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

Chapter 531. Ancient Tomb Sealed by Dust, Eternal Regret; Snow Covering Zhongnan Mountain, a Hundred-Year Heart.
Li Caidie traced the icy patterns on Shi Feiyang's chest with her fingertips and said softly, "Do you think Uncle Yang will laugh if he sees this?"

The character "芙" (Fu) there was faintly visible in the dim blue firelight.

Shi Feiyang gently embraced her, his icy aura carrying his body heat, and said with emotion, "He would say, this is what the Tomb of the Living Dead should look like."

Moonlight filtered through the cracks in the stones outside the tomb, weaving a silver net on the ground. It captured the sleeping boy and girl, their embracing figures, and the gentlest night on Zhongnan Mountain.

As Shi Feiyang gazed at the remains of Yang Guo and his wife in the stone coffin, he suddenly realized that some inheritances need no words—whether it was the obsession on the sword with the character "Yang" on it or the companionship amidst the everyday life, these were the most resilient forces in this world.

……

Before the morning mist of Zhongnan Mountain had dissipated, Shi Feiyang had already spread out a rubbing of the Nine Yin Manual in the martial arts training ground of the Tomb of the Living Dead. Li Caidie swept her whisk across the "Nine Yin White Bone Claw" diagram on the rubbing, and drops of jade honey dripped from her silver hair onto the meridian diagram of the "Heart-Shattering Palm," spreading out faint yellow marks.

Suddenly, Shi Nianxiang's black iron sword pointed at the "Yongquan acupoint" on the diagram. The icy energy at the tip of the sword collided with Yang Meng's jade bee needle in mid-air, and the ice crystals that were stirred up landed on Shi Feiyang's black armor, making a tinkling sound.

Shi Feiyang's palm strike drew an arc between the two, and the meridian diagram formed by icy energy flowed under the light of the stone lamp. He then pointed out, "This move, 'Soul Transfer Technique,' needs to be harmonized with the 'Jade Maiden Heart Sutra,' otherwise the backlash from the inner demons will be more poisonous than the 'Netherworld Pill' of the Iron Blood Sect."

His gaze swept over Li Caidie, and he saw her using a silver needle to silently write the key points of the "Red Serpent Palm" on the ground. The poison on the tip of the needle corroded tiny holes in the bluestone slab. He then advised her, "Caidie, your palm technique is still lacking."

Li Caidie's whisk suddenly wrapped around his wrist, the barbs on the silver threads gently piercing the gaps in his black armor, and she said coquettishly, "Then teach me."

Her white robes clung to her figure in the draft of the tomb passage, revealing a newly embroidered purse at her waist—containing snow lotuses frozen by Shi Feiyang with ice energy. She then said tenderly, "Just like how I taught Nianxiang and the others."

Shi Nianxiang's gentleman's sword suddenly veered off course, and Yang Meng's jade bee needles chased after the sword's shadow. Their laughter startled the bats perched on the stalactites. Three days later, deep within the Tomb of the Living Dead, the remnants of the Dark Gate were using "medicine men" to smash through the inner gate stone. The leading protector, his face covered by a human skin mask, sprinkled "bone-dissolving powder" on Xiaolongnu's stone coffin.

Shi Feiyang hurriedly activated the Mingyu Gong to the "Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotions: Ice Soul Cold Prison" level, and swept his palm to freeze the "Bone-Melting Powder".

Li Caidie's "Ice Soul Silver Needle" suddenly shot out from behind the coffin. The red silk at the end of the needle wrapped around the protector's throat. The moment the poisoned needle pierced through his neck, her "Crimson Serpent Palm" simultaneously struck his dantian. She then angrily cursed, "How dare you disturb Aunt Long's peace! You're courting death!"

Shi Feiyang unleashed the "Breaking the Universe" move of the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique" with both palms, slashing at the surging "medicine men." As the icy air froze them into ice sculptures, he suddenly noticed that each of these "medicine men" had a tiny needle hole between their eyebrows—a mark left by Li Mochou's "Five Poison Needles" back then.

He used his green bamboo stick to deflect the last cultist's scimitar, then unleashed the "Shocking Calamity," his icy gaze sweeping across the opponent's pupils as he roared, "Who gave you permission to use Li Mochou's poison needles?" The cultists' souls shattered instantly, their corpses turning into ice shards scattered across the ground.

Li Caidie swept her whisk across the needle hole of the "medicine man" and suddenly knelt down in front of the stone coffin and cried out!
Shi Feiyang's icy aura brushed across the top of her hair, freezing the cracks in the stone coffin back together.

Suddenly, Yang Meng's Jade Bee Needle pointed deep into the tomb passage, where the sound of dragging iron came from. She said sadly, "It's the people from the Dragon Tiger Sect! They want to steal the martial arts manual of their ancestral master!" Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman's Sword and Yang Meng's Lady's Sword formed a "double sword combination", and the sword energy wove into a silver net in the tomb passage.

