Chapter 48 048[VIP]

The tightening embrace left her stunned, unable to retreat or even see the extent of his injuries. She instinctively turned her head to gaze at Ye Gucheng's face.

The face so close, already the color of cold jade, now appeared even paler.

It was a pallor rarely seen on Ye Gucheng's face.

But even more familiar than the peach blossom note he had given her that day was the look in his eyes as he tilted his head slightly and glanced back.

It seemed as if he was saying more than just the few words he had just spoken; another word was shattered in those amber eyes.

"I'm nearly ten years older than you, and I wouldn't dare claim to understand the minds of the young. Feixian Island is far from the Central Plains, and even less acquainted with worldly relationships... If there's anything you desire, just tell me directly."

It was precisely because of this tolerance that he was willing to grant her what she desired.

For one of the world's foremost swordsmen, the ultimate pursuit was the true meaning of the sword. Yet, Ye Gucheng couldn't let go of the world, and even more so, he held the one person most important to him in his heart.

So, he didn't need to delve into how those gradually connected images had led to this other life. He simply needed to understand what it meant to cherish the person before him.

Blood oozed from the wound where the Ziwei soft sword had pierced him, flowing across Shi Qingruo's hand that gripped the hilt. Though clearly body temperature, it burned with a frightening intensity.

It seemed as if the blood had not only stained Ye Gucheng's white robe and Shi Qingruo's sword-wielding hand, but also those previously carefree eyes!

"Ye Gucheng!"

...

Young Master Yu gnashed his teeth.

He had known someone would come to steal his bride today, but he had never expected this to happen.

Wuqing and his men had arrived so quickly, so quickly that he didn't even have time to pay his respects to heaven and earth.

That was fine!

He was destined not to marry today anyway; sooner or later made no difference.

It had nothing to do with romance

, but Ye Gucheng immediately delivered himself to Shi Qingruo's sword, executing the death escape scenario he'd planned for today even earlier. So what was the point?

One took the initiative, the other merely played along, perhaps having first committed a foolish act and then been persuaded to change. Shi Qingruo's opinion of who was superior was self-evident.

Even in the public eye, their judgment of the two had been finalized today.

Gongzi Yu, indeed, held the title of childhood sweetheart, but despite their estranged relationship, he forced Zijin's memory back to their first time on the island, conning her into this wedding.

To prevent any accidents during the exchange, and not knowing what Gongzi Yu had done, Ye Gucheng resorted to blood in an attempt to awaken Shi Qingruo's memory.

The bright red of the bridal gown and the blood-red of the white garment blended almost perfectly, yet amidst the hushed silence, a poignant and captivating beauty was created.

Even though the public perception was that the Lord of Baiyun City and the Saint Master of the Misty Heaven Alliance had little in common, and tensions were still high outside Chuhe Town, if the head of the Azure Dragon Society had a past friendship with her, why couldn't Baiyun City, so far away, once be a place where she paused and looked back?

Until those amber eyes suddenly closed from blood loss and exhaustion, and they fell to the ground, carrying the awakened bride with them.

Shi Qingruo, waking from a dream, grasped his lower back and, with a rapid series of fingertips, sealed Ye Gucheng's acupoints.

"Help me keep an eye on him!"

It didn't matter who she was addressing among the reinforcements.

The Ziwei soft sword had pierced Ye Gucheng's body, and it seemed no longer suitable to be withdrawn. She grabbed Ye Gucheng's sword and stabbed Gongzi Yu with a furious glare.

Gongzi Yu's expression faltered beneath his mask. "I... I never imagined this would happen."

Shi Qingruo acted as if she hadn't heard him, gripping her unsheathed sword even tighter. "What's the situation back in Bianjing?"

Wuqing replied gravely. "Since your disappearance, Miss Guan and several Saint Masters have stabilized the Mitian Alliance. Master Su, despite being seriously injured, has still stepped forward to help control the situation. If they return soon, they should be fine. Furthermore, members of the Xuehe Tianyu sect and the prestigious Fang family have arrived at the Mitian Alliance. They express their gratitude to Master Saint for avenging the murder of Fang Juxia and his wife, and are interested in forming an alliance."

"Okay," Shi Qingruo said, lowering her eyes.

