CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 44: THE BEARING OF A NOBLE LADY

Lin Wanqing moved gracefully, her figure elegant and charming.

Her slender waist was like a willow, and her robes fluttered, fully displaying the gentleness and dignity of a noble lady.

After a moment of silence, Lin Wanqing gently raised her jade-like hand and slowly took out an ancient token from her bosom.

Her movements were extremely elegant, as if she were performing a solemn ceremony, and then she gently handed the token to Shi Feiyang.

Then, Lin Wanqing’s ruby lips parted, her voice clear and pleasant like a oriole leaving the valley, she softly said, "Grand Squad Leader Shi, this is the token of our Changsheng Castle. With it, you might find assistance at crucial moments. Additionally, I will teach you a set of Longevity Swordsmanship for your protection. With your already profound power, using the Longevity Swordsmanship, you will surely be invincible in the world."

As she spoke, she nodded slightly, full of elegance and grace, exemplifying the knowledge and reason of a noble lady.

Shi Feiyang took the token, a warm feeling surging in his heart, and said gratefully, "Miss Lin, I, Shi Feiyang, will never forget your great kindness and virtues. However, I cannot be greedy and seek too much. I only wish to enhance my own martial arts cultivation, and will not learn other martial arts from other sects, I’m really sorry! I am shallow in knowledge and limited in understanding."

Lin Wanqing’s lips curled into a sweet smile, resembling a flower blooming in spring, bright and warm, yet with a touch of the unique restraint of a noble lady, she laughed softly, "Grand Squad Leader Shi, there is no need for thanks between us. I only hope you remain safe in the future, that would satisfy me." As she spoke, her voice was gentle, her tone calm, fully showing her gentle and graceful temperament.

Her voice carried a hint of softness and concern, and she added, "Besides, what you said earlier makes a lot of sense. The path of martial arts is like an unfathomable ocean, everyone’s time and energy are limited, why pursue everything? Who in the world can master all seventy-two arts of the Shaolin Temple?"

With that, she tilted her head slightly, seemingly lost in thought, her posture elegant and charming as if she were a beautiful painting.

Shi Feiyang looked into Lin Wanqing’s gentle eyes, as tender as autumn waters, and a feeling surged in his heart that was difficult to describe.

He understood that this feeling was something he might never be able to repay in this lifetime.

But no matter what, he would remember this kindness and prove his feelings through his actions.

At that moment, a sudden burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence.

Both Shi Feiyang and Lin Wanqing turned their heads to see a disciple from the Lin family rushing over, looking somewhat panicked.

The disciple ran up to them, gasping for breath, and said, "Miss, something terrible has happened! Malefactors from the Divine Water Palace are heading this way, and it seems they are seeking revenge!" On hearing this, Lin Wanqing’s originally fair cheeks slightly changed color.

However, she quickly regained her composure, her steady demeanor truly befitting someone from a noble family.

Lin Wanqing looked at Shi Feiyang again, a determined look flashing in her eyes, speaking respectfully yet resolutely, "Grand Squad Leader Shi, I’m sorry to say, but your power has not fully recovered, please hide first, I’ll handle things here." With that, she lightly raised her jade hand and elegantly signaled to the nearby men in gray, exuding composure and poise.

Shi Feiyang’s mind flashed with the beautiful image of Gong Simeng, and to avoid further trouble for Lin Wanqing, he nodded and wisely turned to follow a man in gray into the secret chamber’s cellar.

Lin Wanqing straightened her clothing and steadily walked out of the courtyard, standing still outside Changsheng Castle, her figure slim and graceful like a green lotus blooming in the wind. Her expression calm, she patiently awaited the arrival of the malefactors from the Divine Water Palace, displaying the steadfastness and grandeur of a noble lady in every gesture.

However, she also felt slightly uneasy inside, thinking to herself: If only father Lin Hui were still alive, who in today’s martial arts world would dare provoke Changsheng Castle? Alas! It’s regretful that Grand Squad Leader Shi’s power hasn’t fully recovered; otherwise, why fear the rampage of these malefactors from the Divine Water Palace? No matter the outcome, I just wish for Grand Squad Leader Shi not to fight. Whether life or death, whether Changsheng Castle survives, I alone will bear the consequences. I hope Grand Squad Leader Shi can later pay respects at my grave with a stick of incense, I could smile with peace even in the afterlife.

Deep down, she knew today’s events were inevitable and could only face them with courage.

After a while, the sound of horse hooves grew clearer, and the people from the Divine Water Palace rode up, kicking up dust as they appeared before Lin Wanqing, her maid, and a group of men in gray. The people from the Divine Water Palace were all fierce and malicious, filled with animosity.

Even more shocking, their number reached over a thousand.

However, it seemed that Liu Tingting, Gong Ci’en, and Gong Yao’en were not among them, which was truly puzzling.

