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

The green bamboo stick clattered to the ground, and the ice patterns on the black armor glowed warmly in the snow, melting half an inch of the surrounding snow.

“Silly girl,” Shi Feiyang said, his voice tinged with laughter as he gently touched her forehead, “Even if your embroidery is crooked and uneven, it’s still my treasure.” He picked up the green bamboo stick, suddenly knelt on one knee, and held the brocade pouch above his head with the end of the stick. “Li Caidie, I have wandered this life, but I am fortunate to have you by my side. From now on, I will shield you from your poisoned needles, kill your enemies, and tie up your black hair. Are you willing?”

"I do!" Li Caidie said firmly, tossing her whisk aside as she reached out to help him up. Tears fell first, landing on his black armor and splashing up tiny ice flowers. She then said tenderly, "I've been willing for a long time, ever since you took those three hundred and thirty-one blows for me in the Tomb of the Living Dead!"

At this moment, she only used her "Crimson Serpent Palm" to gently pound his chest, and the palm wind even carried the sweet fragrance of jade honey.

Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman's Sword suddenly emitted a clear and melodious sound. He and Yang Meng bowed at the same time and said in unison, "Congratulations, Father, congratulations, Lady Li."

Yang Meng stepped forward, holding a brocade box containing Xiaolongnu's jade comb. She said reverently, "This was left by my mother. She said it was for the wife she liked best." Li Caidie's hand trembled slightly as she took the jade comb. Looking at her reflection in Shi Feiyang's black armor, she suddenly laughed, "Feiyang, do you think my white clothes match your ice patterns?" Shi Feiyang drew a heart shape in the snow with his green bamboo stick. The ice made the mark glisten. He said affectionately, "Even if you were dressed in fiery red like your master, you would still be my wife, Shi Feiyang's wife."

As dusk deepened, Shi Nianxiang lit a campfire in the snow, while Yang Meng's ginger soup simmered in a copper pot. Li Caidie nestled in Shi Feiyang's arms, watching him poke at the firewood with a green bamboo stick. Sparks flew onto his black armor, only to be gently deflected by the ice patterns.

She said sweetly, "From now on, you will teach Nianxiang the 'Nine Heavens Sword Manual,' and I will teach Mengya the 'Three No's and Three No's Hands.'" She drew circles on his palm with her fingertips and said intoxicatedly, "Let's stay on Zhongnan Mountain and watch the snow for the rest of our lives."

Shi Feiyang held her hand, the icy air mingling with the warmth of her palm. He said tenderly, "I'll also plant all the snow lotuses you like and brew the jade bee wine you love to drink." He suddenly lowered his head and gently kissed her palm, then teased, "But these 'three no's and three no's hands, we can't let them corrupt Meng'er."

Li Caidie's laughter startled the snow off the branches. Suddenly, her whisk wrapped around his neck, the barbs on the silver threads gently scraping his Adam's apple. She said coquettishly, "Then will you teach me the Nine Heavens Sword Manual?" Her nose brushed against his chin, and she said firmly, "I also want to take a knife for you."

"Nonsense," Shi Feiyang scolded, using his green bamboo stick to brush her whisk away, but instead pulling her closer, saying affectionately, "Your hands should be embroidering beautiful flowers, not stained with blood."

Bathed in the light of the snow, the ice patterns on his black armor and the silver sheen on her white robes shimmered together, making it difficult to distinguish between ice and snow and deep affection. From the distant Tomb of the Living Dead came the sound of jade bees fluttering their wings, and the laughter of Shi Nianxiang and Yang Meng mingled with the aroma of ginger soup.

Li Caidie gazed at Shi Feiyang's profile, and suddenly felt that all those years of wandering in the martial world and the loneliness in the ancient tomb were as if they existed for this moment of encounter. She gently took the jade comb from her hair and softly tidied his hair, which was disheveled by the wind and snow. Every movement was filled with the care of a rare treasure.

"Feiyang," she said softly, only the two of them could hear, and said affectionately, "The road of the martial world is long, but having you is enough." Shi Feiyang nodded gently, picked up Li Caidie, and walked into their simple wedding room.

……

When the messenger from Xingqing Prefecture brought news of victory again, Shi Feiyang was watching his son with Li Caidie, Shi Nianqing, taking his first steps in the snow.

The baby's tiny hands gripped his black armor, and the ice patterns glowed red where they touched.

Li Caidie, dressed in white, adorned Yang Meng and accompanied her as she cultivated the Nine Yin Manual.

In the distance, in front of the Tomb of the Living Dead, Shi Nianxiang was carving a new tombstone for Yang Guo and his wife with the Gentleman's Sword, the tassel of which was embroidered with magnolia flowers by Li Caidie.

