Chapter 1220 - 317: Storms Rise Before Piaomiao Peak, Schemes Awaken in Gusu City (Part 2)

Shi Feiyang suddenly laughed aloud, his laughter causing the snow on the roof to fall. As he turned, his eyes were like unsheathed swords, brilliant and cold; "Such a clever scheme by the Imperial Court, playing both sides, cutting the support from beneath. But..."

He looked at the eagle circling in the sky, with a voice carrying three parts heroism and seven parts coldness, "I, Shi Feiyang, am not like Song Jiang who bends the knee to be appeased! If they want to ensnare me, they must first prove they’re capable!"

Xie Wen furrowed his brows, lowering his voice, "Grand Squad Leader, I fear some brothers might covet wealth and succumb to the Imperial Court’s temptations. The Heroic Sakura Association has over fifty thousand people, and people’s hearts are as deep as a belly’s."

Shi Feiyang raised his hand to stop him, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the house.

Qi Meizhen, gripping her saber hilt, had a face full of alertness; Xue Qiuchun gently caressed her abdomen, with concern hidden in her gentle brow; Lan Xiaodie toyed with a venomous insect, a subtle cold smile lingered at the corner of her mouth; Shi Ying wrung her handkerchief, her beautiful eyes full of concern.

Even the young Shi Xiong tightly gripped the short sword at his waist, his expression tense.

"When the Holy Decree arrives, gather all the brothers." Shi Feiyang slowly walked to the middle of everyone, the icy blue True Qi in his palm gradually dissipating, "If anyone wants to leave, I, Shi Feiyang, will not stop them. The Jianghu road is long, parting well is the best."

He paused, his gaze softening, "But I believe the brothers who fought alongside me will not be blinded by this empty decree."

Xue Qiuchun stepped forward, her voice gentle yet firm, "Feiyang, no matter how the future unfolds, I will be with you. We survived the blood battle at Thousand Deer Plateau, are we afraid of the Imperial Court’s schemes and intrigues?"

Lan Xiaodie sneered, putting the venomous insect into her sleeve, "Hmph! The Five Poison Sect follows my command, who dares betray me, I will let them taste the anguish of being devoured by ten thousand bugs!" Shi Ying timidly spoke, "Shi Lang, no matter what, I will follow you. Where you are is home to me."

Qi Meizhen thrust her Miao Saber heavily into the ground, loudly proclaiming, "Husband, if the Imperial Court dares to attack, this humble wife would lead Death Warriors and fight them to the end!" Shi Feiyang looked at these wives who shared life and death with him, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

He raised his hand to pat Shi Xiong’s shoulder, then looked around at everyone, slowly said, "Sunlight will illuminate everyone who looks up, and life will treat everyone who is serious. Good luck won’t come out of thin air; it is either hidden in effort or perseverance. Discipline amidst prosperity, self-recovery in destitution, strength in low points, self-mediation in grievances. Our Heroic Sakura Association has weathered numerous storms, how could we be afraid of this little upheaval? The Imperial Court wants to plot against us, let them know, the sons and daughters of Jianghu bear life and death lightly, if unconvinced, fight!"

As his words fell, everyone in the house shouted in unison, their voices shaking the tiles.

The cold wind howled past, but could not dispel the hot-blooded heroism within this room.

The snow in the courtyard gradually melted under the sunlight, seemingly heralding a greater storm that is about to sweep the seemingly peaceful Gusu City.

Three days later, a fine snow fell on Gusu City.

The large Shi Mansion’s vermillion lacquered door arch was frosted, and the red silk around the stone lion’s neck flapped in the cold wind, like a colorful-cloaked general.

In the assembly hall, the copper stove was burning, the scent of sandalwood mixed with the aura of sword and saber shadows from everyone, lingering in the beams.

A yellow Holy Decree was spread across the Eight Immortals Table, the golden-thread embroidered coiled dragon glinted under the candlelight. Shi Feiyang leaned on the Master’s Chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest, the icy blue True Qi traveling along the sandalwood grain, forming tiny ice flowers on the table.

More than twenty heroes in the hall were sitting or standing, "Long Arm Fist" Liao Pei’s iron crutch was resting on the blue bricks, the sheath of "Heaven and Earth Saber" Lie Quan often bumped against the sword tassel of Xiao Lingling’s Mandarin Duck Saber, producing crisp sounds.

"Iron Palm" Wu Zhong suddenly stepped forward, the dark iron gauntlet under his python-patterned belt gleamed ominously: "Grand Squad Leader! The Imperial Court’s offer of titles and knighthood, fifty thousand brothers can gain backgrounds, it’s a tremendous fortune!"

Before his words were finished, Xiao Lingling beside him had already bowing gracefully, her Mandarin Duck Dual Sabers lightly touched her knees, producing a sound like jewels colliding: "Marry a chicken and follow the chicken, marry a dog and follow the dog; Wu Lang’s idea is Lingling’s wish."

"Iron Flute Scholar" Xiang Kun’s grip on his jade flute suddenly tightened, a half-sigh escaping his throat.

He noticed Xiao Lingling look up at her husband with flowing eyes, recalling her shielding him from hidden weapons on Taohua Island; though no flute sound arose, his heart shattered by three parts already.

Liao Pei stood up slowly with his iron crutch, joints cracking audibly: "These old bones of mine, cannot withstand the open and hidden arrows of officialdom."

He paused, his cloudy gaze sweeping over everyone, "We swore on Huashan Peak back then—desiring not high ranks and riches, but to be unashamed in Jianghu!" Lie Quan heavily thrust the Heaven and Earth Saber into the ground, its blade buzzing, shaking the candle flame: "I’m used to being a free roamer, making me an obsequious official? Rather let me fish at Taihu Lake for another ten years!"

"Divine Archer" Miao Menlong couldn’t hold himself back, the feathered arrows in his waist quiver trembled slightly: "The purpose of learning martial arts is to serve the Imperial Court! Guarding the frontier, protecting wife and son; is it not better than fighting and killing in Jianghu?"

"Plum Blossom Dart" Shan Zhi played with the dart pouch in his sleeve, his Adam’s apple rolling, though he remained silent, a look of longing was already in his eyes.

"Celestial Sword" Lu Wen Tripod brushed the icy patterns on his sword hilt, speaking coldly: "I only want to return to Tianshan to watch the snow, the twists and turns of officialdom, truly cannot learn." Beside him, Blood Rakshasa suddenly lifted her veil, her scarlet face frighteningly fierce in the firelight: "My face makes even ghosts detour, why be an official? Better continue being my Jianghu wraith!" "Water Dragon" Jin Liufu suddenly burst into laughter, the spilling wine forming deep stains on the blue bricks: "Brother Lu, your round body probably wouldn’t fit in the official sedan chair!"