King of Hundred Victories Saber

He let out a thunderous shout, the glow of his blade surging as he unleashed a move, ”Cleave Huashan Asunder,” splitting a Blood Moon Sect petty leader clean in two; viscera spilled all over the ground, the scene hideously bloody. The six heroes of the Heroic Sakura formed a battle array and clashed savagely with the ”Blood Moon Thirteen Kill Array.” Shouts of slaughter, the clash of weapons, and miserable screams tangled together; the surface of Taihu Lake was dyed red with blood, broken limbs and severed arms floating upon it, like a Human Purgatory.

Shi Feiyang seized the chance and sent a thread of Bright Jade Technique True Qi into Xue Li’s body, Sealing seven major acupoints including her Dan Zhong and Shenque.

Gazing at the lake strewn with torn limbs and stained with blood, he stood with his blade crosswise, his icy voice cutting through the smoky air: ”So what if White Bone and Blood Moon join forces? Dare to stir up storms in the Central Plains, and I will see that your blood pays for every debt! Today is the place where you’ll be buried!”

Right after, Shi Feiyang spoke to Xue Li again: ”Hold on!” His voice was low yet thunderous, the Celestial Frost Blade turning into a streak of white rainbow, thrusting straight at that scaled-faced man’s throat. The scaled-faced man swung his scimitar to block, but with a sharp ”crack,” the scimitar was actually severed by the Celestial Frost Blade!

Shi Feiyang pressed his advantage, the blade’s edge sweeping across the man’s neck; blood gushed out, sketching a crimson setting sun beneath the evening glow.

After defeating the enemy, Shi Feiyang instructed Jin Liufu, Gongsun Ren and the other heroes to keep good company with Qi Meizhen, then he cradled Xue Li in his arms and, using the Supreme Lightness Technique ”A Thousand Miles Without Pause,” sped back to the Shi Mansion.

Shi Feiyang helped Xue Li sit on the beauty couch along the Shi Mansion’s veranda; True Qi of the Bright Jade Technique gathered at his fingertips as he prepared to clear the meridians damaged by Hidden Weapons.

Xue Li suddenly turned her head to avoid him, a faint flush rising on her pale face. ”Men and women should not touch so lightly, Young Master Shi...”

”At a time like this you’re still fussing over that!” Shi Feiyang’s sword brows arched; the ringing ”clang” of the Celestial Frost Blade sliding into its sheath startled the winter sparrows under the eaves. ”With that ’Blood Moon Heart Devouring Poison’ in your body, if we delay any longer, within three days you’ll melt into a puddle of blood.”

Without giving her any say, he fastened his grip around Xue Li’s wrist pulse, his warm True Qi pouring into her like a fine, flowing stream. ”And you—knowing full well he was using a Western Regions vile poison, yet you still insisted on taking that ’Thousand Spider Silk Hand’ head-on. Do you take your own life for a jest?”

As Xue Li watched Shi Feiyang’s focused brow and eyes, she suddenly recalled how, during these days recuperating at the Shi Mansion, every morning a maid would bring warm decoctions to ward off the chill, and there were often fresh pastries placed on her desk.

At this moment the warmth in his palm spread through her meridians, somehow more comforting than any medicine. ”I... I saw you trapped in the blade array...”

She murmured, letting her lashes fall, the silver bells in her hair chiming softly with the motion.

As they spoke, hearty laughter suddenly drifted in from beyond the veranda.

”Is the Grand Squad Leader keeping a beauty hidden in a gilded chamber?” ”River Dragon” Jin Liufu strode in, his burly frame swaying, ”But Miss Xue’s jade sword work is something to see—yesterday that move ’Snow Shadow Pursues the Soul’ nearly gouged out that scaled-faced bastard’s eyes!”

”Barrel” Lu Dechu followed right after, the copper rings on the wine gourd at his waist jingling as his round face crinkled with smiles. ”If you ask me, why not have Miss Xue join the Heroic Sakura Association too! We’re short of a sword-wielding beauty—would make our missions a real feast for the eyes down the road...”

Before the words were finished, the back of his head had already taken a lash from ”Bamboo Pole” Jiang Huotian’s whip. ”You and your loose tongue! Can’t you see the Grand Squad Leader’s face is dark as ink?”

Shi Feiyang withdrew his Qi and rose, flicking out a jade token from his sleeve. ”From this day on, Miss Xue is a Guest Elder of the Heroic Sakura Association.”

Seeing the shock in Xue Li’s eyes, he added, ”The Jade Void Map is tangled up with the Thirty-Six Caves of the Western Regions. Without a proper and legitimate identity, investigating it will be far more troublesome.” The Heroic Sakura heroes all nodded, then promptly ordered the servants and maids to go prepare some fine food.

Shi Feiyang chuckled and drew several jars of good wine from the mysterious deerskin pouch at his waist, handing them to Jin Liufu. The heroes then went out to play drinking games and feast on meat.

Shi Feiyang, meanwhile, again used the Supreme Lightness Technique ”A Thousand Miles Without Pause,” and arrived at the Cao Bang Headquarters at Huqiu Sword Pool, where he gently kept Qi Meizhen and her child company.

In early spring, Huqiu Sword Pool was like a painting awakened by the kiss of the spring breeze.

Weeping willows pushed out tender green buds, their slender strands drooping into the jade-green water, swaying softly with the ripples, like a maiden’s tresses.

Peach blossoms blazed in hues of white and pink, petals drifting on the wind: some fell into the pool, spinning with the ripples; some settled on the flagstone path, laying a soft floral carpet over the ancient stones.

The distant green hills were veiled in a thin mist, half-hidden, half-revealed, like an elegant ink-wash painting.

At this moment, Qi Meizhen leaned against a carved wooden window, her gaze vacant and lost upon the distance, while the infant in her arms babbled as he tried to form words.

Hearing the familiar footsteps, she turned abruptly, her beautiful eyes brightening, and instantly a smile blossomed on her face more radiant than the myriad flowers of spring. ”Feiyang, you’re finally back.”

Shi Feiyang strode forward and gently drew Qi Meizhen and the child together into his embrace, pressing a kiss into her hair. ”I’ve missed you and the child so badly I couldn’t bear to wait another moment.” His voice was low and gentle, filled with endless longing.

Qi Meizhen lifted her head, fingertips lightly brushing his cheek, her eyes brimming with distress. ”Look at you, you’ve grown thinner again. Out on the road, you must not be eating properly.” As she spoke, she guided Shi Feiyang to sit on the embroidered couch, personally removing his shoes and socks, fetching hot water to soak his feet and ease his weariness.

Looking at the gentle, graceful wife before him, Shi Feiyang’s heart swelled with emotion. He reached out to tuck a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. ”With you here, all the fatigue is worth it.” He took Qi Meizhen’s hand and brought it to his lips, placing a soft kiss upon it. ”These days, I’ve thought of nothing but hurrying back sooner—to watch the tides rise and fall in this Sword Pool with you, and to listen as our child babbles his first words.”

Qi Meizhen’s cheeks flushed red as she leaned against Shi Feiyang’s shoulder, speaking softly: ”Ever since you left, I’ve waited here at this window every day, counting the hours and longing for your return. When I see the clouds in the distant sky, I wonder if you’re looking at the same view; when I hear birds calling far away, I hope it’s a sign of you coming home.” A faint catch entered her voice. ”Now that you’re back, my heart can finally be at peace.”