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

Börte's spacetime power wove a barrier in the black mist, and the demon god's soul core twisted and struggled within the barrier. The devoured souls let out mournful cries, trying to break through her will.

"Guard your heart!" Shi Feiyang's voice pierced through the demonic sound. He saw blood seeping from Börte's forehead and knew she was enduring a mental shock. He encouraged her, "Think of our promise, think of the snow on Blackwood Cliff!"

Börte's eyes flashed with images of the snowy night at Blackwood Cliff—the campfire where Shi Feiyang warmed her hands, the fire lotus ornament in his silver hair, and the words, "I am your home." Her spacetime barrier suddenly tightened, the demon god's soul core emitted a piercing shriek, and the human face in the black mist gradually dissipated, revealing a pulsating black crystal—the demon god's origin.

"Now!" Shi Feiyang said excitedly. His Five Elemental Pearls suddenly flew out and, with the combined efforts of him and Börte, formed a Five Elements Sealing Array, trapping the black crystal in the center.

His "Burning Heaven and Earth" technique from the Hundred Victories Swordplay was simultaneously infused with Börte's Fire Lotus True Qi. The five-colored light collided with the black crystal, unleashing a devastating shockwave. In the critical moment, Börte pushed Shi Feiyang away, but she was engulfed by the shockwave.

Shi Feiyang burst into tears: "Madam!" He was so overwhelmed with anger that his silver hair turned black, and his internal strength became even more profound.

However, he lost the woman he loved most from then on.

The Sacred Fire Palace of Blackwood Cliff trembled amidst the shockwave. Ice and fire, along with the five lights of the spirit orbs, transformed into the most dazzling light in the world, completely purifying the remnant soul of the demon god. When the light dissipated, the five spirit orbs had embedded themselves into the foundation of the Sacred Fire Palace, forming a new seal. Shi Feiyang knelt on the ground, the icy mist and fire around him gradually subsiding, leaving only the blood-stained mark connecting his wrists.

……

Three months later, the snow fell on Blackwood Cliff again.

Accompanied by Beggar Clan elders Li Xing and Li Hao, Shi Feiyang was on his way to Bianliang City to assassinate Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Heng, and tearfully bid farewell to his beloved wife Qu Feiyan.

Snowflakes from Blackwood Cliff swirled and landed on the bronze furnace of the Sacred Fire Temple, splashing up wisps of white smoke.

Shi Feiyang's black hair cascaded down his shoulders like an ink waterfall, with the ends still adorned with ice silk woven by Börte—a keepsake she had tied around his hair when she last tied it up amidst the demonic energy waves, now blending seamlessly with his hair, shimmering with a faint five-colored light.

"Madam, I entrust Chengyu to you." Shi Feiyang's fingertips brushed across the cheek of the baby in Qu Feiyan's arms. The little guy was clutching his Xuan Shuang Blade Sheath, and his giggles still carried the lingering power of Börte's time and space.

Qu Feiyan felt the Holy Flame Token burning in her palm. Looking at the newly grown black hair at his temples, she suddenly remembered what the Empress Dowager had said: "For the people of Yihua Palace, white hair is a calamity, and black hair is a blessing." At this moment, she only felt her heart tighten.

The young emperor Shi Hongyun ran over, holding a wooden sword. The jade fragments tied to the sword tassel shimmered in the snow. He said mischievously, "Grandpa Emperor, I'll go to Bianliang with you!" Shi Feiyang bent down and picked him up. The jade fragments were pressed against his forehead, where a faint red mark had been burned by Börte's blood pact technique.

“Your Majesty must guard Blackwood Cliff,” he said in a low voice, “and when your grandfather returns, he will teach you the true ‘Severing Reincarnation’.”

Elder Li Xing of the Beggars' Sect left three marks on the snow with his green bamboo staff. The sound of the copper bell on the staff startled the crows under the eaves. He said angrily, "Master, the Imperial Guards of Bianliang City have set up the 'Nine Palaces Golden Lock Formation.' The leader is Zhao Tianlei, the commander who massacred Luoyang back then. It is said that his 'Mountain-Splitting Axe' can split through three zhang thick bluestone." Li Hao, carrying two Wind-Splashing Blades, stood on the edge of the cliff. The blades gleamed coldly in the snow. He offered a plan, "I have already arranged a double at Tongji Gate. Master, you only need to disguise yourself as a woodcutter delivering charcoal to infiltrate the inner city."

Shi Feiyang suddenly drew his Xuan Shuang Blade, its blade energy cleaving through the falling snowflakes, which condensed into ice shards in mid-air. He said domineeringly, "No need."

When he activated his Mingyu Gong, his skin became as transparent as jade beneath ice, and his black hair swayed gently in his true energy. He said fiercely, "I will let Zhao Heng know who is the true ruler of this world." After saying that, he turned around, and his black robes cast long shadows in the snow, like an ink mark cutting through the vast white paper.

