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

Seeing that more than half of his men were dead or wounded, the tall, thin man suddenly bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The remains of the female corpse on the iron chains miraculously reformed, transforming into a blue-faced, fanged demon. He roared and pounced, unleashing the "Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique!"

The demon's claws ripped through the air with a whooshing sound, tearing Shi Feiyang's brocade robe and leaving five deep, bone-revealing bloodstains.

Shi Feiyang hurriedly activated the Mingyu Gong to the "Supreme Forgetfulness Ice Soul Cold Prison" and unleashed the "Splitting Word Technique: Beating the Dog's Head with a Stick!"

The chilling aura of the "Mingyu Skill" spread along the staff. A flash of blue light appeared, and the iron chain snapped. The staff tip slammed heavily onto the tall, thin man's head, the sound of his skull shattering clearly audible. The evil spirit, having lost its vessel, instantly turned into black smoke and dissipated, leaving behind only a pool of foul-smelling black blood.

Fang Wenyu tore off a corner of her clothes to bandage Shi Feiyang's wound. Her fingertips touched his strong arm, and she suddenly remembered her master Guo Xiang's words: "True friendship is revealed in times of adversity, and true gold is refined in fire." She looked at Shi Feiyang's pale but resolute face and said softly, "This wound was for me."

Shi Feiyang smiled and said, "It's for the suffering people!" He drew a simple map on the ground with the dog-beating stick, pointing the tip of the stick to the underground river at the bottom of the ditch, and whispered, "Cross this river, and you'll reach the territory of Lingxiao Palace."

Looking into Fang Wenyu's eyes, which were stained with blood but still bright, he said guiltily, "I'm sorry to have wronged you."

Fang Wenyu suddenly laughed, using an Emei thorn to tear off her blood-stained sleeve, revealing her snow-white arm, and said in a sunny tone, "Compared to those women who were harmed by the Heavenly Demon Sect, what is Wenyu's little grievance?"

Her fingertips lightly touched the skin beside Shi Feiyang's wound, and she said with pity, "Brother Shi, you should have saved your strength."
Shi Feiyang smiled, gripped the dog-beating stick, propped himself up, and turned to leave.

Fang Wenyu followed closely behind. Three days after they left Tianmogou, they encountered an ambush by Lingxiao Palace troops on the Hanzhong Plain. The wheat fields on this plain had been trampled flat, revealing dense icicles underneath, which reflected the sunlight so brightly that it was impossible to open one's eyes.

This is precisely the "Frost Array" of Lingxiao Palace.

The Lingxiao Palace Master's ice sword gleamed coldly in the sunlight. He was clad in a white fur coat, his face as handsome as a woman's, yet a scorpion of ice was tattooed between his brows. He said viciously, "Shi Feiyang, you destroyed my Heavenly Demon Sect branch, today I will surely shatter you to pieces! My 'Mysterious Ice Sword Qi' can freeze your Bright Jade Skill." The Lingxiao Palace disciples behind him were all dressed in white robes woven from ice silkworm silk, their longswords brimming with icy energy. When they formed a formation, they resembled an ice wall, trapping Shi Feiyang and Fang Wenyu in the center. They unleashed "Ice Lock City!" Three hundred longswords thrust out simultaneously, their sword energy condensing into an ice net in the air. Wherever they passed, the wheat fields instantly froze, and even the soil cracked with ice patterns.

Shi Feiyang snorted coldly, activated the Mingyu Skill, and used the "Luring Dogs into the Village" technique! The Dog-Beating Stick suddenly plunged into the icy ground, the copper ring at the tip of the stick vibrated, causing the surrounding ice shards to move. The "Stick Sweeping the Ground" move swept to the left with ice shards, deliberately revealing an opening.

As expected, the Palace Master of Lingxiao Palace fell for the trap. The ice sword pierced through like lightning, its wind carrying a bone-chilling cold that could even freeze Shi Feiyang's clothes.

Fang Wenyu suddenly threw out her Emei dagger, not to attack the enemy, but to nail it into the ice net in the air. She then reminded him, "Brother Shi, the ice spikes in the southeast corner are alive!" At the same time, her "Snowflake Piercing Cloud Palm" struck to the right, the palm force penetrating through the body and shattering the ice swords of the three disciples. It turned out that she had already seen through the life-saving gate of the formation. Those seemingly indestructible ice spikes were actually frozen with living water and could be broken by internal force.

Shi Feiyang's dog-beating stick shifted smoothly, sweeping down two attacking disciples with a "horizontal strike against two mastiffs" chopping technique. The tip of the stick then "slanted strike against the dog's back," precisely striking the wrist of the Lingxiao Palace Master. The instant the ice sword left his hand, his "Mingyu Gong" internal energy spread along the stick, instantly covering the Lingxiao Palace Master's arm with a thin layer of ice, causing him to scream in pain.

"Withdraw!" Palace Master Lingxiao cried out in anguish. Though he had lost his ice sword, he suddenly unleashed the "Frosty Palm," and wherever the palm wind passed, cracks appeared in the ice, each crack spanning a meter. Shi Feiyang swept Fang Wenyu up in his arms and leaped into the air.