……

Just as the spring snow in Zhongnan Mountain melted, Shi Feiyang discovered something unusual in the medicinal garden of the Tomb of the Living Dead.

The snow lotus that Li Caidie had carefully cultivated suddenly withered, and fine silver threads were wrapped around its roots—those were the "Corrupting Bone Threads" of the Nanshan Sect. The "Corrupting Heart Powder" on the threads was spreading along the soil, and even the Jade Bee Flower that Xiaolongnu had planted back then began to wither.

Li Caidie exclaimed in surprise, "Liu Chengfeng isn't quite dead yet." Holding her whisk, she swept it across the silver threads, and the poison powder condensed into a purple mist in her palm. She frowned and said, "This 'Corroding Heart Powder' requires the heart and liver of a living person to be refined. He must be hiding somewhere in Zhongnan Mountain refining poison."

Her fingertips traced the withered snow lotus, where the black markings matched the traces of the "Seven Fiends Powder" recorded in Li Mochou's Poison Manual. She analyzed, "He wants to use my nominal master's name to stir up trouble in the martial arts world."

Shi Feiyang's icy aura suddenly froze the herb garden. The wind stirred up by his black armor billowed Li Caidie's white robes. He said in a deep voice, "Go check out Zixia Cave." He drew a direction on the frozen ground with his green bamboo staff and said worriedly, "That's the source of Zhongnan's water. If he poisoned it, the entire Chongyang Palace will be doomed." He then used "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" to step over the broken branches in the herb garden. The icy patterns on his black armor reflected the dark clouds on the distant horizon.

Eagles could be faintly seen circling in the clouds—the "Falcon Guards" of the Dark Portal, who feed exclusively on the hearts of living people.

Sure enough, thirteen skeletons were hanging on the stalactites of Zixia Cave.

Each skull had its chest cavity cut open, with an iron plaque from the Nanshan Sect inserted into the heart area, the character "Liu" on the plaque soaked in blood.

Li Caidie's "Ice Soul Silver Needle" suddenly shot towards the shadow on the cave ceiling. The "Falcon Guard" there had just opened its claws when Shi Feiyang used his "Transferring Flowers and Jade" divine skill to lure it towards the stalactite. Amidst the sound of skulls shattering, she saw a small silver bracelet on the wrist bone of one of the skulls—it was Yang Meng's birthday gift that she had lost last year.

Shi Feiyang cursed angrily, "These bastards, how dare they mess with me?" His "Shocking Gaze" swept across the dense forest outside the cave, and his icy gaze froze the three "Falcon Guards" into ice sculptures, which then shattered into ice shards scattered all over the ground.

Immediately afterwards, he unleashed the "Nine Palaces Divine Leg" technique, a "Soaring Flying Kick" that sent ribs and internal organs flying onto the stone wall. Suddenly, the green bamboo stick pointed towards the underground river deep in the cave, and he angrily exclaimed, "They hid their hearts in the water!" Icy air spread along the underground river, and beneath the frozen surface, countless hearts rose and fell with the current, each heart tipped with a bottle of "Heart-Corroding Powder".

Li Caidie unleashed her "Crimson Serpent Palm," striking the frozen surface of the underground river. The spray from her palm strike carried venom, but it condensed into ice crystals upon contact with Shi Feiyang's icy aura. Gazing at the hearts beneath the ice, she suddenly grasped his wrist, saying sadly, "There are thirteen hearts here. Thankfully, Yang Meng is still alive..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shi Nianxiang's shouts came from outside the cave. The boy's voice was choked with sobs: "Father! Yang Meng... she's been poisoned by 'Corrosive Heart Powder'!"

Inside the alchemy room of Chongyang Palace, Yang Meng's face had turned bluish-black. Shi Nianxiang's iron sword was stuck beside the alchemy furnace, and drops of blood from the tassel dripped into the medicine bowl, mixing with the snow lotus juice to form a purplish-black color. Li Caidie's fingertips pressed on Yang Meng's pulse point, and the heat from the "Crimson Serpent Palm" technique was forced back by the cold energy within her body as soon as it was injected.

She exclaimed, "It's a clash between 'Cold Poison' and 'Corroding Heart Powder'!" Her whisk swept across the medicine cabinet, and she slammed Li Mochou's "Five Poisons Secret Manual" in front of Shi Feiyang. "The only solution is 'fighting poison with poison,' but that requires..."

Shi Feiyang said in a deep voice, "I need your blood." He then removed his black armor, and the Mingyu Gong icy energy in his palm condensed into a small knife, which he used to slit the artery in his left arm. The blood dripped into the medicine bowl, miraculously mingling with the snow lotus juice to turn golden.

