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

Chapter 504. A Golden Eagle Peels a Feather of Hatred from a Thread of Love; A White Lotus Root Severs a Heart of Devotion with Killing Intent.
Shi Feiyang, carrying Yelü Mingquan on his back, weaved through the rain of arrows, his steps perfectly steady. The ice patterns on his black armor contrasted with the bloodstains on her white clothes, creating a strange harmony amidst the carnage. He tore a bloody path through the air and whispered, "Back then, when Shi Han returned to Luoyang with Danqing, she always said that the snow in Liao was more beautiful than that in Tang." With a swift strike of his right palm, he unleashed the "Mountain Splitting" technique from the Hundred Victories Swordplay, cleaving the charging "Iron Pagoda" cavalry and their rider in two.

Yelü Mingquan tightened her grip on his arm, almost embedding herself into his back. She saw Tu Pengpeng's Seven Star Sword guarding her left side like a shooting star, and red silk tied into a love knot on Shi Feiyang's wrist.

So she whispered in Shi Feiyang's ear, "That silver hairpin... was my dowry left to me by my mother..." Before she could finish speaking, he used his "Transferring Flowers and Jade" skill to redirect the poisoned arrows that were being shot at him to the Jin soldiers beside him.

Suddenly, Tu Pengpeng's red silk wrapped around Shi Feiyang's wrist, intertwining with Yelü Mingquan's arm. Her Seven Star Sword, holding a hidden arrow, chuckled, "Husband, look! Sister Yelü's silver hairpin and mine are indeed from the same mold."

Tears rolled down the sword tassel and landed on Shi Feiyang's hand. He said sadly, "When the princess was shot with an arrow, she looked at us. She must have been thinking of entrusting her child to someone."

Shi Feiyang unleashed another powerful strike with his right palm, "The Dragon Regrets," the force of which exploded into a crimson wave below the city. The Jin soldiers' "Iron Pagoda" armor shattered in the palm strike, and amidst their screams, he turned and pulled Tu Pengpeng into his free left arm, saying, "After we break through the Jin camp," he lowered his head and kissed away the bloodstains on her eyelashes. The chill of Mingyu Gong clashed with the warmth between her lips and teeth, condensing into a rainbow in the setting sun. He promised, "I will take you to the capital to see the snow."

Tu Pengpeng tightened the red silk around her neck, pointing the sword tassel towards the western smoke and dust, and excitedly said, "Husband, look, doesn't the sunset look like the camellias of Dali?" Yelü Mingquan nodded gently on his back. The pearl on the silver hairpin and the red silk tassel of Tu Pengpeng's sword were intertwined, making it impossible to tell which was which.

Shi Feiyang released Tu Pengpeng and used his "Transferring Flowers and Jade" skill to redirect the rain of arrows from the city wall back towards the Jin camp.

Yelü Mingquan's cheek remained pressed against his, until he saw the wolf-head banner of the Jin reinforcements, then he whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty the Tang Emperor... if I don't survive tonight... remember to bury me... in a place where I can see the Liao Kingdom..."

Shi Feiyang comforted her, "Silly girl, don't talk nonsense. I'm here, you'll be fine. I'll definitely heal your injuries later."

The sounds of battle below the city grew increasingly fierce. Tu Pengpeng's Seven Star Sword and Shi Feiyang's Dragon Subduing Palm intertwined in the twilight, red silk and the force of their palm strikes forming an unbreakable barrier, firmly protecting the setting sun over Bianliang. After driving away the Jin soldiers, Shi Feiyang, carrying Yelü Mingquan on his back and holding Tu Pengpeng's hand, arrived at the dilapidated temple at the north gate of Bianliang. The oil lamp flickered like a will-o'-the-wisp in the draft.

Yelü Mingquan's white clothes were soaked in blood, and black blood was seeping from the arrow wound on her shoulder. She clutched the wound medicine that Shi Feiyang had thrown to her, her knuckles turning white from gripping it so tightly—the lotus pattern on the medicine bottle was exactly the same as the mark of the Liao Dynasty's royal medicine storehouse back then.

Her left arm hung limply at her side. Just as she tried to raise her hand to wipe the blood from the corner of her lips, she didn't even have the strength to lift her arm. She could only let the sweet, metallic liquid drip down her chin, spreading like red plum blossoms on her plain white clothes.

Shi Feiyang's blue robe was draped over the offering table. When he circulated his Mingyu Gong, the fabric shimmered with a jade-like luster. He said softly, "If the princess doesn't trust me, you can have your personal guards test the medicine first. The Jin Kingdom's 'Blood Wolf Camp' will attack the East Gate tonight, and Wanyan Zongbi's main force will arrive tomorrow morning. If we fight amongst ourselves again, we'll only let the fishermen benefit." Tu Pengpeng's Seven Star Sword was stuck diagonally in the crack of the incense table. She scooped up some water from the broken bowl and handed it to him, saying gently, "Sister Yelü, this water is made with the antidote pills from the 'Seven Star Sword Sect.' It can cure all poisons."

