Chapter 1146 - 303: Jade Hairpin Leans on Spring Waves, Gentle Hands Stir Deep Affection (Part 4)

"Barrel" Lu Dechu shook his short and stout body, squeezing through the crowd, his face full of coarse whiskers smiling broadly: "You are finally back! Everyone at the headquarters has been looking forward to your return!"

Beside him, "Bamboo" Jiang Huotian, thin like a bamboo, also had red eyes and clasped his fists: "Brother Lu recites three times a day, ’When will the Grand Squad Leader return?’ Even the kitchen has steamed extra buns!"

The servants and maids disguised as Heroic Sakura Association disciples had already gathered around. Xiaodie, with a background as an embroiderer, presented a newly made brocade robe, her eyes red: "Grand Squad Leader, this is the cloud brocade long shirt that madam embroidered for you, counting stitches all night..."

The old butler Uncle Chen tremblingly held the hangover soup, his voice quivering: "Quickly drink a bowl of soup to warm your body; madam instructed that no matter how late it is, hot soup must be prepared."

Qi Meizhen leaned against Shi Feiyang’s side, her fingertips unintentionally twisting his sleeve: "The study has added snow-top tea from the Western Regions, and the bath is prepared with petal bath soup..."

She suddenly lowered her head, her voice as light as spring willow: "And... and I’ve learned a new Jiangnan tune, wanting to sing it for you..." Saying this, a charming blush appeared at the tip of her ear.

Shi Feiyang embraced her slender waist, dropping a kiss in her hair: "With you here, this Shi Mansion feels like home."

The twilight deepened, lanterns in Shi Mansion lit up one after another, warm yellow halos fell on the carved wooden windows, casting exquisite plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum patterns on the window frames. Laughter accompanied by tea fragrance drifted afar, like an everlasting human picture.

On New Year’s Eve, Huqiu Sword Pool was wrapped in a layer of hazy silver gauze. The icicles hanging from the eaves of the thousand-year-old temple refracted a cold gleam under the moonlight, resembling upside-down short swords.

Fog spiraled up above the chilly pool, blending with the warm glow of red lanterns on the shore, shading the cliff carvings "Wind Gorge Cloud Spring" in a hazy manner. Jagged rocks line the pool like sword halberds, it is said King He Lv of Wu’s three thousand treasure swords lie sleeping here, presently adding more austerity and mystery under the reflection of fireworks.

Shi Feiyang stood on the stone steps in a dark brocade robe, beside him Qi Meizhen cradled the young son, the eldest son Shi Huai’en gripping Shi Xiong’s hand, curiously watching the fierce lion dance at the Cao Bang headquarters gate.

Thin frost clung to the beast’s head bronze ring on the vermilion large doors, newly changed peach symbols swayed lightly in the wind, the scent of ink mixed with the fragrance of winter plums filling one’s senses. Icicles hanging below the eaves occasionally fell, striking the bluestone pavement creating a delicate sound, echoing the distant sporadic firecracker sounds.

"Grand Squad Leader!" The Jiangnan Cao Bang Vice Gang Leader "Dragon in Water" Jin Liufu came treading snow, his raincoat still tinged with Taihu Lake’s dampness, the Fish Guts Sword at his waist gleaming faintly, "The brothers have prepared aged daughter red wine, just waiting for you to open it!"

Before his voice fell, "Centipede" Gongsun Ren lunged forward with a waist-twisting twelve-section soft whip, grinning sharply: "Heard those Jinyi Guard’s misdeeds in Bozhou, do they really think of us as pushovers?" His voice startled the night owl by the cold pool, its flapping wings shattered the moon’s tranquility.

As people entered the hall, the sandalwood long table was already filled with Su Bang’s famous dishes. The sweet scent of squirrel mandarin fish mingled with drunken crab’s wine aroma, intertwining with the crackling of charcoal, forming a lively atmosphere.

Through the carved window lattice, one could still see the thick snow pressing on the jagged branches of the pine across Sword Pool, like silver-armored guards.

"Cyan-faced Beast" Yang Feng suddenly slammed the table, making the cups and bowls jingle: "Grand Squad Leader! My pair of iron blades have been itching terribly, this time I must go to Bozhou and splinter those bastards’ bones!" His face’s cyan pattern twisted with anger, resembling the rumored man-eating beast, his voice echoing between stone walls, startling dust from the beam’s swallow nests.

Coning from the Naiman Tribe, "Seven Cultivation Sword" Kong Triangle slowly drew out his long sword, seven blood grooves on the blade reflected the candlelight, the sword edge mirrored the rippling light of Sword Pool outside the window: "This sword has tasted the blood of Western villains, they should now let Jinyi Guard savor the taste."

Beside him, "Xingyi Fist" Fan Shi poised in a firm horse stance, his fist wind carried a mighty aura, shaking the accumulated snow from the crevices of the green bricks on the ground.

Shi Feiyang lifted his wine bowl, amber-colored wine rippled in the bowl: "Brothers’ loyalty, I shall remember deeply. But everyone please look—" He raised his hand to push open the carved long window, cold air carrying snowflakes rushed in.

Over Taihu Lake, a hundred cargo boats brightly lit, akin to the Milky Way falling to earth, and near Sword Pool’s water surface, scattered river lanterns drifted with the waves, like stars fallen into the cold pool.

"Jiangnan Cao Bang sustains half of the country’s transport; if leaderless, how will the people’s livelihood be assured?" Shi Feiyang’s voice merged with the Sword Pool waterfall’s roar, appearing more stable and weighty.

"Hundred Leaves Saber" Liu Yehua abruptly stood, the nine willow leaf sabers at his waist collided with a clear ring, saber edges’ cold gleam reflecting the chill of Sword Pool: "Are we to let Heroic Sakura Association brothers bleed in Bozhou? My Hundred Leaves Saber technique is specially for breaking heavy armor!"

His thick eyebrows pointed upward, the red mole at his eye corner trembling with anger.

Southwest wind stroked his long beard lightly, turning the wine cup slowly in his palm, the wine liquid reflecting the swaying red lantern shadows outside the window: "Hero Liu, hold on. The Grand Squad Leader speaks rightly; Jiangnan is our foundation, if unstable, how can we talk of revenge?"

Shi Xiong suddenly peeked out from behind Shi Feiyang, his childish voice carrying firmness: "Grand Squad Leader said, a great martial hero considers the big picture. The matter of Bozhou, the Grand Squad Leader has his plans!" The White Rainbow Treasure Sword in his embrace slightly heated, as if responding to the young master’s ardor, gemstones on the sword hilt shimmered under candlelight, akin to sleeping sword glimmers deep in Sword Pool awakening.