King of Hundred Victories Saber

The cold night at Huqiu Sword Pool wrapped in the harsh north wind, yet inside the Cao Bang Headquarters, it was warm and cozy. The moonlight filtered through the carved window lattices was dyed a tender amber by the swaying red candles, casting delicate shadows on the curtain embroidered with Golden Silk twin lotus.

Shi Feiyang gently held Qi Meizhen in his arms, his fingertips caressing her waterfall-like black hair, the touch smooth like Jiangnan spring waters. ”Meizhen, these days wandering outside, every moment of thinking about you felt like dancing on the tip of a knife.”

His voice was deep and husky, with an indelible yearning, ”Only in this moment, holding you close, does my heart feel settled.” Qi Meizhen lifted her head, the moonlight casting a hazy glow over her stunning face, her eyes flowing with tender affection.

She rested her cheek against Shi Feiyang’s chest, listening to the strong heartbeat, like the most wonderful melody in the world.

At this moment, she was no longer a heroine, but a demure beauty.

”Feiyang, do you know, each day while you’re away, I’m here in the Cao Bang Headquarters, counting the hours waiting for your return.” Her voice was as gentle as willow catkins in spring, ”At night, gazing at the bright moon outside the window, I always wonder if you’re under the same moonlight, thinking of me and the child.”

Shi Feiyang bowed his head, leaving a kiss on her forehead, full of endless care. ”Silly girl, my heart has never been away from you for a moment.”

He reached out, tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her delicate skin, ”You’ve guarded the Cao Bang for me, taken care of the child, I’m grateful to you.”

Qi Meizhen gently shook her head, wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes brimming with tears.

”As long as you’re safe, all the hardships are worth it.” She said, then kissed him softly on the lips, ”When you were hurt, I wished to endure all your pain; when you returned victorious, I was happier than if I’d won the whole realm.”

Shi Feiyang could no longer suppress his love, holding her tightly, turning all longing and concerns into this passionate kiss.

Their breaths intertwined, the warmth rising with their embrace.

The candlelight flickered, casting their tender silhouettes on the wall, like an ink painting rich in color and depth.

After a long time, Shi Feiyang released her, forehead resting against hers, their breaths mingling.

”Meizhen, once everything settles down, I want to travel this magnificent land with you.” His voice was firm yet gentle, ”Witness the misty rain of Jiangnan, the snow in Northern Border, never let the winds and storms of Jianghu disturb our peace again.”

Qi Meizhen’s lips curved into a blissful smile, her eyes filled with promise.

”Alright, I’ll wait for you.” She buried her head in Shi Feiyang’s chest, ”No matter how long, I’ll wait for you.”

As night deepened, the flames of the candles flickered gently, yet the love within the room grew even stronger, dispelling the cold of this night.

In this corner of the Cao Bang Headquarters, Shi Feiyang and Qi Meizhen weaved their own sweetness and warmth with deep affection.

The twenty-eighth of the twelfth lunar month in Gusu City was like a painting awakened prematurely by the spring breeze.

Thin ice covered the Moat, yet it couldn’t hide the curling smoke rising from the red-tiled buildings along the banks, mingling with the drifting snowflakes.

The large red lanterns hanging high above the city gates were as large as millstones, the tassels swaying lightly in the cold wind, reflecting the bright scene of ”thousand locks open and myriad lights shine,” casting the silhouette of the character ”Luck” on the green stone slabs, like dancing flames.

The alleys had long lost their usual elegance, lively and bustling scenes were everywhere.

The old man selling sugar paintings pulled golden sugar threads, his wrist gently shaking as he outlined a cloud-racing auspicious dragon, drawing cheers from the children standing on tiptoe, matching the child’s delight, ”children resisting sleep, keeping vigil and boisterous at night” ; the frying spring rolls sizzled in the oil pan, the aroma mixing with the vendor’s shouts, blended with the successive sounds of firecrackers, rushing straight into the nostrils, exactly like ”amidst the firecracker sounds, the year turns, warm spring breezes bring warmth into the raisin wine” excitement.

At the street corner, the storyteller clapped the dramatic wooden block, reaching the thrilling part of ”Wu Song fights the tiger,” listeners clenched fists or held their breath with concentration, while the hawker carrying candied haws took the opportunity to shake his pole, the red hawthorn fruit coated in shiny sugar glaze, reflecting a joyful halo in the sunlight, echoing the brilliant ”when presented lamps at the flower market last year, even night seemed bright as day.”

The sound of the Hanshan Temple’s bell slowly echoed, startling a flock of white doves to fly over the pink walls and black tiles.

At the temple’s entrance, devout men and women lined up in a long queue, incense and candle smoke wafting in their hands, offering sincere prayers before the Buddha, just like ”no need to meet but wish to communicate, name papers arrive and fill my humble home,” hopeful. Even deft craftsmen showcased their skills on the street, cutting window flowers lifelike, magpies perched on plum blossoms, carp leaping over dragon gates, attracting passersby to stop and praise, akin to ”crafted fans of happiness, round like a full moon,” clever design.

When nightfall arrived, the entire Gusu City fully immersed in the festive fervor.

On the surface of the Xu River, lotus lanterns floated downstream, candlelight rippling, resembling stars falling into the human world, echoing the poetic ”in searching for him amidst thousands in the crowd, turning suddenly, he was found amidst the dim lights;” Fireworks shot into the sky above the city walls, bursting in the night sky in a myriad of colors, coloring half the sky into splendid hues, like ”fire trees and silver flowers conjoin, star bridges and iron locks open,” majestic.

Street-side taverns emitted waves of wine fragrance, employees busily serving, the endless ”dear guest, please come inside,” and the shouting of game calls intertwining, composing a lively end-of-year overture.

This Spring Festival in Gusu City, with the elegance and charm of Jiangnan Water Village yet filled with lively and jubilant human smoke, everywhere overflowing with the good cheer of welcoming the new while bidding farewell to the old. The snow-laden Gusu City still lingered in the reverberations of the Spring Festival, the peach talisman on the vermilion doors of Shi Mansion reflected the warm sun, yet could not hide the desolation inside the west wing room. Xue Li stood by the window, watching the wintersweet in the courtyard scattered in the cold wind, the half jade pendant held in her hand dug painfully into her palm — the incomplete Kunlun Totem pattern, like her fragmented obsession.