The red silk suddenly tightened, pointing like a serpent towards the temple beam—where a person dressed in Song soldier's uniform was hidden, the soles of his boots stained with the ash of wolf droppings from the Jin Dynasty.

Before she could finish speaking, Tu Pengpeng's Seven Star Sword was drawn like a streak of light, its blade slicing through the dimness of the temple and piercing straight for the beam. With a crisp clang, the assassin's dagger was knocked away, and he fell like a kite with a broken string.

With a light tap of her toes, Tu Pengpeng wrapped the red silk around the assassin's ankle and slammed him hard to the ground.

As the assassin struggled, the Seven Star Sword was already pressed against his throat, the cold light of the blade reflecting on his terrified face. In his mouth, blood and foam were mixed with half a sheepskin—the secret treaty signed between the Song court and the Jin state, marked in vermilion with the words "After borrowing from Jin to destroy Liao, we will share the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun."

Yelü Mingquan stared at the secret agreement, trembling with rage. He could only barely stand by leaning on the incense table, and roared in a hoarse voice, "You treacherous dogs! The bones of my Liao people are not even cold yet, and you dare to..."

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly coughed violently, the black blood from her wound splattering onto the secret agreement, spreading into eerie flowers. Looking at her powerless left arm, and then at the scattered remnants of the Liao Kingdom, their lives hanging by a thread, a chill ran through her heart; the thought of restoring her kingdom seemed so distant at that moment.

Shi Feiyang's "Holy Healing Technique" enveloped her shoulder blades in white mist, while the chilling energy of Mingyu Gong flowed along her meridians, instantly turning her black blood bright red.

That gentle yet powerful inner force reminded her of the warmth her father had given her when she was a child to dispel her cold. Shi Feiyang analyzed, "Wanyan Zongbi's 'Iron Pagoda' has three thousand men, while your remaining troops number less than five hundred. Fighting head-on is a dead end."

He pulled out a map of Bianliang's defenses from his robes, the cuffs of his blue shirt stained with her blood. He then gave her a plan: "But his supplies must pass through Hulao Pass, where the plank roads are in disrepair..." Yelü Mingquan looked at Shi Feiyang's focused profile, listened to his clear and logical analysis, and then looked at Tu Pengpeng wiping the bloodstains splattered on her face. A feeling of emotion she had never experienced before welled up in her heart.

Tu Pengpeng's eyes were clear and sincere, without the slightest hostility, and that care made her frozen heart soften a little.

She knew that with only the remaining forces of the Liao Kingdom, restoring the kingdom was nothing but a pipe dream.

The Jin Dynasty was powerful, and the Song court was cunning. Only by relying on the Tang emperor in front of them could they have a glimmer of hope, find a safe haven for the Liao people, and personally kill the Jin leaders to comfort the spirits of the Liao dead.

With this thought in mind, Yelü Mingquan raised her head, her gaze fixed intently on Shi Feiyang. A strange blush rose on her pale face as she softly said, "Your Majesty, if you can help me avenge my grievances and bring peace to the people of Liao, Mingquan—is willing to enter Your Majesty's harem as a Tang Dynasty imperial concubine, and follow Your Majesty for the rest of my life."

Shi Feiyang paused slightly in his movements, then continued to heal his injuries, saying calmly, "Revenge is a matter of national righteousness, and it is something we should do. As for other things, we can talk about them after we break through the Jin camp."

Upon hearing this, Tu Pengpeng's eyes flashed with surprise, then she smiled gently, smoothed Yelü Mingquan's disheveled hair, and said softly, "It's a good thing that Sister Yelü has such a heart. His Majesty has always been benevolent and will surely treat you and the people of Liao well." Yelü Mingquan looked at Shi Feiyang's composed profile and felt the warm inner strength emanating from his palm, and the last trace of hesitation in her heart vanished.

She leaned against the incense table and whispered, "I am willing to obey Your Majesty's orders." At this moment, she had only one thought in her mind: following the person in front of her might be the best fate for the remaining forces of the Liao Kingdom, and also her only fate.

Under Tu Pengpeng's loving care, Yelü Mingquan fell into a deep sleep.

Shi Feiyang raised his hand to summon the Vermilion Bird, then, embracing Tu Pengpeng and carrying Yelü Mingquan, jumped onto the Vermilion Bird's back into the tent. Sleeping here was the most reassuring place; he could rest well and recover his strength effectively. The Vermilion Bird let out a long cry and soared into the sky.