The Dragon Tiger Sect disciple's "Tiger Descending the Mountain Fist" was shattered the moment it touched the sword energy. Amidst the sound of breaking palm bones, Shi Feiyang's green bamboo staff suddenly transformed into a streak of light. The "Pick" technique, specifically the "Staff Picks the Mangy Dog" move, precisely struck the wrist of the disciple charging at the front. With a follow-up motion, the disciple's iron fist smashed into the face of his companion behind him. The two heads collided, and brains splattered onto the murals on both sides.

Li Caidie followed up with her "Three No's and Three No's Hand" technique, her "all-pervasive" finger strikes aimed at the "Baihui" and "Shanzhong" acupoints of the surrounding disciples. Amid screams, several people staggered and fell to the ground, blood droplets gushing from their acupoints forming a small stream on the ground.

Shi Feiyang used the "Seal" technique, and the shadow of his staff, resembling a mother dog protecting her cub, protected Li Caidie in the center. As the staff tip flew, the moves "Hungry Dog Blocks the Road" and "Interlocking Teeth" blocked all the sword lights of more than ten disciples of the Dragon Tiger Sect. The sparks from his black armor brushing against the stone wall made the lines of his profile appear even colder and harder.

Zhou Batian, the deputy leader of the Dragon Tiger Gate, suddenly attacked with the "Hungry Tiger Pouncing on Its Prey" move from the "Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain Fist," the wind from his fist carrying a sharp sound as it tore through the air.

Shi Feiyang gripped his green bamboo staff, sweeping it horizontally along the ground, using a move from the "Tripping" technique called "Pulling the Dog Upside Down," to wrap around Zhou Batian's ankle and then flick him upside down. The staff's shadow immediately descended, the "Strike the Dog's Head" strike carrying icy energy. Zhou Batian's tiger-head helmet shattered, his forehead bone exposed, yet he still roared, "Kill him! Whoever takes Shi Feiyang's head will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold!"

More Dragon Tiger Sect disciples surged in from the fork in the tomb passage, their "Tiger Tail Swing" kick aimed at Li Caidie's back.

She unleashed her "All-Round Attack" technique, suddenly changing the direction of her finger strikes, aiming her fingertips at unorthodox acupoints such as "Yangguan" and "Huantiao." Amidst screams, the disciple's knees suddenly bent backward, and he fell to the ground in a bizarre posture.

Shi Feiyang, wielding his green bamboo staff, had already carved a bloody path through the crowd. Using the "Luring" technique, he lured over ten disciples of the Dragon Tiger Sect towards the collapsed section of the tomb passage. Suddenly, with a flick of his staff, he unleashed a "Striking Two Hounds" attack, sending them crashing into the deep pit. Their screams echoed through the tomb passage for a long time before finally fading away. Li Caidie, employing the "Unlimited Power" technique, used her finger strikes to target the enemy's most vulnerable spots. Her fingertips blinded two disciples, her palm struck another's throat, and her knuckles shattered the crotch of a fourth disciple.

Her white robes fluttered in the rain of blood, yet she was always protected by Shi Feiyang's staff when danger struck. When a disciple attacked from behind, the green bamboo staff would promptly block the attack with the "flattening dog's back" technique of the "sealing" method. When a blade slashed from the side, the "hungry dog ​​blocking the way" staff technique would precisely deflect the blade, without even touching the stray hairs at her temples.

Zhou Batian's "Tiger Climbing the Mountain" punch was already at its limit, and he spat out a mouthful of blood with each punch.

Shi Feiyang's green bamboo stick suddenly spun rapidly. The "spinning" technique, including "vicious dog bites back" and "quick strike on the dog's buttocks," moved around his body. The copper ring at the end of the stick constantly struck his soft ribs, each crisp sound accompanied by the muffled sound of bones breaking.

Immediately afterwards, Shi Feiyang used the mysterious lightness skill of "Concealing One's Body and Name" to wrap his arm around Li Caidie and weave through the blades. When the black armor grazed the disciple's curved blade, the icy air would instantly freeze the blade, giving her an opening to throw a punch.

The corpses in the tomb passage were piled up to knee-high, and the stench of tiger-skin vests mingled with the stench of blood, making one want to vomit. Li Caidie's "Three No's and Three Not's Hand" became increasingly fierce. Her "all-pervasive" finger strikes caused blood to spurt from the enemy's acupoints, her "all-reaching" palm strikes caused pus to ooze from unorthodox acupoints, and her "all-powerful" techniques were specifically designed to break through the enemy's protective true qi. Three disciples who tried to resist with their hard skills had their eyes gouged out by her, screaming as they rolled into the deep pit.

She glanced at Shi Feiyang's back and saw that his green bamboo stick always protected her weaknesses at the most crucial moments. Suddenly, she realized that this was not a fight at all, but that he was deliberately feeding her moves.