She seemed to be looking at the unfamiliar sword in her hand, or at the sticky blood that was gradually solidifying on it. She spoke slowly, each word emphatically, "Let's settle this account first!"

"Zi Jin!"

Gongzi Yu's exclamation was barely uttered when it was drowned out by another voice.

A cleavage of true energy emanated from Shi Qingruo's other hand. With a ripping sound, her costly crimson wedding gown was instantly ripped apart.

Shattered red silk and fallen gold beads scattered like a crisscrossing rain of gold and red.

But no one had time to admire this moment.

The figure in a plain skirt, shimmering with a sharp sword light, slashed towards Gongzi Yu.

But it was clear that the intention wasn't just to cleave the red dress, but to take his life!

Gongzi Yu looked up in bewilderment, only to find a hand preemptively yanking him aside, avoiding the lightning-fast, lethal blow.

"What are you standing there for? Do you really want to die at her hands?" Xue Xiaoren's strange voice emanated from beneath his mask, gazing at Gongzi Yu with dismay.

Ye Gucheng's sudden intervention had clearly doomed Gongzi Yu's previous goal.

If Xue Xiaoren had followed his earlier thoughts, he wouldn't have needed to show his good will to Gongzi Yu at this moment.

But then he thought again: if the leader of the Azure Dragon Society fell to Shi Qingruo's sword, and the Azure Dragon Society subsequently fell apart, he might be the next to be severely punished

in the martial arts world. Whatever happened next, could Gongzi Yu rally from this emotional trauma? At least for now... he couldn't die!

Xue Xiaoren continued his attack, his sword striking Shi Qingruo's pursuit with a resounding resounding blow.

To prevent Gongzi Yu, still unconscious, from doing anything foolish, he thrust him back several feet. The sword flickered past, striking Shi Qingruo from the flank.

Zhongyuan Yidianhong, who was also present, could see that his master wasn't using his full strength.

A killer wasn't one to risk his life. His attacks appeared swift and powerful, but in reality, he was already observing his surroundings with his peripheral vision, ready to withdraw and escape at any moment.

I just wanted to save Gongzi Yu and see if this timely help today can achieve some goals.

Fortunately, Gongzi Yu is indeed a heroic figure.

Seeing the wedding dress shattered, impossible to piece together, and the surrounding guests scattering, Gongzi Yu's eyes suddenly darkened as if with a firm resolve. With a kick, he stopped himself from being pushed forward. The next moment, he transformed into a red shadow and darted back, snatching a finger from Shi Qingruo's sword before Xue Xiaoren.

The assassin's sword slashed towards her throat with a sly force.

However, the strike missed its target, sending a splatter of blood splatter across Gongzi Yu's shoulder.

The leader of the Azure Dragon Society, with a single finger, powerfully pushed the sword forward a foot, allowing her to avoid the fatal blow.

Xue Xiaoren's movements paused in mid-air, utterly infuriated by Gongzi Yu's fleeting display.

He had clearly made moves to retaliate, but every movement seemed to carry a deeper meaning:

not to harm her.

He intended to capture her alive, not to let love turn to hate!

But before Xue Xiaoren could utter the torrent of curse words that surged from his mind, the situation before him suddenly shifted.

A slender, delicate hand, hidden in the crowd, suddenly shot out like lightning, meeting the force that had pushed Shi Qingruo back with Gongzi Yu.

In a flash, it appeared behind Shi Qingruo.

The one who struck was none other than Shi Guanyin!

She already harbored a deep resentment towards Shi Qingruo. If it weren't for the support of the Misty Heaven Alliance for Huang Rong and the others, and the meddling of Chu Liuxiang, Wuhua and Nangong Ling's identities would never have been revealed. And if it weren't for the rise of the Misty Heaven Alliance and the restoration of order in the capital, she would have had the opportunity to rescue them. Shi Qingruo would have indirectly caused the deaths of her two sons.

She was jealous of that stunning face, which hadn't lost any of its brilliance despite the removal of its red makeup. Instead, the blood-stained white dress shone with the allure of a red plum blossom amidst the snow.

If she didn't act now, when would she?

Shi Guanyin tilted her head slightly, opened her mouth to catch a flying crossbow bolt, and then turned to spit it at Lu Xiaofeng, who was pointing a finger at her. As if mocking the ruthless chief constable's refusal to poison his hidden weapons, her palm winds intensified, darting towards Shi Qingruo's back.