Lin Wanqing remained calm, gracefully stepping forward, her demeanor dignified, her voice neither humble nor arrogant as she coldly said, "Ladies and gentlemen of the Divine Water Palace, what brings you to disturb the Lin family territory tonight?" Her tone even, fully conveying the dignity and authority of a noble lady.

A middle-aged man leading the Divine Water Palace sneered and said, "Lin Wanqing, you don’t need to pretend you don’t know! The feud between the Lin Family and Divine Water Palace must be settled today!" Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqing’s heart sank, but her face remained calm and composed, showing not a trace of fear.

She had not yet mastered the Longevity Swordsmanship and Inner Power to the highest level, so she dared not speak of revenge lightly, still silently biding her time, knowing this path of revenge would be arduous and require patience.

However, faced with the leader of the enemy’s sarcastic remarks at this moment, Lin Wanqing straightened her slender yet resilient body and calmly said, "Since the Divine Water Palace is pushing so hard, let’s settle this thoroughly today!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Lin Wanqing stretched out her jade-like hand, gracefully and swiftly drawing the long sword from her waist. Her sword-drawing stance was elegant and decisive, fully displaying the style of a martial arts family.

Seeing this, the people of Divine Water Palace also brandished their weapons, and a fierce battle was about to erupt.

Just at this moment, the Sect Leaders and their disciples from various Martial Arts factions within Changsheng Castle hurried over after hearing the news. Witnessing the confrontation, they quickly grasped the situation. The martial artists within Changsheng Castle swiftly gathered behind Lin Wanqing, forming a standoff against the Divine Water Palace’s forces.

Lin Wanqing turned her head, her gaze like water sweeping towards those behind her, feeling a warm surge in her heart. She knew that despite the long-standing feud between the Lin Family and Divine Water Palace, and despite Divine Water Palace’s powerful stature at the peak of Liaodong Martial Arts, the righteous individuals in the martial arts world would never stand idly by in the face of Changsheng Castle’s survival.

Gratefully, Lin Wanqing glanced at everyone present, then slightly raised her voice and said crisply and firmly, "Fellow martial artists, I entrust you with resolving the feud between my Lin Family and Divine Water Palace today!"

Her voice, though not loud, was full of power, exuding the charisma of an esteemed family’s lady.

Upon hearing Lin Wanqing’s words, martial artists from various factions responded one after another, expressing their willingness to offer a helping hand and support Lin Wanqing.

They understood in their hearts that Divine Water Palace had committed numerous evil deeds in the martial arts world in recent years, already becoming a target of universal condemnation.

This night’s battle was not only for the Lin Family but also to uphold justice and fairness in the martial arts world.

Seeing this, the leading middle-aged man from the Divine Water Palace’s face slightly changed, revealing a hint of unease.

But he quickly regained his composure, sneered and said, "Hmph! Even if you have more people, Divine Water Palace will not fear you! Today, let us show you the formidable skills of the Divine Water Palace!"

After speaking, he waved his hand, and the members of the Divine Water Palace surged towards the people of Changsheng Castle like a tide.

The martial artists from all walks of life in Changsheng Castle saw this and were not to be outdone, drawing their weapons one after another to engage in fierce combat with the Divine Water Palace’s people. Instantly, sword light flashed, and fist winds howled, filling the entire scene with a chilling atmosphere.

A thrilling and breathtaking battle unfolded.

Outside Changsheng Castle, cries of battle and the clang of weapons resounded incessantly, deafeningly, as if the entire earth was trembling.

Lin Wanqing contemptuously let out a cold snort, the sound crisp yet commanding with an air of dignity, fully demonstrating the pride and disdain of a noble family’s lady, saying, "Villains of the Divine Water Palace, tonight let us judge by strength! Let us see who will have the last laugh!"

The leading man of the Divine Water Palace, hearing this, was furious yet responded with a smile, "Alright! Then let us witness who can leave here unharmed tonight!" With that, he leaped off his horse, lightly tapped his toes on the ground, and soared into the air, wielding a copper staff, and launched an attack on Lin Wanqing with "Vajra Four Gates Staff Technique."

In an instant, the staff shadows flew, with the sound of wind whistling. Each move had immense force, as if it wanted to shatter the surrounding air.

Lin Wanqing swiftly raised her sword to meet the attack. Her Swordsmanship was agile and graceful, with each sword move flowing continuously like water.

The "Longevity Swordsmanship" was displayed perfectly in her hands.

With her figure like a swallow and the glint of her sword, she precisely blocked every staff attack while searching for the opponent’s weaknesses. The two exchanged blows, each move fierce, resulting in a stalemate.

The surrounding fierce battle also grew more intense, with everyone fighting with bloodlust, and the ground beneath them stained red with blood.