Although the martial arts community harbored doubts about Shi Feiyang's decision, no one dared to challenge Liu Yanran and her daughter.

At present, besides Shi Feiyang, no one else could rival them. The poison of the Kunqian Holy Water from Divine Water Palace was renowned far and wide, and no one dared to provoke Liu Yanran lightly. Facing her head-on was not a wise move either.

The atmosphere at the scene was heavy and oppressive, and everyone's eyes revealed reluctance and helplessness, yet they had to admit that Shi Feiyang was right. Seeing no objections, Shi Feiyang then let Liao Pei down.

Liao Pei lay on the ground, panting heavily, each breath accompanied by a heavy tremor, occasionally breaking into a violent cough. His face was as pale as paper, large beads of sweat covered his forehead, rolling down his cheeks and dripping onto the dust-covered ground.

Facing many questioning gazes, Shi Feiyang maintained a solemn demeanor, and with a steady and powerful voice, announced: "Heroes and valiant folks, I have taken the liberty to decide to release the Liu family mother and daughter and their tiger generals. This action may raise doubts in your hearts. To be frank, I cannot resist the hidden weapons of the Divine Water Palace Master Liu Yanran. If another battle arises, I fear that the heroes present tonight will perish outside of Changsheng Castle. Previously, there were over thirteen hundred people in Changsheng Castle, and after this battle, only about a hundred remain. Since I admit I cannot handle Liu Yanran's dripping hidden weapons, can you handle them? As the saying goes, a gentleman takes revenge, even if it takes ten years. Now that Changsheng Castle has turned to ashes, esteemed heroes, it would be wise to seek another place to gain a foothold. I shall also return to Jiangnan. In the future, if you find affinity with me, you are welcome to visit Jiangnan, my residence is in Suzhou Prefecture. Now, for those who are about to leave this place, please proceed to Hall Master Xiao Lingling of our Association's Military Supplies Hall to collect ten taels of silver for travel expenses, if you would be so kind."

His words were firm and resonated over the ruins, echoing in everyone's hearts.

"Thank you, Grand Squad Leader Shi!"

"Thank you, Young Hero Shi!"

"Thank you to the brave warriors of the Heroic Sakura Association!"

The remaining hundred or so martial arts practitioners, upon hearing this, clasped their fists in salute, bowing to Shi Feiyang, Wu Zhong, Xiao Lingling, and others to express their gratitude before collecting their money and provisions, and then dispersed. Their figures weaved through the ruins, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Liao Pei and Xiang Kun, halfway along their path, turned back, eyes flickering with determination, requesting to join the Heroic Sakura Association.

Joy welled up in Shi Feiyang's heart, his eyes shone brightly, and he promptly invited Liao Pei to serve as the Law Enforcement Elder of the Heroic Sakura Association, promoted Wu Zhong to Association Elder and Vanguard Hall Master, appointed Xiang Kun as Scout Hall Master, Gong Simeng as Black Tortoise Hall Master, and instructed the disciples of the Heroic Sakura Association to properly bury the deceased, cut down trees, assemble carts, and place the wounded within them.

Everyone moved swiftly; for a time, the sound of axes chopping trees and disciples' busy footsteps intertwined, playing out a symphony of rebirth over the ruins.

Gong Simeng heard Shi Feiyang's announced decisions, her heart instantly mixed with emotions.

She watched Shi Feiyang's determined and steady profile, her love surging like the tide within her heart. Every decision, every word of Shi Feiyang deeply fascinated her, making her feel he was so wise and reliable.

Yet thinking of Shi Feiyang letting Liu Tingting go again, Gong Simeng's heart felt like it was being pricked by a needle.

The past stories between Liu Tingting and Shi Feiyang were like a thorn, stabbing into her soft heart, causing an indistinct pain.

At this moment, Gong Simeng slowly moved to Shi Feiyang's side, a trace of probing in her eyes, and softly reported: "Big brother, my Spiritual Monkey is still with Liu Yanran." She hoped to use this small matter to probe Shi Feiyang's thoughts, also hoping that Shi Feiyang would care more about her, that he would confront Liu Yanran to retrieve the Spiritual Monkey for her.

Shi Feiyang smiled gently and said calmly, "Do not worry, Liu Yanran will certainly return it."

Gong Simeng looked surprised, her eyes full of doubt, and she asked, "What do you mean by this?"

Shi Feiyang explained, "Do you think Liu Yanran is pursuing me so relentlessly just to defeat me? No! The remaining forces of Snow Eagle Castle, including Wu Chi, will certainly flee to Divine Water Palace and falsely accuse me in front of Liu Yanran of seizing Snow Eagle Castle's treasures and martial arts secrets. They will also claim that I am the proud pupil of Master Yuan Chi, coveting the three legendary skills of Master Yuan Chi that are renowned in the martial arts world—the Tathagata Divine Palm, Divine Dragon Claw, and the Yijin Inner Power Heart Method. In short, Wu Chi will concoct all sorts of lies about me possessing the Heavenly Diagram in front of Liu Yanran. Therefore, Liu Yanran will never let me go lightly. Hence, we have a chance to take back your adorable little Spiritual Monkey. Our return to Jiangnan now is not a genuine return but rather a maneuver with the Divine Water Palace. Since our Heroic Sakura Association can annex Snow Eagle Castle, we can naturally also annex Divine Water Palace."