Qu Feiyan watched his figure disappear at the end of the mountain path, then suddenly pressed the Sacred Flame Token into Shi Chengyu's palm.

The baby's laughter stopped abruptly, and its tiny hand gripped the command handle tightly—on it, the last bit of time-space power injected by Börte remained, flowing through its bloodline and resonating with Shi Feiyang's aura.

……

In the twilight, the Tongji Gate of Bianliang City lay dormant like a giant beast, the armor of the imperial guards guarding the city was covered with a thin layer of ice, and the cold glint of their spear tips was colder than the snow on the cliff.

Shi Feiyang pushed a cart of half a cart of charcoal through the refugee procession. The Xuan Shuang Blade was hidden deep in the charcoal pile, and the ice silk on the hilt trembled gently with his breath—it was the character "守" (guard) that Börte had written in his palm with her last strength, which was now turning into a warm current that flowed along his meridians.

"Halt!" The Imperial Guard captain suddenly shouted, his iron ruler blocking the carriage shaft. His gaze swept over the black hair hanging over his shoulders, and he said sarcastically, "Judging from your appearance, you look like a rebel who escaped from Blackwood Cliff."

Shi Feiyang lowered his head even further, revealing a faint bloodstain on his neck—the mark of Börte's blood mingling with his own, glowing faintly red in the twilight. Just as the captain's iron ruler was about to touch his collar, Shi Feiyang suddenly activated his "Flower Shifting Jade" technique. The iron ruler reversed direction and slammed into a nearby stone pillar with a "clang," sparks flying into the charcoal pile and igniting small flames.

He seized the opportunity to slip the cart shaft to the captain's waist, and in the instant the captain staggered backward, he had already pushed the charcoal cart and slipped into the city gate.

The Xuan Shuang Blade hummed softly in the charcoal pile, as if responding to the faint chime bells coming from the city tower—the music Zhao Heng was enjoying at the Taiji Hall.

The snow in the inner city was crushed into mud by horses' hooves. In the taverns on both sides of Zhuque Street, officials in brocade robes were talking about "the Blackwood Cliff rebels have been wiped out," their spittle splattering onto the steaming sesame cakes.

Shi Feiyang's black hair stood out in the crowd, but no one recognized him as the former leader of the sect with silver hair like frost. Only his glassy eyes, in the light of the tavern lanterns, still held the shadow of Börte.

The core of the Nine Palaces Golden Lock Formation is located in the Drum Tower. The spear tips of thirty-six Imperial Guards form a golden net of light, sealing off the path to the Taiji Hall completely. Shi Feiyang quietly activated his Heavenly Silkworm Skill, a crystalline light flowing through his palm. The Heavenly Silkworm Silver Threads formed from his internal energy traveled along the cracks in the stone slabs, wrapping around the ankle of the spearman on the far west side—the life gate of the formation's core, and also the location of Zhao Tianlei's personal guard.

"Who goes there?" Zhao Tianlei roared. His mountain-splitting axe gleamed blue under the torchlight, and the blade still bore the dark red stains from the massacre of Luoyang years ago. He cursed, "You dare to trespass on the Imperial Guard's formation? Are you tired of living?"

The eight axemen behind him stepped forward simultaneously, the clanging of their armor making the bronze bell of the Drum Tower hum. Shi Feiyang's Xuan Shuang Blade suddenly flew out from the pile of charcoal, the ice silk threads on the blade taut like a bowstring in the firelight, the blade's "Slaying the Mortal World" aura cleaving through the spear formation, aiming straight for Zhao Tianlei's left shoulder.

The instant the Mountain-Splitting Axe blocked, he had already used the profound movement technique of "Concealing One's Body and Name." His black hair drew an inky arc in the air, and the silver threads of the Heavenly Silkworm Technique shot out like a rainstorm, entangling the throats of the five spearmen. The moment those silver threads pierced their skin, the spearmen's internal organs were crushed, and blood gushed from their seven orifices, forming a winding stream in the snow.

On the gilded threshold of the Taiji Hall, there were still wine stains spilled by Zhao Heng during his banquet. Shi Feiyang's Xuan Shuang Blade pierced the throat of the last Imperial Guard, and warm blood splattered on his black hair, sliding down the strands and spreading like red plum blossoms on his black outfit.

Zhao Heng's dragon robe trembled at the corner of the palace. The jade cup in his hand shattered on the golden bricks, the sound startling the night herons under the eaves. He said tremblingly, "Shi Feiyang! How dare you break into the palace and murder the emperor?" His voice was choked with sobs. His dragon crown hung askew on his hair, the clinking of the beads mingling with his panting. He threatened weakly, "The Xia and Liao kingdoms have agreed to send troops to help me. If you kill me, they will surely raze Blackwood Cliff to the ground!"