As his dog-beating stick fell, he used a move called "Disrupting the Doghouse," shattering all the surrounding ice shards. Amidst the flying ice shards, he saw Fang Wenyu's blue robe torn by the ice shards, blood seeping from his shoulder, yet he still gritted his teeth and persevered, using his Emei daggers to deflect the incoming ice shards.

Upon landing, Fang Wenyu suddenly stumbled; her ankle had been cut by an icicle, and the wound had begun to freeze. Without a word, Shi Feiyang hoisted her onto his back and ran towards the edge of the plain, unleashing his "Dog-Beating Stick" technique—a powerful, wall-like movement that blocked the pursuers' sword strikes. Fang Wenyu's cheek pressed against his back, feeling his steady heartbeat, and she said urgently, "Put me down, Brother Shi…you can't run fast like this…"

Shi Feiyang's steps didn't falter. The internal energy of his "Mingyu Gong" flowed down her spine into her body, dispelling the chill. He said domineeringly, "I said I would protect you." His voice cut through the wind, carrying an undeniable firmness, and he added teasingly, "Back in Xiangyang, Aunt Guo protected Miss Guo in the same way." Fang Wenyu suddenly fell silent, burying her face even deeper, tears silently soaking his brocade robe. She knew that this affection had unknowingly transcended the code of chivalry, like the icicles of Lingxiao Plain, weathered by time yet ever more translucent.

Upon entering the northwest region, the influence of the Fire Cloud Cave was ever-present. The entrance to Fire Cloud Valley was blocked by raging flames, and flame totems were carved on the rock walls. Dozens of people, all civilians who had resisted the brutal rule of the Yuan people, were tied to a boulder at the valley entrance and were now on the verge of death from the smoke and fire.

The Fire Cloud Cave Master said viciously, "Shi Feiyang, you dare to trespass into my Fire Cloud Valley? Watch these lowly people turn to charcoal first!" He then unleashed his "Blazing Palm," striking a nearby oil drum. Sparks flew, and flames shot up several feet high, licking at the clothes of the people. He was a burly man with a bare upper body covered in flame tattoos. In his hand, an iron chain held a burning iron ball, which sent sparks flying with each shake.

Fang Wenyu suddenly pointed his Emei dagger at the rocks at the top of the valley, reminding them, "Brother Shi, those rocks are wet!"

She had already observed that the vegetation at the top of the valley was more lush than elsewhere, indicating the presence of a hidden spring, and kindly reminded her, "Use your Bright Jade Skill to draw water from the spring to extinguish the fire!"

Suddenly, Shi Feiyang's dog-beating stick pierced the wall of fire, and the "mother dog protecting her cubs" sealing technique was activated, with the air wall formed by the stick's shadow temporarily blocking the fire.

His "Mingyu Gong" internal energy circulated rapidly, and the coldness in his palms grew stronger and stronger. Sure enough, water droplets seeped from the rocks at the top of the valley, flowing down the rock walls and stirring up white smoke at the edge of the fire wall.

The Fire Cloud Cave Master roared, "Wishful thinking!" He suddenly hurled his iron ball at the bound civilians, then cruelly declared, "Let's see who you save!"

The iron chain arced through the air, carrying a scorching wave of air, and was about to strike a child. Fang Wenyu's "Unpredictable Flying Ring" was faster than the iron ball. The moment the silver needle entangled the chain, she leaped towards the wall of fire, striking the bottom of the oil drum with her "Golden Top Cotton Palm." The force of her palm penetrated her body, pushing the oil drum in the opposite direction. The flames immediately surged back, burning towards the disciples of Fire Cloud Cave.

"Wen Yu!" Shi Feiyang cried out in alarm, his eyes wide with fury. He used the "Quick Strike on the Dog's Rump" technique with his Dog-Beating Stick to force back the Fire Cloud Cave Master. At the same time, he used the "Stick Picks Up the Mangy Dog" move to cut the ropes binding the child and throw him to safety.

As he turned around, he saw Fang Wenyu's blue robe ablaze with sparks, but she was completely unaware, continuing to use her Emei thorns to cut the ropes of the other people.

Shi Feiyang gripped the dog-beating stick and unleashed the "Chopping Technique: Falling into the Water and Beating the Dog!" He then suddenly plunged the stick into a nearby puddle. The water jets from the tip of the stick poured down like a torrential downpour, not only extinguishing the flames on Fang Wenyu's body but also creating a breach in the wall of fire.

He pulled Fang Wenyu back and saw that her arm was burned and covered with blisters. He was heartbroken and said in a trembling voice, "Why did you do this to yourself!"

Despite the excruciating pain, Fang Wenyu pointed to the rescued civilians and said sadly, "They...they are our compatriots..." Her lips were cracked and dry from the smoke, but she still smiled brightly and said proudly, "Brother Shi, we did it..."

Shi Feiyang suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace, the chilling energy of the "Mingyu Gong" flowing into her body, relieving the burning pain of her burns. Amidst the flames and thick smoke, their heartbeats gradually synchronized, and the unspoken feelings, like the ashes of Fire Cloud Valley, became even purer after being burned by the fire.

