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

The setting sun, like blood, stained the banners atop Tongguan Pass with a poignant hue. A Beggar Clan disciple stumbled in, his face covered in dust and panic, and cried out in a hoarse voice, "Report—Chang'an has fallen! His Majesty has fled to Shu with Yang Guifei!"

Shi Feiyang was discussing military matters with Master Wuran when he heard this. The emerald green dog-beating stick in his hand clattered to the ground, and his fair skin trembled slightly in the candlelight. He recalled Li Muxue's dying eyes during the bloody battle of Tongguan, and the defensive line built by the Beggar Clan disciples with their flesh and blood. Suddenly, a metallic taste rose in his throat.

"The imperial army has been neglected for too long..." he muttered to himself, slamming his fist on the table. Amidst the flying wood chips, five finger marks were left on the surface. He then decisively said, "Pass on my order: all branches must immediately go underground, contact righteous heroes of the martial world, and ensure the safety of the people as they cross the river to the south!"

Master Wuran clasped his hands together and sighed, "Amitabha, well said! Well said! Chief Shi is kind and benevolent. But Chang'an is already a besieged city, why must you personally venture into such danger?" Shi Feiyang looked out the window at the towering flames, his glassy eyes reflecting the leaping flames like two clusters of burning ice crystals. He said sadly, "Master, I'm going to Chang'an. You and the other monks and martial arts sects should return first. If there are any major battles later, I will send a disciple to contact you."

Master Wuran, Zhu Zhixin, the head of the Songshan Sect, and the leaders of the Taishan and other martial arts sects led their disciples and sadly left Tongguan. Shi Feiyang watched the sect leaders and their disciples leave Tongguan and sighed, "The imperial court is like a hopeless case, utterly incompetent!" Tieguai Li wanted to say something, but choked up and left silently, gathering the elite disciples of the Beggars' Clan to head to Chang'an ahead of them, awaiting Shi Feiyang's arrival.

Shi Feiyang recalled playing chess with Yang Yu under the moon by Taiye Pond, and the golden hairpin trembling in her hair as she played "The Song of Rainbow Feathers" for him. A sudden pang of pain shot through his heart. The broken wolf-head token was still hidden in his sleeve, and now he had to go searching for another lost piece of the past.

The twilight at Tongguan was filled with the smoke of gunpowder and the stench of blood.

Shi Feiyang used his unparalleled "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" lightness skill to fly to Chang'an. In the blink of an eye, he arrived. His figure swept across Zhuque Street like a willow leaf. The once bustling market was now nothing but ruins. The signboard of a tavern swayed tatteredly in the wind, the three characters "Xi Feng Lie" pierced by arrows, ink mixed with bloodstains, like a desolate ink painting.

At the street corner, an elderly man with white hair sighed at his collapsed ancestral home, while a scholar in a blue robe stood beside him, reciting with great passion: "Ten thousand passes and fortresses are cut off; when will I return home?"

The voice, with its rise and fall, carried a sense of grief and indignation, which reminded Shi Feiyang of Li Bai's unrestrained brushstrokes when he was drunk.

“Brother,” Shi Feiyang stopped and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting, “Li Bai’s words perfectly capture the suffering of the displaced people of the world.”

The scholar turned around, his moon-white robe billowing in the wind, revealing half of a mutton-fat jade pendant at his waist, carved with a crow spreading its wings.

Shi Feiyang's gaze was like lightning, instantly sweeping over the other person's extremely faint ear piercings behind his ears, the bamboo leaf Bagua pattern embroidered on his cuffs, and the thin iron plate that was faintly visible on the sole of his boots—this was no weak scholar who could not even kill a chicken, but clearly a top-notch assassin disguised as a woman!
"Are you also a wanderer?" the scholar asked, his voice clear but slightly hoarse, clearly using a voice-changing technique.

Her phoenix eyes were slightly raised, and a hint of golden brown flashed deep in her pupils, which was the mark of the "Cold Crow Heart Method" that was feared throughout the martial arts world.

Shi Feiyang grinned roguishly, flicked a fallen leaf from his fingertip, and it flew past the other person's ear like a knife before "poof" embedding itself in the earthen wall. He said mockingly, "I have always had a special fondness for the hidden weapons of beauties."

The "scholar's" pupils contracted sharply, then he smiled and raised his eyebrows. Suddenly, three silver needles as thin as cow's hair appeared at his fingertips, gleaming eerily in the twilight. He said coldly, "Your eyesight is good, but in this Chang'an city, taking an extra look will come at a price."

