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

Shi Feiyang broke through the encirclement and used his unparalleled lightness skill, "Leaving No Trace for a Thousand Miles," to finally reach Mawei Slope.

However, when he saw the scene before him, he felt dizzy and almost fainted.

On Mawei Slope, corpses lay strewn across the land, and blood flowed like a river. Yang Guifei's carriage overturned by the roadside, its doors wide open, but the carriage was empty.

On the ground lay her hairpins and earrings, as well as the jade pendant he had left for her.

Shi Feiyang searched frantically around and finally found Yang Yuhuan's figure in a patch of grass.

She lay there quietly, wearing the Rainbow Feather Robe he had found in Chang'an, now stained red with blood.

Her face still bore a trace of fear and resentment, her eyes tightly closed, never to open again.

"Yu'er!" Shi Feiyang cried out in anguish, throwing himself down beside her and holding her tightly in his arms.

Her body was already cold, devoid of its former warmth.

"No! This isn't real! Yu'er, wake up! Look at me! It's me, Fei Yang!" Shi Fei Yang frantically shook Yang Yu Huan's body, tears streaming down his face like a burst dam, but he could no longer wake her.

He recalled their meeting on the Shu Road, the flute music he played for her, and all the little moments they shared together.

Those beautiful memories have now turned into excruciating pain, piercing his heart again and again.

"It's all my fault! It's all my fault for being late!" Shi Feiyang pounded his chest, his eyes filled with regret and self-blame.

If he had been a little faster, if he had arrived sooner, perhaps none of this would have happened.

Suddenly, he noticed that Yang Yuhuan was tightly clutching a note in her hand. Trembling, he unfolded it; on it was her delicate handwriting: "Feiyang, if there is an afterlife, I wish to wander the world with you, as an ordinary couple..."

The setting sun, like blood, dyed Mawei Slope a poignant red.

Shi Feiyang held Yang Yuhuan's cold body, kneeling in the dust, tears streaming down his fair skin, glistening in the setting sun.

His shoulders trembled violently, and he let out a suppressed sob, as if he were about to vomit up his internal organs.

The cruelest thing in the world is the separation of life and death, and he didn't even get to see her one last time.

"Yu'er... Yu'er..." he called out again and again, his voice hoarse and broken, "I'm too late... I've let you down..."

After a long while, he slowly put Yang Yuhuan down, and the grief in his eyes gradually turned into a deathly stillness.

He drew the Frostblade from his waist, a blade that had once slain demons and monsters, but now he would use it to dig a hole and bury his beloved.

The blade pierced the earth with a dull thud, each thrust feeling like a knife cutting into his heart. Sweat and tears mingled with the dirt, staining his face and clothes. The sun set, and night fell. Shi Feiyang finally finished digging a deep pit. He carefully placed Yang Yuhuan in it, straightened her disheveled robes, and gently closed her slightly open eyes.

"Yu'er, go in peace. I will pacify this chaotic world for you." He bent down and placed a deep kiss on her cold forehead, then picked up a shovel and began to cover her with soil, shovel by shovel.

After burying Yang Yuhuan, Shi Feiyang dragged his heavy steps into the nearby Buddhist hall. This was the place where Yang Yuhuan prayed for blessings before she hanged herself, and the air still held a faint scent of sandalwood and a faint fragrance of tulips.

He knelt on the prayer mat where Yang Yuhuan had once knelt, overwhelmed with grief, and couldn't help but weep bitterly.

Suddenly, he felt something hard pressing against his knee, which was very uncomfortable.

He rose in confusion, moved the prayer mat, and saw a small indentation in the blue brick beneath it, inside which something was wrapped in brocade. Shi Feiyang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly picked up the brocade bundle. It felt heavy in his hand, with a slightly warm and cool sensation.

He trembled as he unwrapped the brocade cloth, revealing a jade seal engraved with the eight characters "By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous."

The jade seal is pure white and exudes a warm luster; it is the legendary Imperial Seal of the State!

Shi Feiyang was shocked and instantly understood Yang Yuhuan's intention.

She must have hated Li Longji's ruthlessness to steal the Imperial Seal of the State. Knowing that Shi Feiyang would definitely come here, she hid the seal here, leaving it for him to quell the chaos.

"Yu'er, you've gone to great lengths..." Shi Feiyang murmured to himself, tears welling up in his eyes again.

He held the Imperial Seal of the State tightly, and could feel the warmth and affection left by Yang Yuhuan.