To treat Fang Wenyu's heat poisoning injury, Shi Feiyang had no choice but to carry Fang Wenyu and use his unparalleled "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" lightness skill to fly to Liupan Mountain.

The main peak of Liupan Mountain is covered in snow all year round. Shi Feiyang carried Fang Wenyu through the snow. The ice patterns on his black armor channeled the cold air into his feet, and the footprints he made would freeze within half an hour. Fang Wenyu's breathing became weaker and weaker, and the black blood seeping from the festering sores on his back had soaked through his clothes.

"Wenyu, hang in there a little longer." Shi Feiyang's voice trembled as he brushed his fingertips across her cold cheek and encouraged her, "Qin Mu said that there are thousand-year-old snow lotuses in the ice cave on the main peak, and the dew on the petals can cure all poisons."

His dog-beating stick scoured the way ahead, and with each clang of the copper ring at the end of the stick, a snowbird would be startled and fly away, whispering in his ear, "Smell, there is the fragrance of lotus."

The entrance to the ice cave is hidden behind the waterfall. The waterfall's water flow is frozen into an ice curtain by Shi Feiyang's "Mingyu Gong," and a faint purple halo can be vaguely seen behind the curtain.

Just then, a deep roar came from the depths of the ice cave, and a strange beast with a bear-like body and a snow-white body slowly walked out. Its fur was covered with ice crystals, and its eyes were like rubies. It was the "Ice Tooth Snow Bear" that guarded the snow lotus.

Fang Wenyu, well-read and knowledgeable, quickly introduced, "That's the Ice-toothed Snow Bear recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas."

Her voice was weak and feeble, but she forced her eyes open and looked at the crescent-shaped white fur on the beast's chest. She explained, "Legend has it that it feeds on snow lotus and has guarded this cave for a thousand years." Her Emei thorn slipped from her sleeve, and she said with difficulty, "Brother Shi, don't worry about me..." Suddenly, the Ice-Toothed Snow Bear stood upright and slammed its giant paw at Shi Feiyang. The cold air carried by the palm wind froze the air into ice particles.

Shi Feiyang dodged to the side, but Fang Wenyu in his arms coughed up blood due to the jolting.

He cursed, "You beast!" Grabbing the dog-beating stick, he unleashed the "Splitting Technique: Strike the Dog's Head" and aimed straight for the snow bear's face.

The chill from the tip of the stick collided with the wind from the snow bear's paws, stirring up a sky full of icy mist.

The snow bear roared in pain, turned and rammed into the ice wall, sending countless icicles flying like arrows. Shi Feiyang shielded Fang Wenyu with his body, his black armor crackling as the icicles struck, yet he still held her firmly in place.

At the critical moment, Fang Wenyu suddenly took out a porcelain bottle from her bosom, which contained the Emei Sect's "Drunken Immortal Powder". With her last bit of strength, she sprinkled the powder on the snow bear. The powder turned into white mist when it met the cold, and the snow bear's movements became sluggish after inhaling it.

Shi Feiyang exclaimed, "What a great opportunity!" He then gripped the dog-beating stick and used the "Entanglement Technique: Pull the Dog's Tail" to entangle the snow bear's hind legs. With a quick pull, the snow bear crashed to the ground. He seized the opportunity to rush into the depths of the ice cave, where he saw the thousand-year-old snow lotus in the center of the ice platform emitting a pale purple halo. The dew on the petals condensed into ice crystals, sparkling like diamonds under the light.

Just as he plucked the snow lotus, a strange "heh heh" laugh suddenly came from outside the ice cave. The remaining followers of the Black Wind Cult had chased after him and were led by none other than Ghost Face Judge, the junior brother of Ghost Face Yama!
The iron chain in his hand was wrapped around a zombie, the talismans on the corpse stained red with blood.

He grinned maliciously and said, "Shi Feiyang, thank you for getting rid of the snow bear for us. This snow lotus is mine!"

Shi Feiyang stuffed the snow lotus into Fang Wenyu's mouth. When he turned around, the dog-beating stick he was holding had transformed into a blue rainbow. He cursed angrily, "I let you escape last time, but today I will make you pay for your blood debt!" Mingyu Gong was activated at high speed. The ice patterns on his black armor were as bright as day. Holding the dog-beating stick, he used the "Sealing Word Technique: Hungry Dog Blocks the Road". The shadow of the stick wove into a round shield in front of him, blocking all the poison needles of the cultists.

Suddenly, the judge's iron chain lashed out, and the zombie's fingernails, stained with black blood, clawed at Fang Wenyu. Shi Feiyang, wielding his dog-beating stick, used the "Pick-the-Word Technique: Stick Picks the Mangy Dog" to strike first, hitting the zombie in the throat. The zombie let out a scream like a baby crying, and its rotting internal organs splattered all over the ground.

The chains of the Ghost-Faced Judge suddenly exploded, flames shooting towards the ice platform like venomous snakes. He then said in a sinister tone, "Would Master Shi like to taste the flavor of this 'Mother and Child Corpse'?" Fang Wenyu's Emei dagger suddenly flew out from the snow, accurately piercing the Ghost-Faced Judge's wrist. She had swallowed the snow lotus, and although her face was still pale, her eyes blazed with fighting spirit. She reminded him, "Brother Shi, use 'Sword Domain Annihilation'!"