The eunuch behind him lunged forward wielding a golden mace, but was redirected by Shi Feiyang's "Transferring Flowers and Jade" divine skill. The mace slammed heavily onto the armrest of the dragon throne, instantly shattering the sandalwood. Shi Feiyang angrily rebuked, "Zhao Heng, do you know what Börte saw with her final spatial and temporal power?" His voice pierced the hall like an ice pick, and the chill of the Mingyu skill rose from the soles of his feet, instantly freezing the wine stains on the gold bricks.

Immediately afterward, Shi Feiyang angrily rebuked, "She saw you secretly send thirty young boys and girls to Nakasin during the Chanyuan Alliance to sacrifice to her Five Spirit Pearls." His black hair surged with true energy, his skin was as transparent as jade under ice, and the five-colored light flowing in his meridians was the aftereffect of Börte's Blood Pact Technique.

Zhao Tianlei's Mountain-Splitting Axe whistled through the air, the azure light on its blade clashing with Shi Feiyang's sword energy. Sparks flew onto Zhao Heng's dragon robe, igniting tiny flames. "Protect the Emperor!" Zhao Tianlei roared, shoving Zhao Heng behind the screen. Suddenly, the handle of the Mountain-Splitting Axe exploded—the result of Shi Feiyang's Heavenly Silkworm Technique's silver threads piercing the wooden handle. Splinters of wood mixed with his bone fragments splattered onto the dragon pillar.

The imperial guards outside the palace surged in like a tide, forming an iron wall of swords, spears, and halberds that surrounded Shi Feiyang in the center.

Shi Feiyang unleashed the "Viewing the Vast Ocean" technique from the Hundred Victories Saber Method. The icy mist whipped up by his palm collided with the candlelight, creating a cloud of steam. Immediately afterward, he used the "Shifting Flowers and Jade" divine skill to cause the Imperial Guards' swords and spears to clash against each other. The screams and the sound of armor shattering echoed in the hall, even drowning out the wind and snow outside.

"Shi Feiyang! I am willing to cede Luoyang, Chang'an and other places to you to help you restore the Tang Dynasty!" Zhao Heng pleaded in a trembling voice, hiding behind the dragon throne, the hem of his dragon robe already soaked with his own urine, and cried out again, "As long as you spare my life, I will immediately write an abdication edict!"

Shi Feiyang's Xuan Shuang Blade suddenly turned, its blade energy cleaving through the screen to reveal Zhao Heng's terrified face.

"Luoyang and Chang'an?" Shi Feiyang retorted sarcastically, his black hair hanging down in front of his eyes, obscuring the redness in them, and said coldly, "How can you, a coward, be allowed to defile the peace that Börte gained by sealing the Five Spirit Pearls with her life?"

His Heavenly Silkworm Technique's silver threads wrapped around Zhao Heng's neck, and the chilling energy of the Bright Jade Technique flowed into the threads, instantly freezing the emperor on the dragon throne into an ice sculpture, his face still frozen in a pleading expression. "Crack!" The instant the ice sculpture shattered, Shi Feiyang's Frost Blade was already pressed against the throat of the last Imperial Guard.

The man's spear tip was only three inches from his heart, but the instant it touched his clothes, it was deflected by the vortex of Mingyu Gong and pierced into the bronze crane incense burner beside him. "Go tell the Xia and Liao kingdoms," Shi Feiyang's voice echoed in the empty hall, blood droplets from his black hair falling onto Zhao Heng's dragon crown, and he said domineeringly, "If you dare to covet the Central Plains again, this will be your fate."

The snow in Bianliang City intensified at dawn. Shi Feiyang's Xuan Shuang Blade was planted at the highest point of the Drum Tower, and the ice silk on the blade was wrapped around Zhao Heng's dragon crown, making a clear and melodious sound in the wind and snow.

The bodies of the Imperial Guards had been dragged outside the city and burned by the Beggars' Sect disciples. The smoke rose like a black dragon and swirled around the city walls, facing the direction of Blackwood Cliff.

Li Xing, carrying Zhao Heng's severed head on his bamboo staff, stood atop the Tongji Gate tower and proclaimed to the crowds gathered outside the city: "Emperor Zhao Heng of the Song Dynasty colluded with evil spirits and persecuted loyal officials; he has now been executed! The new emperor of the Great Tang will return to the capital soon; all those who wish to submit will be pardoned!"

"Having fought a hundred battles in the yellow sands, clad in golden armor, Shi Lang's ingenious plan brought peace to the world!" A deafening cheer erupted from the crowd. Someone knelt and kowtowed, holding the ancestral tablet of the Empress Dowager. Fragments of ice silkworm jade on the tablet shimmered in the snow.

