Chapter 45: Truly Won

Inside the dilapidated temple, the candlelight flickered, casting mottled shadows against walls tangled with spiderwebs. The scent of blood hung in the air, congealing into a suffocating pressure.

An enigmatic ancient Buddha statue stood within the ruins, its stone eyes seeming to watch the impending battle.

Feng Ruqing stepped past the shattered statue, finally catching sight of the bound Hero Chen tied up in the corner.

He was in tattered robes with lingering traces of blood at the corner of his mouth, yet a light of hope still flickered in his eyes.

"Hero Chen, I am here."

Feng Ruqing’s tone was firm, carrying a comforting reassurance. At the same time, her brows furrowed slightly, a flash of anger crossing her eyes—how dare these scoundrels treat Hero Chen this way; today, she would make them pay the price.

Hero Chen struggled to raise his head, and upon seeing Feng Ruqing, an expression of overwhelming emotion welled up in his eyes. "Lady Feng, you... you actually came! I thought for sure I was dead."

Feng Ruqing strode up to him and sliced through his bonds with a single, clean, and decisive motion.

"Rest assured, Hero Chen, I will keep you safe. Whatever you wish to say, you may speak now."

Hero Chen flexed his wrists, a resolute expression taking shape on his face. He drew a deep breath, preparing to speak.

Suddenly, the crumbling wooden door of the ruined temple was violently kicked open. Several dark figures poured in like ghosts, the cold glare of blades flashing beneath the candlelight, reeking of murderous intent.

"They've come indeed!" Hero Chen’s expression shifted, and he cried out in alarm.

Feng Ruqing immediately shielded Hero Chen behind her, her gaze as sharp as a falcon's as she swept it across the intruders.

"Who are you? Why have you broken in here?"

"People here to take your life!" The lead assassin gave a cold snort, his voice sounding like a death knell from the netherworld, laden with unquestionable intent to kill.

Without wasting any more words, the lead assassin waved his hand, and his underlings lunged at Feng Ruqing like starving wolves, weapons clashing in a deafening chorus of lethal intent.

Daring not to lower her guard, Feng Ruqing drew the soft sword from her waist. Her figure moved like lightning, weaving through the flashing blades and dancing swords. Every strike she made carried a biting chill as she engaged the assassins in fierce combat.

The assassins pressed the attack fiercely, every single move aimed at taking her life. Although Feng Ruqing possessed formidable martial arts, she was ultimately outnumbered, and shallow bloody gashes began to appear on her body.

Clenching her teeth, she knew she could not retreat now. She had to protect Hero Chen at all costs, or all her efforts would be wasted.

Her eyes gleamed with an unyielding light. The tip of her sword tore through the air with a sharp, piercing whistle as she exerted every ounce of her strength, attempting to break through the assassins' encirclement.

Yet, the assassins clung to her like maggots on rotting bone, pursuing her relentlessly.

Feng Ruqing could feel her stamina gradually draining, and the battle grew increasingly arduous.

At that very moment, an assassin thrust his longsword straight toward her chest, enveloped in a chilling gale and driven by a desperate, fatal intent.

Feng Ruqing’s pupils contracted sharply. She twisted sideways to dodge, but the blade still grazed her arm, fresh blood instantly staining her sleeve red.

"You want to kill me? It won't be that easy!" Feng Ruqing’s gaze grew even colder. Gritting her teeth, she muttered inwardly, *You bunch of fools, thinking these little tricks can trap me? Today is your day of death!*

A cold flash erupted from the soft sword in her hand. The blade seemed endowed with sentience, its shadows sweeping over the assassins like a howling gale. Every thrust accurately targeted their vital points. The assassins felt only a chaotic blur of swordplay before them, leaving them entirely unable to dodge. Within seconds, several of them collapsed to the ground, screaming miserably.

Right at this critical juncture, she heard Hero Chen let out a gasp of shock, as if he wanted to say something, but his voice was abruptly cut short. Instead, she saw an assassin grinning maliciously as he hurled an object toward her—an object emitting a faint, glowing light...

Feng Ruqing’s gaze locked onto it, and she recognized that glowing item as none other than the Martial Arts Alliance Leader's token!

Her thoughts raced at lightning speed; she instantly realized this was a frame-up.

In the blink of an eye, Feng Ruqing sidestepped, and the token clattered to the ground.

With a swift kick, she sent the token flying back toward the leader of the assassins, shouting sharply, "Thief crying 'stop thief'! The true mastermind behind all this is you, isn't it?"

Clearly not expecting Feng Ruqing to pull this move, the assassin leader failed to dodge in time, and the token struck him squarely in the chest before falling to the floor.

His expression changed drastically, and driven by shame and anger, he roared, "Kill her! Kill her!"