The monks had long since fled during the war, and the temple was deserted.

Shi Feiyang took the paper, brush, and ink offered in the Buddhist hall and spread them out on the altar.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his grief, and picked up his pen to draft the imperial edict.

His handwriting is vigorous and powerful, carrying a kingly aura.

After all, he was once the "Emperor Qianlong" who reigned for over eighty years.

In the imperial edict, he falsely claimed to be Li Xiao, the prince of Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji) who had been lost among the common people. He stated that he was acting on his father's secret decree, using the Imperial Seal of the State as a token, to mobilize the armies of the realm to quell the An Lushan Rebellion. After writing the edict, he solemnly affixed the seal of the Imperial Seal of the State, the bright red ink standing out starkly against the yellow silk. Next, he began to consider which Tang generals and troops to mobilize.

Several generals were commendable for their loyalty and bravery, and were quite talented.

His first thought was of Guo Ziyi, a man of both wisdom and courage who had repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. He also thought of Li Guangbi, who was Guo Ziyi's equal and another outstanding military genius. In addition, generals such as Pugu Huai'en and Li Siye were also rare talents.

He decided to use the Imperial Seal of the State as a token, and issued an edict appointing Guo Ziyi as Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces and Li Guangbi as Deputy Grand Marshal, to lead the army in suppressing the rebellion. At the same time, he mobilized elite troops such as the Shuofang Army and the Hedong Army to go to Chang'an to defend the emperor.

Shi Feiyang took out a magnificent prince's robe and a gleaming Crimson Sky Sword from a mysterious deerskin pouch at his waist.

He took off his beggar's clothes and put on a prince's robe, and instantly his demeanor changed drastically.

He was no longer the cynical beggar gang leader, but a prince of extraordinary bearing and noble elegance.

He walked to the bronze mirror in the Buddhist hall, looked at his refreshed self in the mirror, and his eyes were firm.

"From this day forward, there will be no more Shi Feiyang in this world, only Prince Li Xiao," he said in a low voice, his tone resolute.

He no longer used the Mingyu Skill, the Hundred Victory Saber Technique, and the Dog-Beating Stick Technique. Instead, he decided to use the "Heavenly Silkworm Skill" whenever he fought with others.

At this moment, he activated the "Heavenly Silkworm Skill," a crystalline light flowing through his palm, and a silvery-white, silk-like substance slowly appeared, gently floating in the air. This "Heavenly Silkworm Skill" was extremely domineering, capable of penetrating directly into the opponent's skin, sealing acupoints, intercepting and severing the opponent's internal energy, and forcing it back into their internal organs, causing the enemy's internal organs to be crushed and them to vomit blood and die.

Then, he began to perform the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms." His movements were fluid and graceful, his palm strikes sharp and powerful. With the move "Regretful Dragon Soars," the air seemed to be compressed, producing a whooshing sound. Following closely were other moves such as "Flying Dragon in the Sky" and "Dragon Appearing in the Field," his palms flashing and his momentum overwhelming.

With everything prepared, Shi Feiyang, holding the Imperial Seal and the forged imperial edict, mounted a swift horse and left Mawei Slope. His figure appeared exceptionally tall in the setting sun; although his fair skin was no longer visible, the regal aura he exuded was so overwhelming that no one dared to look him in the eye.

He first went to the Shuofang Army camp and, using his status as a prince and the Imperial Seal of the State as credentials, summoned Guo Ziyi.

When Guo Ziyi saw the Imperial Seal and heard that Li Xiao was the emperor's lost prince, although he had some doubts, he could not worry too much in the face of national crisis. He immediately expressed his willingness to pledge allegiance to Li Xiao and lead the Shuofang Army to quell the rebellion.

Subsequently, Shi Feiyang went to the Hedong Army and persuaded Li Guangbi. Li Guangbi was an upright man, loyal to the emperor and patriotic. Upon seeing the Imperial Seal and the imperial edict, he did not hesitate to express his willingness to obey "Li Xiao's" orders.

Thus, using the Imperial Seal of the State as a token, Shi Feiyang successfully mobilized Tang generals such as Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi, as well as elite troops from the Shuofang and Hedong armies. He personally commanded the central army, leading the army towards Chang'an.

On his way to Chang'an, Shi Feiyang encountered an ambush by An Lushan's rebel army.

