King of Hundred Victories Saber

”Feiyang, this Immortal Pill...” Shi Ying’s fingertip caressed the white jade porcelain bottle, her voice softer than the babbling mountain stream, ”You’ve given your thousand-year opportunity of arduous cultivation to our mother and son, have you ever thought about yourself?”

She suddenly tiptoed, gently cupping Shi Feiyang’s face with both hands like holding a rare treasure, ”These calluses on your palms, each one is a scar left from protecting the peace of the world... it pains my heart so much.”

Shi Nian seemed to sense her mother’s emotions too, babbling as she reached out to grab Shi Feiyang’s sleeve.

Shi Feiyang laughed and picked up the child, but saw Shi Ying suddenly approach, her warm breath brushing past his ear: ”Do you know, since you left, I count the hours facing the moon every night? When I reach the hundredth count, I wonder if you are also looking up at the moon, are you thinking about me too...”

Her fingertip slowly traced down from his brow, nose bridge, and finally stopped at the lips: ”This ’Five Poison Scripture,’ I will study day and night. Not to control the Five Poison Sect, but to fight alongside you soon, no longer letting you face dangers alone.”

As she spoke, she gently bit his lower lip, her eyes filled with grievance and longing, ”If you dare to face danger alone again next time, I will... I will never let you touch me again!” Though the words were harsh, she blushed first after speaking, burying her head in his arms.

Shi Feiyang was amused by her girlish demeanor and laughed heartily, tightening his arms to embrace her and the child together: ”Alright, alright, my lady, from now on, no matter where we go, I’ll take you both with me.”

Shi Ying raised her head, her eyes shimmering, ”Really? What about your other female confidants...”

Before the words were finished, Shi Nian suddenly reached out and patted her cheek, making a crisp sound.

She playfully ran a finger down her son’s small nose: ”Nian’Er also knows how to speak up for daddy now?”

Then she pressed her face against Shi Feiyang’s chest, listening to the strong heartbeat murmuring, ”Actually, I understand, your heart can accommodate the world, how can it only hold one person? But I’m greedy, I want to be the softest part in your heart...”

The mountain wind still roared, but couldn’t blow away the entwined figures. Shi Ying suddenly recalled the solitary and proud figure of Shi Feiyang she met atop the snowy mountain for the first time. Now, this great hero who shakes Jianghu reveals his gentlest side in front of her.

She tugged lightly at his hem, like a coquettish girl: ”If you dare to betray me, I’ll use this ’Five Poison Scripture’ to create the world’s most poisonous love gu, making you think of me for life after life...”

The family of three indulged in sweetness for half a month, Shi Feiyang set off for the Chishui River.

”Feiyang,” Shi Ying went out to send off her husband, gently placing Shi Nian on her knee, the child’s chubby little hand clutching the silver hairpin beside her temple, ”Be careful on your journey to Chishui. Though Miss Guo is skilled in martial arts, the Jianghu is treacherous...”

”Nonsense,” Shi Feiyang flicked the center of her brow lightly with his finger, eyes filled with tenderness, ”Since I’ve placed you both here, I shall keep you safe. Once the rebellion is quelled, I will take you to see the world.”

He bent down to kiss away the milk stains on Shi Nian’s forehead; the child giggled, his saliva wetting Shi Feiyang’s lapel.

The morning mist hadn’t yet dispersed; Shi Ying stood by the cliff holding Shi Nian, watching as Shi Feiyang displayed ”Lightweight Technique” and transformed into a shadow.

The mountain wind whipped up her long hair, yet she was oblivious, only murmuring: ”Nian’Er, when daddy returns, we won’t let him leave our home again.” Held in her arms, Shi Nian seemed to comprehend halfway, babbling in learning speech, with tiny hands still waving toward the sky.

When moonlight climbed atop the trees, Shi Nian was fast asleep in Shi Ying’s arms. She gently stroked the child’s soft cheek, gazed at the bright moon outside the window, and said softly: ”Feiyang, no matter how far apart we are, our hearts are always with you...”