Feng Ruqing let out a cold laugh, her soft sword dancing into an impenetrable defense as she glided through the pack of assassins like a roaming dragon.

Her techniques were fierce, balancing offense and defense seamlessly. Every strike carried the momentum of a thunderbolt, and she quickly knocked several assassins to the floor.

Spotting an opening, she lunged forward and drove her sword straight through the assassin leader's shoulder, sending a spurt of fresh blood gushing into the air.

***

Having disposed of the assassins, Feng Ruqing quickly helped Hero Chen up, and the two of them leaped out of the ruined temple.

Outside, a welcoming party was already waiting. Entrusting Hero Chen to their care with a few parting instructions, Feng Ruqing mounted a horse and galloped toward the venue of the Martial Arts Tournament.

The tournament grounds were already a roaring sea of noise, with everyone engaged in heated discussions. Feng Ruqing’s sudden arrival instantly drew every eye.

Leaping down from her saddle with an aura of righteous dignity, she walked straight toward the elevated platform.

"Lady Feng! It's so good to see you're safe!" Hero Murong greeted her excitedly, stepping forward.

Feng Ruqing nodded slightly. Sweeping her gaze across the crowd, she raised her voice and declared, "Everyone, I have come here today to expose the dark underbelly of this Martial Arts Tournament!"

Succinctly and clearly, she recounted the events that had transpired at the ruined temple and brought forth Hero Chen to provide testimony.

Wiping away his tears, Hero Chen spoke with a voice that trembled slightly yet resonated with unwavering conviction, "Throughout my life, I, Chen, have upheld chivalry and righteousness. Never did I imagine that I would be framed by such scoundrels today. Back when I was rescuing disaster victims in Lingnan, these people didn't even know where they were practicing their evil deeds!"

Tearfully and passionately, he accused Judge Song and Maiden Gongsun of their crimes. Supported by physical evidence, the truth was finally brought to light.

An uproar swept through the crowd. The looks cast toward Judge Song and Maiden Gongsun were now filled with utter contempt and rage.

School Leader Xiao’s face turned ashen; he had never expected a disciple of his sect to commit such despicable acts.

Feng Ruqing’s appearance not only cleared her own name but also elevated her prestige to its absolute peak.

The crowd showered her with expressions of admiration. Blushing slightly, Feng Ruqing spoke softly, "You flatter me, everyone. I merely did what I had to do."

In the final match, Feng Ruqing’s opponent was the trump card of the dark manipulators—an unfathomable, masked warrior.

A massive martial arts totem was carved into the center of the ring. As soon as the masked fighter stepped onto the stage, he displayed formidable strength, employing bizarre and unpredictable techniques that initially suppressed Feng Ruqing.

However, she quickly adjusted her tactics, exploiting her opponent's overconfidence to launch a fierce counterattack.

Her sword techniques were exquisite, every single move leaving the masked fighter utterly astounded.

The spectators were completely captivated by the tense and thrilling battle, holding their breath lest they miss a single magnificent moment.

Gradually losing the upper hand, a fierce gleam flashed in the masked fighter's eyes, and he suddenly unleashed a forbidden technique...

"Watch out!" Hero Chen cried out in alarm.

Feng Ruqing’s gaze sharpened as she shifted her stance...

The masked fighter’s palm strike was fierce, carrying a gloomy, bone-chilling frost that went straight for Feng Ruqing’s face.

Instead of retreating, Feng Ruqing advanced. Her figure flickered like a phantom, and at the very last fraction of a second, she evaded the fatal blow.

With a flick of her wrist, her soft sword struck out like a venomous snake leaving its lair, targeting the masked fighter's lower stance.

Pushed onto the defensive, the masked fighter clashed with her once again in a ferocious battle.

Swords crossed, unleashing shockwaves of energy that kicked up dust and gravel across the ring. The surrounding spectators held their breath, terrified of missing any detail.

The martial arts totem on the ring seemed to sense this immense power, trembling slightly. Witnessing this, the onlookers grew even more awestruck by the sheer intensity of the duel.

Feng Ruqing grew more valiant with every strike, wielding her soft sword into an impervious barrier that poured down like the Milky Way, dazzlingly bright.

Light as a swallow, she moved with effortless grace amid the masked fighter's onslaught, punctuated by the crisp ringing of her blade.

Meanwhile, the masked fighter panted heavily, sweat rolling down his forehead as he clearly grew overmatched.

Suddenly, seizing a vulnerability, Feng Ruqing twisted the blade, a cold smile forming in her heart: *You wretches who attempt to manipulate the martial world, fall beneath my sword today!*

Her sword thrust straight toward the masked fighter's throat.