His voice was low and powerful, each word brimming with confidence and strategy.

Gong Simeng heard these words and immediately blossomed with joy, overlooking the potential risks, with thoughts only on retrieving the beloved little spiritual monkey. After a brief moment of joy and excitement, she immediately set to aiding the injured.

Regarding Shi Feiyang's repeated mentions of Liu Tingting's past, she still minded it a little, but kept persuading herself that Shi Feiyang did all this for the greater good, for the Heroic Sakura Association, and for a stable life with her in the future.

Xiao Lingling listened quietly from the side, deducing Shi Feiyang's intent, and then directed some disciples to set up tents and make camp.

Shi Feiyang then entered the first completed tent to rest.

The next morning, the rising sun shone through the forest gaps, spreading golden rays over every inch of the ruins of Changsheng Castle, bringing warmth and tranquility. The hustle and bustle of last night seemed to fade away with the night, leaving only the exhaustion and unfinished chores on the ground.

On this piece of ruins, members of the Heroic Sakura Association sat or lay, with traces of last night's tension and today's relief on their faces. They snuggled together, enjoying this rare moment of peace. The distant chirping of birds gradually grew, infusing life and vitality into the ruins.

Shi Feiyang awoke from his sleep and immediately ordered others to withdraw for rest, while he patrolled the vast ruins alone. His figure shuttled between the broken walls with firm and steady steps. During this, he occasionally lifted the tent curtain of Lin Wanqing to check her injuries. Gong Simeng also rose early to follow Shi Feiyang, trailing and staring at him.

Each time he lifted the curtain, Shi Feiyang's actions were gentle and cautious, with concern in his eyes.

Seeing this, Gong Simeng's heart contracted sharply, as if grasped tightly by a cold hand, and her breathing became rapid. She had always firmly believed that Shi Feiyang had special feelings for her, believing that their shared experiences were enough to make their feelings as solid as rock. But at this moment, Shi Feiyang's meticulous care for Lin Wanqing was like a sharp dagger stabbing straight at her heart, shattering her confidence and certainty into pieces.

Uncontrollably, images of Lin Wanqing's delicate appearance floated through Gong Simeng's mind, making her burn with jealousy. She madly questioned herself, wondering what she lacked compared to Lin Wanqing?

Why was Shi Feiyang's gaze always drawn to her? She wanted to rush forward, pull Shi Feiyang away, and ask if he had her in his heart, but her feet were as if nailed to the ground, unable to move an inch.

She was afraid, afraid that if she acted impulsively, she would lose Shi Feiyang completely, afraid that Shi Feiyang would detest her and erase her from his world. Her hands unconsciously clenched, nails digging deep into her palms, but the sharp pain was far less than the agony in her heart. Her eyes were fixed on Shi Feiyang and Lin Wanqing's tent, filled with jealousy, fear, and helplessness, her lips trembling slightly, unable to make a sound.

She continuously comforted herself, thinking Shi Feiyang only cared for Lin Wanqing out of righteousness and kindness, with no special feelings between them. But this self-consolation seemed so feeble and powerless in the face of reality, failing to convince herself, and the feeling of apprehension almost pushed her to collapse.

By dusk, thousands awoke, beginning to light fires and cook dinner. Smoke curled upwards, spreading over the ruins, adding a touch of human warmth to the bleak place.

After dinner, Shi Feiyang went again to visit Lin Wanqing, his actions gentle, fearing to disturb her rest.

Gong Simeng finally couldn't suppress her inner unease, cautiously trailing behind with footsteps light as silence, fearing to make a sound. Shi Feiyang stood outside Lin Wanqing's tent, peering through the slit of the slightly opened curtain, seeing Lin Wanqing leaning slightly, a book in her hand, deeply engrossed in reading. The soft light shone on her face, highlighting her gentle and graceful demeanor.

Shi Feiyang asked softly with concern, "Wanqing, are you feeling better?"

Lin Wanqing looked up, smiled slightly, and responded, "Feiyang, you're here. I'm fine, thank you for your concern. The Qiankun Holy Water of the Divine Water Palace is truly a miraculous cure, with remarkable effects." Her smile was as bright as spring blossoms, her eyes full of gratitude.

Hiding outside the tent, every word from within hit Gong Simeng's heart like a heavy hammer. Her breathing grew more rapid, her chest rising and falling violently, her hands tightly hugging her body, as if trying to resist the chill and pain within. Her eyes gradually welled up, with love and jealousy fiercely clashing in her heart, leaving her in utter torment.

Over and over in her mind, Gong Simeng questioned why Shi Feiyang could be so gentle, so considerate to Lin Wanqing?

For Shi Feiyang, she turned her back on the Divine Water Palace, giving up everything, yet he seemed blind to her sacrifices.

She longed for Shi Feiyang to care for her as he did for Lin Wanqing and cherish her. But she also feared that this longing would become an extravagant wish, afraid that Shi Feiyang would eventually leave her for Lin Wanqing's arms. This conflicting mindset filled her with unbearable pain, leaving her at a loss, enduring everything in this endless suffering and struggle.

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