……

The tent on Zhuque's back gleamed in the morning light, and Tu Pengpeng's red silk sword tassel was wrapped around Shi Feiyang's wrist, intertwining with Yelü Mingquan's scattered hair to form a net.

Shi Feiyang's Mingyu Gong continued to flow slowly in his sleep. A thin layer of icy mist clung to the inner walls of the tent, refracting the rosy light outside into a seven-colored curtain. Tu Pengpeng's Seven Star Sword leaned against the corner, the frost on its scabbard trembling gently with Zhuque's breath.

When Yelü Mingquan opened his eyes, the first thing he smelled was a faint scent of ambergris.

She instinctively raised her hand to touch the wound on her shoulder blade, only to find that the bandage had been replaced with brand new white silk, embroidered with a small lotus flower—it had been embroidered by Tu Pengpeng while she was fast asleep last night. As she sat up, the tent's gauze curtain was lifted by the morning breeze, and she suddenly froze on the spot, forgetting to breathe.

The sky was covered with a vast expanse of clouds, and the rising sun had just pierced through the clouds, splashing its rosy light onto the rolling clouds. Some of the clouds resembled flocks of sheep carved from white jade, while others looked like palaces cast in gold. A few wisps of pale purple mist entwined around the tail feathers of the Vermilion Bird, torn into ribbon-like shapes by the morning breeze.

The mountains and rivers below shrank into dark lines, the Yellow River meandered across the land like a golden ribbon, and the outline of Bianliang City appeared and disappeared in the mist.

Yelü Mingquan murmured, "Is this...is this in heaven?" Her fingertips trembled as she touched the gauze curtain, the icy touch confirming that it was not a dream. The shamans of the Liao Dynasty had said that only the messengers of Tengri (heaven) could soar through the clouds, but the scene before her was a thousand times more magnificent than the legends.

Suddenly, the Vermilion Bird let out a long cry, its tail feathers sweeping across a patch of auspicious clouds. Its golden-red plumage shimmered in the rosy light, and fine raindrops of light drifted from its tips. Shi Feiyang, hand in hand with Tu Pengpeng, floated into the tent. His blue robes were still damp with morning dew. He softly asked, "Princess, are you awake?" He offered her a bowl of warm goat's milk, mixed with Tibetan Rhodiola rosea, and explained, "The Vermilion Bird is an ancient divine bird. It carries us a thousand miles a day, more steadily than the fastest steed. There are no enemies in the sky, so it is safest for us to live there at night."

Tu Pengpeng sat down next to Yelü Mingquan, the red silk tassel of her sword gently resting on her knee. She said, "Sister Yelü had a high fever last night and kept asking for Mother." Her voice was as soft as cloud-like cotton. She then introduced Shi Feiyang's contribution: "My husband used the 'Holy Healing Method' to push your internal energy for half the night. You should feel better now, right?" Yelü Mingquan's fingers, still trembling, took the goat's milk, but her gaze was fixed on the sea of ​​clouds outside the tent. The rising sun had completely emerged from the clouds, dyeing her white robes a golden-red hue. The wound on her shoulder blade tingled slightly in the warmth, a sign that her blood and energy were gradually returning to normal.

She exclaimed with emotion, "His Majesty the Tang Emperor actually possessed such a divine object..." Her eyes welled up with tears, and she choked up, unable to continue.

Shi Feiyang quickly changed the subject, gently pressing his hand on Hulao Pass on the map, and introduced, "Wanyan Zongbi's supply convoy will cross the plank road at noon tomorrow, and we must make our move at dawn." His fingertips traced the mark of the old Liao border, and he said calmly, "You are familiar with the terrain there. If we can blow up the middle section, the Jin army will be at least three days late in reaching Bianliang."

Yelü Mingquan suddenly pressed her sword against the three characters "Hulao Pass" on the map, her fingertips tracing the mark of the old Liao Dynasty's border, and asked in return, "You want me to blow up the plank road?" Her gaze swept over Tu Pengpeng's hand wrapped in red silk, and she suddenly chuckled, "His Majesty the Tang Emperor is truly blessed, always accompanied by beauties wherever he goes."

Tu Pengpeng's cheeks flushed, and she tied a red ribbon in a knot on Shi Feiyang's wrist. She said sincerely, "If Sister Yelu can trust me, I am willing to take twenty Beggar Clan disciples with me. This mountain stream can hide explosives; it was a secret stronghold of the Seven Star Sword Sect back then."

As she spoke, her gaze fell on the arc on the map.

The Vermilion Bird suddenly circled in the clouds, and the three people in the tent looked out the window at the same time—the outline of Hulao Pass had appeared below the sea of ​​clouds, and the plank road was like a silver thread wrapped around the cliff, with the figures of Jin soldiers patrolling in the distance.