However, even faster than her, a wooden stick, seemingly dropped from the sky, carried a gust

of sword wind, deflecting her palm. The man who had attacked her, his face covered with a finger-wide white cloth, showed no mercy and switched his sword attack from defense to offense, forcing Shi Guanyin to retreat.

But as quickly as she retreated, the attacker's "sword" advanced even faster, slicing through her veil and exposing her face to the public.

Shi Guanyin: "..."

This desert's renowned female demon had never suffered such a loss before!

Damn it, everyone she had dealt with so closely today seemed unmanly. Xue Xiaoren's mind was solely focused on swordsmanship and his rivalry with his brother. Yuan Suiyun was blind, and Gongzi Yu only had eyes for his junior sister. As for the swordsman before him...

ever since he'd been invited back to Bianjing, he'd been deceived by both men. Now, despite having come thousands of miles to help, he'd chosen to turn a blind eye, perfectly blocking Shi Guanyin's "Men Can't See" attack.

Perhaps only the moment her veil vanished, the gazes from the surrounding jianghu people, could Shi Guanyin regain some confidence.

But she simply didn't have the time to dwell on this matter.

Ah Fei's sword was not only swift but also steady. After lifting Shi Guanyin's veil, it swept through like the wind, seemingly waving the red silk before her, but actually striking directly at her face.

Almost simultaneously, Lu Xiaofeng, having caught the arrow, intercepted Qu Wurong, who had attempted to offer support.

The bride and groom, about to marry but now facing each other with swords, remained the center of attention.

But at this moment, the first to find themselves in danger was Shi Guanyin!

If she had known that the Master's Wife would receive such support when she fell into danger, and that each of them was a worthy guardian of the same caliber, she should never have attacked with that blow!

But now, it was too late.

Ah Fei wasn't used to being blindfolded, but throughout his youth, he had relied heavily on instinct. Now, without Shi Guanyin's deceptive tactics, which he had learned from Japanese martial arts, he could strike directly at her vital points with his sword, making him Shi Guanyin's greatest nemesis.

Another red shadow also attacked Shi Guanyin.

Shi Guanyin was already trapped by Ah Fei's swordsmanship, but now she was faced with a cold light.

Xi Honglei reached mid-air, and with a slight movement of his shoulder and arm, the rope dart wrapped around his wrist flew out.

Shi Guanyin's movements were like dancing, her form as lithe as that of a master warrior. With a flick of her sleeve and a bend of her waist, she dodged the cold light, as if about to direct Ah Fei's sword to meet Xi Honglei's dart.

But the cold light shifted direction with a smooth, effortless motion.

Since it was a rope dart, not a flying dart, it could be controlled even after it was released.

With a slight push of Xi Honglei's fingertips, the dart swerved past Ah Fei's sword, still aiming directly at Shi Guanyin.

"I've wanted to meet you for a long time!"

Her city, Huinuo, had once taken in a young woman disfigured by Shi Guanyin and had long heard of the demonic female's notoriety. Seeing Shi Qingruo's fierce sword power, while Gongzi Yu was retreating at every turn, Xi Honglei couldn't miss this golden opportunity to strike at Shi Guanyin.

Helian Chunshui, who had come with her, also acted in perfect harmony, holding his spear horizontally behind him, blocking the remaining disciples of Shi Guanyin.

Shi Guanyin cursed inwardly.

If Xue Xiaoren and Yuan Suiyun had supported her at this moment, perhaps with their combined strength, they might have had a chance to break free.

However, no matter who they were, they were unwilling to reveal their identities in such a situation. Even

as "quick as" the Bat Prince was, he had already retreated into the crowd.

As for Xue Xiaoren, who had taken the initiative...

he suddenly let out a scream.

A fine needle, launched from nowhere, was nearly invisible in the chaotic battle, and even more difficult to detect than the arrow Shi Guanyin had received earlier. Yet, it forcibly broke through Xue Xiaoren's sword and pierced his palm. The

attack of this hidden weapon was extremely strange. He felt a chill down his spine and instinctively attacked, but the invisible needle vanished into a streak of light the moment it touched his sleeve.

The needle in Xue Xiaoren's vitals naturally triggered a repulsive attack. However, the needle, seemingly designed to counteract his Qi, traveled directly towards his forehead, striking him with incredible speed.