Zhou Batian unleashed his "Tiger Returns to the Mountain" fist technique in a final counterattack, but Shi Feiyang's green bamboo staff, using the "Entangling" technique of "Pulling the Dog's Tail," wrapped around Zhou Batian's arm and twisted it. With a "crack," the entire arm drooped at an unnatural angle. Shi Feiyang then used the "Poke" technique of "Desperate Dog Jumps Over the Wall," the tip of the staff precisely striking Zhou Batian's "Qi Hai" acupoint. Zhou Batian groaned, spat out a mouthful of blood, and collapsed to the ground.

Shi Feiyang pressed the tip of his staff against Zhou Xiaotian's throat: "Speak, who sent you?" Zhou Xiaotian grinned maliciously and spat out a mouthful of blood: "Alliance Leader Liu has already given the order to attack the Tomb of the Living Dead, and then we can..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Caidie's "Ice Soul Silver Needle" had already pierced his throat. Her white clothes were stained with warm blood, but she said to Shi Feiyang without caring, "No need to ask anymore, it must be that guy Liu Chengfan."

The final counterattack of the thirty-one Dragon Tiger Sect disciples was exceptionally fierce, with a wall of curved blades forcing the two to retreat repeatedly. Shi Feiyang gripped his green bamboo staff and unleashed the "Seal" technique, the staff's shadows, like interlocking fangs and a mother dog protecting her cubs, weaving an iron wall in front of him, blocking all the blade lights.

Li Caidie's "Three No's and Three Not's Hand" technique, under the cover of her staff, specifically targets the enemy's weaknesses, using finger strikes to strike pressure points, palm strikes to shatter bones, and fingertips to dig and gnaw. In the blink of an eye, thirty people fell into pools of blood. As the last disciple of the Dragon Tiger Sect swung his curved sword at Li Caidie's face, Shi Feiyang's green bamboo staff suddenly attacked from an unbelievable angle, cleaving the sword in two with a "drowning dog beating" motion, and the tip of the staff struck his throat.

When the disciple's body fell, Li Caidie realized that there were only a few drops of blood on her white clothes, while Shi Feiyang's black armor was soaked in blood, and the copper rings of the green bamboo stick were covered with bits of flesh and hair, yet they still firmly protected her.

While clearing the tomb passage, Shi Feiyang discovered a hidden compartment behind Wang Chongyang's inscription. On the parchment scroll inside, Huang Rong's handwriting read, "The Nine Yang Manual is on the white ape." His icy aura suddenly froze the parchment scroll, and he pointed his green bamboo stick at the stone wall of the hidden compartment—there was movement nearby, and there were definitely more ambushes.

Li Caidie traced the claw marks on the stone wall with her fingertips and whispered, "It must be the 'Stone-Splitting Claw' of the Nanshan Sect. Liu Chengfan is here. He wants to avenge his brother Liu Chengfeng." Her eyes fell on the new wounds on Shi Feiyang's black armor. The wounds were all on the right side of his body, obviously deliberately protecting his left side. A warm feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

Before the words were finished, five dark figures suddenly fell from the cracks in the ceiling of the tomb passage. The claws of the "Stone-Splitting Claws" carried a stench of blood and were aimed directly at Shi Feiyang's left hand, which was holding a scroll. The leader's face was covered with a black cloth, but his eyes were bloodshot, and the barbs on his claws were still dripping with blood. He was none other than Liu Chengfan, the new leader of the Nanshan Sect.

He roared, "Shi Feiyang, pay for my brother's blood debt with your life!" He unleashed the "Stone-Splitting Claw" technique, specifically the "Dislocating Tendons and Bones" strike, aiming for Shi Feiyang's shoulder. The force of his finger could even tear through the ice patterns on the Xuanjia armor, and the blood droplets he created condensed into a blood mist in the air.

The three hundred and thirty disciples of the Nanshan Sect behind him launched an attack at the same time. The sword shadows of the "Welcoming Pine" technique of the "Nanshan Swordplay" wove a green net in the tomb passage. The sword blades were all tempered with "Corrosion Bone Powder" and were covered with water droplets dripping from the stalactites, which corroded out wisps of green smoke.

Shi Feiyang used the profound lightness skill of "Concealing One's Body and Name," gripping the green bamboo staff. He transformed into a streak of light and used the "Sealing" technique, specifically the "Mother Dog Protecting Her Cubs" move, to encircle Li Caidie, Shi Nianxiang, and Yang Meng behind him. The moment the staff's shadow struck the claws, icy energy spread along the staff, instantly covering Liu Chengfan's knuckles with a thin layer of ice.

He said with concern, "Nianxiang, protect Mengya!" He used the "Guiding" technique, his green bamboo staff gliding along the ground. A single "Staff Sweep" sent pebbles flying, drawing the swords of over ten disciples towards each other. Amidst the clashing of weapons, thirty had already been struck by their companions' "Bone-Rotting Powder," their wrists instantly festering. Li Caidie used the "Three No's and Three Not's Hand," striking the nearest claw shadow. Her "all-pervasive" finger strikes aimed at the opponent's "Quchi" and "Yangxi" acupoints. When her knuckles struck the back of the claw, she was actually numb from the opponent's hardened flesh.