Her "Emei Nine Yang Skill" internal energy resonated with Shi Feiyang's "Mingyu Skill," and the cold air in the ice cave suddenly reversed, freezing the flames into ice sculptures.

Shi Feiyang's Dog-Beating Stick suddenly surged, the sword intent of the "Nine Heavens Sword Manual" merging with the Dog-Beating Stick technique. He unleashed the "Chopping Word Technique: Falling into the Water and Beating the Dog," the stick shadow sweeping across with ice shards. Before the Ghost-Faced Judge could even utter a scream, he was frozen into an ice sculpture, and then cleaved into dust by the stick's wind.

The remaining cultists scattered and fled, only to be felled one by one by Fang Wenyu's "Unpredictable Flying Rings." Silver needles pierced their throats, the blood droplets congealing into crimson flowers on the ice. After the fierce battle, the bleeding from Fang Wenyu's back had stopped; the medicinal power of the snow lotus was slowly repairing her meridians. Shi Feiyang held her as they sat on the edge of the ice platform, watching her cheeks gradually regain their rosy hue. A long-lost smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he said warmly, "I told you, you would get better."

Fang Wenyu's fingertips traced the ice patterns on his black armor, where traces of black blood still lingered. He asked expectantly, "Brother Shi, can...can we go to Xingqing Prefecture to see the snow?" Shi Feiyang's dog-beating stick traced the outline of Xingqing Prefecture on the ice, the copper ring at the end jingling. He said affectionately, "We'll go when you're better." Looking at the gradually clearing sky outside the ice cave, he added tenderly, "When we get to Xingqing Prefecture, I'll teach you the Dog-Beating Stick Technique, and you'll teach me the Emei Sword Technique, okay?"

Fang Wenyu smiled and nodded, then leaned on his shoulder and gradually fell asleep. The snow bear outside the ice cave had long since disappeared, and only the lingering fragrance of the thousand-year-old snow lotus permeated the air, mingling with their breaths.

……

After three months of wind and frost, the outline of the Helan Mountains finally appeared on the horizon.

The city gate of Xingqing Prefecture gleamed with golden light in the setting sun, but on the open ground outside the city gate, the remnants of the Heavenly Demon Sect, Lingxiao Palace, and Huoyun Cave were besieging the Beggar Clan disciples led by Qin Mu, and the ground was littered with corpses.

"It's Your Majesty!" Qin Mu exclaimed in surprise. His iron spear had been chipped and dulled by the blows, but upon seeing the familiar green figure, his spirits immediately lifted.

Shi Feiyang's dog-beating stick drew an arc in the air, using the "dogs fighting for food" technique to lure the three masters towards him. The tip of the stick then drew a "provoking dog claws" move, simultaneously forcing back the weapons of the three cave masters.

Fang Wenyu's Emei daggers protected his flanks, and her "all-encompassing" acupoint striking technique caused Lingxiao Palace's ice sword to miss repeatedly. Although her green robe was worn and tattered, her posture remained as upright as a pine tree.

Shi Feiyang roared, "Kill!" His Dog-Beating Stick suddenly accelerated, unleashing the "Ten Twists of Fighting Dogs" entangling technique, binding the weapons of the three sects' masters. He channeled the internal energy of his "Mingyu Gong" to the "Supreme Forgetfulness: Ice Soul Cold Prison," causing the stick to glow white, simultaneously dissolving the corpse energy of the Heavenly Demon Sect, the chill of the Lingxiao Palace, and the heat of the Fire Cloud Cave. He noticed Fang Wenyu being forced back by the Fire Cloud Cave Master's iron ball, blood seeping from his old shoulder wound. His anger flared even more, and with a "Dog-Strike-the-Head" strike, he slammed the tip of his stick heavily onto the Fire Cloud Cave Master's skull, splattering red and white blood everywhere.

Taking advantage of the moment, Fang Wenyu pierced the throat of the Lingxiao Palace Master with an Emei dagger. Turning around, he saw Shi Feiyang's Dog-Beating Stick sweep out a "Falling Dog into the Water" maneuver, sending the last Heavenly Demon Sect expert flying into a deep valley in Helan Mountain. Under the setting sun, the two stood side by side, the Dog-Beating Stick and the Emei dagger clashing, producing a clear and melodious sound, as if drawing a perfect conclusion to this journey of shared hardships.

Qin Mu led the Beggars' Sect disciples forward to pay their respects. Seeing Fang Wenyu supporting Shi Feiyang, the two, though dressed in tattered clothes, were gazing intently at each other. Qin Mu couldn't help but recall what Shi Feiyang often said in Xiangyang: "The journey through the martial world is long, but to have a true friend is enough."

Shi Feiyang gazed at the city gate of Xingqing Prefecture, then at Fang Wenyu beside him. He lightly tapped his dog-beating stick on the ground, the copper ring at the end jingling. As long as this figure in green was by his side, what fear was there even of enduring eighty-one more tribulations?