Had Xue Xiaoren not run a murderous organization and witnessed many bizarre hidden weapons, he would have quickly withdrawn his Qi from the needle, allowing it to flow through his bloodstream, intent on stopping it before it reached his heart. He would have been nearly killed by the needle piercing his brain.

Even with his impulsive reaction, the ruthless attack of the reversing needle still caused him to black out.

Even more unexpectedly, his abandonment of Qi resistance, intended to delay the attack, only allowed Shi Qingruo's aerial palm strike to strike him squarely in the chest, sending him flying.

Lu Xiaofeng's suspicion that Shi Qingruo's internal energy had advanced significantly was no illusion.

Before the wedding banquet, Gongzi Yu had spread the news that the Azure Dragon Society had two simultaneous masters, effectively giving her system a valuable gift.

At this point, the surprising events of the wedding banquet hadn't yet spread, and the remaining Azure Dragon Society members couldn't infer Gongzi Yu's clear intentions from his behavior; they still had to count him as Shi Qingruo's subordinates.

Her current power was significantly higher than when she'd previously surrounded and killed Yuan Shisan.

Even a single palm strike, delivered between Gongzi Yu's sword attack, would have been fatal for Xue Xiaoren!

"Master!" Zhongyuan Yidianhong's face darkened, and he was about to intervene.

However, another sword blocked his path. It was the one -armed divine detective Qi Shaoshang.

The fact that one was a killer and the other a constable gave the latter a pretext for action. Furthermore, Qi Shaoshang's martial arts surpassed Yidianhong's, creating a barrier between Yidianhong and Xue Xiaoren.

The dark figure slumped heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The disrupted internal energy prevented Xue Xiaoren from intercepting the Shun-Ni Divine Needle. A pain pierced his chest, and his attempt to rise was frozen in place.

He strained his gaze and was surprised to see, perhaps by coincidence, that Shi Qingruo had swatted him in the direction of the Bat Young Master.

Seeing Shi Qingruo shift his focus to attack Young Master Yu, another ethereal figure charged towards him. Xue Xiaoren bit his tongue, forcing a small force to gather, and shouted angrily, "How long are you going to watch this show!"

Yuan Suiyun's expression froze.

He couldn't see the entire situation, and in the rapidly changing situation, his subordinates had no time to explain the situation to him.

But he could hear the wind.

Chu Liuxiang, who had suddenly appeared, had intended to subdue the injured Xue Xiaoren to prevent him from attacking again. Upon hearing Xue Xiaoren's words, he quickly turned to face Yuan Suiyun.

The excitement at the wedding banquet had already wiped the smile from the usually elegant and graceful young man's lips. He swung his folding fan at the black-clad young man before him, his movements swift and fierce.

Yuan Suiyun had no choice but to respond!

It seemed he shouldn't have come to such a wedding in the first place, and certainly shouldn't have hesitated and failed to leave sooner.

Besides Chu Liuxiang's attacks, he heard another sound.

It's possible that those accompanying the young Marquis Helian weren't just his entourage supporting Huinuo City. Others were constantly pouring into the wedding venue, forming a nearly ironclad defense. Even if he tried to fight and retreat, he couldn't escape.

He even faintly heard the sound of bows and arrows being drawn.

However, perhaps to prevent unrest among the entire population and a joint counterattack, such sounds were limited to a few scattered ones.

But they were still enough to pose a deadly threat.

Furthermore, while this place could be considered a demonic lair, it wasn't the dark cave he'd built on Bat Island, where a blind "bat" could roam freely.

Now, Chu Liuxiang could see him—

but he couldn't!

Xue Xiaoren's serious injury forced him to simultaneously engage the enemy and maintain a guard against Chief Constable Wuqing, who was not far away.

This chief constable had suffered a severe injury in childhood, leaving him unable to stand and his meridians damaged, preventing him from cultivating internal energy. Yet, under Zhuge Shenhou, he had mastered such a skill with hidden weapons.

He was currently stationed in the rear, perfectly positioned to provide support to any group at any moment. He was far more formidable than even the most swift swordsman.

If Yuan Suiyun had been able to see the scene before him, he would have seen that, after Wuqing had unleashed two hidden weapons, he had ensured that he had drawn everyone involved into the fray, and then he had completely focused his attention on a single individual.