She flicked her wrist, and before the silver needles could be released, she suddenly suppressed her aura, turned around, and merged into the flow of fleeing people. The bamboo leaf pattern on her moon-white robe gleamed coldly in the setting sun.

Shi Feiyang gazed in the direction she had disappeared, a fine layer of ice-like patterns appearing on his smooth skin. He thought to himself: It was no coincidence that the assassins from the Cold Crow Pavilion had appeared in Chang'an.

At the third watch of the night, Shi Feiyang slipped into the Daming Palace like a wisp of smoke. The once magnificent palace was now haunted by ghostly figures, and the sound of patrolling rebel soldiers' armor rubbing together was particularly jarring in the silence. He used the mysterious lightness skill of "Concealing One's Body and Name" to move along the palace's eaves, the moonlight shining on his glassy skin blending seamlessly with the shimmering tiles, making him completely unaware of it.

Reaching the edge of Taiye Pond, the water was cold and mirror-like, reflecting the dilapidated Taiye Pavilion. Shi Feiyang recalled boating here with Yang Yuhuan years ago, when she removed the jade hairpin from her hair to play in the water, her smiling eyes reflected in the ripples. Now, the jade hairpin was nowhere to be found, and only the willows by the pond wept in the night wind.

"Who goes there?" A sudden shout rang out, and more than ten rebel soldiers, holding torches, surrounded them. The captain, pointing his sword at Shi Fei, roared, "How dare you trespass into the palace! You're asking for trouble!"

Shi Feiyang didn't answer. With a swift movement, he was already close to the captain. The captain swung his sword, but felt a numbness in his wrist, and the long sword clattered to the ground. Shi Feiyang's fingers, like swords, struck several vital points on the captain's chest. The captain froze, his eyes filled with horror.
The other soldiers cried out in alarm upon seeing this and thrust their spears forward.

Shi Feiyang sneered and unleashed a move called "No Dogs Under Heaven." His emerald green dog-beating stick danced with unparalleled skill, severing spearheads wherever it passed. Not wanting to kill more, he pointed the tip of his stick, instantly felling over 170 soldiers.

Passing by Taiye Pond, one arrives at the Hall of Longevity, where Yang Yuhuan resided. The hall's doors were ajar, and the interior was pitch black, save for a faint, lingering scent of tulips in the air—Yang Yuhuan's favorite incense from the Western Regions.

Shi Feiyang pushed open the door and entered, his glassy eyes shining in the darkness, reflecting the messy furnishings.

The mirror on the dressing table was broken, the powder box was overturned, and rouge was spilled all over the floor, resembling specks of blood.

Shi Feiyang picked up a broken gold hairpin, its pearls scattered like his shattered heart.

He recalled her tenderness in adorning his hair with flowers, and a lump formed in his throat.

Suddenly, he noticed a half-roll of silk peeking out from under the dressing table. He reached out and pulled it, and found it to be a crumpled, flowing robe.

Her body heat still lingered on the fabric. Shi Feiyang buried his face in the clothes, and tears finally streamed down his face. Just then, rapid footsteps sounded outside the hall, and the leader's voice boomed: "Capture this assassin!"

Shi Feiyang suddenly looked up, his glassy skin instantly becoming as transparent as ice.

He carefully put away the Rainbow Feather Robe, held the Dog-Beating Stick, and stood in the hall like an ice sculpture.

The rebels swarmed in, their torches illuminating the Hall of Longevity as if it were daytime. Just as Shi Feiyang was about to make his move, a white figure suddenly flew down from the beam—it was the "scholar" he had encountered during the day! She held a long sword in her hand, its blade gleaming with a chilling blue light, clearly coated with deadly poison.

She drew her long sword, pointing it directly at the rebel general, and rebuked him, "Are you not leaving yet, sir? Do you want to be buried with us?" Her movements were as swift as a crow skimming the water.

Shi Feiyang was taken aback when he saw this, but then he saw her wrist flip and the long knife suddenly stabbed towards him!
This turn of events was so sudden, and I never expected her to be so cunning! Shi Feiyang quickly swung his stick to block, and with a crisp "clang," the long sword was deflected, but a tiny scratch was left on the dog-beating stick.

"You!" Shi Feiyang was both shocked and furious, his glassy eyes flashing with cold light.

The woman giggled and retreated like a ghost, flicking out three poisoned needles from her sleeve, which pierced Shi Feiyang's face, heart, and dantian respectively. She then said mockingly, "Master Shi, you truly live up to your reputation. Unfortunately, you are doomed to die tonight!"

Upon seeing this, the rebel general laughed loudly, "Good! The Cold Crow Pavilion truly lives up to its reputation. Kill him, and there will be a great reward!"