A distant night owl’s call couldn’t conceal the unquenchable longing in her words, akin to the gentle moonlight by Chishui River, crossing endless mountains and rivers just to illuminate the path of the beloved’s return.

By Chishui River, Guo Xiangyu climbed Wangfu Cliff every day.

The sunset dyed Chishui into flowing amber; once again, Guo Xiangyu stood on Wangfu Cliff.

Her embroidered shoes were already stained with dust, yet the double lotus embroidered on her hem remained vivid, just like the undying anticipation in her heart.

The wind swept through her cloud-like black hair, the jasmine scent from her strands drifted with each breath, momentarily overlapping with the scent of the person in her memories. Suddenly, a comet streaked across the horizon, and her heartbeat abruptly stopped.

That familiar figure, that supreme lightness technique unique to him, even across thousands of mountains and waters, she could recognize him at a glance. ”Feiyang!” She nearly screamed out the name, her toes lightly touched, and she flew like an arrow released from the string.

The embroidered hem adorned with double lotus raised a cloud of dust, yet couldn’t hide the light emanating from her eyes. Shi Feiyang steadily caught the person rushing into his arms, the pearls on Guo Xiangyu’s hairpin collided with his chest, making a crisp sound, echoing her frantic heartbeat at this moment.

”These days, I’ve been counting the hours waiting for you...” She buried her face deep in Shi Feiyang’s chest, her voice choked with tears, ”From sunrise to sunset, from moonrise to moonset, every moment was torment.”

Guo Xiangyu raised her face, her starry eyes glistening with tears, reflecting the evening glow in the sky, breathtakingly beautiful. ”Do you know how afraid I am? Afraid the poisonous insects from Miaojiang will bite you, afraid the enemy’s knives will harm you, even more afraid...”

Her voice suddenly choked, ”Afraid you’ll forget, here by Chishui River, there is a fool waiting day and night for your return.” As she spoke, she suddenly bit into his shoulder, though the force was strong, it was full of grievance and longing, ”Next time you leave, you must take me with you! I don’t care about any danger, as long as I can be by your side, even death, I’m willing!”

The twilight deepens, the lights at the Heroic Sakura Association’s camp glimmer, like stars fallen from the sky.

Guo Xiangyu tightly grasped Shi Feiyang’s hand, unwilling to let go for a moment, like a kitten seeking affection, leaning against his side: ”After you left, I practiced the blade techniques you taught me daily. With each swing, I imagined you guiding me beside.”

She suddenly smiled craftily, eyes shimmering, ”I even brewed osmanthus wine just for you. It’s very fragrant. But...”

She approached his ear, her breath like orchids, ”If you want to drink it, you have to let me hug you first, hug enough.”

Night fell deeply, Guo Xiangyu curled up in Shi Feiyang’s embrace, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling that this life held no other desires.

”Feiyang,” she whispered softly, her fingertip drawing circles on his chest, ”Do you suppose we might be like this forever? Embracing each other as we sleep, waking to view the sunrise, slumbering under the stars.” She lifted her head, searching for his gaze in the dark, ”I don’t want any Jianghu status, nor any supreme martial arts, I only want you...”

Shi Feiyang held her tighter, lowering his head to kiss away the tears at the corner of her eyes.

Guo Xiangyu sighed contentedly, burrowing further into his embrace, like a small creature seeking warmth.

”It’s so good... she muttered to herself,” being able to hold you like this, smell your scent, feels even the dreams are sweet.

Saying so, she planted a gentle kiss on his lips,” promise me you’ll never leave me...”

The night air was tender; the breeze by Chishui River gently blew, blessing the couple.

Guo Xiangyu fell into a deep sleep, a happy smile remained at the corner of her mouth, while Shi Feiyang quietly gazed at the person in his arms, his heart full of affection.

At this moment, time seemed to stand still, only leaving the heartbeat and breath between them in heaven and earth.