CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 43: GENTLE AND SOPHISTICATED LADY

Lin Wanqing smiled slightly and calmly replied, "Liu Tingting, you’ve misunderstood. I have no intention of being your enemy, Divine Water Palace. I just can’t bear to see innocent people suffer. Although Shi Feiyang was once your enemy, now he has no strength to fight back. If you take his life now, wouldn’t it violate the chivalrous code of the Martial Arts world? Besides, when will revenge ever end? Why not let go, and perhaps, resolve years of grudges."

In her heart, she knew Liu Tingting was lying, finding excuses. As the saying goes, ’If you want to condemn someone, you can always trump up a charge.’

Liu Tingting, however, thought Lin Wanqing was afraid of the Divine Water Palace and coldly said, "Lin Wanqing, let me warn you again, don’t meddle in other people’s business. Otherwise, heh heh, you’ll pay for it one day."

Lin Wanqing’s eyes revealed an undeniable determination as she said coldly, "Little sister of the Liu Family, you are wrong. Shi Feiyang is not a villain, he is a true hero in my heart. How can I just stand by and watch him die at your hand? Besides, our Changsheng Castle does not fear any Divine Water Palace, hehe!" Liu Tingting was furious and said, "Then let’s try, hmph!" Suddenly, she leapt up and thrust her sword towards Shi Feiyang’s throat.

Lin Wanqing played her zither with both hands, and the strings shot towards Liu Tingting and her maid, making whizzing sounds like a rain of arrows.

Every string carried Lin Wanqing’s profound inner strength, creating gusts of wind and striking directly at Liu Tingting and her maid’s vital areas.

Seeing this, Liu Tingting’s expression changed drastically. She hurriedly waved her long sword, trying to repel the overwhelming attack.

However, Lin Wanqing’s inner strength was so deep that the strings danced freely among the sword light, unaffected at all.

"Clang clang!" The continuous clang of the long sword and zither strings resounded, and Liu Tingting felt bursts of immense force, numbing her arm so much that she could barely hold onto her long sword.

Her maids were even less able to withstand it; one maid was hit by a string, spat blood, and fell to the ground.

Lin Wanqing noted this, but she didn’t intend to stop.

Her fingers moved lightly, the zither sound suddenly became impassioned, and the strings danced more fiercely, as if shredding everything that stood in their way to pieces.

In her heart, Liu Tingting was astonished; she had never seen such formidable zither skills and became momentarily at a loss.

Seeing this, Lin Wanqing stopped, her sleeves gracefully moving as she retracted the strings.

Liu Tingting’s face turned livid with anger, but due to Lin Wanqing’s strength, she didn’t dare to act rashly and could only leave angrily with her maids.

After Liu Tingting and her group walked far away, Lin Wanqing got up and walked to Shi Feiyang’s side, extending her hand to check his breathing, then feeling his pulse, realizing there was still hope for him. She nodded slightly to a maid.

A maid took out a small green bottle from her pocket, poured out a pill, squatted down, and placed it in Shi Feiyang’s mouth. Lin Wanqing quickly extended her hand, gently covering Shi Feiyang’s mouth.

With a subtle exertion of power, she skillfully guided the pill into his abdomen.

Then, she turned around and ordered the maids to quickly organize their belongings.

Finally, Lin Wanqing commanded the gray-clothed guards of Changsheng Castle to carry Shi Feiyang back inside Changsheng Castle.

Changsheng Castle was situated on a vast plain, surrounded by lush forests, resembling a paradise isolated from the world. The gray-clothed guards swiftly lifted Shi Feiyang, walking steadily back to Changsheng Castle.

Lin Wanqing followed closely, occasionally glancing back vigilantly.

The stone walls of the castle, though weathered, remained impregnable, revealing the weight of history and the passage of time.

Moss and vines entwined the castle walls, adding a touch of life and greenery to the ancient building.

The gates were tightly shut, with thick wooden doors inlaid with iron nails. Every evening, when the sun set, the golden glow shining on the castle walls created a serene and harmonious scene.

