Chapter 1046 - 284: Helan Xue’s Blade Reflects a Loyal Heart, Jade Shadows and Cold Edge Bury the Netherworld

The Helan Mountain Range stretches for hundreds of miles, resembling a silver dragon lying across the snowy land. During the harsh winter, the swirling blizzard seems to dye the world in a desolate hue.

At the stone chamber entrance situated between the cliffs, beneath thick layers of snow, lies a piece of green stone, resembling an ancient zither with broken strings. Its natural patterns mimic the seven strings, reflecting a faint, cold glow in the snowy light.

The warriors of the Heroic Sakura Association gallantly arrive on horseback. Xie Wen shakes the snow off his shoulder, his eagle-like eyes glinting sharply through the snowy veil. He touches the ice crystals on the stone’s surface, saying loudly, "Everyone, look! This stone’s texture is like the broken rhythm of seven strings. Legend has it that an Immortal came here with a zither, and upon witnessing the nurturing beauty of Helan Mountain, he played a melody on the stone strings. As the tune ended, the sound startled the clouds, and since then, the snow never melts, creating this wondrous snowfield."

Liao Pei, skilled in the Long Arm Fist, agilely clears away the snow, exclaiming, "Indeed! These stone patterns are naturally formed and cannot be made by human forces. Truly the legacy of an Immortal!" Lie Quan, stroking the stone face and marveling, says, "In my days wandering the Jianghu, I’ve seen many peculiar sights, yet I’ve never seen anything so mystical—today, my eyes have been opened."

The group enters the stone chamber, where everything is carved from green stone. The stone bed and table are naturally formed, with no traces of chiseling, almost as if born from heaven and earth. Wu Zhong, adept in the Iron Palm Technique, strikes a palm on the stone table, praising, "This stone chamber is warm in winter and cool in summer, truly a heavenly blessed place. It’s perfect for us to plan great deeds here!" Xiao Lingling, wielding the Mandarin Duck Saber, smiles playfully, "Husband always knows only about fighting, but I think such a divine scenery should be used to discuss poetry and swordplay, so as not to waste it."

Shi Feiyang takes out supplies from a deerskin bag, each item causing the crowd to exclaim in surprise.

Though the deerskin bag appears small, it seems to have infinite space, producing rice, grain, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, garlic, and onions, piling up into a small mountain.

Shi Xiong, the Little Scholar, lights combustible ice, and the rising blue flame warms the stone chamber.

Shi Feiyang looks around at everyone, speaking solemnly, "Brothers and sisters, such a blessed land, is both a gift and a test. In these times, where tyrants reign, leading people into suffering, we, the Heroic Sakura Association, are grounded not in robbery but in upholding justice and protecting the people. Today, having acquired this blessed land, let it be our cornerstone, sharpening weapons and preparing steeds, until one day, there will be no more injustice in this world!"

Miao Menlong, the Divine Archer, raises his strong bow in response, proclaiming, "The Grand Squad Leader speaks rightly! My bow and arrow have long been yearning, just waiting for the day to shoot down evil!" Shan Zhi toyed with his Plum Blossom Dart, sneering, "With this blessed land and the wise leadership of the Grand Squad Leader, those demons are nothing but weak chickens and dogs!"

Everyone responded fervently, their voices resonating in the stone chamber, startling the snow outside into falling.

In this vast snowy domain, the Heroic Sakura Association’s ambitious spirit seems to break through the clouds, soaring straight to the heavens.

After lunch, Shi Feiyang walked hand in hand with Guo Xiangyu along the Helan Mountains.

The wind, like a romantic poet, condenses tiny snowflakes into crystalline verses, yet upon touching their intertwined figures, quietly turns into gentle tenderness.

Shi Feiyang’s dark cloak unfurls like an ink scroll, the Celestial Frost Blade at his waist shimmering with a cold gleam, as if containing the sharpness of the Jianghu’s blade-and-sword shadows; while Guo Xiangyu’s scholar robe dances in the wind, her hair bound with a jade hairpin, fringed with tassels outlining her profile more elegantly than the moonlit osmanthus shadow.

When her dark hem rises, it startles the birds residing at the cliff’s edge, their fluttering wings making it hard to distinguish whether it’s the falling snow or a trembling heart.

Suddenly, Shi Feiyang halted, weaving his clearly jointed fingers through Guo Xiangyu’s, the warmth in his palm setting her nose twinging. "See, not even the Helan snow is half as captivating as you." His deep voice carries a warm breath, brushing past her reddened ear tips, startling Guo Xiangyu into hurriedly lowering her head, only to see their overlapping shadows elongated by the sunset, painting an unchangeable portrait on the snowy ground.

Guo Xiangyu gently shook his hand, raising her gaze when eyelashes were adorned with fine ice crystals. "Master is teasing me again."

Her fingertips brushed over the dragon pattern embroidered on his cloak, "Xiangyu feels, no matter how cold the mountain snow, as long as I can hold Master’s hand like this, it surpasses countless worldly riches." She said, then suddenly stood on tiptoe, carefully brushing the snow off his shoulder, her movements as soft as touching the most fragile Liuli. In the distance, the frozen stream meanders like zither strings, the faint sound of water beneath the ice resembles an ancient love song flowing through heaven and earth.

Shi Feiyang embraced her waist, gently drawing her into his arms, his chin against her hair crown, gazing at the vast snowfield, he softly said, "Xiangyu, listen to this stream, as if it’s singing our story."

His breath caressed her hair strands, "Once the Jianghu is settled, I’ll build a small residence here, accompanying you daily to watch the snow fall on the icy stream, listening to the wind through the pine forest."

Guo Xiangyu’s eyes moist in an instant, as she turns, her tears drip into the snow, forming crystalline flowers: "Just being with Master, even with plain food, Xiangyu is content." She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her cheek against his warm chest, "If there’s reincarnation, Xiangyu wants to be the first to meet Master again, life after life, always to be the treasure in Master’s palm."

Dusk deepens, their figures on the snow cliff summit become silhouetted, embracing amid the snowstorm, undisturbed by the whistling winds and snow.

In the distance, the frozen stream reflects the sunset glow, forever etching this tender moment into the river of time within the Helan Mountains.

The north wind carries ice shards, howling atop the snowy cliffs, suddenly four shadows step silently across the snow, appearing like phantoms.

Leading the group, an elder twirls his goat beard, icy light flickering in his hawk-like eyes, the ghostly engraving on the iron badge at his waist glows ominously, revealing him as an agent of the Nine Flags Gang.