He explained, "The true energy of Mingyu Gong can neutralize the cold poison. You guide it with 'Crimson Serpent Palm,' and I'll use 'Heavenly Silkworm Skill' to lock her heart meridian." His gaze swept over Yang Meng's purple lips, and suddenly the green bamboo stick pointed out the window as he roared, "They're here!"

The Nanshan Sect's "Stone-Splitting Claw" ripped down through the hole in the roof. Liu Chengfeng's face looked like a zombie in the moonlight, his fingernails still stained with the blood and flesh of his heart. He roared, "Shi Feiyang, it's worth it to exchange your blood for this girl's life!" He unleashed the "Nanshan Sword Technique," thrusting towards the alchemy room with poisonous mist, but deliberately avoided Yang Meng with his sword strike. He then threatened, "As long as you cripple your martial arts, I'll give you the antidote."

Shi Nianxiang's iron sword suddenly met the attack. The sword energy collided with the poisonous mist, and in the purple smoke that was stirred up, the boy's shoulder instantly became festering.

Li Caidie flung out her "Ice Soul Silver Needle," aiming for Liu Chengfeng's wrist. The moment the poisoned needle pierced his bone, she brandished her "Crimson Serpent Palm," striking his dantian and shouting, "Quickly, bring me the antidote!" The venom from her palm strike corroded through Liu Chengfeng's leather armor, but he laughed wildly, "Too late! This poison requires the heart's blood of a close relative to cure. Yang Guo is dead, Guo Xiang is not here, this girl is doomed!"

Shi Feiyang unleashed the "Breaking Heaven and Earth" technique from the "Hundred Victories Blade Technique" with both palms. The fierce blade energy slashed towards Liu Chengfeng, freezing him into an ice sculpture. At the same time, his left hand pressed against Yang Meng's chest. He used the "Heavenly Silkworm Skill," his palm shimmering with crystalline light. Silver threads formed from his powerful true energy flowed along her meridians, forcing his own blood into her heart. The ice patterns on his Xuanjia armor glowed red at this moment, reflecting in Li Caidie's tearful eyes.

He explained, "Don't listen to that damned scoundrel's nonsense. My blood can save Yang Meng." Li Caidie nodded, tears welling in her eyes.

Three days later, Yang Meng's face finally regained its color. Shi Nianxiang's iron sword, however, had a nick—a mark left from when he shielded Yang Meng from Liu Chengfeng's "Stone-Splitting Claw." Before the ice sculpture in Zixia Cave, Li Caidie burned Liu Chengfeng's body to ashes. From the ashes rolled a black bead, within which a venomous scorpion could be faintly seen crawling. She exclaimed in horror, "It's the Five Poisons Sect's 'Mother and Child Scorpions,' the mother scorpion is on him, and the child scorpion..." Before she could finish speaking, a tiny red scorpion suddenly crawled out from Shi Nianxiang's wrist.

Shi Feiyang exclaimed, "Lingzhou!" He quickly regained his composure and said calmly, "It was the remnants of Boyan's forces who joined forces with the Five Poisons Sect to lure us back to Xingqing with a 'chain scheme'! They know that Nianxiang is my weakness and want to use him to keep me tied up here for the rest of my life."

Li Caidie's whisk suddenly wrapped around his black armor, and she said firmly, "I'll go with you." She took out a porcelain bottle from her bosom, containing a "poison-repelling pill" made with her own blood, and placed it in Shi Nianxiang's hand, then said in a deep voice, "I know best the poison of my nominal master." Shi Nianxiang took the porcelain bottle with one hand, and suddenly held his iron sword in the other, blocking the doorway, and said decisively, "Father, Meng'er and I will guard the ancient tomb. You go quickly!"

Shi Feiyang nodded and said, "My son has grown up, that's good! Protect Meng'er well, and remember, the first child born will be surnamed Yang!" Shi Nianxiang nodded with tears of reluctance, turned around first, returned to the stone chamber, and closed the stone door. The new Tang Dynasty was in trouble, and he didn't want his father to be delayed here.

Shi Feiyang then embraced Li Caidie and used the "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" technique, instantly merging into the air and flying towards Xingqing Prefecture.

The city gates of Xingqing Prefecture were tightly shut in the twilight. Qin Mu's mountain-breaking axe was stuck diagonally in the city tower, the bloodstains on the blade had congealed into black scabs, and the soldiers' blood-written letters were scattered at his feet, each paper bearing knife marks—clearly, a fierce battle had taken place.

Shi Feiyang flew diagonally down, and the Mingyu Gong ice energy suddenly froze the city gate. He used a green bamboo stick to pry open the blood-stained letter on the ground, and the Mongolian script on it was crooked and twisted: "If you want a son, go to Black Wind Pass." Shi Feiyang didn't have time to say a word to Qin Mu before he flew away.