While dodging the poisoned needles, Shi Feiyang used his "Transferring Flowers and Jade" divine skill to deflect the rebel soldiers' attacks one by one. He was filled with doubt: why did the Cold Crow Pavilion want to kill him? And why were they colluding with the rebels?
In the midst of the fierce battle, Shi Feiyang spotted an opening and used the "Stick to Pick Up the Mangy Dog" move with the Dog-Beating Stick, accurately striking the woman's wrist.

The long sword flew out of his hand and embedded itself in a palace pillar, shaking off a cloud of dust.

The woman's expression changed slightly, and she turned to flee, but Shi Feiyang blocked her way with "Leaving No Trace for a Thousand Miles".

"Speak! Why is the Cold Crow Pavilion aiding and abetting evil?" Shi Feiyang asked sharply, the ice patterns on his glassy skin spreading incessantly.

Upon seeing this, the woman suddenly removed the human skin mask from her face, revealing an unparalleled beauty—it was none other than Su Daji, the palace maid who had disappeared from the Yihua Palace years ago! She sneered and said disdainfully, "Shi Feiyang, do you really think there is a distinction between good and evil in this world? An Lushan promised our Hanya Pavilion half of the country; what good would it do to help him?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Feiyang was greatly alarmed, recalling the secrets of the Cold Crow Pavilion recorded in the secret files of the Yihua Palace—a secretive assassin organization composed of remnants of the previous dynasty, whose actions were both righteous and evil. He couldn't help but angrily say, "Do you know that An Lushan is a puppet of the Heavenly Wolf Guard? Helping him is aiding and abetting evil!"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Su Daji's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness. She said coldly, "Shut up! Today, it's either you or me who dies!" As she spoke, she bit her tongue and spat out a mouthful of blood mist, which instantly condensed in the air into a raven with outstretched wings, which flew straight at Shi Feiyang's face.

This was the forbidden technique of the Cold Crow Pavilion, "Blood Crow Devouring Heart." Shi Feiyang dared not be negligent. He activated his Bright Jade Skill, forming a vortex of suction in his palm to draw the blood crow into his body. He could feel the blood crow rampaging inside his body, and he quickly circulated his internal energy to refine it.

Just as Shi Feiyang was refining the Blood Raven, Su Daji suddenly pulled out a black token from her bosom, engraved with a ferocious wolf's head—it was actually the highest-ranking token of the Heavenly Wolf Guard! Su Daji said viciously, "Shi Feiyang, try this!" She threw the token, which spun rapidly in the air, emitting a piercing shriek.

Shi Feiyang was shocked, and the ice patterns on his glassy skin instantly spread all over his body.

Knowing that the token contained the evil power of the Heavenly Wolf Guard, he quickly swung his staff, unleashing the "Dog-Beating Strike" move, the bamboo staff striking the token squarely. "Crack!" The token shattered, but countless black Gu worms flew out and pounced on Shi Feiyang.

"Not good!" Shi Feiyang cried out in alarm, instinctively unleashing his "Shocking Eyes Calamity" divine skill. His icy gaze swept over the Gu worms, instantly freezing them into ice shards. But Su Daji seized the opportunity, leaping out of the window and disappearing into the night.

Shi Feiyang wanted to give chase, but then remembered the Rainbow Feather Robe in his arms and finally stopped.

He looked around at the dilapidated Changsheng Palace, recalling his past with Yang Yuhuan, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

"Yu'er..." he murmured to himself, tears glistening in his crystal-clear eyes, "No matter where you are, I, Shi Feiyang, will protect you!" In the waning night, his crystal-clear skin gleamed coldly in the moonlight. He carefully tucked the Rainbow Feather Robe into his bosom; the fabric seemed to still retain the unique tulip scent of Yang Guifei, each wisp tugging at the softest string in his heart.

Outside the palace walls came the sound of the armor plates of the rebel patrolling soldiers rubbing together, like the hiss of a venomous snake in the silence. Shi Feiyang's eyes sharpened, and he lightly touched the ground with his toes, using the peerless lightness skill "Leaving No Trace for a Thousand Miles," his figure blending into the deep night like a ghost.

Three days later, Shi Feiyang received an urgent message at the Beggars' Sect branch in Hanzhong. The bamboo tube on the carrier pigeon's claw was stained with blood. The branch leader, Iron Leg Chen, handed over the secret letter and reported: "Yang Guifei has arrived in Sichuan, but assassins from the Cold Crow Pavilion are following her. There may be unforeseen circumstances."