Fang Wenyu's Emei dagger lightly touched his dog-beating stick, his green robe fluttering in the evening breeze, contrasting beautifully with his moon-white brocade robe. The setting sun, like blood, dyed the outline of Helan Mountain red, and also dyed the true affection in their eyes, which had only grown stronger through hardship.

Upon entering the city, Shi Feiyang handed Fang Wenyu over to Lu Bao, an elder of the Beggars' Sect, who then led Fang Wenyu to eat, drink, and have fun.

Shi Feiyang first returned to the palace to visit Empress Dowager Mei Qile and the young Emperor Shi Niantang, and then successively visited Grand Empress Dowager Wanyan Ping, Yelü Yan, and the princes. A few days later, Shi Feiyang left the palace and accompanied Fang Wenyu to visit the ruins of the Western Xia Kingdom. On this day, the city gates of Xingqing Prefecture creaked heavily in the twilight. As Shi Feiyang led Fang Wenyu into the city, they saw Qin Mu's personal guards building palisades on the street, the forest of iron spears gleaming coldly in the setting sun.

Suddenly, the bugle on the west gate tower sounded a long, drawn-out blast, its rhythm of three short blasts followed by one long one blast piercing the twilight—a signal that the Yuan army was pressing in.

Qin Mu approached anxiously and said, "Your Majesty!" He gripped his iron spear and slammed it on the bluestone slab, the bloodstains on the red silk of the spear tassel dripping onto the ground. He then hurriedly reported, "The scouts report that the Silver Wheel Dharma King's junior brother, the Copper Wheel Dharma King, has personally led an army of 300,000 and has arrived at the Helan Mountain Pass. Accompanying him are the remnants of the Black Wind Sect, traitors from the Lingxiao Palace, and barbarian soldiers from the seventy-two tribes of the Western Regions."

Shi Feiyang decisively said, "Summon all civil and military officials to the old palace for a meeting!"

His black armor gleamed with ice patterns under the corridor lamp. He handed Fang Wenyu over to Wanyan Ping and Yelü Yan, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, and then said in a deep voice, "Please invite the Empress Dowager, His Majesty, and the Grand Empress Dowager to the council hall. Also, summon Qu Kan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Lu Bao, the elder of the Beggars' Sect."

He tapped his dog-beating stick on the steps, the sound of the copper ring at the end startling the owls under the eaves. He then calmly said, "See you in the council hall in half an hour."

……

The council hall of Xingqing Prefecture was originally a palace of the Western Xia Kingdom. The dragon carvings on the beams and pillars had their heads chiseled off by the Yuan soldiers, leaving only half of the dragon's body, which looked ferocious and terrifying.

Empress Dowager Mei Qile's phoenix robe was embroidered with a phoenix rising from the ashes. Pointing to the model of Helan Mountain on the sand table, she explained, "The Copper Wheel Dharma King is known for his 'iron wall encirclement' tactics. His 300,000-strong army is coming in three routes, clearly intending to starve us out." She drew an arc on the sand table with her phoenix hairpin and analyzed further, "The eastern route is occupied by barbarian troops, the western route by the Black Wind Cult, and the main force in the central route must be personally led by the Copper Wheel Dharma King."

The young emperor Shi Niantang's dragon throne was still covered with a brocade cushion.

He gripped the short sword given to him by Shi Feiyang and said solemnly, “General Qin’s infantry guards the east gate, General Cheng’s cavalry harasses the west route, General Yuchi’s ambush is hidden in the ‘One Line Sky’ of Helan Mountain, and General Luo’s interception team is deployed along the Yellow River—this is the ‘divide and conquer’ strategy that Grand Tutor taught me.”

Yelü Yan approached, mace in hand, the frost on the mace reflecting off her white hair. She declared resolutely, "This old woman is willing to lead fifty personal guards to defend the North Gate. Back in Xiangyang, I served under Master Guo, so I can handle this small force." Suddenly, Wanyan Ping drew her twin swords, their spines glowing red in the candlelight. She said mockingly, "Sister Yelü and I will guard the North Gate together, and let the Yuan people taste the power of our 'Husband and Wife Swordsmanship'!"

“Not good.” Fang Wenyu’s voice came from behind the screen. She was wearing Yelü Yan’s sable coat and her face was as pale as paper, but she still walked in, leaning on the pillar. She analyzed, “The north gate is sandy land, which is not conducive to defense. The Yuan people’s ‘Huihui cannon’ is best at knocking down earthen walls.” She pointed her Emei dagger to the southwest corner on the sand table and offered another suggestion, “The ‘Locking Dragon Well’ here is low-lying and can be used to bury gunpowder; the ‘Chengtian Tower’ at the east gate is ten zhang high and is suitable for setting up repeating crossbows.”

Cheng Duoyuan's lance drew sparks on the ground as he praised, "Does Miss Wenyu mean to use the East Gate as bait to lure the enemy deep into our territory?" He pointed his finger at the Yellow River ferry on the sand table and offered his own suggestion, "My light cavalry can maneuver along the riverbank and attack when the enemy is halfway across."