Seeing that Li Xiao was young and hearing that he was a so-called "prince", the rebel generals couldn't help but look down on him and led their army to attack.

Shi Feiyang was not afraid and personally went into battle to meet the enemy.

He unleashed his "Heavenly Silkworm Skill" and wielded the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms," sending out silvery-white filaments from his palms like serpents, aimed directly at the rebel general.

The general felt a chill creep over him, and before he could react, he was already bound by the thread-like objects. He felt a numbness throughout his body, his internal energy was instantly sealed, and then a sharp pain shot through his internal organs. He spat out a mouthful of blood and died on the spot.

The rebels were terrified when they saw this.

Shi Feiyang then unleashed the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms," unleashing moves such as "The Dragon Regrets" and "Flying Dragon in the Sky." Wherever the powerful palm winds passed, rebel soldiers fell to the ground, suffering heavy casualties. Seeing this, generals Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi led their troops in a charge. The Tang army's morale soared, while the rebel army's spirits crumbled, and they were quickly routed.

Shi Feiyang led his army with unstoppable momentum, quickly reaching the gates of Chang'an. An Lushan's rebel army held the city in fierce defense, and a fierce battle ensued. Soldiers from both sides clashed violently, leaving corpses strewn across the battlefield and rivers of blood flowing, the fighting seemingly endless and evenly matched.

If a daytime battle cannot be won, then a night raid will suffice.

The night was as deep as a piece of velvet soaked in ink, with only a few scattered stars twinkling weakly in the sky.

An Lushan's main camp was set up on a wide plain, surrounded by tents that were brightly lit. The patrolling soldiers carried torches, and the sound of their armor rubbing together was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Shi Feiyang, the imposter posing as "Prince Li Xiao," dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, moved silently through the tents like a ghostly shadow. He gripped the Crimson Sky Sword tightly, its blade gleaming coldly in the dim light. His eyes, sharp as an eagle's, warily surveyed his surroundings, his glassy pupils gleaming faintly in the darkness.

Tonight, he is going to do something earth-shattering—launch a night raid on An Lushan's main camp and take An Lushan's head!

Shi Feiyang used his unparalleled "Leave No Trace for a Thousand Miles" lightness skill to nimbly leap over the camp wall like a cat, avoiding the patrolling soldiers. He moved swiftly along the shadows of the tents, his target the largest and most heavily guarded tent in the center.

Suddenly, two patrolling soldiers spotted him and shouted, "Who goes there? Stop!"

Shi Feiyang's heart skipped a beat, knowing he had been exposed. He no longer concealed himself, and with a swift movement, closed in on the two soldiers. He clenched his right fist, channeling the power of "Hidden Dragon," and unleashed a powerful punch. The force of the blow was fierce, carrying a tremendous surge of energy. The two soldiers felt an immense force rush towards them, and before they could react, they were sent flying backward, crashing into the tent behind them, dying instantly.

Feeling the surging internal energy within him, Shi Feiyang moved like an arrow, rushing straight towards the central camp.

Just as they were about to reach the central camp, dozens of rebel generals suddenly emerged from all directions and surrounded Shi Feiyang.

The leader was An Qingxu, An Lushan's adopted son, known as "the enemy of ten thousand men".

Holding a large axe, An Qingxu roared fiercely, "Where did this thief come from, daring to break into our army camp at night? Surrender now, or I'll spare your life!"

Shi Feiyang sneered and cursed, "The traitor An Lushan has disturbed the world and caused the people to be displaced. His crimes are heinous and everyone has the right to kill him! Today, I, Li Xiao, have come to take his head and rid the people of this scourge!" After saying that, he stopped talking and held the Crimson Sky Sword. He activated the "Heavenly Silkworm Skill," and a crystalline light instantly flowed from his palm. Silvery-white filaments flew out like serpents, heading straight for An Qingxu.

Upon seeing this, An Qingxu was terrified and hurriedly swung his great axe to block. However, the silk-like material of the Heavenly Silkworm Technique was extremely flexible and possessed powerful penetrating force. The great axe could not stop it and pierced through the axe blade, penetrating directly into An Qingxu's skin.

An Qingxu felt a sudden numbness throughout his body; his internal energy was instantly sealed. A sharp pain shot through his internal organs, and he coughed up blood, collapsing dead on the spot. The rebel generals, seeing An Qingxu so easily killed, were terrified, but relying on their superior numbers, they still charged forward. Shi Feiyang, fearless, wielded the Crimson Sky Sword, employing the exquisite swordsmanship of the Nine Heavens Sword Manual, combined with the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, weaving through the rebel generals.

