Chapter 1097 - 294: Crimson River Flames and Chaotic Love Gu, Lou Mountain’s Night of Frightened Souls

The dawn mist, like a light veil, gently envelops the banks of the Chishui River, with strands intertwining as if weaving the tenderness between heaven and earth.

Three thousand disciples of the Heroic Sakura Association stand clad in armor, neatly and solemnly, with their metal plates shimmering coldly, like a pack of dormant tigers ready to roar out at any command.

Shi Feiyang, dressed in black soft armor, stands tall like a pine tree, with the Celestial Frost Blade at his waist emitting a faint chill, an invisible force suppressing the surrounding air.

His gaze is like a torch, sweeping majestically across his followers. His voice, steady and powerful, carries an undeniable authority: "Elder Liao’s Long Arm Fist is unparalleled in vigor, Elder Lie’s Heaven and Earth Saber can break through a thousand formations. This time, retaking Flying Tiger Pass is a great opportunity for us to set things right for the country and to be remembered through the ages! We must show those rebels that the dignity of the Heroic Sakura Association cannot be infringed!"

At this moment, a crisp sound of silver bells rings, pleasant as pearls falling on a jade plate, breaking the tense atmosphere.

Guo Xiangyu rides a swift white horse, resembling a delicate flower blooming in the wind, galloping towards Shi Feiyang. Her figure is light and graceful, and the silver bell tied to her bamboo knife sheath joyfully leaps with her movements, producing a melodic "ding dong" sound.

"Husband, wait!" Guo Xiangyu’s voice is crisp and urgent, filled with deep concern.

She pulls the reins in front of Shi Feiyang, with her beautiful eyes flowing, full of worry as she looks at Shi Feiyang, "The Poison King of Miaojiang is insidious and vicious, especially skilled in witchcraft, hard to guard against. On this journey, husband, please be very careful and do not let me worry for you."

As she speaks, she dismounts gracefully, walking over to stand before Shi Feiyang.

Her gaze is gentle and deep, like rippling spring water filled with love, she reaches out to lightly adjust Shi Feiyang’s collar, her fingertips grazing his cheek, trembling a little: "Do you know that ever since you decided to take this path, I’ve been worrying for you every moment. Tossing and turning at night, imagining you on the battlefield fighting bloodily, fearing you might suffer the slightest mishap."

Looking at the woman who resembles a celestial immortal before him, Shi Feiyang feels a warm current rising in his heart.

He gently holds Guo Xiangyu’s hand and softly says, "Xiangyu, with your concern, I shall be careful. But as the Grand Squad Leader, I bear the responsibility to save the nation and its people. Flying Tiger Pass must be taken. Rest assured, I will return safely and watch the sunrises and sunsets at the Chishui banks with you."

Listening to Shi Feiyang’s words, Guo Xiangyu’s eyes slightly redden, she bites her lip, her eyes filled with reluctance and longing: "I know husband has ambitions for the world. But in my heart, you are my everything. I don’t want fame or influence in Jianghu; I just want you to be safe by my side. If anything were to happen to you, I... I wouldn’t live alone."

With that, she throws herself into Shi Feiyang’s embrace, holding him tightly, wanting to pass all her warmth to him.

Shi Feiyang gently pats her back, comforting her: "Silly girl, don’t say such unlucky things. I promise you, I will come back safe and sound, and we will have many beautiful days to spend together."

The surrounding disciples of the Heroic Sakura Association watch the scene, moved by the deep affection, and lower their heads, unwilling to disturb the tender romance of this pair. Even the dawn mist seems touched by the overwhelming love, dissipating gradually, revealing the clearer scenery of the Chishui River.

The dawn mist fades like a lingering dream, at the banks of the Chishui River, the beat of drums and sound of gold ring together.

Shi Feiyang’s dark armor reflects the sunlight, and the Celestial Frost Blade emanates cold vapors as he waves his hand, sending the three thousand disciples of the Heroic Sakura Association like arrows loosed from a bow.

Guo Xiangyu tightly grips the reins, the silver bell decoration shakes with the horse’s neigh, her eyes filled with unshakable worry: "As you face wind and sword, you..."

Before her words finish, Shi Feiyang transforms into a cyan shadow and swiftly darts out, leaving only a clear echo behind: "Once I crush the enemy’s lair, we will drink the spring waves of Chishui together, my lady!" Dusk splatters like congealed blood over the layers, with Lou Mountain’s crevices seeping dark red.

When seventy-two toxic corpses break through the soil, a piercing sound of a brass bell and bones rubbing against each other echoes from underground, with colorful miasma spraying from blue faces and fangs. The stones turn to holes upon contact, vegetation within ten shafts instantly turns black and curls, and the stench of rotting flesh mixed with sulfur rises straight to the sky, startling the eagles to spiral and scream in mid-air.

The seven Wudang masters aiding the government troops to suppress the rebellion step onto the Beidou, their robes flapping like flags in the poisoned winds. Master Yuxu, with his long sword pointing to the sky and the Eight Trigrams Diagram carved on the blade exuding a faint glow: "Today, we cleanse the world of demons with the way of Heaven!"

Master Yuyang and Master Yujing sweep across two wings, Master Yuheng, Master Yushu, Yu Fangzi, and Master Yuchen connect their swords, and when the seven swords unsheathe, the cold light bursts forth enough to cut through the sinking dusk with a silver streak.

"True Martial Seven Sections, exterminating evil!" With Master Yuxu’s loud shout, the "Wudang Soul-Seeking Swordsmanship" is performed continuously, the sword shadows of "Seven Stars Chasing the Moon" transform into a Beidou phantasm, and the Sword Qi from "Heavenly Gang Breaking Demons" is like a mighty thunderous force, sending the toxic corpses’ gray limbs and broken arms wrapped in poison mist plummeting into the mountain ravine like falling meteors.

Emei Female Hero Su Qinghan, dressed in white as pure as snow, when the Cyan Nether Sword casts "Golden Summit Buddha Light," the myriad sword shadows converge into a golden lotus platform.

Yet, from the depths of the poison mist comes a light laugh, the rebel army counselor Yang Yinglong’s female strategist Yun Wuyue tiptoes on the shoulder of a toxic corpse, her peacock plume glows with eerie blue phosphorus: "I’ve heard of Hero Shi’s remarkable skills and unmatched martial arts prowess, but does Hero Shi know, this Love Flower Gu specializes in consuming couple’s hearts?"

Her fingertips’ red threads slither like live snakes, swiftly sinking into Su Qinghan’s back neck. The Emei Female Hero’s pupils suddenly shrink, as the Cyan Nether Sword abruptly veers toward Shi Feiyang, executing the most vicious move in Emei swordsmanship, "Maiden Casting Shuttle," with the sword tip’s cold light aimed directly at the throat’s vital point.