King of Hundred Victories Saber

On the ramparts of Bozhou City, the setting sun looked like blood, dyeing the ”Mighty Cherry” banner ablaze as if it were rolling in flames.

The cheers were like surging waves, each one higher than the last, reaching straight into the sky.

The soldiers of the Ming Army raised their weapons high, shouting the name of General Guo Dunyi in unison, the sound waves making the city walls tremble slightly. Guo Dunyi, dressed in brand-new general’s armor, sat atop a high horse, his face brimming with a satisfied smile, basking in the cheers and acclaim of the crowd.

Yet, at the edge of the crowd, Shi Feiyang stood quietly. His dusty black outfit was stained with dirt and blood, the tattered collar fluttering in the wind, yet it couldn’t conceal his upright posture. Lan Xiaodie leaned weakly against his shoulder, her pale face devoid of color, her lips still marred with uncleaned traces of blood, like a white plum blossom teetering in the cold wind.

Shi Feiyang carefully carried Lan Xiaodie on his shoulder, so gently as if holding a rare treasure, afraid to harm her with any careless move. ”Grand Squad Leader, this is the honor you deserve!” Miao Menlong glanced at the cheering crowd and then at Shi Feiyang, his face full of incomprehension and regret.

His eagle-carved bow slung across his back, the bowstring still quivering slightly, as if savoring the thrill of the battlefield.

Shi Feiyang gently shook his head, his gaze tenderly fixed on Lan Xiaodie at his shoulder, softly saying: ”Fame and fortune are but fleeting clouds. Compared to these, Xiaodie’s safety is of utmost importance.”

His voice was low and firm, carrying a calm serenity from experiences of vicissitudes.

Xie Wen, stroking the feathers of the eagle on his shoulder, nodded thoughtfully: ”Grand Squad Leader is noble, such magnanimity is beyond ordinary people. Yet, the world will remember who the real hero is.”

Admiration filled his eyes, and the eagle seemed to understand its master’s words, letting out a clear cry.

Shan Zhi silently put the plum darts back into the dart pouch, sighed: ”Although General Guo also made efforts, which of these fierce battles weren’t won at the cost of our lives? Grand Squad Leader’s humility is indeed...”

His words were interrupted by Shi Feiyang’s raised hand, ”Brother Shan, there’s no need to say more.”

Shi Feiyang’s gaze turned to the distance, where Feima Pass lay, ”We uphold righteousness and justice to protect the people, not for fame or wealth. As long as the land can have peace, does it matter who the credit goes to?”

Shi Xiong scratched his head, smiling naively: ”I don’t understand so much logic, anyway young master says what it is! I just hope Miss Lan can get better soon, so we can fight side by side again later!”

He sheathed his sword, the blade of the White Rainbow Treasure Sword stained with dried blood, bearing witness to his bravery and fearlessness.

Lan Xiaodie slowly opened her eyes, weakly pulling out a faint smile: ”Brother Shi... you don’t have to... for me...” Her words were intermittent, every syllable seeming to exhaust all her strength.

Shi Feiyang looked at her with heartache, softly saying: ”Xiaodie, don’t speak, conserve your energy. I promised you, to take you to see all the beautiful mountains and rivers, you still have to accompany me to the Northern Border to see the snow, to Jiangnan to see the willows, you can’t break your promise.”

His voice carried unquestionable firmness, and also deep concern.

No more words were spoken by the crowd, silently following behind Shi Feiyang, heading towards Feima Pass.

Their figures grew farther and farther in the sunset’s afterglow, gradually blending into the twilight.

The cheers on the ramparts continued to thunder, but the glory and splendor had nothing to do with these silently departing chivalrous heroes.

The night at Feima Pass was tranquil and peaceful.

Shi Feiyang kept vigil by Lan Xiaodie’s bedside, his gaze never leaving her pale face for a moment.

The candlelight flickered, casting his shadow on the wall, showing loneliness and determination.

He carefully tucked the quilt corners for Lan Xiaodie, his movements so gentle as if touching a fragile treasure.

”Brother Shi...” Lan Xiaodie mumbled in her sleep, Shi Feiyang immediately held her hand, softly reassuring: ”I’m here, Xiaodie, I’m here.” His palm warm and strong, transmitting his strength to her.

In the distance, came the sound of the night watchman hitting the watch ”dong—dong—”, particularly clear in the silent night.