On the cliff of Black Wind Pass, the altar of the Five Poisons Sect was engulfed by raging fire, and the black blood seeping from the cracks in the altar sizzled in the flames.

Shi Niansong was bound to the center of the altar with thick hemp ropes. A female scorpion, entirely green, lay on his chest, its stinger gleaming with an eerie blue light. With each tremor, its pincers sank deeper into the boy's flesh. Seven skeletons hung upside down from the stone pillars surrounding the altar, their skulls pierced with burning poisonous herbs. Thick smoke, carrying the stench of "bone-dissolving powder," dyed the entire cliff an eerie dark green.

Guo Fu's willow-leaf dagger was stuck diagonally into the stone pillar on the east side, and the note wrapped around the tassel fluttered in the fire and wind.

The twelve characters, "Shi Feiyang, exchange the 'Wumu Legacy' for it," were written in the blood of a living person and were dripping down the tassel of the sword, forming a small pool of blood at the base of the pillar. This was Bayan's threat to Shi Feiyang!

The Mongol army formation beneath the altar loomed like a dark cloud, and the spiked clubs of Bayan's remnants gleamed with a bloodthirsty light in the firelight. The armor of more than 3,300 soldiers was all branded with the snake-shaped mark of the Five Poisons Sect, and the emeralds inlaid in the snake's eyes were actually "soul-nourishing beads" made from the eyeballs of living people.

Li Caidie roared in mid-air, "You wicked creature, how dare you!" Her white robes swept across the sky like a startled swan, and the "Ice Soul Silver Needles" in her sleeves suddenly turned into silver rain. The red silk at the ends of the needles wove a net in the wind, precisely covering the mother scorpion in Shi Niansong's heart.

When the silver needle was three inches away from the scorpion's body, the mother scorpion suddenly stood up and shot out three venomous lines from her stinger, completely corroding the silver needle.

She touched the edge of the altar with her toes and used the "Three No's and Three No's Hand" technique. The "Infiltrate Every Hole" finger pointed at the altar mechanism—the snake-shaped patterns carved in the stone crevices were the main gate of the Five Poisons Sect's "Ten Thousand Snakes Formation".

Just as the wind touched the mechanism, twenty members of the Five Poisons Cult suddenly sprang out from the west side. Their "Thousand Serpent Staffs" simultaneously struck the ground, and the golden serpents on the staffs flicked their tongues, shooting out poisonous mist that condensed into the shape of a venomous python in mid-air.

Li Caidie's "All-Round" finger technique suddenly changed direction, her fingertips pointing towards the "Yangguan" and "Huantiao" acupoints of the cultists. Amidst screams, five people's knees buckled backward, falling in bizarre postures into the poisonous mist, instantly devoured by the venomous pythons she had summoned. Shi Feiyang flew diagonally down, his green bamboo staff transforming into a longsword. The second level of the "Nine Heavens Sword Manual" suddenly unfolded, three feet of azure energy condensing on the sword, sweeping across the Mongol army formation like a bolt of lightning.

His green bamboo staff slashed down diagonally, the sword energy tearing a chasm more than ten feet wide in the ground. More than ninety Mongol soldiers, men and horses alike, plunged into the abyss, their screams shredded by the gale-force winds from the cliff. Immediately afterward, he unleashed the "Raging Wind Sword Intent," stirring up the storm at Black Wind Pass. The sword shadows multiplied in the wind, each shadow accompanied by a sharp sound of tearing flesh.

Bayan's nephew, Timur, sensed something was wrong and hurriedly shouted, "Protect the altar!" He then charged forward, brandishing his nine-ringed broadsword. The clanging of the rings created a wind from the blade that forced back Shi Feiyang's sword energy. At the same time, the "Blood Wolf Guards" behind him fired poisoned arrows, their tips coated with "Corrosive Heart Powder," which traced eerie arcs in the air, aiming specifically at Shi Feiyang's lower body.

Shi Feiyang unleashed the "Sword Heart Connection" realm, drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. His green bamboo staff spun in front of him, catching all the poisoned arrows. Then, he unleashed the "Sword Dao End," pointing the tip of his staff through the air, causing Timur's nine-ringed broadsword to break in two, the broken blade plunging back into Timur's own throat.

Li Caidie's whisk entangled the wrist of the Five Poisons Sect leader, and her left palm unleashed the "All-Powerful" technique, her finger strike aiming for his eyes. The instant her knuckles shattered his eyeballs, her palm strike imprinted on his throat. As the leader collapsed, Li Caidie finally saw the key to the altar's mechanism—a snake-shaped jade pendant embedded in a crevice in the stone, requiring the use of pure Yang internal energy to activate. She unleashed her "Crimson Serpent Palm," gathering all her power, and the moment her palm struck the jade pendant, the altar suddenly trembled violently, and the ropes binding Shi Niansong groaned under the strain.