Shi Feiyang's black hair fluttered in the wind, and his skin beneath his dark-colored outfit had returned to normal. Only the silver threads of the Heavenly Silkworm Technique in his palms were still entwined with Bo'erte's ice silkworm silk. He gazed in the direction of Blackwood Cliff and suddenly recalled the look in her eyes when she pushed him away amidst the demonic energy waves—there was no fear in them, only tenderness, much like the way she brushed snowflakes from his hair when the first snow fell on Blackwood Cliff.

"Master, it's time to go." Li Hao's slashing blade left three marks in the snow, and he teased, "Master Qu sent someone to say that Cheng Yu can call you 'Daddy' now, and he was even pointing at your portrait and laughing."

Shi Feiyang's fingertips traced the ice silk threads on the Xuan Shuang Blade, where Börte's body heat still lingered. He suddenly turned around, his black hair whipping in the snow in dark arcs, the scabbard of the Xuan Shuang Blade rustling softly in the wind, as if responding to a distant call.

Smoke rose from the chimneys of Bianliang City after the snowfall. The people began to clean up the bloodstains on the streets. Children built snowmen next to the remains of the Imperial Guards' armor. The snowmen's noses were made from the handle of Zhao Tianlei's Mountain-Splitting Axe.

Shi Feiyang's figure gradually faded into the distance, his black hair gleaming with gold in the morning sun, the traces left by the Xuan Shuang Blade across the snow resembling the character "守" (guard) that Börte had drawn for him in the snow at Blackwood Cliff years ago.

On the distant official road, Beggar Clan disciples were waiting in a carriage. Inside the carriage was a brocade with the sacred fire token pattern sent by Qu Feiyan. On the brocade was a small ice silk pouch containing Shi Chengyu's baby hair, which was intertwined with Börte's hair. It swayed gently in the bumpy ride, making a soft rustling sound, just like the whispers the two of them made on a snowy night at Blackwood Cliff when she was still alive.

The snow finally stopped. Shi Feiyang's figure disappeared at the end of the official road, leaving only the icy marks left by the Xuan Shuang Blade on the Drum Tower. Back at Blackwood Cliff, Shi Feiyang personally taught his grandson, the young emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Shi Hongyun, both literature and martial arts.

On this day, in front of the Sacred Fire Hall of Blackwood Cliff, the halo of the Five Elemental Pearls will turn into a pale gold at Chenshi (7-9 AM), flowing diagonally across the martial arts arena paved with bluestone slabs.

Shi Feiyang's black hair hung down on the Xuan Shuang Blade. The fire lotus tassel wrapped in ice silkworm silk on the scabbard trembled slightly in the morning breeze. It was the last token left to him by Börte. Now it was intertwined with Qu Feiyan's Sacred Flame Token tassel, shimmering with red and blue light in the snow.

Shi Feiyang pointed out, "Your Majesty's 'Viewing the Vast Ocean' has grasped its essence, but your wrist strength is still lacking by three points." He placed his fingertips on Shi Hongyun's wrist holding the knife, and slowly injected the true energy of Mingyu Gong. The twelve-year-old boy immediately felt a warm current flowing through his meridians, and the trajectory of the wooden knife suddenly became rounded, even shaking the icicles hanging under the eaves into fragments.

Shi Hongyun's tiger-head boots pounded half-inch deep into the snow. His cheeks were red from the cold, but he refused to stop. The four characters "Hundred Victories Knife Technique" carved on the wooden knife shone brightly from his breath. He said with emotion, "My grandfather said that the Empress Dowager used this move to defend Xuanwu Gate back then."

Despite his young age, his words carried a profound weight. He suddenly turned around, pointing his wooden sword at the beacon tower on the west side, and declared domineeringly, "Once I've mastered 'Severing Reincarnation,' I'll go and reclaim Yunzhou, which has been occupied by the Liao Kingdom."

Yelü Shihan, standing in the corridor, pushed the hand warmer towards Qu Feiyan's hand, the jade lotus pendant shimmering with a warm light in the snow. Her phoenix robe was embroidered with the wolf totem of the Liao Dynasty at the hem, but a small fire lotus was sewn onto the cuff—a technique Börte had taught her to embroider, saying, "The Han and Liao are originally one family." "Your father-in-law has truly taught His Majesty well," she said, gazing at the grandfather and granddaughter on the training ground, her voice carrying the unique mellowness of the Liao people, "Much more composed than when the late Emperor was practicing his sword dance in Chanzhou City."

Qu Feiyan held four-year-old Shi Chengyu in her arms, the sacred fire pattern on her red dress complementing the halo of the Five Elemental Pearls. The little guy was clutching the sacred fire token hanging in front of her chest, giggling as he stuffed it into his mouth, the fire pattern on the token's handle glistening with saliva.