At this moment, he slightly squatted down, drew a circle with his right sword, and pushed out a move called "The Dragon Regrets!" with his left palm. The palm wind was fierce, and a rebel general was unable to dodge in time. He was hit in the chest and died on the spot, spitting blood.

Immediately afterwards, Shi Feiyang swept his sword around, deflecting all kinds of weapons, and then thrust out with his left palm, "Dragon Appears in the Field!" The palm wind swept across the ground, and another rebel general was hit in the lower body, screaming as he fell to the ground.

Then, Shi Feiyang unleashed a move called "Flying Dragon in the Sky!" He leaped up, using his sword as a palm. The Crimson Sky Sword drew a beautiful arc in the air, and with a flash of sword light, the heads of two rebel generals fell to the ground.

He fought his way through the rebel generals seven times, cutting down rebel leaders like wheat being harvested, their blood staining the ground in a gruesome scene. Shi Feiyang slew several generals and finally broke through the rebel generals' encirclement, reaching the central camp.

He took a deep breath, pushed open the tent door, and rushed inside.

Inside the tent, An Lushan sat on a large chair, his face pale, clearly aware of the situation outside.

Several bodyguards stood beside him, armed and watching the fake prince warily.

"Who...who are you?" An Lushan asked, his voice trembling, his eyes filled with fear.

Holding the Crimson Sky Sword, Shi Feiyang approached An Lushan step by step. A cold glint flashed in his glassy eyes as he roared, "Traitor An Lushan, do you know your crimes? You have disrupted the world, causing the people to be displaced and homeless. Your crimes are heinous and deserve to be executed!"

An Lushan forced himself to remain calm and said, "You...you are Prince Li Xiao? Hmph, so what if you are a prince? The world is in chaos now, it is the time for me, An Lushan, to take your place!"

"Wishful thinking!" Shi Feiyang roared, no longer bothering with words. Holding the Crimson Sky Sword, he unleashed the Heavenly Silkworm Technique and attacked An Lushan once more. An Lushan's personal guards rushed forward to block him, but before Shi Feiyang's powerful martial arts, they were like paper. In an instant, they were pierced by the silk-like threads of the Heavenly Silkworm Technique, their internal organs were crushed, and they died vomiting blood.

Seeing that things were not going well, An Lushan quickly stood up from his chair, trying to escape.

How could Shi Feiyang let him escape? He moved swiftly, blocking An Lushan's path. "Where do you think you're going!" Shi Feiyang roared, his Crimson Sky Sword aimed directly at An Lushan's throat. With a "whoosh," a cold light shot in from outside the tent, instantly piercing the tent flap, the sword tip pointing straight at An Lushan's throat.

An Lushan screamed and died on the spot.

Shi Feiyang felt a chill run down his spine and quickly sheathed his sword, dodging to the side.

A woman holding a plum blossom-patterned sword walked in from outside the tent; it was Jiang Caiping.

He asked in surprise, "Master Mingxia, what brings you here?" Jiang Caiping glanced at Shi Feiyang and said calmly, "I've come to take An Lushan's head and rid the people of this scourge." Suddenly, a deafening battle cry rang out from outside the tent.

Shi Feiyang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly went out of his tent to check. He saw billowing smoke and dust in the distance, and two large armies were attacking An Lushan's main camp.

The two leading generals were none other than Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi!
It turned out that before Shi Feiyang launched his night attack on An Lushan's main camp, he had already sent someone to inform Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi, instructing them to lead a large army to meet him outside. Once he succeeded, they would coordinate an attack from within and without to annihilate An Lushan's rebel army in one fell swoop.

Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi led a large army to attack, joining forces with Shi Feiyang to launch a pincer attack, and the rebel army was immediately routed.

Holding the Crimson Sky Sword, Shi Feiyang charged into the rebel army once again, unleashing the "Heavenly Silkworm Skill" and the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, as if entering an empty field.

Jiang Caiping, also wielding a plum blossom-patterned sword, followed closely behind. Her swordsmanship was exquisite, killing without a trace.

Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi led a large army to attack from the outside, and the rebel army was attacked from both sides and was quickly annihilated.

An Lushan's main camp was captured, An Lushan was killed, the rebel army was annihilated, and the An Lushan Rebellion was finally quelled.

