King of Hundred Victories Saber

The harsh north wind in the twelfth lunar month sweeps across the Northern Desert Icefield, with its sinister chill like thousands of poisoned steel swords, whistling between the eaves and brackets of the temporary headquarters of the Heroic Sakura Association at Feima Pass. Blue tiles and white walls tremble under the wild wind, and the copper bells at the eaves emit hollow and sorrowful whimpers, as if lamenting the impending disaster.

Inside the headquarters, candlelight flickers dimly, casting shadows that alternately brighten and darken, oppressing the entire room as if weighed down by lead, making it difficult for people to breathe.

Master Yuxu, head of the Seven Wudang Sons, stands with his hands behind his back at the front of the hall, his Taoist robe rustled by the wind, his snow-white eyebrows furrowed deeply. He stares at the tightly closed carved wooden door, his eyes full of worry: ”The Grand Squad Leader Shi hasn’t appeared for a month. The Bozhou battle in the coming spring is imminent. How are we supposed to handle this crisis?” His voice is low and hoarse, unable to conceal his urgent anxiety.

Master Tongzhen, leader of the Eighteen Stick Monks, sits cross-legged on a mat, suddenly stopping his wooden fish mallet, his thick voice filled with deep concern: ”Amitabha Buddha, how virtuous! Just a few days ago, I clearly heard the sound of objects shattering from inside the room, through the door. The Grand Squad Leader Shi has always been calm and steady; this must be his accumulated distress difficult to dissolve!”

He clasps his hands together, his face full of worry, constantly reciting the Buddha’s name, seemingly praying for Shi Feiyang.

Sue Qinghan, the Emei Female Hero, stands in the courtyard, waving her pale hand lightly, causing the Cyan Nether Sword to unsheath by three inches, its cold light reflecting off her tightly furrowed eyebrows.

The sword tips the snow on the ground, jewel-like snowflakes flying under the moonlight.

Her gaze is firm and resolute, her wrist twisting, the sword tip pointing straight at the copper ring on the door: ”If the Grand Squad Leader continues to sink like this, the entire Heroic Sakura Association will be filled with panic, domestic troubles and foreign threats will surely lead to disaster! Today, even if I have to break down this door, I must see him!”

Her words are resolute and unquestionable.

Before she finishes speaking, Elder Liao Pei of the Heroic Sakura Association has already rushed up the stone steps.

This old hero, renowned in the Jianghu for his ”Long Arm Fist”, at this moment is channeling his palm force, causing the door frame to hum: ”Grand Squad Leader! Urgent report from Bozhou! General Guo sent a carrier pigeon message; the rebel army has taken Lou Mountain Pass, witchcraft is rampant in Miaojiang, and our army has suffered heavy casualties!” A trace of guilt flashes in his eyes—the use of military force is not timely in winter; although this military intelligence is false, it is to force Shi Feiyang to appear. It is indeed an act of desperation.

”Iron Palm” Wu Zhong clenches his fist, his knuckles turning white, speaking in a low voice: ”The Grand Squad Leader has always been concerned with the world, how could he be dealt with at such a critical moment... Could it be a plot by a traitor?” His voice brims with worry and unease.

”Mandarin Duck Saber” Xiao Lingling, her beautiful eyes filled with tears, speaks anxiously: ”The Grand Squad Leader’s martial arts are unrivaled; there must be some unspeakable reasons for this. We can’t wait any longer!” She grips the Mandarin Duck Saber tightly, longing to rush into the room to find out.

”Divine Archer” Miao Menlong stares at the closed door, murmuring: ”If the Grand Squad Leader suffers a mishap, what will happen to the Bozhou battle, the safety of Jianghu?” He grips his bow and arrow tightly, as if ready to shoot at any moment to dispel the shadow looming over everyone’s hearts.

”Plum Blossom Dart” Shan Zhi repeatedly caresses the Plum Blossom Dart, his voice trembling: ”Could the rumors be true, the Grand Squad Leader... because of Miss Guo’s matter... alas, what should we do!” His eyes are full of worry and confusion.

”Flying Eagle Detective” Xie Wen furrows his brow, pacing back and forth: ”I don’t believe the Grand Squad Leader would just sink into despair! He must be planning something big, but we can’t just wait idly!” His gaze reveals anxiety and helplessness.

Little Scholar Shi Xiong hugs Shi Feiyang’s saber tightly, crying out: ”Young Master! Please come out! Everyone needs you!”

His childish voice is filled with fear and helplessness.

”Celestial Sword” Lu Wen Tripod grips his long sword tightly, saying in a deep voice: ”No matter what, we must find the Grand Squad Leader! Even if we have to search the ends of the earth!” His junior Blood Rakshasa also nods in agreement, her gaze resolute.

Liu Pingsheng, Wu Zhengliang, and Ling Lanzhi exchange worried looks. Liu Pingsheng says: ”If the Grand Squad Leader doesn’t appear soon, the Heroic Sakura Association may be scattered!” Ming Army general Guo Shuyi anxiously paces back and forth, the military token at his waist causing pain.

He pulls open his cloak, revealing the blood-stained chainmail reflecting cold light, his face full of anxiety: ”Heroes, without the Grand Squad Leader overseeing this rebellion suppression, I fear my thirty thousand iron cavalry may fall to the witchcraft in Miaojiang! I heard the Imperial Court has sent three top experts from the capital southwards; if they see the Heroic Sakura Association leaderless, the consequences will be unimaginable. This Jianghu, I fear, will erupt into a bloody storm!”

His voice is filled with despair and helplessness, as if he can already see the inevitable tragic outcome.

Inside the room is as silent as an abyss, with only the copper bell at the eaves issuing hollow echoes in the wind, responding to the cries of the people, or perhaps mourning the imminent collapse. The entire headquarters of the Heroic Sakura Association is shrouded in a suffocating oppressive atmosphere, with everyone’s hearts hanging in their throats, waiting for the figure that can reverse the situation to appear.

”Boom!” Lie Quan channels the Heaven and Earth Saber technique, replacing the saber with his palm, the powerful palm force resoundingly strikes the door.

The solid wooden door, a foot thick, shatters in response, wooden chips flying everywhere as the people see the neatly arranged room inside, with only half-dried ink on the desk inscribed with the words ”worry not”. The strokes are bold yet somehow bleak, as if the owner’s heart was unsettled while writing.

Sue Qinghan’s Cyan Nether Sword falls to the ground with a ”clang”, her beautiful eyes wide open: ”The person is gone? Could it be that the Wuyue Clan is secretly...”

She dares not think further, only feeling a chill rising from her feet to her heart.