As they spoke, Shi Xiong and Shan Zhi walked into the pavilion, full of shame.

They came before Shi Feiyang, bowed, and apologized with voices full of remorse, "Grand Squad Leader, we indulged in wine and almost spoiled your important affairs; we truly deserve to die." Then, the two exchanged a glance and continued, "Grand Squad Leader, Princess Gugela has deep affection for you. If you could join hands with the Princess, it would undoubtedly be a great fortune for our Heroic Sakura Association. We hope you reconsider."

At this moment, accompanied by several maids, Princess Gugela gracefully arrived at the inn and ascended to the third-floor pavilion to meet Shi Feiyang.

In her eyes was a hint of shyness mingled with expectation. She said softly, "Hero Shi, I have come especially to invite you to the Royal Palace for breakfast. I hope you would honor me with your presence."

Shi Feiyang smiled as he invited Gugela to sit down, then put on a serious expression and candidly recounted the events of Xie Wen’s night reconnaissance in the Kerchin Tribe and Ordos Tribe. Gugela listened, her face instantly turning as red as the splendid sunset in the sky.

She shyly lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s, "I really do not like Prince Mi’Erqin. His figure is like a bull — strong and robust, yet he is nothing but a brave but foolish brute. Every time I see him, he makes me feel disgusted and nauseated. I... I only wish to roam the Jianghu with you, Hero Shi, free and unfettered."

Hearing this, Shi Feiyang blushed slightly, displaying a hint of embarrassment. He awkwardly said, "What virtue does I possess to deserve such deep affection from the Princess? To be frank, I already have seven wives. With your noble status, how dare I dream of riding alongside the Princess and galloping through the Jianghu? I fear I would only disgrace the Princess." After speaking, he slightly lowered his head, a complex expression flickering in his eyes, as though feeling helpless yet guilty.

Upon hearing this, Gugela felt as if a massive hammer had struck her heart, causing her to feel utterly hopeless.

She sighed deeply toward the sky, her sigh filled with endless bitterness and sorrow, as if she wanted to pour out all the sadness of this world.

She rose slowly in her grief, her steps unsteady as though walking on clouds, turned, and was about to leave.

Her eyes were full of loss and despair, like the dimmest stars in the night sky.

Upon seeing this, her maids quickly gripped their scimitars, their expressions alert, and accompanied her out of Shi Feiyang’s pavilion.

Their figures gradually faded into the corridor, leaving only a heart-wrenching silence.

"Flying Eagle Detective" Xie Wen, "Plum Blossom Dart" Shan Zhi, and Little Scholar Shi Xiong witnessed this scene, all sighing long in unison.

Xie Wen frowned, his eyes full of regret, "Grand Squad Leader, why do you torment yourself like this? Princess Gugela has such profound feelings for you; how could you destroy such a good match with your own hands? It’s truly heartbreaking!"

Shan Zhi also shook his head repeatedly, sighing, "Grand Squad Leader, such a good match missed is truly a pity. The Princess, with her noble status, is deeply in love with you. If you could marry her, it would be all beneficial without harm for our Heroic Sakura Association. Why are you so stubborn?"

Shi Xiong said little, but his face showed unmistakable regret.

Shi Feiyang looked at everyone with a calm expression, his gaze deep like an abyss, saying, "Dear brothers, I have always been frank by nature, unwilling to deceive, and certainly not to mislead others for life. How can worldly affairs be blindly pursued for one’s selfish desires, ignoring the happiness of others? Stopping the conspiracy between the Ordos and Kerchin tribes doesn’t necessarily require marriage. Being Jianghu individuals with chivalrous hearts, we must use wisdom and courage to find a comprehensive plan to ensure peace in the Jianghu and safeguard the people’s peace." His voice was steady and powerful, exuding an undeniable determination.

After speaking, Shi Feiyang turned to Xie Wen and said, "Xie Wen, go to the Royal Palace immediately, and bid farewell to Dangxin. At the same time, report the conspiracy you know to Dangxin Leader with total honesty. I won’t go to the Royal Palace to avoid seeing Princess Gugela, which would only add to the awkwardness. When you return, we’ll head to Ordos Tribe together and have a good discussion with their leader, Ha-ha Map."

Then, he turned to Shan Zhi and said, "Shan Zhi, go back to our base immediately, and have Wanqing and Guihua head directly to Ordos Tribe. I need to bring these two wives on this trip to avoid any more princesses falling in love with me and adding to the troubles."

After saying this, he smiled wryly. Though everyone still felt some regret, Shi Feiyang’s words made them burst into laughter.

Subsequently, the heroes acted according to the orders and split up to carry out their tasks.

Shi Feiyang and Shi Xiong stayed in the pavilion enjoying tea, also instructing the waiter to bring some snacks for breakfast.

As they sipped tea and discussed the matters of the Jianghu, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

However, at that moment, Shi Xiong’s face suddenly turned black, as if stained with ink.

Alarmed, Shi Feiyang immediately realized that the inn’s water and food had been secretly poisoned.

Without time to think, he swiftly pried open Shi Xiong’s mouth, took out a jade bottle containing Tianshan Snow Lotus Water, and carefully poured it into Shi Xiong’s mouth.

Then, he hurriedly searched his bosom for medicine bottles, quickly feeding Shi Xiong various divine pills and elixirs such as "Lesser Returning Pill," "Great Returning Pill," "Soul Gathering Pill," "Heart-Protecting Pill," and "Soul Reviving Pill." Shi Feiyang knew that only these precious elixirs might just save Shi Xiong’s life.

Shi Feiyang carried the supreme bloodline of the Sunflower Saintess, whose power surged within him like a rushing river.

Years ago, he had relied on extraordinary talent and relentless perseverance to cultivate the Bright Jade Technique to the Ninth Realm — "Limitless Asura."