“The child’s fire lotus pattern is even more pronounced than his mother’s,” she said sadly, recalling Dilirena’s figure. She lowered her head and kissed the baby’s forehead, where there was a faint red mark. She continued, “Yesterday, Li Hao reported that the craftsmen in Luoyang had engraved the patterns of the Five Spirit Pearls on the newly cast military equipment. The Imperial Guards all said it was an auspicious sign from heaven.”

Shi Feiyang's Xuan Shuang Blade suddenly unsheathed, its blade energy slashing towards the snowdrift on the east side of the training ground. The moment the snow exploded, three frozen snow foxes rolled out of the snow cave, completely unharmed.

"A knife is for protecting life, not for killing." He handed the scabbard to Shi Hongyun and instructed him. Watching the boy carefully sheath the Xuan Shuang Blade, he suddenly remembered that many years ago in Xingqing Prefecture, Börte had done the same thing, using the body of the Burning Heart Qin to protect a litter of newborn desert foxes.

The snow suddenly intensified at 1-3 PM, and the snow on the training ground was whipped into a snow dragon by the gale, crashing against the bronze door of the Sacred Flame Hall with a loud "bang".

Li Xing's green bamboo staff burst through the wind and snow, the copper bell at the end of the staff frozen solid by the black ice. He knelt on the snow, the blood gushing from his throat freezing into dark red ice on his lips, and cried out, "Master... Master... Blood Demon Sect... Blood Demon Sect's 'Blood River Chariot'... has arrived... arrived at Soul-Severing Cliff..." Before he could finish speaking, a deafening roar came from the direction of the Blackwood Cliff's mountain gate, the halo of the Five Elemental Pearls suddenly flickered violently, and the beams and pillars of the Holy Fire Hall groaned under the weight.

Shi Feiyang spun three sword flowers in his palm with his Xuan Shuang Blade, his black hair fluttering in the true energy, and said loudly, "Empress Dowager, take the children into the underground palace, where the Five Elemental Pearls barrier protects them." He turned to Qu Feiyan, his fingertips brushing the stray hairs at her temples, and said urgently, "Madam, the Sacred Flame Token's 'Heaven-Burning Array' needs to be set up in the Scripture Pavilion to cut off their escape route."

Qu Feiyan's Sacred Flame Token suddenly burst into a three-foot-high crimson flame, her red dress blazing like a burning flame in the wind and snow. She warned, "Husband, be careful. The new leader of the Blood Demon Sect, Yin Qianlu, possesses the 'Blood Shadow Divine Skill,' which can turn blood into blades. Last year in Kunlun, Li Hao's left arm was injured by her Blood Shadow."

She tucked Shi Chengyu into Yelü Shihan's arms. The fire line drawn by the Sacred Flame Token burned a wall of fire over ten feet wide in the snow. She then lowered her voice and said, "Chengyu's fire lotus pattern can suppress evil spirits. The key to the underground palace's mechanism is in his longevity lock."

Suddenly, Shi Hongyun raised his wooden sword and stood in front of Shi Feiyang, his tiger-head boots clattering in the snow. He said domineeringly, "Grandpa Emperor, I will guard the mountain gate with you!" The words "Viewing the Vast Ocean" engraved on the wooden sword shone brightly in the light of the Five Spirit Pearls. In the boy's eyes, there was a hint of the determination that Shi Feiyang had shown when he fought alone against the Western Xia assassins in Xingqing Prefecture.

Shi Feiyang placed his palm on Shi Hongyun's head, the chill of Mingyu Gong condensing into a thin layer of ice in his hair. He said meaningfully, "Your Majesty's battlefield is in the future, not today." He suddenly untied the ice silk from the Xuan Shuang Blade and wrapped it around Shi Hongyun's wrist. "This is your grandmother Börte's keepsake. Take it into the underground palace. Remember—protect yourself, and you will protect the Tang Dynasty."

Shi Hongyun nodded understandingly, then turned and ran away.

On the plank road of Broken Soul Cliff, the Blood Demon Sect's "Blood River Chariot" was grinding through the snow. The iron cages on both sides of the carriage were filled with living people, whose blood dripped down the gaps at the bottom of the cages, forming a winding blood river on the plank road, reflecting the sea of ​​clouds below the cliff, like a wound torn open between heaven and earth.

Yin Qianlu's red dress fluttered on the carriage shaft, and the Blood Shadow Blade in her hand was absorbing the living souls in the iron cage. The blood leeches on the blade writhed in the sunlight, emitting a tooth-grinding hiss.

"Shi Feiyang, how have you been?" Yin Qianlu's voice carried a sharp metallic scraping sound. Suddenly, the wheels of the Blood River Chariot exploded, and dozens of Blood Demon Cult members leaped out from under the chariot. The bone whips in their hands were wrapped with burning blood cloth, which made the snow on both sides of the plank road sizzle. He said fiercely, "You escaped in Kunlun Mountain last year. Today, this Blackwood Cliff will be your burial place!"