Standing on the devastated battlefield, surrounded by corpses and blood, Shi Feiyang's glass eyes held no joy, only weariness and heaviness. Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi approached Shi Feiyang, bowing respectfully and saying, "Your Highness, we pay our respects! Congratulations on quelling the rebellion and ridding the people of a great scourge!"

Shi Feiyang waved his hand and said, "This is all thanks to the generals and soldiers. I just did what I was supposed to do."

Jiang Caiping stood to the side, looking at Shi Feiyang with a complex expression in her eyes, then turned and left, disappearing into the night.

Shi Feiyang watched Jiang Caiping's departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Night deepened, and a faint glimmer of dawn appeared on the horizon.

Shi Feiyang gazed eastward, his glassy eyes gleaming with unwavering determination: after the world was at peace, there were still many things waiting for him to do. He would assist the new emperor in governing the country and enabling the people to live a truly peaceful and prosperous life.

This was his responsibility as Prince Li Xiao, and also his promise to Yang Yuhuan.

After Chang'an was recovered, Shi Feiyang, in the capacity of Prince Li Xiao, assisted the new emperor in governing the country and ushered in a new golden age.

……

That day, the setting sun was like blood. Shi Feiyang stood atop the Forbidden City, his hands behind his back, his fair skin glowing warmly in the twilight. Looking down at the bustling capital city, he felt no peace in his heart.

Three years have passed since the An Lushan Rebellion was quelled. The new emperor has been working hard to govern the country and the empire has been initially stabilized. However, the undercurrents in the political arena are becoming increasingly turbulent.

Recently, secret reports have been circulating that the mysterious organization "Xuanya Pavilion," which disappeared decades ago, has reappeared in the martial arts world. Its leader used swift and decisive methods to unite the rebels from various sects and massacred the Shaolin Temple's Sutra Repository and Mount Tai's Lingxiao Palace in one night.

"The fake prince, the real Glass Hero, truly lives up to his name. He even has the leisure to enjoy the scenery?" A cold voice came from behind.

Shi Feiyang turned around abruptly and saw a man in a black robe standing on the eaves corner. The hem of his robe was embroidered with thousands of silver crow feathers that fluttered in the wind.

His face was covered by a bronze mask with a raven's head, revealing only a pair of sharp, hawk-like eyes, which were peering at Shi Feiyang through the gaps in the mask.

"Lord Xuanya?" Shi Feiyang exclaimed in surprise, his pupils shrinking slightly, and his hand unconsciously tightening its grip on the emerald green dog-beating stick. He could feel the chilling killing intent emanating from the other party, an aura formed only by years of killing, pressing down on him like a tangible force, making it hard to breathe.

"It is indeed I," the Lord of Xuanya said with a cold laugh, raising his hand to touch his mask, his knuckles as white as bone, and then mockingly said, "I have heard that Your Highness used the Heavenly Silkworm Skill and the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms to quell the chaos of the world back then, and I have come today to ask for your advice."

Before he could finish speaking, the sky behind him was suddenly covered by a large black shadow. Hundreds of assassins from the Xuan Ya Pavilion swooped down from the clouds. Each of them was dressed in the same black tight-fitting clothes, with a mutton fat jade crow pendant hanging from their waist, which was the symbol of the Cold Crow Pavilion back then!

"Well done!" Shi Feiyang roared, his figure shooting out like an arrow. He used the most exquisite move of the Dog-Beating Stick, "No Dogs Under Heaven," instantly forming an impenetrable barrier of stick shadows, forcing back all the dozen or so assassins who had attacked first.

Upon seeing this, the Lord of Xuanya snorted coldly, his figure flickered, and he transformed into a wisp of black smoke, bypassing the shadow of the staff and heading straight for Shi Feiyang's face.

"A mere trick!" Shi Feiyang scoffed, unleashing the "Regretful Dragon" move. His palm strikes and the Dog-Beating Stick Technique intertwined to form a net, firmly trapping the black smoke of the Xuan Ya Tower Master. However, the black smoke twisted as if alive, suddenly splitting into several afterimages that attacked from different directions.

Without hesitation, Shi Feiyang channeled his Heavenly Silkworm Technique, and a burst of crystalline light instantly flowed from his palm. Silvery-white, thread-like objects flew out like serpents, disappearing into the afterimage. Several muffled thuds rang out, and the afterimage shattered, revealing the true form of the Xuan Ya Tower Master. He was twisting his body at an incredible angle to avoid the attack of the thread-like objects, but his toes inadvertently grazed a silver thread, instantly sending a chill down his spine.