Yelü Mingquan sheathed his sword, then suddenly pressed down on Shi Feiyang's hand. His fingertips, white with force, beneath his white robes turned white as he said firmly, "I'll go. But on one condition—after breaking through the Jin, I must personally behead Wanyan Zongbi."

Shi Feiyang's Mingyu Gong internal energy flowed along her arm, gently calming her overly eager internal force, and he said with a smile, "Granted."

His gaze swept over her golden-tinged profile, and he added, "But remember, from this day forward, you are a citizen of the Tang Dynasty. Your sword should be wielded for the sake of the people." Yelü Mingquan, gazing at the surging auspicious clouds outside the window, suddenly bowed in reverence, his white robes tracing a graceful arc in the rosy light. The Vermilion Bird's long cry pierced the clouds, carrying the three figures towards Hulao Pass.

The sea of ​​clouds below resembled a vast expanse of waves, and she knew that she had finally found a home more important than restoring her kingdom.

……

Yelü Mingquan's white robes were almost invisible in the morning mist of Hulao Pass. She pressed the fuse of the explosive at her waist, her fingernails digging shallow marks into the rough rock face—when she jumped off the back of the Vermilion Bird last night, Shi Feiyang's "Transferring Flowers and Jade" internal energy flowed through her fingertips, dissipating most of the force of her fall, but her ankles still hit the protruding rock edges, and now every step she took was excruciatingly painful.

Tu Pengpeng's Seven Star Sword held a lamp, casting flickering shadows on her face. She walked over and whispered, "Sister, the Beggars' Clan brothers have already carved a cave under the seventh plank road. Li Tieniu said that the rocks here have a high sulfur content, and only half a fuse is needed to blast down the entire canyon."

A red silk tassel wrapped around Yelü Mingquan's wrist, brushing away the cobwebs from her temples.

Yelü Mingquan pressed her hand down, his silver hairpin pointing to the watchtower at the end of the plank road. A Jin soldier atop the tower was pouring wine from a wine flask into his mouth, the liquid dripping down his beard and onto his armor, reflecting the morning sun.

Her voice was lower than the fog, her boots rustling on the wet moss. She said decisively, “Their patrol passes by every fifteen minutes. You take ten men and go down the mountain stream. When the explosion happens, cut the pontoon bridge. I’ll take the rest of you and stay here to set it on fire.”

Just as Tu Pengpeng was about to respond, she saw Yelü Mingquan turn around and disappear into a crevice in the rock. The white-clad figure writhed in the narrow gap, like a white snake lurking in wait, with only the explosive charge at his waist occasionally striking the rocks with a dull thud.

As she watched the white figure recede into the distance, she suddenly remembered Shi Feiyang's instructions from the previous night: "Mingquan's Liao scimitar is engraved with the words 'revenge.' Keep a close eye on her and don't let her forget the important matter while she's busy killing Jin soldiers."

Yelü Mingquan's fingertips finally touched the seventh wooden pillar of the plank road.

The pillar has turned black from the patina of time, and you can smell the aged tung oil when you get close—it must have been painted when the Jin soldiers rebuilt it last year.

She took out a sheepskin pouch from her bosom and slowly poured the kerosene inside into the crack in the pillar, her movements as gentle as if she were caressing the carved beams of a Liao palace.

Suddenly, the Jin soldiers on the watchtower roared, "Liao dogs! How dare you cause trouble here!" Arrows flew in with a whistling sound.

Yelü Mingquan's scimitar suddenly drew from its sheath, its blade flashing in a silver arc through the morning mist, cleaving the arrow in two. She saw three Jin soldiers charging along the plank road, the leader's mace still adorned with fragments of the Liao Dynasty's wolf flag—surely the executioner who had breached Shangjing years ago.

The fuse of the explosive has been lit, and the sparks flicker in the fog.

Yelü Mingquan's scimitar suddenly changed direction, not attacking the Jin soldiers, but slashing at the rocks beside him.

Amidst the flying stone chips, she used the recoil to leap towards the abyss below the plank road. The Jin soldier's spiked club struck empty air, causing the wooden plank road to shake violently. Suddenly, Yelü Mingquan's white robes unfurled in mid-air, and she glided like a falcon, crashing into another Jin soldier.

She said coldly, "Remember! I am Yelü Mingquan!" The moment her scimitar pierced the Jin soldier's throat, she suddenly turned to look at the clouds in the east—the shadow of the Vermilion Bird was hidden in the morning glow.

An explosion rang out at that moment, and the entire plank road plunged into the canyon like a severed snake. The screams of the Jin soldiers were swallowed up by the roar of the collapse.