The disciple's "Stone-Splitting Claw" gripped her throat, but Shi Feiyang, wielding a green bamboo stick, used a move called "Provoking Dog Claw" to strike her wrist bone. With a twist of the green bamboo stick, amidst the sound of the claw bone shattering, Li Caidie's "All-Round" finger strikes her "Qishe" acupoint, causing her to bleed from her throat and collapse to the ground in convulsions.

Shi Nianxiang exclaimed, "Father's Dog-Beating Stick Technique is even more exquisite than the manual!" He gripped the Gentleman's Sword and Yang Meng's Lady's Sword, forming a "Dual Sword Combination," with sword energy weaving through the gaps in the stick's shadow. The young man's Hundred Victories Saber Technique, specifically the "Viewing the Vast Ocean" palm strike combined with sword moves, forced thirty disciples towards the stone wall. Suddenly, Yang Meng's Jade Bee Needle shot out from the sword shadows, its red silk tail wrapping around the ankle of the last person. With a gentle pull, it sent them crashing into their companion's sword. The sound of "Bone-Corroding Powder" piercing their hearts was just like ripe fruit falling to the ground.

Liu Chengfan unleashed the "Stone-Splitting Claw" technique, specifically the "Five Ding Mountain-Opening" move, his claw shadows striking the flying rocks, his eyes fixed on his dantian.

Shi Feiyang spun his green bamboo stick in front of his chest, using the "Ten Tricks of Fighting Dogs" move from the "Entanglement" technique to completely entangle the claw shadows. The copper ring at the end of the stick continuously struck the opponent's knuckles, each crisp sound accompanied by the muffled sound of bones breaking.

He then said jokingly, "Your brother is not skilled enough, yet he insists on learning from his master to practice 'Bone-Melting Powder.' He deserves to die!" Suddenly, the green bamboo stick pointed at Liu Chengfan's face. The "Dog Eyes Looking at People" technique of the "Poke" word technique was filled with icy energy, and it actually left a light blue mark on his brow.

Li Caidie's white robes billowed in the blood mist, her "all-powerful" finger strikes specifically targeting the lower body of the Nanshan Sect disciples. Just as her fingertip pierced a disciple's "Yinlingquan" point, three sword shadows suddenly attacked from the side; two disciples had abandoned Shi Nianxiang and turned to attack her from both sides.

When the sword was less than three inches from her throat, Shi Feiyang's green bamboo staff emerged like a serpent from its hole. The "evil dog blocking the way" thrust deflected the two swords, and the tip of the staff hooked out with a "reverse dog body thrust," causing the two disciples to collide. The "bone-rotting powder" exploded at the point of their impact, instantly turning into two puddles of pus.

He then said with concern, "Cai Die, left wing!" Holding the green bamboo stick, he used the "splitting" technique, specifically the move "beating the dog's head with a stick," instantly smashing the skull of a disciple. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed an opening on Li Cai Die's right side.

Immediately afterwards, he suddenly swung his green bamboo stick horizontally, sweeping away the claws that were lunging at her with the force of "striking down two mastiffs," but this created an opening in his black armor.

Liu Chengfan's "Stone-Splitting Claw" seized the opportunity to grab his left shoulder, leaving five deep bloody marks that revealed the bone, and the ice patterns were shattered by the force of the claw.

Li Caidie's "Ice Soul Silver Needle" suddenly shot out from her sleeve, the red silk at the end of the needle wrapping around Liu Chengfan's wrist.

Seeing the bloody hole in Shi Feiyang's shoulder, her eyes instantly turned bloodshot. Her merciless finger strikes no longer held back, aiming directly at the vital acupoints "Dumb Gate" and "Nether Gate" of the Nanshan Sect disciples. Amidst screams of agony, thirty-seven people had already fallen silently to the ground, black blood seeping from the acupoints on the back of their necks.

Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman's Sword suddenly emitted a dragon's roar, complementing Yang Meng's "Jade Maiden Heart Sutra," and the sword energy exploded into silver flowers in the center of the tomb passage.

The boy's sword always protected Yang Meng in time when she was in danger, while the Jade Bee Needle was used to stab the enemy's right wrist when he was holding the sword. The tacit cooperation between the two reminded Shi Feiyang of Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu from back then.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, his green bamboo staff cut a bloody path. The "tripping" technique's "dog-headed" move tripped more than ninety disciples under Shi Nianxiang's sword. Where ice energy and sword energy intertwined, the frozen corpses were being shredded by the sword light.

Liu Chengfan's "Stone-Splitting Claw" was already stained with blood. Suddenly, he unleashed his "Heart-Shattering Palm," the palm wind carrying a dark aura, actually congealing the blood of three hundred and thirty disciples onto his palm. He roared like a madman, "Shi Feiyang, taste my 'Blood Sacrifice Technique'!" The palm print slammed into the stone wall of the tomb passage, creating a dent more than ten feet deep. Amidst the flying debris, Li Caidie's white clothes were torn by shrapnel, and blood immediately appeared on her shoulder.

