Flower Stealing Master

“You!” Xuan Cheng was almost driven to fury by him. However, everyone had seen that the scripture had already been returned to him, and the explosion only occurred after he held it in his hands. It was like swallowing bitterness with no way to voice his grievances.

If it had been someone else, Xuan Cheng would have simply killed them. But this mysterious person had displayed skills equal to or greater than theirs earlier. Moreover, with the enigmatic Zhang Sanfeng standing nearby, the outcome of a fight was unpredictable. Even if they won, the scripture was destroyed, leaving them with no benefit.

‘The Sanskrit version of the Marrow Cleansing Scripture may be destroyed, but the monastery still has the Chinese translation. Fortunately, Shaolin’s martial arts haven’t been leaked…’ Xuan Cheng’s thoughts churned rapidly, and he quickly made a decision:

“Hmph! Benefactor, your offense today will not be forgotten by Shaolin. Let us leave.” He beckoned to Fang Zheng and Xu Zhu before leaving. 

Zuo Lengchan also cast a venomous glare at Song Qingshu before departing with his subordinates alongside the three.

“Does Alliance Leader Zuo think he can leave so easily?” Song Qingshu sneered. He had clashed with Zuo Lengchan multiple times before, and more critically, the interests of the Mount Song Sect and the Golden Serpent Camp were in direct conflict. With Zuo Lengchan gravely injured, this was a golden opportunity to eliminate him.

Before Zuo Lengchan could respond, Xuan Cheng turned back sharply. “Hmph, do you intend to harm Alliance Leader Zuo?” Fang Zheng and Xu Zhu both stepped forward slightly, subtly shielding Zuo Lengchan.

Song Qingshu frowned slightly. He had guessed that the Shaolin Temple and Mount Song Sect were allied but hadn’t expected their relationship to be this close. Judging by Xuan Cheng and the others’ stance, they seemed willing to fight to the death for Zuo Lengchan.

Song Qingshu chuckled. “So this is why Zuo Lengchan dares to be so bold—plotting to assassinate Qing emissaries and provoking the Golden Serpent Camp. Turns out Shaolin is supporting him from behind.”

Xuan Cheng snorted. “I don’t understand what you’re saying. However, Mount Song is a prestigious sect. If scoundrels attempt to harm Master Zuo, Shaolin naturally will not stand idly by.”

“Exterminating entire families, harming women and children, and secretly recruiting demonic cultivators—Mount Song truly lives up to the name of a prestigious sect.” Song Qingshu’s face darkened.

Xuan Cheng’s face burned with embarrassment. Shaolin was well aware of Mount Song’s shady dealings. But since they were now aligned, he naturally wouldn’t admit it. “These are merely baseless rumors in the martial world. They cannot be taken seriously.”

“Monks should not lie. I wonder what kind of scriptures you recite daily,” Song Qingshu said mockingly. “Never mind. Zuo Lengchan, I’ll spare your life today. Next time we meet, you won’t be so lucky.”

Xuan Cheng was infuriated by his words. If he hadn’t already lost to Zhang Sanfeng and been demoralized, he would have acted long ago. Shooting a glare at Song Qingshu, he turned and left with the others.

As the figures of the Shaolin and Mount Song Sect disappeared in the distance, Song Qingshu turned back and bowed respectfully to Zhang Sanfeng. “Thank you, Esteemed Zhang, for your assistance.”

Zhang Sanfeng smiled faintly. “No need for thanks. With your martial arts, had you not been preoccupied treating Miss Ren, these people would not have been able to harm you. However…” He hesitated.

Song Qingshu was taken aback, sensing that Zhang Sanfeng wanted to say something. He quickly responded, “Esteemed Zhang, please speak your mind.”

Zhang Sanfeng nodded. “I noticed just now that your relationship with this Miss Ren seems quite close. May I ask…”

Although Zhang Sanfeng didn’t finish, everyone understood his implication. After all, Ren Yingying was nominally his granddaughter-in-law. Seeing her act so intimately with another man right before him, even his patience couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

Song Qingshu was immediately at a loss. How was he supposed to explain this? He had not revealed his true identity and couldn’t just admit he was Song Qingshu. If he did, not only would Ren Yingying turn against him, but Zhang Sanfeng, his grandmaster in name, might also harbor resentment. After all, in the martial world, respect for one’s master was deeply ingrained, and his earlier behavior of concealing his identity and feigning ignorance was undoubtedly disrespectful.

As Song Qingshu hesitated, Ren Yingying suddenly spoke up. “Esteemed Zhang, he… he is my lover. We pledged ourselves to each other long ago. But not long ago, my father, to forge an alliance with the Golden Serpent Camp, betrothed me to Song Qingshu. While we were troubled by this predicament, we were fortunate to encounter you. Knowing that you are a legendary figure in the martial world and also that man’s grandmaster, I humbly ask you to uphold justice and fulfill our wishes.”

“What?” Song Qingshu was dumbfounded. What was this woman plotting?

It turned out that while Ren Yingying had reluctantly agreed to the fake marriage proposal, her sharp mind quickly recognized the risks involved. She wasn’t willing to leave her fate in Song Qingshu’s hands. This encounter with Zhang Sanfeng, coupled with the misunderstanding caused by the mysterious man treating her injuries, gave her a bold idea. She intended to use this opportunity to annul the engagement with Song Qingshu. With Zhang Sanfeng involved, Song Qingshu wouldn’t dare oppose it, and her father couldn’t continue using him to threaten her.

“Ren…” Song Qingshu was about to speak when he felt a light pinch at his waist. Turning, he saw the pleading look in Ren Yingying’s eyes. Startled, he quickly understood and, with a peculiar smile, followed her lead. “Indeed, Yingying and I are deeply in love. We hope Esteemed Zhang will bless us.”

Having already suspected their relationship from their earlier interactions, Zhang Sanfeng sighed inwardly at their confirmation. “As the saying goes, lovers should be united in the end. Since you two have long pledged yourselves to each other, it seems Qingshu simply doesn’t have the fortune. Very well. I am heading to the Golden Serpent Camp anyway. The two of you may accompany me. Once we meet Qingshu, I will discuss the matter with him.”

“What?” Hearing they were going to the Golden Serpent Camp to meet Song Qingshu, Ren Yingying instinctively felt uneasy. However, realizing this was the best chance to break the engagement, she hesitated briefly before nodding.

Song Qingshu, on the other hand, was shocked. “Esteemed Zhang, you rarely leave Wudang Mountain. Why are you traveling so far to the Golden Serpent Camp?”

The thought of Zhang Sanfeng traveling such a distance specifically to find him made Song Qingshu deeply uneasy.

“I have some doubts that need to be verified at the Golden Serpent Camp,” Zhang Sanfeng replied, a trace of worry flashing across his face, clearly unwilling to elaborate.

Song Qingshu wanted to probe further, but Ren Yingying suddenly began coughing. 

Zhang Sanfeng quickly said, “Miss Ren’s cold poison must not be delayed. Let us find an inn in the nearest town so I can treat her injuries.”

“Alright!” Seeing her once-radiant face now pale, Song Qingshu knew her condition couldn’t wait. If the cold poison reached her dantian, heart, or crown, even with his and Zhang Sanfeng’s combined efforts, it might be incurable. 

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