"What a magnificent Heavenly Silkworm Technique! It truly lives up to its reputation." The Lord of Xuanya exclaimed in amazement, then retreated back to the eaves, tore off his frostbitten trouser leg, revealing a ankle covered in fine ice crystals. He arrogantly added, "But with this technique alone, I'm afraid you still can't defeat me."

After saying that, he formed a hand seal and chanted incantations. Suddenly, the Black Crow assassins behind him leaped up at the same time, brandishing their short blades and forming a huge crow-shaped formation in the air, emitting a strong smell of blood.

Shi Feiyang felt a powerful suction force pulling at him, as if trying to rip his soul out of his body. He quickly activated the Bright Jade Technique, his skin becoming transparent as ice, forming an invisible barrier. However, the suction force of the crow-shaped formation grew stronger and stronger, seemingly threatening to break through the barrier.

Shi Feiyang tossed the green bamboo stick into the air and unleashed "The Dragon Regrets!" once again, pushing the power of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms to its limit. His right palm struck out, the palm wind roaring like a giant dragon, striking straight at the center of the crow formation.

Seeing this, the Lord of Xuanya personally took action, meeting Shi Feiyang's palm strike with both palms, creating a deafening roar.

In an instant, palm winds, staff shadows, and blade light intertwined. Shi Feiyang, relying on the exquisite combination of the Heavenly Silkworm Skill and the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, charged left and right through the Black Crow Formation. Wherever he went, the assassins flew like falling leaves.

However, the Xuan Ya Pavilion Master's martial arts skills were also extremely high. His moves were ruthless and vicious, each strike aimed directly at Shi Feiyang's vital points, and the two fought fiercely, evenly matched. In the midst of the fierce battle, Shi Feiyang suddenly caught a glimpse of a strand of white hair peeking out from under the Xuan Ya Pavilion Master's mask. A thought struck him, and he remembered a legend in the martial arts world: the Xuan Ya Pavilion Master was the deposed crown prince who had become like this due to a qi deviation during his cultivation.

He felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that if he did not win today, the world would once again descend into chaos.

While parrying, Shi Feiyang shouted, "Lord Xuanya, as a member of the royal family, you collude with foreign enemies and slaughter fellow martial artists. Aren't you afraid of having no face to face your ancestors after death?"

Upon hearing this, the Lord of Xuanya's body trembled violently, and his attack faltered. Seizing this opportunity, Shi Feiyang suddenly drew his Crimson Sky Sword from his waist, the blade emitting a clear, resonant dragon's roar, shimmering with dazzling light in the setting sun.

He attached the silken threads of the Heavenly Silkworm Technique to the sword, and the Crimson Sky Sword instantly became as if it were alive, drawing a graceful arc in the air as it aimed straight for the Xuan Ya Pavilion Master's throat. The Xuan Ya Pavilion Master was shocked and hurriedly waved his palms to defend, but unexpectedly, Shi Feiyang's sword moves were unpredictable and suddenly changed direction, stabbing towards his shoulder.

With a soft "thud," the Crimson Sky Sword pierced through the Xuan Ya Pavilion Master's robes, leaving a deep wound on his shoulder. Black blood instantly stained his dark robe. The Xuan Ya Pavilion Master clutched his wound, his eyes filled with shock and resentment.

He never expected Shi Feiyang's martial arts skills to be so high, and his conspiracy, which he had been planning for many years, was ruined in an instant.

He gave Shi Feiyang a deep look, then suddenly let out a sharp whistle. The Black Crow assassins behind him immediately stopped attacking and escorted him backward. "Liuli Xia, you win today. We'll meet again!" The Black Crow Lord's voice was tinged with resentment. After saying that, he leaped into the air and disappeared into the vast night.

Shi Feiyang watched the departing figures of the Xuan Ya Pavilion members but did not give chase. He simply sheathed his Crimson Sky Sword silently. "Your Highness, are you alright?" Guo Ziyi arrived with the Imperial Guards and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Shi Feiyang was unharmed.

Shi Feiyang shook his head, gazing at the waning moon on the horizon, a resolute light flashing in his glassy eyes, and said softly, "The journey through the martial world is long, and our mission is not yet over." Guo Ziyi stared blankly at Shi Feiyang, not understanding.