The Iron-Clad Guard Commander Qu Kan suddenly gripped the edge of the sand table with his iron claws. The cold glint of his claws reflected on his sinister face as he said in a deep voice, "The Black Wind Sect's 'Star Absorbing Technique' is most vulnerable to sonic attacks. The disciples of the Sun Moon Divine Sect under my command can set up the 'Heavenly Demon Harp' in the Bell Tower to break the technique with sound."

His gaze swept over Lu Bao, and he instructed, "The Beggars' Sect's 'Thousand-Mile Message' must keep a close eye on any movement in Helan Mountain."

Lu Bao's dog-beating stick tapped on the ground, the copper ring at the end resonating with Shi Feiyang's dog-beating stick. He confidently said, "Your Majesty, I have already set up three hundred 'beating the grass to scare the snake' sentry points in Helan Mountain. As soon as the Yuan soldiers make a move, Xingqing Prefecture will know within half an hour."

He suddenly lowered his voice and reminded them, "But the 'Blood Blade Sect' among the Western Region barbarians are skilled in the 'Blood Blade Scripture,' specializing in decapitating people. We must be wary of them."

Shi Feiyang's black armor suddenly glowed, and when he activated the Mingyu Gong, his skin became as transparent as jade. The pieces on the sand table even started to move on their own.

He quoted Sun Tzu, saying, "If you have ten times the strength, surround them; if you have five, attack them; if you have twice the strength, divide them." He pointed to the Helan Mountain pass and analyzed, "Although the Copper Wheel Dharma King has 300,000 men, he has to divide them into twelve camps, each with no more than 20,000 men."

His Mingyu Gong Ice Qi condensed into an arrow on the sand table, and he decisively said: "Qin Mu will lead the infantry to guard the east gate, deliberately revealing a weakness; Cheng Duoyuan's cavalry will hide on the west bank of the Yellow River, and when the enemy soldiers chase out of the east gate, they will harass their supplies; Yuchi Fu will lead the mixed infantry and cavalry battalion to ambush at Suolong Well, and listen to the bell of the bell tower as a signal; Luo Zhan's interception team will guard Chengtian Tower and cut off the enemy's retreat."

Mei Qile's phoenix hairpin traced an arc in the candlelight. Although she was nearly fifty, her eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's as she questioned, "The main force of the Copper Wheel Dharma King? This person's Five Wheels Great Technique has reached the pinnacle. Back in Xiangyang, he fought to a draw with the great hero Guo Jing."

Shi Feiyang's lips curled into a cold arc, and the ice patterns on his Xuanjia armor suddenly transformed into lightning. He said domineeringly, "I'll go meet him. Wen Yu's 'Snowflake Piercing Cloud Palm' combined with Qu Kan's 'Heavenly Demon Harp' can break the Black Wind Sect's evil arts; Lu Bao's Beggar Clan disciples have set up the 'Dog-Beating Formation' along the Yellow River to intercept the barbarian soldiers' trebuchets; as for the Copper Wheel Dharma King... it'll be a good time to test my 'Regretful Dragon Soaring'."

Fang Wenyu spun the Emei Dagger in his palm, then suddenly pointed it at the map outside the sand table, analyzing, "The Golden Wheel Dharma King is a follower of Tibetan Buddhism, and he ascends the high platform in the camp to chant sutras on the fifteenth of every month."

Her fingertips traced the lunar calendar, and she reminded him, "Tomorrow is the fifteenth. We can send assassins disguised as Tibetan monks to infiltrate their main camp."

Her gaze met Shi Feiyang's, and she explained, "Sun Tzu said, 'Warfare is based on deception.' This is a 'feigned surrender' strategy, in addition to the 'beauty trap'."

Everyone was startled. Yelü Yan suddenly clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Wenyu, your plan is brilliant! Back in Xiangyang, Madam Guo also used a 'feigned surrender' to trick the Mongol soldiers into killing each other." Wanyan Ping sheathed her two swords, the tassels of which intertwined with Yelü Yan's saber tassel, and said with a clang, "I am willing to lead twenty assassins to disguise ourselves as Tibetan monks and infiltrate the enemy camp."

Looking at Fang Wenyu's pale yet resolute face, Shi Feiyang suddenly grasped her hand, and the true energy of Mingyu Gong flowed into her body like a warm current. He said with concern, "Your injuries have not yet healed. You can watch the battle from the city tower tomorrow."

His gaze swept over the crowd, and he said in a deep voice, "Everyone perform your duties. Prepare food at midnight and send out troops at dawn." The ice patterns on his black armor suddenly transformed into dragon shapes, lifelike in the candlelight, and he said domineeringly, "Tomorrow, let the Yuan people taste the might of Xingqing Prefecture!"

……

At dawn the next day, before the morning mist had dissipated over Helan Mountain, the five wheels of the Copper Wheel Dharma King crashed into the east gate of Xingqing Prefecture like meteors. The five wheels were cast from gold, silver, copper, iron, and lead, and the serrated edges of the wheels gleamed with a cold light. When they struck the city wall, the blue bricks instantly turned to dust, revealing the rammed earth underneath.