Shi Feiyang's green bamboo stick suddenly stood upright, and the "Puppy Playing with a Ball" technique of the "Turning" method spun out a circle about ten feet wide. The icy air protected Li Caidie in the center, and he said sarcastically, "Your evil skill is even three points inferior to your brother's 'Corrosive Heart Powder'!"

In an instant, the "Shocking Calamity" was unleashed, sweeping across Liu Chengfan's pupils. The icy gaze caused the opponent's palm strike to falter for a moment, and then his green bamboo staff, like a poisonous dragon emerging from its cave, pierced through from an unbelievable angle with the "dog jumping over the wall" technique of the "Poke" word. The tip of the staff passed through Liu Chengfan's chest, pinning him to Wang Chongyang's inscription.

The counterattack of the last fifty Nanshan disciples was chaotic, with the sword shadows of the "Wildfire Spreading Across the Plains" technique of the Nanshan Swordplay scattered like hemp.

Shi Feiyang's green bamboo staff weaved through the pile of corpses, his "Disruptive Doghouse" technique throwing their formation into chaos. Li Caidie's "Ubiquitous" finger strikes moved through the disorder, causing blood to gush from pressure points wherever her fingertips touched. Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman's Sword and Yang Meng's Lady's Sword formed the last line of defense; wherever their sword energy swept, severed limbs and ice fragments mingled, creating a scene of utter carnage. When the last disciple's "Stone-Splitting Claw" was shattered by the green bamboo staff, Li Caidie suddenly caught the swaying Shi Feiyang.

The wound on his shoulder was still bleeding, but the ice patterns on his armor reflected the bloodstains on her white clothes—stains she had gotten while protecting her, which had now mingled with his blood.

Shi Feiyang said softly, "Silly girl, why are you crying?" He used the green bamboo stick to steady himself, and the icy air gently brushed over the wound on her shoulder. He then said disdainfully, "This wound is much lighter than the arrow wound on the walls of Xiangyang back then."

Li Caidie pressed her fingertips against his bleeding wound, her venomous nails hesitant to apply too much pressure. Gazing at the corpses and ice sculptures scattered on the ground, she suddenly understood that the sense of security she felt, protected by layers of stick shadows, was more reassuring than the "Five Poisons Secret Manual" left by her master.

Shi Nianxiang used the Gentleman's Sword to lift Liu Chengfan's corpse, while Yang Meng held the Lady's Sword and cleaned up the scattered weapons. Under the light of the stone lamp, the figures of the two gradually overlapped with the outlines of Shi Feiyang and Li Caidie, like a martial arts scroll passed down from generation to generation.

At this moment, a Beggars' Sect disciple rushed over and delivered an urgent report from Xingqing Prefecture to Shi Nianxiang.

Qin Mu's handwriting trembled under the wax seal: "The remnants of Bayan's army joined forces with the Tibetan Tantric sect to attack Xiaoguan. Empress Dowager Mei went into premature labor, and Nian Song was trapped in Lingzhou."

Shi Feiyang's black armor suddenly glowed red, the ice patterns reflecting the tear stains on Li Caidie's white clothes. He decisively said, "You take Nianxiang and the others to guard the ancient tomb. I'll go save Lingzhou." Li Caidie's whisk entangled his black armor, the silver threads deeply embedded in the ice patterns. She said affectionately, "I'll go with you."

She took out a deerskin pouch from her bosom, inside which were antidotes mixed with jade bee nectar, and said sincerely, "I will repay the debt that Master owed to the Guo family back then." Even as she said this, her fingertips unconsciously traced the wounds on Shi Feiyang's black armor, her eyes filled with worry.

Suddenly, Shi Nianxiang's black iron sword was thrust between the two, the tassel of the sword brushing against Yang Meng's hair. He said in a deep voice, "Father, let me go with you!" The boy's voice was icy, and he had a bit of the decisiveness that Shi Feiyang had back then.

Yang Meng held the jade bee needle in her palm and said softly but firmly, "I will go with Nian Xiang."

Looking at Shi Feiyang's resolute profile, and then down at her own trembling fingertips, Li Caidie's feelings for him grew even stronger. She knew that no matter how dangerous the road ahead, as long as she could fight alongside him, she would have nothing to fear. The stench of blood in the tomb passage hadn't yet dissipated, but it seemed to have been diluted by the unspoken understanding between the two, leaving only the resolute determination and entanglement of embarking on a new journey.

Shi Feiyang nodded, led them out of the ancient tomb, pursed his lips and called for the Vermilion Bird, leading everyone to ride the Vermilion Bird to Lingzhou.

Yang Meng and Li Caidie, riding the Vermilion Bird for the first time, exclaimed in surprise and excitement, never expecting that such a divine beast truly existed in the world. They soared through the clouds at an extremely fast speed, and soon arrived above Lingzhou.