Inside Changsheng Castle, besides Lin Wanqing’s family and hospital guard servants, were primarily refugees from the wartime turmoil, sect leaders and their disciples avoiding Jianghu vendettas, and Jianghu heroes who came because of its reputation.

Outside the castle, there were vast fields where people lived self-sufficiently, in peace and harmony.

In the event of external invasion, the martial artists inside the castle would spontaneously organize to protect Changsheng Castle to safeguard their sanctuary. Changsheng Castle was more than just a building; it was their faith and refuge.

Lin Wanqing returned with her people, and the gates of Changsheng Castle slowly opened, revealing a quiet and mysterious scene inside.

Towering towers, well-arranged courtyards, and those guardians hidden in the shadows all seemed to tell of the glory and legend of Changsheng Castle. Lin Wanqing silently prayed, hoping Shi Feiyang would receive the best treatment in Changsheng Castle and recover his health.

Shi Feiyang slowly awoke from his slumber, finding himself lying on a soft and comfortable bed, surrounded by a faint herbal aroma. He gently turned his head, looking around, and saw the room was furnished in a simple yet elegant style. Beautiful landscape paintings hung on the walls, exuding a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

Lin Wanqing sat by the bed, her expression showing a hint of fatigue, but her eyes full of concern and anticipation.

When she saw Shi Feiyang open his eyes, she couldn’t help but smile with relief, softly greeting, "Grand Squad Leader Shi, you’re finally awake. How do you feel?"

Shi Feiyang struggled to sit up but found his body weak and powerless.

He smiled wryly and replied, "I’m alright, just feeling weak all over. Oh, by the way, what is your beautiful name? Thank you!" As he spoke, he attempted to get up to express his gratitude to Lin Wanqing.

Suddenly, Gong Simeng’s beautiful silhouette flashed before Shi Feiyang’s eyes.

Shi Feiyang felt grateful that although his life was fraught with misfortune, he encountered such kind-hearted people in times of crisis.

Especially in these few short months, he met Liu Guihua, Gong Simeng, and the gentle beauty before him; all were kind-hearted and helpful people, providing warmth in his adversity.

He secretly vowed that once he recovered, he would repay these people who left a beautiful mark in his life manifold.

Gong Simeng’s smile and brave spirit were deeply imprinted in Shi Feiyang’s heart.

These experiences and encounters would be the vital source of strength for Shi Feiyang to rise again and make a comeback.

With this, a warm current surged in Shi Feiyang’s heart, and he said to Lin Wanqing, "I’m really sorry for the trouble. May I ask where am I now? How did I end up here?"

Lin Wanqing gently pressed Shi Feiyang’s shoulder, indicating he shouldn’t move, softly saying, "Grand Squad Leader Shi, please rest well, and your body will gradually recover. Your inner power is profound; unfortunately, you were poisoned; otherwise, Liu Tingting would be no match for you. Rest well; you have taken two Longevity Pills from our Changsheng Castle, and I’m sure you will soon recover."

Shi Feiyang nodded, a warm current swelling in his heart, understanding that he could wake up thanks to Lin Wanqing’s timely rescue and Changsheng Castle’s protection. He secretly vowed to recover as soon as possible and repay this kindness.

In a blink of an eye, half a month passed, and Shi Feiyang’s body gradually recovered.

He began trying to get out of bed and move, feeling the strength within him gradually returning.

Lin Wanqing visited him daily to chat and relieve his boredom, and their relationship quietly grew closer during this time.

One evening, Lin Wanqing accompanied Shi Feiyang for a walk in the courtyard.

After walking for a while, Lin Wanqing sighed softly and said, "Grand Squad Leader Shi, are you aware that you have completely offended Divine Water Palace? The people of Divine Water Palace are narrow-minded and vindictive. You must be careful in the future."

Shi Feiyang smiled wryly and said, "How could I not know? But now that things have come to this, all I can do is face the challenges as they come."