "I say, young lady, your alias 'Changsun Yue' can't fool my eyes."

Changsun Yue's pretty face suddenly changed color. Remembering that "Little Stone" had saved her life three times already, it would be unethical to conceal her real name and identity any longer. So she said softly, "I am Yang Jinghao... daughter of Yang Guang, Li Er. We are related. Instead of staying in Taiyuan with your father to guard an important military town, you are wandering around. What exactly are you plotting?"

Under the moonlight, Changsun Yue's eyes held a complex and unreadable expression. She turned to leave, but nearly collapsed due to her severe injuries. Shi Feiyang quickly steadied her, but she pushed him away, saying, "It's none of your business! With the nation in peril, you show no loyalty whatsoever. I don't want to be associated with you!"

Shi Feiyang shrugged, brandishing his green bamboo stick as he followed: "Alright, I'll escort Her Highness the Princess—but speaking of which, how do you plan to repay the favor you owe me?" He knew in his heart that the Li Yuan family and the Yang Guang family were related.

Li Yuan and Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty were cousins. Li Yuan's mother was Empress Yuanzhen, née Dugu, while Yang Guang's mother was Empress Wenxian, née Dugu Jialuo. The two were half-sisters, and their father was Dugu Xin, a high-ranking official of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. In addition, Li Yuan's niece, née Wang, was one of Yang Guang's concubines, adding another layer of kinship between them.

Now, Shi Feiyang hears people calling him "Li Er" one after another, and he suddenly realizes that he looks extremely similar to Li Shimin.

At this time, as the Wagang Army rose to power, Li Yuan, serving as the governor of Taiyuan, primarily did the following: First, he secretly amassed strength: Knowing that chaos was imminent, Li Yuan secretly befriended heroes and recruited talented individuals in Taiyuan to expand his influence. He ordered his eldest son, Li Jiancheng, to secretly gather capable men in Hedong, and his second son, Li Shimin, to secretly recruit influential friends in Jinyang, preparing for a future rebellion against the Sui Dynasty. Second, he observed the situation: Li Yuan closely monitored the changing political landscape, analyzing the development of various uprisings and the state of the Sui Dynasty's rule. He saw the Sui Dynasty's rule crumbling, and weighed the timing and advantages of his own uprising, waiting for the most opportune moment.

……

Yang Jinghao angrily said, "His Majesty sent me to lead troops to Taiyuan to urge your father to lead troops to suppress some uprisings. However, along the way, I have encountered either mountain bandits or Wagang Army generals, and have suffered continuous losses. Now I am all alone. Li Er, you must return to Taiyuan immediately and have your father send troops to attack the Wagang Army."

Shi Feiyang nodded and asked, "Who was that big man who attacked you just now? He was very skilled in martial arts!" Yang Jinghao replied, "Shan Xiongxin!" Shi Feiyang suddenly realized why Shan Xiongxin had shown such deep hatred for him earlier.

The hatred between Shan Xiongxin and Li Yuan stemmed primarily from the following two events:

First, there was the blood feud for his father's murder: Shan Xiongxin's grandfather, Shan Deng, was a Protector-General of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, guarding Dongchang Prefecture. In the first year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, Li Yuan led his troops to attack the Zhou Dynasty and besieged Dongchang. Shan Xiongxin's father, Shan Yu, fought a bloody battle against him for seven days and nights. After the city fell, he was captured but refused to surrender and was killed by Li Yuan.

Secondly, he mistakenly killed his elder brother: When Li Yuan went to Taiyuan to take up an official post, he was robbed and killed by imperial guards disguised as bandits sent by Yuwen Shu. Qin Qiong happened to be passing by and came to his rescue. Afterwards, he heard the sound of horses' hooves in the distance. Li Yuan mistook them for bandits and shot an arrow, which struck Shan Xiongxin's elder brother, Shan Xiongzhong, in the throat, causing his death.

These two events caused a deep-seated hatred between the Shan and Li families, leading Shan Xiongxin to harbor intense resentment towards Li Yuan.

……

Shi Feiyang understood the reason, so he took out various precious medicines from the mysterious deerskin bag at his waist and used them to stop the bleeding and heal Yang Jinghao's wounds.

Yang Jinghao urged Shi Feiyang to return to Taiyuan quickly to mobilize troops and assist the court in quelling the Wagang Army rebellion.

Shi Feiyang asked impatiently, "The suppression of rebellions in various places mainly relies on Your Majesty's deployment of troops. What is Your Majesty doing now?"

Yang Jinghao was speechless.

Shi Feiyang sneered, "The princess can't answer, can she? Then I'll answer for you. Faced with the flames of war rising in the north, His Majesty chose to flee to Jiangdu—the very place he had cultivated in his early years, the core area of ​​the Jiangnan gentry. His Majesty sailed south in a dragon boat, the fleet stretching over two hundred li, carrying 8 laborers. The dragon boat was decorated with gold and jade, its colorful sails obscuring the sun, the drums and flutes resounding through the heavens. Counties along the way were required to offer delicacies, sometimes as many as a hundred carriages from a single prefecture, the most exquisite delicacies from land and sea. Meanwhile, the common people had exhausted their livestock and vegetables, unable to survive. And His Majesty? He often looked in the mirror and sighed, 'What a fine head and neck, who will cut it off?' Knowing full well that the great empire was about to collapse, he indulged in wine and women, even looking in the mirror and saying to Empress Xiao, 'Nobility and lowliness, joy and sorrow, all come and go, what harm is there!' He displayed a decadent and reckless attitude."

Yang Jinghao jumped up, asking in astonishment, "How did you know?"

Shi Feiyang laughed and said, "I just came back from Jiangdu!"

Yang Jinghao was immediately dumbfounded, speechless.

(End of this chapter)