His old knee injury throbbed faintly in the rainy weather, and he said indignantly, "According to reports from our informants, the Cold Crow Pavilion has mobilized all the assassins of the 'Twelve Golden Crows' this time, and the leader seems to be the 'Golden Crow Tai Sui' who disappeared many years ago."

Upon hearing this, ice patterns suddenly appeared in Shi Feiyang's glassy eyes. He had seen records in the ancient books of the Yihua Palace that the twelve Golden Crow assassins of the Cold Crow Pavilion were all highly skilled, and the Golden Crow Tai Sui was even more famous in the martial arts world for his vicious hidden weapons. His "Cold Crow Weeping Blood Dart" could plant a Gu egg in the blood of the person hit by the dart, which would burst out of the body after three days. It was extremely cruel.

However risky it may be, Shi Feiyang still wanted to see Yang Guifei. He stood up abruptly and said decisively, "Prepare the horses!" The emerald green dog-beating stick left a deep dent in the ground. He then said resolutely, "Order each branch to set up roadblocks along the way and make sure to find out the lair of the Cold Crow Pavilion in Sichuan." He thought of Su Daji, the Cold Crow assassin disguised as a man, on the streets of Chang'an, and the poisoned blade in her hand that glowed with blue light. His palms clenched unconsciously, and his nails almost dug into his glassy skin.

The road to Shu is more difficult than ascending to heaven. Shi Feiyang's black horse carefully made its way along the plank road, with bottomless abysses on both sides, and the mournful cries of monkeys faintly visible in the swirling clouds and mist.

As they approached Jianmen Pass, a strange wind suddenly arose, and the bamboo forest beside the road rustled. Seven silver needles, as thin as cow hair, pierced through the air, aiming directly at Shi Feiyang's three major acupoints: his face, chest, and dantian.

"Well done!" Shi Feiyang snorted coldly, leaned back, and his black horse rolled on the spot as if it were a spirit, with all the silver needles driving into the rock wall behind him, making a crisp "clinking" sound.

He dismounted, his fair skin as transparent as ice in the sunlight, revealing a pattern of outstretched crows etched on the needle's end. Three men in tight-fitting clothes emerged from the bamboo grove, each with a jade pendant hanging from their waist—the very emblem of the Crow Pavilion.

The leader had a sinister look on his face, wore a black eye patch over his left eye, and had raven feathers embroidered in gold thread on his cuffs. He said coldly, "Are you Shi Feiyang? My Tai Sui has ordered you to surrender."

Shi Feiyang stood with his staff in hand, the emerald green shaft trembling slightly in the wind. He said disdainfully, "You are not qualified to take my life." Before he finished speaking, he shot out like an arrow, unleashing a move called "Vicious Dog Blocks the Way" with his Dog-Beating Staff. The staff's shadow spread like a net, instantly enveloping the three assassins.

Upon seeing this, the one-eyed assassin let out a strange cry and flung out a string of copper bells with his right hand. The sharp, piercing sound of the bells caused Shi Feiyang to feel dizzy.

"Oh no, it's the 'Bewitching Bell'!" Shi Feiyang cried out in alarm. He quickly activated his Bright Jade Skill, causing his smooth skin to swirl with a suction force, drawing all the bell's sound into his body. Two other assassins attacked from both sides, their short blades coated with a deep blue poison.

Shi Feiyang used the "Shifting Flowers and Receiving Jade" technique, and with a flick of his palms, he actually deflected the poisonous energy from the short blade back.

Caught off guard, the two assassins cut their own arms with their blades, screamed in agony, and collapsed to the ground, turning into a pool of blood moments later.

Seeing that things were not going well, the one-eyed assassin turned to flee, but was struck in the back of the head by Shi Feiyang's "Dog-Beating Stick" move, and died on the spot.

Shi Feiyang withdrew his dog-beating stick and watched as the three corpses gradually melted away, his eyes turning even colder.

The poison techniques of the Cold Crow Pavilion are even more vicious than rumored, and it seems that Consort Yang's situation is in imminent danger.

Traveling south along the Min River, Shi Feiyang encountered Zhang Wu, an elder of the Beggars' Sect known as "Water-Walking," at a ferry crossing.

Zhang Wu was soaking wet, a black feathered arrow tucked into his shoulder, its fletching also embroidered with a crow pattern. He said urgently, "Chief... quick... the Crow Pavilion has... set a trap on Qingcheng Mountain..."

Zhang Wu died before he could finish speaking.

Shi Feiyang's heart sank. He picked up Zhang Wu's body and used his internal energy to stop the bleeding, but it was too late.

He buried Zhang Wu'an by the river, erected a wooden monument, then resolutely turned around and sped off towards Qingcheng Mountain.

