Song Qingshu understood what this guy was trying to do very clearly. Zhang Zhaozhong was obviously aiming for this woman from the start, and he was only using Song Qingshu as a pretext.
Song Qingshu couldnât help but feel a little strange, he didnât know whether he should feel angry or curious about what this guy wanted to achieve from this.
A trace of anger flashed across Sang Feihongâs face, and she scolded, âDoes Master Zhang want to create a show of robbing a civilian woman in broad daylight? Sisters, pack your things and letâs go.â After speaking, she turned to the troupe and the group of people started to pack up.
âWant to leave?â Zhang Zhaozhong sneered. He jumped and stopped in front of the other party.
âI have heard of Master Zhangâs reputation as a Fiery Hand Judge for a long time, and this one would never dare to test it.â Sang Feihong did not expect the other party to be so shameless.
âYou guys leave first.â She asked the others to go out first.
She had a clear plan in her heart. She has never been weak in movement technique, and depending on the situation, it would actually be quite easy for her to fight or escape. On the contrary, if these sisters under her command were to be used by Zhang Zhaozhong to threaten her, she would fall into a dilemma.
Song Qingshu didnât expect such a petite woman to be quite good in martial arts. He saw her suddenly shoot forward and raised her feet like a mandarin duck raising its tail. It seemed that most of her martial arts were focused on the legs.
âWhat an exquisite Mandarin Duck Kick!â Zhang Zhaozhongâs eyes lit up. His original intention was capturing Sang Feihong. Naturally, he didnât care about the rest of the troupe getting away.
The two fought for more than ten moves, and Song Qingshu had already become quite clear about the end result. Although Sang Feihong had exquisite leg techniques, she was quite weak in terms of physical strength. After parrying Zhang Zhaozhongâs palm strikes a few times, an expression of pain flashed on her face, and she quickly changed her mind. From now on she would use a more fancy way of fighting, and unless it was a last resort, she would never confront Zhang Zhaozhong again.
If it wasnât for Zhang Zhaozhong not wanting to seriously injure her, Sang Feihong would have been captured long ago. At that moment, Song Qingshu gave a laugh,âMaster Zhangâs martial arts skills seem to be from the Wudang Sect, and I also happen to know a bit about it. How about we compare our skills for a bit?â After saying that Song Qingshu didnât wait for him to answer, he directly used the Wudang Tiger Claw and stopped between the two.
Sang Feihong was gradually falling into a disadvantage and was starting to feel anxious in her heart. Suddenly, a young man appeared in front of her with his left hand still behind his back and he made a secret gesture towards her to run away.
Zhang Zhaozhong was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood that the other party was intending to let Sang Feihong escape. But he was not annoyed. Instead, he smiled, âMaster Song is one of the top experts in the world. It would be an honor to compare our skills.â Then he readied his Claw and parried the attack.
The two men exchanged several movesâTiger Claw against Tiger Claw, Wudang Silk Palm against Wudang Silk Palm, and they started to deeply admire each otherâs accomplishments.
âLetâs stop fighting. Lord Song has been merciful, how can the lower officials not know.â Zhang Zhaozhong laughed and jumped out of the battle circle.
âMaster Zhang is an expert of Wudang martial arts, but may I know which branch of Wudang did you learn them from?â Song Qingshu asked in confusion. He naturally knew that Zhang Zhaozhong was not a direct descendant of Purple Cloud Temple. Although there were many branches of the Wudang Sect, what Zhang Zhaozhong learned was the authentic martial arts of the Wudang Sect. Naturally, it was not something that some small branches could teach.
âTaoist Ma Zhen was my Senior Brother.â Zhang Zhaozhong didnât show any respect for his Senior Brother.
âIt turns out that it is Taoist Ma Zhen. In terms of seniority, Master Zhang should be my martial-uncle.â Song Qingshu said in a depressed tone.
Zhang Zhaozhong laughed and said, âAs the saying goes, strength comes first. Based on the realm of your martial arts, you would be giving me face if you said that were equals. Besides, I have already been expelled from the Sect by my Senior Brother, so I canât be regarded as a part of Wudang.â
âOh?â Song Qingshu raised his eyebrows, âIf thatâs the case, then we are indeed both exiles from Wudang.â After speaking, he couldnât help laughing.
Zhang Zhaozhong obviously didnât take the Wudang Sect that seriously, and said with a smile, âLord Song, do you know why I took the initiative to let you borrow my sword at the banquet last night?â
âCould it be because I am also an exile from Wudang?â Song Qingshu said with a weird smile.
Zhang Zhao nodded his head, âYes. Lord Song is highly skilled in martial arts, although I admired you for that, I donât feel close. On the contrary, I later learned that that Song was also banished from Wudang⊠Hehe, I felt a sense of intimacy.â
âThis identity has really bothered me for a long time. Itâs rare to see a brother in the same boat,â Song Qingshu said, and hugged Zhang Zhaozhongâs shoulders, âLetâs stop calling each other Lord Song and Lord Zhang! Iâll call you Brother Zhang. Wouldnât it be better to call me Brother Song as well?â Song Qingshu subconsciously thought of Wei Xiaobao, he had learned the ability to âmake brothersâ from him.
Considering that the other partyâs official rank was much higher than him, Zhang Zhaozhong said with great joy after a momentâs surprise, âWho dares to disobey!â He quickly ordered his subordinates to prepare wine and food.