On the walls of Lingzhou, the north wind, carrying the stench of blood, swept across the crenellations. Shi Niansong unleashed his "Hundred Victories Sword Technique," viciously slashing at the Mongol soldiers until his blade was dulled and black blood congealed from the wounds on his tiger's mouth. Behind him, the defending troops numbered less than a hundred, all wounded, yet they still used their bodies to block the breach in the city wall.

The Mongol army's "Huihui cannons" roared incessantly, each stone that fell sent up a shower of bricks and stones. The Tibetan Tantric "Great Handprint" danced among the crowd, and wherever the palm wind passed, the defending soldiers fell into the salt lake below the city like kites with broken strings, turning the water a deep purplish-red.

Mei Qile's iron ruler supported the city wall, and amidst the cries of her newborn baby, her "Falling Petal Palm" continued to strike the enemy soldiers climbing the city wall.

Blood dripped onto the baby's swaddling clothes, mixing with the salt grains. Stray hairs at her temples were stuck to her cheeks with sweat, but she showed no sign of panic. With each rise and fall of her palm, she displayed a composure reminiscent of Huang Rong in her prime.

Seeing Shi Feiyang fly over, Shi Niansong cried out in surprise, "Father!" But in an instant, the long sword he was holding was knocked away by the wolf-tooth club of the Mongol centurion. Just as the opponent's weapon was about to hit him, a green shadow flashed across the city wall like lightning.

Shi Feiyang, with Li Caidie in his arms, used his unparalleled lightness skill, "Leaving No Trace for a Thousand Miles," to fly over. As he floated down, the moment he released Li Caidie, the green bamboo staff at his waist transformed into a long sword. The "Sword Qi Extreme" realm of the "Nine Heavens Sword Manual" suddenly unfolded, and a three-foot-long green light condensed at the tip of the staff, piercing through the throat of the centurion with a "whoosh."

Immediately afterward, Shi Feiyang unleashed "Sword Qi Calamity!" His green bamboo staff spun into a sword wheel over ten feet long, its qi sweeping across the crenellations like a bolt of lightning. Before the thirty Tibetan Tantric masters could even complete their "Great Handprint," they were cleaved in two at the waist, their internal organs and broken bones splattering onto the city bricks. His gaze swept across the city wall, where he saw Li Caidie surrounded by five Mongol assassins. Her white robes fluttered like a startled swan in the flash of the blades. He immediately changed his sword stance, unleashing the "Sword Intent Void" realm, drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. His green bamboo staff traced an arc through the air, its sword qi piercing the hearts of two assassins. He then said with concern, "Caidie, left side!"

Li Caidie, wielding her "Three No's and Three Impermissible Hands," was locked in combat with three assassins, her "all-pervasive" finger strikes keeping them scrambling. Hearing Shi Feiyang's warning, she lightly touched the city wall with her toes, her figure swaying like a willow catkin, perfectly dodging a scimitar attack from behind. Her fingertips followed with "All-Reaching," striking the assassin's "Qi Hai" acupoint. The assassin groaned, and blood suddenly erupted from his dantian. Turning around, she saw Shi Feiyang's green bamboo staff deflect a spear thrust at her from the side; the ice patterns on the staff reflected his focused profile, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Shi Nianxiang, wielding the Gentleman's Sword, and Yang Meng, wielding the Lady's Sword, also charged onto the city wall. The young man combined the "basic sword moves" of the "Nine Heavens Sword Manual" with the "Hundred Victories Saber Technique," his sword strikes as fierce as thunder. Between "slashing," "chopping," and "smashing," more than ninety Mongol soldiers had already fallen under his sword.

Yang Meng's jade bee needles, like spring raindrops, pierced through the Tibetan lama's prayer wheel. Whenever the opponent was about to use the "Great Seal of Tantra," the silver needles would precisely pierce his wrist pulse. The two cooperated perfectly and managed to carve out a foothold on the city wall.

Suddenly, a bugle sounded from the Mongol army ranks. A general clad in black armor spurred his horse forward, his crescent-shaped blade unleashing a powerful slash that cleaved a corner of the city wall. "I am Batu, the vanguard under Bayan!" he proclaimed, his Mandarin thick with a nomadic accent. His blade flashed, and he roared, "Hand over the city, and I'll spare your corpses!" Behind him, over three hundred evil masters from the Northwest appeared simultaneously. The Iron Blood Sect's "Mountain-Breaking Axe," the Dark Gate's "Netherworld Claw," the Dragon Tiger Sect's "Fierce Tiger Fist," and the Southern Mountain Sect's "Stone-Splitting Claw" gleamed menacingly in the sunlight—clearly assassins hired by the Yuan court at great expense.

Shi Feiyang sneered, "You dog thieves? Humph!" He suddenly pointed the green bamboo stick at the sky, and the "Sword Heart Connection" realm of the Nine Heavens Sword Manual was fully activated, and the spiritual energy around his body gathered into a light blue cocoon.

He let out a long roar, and his green bamboo staff, leaving afterimages, slashed down at the ground. The sword energy spread along the city wall, tearing a chasm more than ten feet wide in the Mongol army formation. More than ninety cavalrymen, along with their horses, fell into the crack, their screams swallowed by the rumbling of the earth's tremors.

