Chapter 1068 - 288: Feiyang’s Chivalrous Journey Protects Beauty for a Thousand Miles, Xue Li’s Courageous Expedition Safeguards the Secret Tome (Part 3)

He helped Xue Li onto the fast horse prepared by the Heroic Sakura Association’s Hang City branch disciples, wrapping his arms around her, and softly said: "Hold onto me tightly, there’s no need to fear. I will protect you on this journey, just like in the past, and the future shall be no different."

Xue Li nestled in his embrace, feeling the warmth from him, her heart filled with gratitude and peace.

Once, her heart was like frost, rejecting everyone for miles around; now, Shi Feiyang, with his passion and tenderness, gradually melted away the thick layer of ice, allowing her to understand what it meant to care, what it meant to long for someone.

She held his hand tightly and softly said: "Feiyang, thank you. On this journey, I only wish to accompany you, no matter the ends of the earth."

The two rode against the fierce wind, galloping towards the direction of Kunlun Mountain.

The sound of horse hooves shattered the night, but could not break two closely connected hearts. In this Jianghu filled with blood and storm, their figures drifted further yet appeared exceptionally resolute.

As long as we are together, we can overcome all hardships and dangers, protecting the peace of this world.

In early spring, the Helan Mountain Range was still tightly embraced by ice and snow.

Guo Xiangyu leaned against the carved window frame of the pavilion, her fingertips gently stroking the ice flower congealed on the windowsill. In a daze, she felt those translucent patterns bore a striking resemblance to the heroic spirit between the eyebrows of Shi Feiyang.

In the distance, the continuous snow-capped mountains glimmered with a chilling brilliance under the sunlight, yet when she gazed upon them, her eyes gradually became hot — as the winter snow melted and accumulated again, and then melted once more, her Feiyang still had not returned.

"Miss Guo, this is your third ginger tea warmed today." Maid Xiaotao carried the blue porcelain bowl, looking at her mistress pouring the cooled tea soup back into the copper stove, and could not help but gently advise.

Guo Xiangyu seemed not to hear, only gazing at the dancing flames in the stove, muttering to herself: "He liked the ginger tea I brewed most, it must be simmered for three hours, then the ginger flavor would be rich enough..."

Before the words fell, snowflakes suddenly drifted down outside the window. She rose quickly, without even having time to put on her embroidered silk shoes, and dashed barefoot into the courtyard.

Snowflakes landed in her black hair, quickly turning into crystal-clear water droplets.

Guo Xiangyu looked up at the sky, letting the snowflakes hit her face, and softly called: "Feiyang? Is it you coming back?" The wind carried fine snow into her thin clothes, yet she was unaware, stubbornly searching in the snow for that familiar figure.

It wasn’t until Xiaotao draped a fur coat over her that she woke up as from a dream, looking down at the melted snow in her palms, she murmured: "Turns out it’s not you... Yet these snowflakes falling on me are as warm as when you embrace me."

In the deep quiet of night, Guo Xiangyu tightly hugged the black cloak Shi Feiyang had left behind, curled on the bed.

The cloak was embroidered with gold-thread cloud patterns, still retaining his scent, a blend of subtle sandalwood and the smoke from battles. She buried her face into the soft fabric, her voice choked: "You once said after settling matters with the Nine Flags Gang, you’d accompany me to enjoy the misty rains of Jiangnan. Now that spring has arrived, yet you still haven’t returned..."

Having said this, she stubbornly got up again, took out treasured brush and ink, and wrote the three characters "Shi Feiyang" on Xuan paper.

The ink was not yet dry, then blurred by tears, a hazy longing spreading over the paper.

The next morning, Guo Xiangyu delightedly found the red plum in the courtyard blooming in the ice and snow.

She picked one gently, adorned it at her temples, and softly smiled at the bronze mirror: "Feiyang always said I am more beautiful than flowers. When he returns, upon seeing this red plum complimenting me, he will surely praise me as the most enchanting sight in the Helan Mountains."

In front of the bronze mirror, she tidied her hairpin, each smile and frown seemed to turn her full longing into the most tender image, just so that person could see her most captivating look at first sight when returning.

The morning mist like a light veil, gently covered the vast earth. Xue Li rode on horseback, her gaze always following the figure of Shi Feiyang in front.

His posture was upright, like an unsheathed sharp sword, outlined by the dawn’s glow into an entrancing silhouette.

After months of traveling side by side, she was long accustomed to silently watching him like this, hiding all her tender affections in her gentle gaze.

"Feiyang, look over there!" Xue Li suddenly gasped softly, her whip pointing to the wild roses blooming in the distant valley.

The pink-white flowers swayed gracefully in the breeze, like stars adorned on a green carpet, their sweet fragrance wafting in the wind.

Shi Feiyang pulled the reins tight, turned to look at Xue Li, his eyes revealing a doting smile.

Xue Li nimbly dismounted, her skirt brushing through the dewy grass, carefully picking a wild rose.

She walked lightly to Shi Feiyang, tiptoed to pin the rose to his chest, her fingers unintentionally brushing his warm skin, her cheeks instantly flushing red.

"This flower suits you perfectly." Her voice was gentle, her drooping eyes filled with shyness and deep affection.

Shi Feiyang lowered his head to gaze at the rose on his chest, then looked at Xue Li’s flushed cheeks, a warm current surging through his heart.

He gently clasped her hand, tenderly said: "No flower can compare to your beauty."

Xue Li’s heart raced, as though countless little fawns were dashing around inside her.

She snuggled into Shi Feiyang’s embrace, listening to his strong heartbeat, wishing for this moment to be eternal.

However, beautiful times always flee swiftly. Upon arriving at a small town, the sight before them cut deep into their hearts.

Between the ruined walls, the smoke of gunpowder had yet to completely disperse, the devastation wrought by the Demon Sect deeply stirring their souls.