Flower Stealing Master

Zhang Sanfeng planned to head to the Golden Serpent Camp. Due to Ren Yingying’s earlier lies, Zhang Sanfeng decided to take her along. 

Song Qingshu, concerned that Ah Jiu and Xia Qingqing wouldn’t manage on their own, took the opportunity to join them on the journey.

Suo Etu’s destination was also the Golden Serpent Camp. Traveling alongside a martial arts legend like Zhang Sanfeng was a dream come true for him, especially since the earlier assassination attempt had left him utterly terrified.

As for Ah Zi, after being subjected to Song Qingshu’s Bewitching Technique, she had come to view him as her master. Naturally, wherever Song Qingshu went, she would follow. You Tanzhi, though reluctant, couldn’t bear to part with Ah Zi, so he trailed along in sulky silence.

The group soon settled at an inn in a nearby town. Suo Etu, grateful to have survived, was in high spirits and insisted on covering all the expenses. He treated Zhang Sanfeng, Song Qingshu, and Ren Yingying as honored guests, sparing no expense in arranging the best rooms and meals for them.

However, the three of them had no mind to enjoy these luxuries. 

Ren Yingying was trembling more and more violently, a clear sign that the cold poison in her body was becoming uncontrollable.

“Young friend, when you help Miss Ren dispel the poison later, remember to light several braziers in the room. It will enhance the effectiveness,” Zhang Sanfeng advised Song Qingshu.

“Esteemed Zhang, your skills are unparalleled. How could I dare show off my meager abilities? It would be better if you handled this,” Song Qingshu replied hastily. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Zhang Sanfeng smiled and shook his head. “The young lady plans to cancel her engagement with Qingshu and does not wish to owe Wudang a favor. It is understandable. In that case, it would be inappropriate for me to intervene.”

“Esteemed Zhang…” Ren Yingying’s pale face turned slightly red, a mix of shyness and embarrassment.

“There’s no need to worry, Miss Ren. Marriage is a lifelong matter, and mutual affection is most important. If you have no feelings for Qingshu, forcing the union would be unfair to both of you,” Zhang Sanfeng said with a sigh. He rose and headed for the door. “Young friend, focus on removing the cold poison from Miss Ren. I will keep watch in the next room to ensure you are not disturbed.”

“Thank you, Esteemed Zhang,” Song Qingshu and Ren Yingying said in unison, bowing as he left.

Once the room was left to just the two of them, Song Qingshu and Ren Yingying found themselves staring at each other in silence.

Eventually, it was Ren Yingying who couldn’t bear it. Blushing, she averted her gaze and whispered, “Senior…”

“Miss Ren, you owe me an explanation,” Song Qingshu said, noting how her bashful demeanor unexpectedly made her all the more alluring.

Ren Yingying’s face flushed slightly as she quickly explained, “I already have someone I love. Unfortunately, my father betrothed me to the Golden Serpent King, Song Qingshu…” She briefly recounted the situation. “I had no other choice but to take such drastic measures. I hope Senior can help me.”

Song Qingshu snorted noncommittally. “That Linghu Chong of yours—does his martial arts surpass Song Qingshu’s?”

Ren Yingying shook her head slightly. “Although Brother Chong’s swordsmanship is excellent, it is far inferior to that of Song Qingshu.”

A faint smile flickered across Song Qingshu’s lips. “Rumor has it that the Golden Serpent King, Song Qingshu, was once called the ‘Jade-Faced Mengchang,’ a renowned handsome man in the martial world. Could it be that your Linghu Chong is as stunning as Pan An or Song Yu reborn?”

Ren Yingying blushed again but shook her head. “In terms of appearance, Brother Chong is merely passable. But in my eyes, he is more handsome than any other man because of my feelings for him.”

For reasons unknown, Song Qingshu felt a surge of irritation. He snorted. “If he’s so great, why don’t you find him? Why drag me into this mess?”

Ren Yingying sighed softly. “Brother Chong must have gone into hiding after hearing about my engagement to Song Qingshu. I’ve searched for a long time but haven’t found any trace of him. This time, meeting Esteemed Zhang and you was a rare opportunity, so I…”

“So, you decided to use me?” Song Qingshu huffed. “You’re certainly cunning, young lady. With Esteemed Zhang and a mysterious expert backing you, even Song Qingshu would have no choice but to annul the engagement. But why should I help you? Song Qingshu now commands a powerful army and is a top-tier expert in the martial world. Why should I provoke such a formidable enemy for no reason?”

“Senior…” Ren Yingying’s heart raced with anxiety. Just as she was about to say something, a sudden surge of coldness spread through her body, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.

Song Qingshu immediately grabbed her wrist to check her pulse and frowned slightly. “Fine, fine. You win. I’ll help you, for the sake of two lovers. As for the Golden Serpent King, offending him is a risk I’ll take.”

“Thank…thank you, Senior,” Ren Yingying said through chattering teeth.

“Stop talking. I’ll expel the cold poison from your body now.” Song Qingshu reached out, pulling her into his arms. He sat down with her on his lap, one hand pressing against her abdomen and the other against her chest. Two streams of intense True Qi began flowing into her body.

Ren Yingying was horrified. “Senior…what are you doing?”

“Expelling the cold poison,” Song Qingshu replied calmly.

With their bodies so close, Ren Yingying was enveloped by his overwhelming masculine presence. She could even faintly hear his heartbeat. Biting her lip, she asked hesitantly, “Do we really have to…use this posture?”

Song Qingshu’s face remained expressionless. “Don’t overthink it. The key to removing the cold poison is to prevent it from invading the dantian, chest, or crown. As long as these areas remain secure, the cold poison can be expelled. Otherwise, external help will be futile.

“Years ago, when Zhang Wuji was struck by the Xuanming Divine Palm as a child, the cold poison invaded these three areas. Even with Esteemed Zhang’s unparalleled skills, he couldn’t dispel it. If not for Zhang Wuji later stumbling upon the Nine Yang Scripture, he might have frozen to death long ago.”

“Because of the delays caused by the Mount Song Sect and Shaolin Temple, we were only able to suppress the poison temporarily. Now, the cold poison in your body has reached its peak and is poised to retaliate. If I follow conventional methods, the poison might strike back and invade your dantian. That’s why I’m using this posture to ensure that my True Qi continuously protects your dantian and chest. This way, the cold poison will have no chance to act.”

“But…” Ren Yingying bit her lip. “But men and women should maintain propriety.”

“I’m a healer right now. To a doctor, there is no distinction of gender,” Song Qingshu said indifferently. “If the cold poison isn’t completely removed, even if you survive, it might affect your ability to conceive in the future. Do you plan to live out your days childless with your beloved?” 

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