Shi Feiyang's Xuan Shuang Blade gleamed coldly in the halo of the Five Elemental Pearls, his black hair tracing inky arcs in the wind. He angrily said, "The Blood Demon Sect's cruelty to living beings is no different from Nakasin's back then!" His Heavenly Silkworm Technique quietly activated, and silver threads from his palms traveled along the gaps in the wooden planks of the walkway, wrapping around the ankles of the three cultists in the front row. He said coldly, "Today, I will let you taste what it means for Heaven's justice to prevail."

The Blood Shadow Blade's aura, carrying a foul stench, swept in, and Yin Qianlu's figure split into nine within the blood mist. Each shadow held a blade, and the blade's light wove a crimson net in the snowy light.

Shi Feiyang used his "Transferring Flowers and Jade" divine skill, and the blood net was led to the iron cage of the Blood River Chariot. The screams of the living souls and the wails of the believers were mixed together, and the sea of ​​clouds below the cliff was dyed a strange purplish-red.

Immediately afterward, he unleashed the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique: Slash of the Mortal World!" The blade energy of the Xuan Shuang Blade cleaved through the blood mist, directly striking Yin Qianrou's true form. Although her Blood Shadow Divine Skill could transform her into a physical form, it could not escape Shi Feiyang's crystal-clear eyes—the real her was hidden behind the skull and crossbones flag on the roof of the Blood River Chariot.

The "Evil-Suppressing Order" that Zhao Heng bestowed upon the Blood Demon Sect is still stuck there, its gold paint long since stained dark red with blood.

The plank road suddenly trembled violently, and the Blood Demon Cult members' bone whips lashed out at the cliff face. Snow mixed with gravel tumbled down, blocking Shi Feiyang's escape route. Shi Feiyang's Bright Jade Skill circulated rapidly, his skin as transparent as jade beneath ice, the five-colored light flowing through his meridians echoing the Five Elemental Pearls. His black hair swayed gently in his true energy, drawing the falling gravel into his palms and then shooting it back at the cult members. The muffled sound of gravel piercing through chests echoed through the cliff, like a shattered ice shell.

"Master Shi! There's unusual activity in the direction of the Scripture Pavilion!" Li Hao suddenly exclaimed. His Wind-Splashing Blade cleaved two attacking cultists in two, and blood was gushing from a wound on his left shoulder caused by a fragment of the Blood Shadow Blade. He then analyzed, "The Blood Demon Sect's special operations team is trying to flank and ambush the underground palace!"

Shi Feiyang's Xuan Shuang Blade suddenly turned, its blade energy carving out an ice wall in the snow, blocking the pursuing cultists behind him. At the same time, he unleashed three palm strikes at the beacon tower on the west side—a signal for Qu Feiyan to activate the "Sacred Fire Burning Mountain Formation".

On the eaves of the Sutra Repository, Qu Feiyan's Sacred Flame Token had laid down seven lines of fire, each line wrapped with the halo of the Five Elemental Pearls, encircling the pavilion like an impregnable fortress. Disciples of the Blood Demon Sect were using bone saws to cut the wooden pillars of the pavilion, wood chips mixed with sparks flying everywhere, burning black holes in the snow.

Yelü Shihan's jade lotus pendant hung on the window lattice. Wherever the light reached, bone saws broke one after another. Her fingertips were still rapidly forming hand seals, which was the "Uyghur Barrier Technique" she had learned from the military book left by Börte.

"Madam, the fire wall in the northwest is almost submerged in blood!" A Beggar Clan disciple ran to report the situation to Qu Feiyan. He was holding up a carrying pole to fend off the Blood Demon Cult members' attacks. The wound on his shoulder was being eroded by the evil spirits in the blood, and his flesh was festering at a visible rate. Then, he said urgently, "Elder Li has led people to provide support, but their Blood Shadow is too evil. The brothers can't hold them off!"

Qu Feiyan's Sacred Flame Token suddenly surged, and a fire phoenix formed from crimson flames broke through the beams of the pavilion, burning more than ten believers to ashes. She calmly said, "Tell Li Xing to guard the 'Gate of Life' in the southeast corner. That is the weak point of the Blood Demon Array!"

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the entrance to the underground palace. Shi Chengyu's cries were coming through the barrier, and the little guy's longevity lock was shimmering in the snow. Qu Feiyan had a sudden inspiration and said, "Empress Dowager, Chengyu's longevity lock can ward off evil spirits. Quickly take him into the secret chamber at the bottom!"

Yelü Shihan's phoenix robe was soaked with blood, yet she still held Shi Chengyu in her arms. The halo of the jade lotus pendant formed a pale blue barrier around her as she confidently said, "Don't worry, Master Qu, I will protect the prince even if it costs me my life."

She suddenly bit her tongue and spat blood onto the pendant. The blue light of the barrier deepened abruptly, and the blood shadows of the Blood Demon Cultists crashed into it, letting out shrill screams, like wild beasts scalded by boiling water.