Shi Feiyang gazed at the bright moon outside the window, silently vowing in his heart, to heal Lan Xiaodie’s wounds no matter what, letting her bloom a celestial smile again. Because in his heart, this was more precious than any fame or wealth by a thousand times.

A few months later, in the early autumn of Bozhou

A gentle breeze blew, bringing a slight chill to Bozhou’s early autumn, yet also the joy of harvest. In the mountains, the leaves turned from green to yellow, occasionally falling one or two, covering the mountain path, rustling when stepped on, with a unique charm.

Shi Feiyang stood in front of a simple bamboo house, his gaze traversing layer upon layer of mountains, seemingly searching for something.

His eyes sparkled with an unyielding light, these months, not only caring for Lan Xiaodie, but also seeking magical herbs to heal her wounds, enduring countless hardships, finally gaining some insights.

At this moment, a slight cough from the bamboo house interrupted Shi Feiyang’s thoughts. He quickly turned around and walked briskly into the bamboo house, only to see Lan Xiaodie leaning by the bedside, her complexion still pale but her spirits noticeably improved.

Seeing Shi Feiyang enter, she smiled gently, that smile like a flower blooming in spring, warm and bright.

”Brother Shi, you’re back.” Lan Xiaodie’s voice soft and filled with gratitude, ”These months, you’ve worked really hard.”

Shi Feiyang gently shook his head, sitting by the bedside, reached out to touch Lan Xiaodie’s forehead, confirming she didn’t have a fever, then said reassuringly: ”As long as you can get well, everything I do is worth it.”

Both exchanged smiles, no need for words, their hearts already understood.

The next morning, however, Shi Feiyang found Lan Xiaodie missing, his heart tightened, hurriedly asked Xie Wen to use ”Feixu Qingyan Technique” to summon Mighty Cherry’s heroes, Wudang’s Seven Sons, Shaolin Stick Monk, Emei Female Hero to find Lan Xiaodie’s whereabouts.

The morning mist in Qian held like gauze, while the green slate at Five Poison Sect Headquarters still held night dew. Lan Xiaodie’s skirt hem swept across the stone steps engraved with poisonous python totems, her waist bell giving a clear ring, startled the Green Bamboo at the eaves.

As she stepped onto the platform, the venom fumes from thirty-six bronze tripods dyed the morning sun an eerie shade of green.

”Lan Xiaodie, you still have the face to return!”

A sinister voice pierced the silence.

Red Practice Hall Master Zhusa Po leaned on a snake-shaped staff, her purple-black nails digging deeply into the staff, ”Years ago, Shi Feiyang washed the headquarters with blood, now you speak for the enemy?”

Behind her, dozens of disciples responded loudly, the poisoned hidden weapons in their sleeves itching to move.

Facing the cold gazes of the crowd, Lan Xiaodie raised her jade hand and unfurled a roll of yellowed parchment.

Sunlight penetrating the paper’s bloodstained spots, casting the four iconic words ”Five Poison Scripture” from dark to light: ”Do any of you know what the last page of this scripture says?” She paused, her voice suddenly rising, ”Our sect’s foundation is ’using poison to benefit the world’!”

”Utter nonsense!” Black Centipede Hall Master Iron-Backed Bear swung iron claws, the claw wind cleaving apart the venomous mist within three zhang, ”Years ago, the old Sect Leader clearly said that the Central Plains owe us blood debt!” His words were cut short by a heavy thud below the platform—a few disciples carried and tossed a corpse up, a disciple who poisoned the market the day before.

Lan Xiaodie looked at the corpse gradually turning black, her fingertips stroking the snake tattoo on its neck: ”He’s poisoned by ’Seven-Step Intestine-Breaking Powder’, only our sect’s secret ’Nine-leaf Language Flower’ can save him. But where’s the antidote?”

She suddenly tore open her collar, revealing a jagged scar at her chest, ”Half a month ago I sneaked into the secret room, discovered hidden antidotes kept by the old Sect Leader were all refined into deadly poison gu!” A commotion erupted below the platform.

Lan Xiaodie seized the chance to pull out a half-piece jade pendant engraved with a butterfly motif, its color faintly glowing amidst the venomous mist: ”This jade pendant was found hidden in the old Sect Leader’s sleeping quarters. The totems on it match exactly the ’Jishi Seal’ recorded at the opening of the ’Five Poison Scripture’.”

Her gaze swept over the crowd, ”Shi Feiyang didn’t kill any Five Poison Sect Leader, but a traitor to the ancestral teachings!”