Chapter 1069 - 288: Feiyang’s Chivalry Protects Across Miles, Xue Li’s Courage Safeguards Secret Lore (Part 4)

A surviving elder clutched Shi Feiyang’s coat corner tightly, tears in his eyes as he pleaded, "Hero, please save us! Those demons have taken my son, claiming they will use him for the array sacrifices..."

Xue Li’s eyes immediately grew wet; she firmly squeezed Shi Feiyang’s hand, her tone resolute, "Feiyang, we must stop them. We cannot let these tragedies continue." Shi Feiyang nodded, determination flashing in his eyes, tightly gripping the Celestial Frost Blade at his waist.

Along the way, scenes like this continued to unfold. Wherever they went, Xue Li would diligently bandage the wounds of the injured townsfolk, while Shi Feiyang remained vigilantly by her side.

Witnessing her gently comfort frightened children and patiently brew medicine for the wounded, Shi Feiyang’s heart was filled with emotion and compassion.

From late spring to early summer, the snow on the road gradually melted and was replaced by lush greenery across the hills. They traveled through muddy ancient paths, climbed steep peaks, dining on the wind and lodging beneath the stars, never once uttering a complaint.

Whenever night fell, the two would sit by the campfire. Xue Li would lean on Shi Feiyang’s shoulder, listening to him recount the tales and anecdotes of the Jianghu, while Shi Feiyang would lightly comb her wind-tousled hair and occasionally bow his head to kiss the top of her head.

The twilight was as crimson as blood, casting an even more desolate aura over the ruins of the Northwest Sword Manor.

The sound of Shi Feiyang and Xue Li’s horses startled the cold crows, yet failed to break the mournful silence.

There knelt Dugu Yan, her hair disheveled, on the charred rubble, her piercing cries tearing through the sky, "Oh my son! Shi Feiyang, you heartless and cruel villain, five of my children died by your hand, and now even the sixth is missing... This blood feud, I will not spare you even as a ghost!" The noseless Zhong Renwang’s iron arms clanked as he mechanically helped Dugu Yan up, his metallic hand gleaming coldly in the twilight, "Manor Master Dugu, take heart. That Shi Feiyang is stirring the Kunlun Jade Void Map’s winds in Jiangnan, he must be heading to Kunlun. Let’s ambush him on the mountain path and make him pay blood for blood!" Then, their figures gradually vanished into the dusk, leaving only Dugu Yan’s cries echoing amidst the ruins.

Shi Feiyang stared at the distant, hateful silhouettes, his sword-like brows furrowed. Xue Li gently held his hand, soothingly whispering, "Do not be troubled by this baseless slander; the innocent will remain unstained." Her fingertips were slightly cool, yet seemed to harbor a fire that burned into his heart with their touch.

The sky darkened, and Shi Feiyang took out a delicate tent from his deerskin bag. As the last ray of the setting sun fell, his nimble fingers deftly arranged the tent ropes, while Xue Li leaned against the broken wall, her gaze enamored with his focused profile.

The shadow cast by Shi Feiyang’s eyelashes lightly trembled, his prominent nose gilded in the sunset light, that contour mesmerizing her, stirring sweetness within the depths of her heart. Suddenly, dark clouds rolled across the horizon, fierce winds carrying sand roared in.

Shi Feiyang had just erected the first tent when pea-sized raindrops began to fall.

He urgently seized Xue Li’s hand, but his excessive force caused Xue Li to cry out softly, her whole body tumbling into his embrace.

The two fell heavily onto the soft carpet inside the tent, their breaths intertwining.

Xue Li’s hair scattered across Shi Feiyang’s chest like black silk.

She gazed up at him, her eyes full of spring water, "You’re so reckless. What if you had hurt me?"

Though she scolded him, her tone was sweet enough to drip honey.

Shi Feiyang’s Adam’s apple moved, his hands unconsciously encircling her waist, his voice low and husky, "If I did hurt you, I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for it." Outside the tent, rain poured down, thunder roared. Inside, their warmth dispersed the cold.

Xue Li’s cheeks blushed like the most radiant peach blossom of spring as she softly leaned on Shi Feiyang’s shoulder, "Since meeting you, I’ve realized that the Jianghu can also be this warm. Through storms, as long as you’re by my side, I’m not afraid of anything."

Shi Feiyang lowered his head, placing a kiss upon her hair, "Silly girl, in the future, I will always ensure your safety. Once all this settles, we’ll find a paradise beyond the Jianghu conflicts."

Xue Li buried her face in his chest, listening to the strong heartbeat, a happy smile on her lips, "I care not for the Jianghu, as long as I can be with you, that is my greatest wish. Even if a mountain of swords and sea of flames lay ahead, I want to brave it together with you."

The rain grew heavier, but the tent’s temperature became increasingly warm. The two embraced tightly, amidst the ruins, on this stormy night, their love surged like a tide, more steadfast than any vow.

The midsummer morning sun shone through the ruins, scattering golden light across the mottled ground.

Xue Li gradually awoke from slumber, gazing at Shi Feiyang’s handsome sleeping face beside her, her lips unconsciously curving into a gentle smile.

She extended her slender fingers, lightly pinching his nose, teasing, "Lazybones, the sun’s already shining on your butt."

Shi Feiyang’s eyelashes fluttered, he abruptly opened his eyes, pulling her into his embrace.

Xue Li exclaimed in surprise, tumbling onto his firm chest, the faint fragrance of her hair lingering at his nose.

In the dawn after the storm, fragmented clouds spread like brocade across the sky.

Shi Feiyang held Xue Li as they sat leaning against the debris, her hair adorned with wild roses that had quietly bloomed.

He stroked the blood-stained hem of her wedding dress with his fingertips, suddenly lifting her horizontally into his arms, spinning lightly in his black suits, startling two white pigeons from the gable corners.

"Shi Feiyang!" Xue Li clung to his neck, exclaiming, her hairpins clinking.

Shi Feiyang’s eyes reflected the morning glow, his laughter as clear as morning dew, "Last night you said you wanted to brave mountains of swords and seas of flames with me, why are you afraid of heights now?" With that, he deliberately lifted her higher, prompting the person in his arms to bury her face into his shoulder nook, her warm breath heating him through the fabric, causing his heart to flutter.