The fighting in the training ground had spread to the front of the Sacred Flame Hall. Shi Feiyang's Xuan Shuang Blade and Yin Qianrou's Blood Shadow Blade collided in the halo of the Five Spirit Pearls, and sparks splashed on the snow, igniting the pile of wooden swords that Shi Hongyun used for training.

"Shi Feiyang, do you think you can protect Blackwood Cliff with this little bit of ability?" Yin Qianlu said with a sneer.

Her blood-red shadow suddenly burrowed into the ground, and at the same time, the iron cage of the Blood River Chariot exploded, sending dozens of blood arrows flying towards the plaque of the Sacred Flame Hall, where the four golden characters "Sun and Moon Shin Brightly" were engraved, in the handwriting of Empress Dowager Ling Shuangyue. Yin Qianlu sneered again, "Today I will destroy your Sacred Flame Token and let the world see that the so-called legitimate Tang Dynasty is nothing but a rat cowering on a cliff!"

Shi Feiyang angrily unleashed the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique: Mountain Splitting," his palm wind carrying ice shards as he slashed at the blood arrow. At the same time, he struck three palm prints in the direction of the Scripture Pavilion—a signal for Qu Feiyan to activate her final killing move.

Qu Feiyan's Sacred Flame Token and the aura of the Five Elemental Pearls surged simultaneously, and the snow on Blackwood Cliff suddenly transformed into a raging sea of ​​fire. The screams of the Blood Demon Cult members echoed throughout the flames. The plaque of the Sacred Flame Hall shone even brighter in the fire, the four golden characters "Sun and Moon Shining Brightly" piercing through the flames, illuminating the entire cliff as if it were daytime. As dusk fell, the Blood River of Broken Soul Cliff was frozen solid, and the corpses of the Blood Demon Cult members piled up like small mountains on the plank road, frozen into bizarre ice sculptures.

Yin Qianlu's head was nailed to the gate archway by Xuan Shuang Blade, while her Blood Shadow Blade was frozen into an ice block by Shi Feiyang using Mingyu Gong and thrown into the barrier of the Five Spirit Pearls—the malevolent energy there was just enough to suppress the evil spirit in the blade.

Shi Feiyang's black hair was stained with undried blood, and the Xuan Shuang Blade was stuck in the snow in front of the Holy Fire Hall, its blade wrapped with ice silkworm silk that held half of the Blood Demon Sect's banner. Qu Feiyan's red dress was no longer recognizable, but the red light of the Holy Fire Token was brighter than ever. She was using the Holy Fire True Qi to bandage Li Hao's severed arm, and the scorch marks on the wound were gradually healing in the red light, revealing new, tender pink flesh.

"My lord, the children in the underground palace are all safe." Qu Feiyan's voice was hoarse from the ordeal as she wrapped a piece of roasted wolf skin around his shoulder.

She exclaimed in admiration, "Cheng Yu's longevity lock blocked the last bloodstain. The Empress Dowager said that the fire lotus pattern on the lock is exactly the same as the blood oath mark on Börte's hand.

Shi Feiyang looked toward the entrance to the underground palace. Shi Hongyun was helping Yelü Shihan out. The boy's tiger-head boots were stained with blood, but he was still tightly gripping the wooden knife wrapped with ice silkworm silk.

“Grandfather,” he said, his voice trembling with tears but unusually firm, “I practiced ‘Viewing the Vast Ocean’ in the secret passage. In the future, I will definitely be able to protect Blackwood Cliff and the Great Tang Dynasty, just like you.”

The light from the Five Elemental Pearls transformed into countless specks of light, landing on everyone's shoulders. Shi Feiyang's black hair was dyed a golden-red hue by the light, bearing a striking resemblance to his silver hair from years past. He suddenly recalled Börte's last gaze amidst the demonic energy waves, Qu Feiyan's protection in the Kunlun Secret Realm, and Yelü Shihan's composure amidst the flames of war. A warm current surged through his heart—the so-called inheritance is never a solitary battle, but rather a journey steadfastly continued by generation after generation, carrying the aspirations of their predecessors.

"Li Xing," Shi Feiyang called out, his Xuan Shuang Blade carving a deep mark in the snow, pointing towards Luoyang, and then instructed, "Tomorrow we will break camp and lead the brothers back to Luoyang."

His fingertips traced the wooden sword of Shi Hongyun, and he said domineeringly, "Tell the world that the sacred fire of the Tang Dynasty will never be extinguished."

On the training ground in front of the Sacred Flame Hall, Shi Feiyang's Xuan Shuang Blade and Qu Feiyan's Sacred Flame Token intersected. The halo of the Five Elemental Pearls condensed into a lotus flower where ice and fire coexisted at the intersection of the blade and the token, making the entire Blackwood Cliff seem as if it were being illuminated by spring sunshine.