Even Ye Gucheng, who had been taken to the rear by Sikong Zhaixing and temporarily placed near him, did not distract him from paying any attention.

He was watching Shi Qingruo, who was fighting with Gongzi Yu.

Reasonably, he knew that he should not be so nervous.

Her hands and shoulders were covered with Ye Gucheng's blood, and the three drops of blood splashed on her face were from Gongzi Yu's previous injuries while trying to protect her. They were not her own blood at all.

Compared to Gongzi Yu, who was retreating step by step, Shi Qingruo's swordsmanship was like she was facing a mortal enemy.

In addition, this plan to kidnap the bride was originally from her instructions...

She and Gongzi Yu should have reached some kind of agreement.

But another voice in his heart told him that he could not help but worry.

Since Gongzi Yu had a history of fighting side by side one moment and kidnapping people the next, he had to be on guard.

He could not lie to himself. Even if he was acting, he did not like seeing her like this.

"Are you really going to fight me with swords for that person?" Gongzi Yu blocked Shi Qingruo's sword and asked with a pale face.

His words were not entirely meant to deceive everyone present, but also revealed some true feelings.

Ye Gucheng's brilliant idea made him have to ask this question, for fear that he would be easily surpassed on the scale of the person in front of him.

Shi Qingruo replied coldly: "I'm not doing this for him, I only draw my sword for myself. I never like to be deceived, and I don't like people to do things against my wishes."

Gongzi Yu understood. She originally wanted to settle the score with him for kidnapping her before, and to settle the score for him colluding with Yuan Shisanxian to kill Fang Juxia...

It was a good opportunity to take advantage of this moment to chop him as many times as she deserved.

Fortunately, he lost, and Ye Gucheng might not have won!

Gongzi Yu looked directly at the fire in Shi Qingruo's eyes, and suddenly felt a little happy. He once again clearly saw his reflection in her eyes, and he was even more certain that he preferred her to her lifeless form lying beside him in her full glory.

That kind of glory, even without the red dress, could still set a prairie on fire.

Before such eyes, Gongzi Yu was tempted to stop right there and then.

But the show had to go on, to buy himself a chance to return to her side.

He fought and retreated, his words, each one a hoarse cry, as if echoed through the grotto, reaching everyone's ears. "But it's true that I love you, it's true that I want to walk hand in hand with you, and it's true that I want everyone in the Azure Dragon Society to worship you as their leader. Even if I die at your hands today, this will never change."

Even now, he hadn't asked the Azure Dragon Society members responsible for the wedding banquet to step forward to support him, undoubtedly the best proof of this promise.

Shi Qingruo's face flickered for a moment.

The bride's tiara had long since fallen, along with her shattered wedding gown, into disarray. Her once-tied bun had also unraveled during the earlier clash, scattering across her cheeks. The contrast between the black and white colors made it clear that she had momentarily bitten her lower lip.

But Gongzi Yu's response was still a resounding, "Then die."

The sword fell with increasing speed and ferocity, accompanied by Shi Qingruo's voice: "Master taught you that you are extremely talented. If you ever enter the martial arts world, you must not become a man like Chai Yuguan. Even if you can't emulate the Nine Provinces King Chen Tianjun's righteousness and fight for justice, you must know what to do and what not to do. But you lurk in the shadows, observing the world, yet you've only learned to act based on your likes and dislikes!"

With a clang, Gongzi Yu failed to avoid Shi Qingruo's sword strike. He retreated to the edge of the table, heaving whatever he could find to withstand the fatal blow.

The candlestick shook violently, sending the dragon-patterned wedding candle flying and shattering onto the ground.

No one cared that this precious symbol of a long-lasting marriage had been destroyed.

Whether it was the sword techniques taught in the Taixuan Sutra, the ones Shi Qingruo had practiced with Ah Fei and the Divine Eagle, or the ones she had learned from Ye Gucheng, they all relied on swift counterattacks.

Faced with this initial, successful move, she wouldn't hesitate for a moment, only to follow up with an even more ruthless one.

Others couldn't see the look Shi Qingruo gave Gongzi Yu, but they could see the sword that once belonged to Ye Gucheng, held in Shi Qingruo's hand, undiminished in its might.