Li Caidie flung out her "Ice Soul Silver Needle," chasing after the Tibetan National Preceptor and shooting it out. The red silk at the end of the needle wrapped around his prayer wheel. Just as the National Preceptor was about to chant a spell, the poisoned needle pierced through his heart. She then swung her "Crimson Serpent Palm," striking him in the back. With the force of the palm strike, the National Preceptor's internal organs instantly turned into pus.

She said ingratiatingly, "Nian Song, catch it!" The antidote she threw drew an arc in the air and was caught steadily by the boy's outstretched hand. When she turned around, she saw that Shi Feiyang was being forced to retreat by Batu's crescent blade. She immediately filled her fingertips with poison needles and used her "all-powerful" finger wind to target Batu's lower body.

Batu's crescent blade suddenly slashed back, the wind from the blade sweeping towards Li Caidie with a tearing sound.

Shi Feiyang gripped the green bamboo staff, like a serpent emerging from its hole, and suddenly unleashed the "Sword Domain Annihilation" realm, enveloping Batu in sword shadows.

He roared again, "Your opponent is me!" His sword speed suddenly increased, and the "Advanced Sword Style" of the Nine Heavens Sword Manual came one after another. The "Gale Sword Intent" stirred up the north wind on the city wall, and the sword shadows fell like a storm, forcing Batu to turn his sword back to defend himself.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Li Caidie closed in, her fingers striking Batu's vital points with unparalleled force. The two, one attacking and the other defending, managed to overwhelm the Mongol general. Shi Nianxiang, wielding the Gentleman's Sword, and Yang Meng, wielding the Lady's Sword, fought together against the guardian of the Dark Gate. The guardian's "Netherworld Claws" carried the stench of decay; wherever the claws passed, holes were eroded into the city bricks.

The young man incorporated the "Sword Soul Sacrifice" realm into his sword moves, and a pale golden flame ignited on the Gentleman's Sword. The "Blazing Sword Intent" scorched the claw shadows, making them sizzle.

Yang Meng's Jade Bee Needles shot towards the opponent's throat. Every time he tried to inhale, a silver needle would fly past his Adam's apple. The two worked together to create an opening in the protector's "Netherworld Claw".

Li Caidie's white clothes were soaked with blood during the battle, but she still stood in front of Mei Qile.

When the thirty remnants of the Nanshan Sect simultaneously attacked Mei Qile with their "Stone-Splitting Claws," Li Caidie took out a whisk from her back, flicked her inner force, and the whisk suddenly scattered, its silver threads wrapping around the wrists of the thirty men. Her "Crimson Serpent Palm" then struck out against the claw wind.

The moment the palm wind and claw force collided, Shi Feiyang's green bamboo staff swept past like lightning. The final sword strike of the "Sword Dao End" realm simultaneously severed the heads of thirty remaining traitors. Blood splattered on his black armor, merging with the ice patterns to form eerie red patterns.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Batu suddenly turned his crescent blade towards Li Caidie, intending to take her hostage.

Shi Feiyang unleashed the "Frosty Sword Intent" from the Nine Heavens Sword Manual, causing ice crystals to condense on his green bamboo staff. The ultimate sword technique, "Shadow Slash and Soul Killing," burst forth, freezing Batu's black armor even before the staff arrived. With a "whoosh," the green bamboo staff pierced through Batu's chest. Batu stared in disbelief at the icy hole in his chest, his eyes filled with resentment, before collapsing to the ground with a thud.

Li Caidie stared at her charred palm, the wound left from taking the "Stone-Splitting Claw" attack from the Nanshan Sect. Suddenly, Shi Feiyang stepped in front of her, unleashing the aftershocks of the "Sword Universe Ashes" realm from the Nine Heavens Sword Manual, sweeping over the remaining enemy soldiers and turning the last few dozen evil experts into a bloody mist. As he turned, icy energy had already condensed in his palm. He gently stroked her wound, saying with concern, "Why were you being so stubborn?"

Li Caidie smiled at Shi Feiyang and said, "Now, I've done right by you." Her smile was playful, but tears welled up in her eyes.

The wind on the city wall whipped up her blood-stained white clothes, which surprisingly complemented the red patterns on Shi Feiyang's black armor. In the distance, the fishy smell of the salt lake seemed to carry an inexplicable tenderness.

With Lingzhou out of danger, Shi Feiyang was using the Mingyu Gong's ice energy to heal Li Caidie's injuries. He sat on the edge of the bed inside the tent, his fingertips swirling with the pure spiritual energy of the "Nine Heavens Sword Manual," slowly channeling it into her meridians to repair the internal organs damaged by the "Stone-Splitting Claw."

Li Caidie leaned against the bedding, watching his focused expression, and suddenly reached out to touch his cheek, where the shallow marks from the arrows he had been wounded by during the battle still remained. "Does it hurt?" Her voice was as soft as a feather.

