Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 562: Invitation

‘Last time on Mount Tai, he defeated both Chongxu and Zuo Lengchan. I thought it was mere luck, but I didn’t expect his martial skills to have reached such heights. No, I must acquire the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual quickly; only then will I have the ability to stand on equal footing with these individuals.’ Yue Buqun’s gaze flickered with determination.

‘So, it’s my benefactor. No wonder his martial arts are so formidable.’ Lin Pingzhi’s face lit up with joy. 

Over this period, he had diligently practiced the sword techniques passed down by Song Qingshu, feeling a significant improvement in his skills. With hopes of revenge reignited, he now viewed Song as a savior.

Yue Lingshan’s face reddened slightly as she recalled the handsome young man who had once teased her on Mount Hua. 

‘It hasn’t been that long, yet that mischievous boy has transformed into a figure with the bearing of a true master,’ she thought, momentarily lost in her memories.

‘It’s no surprise he would come to our rescue, but not only did I fail to repay his past kindness, I now owe him once more.’ Li Mochou’s expression grew odd as she remembered how he had claimed to be a son-in-law of the Ancient Tomb Sect.

Mu Wanqing, meanwhile, bit her lip and stared at Song Qingshu, her eyes brimming with tears. ‘No wonder he felt so familiar. That scoundrel, he’s been pretending to be oblivious all along just to toy with me.’

Seeing everyone’s reactions, Song Qingshu felt a sudden unease—this wasn’t how the script was supposed to go! 

Wishing to keep his identity hidden, he forced himself to say calmly, “No wonder you’d feel that way. The Golden Serpent King’s martial prowess has transcended human limits.” He spoke with a reminiscent expression. “I once heard he defeated all the heroes at the Golden Serpent Assembly, making him legendary in the martial world. Unconvinced, I challenged him at his own camp, only to be defeated in a single move.”

Hearing his words, spoken with such apparent sincerity, the group began to waver.

Zhang San sneered, “One move? With your skills, how could you lose in just one?” Though not entirely certain of his opponent’s identity, Zhang San had deliberately called out the name “Song Qingshu” as a test. But Song’s response left him feeling even more uncertain.

“At our level, we know the outcome after just one exchange. What difference is there between one and a hundred moves?” Song Qingshu sighed mysteriously, noticing the admiration on everyone’s faces as he basked in their awe.

Zhang San and Li Si exchanged thoughtful glances, agreeing inwardly with Song’s reasoning. Indeed, at their level, a fight’s result was often clear from the outset.

“Is the Golden Serpent King truly so powerful?” Zhang San asked skeptically.

“Feel free to test him yourselves,” Song Qingshu replied with a faint smile.

Zhang San and Li Si instinctively shook their heads. There was no way they would provoke such a battle; if they couldn’t even handle this man, the Golden Serpent King was certainly beyond them. Perhaps it was time to remove him from their target list.

“But the Ancient Tomb Sect’s martial arts have their limits. Even if Lin Chaoying were resurrected, she might not reach your level of skill.” Zhang San’s gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on Song Qingshu. “Who are you, really?”

“Are you an expert on the Ancient Tomb Sect’s martial arts, that you think you know their limits so well?” Song Qingshu chuckled.

A hint of pride appeared on Zhang San’s face as he spoke confidently, “The Ancient Tomb Sect’s martial arts, while unique, don’t qualify it as a great sect. Its range of techniques is limited. The core is the Infinity Web Stance, and its fist technique, Maiden Fist, isn’t worth mentioning. The Jade Maiden Swordplay and Golden Bell Belt are decent but not top-tier. As for its most advanced technique, the Jade Heart Sutra, though ingenious, has a highly dangerous cultivation process and is still inferior to the top internal arts of other sects, like the Marrow Cleansing Scripture,Nine Yang Divine Art, Nine Yin Scripture, and Sunflower Manual. The sect does have noteworthy techniques in hidden weaponry, like the Jade Bee Needles and Frozen Soul Silver Needles, which are highly feared in the martial world.”

Li Mochou was astonished by Zhang San’s detailed knowledge of her sect. The Ancient Tomb Sect had always been mysterious and kept a low profile, yet he knew it so well. She again realized just how fearsome the Isle of Heroes truly was.

Zhang San finished his list with confidence. “None of those techniques has the power of the ones you displayed.”

Even Li Mochou nodded subtly. She had seen her master in action before, but her master’s skills likely weren’t even as strong as the Enforcers of Good and Evil, much less this mysterious masked man.

Song Qingshu remained unperturbed, smiling calmly. “Martial arts are ultimately a tool, and their effectiveness depends on the person wielding them. Long ago, the Taizu Zhao Kuangyin used a simple fist style to remain undefeated, and Lin Yuantu of the Fortune Escort Service relied on a straightforward Evil Exterminating Sword Manual to sweep across the South. Doesn’t this prove that the person mastering the skill matters more than the skill itself?”

He deliberately brought up the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual as a warning to Yue Buqun and Lin Pingzhi, hoping to prevent them from obsessing over it and repeating the tragic outcomes of the original story.

Unexpectedly, Zhang San retorted, “Zhao Kuangyin is one thing; he was exceptional. But Lin Yuantu’s Evil Exterminating Sword Manual back then was not the same mediocre technique that Lin Zhennan’s family recently used before they were wiped out.” He glanced pointedly at the members of the Mount Hua Sect, then fell silent.

Zhang San’s words stirred intense emotions within Yue Buqun and Lin Pingzhi. 

‘I was right; there are two versions of the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual. One is genuine, and the other—the one Lin Zhennan practiced—was just a façade.’ Yue Buqun’s hand trembled slightly with excitement. With the real manual, he could lead the Mount Hua Sect to stand proudly in the martial world, no longer subservient to others.

Lin Pingzhi, equally moved, vowed silently, ‘Father, Mother, I’ll find the true Evil Exterminating Sword Manual and avenge the disgrace suffered by the Fortune Escort Agency.’

Observing their reactions, Song Qingshu sighed inwardly, ‘Plans can’t keep up with changes. So be it; let things unfold naturally.’

Song Qingshu coughed and said, “While you may know quite a bit about the Ancient Tomb Sect’s techniques, it’s only a superficial understanding. The sect’s martial arts are as vast as the sea, far beyond what you mentioned. The most profound skills, like Guanyin Sits on the Lotus, the Eighteen Techniques of Dissolution, and the Nine Layers of Ice and Fire, are not something you’d have the privilege to experience. Instead, allow me to demonstrate the Jade Maiden Pure Heart Swordplay from the Ancient Tomb Sect.”

“Jade Maiden Pure Heart Swordplay?” Zhang San and Li Si exchanged glances, surprised. They hadn’t heard of any of these techniques before, and even Li Mochou was puzzled, wondering when such strange techniques had become part of the sect’s repertoire.

Suppressing his amusement, Song Qingshu approached Li Mochou. “As a disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect, you should be familiar with the Jade Maiden Swordplay.”

“Of course,” Li Mochou nodded instinctively.

“Then, if I may, allow me to borrow your skill, Fairy, to defeat these two enforcers with the authentic Jade Maiden Pure Heart Swordplay.” Song Qingshu struck a pose reminiscent of a gentleman inviting a lady to dance.

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