Shi Hongyun stood in the center of the lotus flower, holding a wooden sword. His small figure stood out in the snow. Behind him were Yelü Shihan's phoenix robe, Qu Feiyan's red skirt, the beggars' sect disciples' green bamboo staffs, and countless eyes yearning for peace.

Watching the boy's retreating figure, Shi Feiyang suddenly understood—what Börte had exchanged her life for was never the time-reversing lamp of resurrection, but rather the passing down of the torch on Blackwood Cliff at this moment. The following morning, Shi Feiyang, Qu Feiyan, Yelü Shihan, Li Xing, and Li Hao led Tang soldiers, members of the Sun Moon Sect, and disciples of the Beggars' Sect down Blackwood Cliff towards Chang'an. They traveled day and night, and half a month later, they entered the city of Chang'an.

Shi Feiyang sighed, “Chang’an is no longer as prosperous as it once was, and its population is dwindling. Although the Song Kingdom is confined to a corner of the country, its population is increasing, and the Jiangnan region is becoming wealthy. We should go to Luoyang to prepare our troops and wait for an opportunity to rise again.”

Qu Feiyan nodded and said, "That's true. It's easy to reclaim lost territory, but it's not easy to rebuild a bureaucracy. That hateful Zhao Heng's decapitation operation has left serious aftereffects on our Tang Dynasty. However, at least we still have a country. Compared to Liu Bei, who was over fifty years old and still had no place to stand, we are much better off." Shi Feiyang nodded sadly.

Decades passed quickly. The Tang Dynasty survived sandwiched between the Liao, Xia, Song, Tubo, and Dali kingdoms. Its territory was small, but its population gradually increased. Between Chang'an and Luoyang, major cities formed a continuous stretch. Under Shi Hongyun's diligent governance, the Tang soldiers frequently clashed with invading Song, Liao, and Xia armies, but never suffered a defeat. Its territory neither expanded nor was it lost an inch.

During this period, Shi Hongyun served under Emperors Renzong, Yingzong, and Shenzong of the Song Dynasty.

Concerned about the increasingly weak government and the predicament on the borders, Emperor Zhao Xu appointed Wang Anshi to implement reforms in an attempt to revitalize the court. However, the reforms were implemented too hastily and without proper methods; furthermore, the conservative forces remained stubborn, and the reforms ultimately failed.

To avoid being called a thousand-year-old demon, Shi Feiyang hid behind Shi Hongyun, guiding him from behind the scenes to implement benevolent policies and strengthen the Tang Dynasty. Decades passed, and Li Xing, Li Hao, Qu Feiyan, Yelü Shihan, and others passed away one after another. Shi Hongyun was also old and frail, and began to support Crown Prince Shi Qihan to take control of the government.

Shi Feiyang, using the alias "Xiang Tiange," infiltrated the Song Dynasty to gather intelligence. At this time, Wang Anshi's reforms were in full swing, the struggle between the old and new factions was fierce, the Song-Xia wars in the northwest were frequent, undercurrents were swirling in the martial arts world, the Liao Dynasty in the north was eyeing the country covetously, and the Dali and Tubo kingdoms in the south each had their own power bases.

In the first month of the lunar calendar, the Rainbow Bridge in Bianliang was covered with a thin layer of ice. Shi Feiyang's black boots trod on the bluestone slabs, and the hem of his dark robe swept across the frozen foxtail grass, causing the ice crystals he stirred to sparkle like diamonds in the morning light.

He had been using the pseudonym "Xiang Tiange" for three months. His black hair was loosely tied up with a jade hairpin, the ice silkworm pattern on the hairpin tip appearing and disappearing amidst the hustle and bustle of the city—it was carved for him by Qu Feiyan before her death, saying that "even if we are separated by life and death, I can still recognize your aura."

"Make way! The princess's procession is coming!" At this moment, the shouts of the imperial guards broke the liveliness of the Rainbow Bridge. The old man selling sugar paintings hurriedly moved his load towards the bridge arch, but accidentally bumped into Shi Feiyang's shoulder.

He steadied the rickety sugar painting stand with his backhand, and the true energy of Mingyu Gong flowed through his fingertips. The sugar dragon that had just been poured actually froze in the cold wind, and the patterns on the dragon's scales were so clear that you could count the number of scales.

"What superb skills!" The beaded curtain of the imperial carriage was suddenly lifted, and the beautiful Zhao Qingyi exclaimed.

Her phoenix hairpin gleamed golden in the morning sun. She sat in the carriage, her cheek resting on her hand, the cuffs of her pale yellow palace dress embroidered with lotus blossoms. She smiled at the sugar dragon in Shi Feiyang's hand, saying, "This sugar painting master's skill is far superior to that of the imperial kitchen." (End of Chapter)