Mount Qingcheng was shrouded in mist and clouds, resembling a fairyland. Shi Feiyang carefully sneaked into the mountain's interior, only to discover a huge underground palace.

In the center of the underground palace, a woman was tied up on a high platform. It was none other than Yang Guifei, whom he had been thinking about day and night!
Her face was pale, clearly drugged, and she was wearing the Rainbow Feather Robe he had found in Chang'an.

Around the high platform, twelve assassins dressed in gold stood in a circle. The leader, wearing a golden crown and with a withered face, was none other than Jin Ya Tai Sui.

He toyed with a jet-black dart in his hand, its shaft engraved with a lifelike crow, and said mockingly, "Shi Feiyang, you've finally arrived. Very well! With your head severed, we'll have a satisfactory explanation to the martial world and the new dynasty. Hehe!" Seeing this, Shi Feiyang was enraged and shouted angrily, "Golden Crow Grand Duke, release her!" Golden Crow Grand Duke chuckled sinisterly and teased, "Release her? Sure. Only if you cripple your martial arts, submit to my Cold Crow Pavilion, and..."

He abruptly changed the subject, a glint of cunning in his eyes, and leaned closer, saying, "Tell me the whereabouts of the Imperial Seal." Shi Feiyang's heart skipped a beat. Why would this Golden Crow Grand Duke be interested in the Imperial Seal? Could he be colluding with the Heavenly Wolf Guard?

Shi Feiyang resolutely refused, saying, "Don't even think about it!" He gripped the dog-beating stick tightly in his hand.

The Golden Crow Tai Sui said coldly, "Then don't blame me for being impolite!" With that, he waved his hand, signaling the twelve Golden Crow assassins to make their move.

In an instant, twelve assassins attacked simultaneously, unleashing a barrage of hidden weapons at Shi Feiyang.

There were poisoned silver needles, barbed iron caltrops, and explosive gunpowder bombs.

Shi Feiyang dared not be negligent. He activated the Mingyu Skill, and his glassy skin formed an invisible barrier, deflecting all the hidden weapons.

Immediately afterwards, Shi Feiyang roared, "You villain, do you have a death wish? Humph!" He unleashed the move "No Dogs Under Heaven," wielding the Dog-Beating Stick with impenetrable force. With the enhancement of the Mingyu Skill, it formed a huge vortex of stick shadows that swept towards the Twelve Golden Crows assassins.

Seeing this, the twelve Golden Crow assassins all used their lightness skills to dodge, but three of them were still hit by the shadow of the staff and flew backward with screams.

When Jin Ya Tai Sui saw how powerful Shi Feiyang was, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He then took out a black token from his pocket, on which was engraved a ferocious wolf's head—it was the highest token of the Heavenly Wolf Guard!
"Shi Feiyang, you truly live up to your reputation." Jin Ya Tai Sui sneered, "But do you know that my Han Ya Pavilion has long been allied with the Tianlang Guard? This time, we kidnapped Yang Guifei to lure you out, seize the Imperial Seal, and overthrow the Tang Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Feiyang was shocked. It turned out that the Cold Crow Pavilion and the Heavenly Wolf Guard had long been colluding; no wonder their actions were so vicious.

"You bunch of traitors, what a load of nonsense!" Shi Feiyang roared, channeling all his inner strength. His skin, once as smooth as glass, became transparent like glass armor, radiating a powerful chill.

The dog-beating stick in his hand also changed, becoming more emerald green and emitting a faint halo. He slammed the dog-beating stick into the ground and activated the Mingyu Gong to the "Limitless Asura's Human Purgatory" level.

In an instant, a powerful chill erupted from the ground, rapidly spreading throughout the entire underground palace. The Twelve Golden Crow Assassins and the Golden Crow Grand Duke immediately felt a bone-chilling cold, their bodies seemingly frozen, unable to move.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang rushed to the high platform, swung his stick and broke the ropes binding Yang Guifei, then held her in his arms. Yang Guifei slowly opened her eyes, saw Shi Feiyang, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then she fainted.

Shi Feiyang, holding Yang Guifei, turned to leave, but was stopped by Jin Ya Tai Sui.

At this moment, the Golden Crow Tai Sui had broken free from the shackles of the cold air, its eyes flashing with a mad light. "Want to leave? Not so easy!" the Golden Crow Tai Sui said, raising the Heavenly Wolf Guard token high in its hand and chanting incantations.

In an instant, the murals on the ceiling of the underground palace came to life, and countless ferocious wolf heads flew out of the murals and pounced on Shi Feiyang.

Upon seeing this, Shi Feiyang immediately activated "Shocking Eyes Calamity," his icy gaze sweeping over the wolf's head and instantly freezing it into ice shards.

