Chapter 1052 - 285: Snow Ridge Lone Swan’s Sorrowful Sword Shadow, Nine Netherworld Fiend Taints Frost Blade (Part 2)

Before the words even left his lips, he had already hoisted her onto his back, his movements gentle as if lifting a snowflake that might melt at any moment.

Guo Xiangyu’s cheeks flushed instantly, and she clung to his broad back like a vine, feeling the steady, powerful heartbeat.

Her jade-like arms wrapped tightly around his neck, fingers unconsciously caressing the fabric of his collar, burying her face in his shoulder hollow, greedily absorbing his warmth: "Young Master’s back is the safest haven for Xiangyu in this lifetime."

Her voice was so soft and tender it seemed like water could drip from it, "Even if there’s an abyss ahead, as long as I can lean on Young Master like this, Xiangyu fears nothing."

The bamboo knife in her hand turned into a stream of light and disappeared into her sleeve, yet she whispered in his ear: "Xiangyu’s life was saved by you, Young Master, and from now on, each step Xiangyu takes will be followed with you, through life and death."

Shi Feiyang’s lips curled into a gentle smile, his hand softly patting her hand’s back, his gaze firmly set on the enemy’s line: "As long as I’m here, no one will harm you in the slightest."

Around him, his true qi flowed, his dark cloak billowing like a sail, and the Celestial Frost Blade at his waist emitted a clear and resounding sound, as if to protect this perfect couple.

Meanwhile, the laughter of the Nine Flags Gang was like the howling of wolves, tearing through the snow curtain.

The bearded elder Zhou Wanjie flung his steel whip, splitting a boulder three zhang away, the four blood-red characters of "Nine Banner Deer Field" like grim fangs, "What a pair of desperate mandarin ducks! Today, we’ll send you to the underworld together!"

His venomous gaze swept over Lu Wen Tripod, which caused Guo Xiangyu’s heart to tremble.

Instinctively, she tightened her hold on Shi Feiyang, urgently whispering in his ear: "Young Master, beware of their poisonous tricks... if you get hurt, Xiangyu’s heart will shatter along with it..." As Lu Wen Tripod’s long sword stirred the snow mist, the sword qi of the "Lonely Goose on Snow Mountain" poured down like the Milky Way. Yet Guo Xiangyu had no heart to watch the battle; her gaze remained fixed on Shi Feiyang’s profile, watching as his sword-like brows furrowed, and ice crystals accumulated on his eyelashes.

Gently pressing her cheek against his hair, taking in his unique fresh scent with every breath: "The Bright Jade Technique of Young Master may be strong, but never be careless... Xiangyu only wishes for your safety and wellbeing, if trading Xiangyu’s ten years of life could ensure your completeness, Xiangyu would willingly accept..."

The mocking laughter of the Nine Flags Gang’s Vice Gang Leader, Jiang Shaokun, pierced the air: "Kid, how do you plan to repay for the blood debt of killing our Hall Master Li Qi?"

Shi Feiyang, holding Guo Xiangyu’s bending leg securely with one hand, drew the Celestial Frost Blade with the other.

At the moment the blade’s light flashed, Guo Xiangyu felt the chill rising around him, yet she also felt the warmth emanating from his palm.

She buried her face into his neck, speaking softly yet resolutely: "Young Master, Xiangyu’s life belongs to you, if anyone dares to harm you even the slightest, Xiangyu will make them pay, even at the cost of her own destruction..."

In the snow curtain, the intertwined silhouettes of the two seemed so small amidst the gleam of swords and sabers, yet they stood so resolutely. Guo Xiangyu looked at Shi Feiyang’s upright back, with only one thought in her mind: as long as she could stand by his side, what harm is there in being enemies with the whole world?

Unfinished words lingered, as the Nine Flags Gang Vice Gang Leader Jiang Shaokun glared at Shi Feiyang, laughing sinisterly: "Boy, you’ve destroyed a Hall Master and three Incense Masters of our gang, how do you plan to settle this account? Speak!"

Shi Feiyang, supporting Guo Xiangyu on his back with one hand and wielding the Celestial Frost Blade with the other, raised his sword-like brows, exuding an intense murderous intent, spoke chillingly: "For despicable acts like yours, which rely on numbers and disregard the Jianghu chivalry, it’s not too much to kill all of you!"

Such an outrageously bold statement instantly stirred a series of enraged grunts.

The Nine Flags Gang Leader Jiang Shaokun, incensed to the point of laughter, declared: "Boy, your arrogance knows no bounds, unless I reduce you to dust, my fury won’t be appeased!" Suddenly, from beyond a crowd ring, from the white banner position emerged a scholar-like figure, around thirty years old, dressed in simple white Confucian robes, wielding a folding fan, swaggering towards the Nine Flags Gang’s Vice Gang Leader Jiang Shaokun before bowing: "The White Banner Hall Master requests permission!"

Jiang Shaokun nodded slightly, saying: "Master Lu, handle with care, this kid might be quite a handful!"

"As you command!" The scholar in white suddenly spun around, moved three steps forward, and facing Shi Feiyang coldly sneered: "I am ’Pink-faced Scholar’ Lu Shi, Master of ’Nine Flags Gang’s White Banner Hall’, and I don’t kill nameless individuals. Boy, announce your name so this Hall Master can send you on your way properly!"

Seeing the scholar’s face, Guo Xiangyu couldn’t help recalling the hatred of her grandparents’ persecution by the ’Northwest Four Beasts.’ In her subconscious, it seemed anyone with a scholar’s appearance was an enemy, a villain beyond redemption, arousing her killing intent instantly, her charming face hardened, murder intent surfaced, speaking coldly as ice: "Telling you my name is redundant, you’re destined to die today anyway!"

At the peak of Helan Mountain, the fierce winds carried ice spikes like thousands of arrows, the Nine-Colored Flags flapping fiercely, while the menacing Taotie pattern on the flag absorbed and emitted ghostly light within the blood mist.

"Pink-faced Scholar" Lu Shi lightly shook his folding fan, the powder on his face twisted by rage, sneering like a night owl: "Even a greenhorn dares to act wild in the Nine Flags Gang? Today, I’ll show you the depth and breadth of Jianghu isn’t just for idle talk!"

Before the words finished, his left hand launched a "Yin Wind Bone-Eroding Palm," the accumulating snow turning into purple-black poisonous mist at its passage; unleashing his folding fan with the right, from its ribs erupted thirty-six Bone-Piercing Nails, targeting Guo Xiangyu’s back.

Shi Feiyang snorted coldly, employing "Deep Concealment of Body and Name" lightweight technique, the dark cloak traced a remnant shadow through the snow curtain, and in an instant, he positioned himself beside Lu Shi. The Celestial Frost Blade sprung forth with a dragon’s cry, performing the "Golden Dragon Coils Claw" from the Hundred Victories Saber Technique, the blade light like a golden dragon, aimed directly at Lu Shi’s throat.