In the blink of an eye, with a flash of snow-white sword light, it pierced Gongzi Yu's waist.

He reached out and grasped the longsword, but couldn't stop it. The man before him thrust the sword forward another inch.

He opened his mouth, and a trace of blood flowed from the corner of his lips.

"Dragon Head!"

"Young Master—"

"Don't come over." Gongzi Yu still held the sword with one hand, letting the sharp blade cause another string of blood to seep from between his fingers. He suddenly raised his other hand to stop the others from approaching.

Shi Guanyin, now cornered by Ah Fei and Xi Honglei, wouldn't let him take a moment's notice. Yuan Suiyun, whose cape was half-ripped by Chu Liuxiang, didn't even cross his gaze. As for the gang members he'd once subjugated, they were clearly no more than supporting characters in his conversation with the man before him.

The muscles beneath his bronze mask clenched for a moment, as if he were enduring the excruciating pain of a sword piercing his body.

It took a moment before he regained the strength to speak. "I never regret doing those things, because that's just who I am."

He was arrogant, conceited, aloof, and world-weary, as if these qualities had been stored within him since his days of seclusion, and only the slightest poke of the world would unleash the contents of that box.

"So, I won't regret any of my decisions."

Whether it was falling in love with someone he shouldn't have, or... choosing a path of reflection, shedding the dross and retaining the essence of what had become ingrained in him, he wouldn't regret a single one.

However, these words, heard by those about to step forward, must have meant something different.

He was saying that he wouldn't take back what he had said before. Even if he died, the promise he had made to entrust the Azure Dragon Society to Shi Qingruo would remain intact.

Or perhaps, he didn't need to say that at all. He was stepping back from the spotlight, and Tang Lan had already fallen into the hands of the Misty Heaven Alliance. It was only a matter of time before the

Azure Dragon Society was annexed. Anyone who knew how to protect themselves would know where to go next. The Misty Heaven Alliance was their only option.

Shi Qingruo's grip on the sword no longer held the same tense force as before.

Then, in his weakened voice, Gongzi Yu spoke again, "I don't want to ask anything else. Now that you've drawn your sword, you won't regret it. So, I just have one question—"

The blood on his lips, like rouge, stained them, making his face, now pale from blood loss, even more alluring.

Even though only half of his face was visible.

"Have you ever loved me?"

Wuqing's hand nearly trembled as he triggered the trigger at hand, sending the now-defunct leader of the Qinglong Society to his doom.

Lu Xiaofeng pinned Qu Wurong with a single finger and turned to look in the direction of Shi Qingruo and Gongzi Yu.

Everyone present, save those still engaged in combat, stared wide-eyed at Gongzi Yu's words, as if in disbelief that this man, supposedly a powerful figure, cared most about a single sentence in this final moment.

Shi Qingruo sighed deeply and replied earnestly, "I have."

If she hadn't truly felt the same emotions, she would have been playing a strategy game she could quit at any time, never mind the difference between 99 and 100.

Gongzi Yu, though paranoid and mad, was once the boy who cried out on the beach, reaching for the stars and the moon, and the man who felt inferior and immature in front of his lover.

Of course, this statement applies to Gongzi Yu, and perhaps to others as well.

Gongzi Yu slowly forced a smile. "That's enough."

Enough... The light in his eyes was like a moth drawn to a candle, flaring for a fleeting moment before fading like a meteor, extinguished in a cold ember.

The hand still gripping the sword slowly lost its strength and fell to his side.

This gesture sealed a truth—

from now on, there would no longer be anyone named Gongzi Yu in this world.

He had officially handed the head of the Azure Dragon Society to Shi Qingruo.

A single, soft voice, a "Zi Jin," drifted away into the air.

...

Shi Qingruo slowly released her grip.

Even though she knew Gongzi Yu's acupuncture technique had rendered the strike non-lethal, she felt an indescribable sense of loss as he lowered his proud head.

Suddenly, a voice broke her reverie.

Someone looked in astonishment in Chu Liuxiang's direction, at the man he had beaten so utterly battered. “Master Yuan, why are you here!”

The one regarded as an opponent by Chu Liuxiang should be the Master Bat who built the Bat Island on the sea, the helper who knew the leader of the black-clad killer organization, but how could it be that person——

Yuan Suiyun, the young master of Wuzheng Villa!