Yelü Mingquan's white robes fluttered wildly in the air currents. Gazing at the fragments of the wolf banner that had fallen into the abyss, she suddenly raised her scimitar to the sky, the rising sun reflected on the blade like a newborn Liao sun.

Tu Pengpeng's red silk flew from the downstream pontoon bridge, wrapping around her waist and pulling her to safety. She praised, "Sister, what skill!" Her Seven Star Sword was cleaving the last cable of the pontoon bridge when she exclaimed, "My husband said you were destined for greatness, and he was right!" Yelü Mingquan twisted her ankle upon landing, but was completely unaware. Gazing at the thick smoke rising from the direction of Hulao Pass, she suddenly chuckled softly, her laughter mingled with tears. Her curved blade carved a small lotus flower into the rock face, and she declared resolutely, "After I slay Wanyan Zongbi, I will plant the crops of the Tang Dynasty all over the former Liao territory."

At this moment, Shi Feiyang is hiding in the imperial palace of Bianliang City.

The imperial study of Emperor Huizong of Song was filled with the exotic fragrance of the Western Regions. Li Bangyan, his purple robe stained with gold dust, was stamping the imperial seal on a secret letter—a letter addressed to Wanyan Zongbi, promising that if Shi Feiyang was killed, all the land south of the Yellow River would belong to the Jin Dynasty.

On the old locust tree outside the window, Qu Liuxiang's "Star-Absorbing Technique" was silently sucking the eunuch who was eavesdropping into a sack. Her red lips were close to the speaking tube on the branch, and she whispered to Shi Feiyang: "Your Majesty, the Song court's imperial guards will launch a surprise attack on Yelü Camp tonight."

Shi Feiyang used his mysterious "Hidden Body and Name" lightness skill to step over the glazed tiles of the Imperial Garden. His green robe swept across the dewy peonies, and the petals instantly froze into ice.

He gazed at the imperial guards patrolling the palace walls. In the moonlight reflecting off their armor, he heard the distinctive howls of the Jin Dynasty's "Blood Wolf Camp"—clearly, the Song and Jin had long been colluding to wipe out the remnants of the Liao people.

Tu Pengpeng, who had accompanied Yelü Mingquan to victory against the Jin army at Hulao Pass, flew over at this moment. Her red silk sword tassel hung down from the crack in the roof tile, entwining Shi Feiyang's fingers, and she whispered, "Husband, Li Tieniu's Beggars' Gang has been entangled at the East Gate."

The Song soldiers were using Liao Dynasty chainmail, and under the banner of the Yelü Camp, they were burning down civilian houses. The people were all cursing the Liao people for their betrayal.

Shi Feiyang used his "Transferring Flowers and Jade" skill to gently guide the crossbow bolts shot from behind him toward the eaves of the Imperial Study.

The moment the arrow pierced the window paper, he heard Li Bangyan scream: "Protect the Emperor! The Liao people have broken in!" Immediately afterward, there was the crisp sound of goldware falling to the ground—it must have been Qu Liuxiang's disciples of the Sun Moon Cult who made their move.

Tu Pengpeng's Seven Star Sword streaked across the roof tiles, sending sparks flying, and the sword light cleaved through the second wave of arrows. A Song soldier's token was perched on the tip of her sword as she said, "This token belongs to Wang Bing, the commander of the Imperial Guards. He was drinking victory wine at Yelü's camp last night."

Shi Feiyang unleashed the "Flying Dragon in the Sky" move from the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms," the palm wind transforming into a golden dragon that smashed through the vermilion door of the study. Li Bangyan's purple robe billowed in the palm wind, revealing the soft armor of the Jin Kingdom worn underneath. A secret letter drifted from his bosom, but Shi Feiyang caught it steadily with the palm wind of "Dragon Appearing in the Field."

Li Bangyan was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, his forehead hitting the gold brick, blood splattering onto the character "Jin" in the secret letter. He begged for mercy, "Your Majesty the Tang Emperor, spare my life! Wang Bing forced me to do this! He said... he said if I didn't do as he was told, the Jin Kingdom would massacre the city..."

Qu Liuxiang suddenly wrapped her red silk ribbon around his neck, her nails digging into his throat, and cursed, "Wang Bing escaped through the secret passage with the Jin envoy half an hour ago." She flicked a poisoned needle from her fingertip, which was embedded in the character "Song" in the secret letter, and then asked Shi Feiyang, "Your Majesty, should we go after them?"

Shi Feiyang gazed at the gradually brightening sky outside the window, the hem of his blue robe stained with Li Bangyan's blood. He shook his head and said, "No need." His gaze swept eastward, where the clouds were stained red by the flames of war. He hurriedly took Qu Liuxiang and flew towards the west gate of Bianliang City.

The fighting at the west gate of Bianliang has reached a fever pitch.