"Golden Crow Tai Sui, prepare to die!" Shi Feiyang roared, holding Yang Guifei in one arm, and using his unparalleled "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" lightness skill, his figure flashed like a ghost through the wolf's head, rushing straight for the Golden Crow Tai Sui. The Golden Crow Tai Sui tried to dodge, but was frozen in place by the light of the Rainbow Feather Robe. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang swung his staff, unleashing a "Stick to the Dog's Head" move, striking the Golden Crow Tai Sui squarely in the face.

With a miserable cry, the Golden Crow Tai Sui was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing into the wall of the underground palace and dying instantly.

Upon seeing that Tai Sui was dead, the twelve Golden Crow assassins scattered like birds and beasts.

Shi Feiyang carried Yang Guifei out of the underground palace, gazing at the clouds and mist of Qingcheng Mountain, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Although he had temporarily rescued Yang Guifei, the conspiracy between the Tianlang Guard and the Hanya Pavilion had only just begun, the whereabouts of the Imperial Seal remained a mystery, and the burden on his shoulders had become even heavier.

Shi Feiyang carried Yang Guifei carefully along the Shu Road. Yang Guifei remained unconscious, her breathing weak, and Shi Feiyang was extremely anxious. He knew that Yang Guifei had been poisoned by the Cold Crow Pavilion's rare poison, and he had to find an antidote as soon as possible.

As they walked into a valley, they suddenly heard the sounds of fighting ahead.

Shi Feiyang quickly concealed himself and looked ahead. He saw a group of Beggar Clan disciples fighting with several Cold Crow Pavilion assassins. The leader of the Beggar Clan disciples was none other than Tieguai Li, who was wielding an iron staff and was locked in a fierce battle with one of the Cold Crow Pavilion assassins.

Upon seeing this, Shi Feiyang quickly stepped forward to help.

He gently placed Yang Guifei on the ground, then unleashed a powerful strike with both palms, "Slaying the Mortal World," cutting several assassins into hundreds of pieces. Seeing Shi Feiyang arrive, Tieguai Li exclaimed with joy, "Chief, you've finally arrived! We received word that the Cold Crow Pavilion was planning to ambush you here, so we came to meet you!"

Shi Feiyang nodded, handed Yang Guifei to Tieguai Li, and said, "Elder Li, quickly escort the Consort to the imperial palace and return her to His Majesty. I will cover the rear." Tieguai Li responded and left, while Shi Feiyang stayed behind to cover the rear.

Not long after, a large group of assassins from the Cold Crow Pavilion arrived. Leading them was none other than Su Daji. Upon seeing Shi Feiyang, a venomous glint flashed in her eyes, and she said viciously, "Shi Feiyang, you killed my Tai Sui! I'll make you pay with your life!"

Having said that, Su Daji led the assassins to charge at Shi Feiyang. Shi Feiyang showed no fear, activating his Mingyu Gong, his skin as transparent as ice, and engaged in fierce combat with the assassins. He wielded the eight techniques of the Dog-Beating Stick Technique with ease: "picking," "sealing," "turning," "tripping," "leading," "stabbing," "entangling," and "chopping," each move containing boundless power.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Shi Feiyang suddenly realized that Su Daji's martial arts style was intricately connected to that of the Heavenly Wolf Guard, and he immediately understood what was going on. While retaliating, he probed, "Su Daji, as a palace maid of the Yihua Palace, why do you aid and abet evil, colluding with the Heavenly Wolf Guard? Let me tell you, you should repent now, or you will surely be torn to pieces!"

Upon hearing this, a flicker of pain flashed in Su Daji's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness. She said resentfully, "Yihua Palace? Hmph, that's nothing but a hypocritical place. The Tianlang Guards promised me that as long as I help them overthrow the Tang Dynasty, they will help me avenge myself."

Shi Feiyang felt a chill run down his spine; it seemed there was a deeper grudge behind this.

He said no more and focused all his energy on fighting Su Daji to the death.

Suddenly, Shi Feiyang unleashed the "Evil Blood Calamity" divine skill! Red light surged from his fingertips, and an invisible force rushed towards Su Daji. Su Daji hurriedly dodged, but was still struck in the arm by the red light. She screamed in agony, vomiting blood, and her arm quickly withered away.

Remembering Elder Zhang Wu's death and the countless people persecuted by the Cold Crow Pavilion and the Heavenly Wolf Guard, Shi Feiyang unleashed the "Dog-Beating Stick" move! The Dog-Beating Stick, carrying immense force, aimed straight for Su Daji's face.

