Chapter 1282 - 328: Secrets Hidden in the Phoenix Palace, Cold Steel Reflected Shadows Stir the Heroic Soul

"Within a maximum of seven days, I will definitely return." Shi Feiyang turned the shoulders of the two and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of Yang Xue’Er’s eyes with his thumb, then planted a kiss on Lu Hongye’s brow, "Wait for my return, we’ll go to the West Mountain to see the evening maples, and call on Xiang Kun and Xiao Lingling for a banquet with ten tables."

The next morning, Shi Feiyang disguised himself as an ordinary trader on the long street.

From a distance, he saw Mu Tong in a tight outfit, his vermilion cape flapping loudly in the morning breeze.

Just as he was about to follow, he suddenly heard urgent footsteps behind him. Turning around, Yang Xue’Er came running breathlessly with a food box, the pearl ornament on her temple swaying lightly with her panting: "Here... brought you osmanthus cakes, eat them if you get hungry on the way..."

Lu Hongye then pressed a brocade pouch into his hand, its fine stitches embroidered with a dragon and phoenix in harmony: "Inside are golden sore medicine and the Nine-Turns Rejuvenation Pill, in case of danger..." She suddenly couldn’t continue, turned her head away, yet secretly wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

Shi Feiyang’s throat tightened slightly as he simultaneously hugged them both, whispering at the top of their heads, "Wait for me." He watched their figures disappear around the corner of the street before turning to merge into the crowd. At this moment, Mu Tong was galloping swiftly towards the outskirts of the Capital City.

The autumn atmosphere in Shu, wrapped in mist, had drenched the treacherous plank road into a slippery path.

The Golden Ox Ancient Road, winding and zigzagging, was like a giant dragon weaving through the high mountains and steep ridges. At times it clung tightly to sheer cliffs, other times it spanned deep ravines and streams, its shape ever-changing, its grandeur magnificent. On either side of the ancient road, the cliffs were steep, carved as if by knife and axe, piercing the clouds. The stone stairs, uneven and eroded by time, were mottled and colorful, requiring utmost caution with each step; a slight misstep could lead to plunging into an abyss.

Amidst the swirling fog, the Golden Ox Ancient Road appeared all the more mysterious and unpredictable. Shi Feiyang and the others walked along it as the howling wind and the lament of ancient cypress filled their ears, with the slippery plank road beneath their feet. Each step was full of challenges and thrills.

Xiang Kun’s hand holding the iron flute suddenly paused, the "tock-tock" sound as the flute body tapped against the plank road startled a flock of cold crows: "Grand Squad Leader, there’s something strange!" Thirty-seven bodies wearing Heroic Sakura Association clothing lay across the path, their blood long dried into hard, dark purple lumps.

Shi Xiong crouched, using the White Rainbow Sword to lift the collar of one body, revealing the faded Vermilion Bird tattoo at the back of the neck. He flipped the sword blade, the cold light revealing a faint dragon-shaped mark behind the ear, "All these people have the unique cinnabar marks of the Eastern Depot behind their ears!"

"What a good plan to use a borrowed knife to kill!" Wu Zhong’s iron limb struck heavily on the railing of the plank road, knocking down several decaying planks.

In his hand the Thirty-Six-Barreled Thunderfire Gun unfolded, reflecting cold light, "The Imperial Court wants to pin the death of the Jinyi Guard on us, so they have the cause to eradicate the Heroic Sakura Association!" Before the words fell, the sound of metal clashing came from the cliff.

Xiao Lingling’s Mandarin Duck Saber drew two snowy arcs, fighting against twelve red-clothed Sword Maids in a scuffle.

These Sword Maids all wore the Eastern Depot’s unique golden silk knots in their hair, their soft swords swallowing and spitting like Spiritual Snakes, and their sword array shifting quietly into positions aligning with the twelve earthly branches.

"Break!" Xiao Lingling shouted with a delicate sound, her Dual Blades performing the "Mandarin Duck Disordered Shadows," yet as the blade edge touched the Sword Maid’s sleeve, it was nearly wrenched away by an eerie suction force. The leading Sword Maid sneered, her soft sword transforming into a red glow aiming straight at the face, "Bandit of the Heroic Sakura Association, you’ve killed my Jinyi Guard, your crimes are grave, won’t you surrender without resistance?" Indeed, as "Iron Palm" Wu Zhong speculated: the Jinyi Guard carried out a poisonous plot to frame and kill the heroic allies of the Heroic Sakura!

Xiao Lingling swiftly sidestepped, her left shoulder already marked by a streak of blood. Gritting her teeth, she infused Inner Strength into her dual blades, ready to unleash a killer move, when suddenly she felt a chill at the back of her neck - another Sword Maid had circled to her back, the sword tip poised at her vital point!

At the critical moment, vermilion sword light streaked across the sky like a meteor breaking through. Mu Tong’s Ninja Saber cleaved through the sword array, the blade wind carrying the unique scent of osmanthus from the Southwest.

Her toes pointed lightly on the beam of the plank road, her posture as graceful as a butterfly: "Does the Eastern Depot bully with numbers, thinking our Shu has no one?" Before the words fell, her Ninja Saber clashed with the soft sword, sparks scattering onto Xiao Lingling’s blood-stained lapel.

At the critical moment, the vermilion sword light was like a shooting star cutting through the night sky, dazzling yet deadly. The beautiful Celestial Immortal Mu Tong, as if emerging from a painting, had skin so crystal clear and translucent, that even a gentle touch would raise a blush.

Her features were exquisitely refined, her Liu Mei brows curved like new moons, with bright eyes as deep as autumn waters, gleaming with intelligence and determination.

A high-bridged nose, pink lips, and slightly upturned corners of the mouth revealed a hint of a smile. She wore a vermilion tight outfit, her garments flowing like flames, both intense and luminous.

The tight outfit clung to her graceful figure, outlining perfect curves, embodying both majestic heroism and feminine elegance. Her waist was cinched with a silver belt adorned with several dazzling gemstones glittering brightly.

Her feet were clad in black long boots, the shafts tight and the soles thin yet sturdy, making her movements swift and agile. Holding a gleaming cold Ninja Saber, she effortlessly sliced through the dense, net-like sword array.

Her movements were smooth and elegant, the blade wind sharp, infused with the unique osmanthus scent of the Southwest, adding a touch of poetry to the tense confrontation.

Mu Tong lightly poised her toes on the beam of the plank road, her figure light and ethereal, like a butterfly about to flutter.

Her expression was cool and noble, her eyes flashing with a light that brooked no violation: "Does the Eastern Depot bully with numbers, thinking our Shu has no one?" Her voice was crisp and pleasant but carried an undeniably imposing authority.

Before the words fell, Mu Tong’s Ninja Saber clashed fiercely with the enemy’s soft sword, the sparks flying like fireworks blooming in the night sky.