"Father!" Shi Niansong cried out, his voice trembling with sobs. He watched as the scorpion's stinger was about to pierce his heart, and suddenly, with all his might, he twisted his body. Shi Feiyang's green bamboo staff flashed like lightning, unleashing "Shadow Slash and Soul Kill," the sword energy slicing through the rope and cleaving the scorpion in two. He then used the bamboo staff to lift the boy and toss him towards the safety of the eastern side of the cliff, adding, "Niansong, wait on the east side!"

Just then, Shi Niansong suddenly opened his eyes wide, pointed at the stone pillar next to Guo Fu's willow-leaf knife, and said urgently, "Father, Mother, she..."

There, stuck in a crevice in the rocks, was half of a pale yellow battle robe. The dark pattern on the fabric was the Guo family's unique "hibiscus flower." At the corner, there was also a bloodstained jade pendant—the eighteenth birthday gift that Guo Jing had given to Guo Fu.

Shi Feiyang cried out in anguish, "Fu'er!" His heart ached terribly, and his sword strike suddenly faltered. The spiritual power of the "Nine Heavens Sword Manual" went out of control, and the azure energy on the sword suddenly exploded. The ice patterns on the black armor spread like a spider web, making a series of cracking sounds.

Timur's guards seized the opportunity to pounce from both sides, their spiked clubs carrying poisonous sand aimed at his back. The poisonous sand transformed into the shape of poisonous bats in the air, eroding the rocks with honeycomb-like holes wherever it passed.

Li Caidie cried out, "Husband, be careful!" Her white robes flashed like lightning, shielding Shi Feiyang from behind. She unleashed the "Crimson Serpent Palm," striking out at the poisonous sand. The instant her palm struck the poisonous sand, black energy suddenly rose from her back, and her flesh festered at a visible speed, instantly turning her white robes purplish-black.

But her "anything goes" finger continued forward, her fingertips gouging out the guard's eyes, and her palm strike shattering his throat.

Shi Feiyang steadied himself, his internal energy recovered, and he urgently unleashed the "Shocking Eye Calamity" divine skill, his icy gaze sweeping across the entire Black Wind Pass. Within the Mongol army formation, the soldiers' eyeballs suddenly exploded, the meridians of the Five Poisons Cult members snapped on their own, and even the flames on the altar were frozen into ice sculptures by this invisible force.

He turned and caught Li Caidie's falling body, frantically channeling icy energy into her meridians, but could only watch helplessly as the black energy spread from her back to her heart. He said with heartache, "Caidie! Hold on! I'll take you to Medicine King Valley right now!"

Black blood spilled from the corner of Li Caidie's mouth. She raised her hand to touch Shi Feiyang's cheek, but her fingertips dropped down just inches away from him.

She said with difficulty, "Husband... I... I can't go back to Zhongnan Mountain!..." Looking at the ice patterns on his black armor, which reflected her festering back, she suddenly gave a weak smile and said intermittently, "Tell Meng girl... Jade Bee Elixir... is under the third brick in the Tomb of the Living Dead..." Before she could finish speaking, her head slumped onto his shoulder, and she fell silent.

"Mother!" Shi Niansong's cries were heart-wrenching. As soon as he ran closer, he saw Li Caidie's unfocused pupils. The boy suddenly knelt down and slammed his head against the rock. Blood from his forehead instantly stained the ground red.

At this moment, hurried footsteps came from the east side. Guo Fu walked over, leaning on half a gun barrel. Her left arm was twisted unnaturally, and her pale yellow battle robe was soaked in blood. When she saw Li Caidie's corpse, she suddenly let out a shrill scream and fainted.

Shi Feiyang gently placed Li Caidie's body on the grass. When he turned around, his eyes were devoid of any spirit. He grabbed a green bamboo stick, pointed it at the remaining Mongol soldiers, and unleashed the "Sword Universe Ashes" realm of the Nine Heavens Sword Manual. The sword energy transformed into streams of light, turning everything in its path, whether man or horse, into dust.

Timur was about to flee on horseback when the sword light pierced his heart. The "Frosty Sword Intent" on the sword froze him into an ice sculpture, then shattered it in an instant. Only the howling wind remained at Black Wind Pass. When Guo Fu awoke, she held Li Caidie's cold body, her cries hoarse like broken gongs. Tears mixed with blood dripped onto Li Caidie's white clothes as she said sorrowfully, "It's all my fault... It's all my fault..."

