The Hidden Hero of Xiyin

The third installment in the wuxia series A Thousand Years of Beauty in the Mountains and Streams, The Hidden Hero of the Creek follows the Hidden Village’s Treasure Guardians Alliance as it protects a map to a secret passage, while weaving in the romance between Shi Qing and Su Ningshuang. A hundred years ago, the Alliance vanished into the mountains to guard a map to a secret passage connecting the homeland with the Northern Di. A century later, forces such as the Black Wind Hall and the Hundred Blossoms Tower covet the map, shattering the village’s peace.

Guided by his grandfather, the young Shi Qing learns of his duty. While seeking allies, he meets Su Ningshuang, daughter of the Misty Rain Tower’s master, at a teahouse. They clash over a misunderstanding, but soon find themselves drawn to each other. The pair face danger together time and again: fighting back to back in an alley, tending to each other’s wounds in a ruined temple as their feelings surface, and having an old beggar see through Shi Qing’s heart.

When Liu Ping kidnaps children to use as hostages, Su Ningshuang is injured rescuing them. Shi Qing carries her through a peach grove and vows to protect her. The Marquis of Zhennbei tries to drive them apart, but Shi Qing stands firmly by Su Ningshuang’s side, and together they wield their swords to drive off their enemy. On the day of the final battle, they join forces to kill the marquis. Their scars become marks of having faced life and death together.

After the battle, Shi Qing becomes the new leader of the Treasure Guardians Alliance, while Su Ningshuang stays in the village to help. At the Peach Blossom Creek gathering, the villagers give the pair their blessing, and Granny Wang presents them with a treasured family jade pendant in recognition of their love.

Years later, with the Alliance at peace, Shi Qing and Su Ningshuang set off on a journey with their spirit deer. The sounds of swords and laughter ring across the mountains and streams. Their heroic deeds and love live on throughout the martial world as a celebrated tale: “They have the hearts of heroes and the tenderness of lovers, and remain true to both their homeland and one another.”