A few days later, on Zhuque Avenue in Chang'an, Shi Feiyang, dressed in a prince's python robe, stood beneath the imperial steps, his crystal eyes reflecting the dragon-patterned ceiling of the Golden Palace. The new emperor, Li Heng, sat on his dragon throne, the ink still wet on the report he held—the Jianghuai canal transport had been attacked for three consecutive months, and on the tattered flags presented by the escorting officials, a black raven carrying a poisoned arrow was embroidered.

"Minister Li," the new emperor slammed the report onto the jade table, the gold thread on the cuffs of his dragon-patterned imperial robe trembling slightly in the candlelight, and questioned sharply, "Are you aware that the remnants of the Cold Crow Pavilion are causing trouble in Jiangnan?"

Shi Feiyang picked up the tattered flag, his fingertips tracing the poisoned arrow pattern on the crow's beak. Memories of the bloody battle at Yang Guifei's tomb at Mawei Slope surged back. He recalled Su Daji's hoarse curse before her death: "The roots of the Heavenly Wolf Guard and the Cold Crow Pavilion run deep..."

Suddenly, a eunuch's shrill cry came from outside the hall, and a Jinwu Guard captain covered in blood staggered in, half of a dart stuck in his chest.

"Your Majesty... the Salt and Iron Commissioner of Yangzhou... has been kidnapped..." The captain coughed up bloody bits of flesh, his pupils frozen in fear, and stammered, "The kidnappers... call themselves... the Master of Xuanya Tower..."

Shi Feiyang could never forget Yang Yuhuan, the confidante who perished at Mawei Slope. He resolutely decided to take this opportunity to retire gracefully, return the Imperial Seal to the new emperor, change into plain clothes, leave the palace, and return to the martial world once again.

He arrived at Mawei Slope and stood for a long time before Yang Yuhuan's tomb. "Yu'er, the chaos has subsided, and the world is at peace. I have fulfilled my promise to you," he said softly, his eyes filled with longing and sorrow.

In the setting sun, his shadow stretched very long.

He turned around and looked into the distance, his smooth skin glistening with tears once again in the setting sun.

A little while later, he embarked on a new journey—to Jiangnan to investigate a case!

In March, Yangzhou's Slender West Lake is shrouded in misty rain.

The outline of the Twenty-Four Bridges was faintly visible in the rain and mist, and the painted boats glided leisurely across the water, shattering the spring scenery on the lake.

Shi Feiyang leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance. His blue scholar's robe was soaked by the drizzle and clung to his well-defined body.

He removed his princely crown, but he couldn't shake the solemnity between his brows—last night at midnight, the Beggars' Sect sent a message by carrier pigeon, and the secret order of the Black Crow Lord had spread to all the branches, with the target being the eighteen granaries along the canal.

The pleasure boat rocked gently, and the tea drinker at the next table put down his celadon teacup, making a crisp sound.

"Is the young master waiting for the wind?" The man's voice was calm, yet carried a hint of sharpness that was barely perceptible. He wore a moon-white robe with fine bamboo leaf patterns embroidered on the cuffs and hem, the stitches so fine that they could only be seen upon close inspection.

Shi Feiyang's heart skipped a beat. The pattern of the bamboo leaves subtly corresponded to the directions of the Eight Trigrams in Qimen Dunjia, just like the raven assassin he had encountered on the streets of Chang'an years ago. He calmly observed the other party: his phoenix eyes gleamed with golden-brown spots, his skin was as white as snow, and although he appeared to be a weak scholar, his breathing was deep and long, indicating that he was definitely a person with profound internal strength.

The tea drinker looked up and met Shi Feiyang's gaze. A strange smile appeared on his lips as he said eerily, "Lord Xuanya invites His Highness the Prince to discuss important matters concerning the world."

Before the words were finished, water splashed all around the pleasure boat, and dozens of assassins in tight-fitting clothes broke out of the water, their short blades gleaming coldly in the rain.

A figure stood at the bow of the ship, draped in a cloak of raven feathers, toying with a jade thumb ring engraved with a ferocious wolf head totem—it was none other than the Lord of Xuanya Tower!
Shi Feiyang's pupils contracted sharply as he secretly channeled his Mingyu Gong (a martial arts technique). In an instant, his skin became as transparent as jade, with a faint mist of cold air swirling around it. In his palm, true energy formed a vortex of suction, ready to pull in and subdue any approaching enemy.