Wanyan Zongbi's "Iron Pagoda" siege towers surged in like a tidal wave, the clanging of their armor making the city bricks tremble.

Shi Feiyang landed on his feet and unleashed the "Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms" technique, specifically the "Regretful Dragon" move. The palm wind transformed into a golden dragon that crashed into the foremost iron chariot, scattering the wheels and sending fragments flying like hidden weapons towards the Jin soldiers, who screamed in agony.

Amidst the chaos of battle, Yelü Mingquan's white robes were soaked in blood. From the wound where the halberd had pierced her abdomen, blood gushed out, forming a small pool of blood beneath her. As she watched Shi Feiyang's approaching figure in his green robes, a vision of snow in the Liao capital suddenly flashed before her eyes—that year, she was still a princess with her hair in double buns, and her father was personally inserting her first silver hairpin.

She cried out sadly, "Shi Feiyang..." and the scimitar flew out of her hand.

As the blade flashed past his ear, she saw the shock and pain in Shi Feiyang's eyes, a pain more intense than the agony of the halberd piercing her abdomen. The golden general's spiked club was already raised above his head, but she suddenly laughed, a laugh so bitter it dribbled from her lips. She said with a grim smile, "Take care of...my people..."

Shi Feiyang hurriedly used his "Shifting Flowers and Jade" divine skill to deflect the Jin general's spiked club at the Jin soldiers. Immediately afterward, he used his unparalleled "Leaving No Trace for a Thousand Miles" lightness skill to create a whirlwind in front of Yelü Mingquan, the hem of his green robe sweeping across the bloodstains on her face. Without even looking at the Jin general who had launched the sneak attack, he placed his palms on either side of Yelü Mingquan's wounds, and the chilling energy of his Mingyu skill surged in like a tide, instantly freezing the gushing blood droplets into crystals.

"You mustn't die!" His voice trembled more than ever before, the silver earring in his left ear swaying violently. He then comforted her, "You said you'd come with me to see the snow in Liao, and you said you'd personally kill Wanyan Zongbi!"

Tu Pengpeng's Seven Star Sword moved like a shooting star, its red silk tassel wrapping around the golden general's throat. As the blade pierced his jaw, tears fell from the corners of her eyes onto Yelü Mingquan's white robes. She sobbed, "Husband! Use the 'Heavenly Silkworm Technique'!"

Her red silk suddenly tightened, cutting three Jin soldiers who rushed at her waist.

Shi Feiyang nodded and said, "I will protect your vital energy!" A crystalline light emanated from his palm, and silver threads like silkworm silk traveled along Yelü Mingquan's meridians. Wherever they passed, the broken internal organs slowly healed in the cold air.

He saw his reflection in her unfocused pupils, and suddenly lowered his head to bite her lips, transferring his own inner energy from the Lotus Sutra into her mouth. It was his life-bound true energy cultivated over many years; as he transferred it, his chest felt as if it had been struck by a hammer, and his ribs beneath his armor throbbed with pain.

Yelü Mingquan said haltingly, moved, “Shi… Feiyang…” Her eyelashes trembled, and the pearl on the silver hairpin pricked his cheek.

She could feel the warm current coursing through her body, carrying his unique ambergris scent, dispelling the chill of death. The ice crystals at the wound gradually melted, turning into a warm liquid that swelled in her abdomen, no longer cold blood, but a vital energy.

The Jin army's reinforcements arrived at this moment. Tu Pengpeng's red silk wove a tight, impenetrable net around Shi Feiyang, and every swing of the Seven Star Sword stirred up a rain of blood. She saw that Shi Feiyang's blue robe was already soaked with Yelü Mingquan's blood, yet he still pressed tightly against the wound.

She rushed over and pressed on Yelü Mingquan's wound for Shi Feiyang.

Suddenly, Shi Feiyang unleashed a palm strike, unleashing a tidal wave of Jin soldiers. His Mingyu Gong had reached the "Supreme Forgetfulness: Ice Soul Cold Prison" level, causing a sudden surge of cold air from the ground, instantly freezing the Jin soldiers' ankles in place. Amidst screams, Shi Feiyang had already lifted Yelü Mingquan into the air with one hand. With his palm and long hair flowing, he used the "Shifting Flowers and Jade" divine skill, redirecting a rain of arrows back towards the enemy ranks.

The man in the green robe swept over Tu Pengpeng's shoulder, grabbed her, and said in a deep voice, "Withdraw! Go to Zhuque!"

Yelü Mingquan trembled slightly in his arms, her nose brushing against his blood-stained clothes. She heard the explosion behind her and knew that Tu Pengpeng had detonated the pre-planted explosives, but she only cared about the rise and fall of his chest—his heartbeat was steady and strong, just like the ever-burning bonfire on the Liao grasslands.