Shi Feiyang grasped her hand, the icy air traveling through his fingertips, and said disdainfully, "This little injury is nothing compared to any wound I've sustained in countless battles."

The sound of a baby crying came from outside the tent. Mei Qile walked in carrying the swaddled baby, her face filled with the tenderness of a mother becoming a mother again. She said gently, "Husband, Miss Li, let's name this child 'Nianming,' hoping that the world will soon be at peace."

The baby's tiny hand grasped Shi Feiyang's finger, and the warmth of it made the ice patterns on his Xuanjia armor radiate warmth.

Watching this scene, Li Caidie suddenly rested her head on Shi Feiyang's shoulder. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, weaving a golden net around the two of them. All the past grudges and battles of the martial world transformed into tranquility within the tent at this moment.

Just then, Shi Nianxiang and Yang Meng lifted the curtain and walked in. Seeing this scene, they smiled at each other and quietly withdrew.

Having grown accustomed to being Empress Dowager, Mei Qile now cared more about power, and discreetly left with her baby in her arms.

Inside Lingzhou City, soldiers and the city's inhabitants cheered: "Having fought a hundred battles in the yellow sands, clad in golden armor, Shi Lang's brilliant plan brings peace to the world!"

Li Caidie's fingertips traced the ice patterns on Shi Feiyang's black armor as she said shyly, "Let's go back to Zhongnan Mountain. I want to teach Meng'er the 'Jade Maiden Heart Sutra'." The silver bracelet on her wrist gleamed in the sunlight—it was made by Shi Feiyang using ice energy, and inside it was a snow lotus that would never wither.

Shi Feiyang, accustomed to a leisurely life, had no desire to concern himself with too many court affairs. He nodded tenderly, took Li Caidie's hand, and led Shi Nianxiang and Yang Meng on a Vermilion Bird back to the ancient tomb in Zhongnan Mountain. There, he focused on cultivating the martial arts skills of his beloved son Shi Nianxiang and daughter-in-law Yang Meng, so as not to fail the expectations of the Condor Hero Yang Guo. Although the new Tang Empire was not vast, with a population of just over three million, it was located on the northwestern frontier and was guarded by many masters and famous generals such as Mei Jinghong, Qu Kan, Mei Qile, Wanyan Ping, Yelü Yan, Qin Mu, Cheng Duoyuan, Yuchi Fu, and Luo Zhan. Moreover, the Yihua Palace would occasionally lend a helping hand. No matter how many evil figures the Mongol army allied with to conquer them, they would ultimately be defeated and forced to retreat.

When the snow began to fall again on Zhongnan Mountain, Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman's Sword and Yang Meng's Lady's Sword were already able to withstand ten moves from Shi Feiyang. Li Caidie had planted snow lotuses all over the medicinal garden in Chongyang Palace. Her "Red Serpent Palm" now carried the fragrance of snow lotuses. Wherever her palm wind passed, poisonous weeds were eliminated and flowers bloomed.

The snow on Zhongnan Mountain falls gently, like thousands of jade butterflies fluttering down to earth.

Shi Feiyang's green bamboo stick drew a pale blue arc in the twilight, gently striking the silver threads of Li Caidie's whisk. The icy air collided with the sweet fragrance of jade honey, condensing into a pinkish-purple mist in mid-air, turning the eaves of Chongyang Palace into an ink painting.

Shi Nianxiang's gentleman's sword was stuck diagonally in the snow, the red silk on the tassel complementing the jade hairpin in Yang Meng's hair. The young man looked at the embracing figures before him and suddenly smiled at the girl beside him, "Back in the Valley of Heartbreak, my father-in-law probably looked at my mother-in-law in the same way."

Yang Meng's cheeks flushed, and she gently tapped his palm with her fingertip, scolding him playfully, "You're so glib." Li Caidie's white clothes were stained pale pink by the falling snow. She tiptoed and ran her fingertips over the ice patterns on Shi Feiyang's black armor—a new "Butterfly" character was carved there, nestled together with the old "Stone" character.

"Feiyang," her voice was as soft as snow, and she said affectionately, "This green bamboo stick has accompanied you through so many adventures in the martial world, and today it will be used to tie my hair." Sure enough, Shi Feiyang's green bamboo stick spun around, and the tip of the stick was wrapped with red silk, gently tying up her black hair.

Icy air crept up her hair, condensing the falling snowflakes into tiny ice crystals that shimmered like stars at her temples. "When you blocked that 'Stone-Splitting Claw' for me on the walls of Lingzhou City, I knew then that from now on, I would be the one to tie your hair up."

Li Caidie suddenly took out a brocade pouch from her sleeve, inside which were mandarin ducks embroidered with her own black hair mixed with ice silkworm silk.

She murmured, "The stitches are so coarse," her eyelashes glistening with ice crystals, like traces of tears. She sighed again, "It can't compare to Meng's skill, but..." Before she could finish, Shi Feiyang's kiss silenced her.

(End of this chapter)