Just as the assassins were about to pounce, a clear, melodious flute sound came from the shore. The sound pierced through the clouds and split the rocks, even drowning out the sounds of rain and wind.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Jiang Caiping—Master Mingxia, the head of the Hengshan Sect—walking on the waves. With a light touch of her toes on the water, she had already reached the painted boat.

Immediately afterwards, she drew her plum-patterned sword, the tip of which drew a ripple of icy blue across the water's surface, instantly spreading a chilling aura.

Shi Feiyang called out in a deep voice, "Master Mingxia!" His voice trembled with excitement. Although Jiang Caiping had become a nun, she was once a beautiful young woman in the martial arts world and his ex-wife.

However, upon seeing Shi Feiyang again, Jiang Caiping's heart was as still as water. She nodded in acknowledgment, her plum-patterned sword twirling into a flower, pointing at the Xuan Ya Pavilion Master, and shouted: "The Xuan Ya Pavilion has been indiscriminately killing innocent people. Today, the Hengshan Sect will act on behalf of Heaven!"

The Lord of Xuanya snorted coldly, his voice hoarse like a broken gong, and he sneered, "Acting on behalf of Heaven? You thieving nuns don't even deserve it! Humph!" With that, he waved his hand, and the assassins behind him surged towards Shi Feiyang and Jiang Caiping like a tidal wave.

"Well done!" Shi Feiyang shouted, no longer concealing his strength. His Mingyu Gong was activated to its peak, his skin becoming increasingly translucent, like white ice shrouded in cold mist. Facing the onrushing assassins, he used the "Shifting Flowers and Jade" divine skill, his movements graceful, his palms lightly guiding the assassins' weapons with seemingly casual movements.

An assassin swung his knife, but Shi Feiyang neither dodged nor evaded. With a gentle flick of his palm, the assassin felt his wrist lighten, and the long knife turned uncontrollably, killing his own companion. Another assassin fired a poisoned needle, but Shi Feiyang swayed and dodged it like a ghost.

Jiang Caiping's plum blossom sword, like a plum blossom braving the snow, was sharp and fierce, each strike aimed at the assassins' vital points. Her swordsmanship was light and agile, complementing Shi Feiyang's powerful palm techniques, keeping dozens of assassins outside the painted boat.

The painted boat docked, and the group fought their way to the official granary on the shore of Gaoyou Lake.

Three hundred raven assassins stood in formation, surrounding the area in layers—the "Raven Killing Formation" of the Black Raven Pavilion. The Black Raven Pavilion Master stood atop the granary, holding a torch, his bronze raven mask appearing particularly ferocious in the firelight.

"Li Xiao, hand over the Imperial Seal, and the people of the Grand Canal will be spared!" the Lord shouted hoarsely, then hurled his torch at the grain granary. This former crown prince was still obsessed with restoring his kingdom and was determined to seize the Imperial Seal!

"Don't even think about it!" Shi Feiyang roared, unleashing both palms in a single strike, the "Regretful Dragon" from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. The wind from his palms howled, whipping up a cloud of rice husks that formed an invisible barrier, shattering the torches.

Jiang Caiping attacked simultaneously, her plum-patterned sword unleashing twelve sword flowers, aiming straight for the Lord's eyes like a shooting star. The Lord of Xuanya let out a strange laugh, threw off his cloak, and flung out a hundred darts of frost. The darts gleamed with an eerie green, clearly coated with deadly poison.

Upon seeing this, Shi Feiyang quickly used the "Shifting Flowers and Receiving Jade" technique to divert most of the darts away, but a few still managed to break through the defense and head straight for his face.

At the critical moment, Shi Feiyang activated the Mingyu Gong, and a thin layer of ice instantly formed on the surface of his skin.

The crow dart struck the ice with a crisp "clang," but was deflected. However, he could feel the poison powder penetrating the ice, emanating a chilling aura. If not for the protection of his Mingyu Gong, he would probably have been hit long ago.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Shi Feiyang caught a glimpse of a hidden compartment deep within the granary. His heart tightened; the new emperor's secret stockpiles of military rations were hidden there, and if they were burned, the newly pacified empire would surely be plunged into war once more.

"Master Mingxia, protect the granary!" he shouted in a deep voice, then used his unparalleled "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Path" lightness skill, his figure flashing like a ghost as he rushed into the granary. Inside the granary, several Xuanya Pavilion experts were setting up gunpowder. (End of this chapter)