Knowing she was no match for him, Su Daji quickly threw out a smoke bomb and turned to flee.

How could Shi Feiyang let her escape? He used his unparalleled "Leave No Trace for a Thousand Miles" lightness skill to catch up with her like a ghost and strike her in the back with a stick.

Su Daji screamed and collapsed to the ground, her eyes filled with resentment and bitterness. Shi Feiyang looked at Su Daji's corpse, his heart filled with mixed emotions: he had to find the Imperial Seal of the State as soon as possible to stop the evil deeds of the Heavenly Wolf Guard and the Cold Crow Pavilion's conspiracy.

Shi Feiyang buried Su Daji and continued on his journey while searching for the whereabouts of the Imperial Seal.

After making inquiries from various sources, it was discovered that the Imperial Seal of the State might have been lost amidst the chaos of war, making it difficult to find. Did Tang soldiers pick it up? Or did rebel soldiers pick it up? Or perhaps it was picked up by fleeing civilians?
……

The twilight at the imperial palace in Shu was tinged with a lingering damp chill.

Yang Yuhuan stood alone by the window, her delicate hand gently pushing open the carved wooden pane, letting the evening breeze, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus, ruffle the stray hairs at her temples. In the distance, a flock of wild geese flew south in neat formation, soaring and gradually disappearing into the horizon.

Her gaze followed the flock of geese, her eyes filled with wistfulness and longing. After a long while, she slowly withdrew her gaze, turned, and walked to her dressing table. On the table lay an exquisite letter, bearing her newly written words, each line brimming with endless yearning for that person.

"Feiyang, do you know that since we parted in Chang'an, I have been thinking of you every moment? I was able to see you just now, but unfortunately, I fell asleep again..." she murmured softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Picking up the letter, she walked to the brazier, hesitated for a long time, and finally threw it into the blazing flames. The flames instantly leaped up, licking the thin letter, the words gradually blurring in the firelight, and finally turning to ashes.

Tears, unnoticed, silently streamed down her face, dripping onto the back of her hand, icy cold. In a daze, she seemed to hear that familiar flute music again, the one Shi Feiyang played for her by the Agarwood Pavilion, a melody more beautiful and more capable of stirring her heartstrings than "The Song of Rainbow Feathers."

"Feiyang..." she whispered the name, her heart aching.

The journey to escape to Shu was long and arduous. In the bumpy carriage, Yang Yuhuan tightly clutched the jade pendant in her hand, a keepsake left to her by Shi Feiyang. The pendant was warm to the touch, seemingly still retaining his body heat.

Tears fell drop by drop onto the silk handkerchief, spreading into tiny water droplets.

Outside the carriage, Yang Guozhong's impatient shouts could be heard, mixed with the footsteps of soldiers and the clamor of carriages. But all of this seemed far away from her; she seemed not to hear it, only focusing intently on the jade pendant in her hand.

"Back then, by the Agarwood Pavilion, if only I had followed you to roam the world..." she murmured to herself, her voice filled with regret and helplessness. If she had been able to abandon everything and follow Shi Feiyang back then, how could she have ended up in such a predicament now?

The carriage suddenly jolted violently, and Yang Yuhuan instinctively lifted the curtain and looked outside.

On the mountain road ahead, the sun shone brightly, and two figures stood side by side.

One of them, dressed in a glass-like garment, her skin shimmering with a warm glow in the sunlight, was none other than Shi Feiyang, whom she had been longing for day and night! And the woman beside him, holding a plum blossom-patterned sword, with a tall and straight figure and a beautiful face, was none other than Jiang Caiping.

Yang Yuhuan's heart clenched suddenly, as if gripped tightly by an invisible hand, causing her unbearable pain.

She was unaware that Shi Feiyang and Jiang Caiping had long since parted ways, and their current companionship was nothing but a dream. Yet, in her eyes, the scene was like a sharp knife, piercing her heart.

She abruptly pulled down the curtain, leaned against the carriage wall, and tears streamed down her face like a burst dam. She gripped the jade pendant in her hand even tighter, almost digging it into her flesh.

"Your Majesty, it's time for your meal," said the palace maid Hongxiao, carrying a bowl of soup. Yang Yuhuan slowly raised her head, gazing at the soup in the bowl. The broth was clear and bright, emitting a faint fragrance. But she found it tasteless and couldn't swallow. She suddenly remembered what Shi Feiyang had once told her about the "hundred flavors of the martial world." In his description, even the simplest meals seemed to be filled with a unique flavor.

Now, she resides in the palace, enjoying delicacies from land and sea, yet she can no longer taste those simple joys. "It turns out that the most precious thing is that bowl of coarse tea and plain rice..." she sighed softly, tears welling up in her eyes again.

