Lin Wanqing, like a nimble night cat, silently returned to her residence, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility under the night sky. She gently closed the door, her movements as soft as if she were caring for a rare treasure, then lay quietly on the soft bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, while her thoughts had already drifted far away.

She secretly rejoiced in her heart, grateful that she was not Liu Guihua and had not made the decision to expel Shi Feiyang from Changsheng Castle. Otherwise, she could hardly imagine how catastrophic it would have been, with losses beyond estimation.

The rapid development and aggressive expansion of the Heroic Sakura Association, founded single-handedly by Shi Feiyang, was truly astonishing. In just a few months, the number of disciples had exceeded ten thousand, and this vigorous growth made Lin Wanqing feel a surge of emotions.

In comparison, her father Lin Hui's lifelong effort to establish Changsheng Castle now housed only a little over a thousand residents, most of whom were unarmed common folk. This stark contrast made her sigh deeply, pondering the vast differences between individuals. She couldn't help but ask herself, if she were in Liu Guihua's position and made the wrong choice, what kind of desperate situation would Changsheng Castle fall into?

Shi Feiyang's unexpected recovery left Gong Simeng both surprised and overjoyed, her excitement hard to contain.

When she saw Shi Feiyang standing spiritedly before everyone, her inner joy surged like a flood breaking a dam, instantly welling her eyes with tears. Her gaze was locked tightly on Shi Feiyang, as if everything else in the world had disappeared, leaving only his upright figure and resolute face in her sight. Her hands involuntarily trembled slightly, hesitant to step forward, overwhelmed by excitement, leaving her temporarily at a loss, only to silently repeat in her heart: "He has finally recovered, he truly has."

However, amidst this joy, there lay a deep-seated conflict.

Gong Simeng knew well that she was from the Divine Water Palace, which was currently in an adversarial position against Changsheng Castle.

As the former maid of the Divine Water Palace Master Liu Yanran, she had years of loyalty and reliance on the Divine Water Palace. The years spent there were not easily erased. Yet now, the Divine Water Palace was ruthlessly attacking Changsheng Castle, killing indiscriminately, and the bloody scenes filled her heart with pain and struggle.

"I never could have imagined that the Divine Water Palace I once served would become like this. The cries of the innocent civilians, each one like a heavy hammer striking my heart," Gong Simeng cried out in agony in her heart, "Even though I have been with the Divine Water Palace for years and there is the master-servant divide with the Palace Master, there were also kindnesses. Yet, how can I remain indifferent to such brutal slaughter? Shi Feiyang... he is someone I care about, and there are many kind people in Changsheng Castle, how can I just stand by and watch them be massacred."

Gong Simeng stood at a crossroads in her life, unsure whether to continue being loyal to the Divine Water Palace or resolutely side with Shi Feiyang.

This conflicting emotion was like a heavy shackle, tightly binding her heart, causing her immense suffering.

At this moment, Gong Simeng cautiously pushed open her bedroom door, her movements almost soundless, then closed it slowly.

She slowly burrowed into the covers, enjoying that fleeting warmth, but her heart was in a tumultuous storm, unable to find peace, plunging into deep contemplation. Shi Feiyang's figure constantly emerged in her mind, recalling every little moment spent with him, those warm moments now becoming the source of her inner turmoil. "If I stand by him, what will the Divine Water Palace do to me? But if I do not stand by him, how can I face my own heart?"

While Shi Feiyang's Heroic Sakura Association had many disciples, Gong Simeng knew nothing of their whereabouts.

These disciples seemed to be everywhere, yet as if they never existed, intensifying the conflict and struggle within her heart.

She kept asking herself whether she truly wanted to leave the Divine Water Palace forever, to follow Shi Feiyang and embark on the unpredictable and variable Jianghu road? Was this decision wise? Could she bear all the consequences brought by this choice?

These questions were like a tangled mess, increasingly tight in her heart, making her restless and unable to sit calmly.

Wu Zhong and Xiao Lingling each returned to their rooms, excitedly snuggling into their beds, immersed in joy.

However, in the dead of night, a sharp and urgent whistling of arrows suddenly pierced the sky, like lightning striking through the night sky, dense and piercing. Following this, panicked cries for help rang out from within Changsheng Castle: "Fire! Come quickly to rescue!" This shout was like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly breaking the night's tranquility, plunging the entire castle into chaos and clamor.

In the reflection of the firelight, chaotic footsteps echoed in the air, as people panicked and ran in all directions, urgently seeking refuge. The painful cries rose and fell, telling tales of ceaseless pain and despair.

Whoosh whoosh! The enemy's rain of arrows poured down mercilessly on every corner of Changsheng Castle like a torrential storm, dense flaming arrows like deadly meteors incessantly shot towards the castle, instantly igniting large areas of buildings. The roaring flames spread rapidly, consuming everything. In this sudden disaster, hundreds of people within Changsheng Castle lost their lives, lives appearing so fragile under the ravages of fire and arrows.

Shi Feiyang, Wu Zhong, Xiao Lingling, Lin Wanqing, Gong Simeng, and others were abruptly awakened by the sudden noise.

They swiftly got up from their beds, deftly gripping the weapons in their hands, rushing out of the bedroom without hesitation.

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