Chapter 1144 - 303: Jade Hairpin Slanting Amid Spring Waves, Soft Hands Stirring Deep Sweetness (Part 2)

He gazed at the desolate ground, eyes cold as frost: "Those who dare trespass my territory, shall be exterminated!"

As his words fell, snow suddenly descended from the sky, as if trying to cleanse the bloody earth.

Shi Xiong bounded over to his side, blood speckled on his face yet beaming brightly: "Young master, we chased away the bad guys again!"

The snowstorm over Wulang City suddenly ceased, holding its breath for the aftermath of the thrilling battle.

The warriors of the Naiman Tribe raised their scimitars high, their cheers rumbling like spring thunder, shaking loose the ice on the city walls.

Yili’s fiery-red battle robe was stained with blood, yet it couldn’t hide the starlight glimmering in her eyes. She was the first to throw down her long sword, like a swallow darting into the woods, she flew into Shi Feiyang’s embrace, her trembling fingertips brushing over his blood-covered brow: "Husband, if you were even slightly harmed, these eyes would never again look upon this world’s splendor. The Imperial Court is so cruel to you, why do you still stay in Bozhou to quell rebellion? Don’t you feel wronged?"

Lin Wanqing’s plain white robe was torn by the Sword Qi, the jade hairpin in her hair long lost, yet still she remained elegantly charming.

She gently unfurled her cloak, wrapping it around Shi Feiyang’s frail body, her voice carrying a blend of three parts reproach and seven parts care: "Husband, each time you are so relentless, the Wudang’s ’Nine-Turn Life-extending Pill’ will be totally consumed by you."

Saying this, her fingertips stealthily sought his wrist pulse, fearing to miss even a faint injury.

Gong Simeng’s Spirit Snake Whip was still dripping blood, yet already she paid no mind, rising on tiptoe to encircle Shi Feiyang’s neck, her warm breath caressing his ear: "Husband, when you were battling that demon just now, my heart felt as if gnawed by the ice worms of Tianshan Mountain, not a single moment of peace." She suddenly bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes, "Next time... next time let me stand shoulder to shoulder with you, even if death comes, let it be together."

Bai Zhi held a distorted silver rod with barbs, her usually forthright nature now bringing tears to her eyes. She carefully touched Shi Feiyang’s bloodied palm, as if cradling fragile Liuli: "Husband, the calluses in your palms have grown thicker..."

Before her words fell, she suddenly turned and retrieved an oiled paper parcel from her bosom, "Knowing you love the sweet-scented osmanthus cake from Jiangnan the most, saved half a piece especially for you..."

Liu Guihua’s Spirit Snake Whip was still entangled with the enemy’s shredded hair, yet impatiently she dashed over, enclosing Shi Feiyang’s waist.

She pressed her cheek against his back, her voice muffled: "Husband, just now I was truly afraid I’d never see you again... in the future, wherever you go, you must take me along, even if it’s up the mountain of blades or down into the sea of fire, this whip will surely clear every obstacle for you."

Shi Feiyang was tightly surrounded by five soft bodies, noses filled with diverse scents—Yili’s rose aroma, Lin Wanqing’s sandalwood, Gong Simeng’s orchid, Bai Zhi’s sweet-scented osmanthus, Liu Guihua’s jasmine.

He felt their rapid heartbeats, as if they wanted to meld him into their bones and flesh.

"I’ve made you worried. However, no matter how the Imperial Court treats me, I must assist the soldiers in quelling rebellion, for I protect the common people, not just the Court’s interests." He softly spoke, yet drew five coquettish protests.

"Who worried about you?" Yili tilted her head, her eye mole trembling with her tearful eyes, "I’m just afraid if you die, there’d be no one left in this world worthy of me." Lin Wanqing silently took out Wound Healing Medicine from her sleeve, carefully applying it to the wounds on his arm, fingers trembling: "Next time if you so disregard your life again, I... I won’t care for you anymore." But her quivering voice had long betrayed her.

Gong Simeng suddenly tiptoed, lightly pecking Shi Feiyang’s lips, blush immediately spreading to her ear tips: "This is your punishment... and your reward." Bai Zhi shyly turned her head, yet secretly pushed the sweet-scented osmanthus cake into his hand, while Liu Guihua was more direct, pulling his hand against her heart: "Listen, how fast it beats, as if it will leap out of my throat."

The warriors of the Naiman Tribe watched this scene and broke into knowing smiles. The cold wind remained ferocious, yet inside Wulang City surged a spring tide of warmth, hotter than any hearth and more intoxicating than any wine.

The twilight in Wulang City was dyed crimson by the cheers, Shi Feiyang enfolding his five wives as they descended the battlements, his dark cloak swept over the mottled bloodstains, unable to hide the gentle aura surrounding him.

Yili gazed at Bai Zhi’s child in his embrace with a carved jade-like face. The child giggled, tugging at his father’s lapels, with eyes as bright as when Bai Zhi first met him. She involuntarily touched her own flat abdomen, fingers brushing against the medicine pouch hidden beneath the silk—Fetched from Miaojiang, a secret formula to conceive, worn close daily, its fragrance mingling with the rose scent, now stifling and making her chest ache.

In the Royal Palace Inner Courtyard, Lin Wanqing was teaching the children the starting stance of Wudang Swordsmanship, the blade creating ice flowers landing on Gong Simeng’s child’s tiger-head hat.

That child babbled learning to speak, reaching out to grasp the freezing stars formed by Sword Qi, Gong Simeng hurriedly protected and scolded: "Be careful not to freeze my little treasure." She raised her eyes looking at Shi Feiyang leaning against the column, her eyes filled with tenderness: "You see, our child is even cleverer than you were back then; one day he will master Bright Jade Technique beautifully."

Liu Guihua leaned against the ornate window sill, her Spirit Snake Whip absentmindedly wound around her fingers, watching Shi Feiyang toss Lin Wanqing’s child into the air and catch him steadily, the child’s crisp laugh stung her eyes hotly.

She recalled last night’s long kneeling in the Buddha hall, candlelight casting elongated shadows, her mumblings of scriptures all turned into wishes for Shi Feiyang. Now bitterness rose in her throat, she turned away, only to meet Yili’s similarly pained gaze.