She clutched her hair, tearing at it repeatedly, and choked out, "I shouldn't have let you... I shouldn't have let you come..."

Shi Niansong knelt to the side, his small body trembling. He looked at Li Caidie's charred palm—where the marks of shielding Shi Feiyang from the poisonous sand were still visible—and suddenly threw himself into Guo Fu's arms. The mother and son embraced and wept bitterly.

The cries echoed between the cliffs, startling crows that circled incessantly. Shi Feiyang used icy energy to seal Li Caidie's body, her favorite snow lotus condensing on the ice coffin. He picked up the half of her pale yellow battle robe, placed it together with Li Caidie's whisk, then, carrying her remains, used the "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" technique to fly back to Zhongnan Mountain, enter the ancient tomb, move a stone coffin, and place Li Caidie's body inside.

Ming Yugong's icy energy froze the five large characters "Li Caidie's Tomb" onto the stone coffin. Within each stroke of the character, a drop of his heart's blood condensed, mingling with her poisonous blood, making them indistinguishable from one another.

Three months later, the sound of the bell from Chongyang Palace pierced through the stone gate of the Tomb of the Living Dead, rippling in front of the ice coffin.

Shi Feiyang sat in front of Li Caidie's grave. The ice patterns on his black armor had become one with the snow lotus on the coffin. He ran his fingertips over the newly carved characters "Caidie" on the coffin lid, where the ice shards still carried the lingering chill.

Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman's Sword leaned against the coffin, the petals of the "Colorful Butterfly" tassel wrapped around it were half withered. The boy leaned closer and said, "Father, Yang Meng has cultivated a new flower in the herb garden. Its ice-blue petals wrap around a flame-like heart. We all call it 'Colorful Butterfly'."

Guo Fu's willow-leaf knife sparked as it scraped against the crack in the rock. She placed a bunch of freshly picked "Colorful Butterfly" flowers in front of the ice coffin, the cuffs of her pale yellow battle robe still stained with blood from Black Wind Pass. Shi Niansong sat down next to her mother, her small hands tightly clutching the silver hairpin left by Li Caidie, her knuckles white as bone.

The mother and son bowed their heads and wept, their tears falling onto the petals, merging with the flame patterns in the flower's center to form a deep crimson hue.

That silent sorrow is more capable of tearing people's hearts apart than the fierce winds of Black Wind Pass.

"Thump—thump—" The sound of horses' hooves approached from afar outside the ancient tomb, shattering the morning mist of Zhongnan Mountain. Shi Feiyang's black armor trembled slightly, and the ice patterns suddenly glowed with a blue light. He came to his senses and said, "Fu'er, General Qin Mu and the others have arrived?"

Guo Fu wiped away her tears with her sleeve, her fingertips tracing the spine of the willow-leaf dagger, and whispered, "General Qin personally led over a thousand guards to protect the emperor. According to old Jianghu customs, the three-month mourning period is over, and it's time to set off."

Looking at the snow lotus on the ice coffin, she said warmly, "The sea mist of Peach Blossom Island may be able to dilute some of the coldness of Zhongnan Mountain."

Shi Feiyang stood up, held the green bamboo stick, and gently touched the ice coffin. The icy air froze the "Colorful Butterfly" flower into an eternal form.

He said in a deep voice, "Nianxiang, protect Mengya." His gaze swept over the broadswords at the waists of Qin Mu's guards. The blades were wrapped in blue cloth, just like the attire of ordinary merchants. He then said decisively, "Tell General Qin that once we get close to the Yangtze River, we will switch to waterways. The Yuan people's post stations are very strict."

Seven days later in the East China Sea, turbid waves crashed against the hull of the "Breaking Waves".

Qin Mu's iron spear was stuck diagonally on the deck, the red silk on its tassel torn to shreds by the sea wind. He gazed at the "Fisherman" flag fluttering on the mast and whispered to Shi Feiyang, "Your Majesty, three fast boats have been spotted on the port side, their sails embroidered with the sun pattern of Fusang." Before he finished speaking, the fast boats pounced like hungry wolves, and the Japanese pirates on the deck brandished their swords and roared wildly. The blades gleamed bluish-black under the blazing sun, clearly coated with deadly poison.

Shi Feiyang's black armor reflected a cold light on the side of the ship. He held down Qin Mu, who was about to draw his sword, and said calmly, "Let the children practice." He held a green bamboo stick and pointed it at Shi Nianxiang and his wife, instructing them, "Remember what you, Master Yang, said: A swordsman must have not only the courage to break through formations, but also the wisdom to devise strategies."

Guo Fu's willow-leaf dagger suddenly drew half an inch from its sheath, but he stopped her with a look.

