Chapter 1224 - 317: Winds Rise Before Piaomiao Peak, Schemes Emerge Within Gusu City

Liao Pei pondered for a moment, then heavily struck the ground with his iron crutch: "Old bones understand! We’ll carve ’Heroic Sakura Association Martyrs’ Tomb’ on the tombstone. When those imperial dogs see it, they’ll definitely let their guard down. Once they come close, they’ll have no return!" Lie Quan laughed heartily and patted the wine gourd at his waist: "Great! When the imperial people arrive, I’ll use this Heaven and Earth Saber to ’see them off’ properly!"

Shi Feiyang nodded and took out a jade bottle from his bosom: "Inside is the special ’Bone Decay Powder’ made by Master Lan, sprinkle it around the traps. Once someone is caught, they won’t last half a stick of incense before turning into blood. And this..."

He pulled out a roll of sheepskin map, "This is the secret passage of Piaomiao Peak, don’t use it unless absolutely necessary."

Just then, urgent hoofbeats sounded from a distance.

Shi Feiyang’s expression turned serious: "Prepare immediately, a storm is coming. Remember, while the green mountains remain, there’s no fear of running out of firewood to burn. If the situation turns unfavorable, retreat to the Naiman Tribe immediately!" With that, he leaped, disappearing into the mist-covered peaks, leaving only Liao Pei and Lie Quan gazing in the direction he left, gripping their weapons tightly.

On Taihu Lake, Jin Liufu and his fleet quietly set sail, the wine flags at the ship’s bow fluttering in the wind.

On Piaomiao Peak, disciples were busily digging graves and inscribing tombstones.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of Gusu City, countless eyes were closely watching every move of the Heroic Sakura Association, a larger storm brewing on the horizon.

The north wind swept fragmented snow like knives across Gusu City, the grey-blue city walls covered with icicles, with spider-web-like cracks appearing on the ice surface of the moat.

The copper bell hanging from the government office eaves chimed in the wind, startling a few crows huddled in the corner of walls, their hoarse cries piercing the dead silence of the air.

Lu Bing reclined on the tiger-skin chair, the golden-threaded coiled dragon on his python robe glinting coldly in the flickering candlelight.

With his eyes half-closed, his right hand lazily twirled a jade ring, the gentle clinking of stones audible as his left hand rhythmically tapped the armrest, the cadence matching the howling wind and snow outside the hall.

Upon hearing footsteps outside the hall, he subtly raised his eyebrows, his narrow phoenix eyes squinted, a glint flashed almost imperceptibly within them. "Master, some Jianghu ruffians request an audience," reported a Jinyiwei Thousand Households.

Lu Bing straightened his back, sat upright, and adjusted the collar of his python robe before slowly speaking: "Oh?" The tail note drawn out, imbued with the laziness and arrogance of a superior, "Let them in."

After speaking, he leaned back against the chair, his legs crossed, elbows resting on the armrests, chin placed on interlaced fingers, watching the entrance with a faint smirk.

As Wu Zhong and his companions stepped into the hall, the cold wind swept snowflakes inside, causing the candle flames to sway back and forth.

Seeing this, Lu Bing frowned slightly, his eyes flashed a hint of annoyance, gently shaking his sleeves as if to rid himself of the chill.

Xiao Lingling instinctively shrank her neck, but was secretly tugged by Wu Zhong’s sleeve.

Miao Menlong gripped the bow and arrow at his waist, his knuckles white from tension.

Shan Zhi lowered his head, not daring to meet the gaze of those in the hall.

"Hahaha!" Lu Bing suddenly threw back his head and laughed, the sharp and wanton laugh shaking dust from the beams above.

He laughed until he was bending back and forth, the hem of his python robe billowing with his movements, his right hand clutching his belly, the left hand incessantly slapping the armrest, "I’ve long heard the Heroic Sakura Association is brimming with talent, yet today it’s just these few kittens and puppies?"

Amidst his laughter, he casually wiped non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, his gaze cold like frost.

Kang Fusheng stepped forward, wearing a half-smile on his face: "Mr. Wu, I heard the Heroic Sakura Association has a crowd of 500,000, could it be that Shi Feiyang tucked them all into his waistband?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall burst into laughter, except Xiang Yushan, who stood with arms crossed in the shadows, his face dark and solemn.

Lu Bing picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew away the foam, sipping lightly while his gaze remained fixed on Wu Zhong, as if to see through his soul.