The tent on the Vermilion Bird's back was covered with a snow-white fox fur, a tribute from the Tibetan king, whose fur was as soft as cloud.

When Yelü Mingquan woke up, she found herself lying in Shi Feiyang's arms. His black armor had been removed, and his blue robe was open, revealing the white silk undergarment underneath, which was still stained with her blood.

Seeing Yelü Mingquan open his eyes, Shi Feiyang said tenderly, "Awake?"

His fingertips brushed against her temple, the chill of Mingyu Gong making the bandage on her wound tighter. Outside the tent, Tu Pengpeng and Zhuque whispered to each other; she was preening the divine bird's feathers, golden-red feathers falling onto the tent ceiling with a soft rustling sound.

Yelü Mingquan suddenly snuggled into Shi Feiyang's arms, his nose touching Shi Feiyang's collarbone, his voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "I... my body..."

She could feel the warmth in her abdomen, knowing it was the life force he had gained by expending his inner energy. Her cheeks instantly burned, and she stammered, "Was it... very embarrassing?"

Shi Feiyang's laughter was deep and gentle, making her ears ring. He picked up the bronze mirror beside him. The woman reflected in the mirror was pale, but her eyebrows and eyes were still beautiful. The bandages on her shoulders had been replaced with brocade embroidered with twin lotus flowers—sewed by Tu Pengpeng overnight. "Look," he said, placing the mirror handle into her hand, praising, "she is still the beautiful Princess Yelü."

Yelü Mingquan's fingertips traced her lips in the mirror, where the touch of his breath still lingered. She suddenly turned and embraced his neck, her body trembling slightly beneath her white robes, and said tenderly, "Shi Feiyang, I..."

Before she could finish speaking, he gently pressed his lips to hers. His kiss landed on her brow, the pearl on the silver hairpin clinking against his earring with a crisp sound. He said tenderly, "When you're healed, I'll give you a proper wedding, so the whole world will know that you are my wife, Shi Feiyang's wife."

Over the next two weeks, Yelü Mingquan's injuries gradually improved under Shi Feiyang's meticulous care.

Every day, he would perform the "Holy Healing Technique" for her, using the cold energy of the Mingyu Gong to relieve her pain; Tu Pengpeng would prepare medicinal meals for her in various ways, sending different kinds of food to her tent every day, such as snow lotus from Tibet, bird's nest from Dali, and wolfberry from Xixia.

That morning, Yelü Mingquan was able to get out of bed independently for the first time. She pushed open the tent curtain and saw Shi Feiyang practicing boxing on Zhuque's back.

The palm wind of the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms" collided with the sea of ​​clouds, creating bursts of air waves. Sunlight shone through his fluttering green robe, casting a golden shadow on the clouds, making him look like a war god from the heavens.

She couldn't help but call out, "Feiyang!" Her white robes fluttered in the morning breeze. Shi Feiyang withdrew his hand and turned to stand before her, his palm still warm from the wind. He took her hand in his, his fingertips tracing the red mark on her wrist—the mark he had left when he breathed on her. He then asked softly, "Can you get out of bed now?"

Yelü Mingquan nodded, gazing at the rolling sea of ​​clouds below, and suddenly recalled her resolute decision at Hulao Pass that day. She tiptoed and planted a light kiss on his lips, the pearl from her silver hairpin brushing against the corner of his mouth, and said, "When I can wield a sword, you must come with me to kill Wanyan Zongbi."

Shi Feiyang nodded, his gaze suddenly sweeping westward, where the clouds surged with murderous intent—the Jin Kingdom's "Blood Wolf Camp" had actually pursued them to the cloud peaks. He shielded Yelü Mingquan behind him, the palm wind beneath his green robe already gathering the energy of the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique": "Let me show you how your husband kills people."

The Jin soldiers of the Blood Wolf Camp, riding eagles, laid a net of heaven and earth in the clouds. Wanyan Zongbi's adopted son, Wanyan Lie, wielding a spiked club adorned with Liao wolf flags, laughed wildly from atop the eagle: "Shi Feiyang! Hand over the Liao women, and I'll spare your life!"

Shi Feiyang pushed Yelü Mingquan into the tent, his green robe fluttering in the wind like a black banner. He said coldly, "Do you think it's possible?" He used the "Transferring Flowers and Jade" technique, and the flying axe thrown by Wanyan Lie actually turned in mid-air and slashed back at his own vulture.

The divine bird cried out in agony as it plummeted into the sea of ​​clouds, while the screams of the Jin soldiers were torn apart by the gale.