Shi Feiyang then suggested, "It's time to draw blood with Nian Song's Dog-Beating Stick Technique."

"Kill!" Iguchi Taro roared, gripping his katana and slashing at the mooring ropes of the "Wavebreaker." The two hundred-plus Japanese pirates behind him attacked simultaneously, their "Fusang Sword Technique" and "Wind-Facing Slash" creating countless sword shadows amidst the waves, the wind from their blades capable of cleaving through sprays over ten feet high. Suddenly, Iguchi Jiro's "ninjutsu" transformed into a wisp of green smoke, and in the blink of an eye, he landed on the mainmast, his katana aimed straight for Yang Meng's back.

"Be careful!" Shi Nianxiang warned, gripping the Gentleman's Sword like a white snake emerging from its hole. He used the "Dingyang Needle" technique of the Quanzhen Swordplay to strike the tip of the Japanese sword. The character "Yang" on the spine of the sword suddenly lit up, actually splitting the green smoke of the ninjutsu.

Yang Meng simultaneously drew her Lady Sword, employing the "Jade Maiden Shuttle" technique from the Ancient Tomb School, circling to Iguchi Jiro's left. The blade grazed his ribs, the blood droplets forming a mist in the sunlight. In the instant their figures crossed, the Gentleman's Sword and the Lady Sword clashed, the combined force of the two swords spreading out in a ring, sending five Japanese pirates spitting blood and crashing into the sea.

"Baka!" Iguchi Saburo cursed angrily, gripping the "Fusang Mad Blade" and slashing down with the force of wind and thunder. The blade was as fierce as a bull, but it suddenly stopped three feet away from Shi Nianxiang—Yang Meng's sword tassel had wrapped around his ankle. She gripped the Lady's Sword and swung "Spirit Snake Emerging from Cave," aiming at his "Suspended Bell" acupoint.

As Iguchi Saburo roared in pain, he swung his sword at Yang Meng. Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman's Sword suddenly blocked the attack, unleashing a move called "Severing Yin and Yang." The sword's momentum drew the Japanese sword into the air, and with a swift slash, Saburo's right hand was severed at the wrist. The severed hand, still clutching the Japanese sword, fell into the sea, staining the resulting waves red.

Shi Niansong's green bamboo stick suddenly shot out from the side, and the "stick picks the mangy dog" technique accurately hit a Japanese pirate's chin. With a follow-up strike, the pirate's neck bent at a strange angle.

He moved his toes along the gunwale, his "puppy playing with a ball" technique making the green bamboo stick spin in his hand. With a clanging sound from the copper rings at the end of the stick, the knees of three Japanese pirates were simultaneously shattered. They screamed and rolled into the cabin below deck, where the sounds of flesh being gnawed at immediately came from—Qin Mu had long kept ten hungry dogs in the cabin, waiting for the fish to fall into his net.

Yang Meng's Lady Sword suddenly feinted, unleashing a move called "Creating Something from Nothing." The sword appeared to be attacking Iguchi Taro's face, but in reality, the tassel of the sword wrapped around his scabbard. Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman Sword seized the opportunity to thrust straight forward, using the move "Drawing Firewood from Under the Cauldron." The sword pierced through Iguchi Taro's left rib, and from the bloody hole created by the sword's edge, half a poisoned copper coin rolled out—a "coin dart" from a Japanese ninja.

The two changed their positions again, using a feint attack to lure twenty Japanese pirates toward the stern of the ship. The deck there had already been dismantled by Qin Mu's personal guards, and the pirates fell into the sea one after another, their throats pierced by steel forks from lurking water ghosts.

Shi Niansong's green bamboo stick weaved through the crowd. The "tripping" technique's "pushing the dog to the sky" caused seven Japanese pirates to trample each other. Suddenly, the tip of the stick touched the ground, and the "splitting" technique's "beating the dog's head" smashed the skull of the first man to pieces. Brain matter mixed with bone fragments splattered onto the sail, staining the sun pattern into a strange design.

He caught a glimpse of two Japanese pirates rushing towards the gunpowder magazine with torches in hand. Suddenly, a green bamboo stick wrapped around their waist ropes. The "tug-of-war" technique of "entanglement" pulled the two men back forcefully. With a flick of the wrist, they crashed into Taro Iguchi's sword. Taro's katana shattered their skulls, but the corpses also stopped his advance.