The masked fighter’s eyes widened in sheer terror. Before he could react, he felt a chilling sensation at his windpipe, followed by a geyser of blood. Clutching his neck, he collapsed backward in bitter defeat.

A dead silence blanketed the arena, instantly followed by a deafening roar of cheers.

Seeing Feng Ruqing emerge victorious, the spectators welled up with hot tears of excitement. Some even dropped to their knees, shouting, "Hero Feng, you are the hope of the martial arts world!"

Feng Ruqing had won!

She had actually won!

With absolute strength, she defeated the alliance leader's trump card and ascended to become the new leader of the martial arts world!

She withdrew her sword and stood upright, her white robes fluttering like snow, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight as if a deity had descended.

Down below, the crowd raised their arms in unison, shouting her name in wave after wave of thunderous applause that shook the skies.

This was her moment of glory, the sweet fruit of victory harvested through bloodshed and combat.

Sweeping her gaze across the surroundings, looking at the expressions of awe and fanaticism, a faint smile curved the corners of her lips.

She slowly raised her hand, signaling for silence.

The cheers gradually subsided, and everyone eagerly awaited her next words.

"Everyone," Feng Ruqing’s voice was cool yet resolute, carrying across the entire venue, "though I have won by a stroke of luck today, I know full well that there remain many dark corners within the martial world that must be exposed. Therefore, I have decided not to hastily accept the position of Alliance Leader just yet."

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar erupted through the crowd.

Everyone had assumed Feng Ruqing would immediately punish the losers, never expecting her to possess such breadth of mind and daring.

She actually intended to expose the dark conspiracy further?

This took everyone by surprise, earning her even deeper respect.

Feng Ruqing smiled faintly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally landing on School Leader Xiao and Judge Song.

She walked slowly down the platform, every step firm and powerful, striking the hearts of the audience like a war drum.

Her silhouette was drawn long in the sunlight, resembling a sharp sword poised to cut down all the gloom lingering in this world.

Stopping before the crowd, her clear voice resonated through the arena: "Today, let us completely reckon with these unspeakable deeds."

Just as her voice trailed off, she heard a passionate, urgent call from behind her.

Thrilled beyond measure, Hero Murong strode rapidly onto the platform and pulled Feng Ruqing into a tight embrace. Inhaling the faint floral fragrance lingering about her, his heart fluttered, though he quickly suppressed the emotion and exclaimed excitedly, "Lady Feng, you... you really won! That's wonderful!"

Feng Ruqing smiled faintly, patting Hero Murong on the back, her eyes filled with reassurance and resolve. "Young Hero, all of this has only just begun."

The surrounding crowd was equally ecstatic, cheers washing over them like a tide, mixed with enthusiastic shouts and applause.

Some clapped, others cheered, while the sunlight spilling over the stage stretched Feng Ruqing’s shadow far behind her, making her look like the guardian deity of the martial world. The warmth of this moment was deeply touching.

Yet, Feng Ruqing did not linger in the joy of the moment.

Gently pushing Hero Murong away, she scanned the crowd, her eyes locking onto the repulsive masterminds of the conspiracy.

Stepping forward with an aura of unyielding righteousness, her voice rang out clear and cold: "Everyone, although I have prevailed by chance today, true victory lies in rooting out this dark corruption entirely!"

Before her words faded, she pointed directly at Judge Song and Maiden Gongsun, sternly declaring, "The two of you, nominally martial artists, have colluded with villains and harbored illicit ambitions! Today, the evidence is ironclad, and you can no longer sophisicate your way out of this!"

Her finger pointed like a sword straight into the depths of their souls, sending chills down spines.

Judge Song and Maiden Gongsun turned pale with fright, exchanging panicked glances as they attempted to defend themselves.

Yet, all the evidence struck like sharp blades, tearing their lies to shreds.

Hero Chen stepped forward holding the token of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, proclaiming loudly, "This is the proof of your frame-up! Your conspiracy stands starkly exposed today!"

Angry shouts erupted within the arena. Everyone cast contemptuous glazes toward the two culprits. The masks of the conspirators had been completely stripped away, rendering their sophistry weak and pathetic.

Feng Ruqing let out a cold sneer, stepping closer by the inch. "Your evil deeds have finally reaped the retribution they deserve!"

Finally subdued by the crowd, Judge Song and Maiden Gongsun were dragged off the platform.

The atmosphere in the venue reached its climax. Feng Ruqing looked around, her gaze resolute. "In the martial arts world, righteousness shall prevail, and evil shall never triumph over good! Today marks the victory of the righteous path!"

Just as the cheers reached their peak, Feng Ruqing abruptly turned around, her deep gaze fixing on the horizon as a faint, elusive smile touched her lips.

She spoke softly, yet clearly enough for those nearby to hear: "Today is merely the beginning..."