Inside the tent, Yelü Mingquan gripped her scimitar tightly. She heard the crisp sound of Tu Pengpeng's red silk clashing against the Jin soldiers' blades, and the angry cry of the Vermilion Bird that shook the clouds. The wound in her abdomen throbbed with a dull ache from the excitement, but it was nothing compared to the burning anxiety in her heart—she wanted to rush out and fight alongside him, to show him that she, Yelü Mingquan, was not only a princess who needed protection, but also a warrior who would face death with him.

Suddenly, Tu Pengpeng's red silk slipped through a gap in the tent, carrying a dagger. It was a self-defense item Shi Feiyang had given her; the scabbard was engraved with the character "Tang." He pointed and said, "Sister! Catch it! Use 'Cold Sleeve Acupoint Strike'! Attack their left flank!"

Yelü Mingquan, clad in white, fluttered out of the tent like a butterfly, a dagger gleaming coldly between her fingers. She saw Shi Feiyang's "Emperor's Thunderous Fury" explode into a shower of ice shards, blasting ninety-three Jin soldiers, along with their eagles, into pieces. Yet, a poisoned arrow also broke through his defenses, heading straight for his back.

She cried out, "Watch out!" and hurriedly used "Cold Sleeves Sweeping Acupoints," channeling her inner energy to propel the dagger, which struck the poisoned arrow like a meteor. The arrow changed direction, grazing Shi Feiyang's green robe as it fell into the sea of ​​clouds, while she herself, due to the excessive force, bled again from her wound, staining the hem of her snow-white fox fur skirt red.

Shi Feiyang pulled her tightly into his arms, his "Shocking Calamity" sweeping over the remaining Jin soldiers, who instantly turned into ice shards and plunged into the boundless sea of ​​clouds. He angrily rebuked Yelü Mingquan, "Who let you out?" Yet, his fingertips gently wiped the blood from the corner of her lips. Yelü Mingquan looked into his still icy eyes, then suddenly smiled, tears streaming down her face, and said tenderly, "I am your fiancée, naturally I will live and die with you."

Her dagger pressed against his chest, but she didn't use force, threatening, "Next time you venture out alone, I...I'll..." Shi Feiyang lowered his head and kissed away her tears. The chill of Mingyu Gong caused the tears to freeze into ice crystals on his lips. He said teasingly, "So what? You'll stab me with this dagger?"

Tu Pengpeng wrapped her red silk around their wrists and pulled them toward the tent, saying playfully, "Alright, alright, the Jin soldiers are all dealt with. If we keep making a fuss, Yelü's wound will reopen."

With her Seven Star Sword twirling a wolf flag from the Jin Kingdom, she jokingly said, "Look, this wolf flag is perfect as our wedding veil."

At this moment, the Vermilion Bird let out a long cry and flapped its wings to fly higher into the clouds. Inside the tent, Shi Feiyang re-bandaged Yelü Mingquan's wounds, while Tu Pengpeng sewed something with a wolf flag beside him. Sunlight shone through the gauze curtains, casting the shadows of the three people onto their fox fur coats, creating a scene as warm and inviting as a painting that would never fade.

Three days later, the tent on Zhuque's back was decorated in a festive red. Tu Pengpeng spread a wedding veil made from the wolf flag of the Jin Dynasty on the couch. The characters "Tang" and "Liao" were embroidered on it with gold thread, and lotus flowers and wolf patterns surrounded it. She had stayed up all night to make it, and her fingertips were full of small holes from being pricked by needles.

Yelü Mingquan sat before her dressing table, while Tu Pengpeng was inserting the silver hairpin that belonged to the Liao princess into her hair. The woman in the mirror wore a bright red wedding dress, hastily made of Tibetan brocade at Shi Feiyang's behest. The hem of the dress was embroidered with a vermilion bird with outstretched wings in gold thread, exactly the same pattern as the one on Shi Feiyang's black armor.

"Nervous?" Tu Pengpeng's red silk sword tassel gently brushed against her cheek as she giggled, "My husband said he has a surprise for you later." Yelü Mingquan's fingers twisted the tassels of her wedding dress, her heart pounding as if it would jump out of her throat. She could hear music coming from outside the tent—the "Lotus Flower Ballad" played by Beggar Clan disciples with their bamboo staffs, mixed with the Qiang flute played by Sun Moon Cult members, creating a rare harmony.

The tent flap was gently lifted, and Shi Feiyang appeared at the entrance.

He was dressed in the ceremonial robes of the Tang Dynasty emperor, a black dragon robe embroidered with a nine-clawed golden dragon, and a jade belt at his waist inlaid with seven gemstones from the Tang, Liao, Song, Jin, Western Xia, Dali, and Tubo dynasties—collected by him over many years of conquest, which he now wore around her waist.

"Mingquan." He stretched out his hand, the warmth of his palm seeping through his fingertips, and said softly, "Are you ready?"

(End of this chapter)