"General Qin, retreat to the second line of defense!" Shi Feiyang's voice pierced through the smoke of battle. He flew diagonally down from the city wall, unleashing the "Flying Dragon in the Sky" move from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. The powerful gust of wind from his high-altitude strike sent the enemy soldiers rushing up the wall flying. His black armor was as transparent as jade in the sunlight, and the vortex suction force created by his Mingyu Gong caused the curved swords of thirty-nine enemy soldiers to slip from their hands and plunge back into their own hearts.

Qin Mu's iron spears formed a spear formation in the streets and alleys, and the "Crossing Rivers" technique of the "Crossing Rivers" spear blocked the Yuan soldiers at the crossroads. He suddenly changed his formation, and the forest of spears turned into "plum blossom stakes". The seven iron spears intertwined like a woven tapestry, turning the centurion who charged at the front into a honeycomb.

Immediately afterward, he roared, "Brothers, His Majesty has said, anyone who retreats even a step will be executed!" The sound of his iron spear slamming into the ground clashed with the Yuan soldiers' war drums, surprisingly overwhelming their momentum. Suddenly, the golden wheel of the Bronze Wheel Dharma King flew towards him, its surface reflecting the rising sun, aimed directly at Qin Mu's face.

"General, be careful!" the captain of the personal guard cried out, brandishing his broadsword to meet the golden wheel, but was cleaved in two by the wheel's edge, his head flying off along with it, a jet of blood spraying onto Qin Mu's iron armor.

Qin Mu gripped the iron spear and unleashed a move called "Divine Dragon Tail Swing." The spear shaft wrapped around the axis of the golden wheel, and with a twist, the golden wheel flew out in the opposite direction, smashing into the Yuan soldiers' formation, instantly causing blood and flesh to fly everywhere.

“Interesting.” The Copper Wheel Dharma King said mockingly. His figure appeared on the city wall like a ghost. His five wheels spun around him, and the serrated edges of the wheels dripped blood. He roared, “Shi Feiyang, you ruined my senior brother’s great plans in Xiangyang back then. Today, I will definitely grind you to dust!” His silver wheel suddenly shot out, and the spikes on the wheel carried poisonous smoke, covering Shi Feiyang’s major acupoints.

Shi Feiyang said disdainfully, "You're nothing special!" He then used the "Transferring Flowers and Jade Divine Skill," and with a flick of his palms, the trajectory of the silver wheel suddenly changed, flying back to the face of the Bronze Wheel Dharma King.

He said disdainfully, "Old thief, it's been many years, and your kung fu is still as bad as ever." Then he used the "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" lightness skill to step on the battlements, his figure like a breeze sweeping across the sky, and then he swung his palm to strike out the "Dragon Appears in the Field" of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms towards the chest of the Copper Wheel Dharma King.

The powerful and unparalleled palm strike generated a shockwave that caused the surrounding Yuan soldiers to fall to the ground.

The Copper Wheel Dharma King held his copper wheel in front of his chest, his palms clasped together. He activated the tenth level of the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill," his palm wind carrying the power of ten dragons and ten elephants, actually sending Shi Feiyang's palm wind flying backward. He sneered, "Boy, your 'Bright Jade Skill' is strong, but it still can't withstand my Dragon Elephant Skill!" His iron wheel and lead wheel flew out simultaneously, forming a yin-yang fish pattern in the air. Wherever they passed, the city bricks shattered.

Shi Feiyang's Xuanjia suddenly became as transparent as ice. The vortex suction of Mingyu Gong pulled the two wheels to the side. The iron wheel collided with the lead wheel, and sparks splashed on his shoulder, but were deflected by the protective shield formed by ice patterns.

Immediately afterwards, he unleashed the "Sword Twenty-Three" divine skill, shouting, "Old bald donkey, I was letting you have your way just now, but I'm not letting you have your way now!" The sword energy domain suddenly expanded, and time on the city tower seemed to stand still. The five wheels of the Copper Wheel Dharma King were suspended in mid-air, and the sinister smile on his face was frozen in place.

Shi Feiyang's palm strike sliced ​​through the air, forcibly pulling the Bronze Wheel Dharma King's primordial spirit from his body, causing him to let out a shrill scream amidst the sword energy. "Bang!" The moment the sword energy domain dissipated, the Bronze Wheel Dharma King's corpse exploded into ice shards, his five wheels rolling down the city walls, where they were caught by Qin Mu's personal guards with iron spears and raised high. The Yuan soldiers at the East Gate were thrown into chaos upon seeing this, and Qin Mu's iron spear formation seized the opportunity to strike, the spear tips carrying the corpses of Yuan soldiers, carving a bloody path through the streets and alleys.

……

Suddenly, the bell of Chengtian Tower rang out three times, followed by a deafening explosion from the direction of the Dragon-Locking Well. Yuchi Fu's mixed infantry and cavalry battalion was driving the remaining followers of the Black Wind Cult into the well. Wherever his spiked club swept, the followers' rudimentary "Star-Absorbing Technique" was shattered before it could even be used.