Yes, she once lived in the deep palace, enjoying all the riches and honors, but she had never truly experienced the beauty of ordinary life. It wasn't until she met Shi Feiyang that she realized happiness could be so simple; a bowl of plain tea and rice, or walking side by side, could warm her heart.

If Shi Feiyang hadn't arrived in time to save her, she probably would have met with certain death.

Recalling his selfless act that day, and the concern and worry in his eyes, Yang Yuhuan's heart was filled with gratitude and longing.

"Feiyang, where are you now? Are you also missing your humble concubine?" she asked silently in her heart, her eyes gazing out the window as if trying to pierce through the layers of mountains to see the figure that haunted her dreams.

As night deepened, the moon shone coldly like water. Yang Yuhuan stared blankly out the carriage window at the bright moon in the sky, her longing surging into her heart like waves.

……

The scorching sun beat down on the earth, and Shi Feiyang, riding his precious horse, felt his fair skin burning hot. He had just arrived at the Shu Palace, but Yang Yuhuan was still fleeing with the emperor. At that moment, a carrier pigeon suddenly flew in from the east and landed on his shoulder. Shi Feiyang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly removed the bamboo tube from the pigeon's leg. He opened it and his face instantly turned deathly pale.

"Report! Her Highness the Imperial Concubine has encountered danger again during her escape and is currently fleeing towards Mawei Slope, with assassins from the Cold Crow Pavilion in hot pursuit!" The handwriting on the letter was hasty, clearly written in an emergency. Shi Feiyang felt a sudden dizziness and nearly fell off his horse. He suppressed his grief and anxiety, clutching the letter tightly in his hand until his knuckles turned white from the force.

"Yu'er!" he cried out frantically in his heart, "You must wait for me! I'm coming right away!" He immediately turned his horse around and galloped towards Mawei Slope without hesitation. The road to Mawei Slope was rugged and uneven. Shi Feiyang put his precious horse into a mysterious deerskin bag that was invisible to ordinary people at his waist, and used his unparalleled lightness skill, "Leaving No Trace for a Thousand Miles," to quickly traverse the mountains and forests. However, the assassins of the Cold Crow Pavilion had already laid a trap there, waiting for his arrival.

As soon as they entered a dense forest, dozens of poisoned silver needles attacked from all directions, aiming straight for Shi Feiyang's vital points.

His eyes narrowed, and he quickly used the "Flower Transfer" technique to deflect all the silver needles back. A series of clanging sounds rang out as the needles pierced the surrounding tree trunks, emitting a hissing sound, clearly indicating their potent poison.

"Shi Feiyang, you've come at the perfect time!" A sinister voice came from the forest. A black-clad assassin, wielding a short blade, leaped out from behind a tree. He wore a hideous raven mask and had a string of skulls hanging from his waist; he was one of the top assassins of the Cold Raven Pavilion.

Shi Feiyang roared, wielding his emerald green dog-beating stick with unparalleled skill, unleashing his ultimate move, "No Dogs Under Heaven," instantly enveloping the assassin in a blur of stick shadows. However, the assassins of the Cold Crow Pavilion were all highly skilled, and the assassin neither dodged nor evaded. Suddenly, a blue light flashed from the short blade in his hand, piercing straight towards Shi Feiyang's chest.

"Not good! It's a poisoned blade!" Shi Feiyang was startled and quickly dodged to the side, swinging his dog-beating stick even more fiercely at the assassin. He unleashed a move called "Strike the Dog's Head!" The dog-beating stick, carrying immense force, slammed down on the assassin's head. Seeing this, the assassin hurriedly raised his short blade to block, but unexpectedly, Shi Feiyang's stick technique was unpredictable, suddenly changing his move and striking his wrist.

The assassin screamed as his short blade flew out of his hand and into the air.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang kicked him away, sending him crashing into a large tree and killing him instantly.

However, the assassins from the Cold Crow Pavilion kept coming, wave after wave. Shi Feiyang fought valiantly, suddenly tossing his Dog-Beating Stick into the air. He activated his Mingyu Gong to the "Limitless Asura's Hell on Earth" level. Instantly, the sky darkened, the temperature plummeted, a fierce wind arose, and snowflakes fluttered down. Shi Feiyang swung his palms, unleashing the ultimate killing move of the Hundred Victories Blade Technique, "Breaking Heaven and Earth." Crack! Bang! Bang! The sounds of bones breaking were piercing and heart-wrenching. Countless heads, shattered legs, and broken arms flew wildly in all directions. (End of Chapter)