"Capture the leader to catch the thief!" Shi Nianxiang roared, gripping his Gentleman's Sword and suddenly pointing it at Iguchi Taro. He unleashed the "Wild Horse Parts Its Mane" move from the Quanzhen Swordplay, combining it with Yang Meng's "Jade Maiden's Pure Heart Sword." The sword shadows danced like butterflies flitting among flowers, weaving a net of swords around Iguchi Taro. Iguchi Taro, wielding the "Fusang Mad Blade," struggled to parry. Each time he slashed at Shi Nianxiang, Yang Meng's sword would deflect his attacks, drawing him into openings. In the blink of an eye, several deep, bone-revealing wounds appeared on his shoulder and thigh, blood dripping from the deck's seams, forming a small river of blood at the bottom of the hold.

Shi Niansong's green bamboo staff suddenly transformed into a streak of light, the "Desperate Dog Jumps Over the Wall" technique of the "Poke" method passing between Iguchi Taro's legs, the tip of the staff precisely striking his "perineum" acupoint. In the instant Iguchi Taro roared in pain and bent over, Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman's Sword pierced his throat, the blade emerging from the back of his neck, carrying half a tongue and fragments of bone. Simultaneously, Yang Meng's Lady's Sword severed his knees, causing him to fall kneeling into the sea, where he was devoured by circling sharks. His screams quickly faded into the waves. Iguchi Jiro's ninjutsu suddenly failed; his mask was cleaved open by Shi Nianxiang's sword energy, revealing a face covered in scars. His sword tip was coated with "Blood Seals the Throat," and he lunged at Yang Meng like a madman, only to have his wrist entangled by Shi Niansong's green bamboo staff, the "Hungry Dog Blocks the Road" technique of the "Seal" method rendering him immobile.

Yang Meng gripped the Lady's Sword and used the "Parting Flowers and Willows" move to strike his eyes. As Iguchi Jiro screamed and covered his face, Shi Nianxiang's Gentleman's Sword pierced through his heart, pinning him to the ship's side. His body was repeatedly battered by the waves and eventually broke in two.

Seeing their leader dead, the remaining Japanese pirates scattered. Shi Niansong drew an arc on the deck with his green bamboo stick, using the "luring" technique of "a pack of dogs fighting for food" to lead them to the stern, where his guards had already drawn their bows and arrows. Ma Jun's crossbow rained down like locusts, turning the Japanese pirates into pincushions.

More than twenty Japanese pirates jumped into the sea to escape, but were caught by the ankles of Qin Mu's personal guards' hook-and-sickle spears and dragged back to the deck, barely alive. Shi Niansong smashed their knees one by one with his green bamboo stick, making them wail in pools of blood until they bled to death. After the fierce battle, the deck of the "Breaking Waves" was covered with a thick layer of bloodstains, with severed limbs, internal organs, brain matter, and Japanese Rising Sun flags intertwined and scattered by the waves.

Shi Nianxiang's gentleman's sword was stuck diagonally on the ship's side, drops of blood from the tassel falling into the sea, attracting a swarm of sharks to fight over it. Yang Meng used her lady's sword to decapitate Iguchi Saburo; the head's eyes were still wide open, as if it couldn't believe it had been defeated by two young boys.

Shi Niansong leaned on the deck with his green bamboo stick, the copper ring at the end of which was wrapped around half of a Japanese pirate's ear.

He gazed at the corpses floating in the sea, his small face splattered with blood but showing no fear. Guo Fu suddenly drew her willow-leaf knife, slicing off a section of sail and handing it to Yang Meng, saying softly, "Wipe your sword. This Japanese blood has stained our weapons."

Shi Feiyang turned his black armor towards the distant sea, where the outlines of a larger fleet could be vaguely seen in the thin mist. He lightly tapped the deck with a green bamboo stick.

He declared loudly, "We haven't even reached Peach Blossom Island yet; the battle in this vast sea has only just begun." Qin Mu's personal guards threw the bodies of the Japanese pirates into the sea, and the smell of blood attracted sharks that thrashed around the ship's side, revealing their snow-white teeth.

Shi Nianxiang helped Yang Meng up. Blood was still dripping from their swords, but in their smiles, they shared a tacit understanding forged through bloodshed.

Shi Niansong used a green bamboo stick to pick up a tattered Rising Sun flag and threw it into the sea. Watching it being torn to shreds by sharks, he suddenly said to Shi Feiyang, "Dad, this Dog-Beating Stick Technique is much more interesting than what we practiced in Zhongnan Mountain."

The sea breeze, carrying a heavy stench of blood, swept across the deck. The ice patterns on the black armor reflected the bloodstained faces of the young men. In this world, the sharpness of swords and clubs had not yet been concealed, and in the distant waves, it seemed that new killing intent was brewing.

Guo Fu sheathed her willow-leaf dagger, gazing at Shi Feiyang's resolute profile. She suddenly understood that this journey wasn't just about returning to Peach Blossom Island, but also about forging these young swords and staffs into sharp edges capable of shaking the world through blood and fire. (End of Chapter)