"General Yuchi, there are barbarian trebuchets in the northwest!" The scout's shout was drowned out by the sound of explosions. Thirty trebuchets were hurling stones at the opening of the Lock Dragon Well. The ambushers by the well were smashed to pieces, their entrails mixed with mud splattering onto Yuchi Fu's iron armor.

Yuchi Fu's broadsword suddenly plunged into the ground, the copper ring on the hilt resonating with the surrounding ambushers.

He roared, "Change formation! 'Eight Gates Golden Lock'!"

The infantry and cavalry quickly formed an octagonal formation, with the cavalry on the outside and the infantry on the inside, deflecting all the stones fired by the trebuchet. He then delivered a side kick to the nearest barbarian centurion, shattering his throat with his toe, and simultaneously threw his broadsword, piercing the trebuchet's mechanism.

Suddenly, the horse-faced judge of the Black Wind Cult flew out of the well. The zombie corpse, bound by iron chains, was blackened by gunpowder. The bone-dissolving water on his fingernails splashed onto Yuchi Fu's riding boots, and white smoke immediately rose from the soles of the boots.

He roared, "You old dog Yuchi, taste the power of the 'Mother and Child Corpses'!" He suddenly tightened his grip on the iron chain, and black blood spurted from the zombie's mouth, turning into poison arrows that shot towards the surrounding soldiers.

Shi Feiyang unleashed "Leave No Trace for a Thousand Miles," flying through the air and unleashing the "Demon-Slaying Cloud" move from the Hundred Victories Blade Technique with both palms! The fierce and deadly move descended with overwhelming force, the blade light as dazzling as the sun, cleaving the zombie in two.

His "Evil Blood Calamity" divine skill was activated, and the horse-faced judge's blood suddenly flowed backward, gushing out from his seven orifices. His corpse quickly curled into a shriveled monkey shape and fell into the splashing water in the well.

With a 360-degree spinning kick, Yuchi Fu broke the necks of three barbarian soldiers. Then, with a spinning back kick, he swept over the support of the trebuchet and loudly reported, "Your Majesty, General Cheng's cavalry has outflanked the barbarian army!"

Amidst the messenger's shouts, Cheng Duoyuan's lance emerged like a dragon from the sea, its tip piercing the enemy's supply officer, tearing a gap over ten feet wide in the enemy ranks.

His light cavalry formed a long, single-file formation on the west bank of the Yellow River, their spears gleaming golden in the setting sun. Watching the Yuan soldiers crossing the river, he suddenly pointed his spear to the sky and roared, "Brothers, let the Yuans taste the bitterness of burning their camps!" The cavalry simultaneously fired fire arrows; the oil-coated arrowheads landed on the sails of the Yuan warships, and flames spread along the ropes, quickly turning thirty warships into burning ships.

The Yuan soldiers jumped into the river to escape, only to have their feet pierced by the Beggar Clan disciples underwater with dog-beating sticks. They screamed and sank to the bottom of the river, their blood staining the Yellow River dark red. "General Cheng, the bald monks of the Blood Sabre Sect are here!" shouted the guards. More than ninety bald monks rode in on camels, their blood-red sabers gleaming red in the sunlight. They were the Blood Sabre Sect, specializing in decapitation.

The leader, Blood Blade Ancestor, licked the blood off his blade and laughed wildly, "Little brat, my blade is just missing a general's head to use as a wine cup!"

Cheng Duoyuan brandished his spear, unleashing a move called "Snake Emerging from its Cave," aiming the spear tip at the throat of the Blood Saber Ancestor. However, the Blood Saber Ancestor deflected the attack with a "Strike the Void" technique from the Blood Saber Manual. The Blood Saber Ancestor scoffed, "Young man, your spear skills are still far from adequate!"

His blood-stained blade suddenly flashed back, the light grazing Cheng Duoyuan's throat and slicing off half of his clothes.

In a moment of quick thinking, Cheng Duoyuan executed a "turning back kick" that struck the camel in the abdomen.

The camel reared up in pain, causing Blood Saber Ancestor to lose his balance.

Cheng Duoyuan gripped the lance and thrust it towards the man's dantian. The internal force carried by the lance tip shattered the man's "Blood Blade Scripture" true energy. The Blood Blade Ancestor screamed and spat out blood. He was pinned to a reef on the bank of the Yellow River by the lance. His head was quickly cut off by his personal guards and displayed on the lance tip.

……

Wanyan Ping and Yelü Yan's "Husband and Wife Sword Technique" wove a sword net at the North Gate. Wanyan Ping's twin swords were the main offensive force, while Yelü Yan's single sword was the main defensive force. The two cooperated perfectly and blocked all of the Western Region soldiers' "Blood Demon Skill".

The soldiers' palms were shrouded in black mist, and each strike carried the stench of corpses, yet it was neutralized by the "yin and yang in harmony" power of the husband-and-wife sword technique.

Wanyan Ping shouted a warning, "Sister Yelü, their black aura is afraid of fire!" Suddenly, she brandished her twin swords over the torch, the blades wreathed in flames, and thrust them towards the barbarian soldier's face. The soldier screamed and retreated, his skin, scorched by the flames, instantly festering and revealing the white bone beneath. (End of Chapter)