The two chatted while drinking wine, first about the Wudang Sect to the various masters of wulin, and finally Song Qingshu brought up the topic about Prince Baoâs Palace.
Zhang Zhaozhong was slightly drunk and said, âPrince Bao has recruited experts from all over the world over the years. Although there are no martial artists at the master level, he has more or less gathered a lot of capable people. You must have seen that Yu Zhenzi, although he was easily defeated in your hands, but his martial arts is indeed extraordinary. He was someone who was able to tie with Yuan Chengzhi, the Golden Serpent King.â AS he said that, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
Song Qingshu understood what this guy was thinking. Obviously, the other party didnât understand why Yu Zhenzi was so embarrassingly defeated despite his realm of martial arts. Song Qingshu naturally didnât want to clarify the reason, so he just smiled and listened to the other party continue speaking.
âThe next person would be me. Although, my martial art is only so-so. In the entire palace, except for Yu Zhenzi, I have the highest martial arts.â Zhang Zhaozhong snorted and continued, âBut there might be a few masters of the same level as us, such as the Golden Grasping Iron Hook Bai Zhen, who has a single hand, and is an expert in the Eagle Claw, which is extremely fierce. The general of the palace is also quite powerful, he is considered the number one master among the people of the palace. There is Hai Lanbi and Debu, who have the title of guards, and their martial arts skills are also good. As for the other so-called masters, they may not be worth mentioning in your eyes, Brother Song.â
Song Qingshuâs heart moved, and he pretended to ask unintentionally, âHow about Tian Guinong, the head of Heavenly Dragon Sect, I heard that he is also a master under Prince Bao.â
âTian Guinong?â Zhang Zhaozhong smiled, âHis martial arts is really quite good, but some time ago, he might have somehow offended the Prince. The Prince imprisoned him and tortured him every day. Iâm afraid he will be removed from the palace in the future.â
âSo Tian Guinong is really locked up in Prince Baoâs Palace?â Song Qingshu frowned. Although he had guessed as much before, now that it has been confirmed, he still felt that the matter was quite thorny. But on second thought, he was here to save Xia Qingqing, so even if Prince Baoâs mansion is a Tigerâs Den, he would have to break into it. Saving another person didnât seem like a big deal.
âItâs a pity that his wife, whose name is famous all over Shengjing, will probably be left alone in the future.â Zhang Zhaozhong showed a gloating expression on his face.
âIs his wife beautiful?â Song Qingshu asked knowingly.
âSheâs more than beautiful, hehe, you may not know, but which of our colleagues doesnât drool thinking of his sweet wife? During Tian Guinongâs misfortune, everyone thought it was an opportunity. But since the Heir also has his eyes on her, we naturally donât dare to make a move.â Zhang Zhaozhong suddenly looked regretful, âBrother Song can go to Tian Mansion to see if you have time, and you will know that what I said is true.â
âHe he⊠I really want to go and see.â Song Qingshu smiled inwardly, âI will do more than just seeing, I have already played with every inch of her skinâŠâ
âItâs only natural for Brother Song to be young and romantic.â Seeing his eyes light up, Zhang Zhaozhong felt it was necessary to remind him, âFor now, it doesnât matter if you touch a woman like Sang Feihong, but for Madame Tian, ââBrother, it would be best for you to only take a look. She will be in the Heirâs pocket sooner or later, and it would be unwise to offend him for a woman.â
âThank you Brother Zhang for reminding me. Come, let me give you a toast,â Song Qingshu asked suspiciously after putting down the wine glass, âJust now, I saw that you seemed to be deliberately targeting that Sang FeihongâŠâ
âIt was because the Prince felt that there were many unfamiliar faces in Shengjing recently, and he specially ordered me to check it out. That Sang Feihong, donât be fooled by her young and delicate appearance, she is a woman from the wulin. She is the famous leader of the Five Lakes Sect.â Zhang Zhaozhong explained.
âFive Lakes Sect?â Song Qingshu was in charge of the Pole Arms, and naturally had a general understanding of the sects in the Manchu Qing Dynasty, âArenât they just a sect of performers, what kind of threat do they pose to Prince Bao?â
Zhang Zhaozhong sneered and said, âI just wanted to give her to my Brother as a welcome gift. How could I know that you pity flowers and let her go on purpose.â
Song Qingshu also felt a little embarrassed, said with an embarrassed look on his face, âYou saw through it.â
âIt doesnât matter, isnât it just a woman? Come, drink, drinkâŠâ Zhang Zhaozhong did not take this matter to heart. One Sang Feihong left today, and another Zi Feihong will come tomorrow. He wasnât worried that there would be no women, not to mention that he had managed to befriend Song Qingshu through this, which would bring many benefits for him in the future.
Song Qingshu suddenly remembered something, and reminded him in a low voice, âBrother Zhang, you should also know the relationship between Prince Bao and the Emperor. You and I appear very close now, and if it falls into the eyes of someone who has bad intentions, I am afraid it will be a little disadvantageous to you. â
A hint of warmth flashed in Zhang Zhaozhongâs heart, and he lowered his voice and said bluntly, âBrother Song treats me with sincerity, and I will not hide it from you. I took the initiative to invite you today by the Princeâs command.â
âWhat?â Song Qingshu was startled, could it be some kind of trap?
âDonât worry, the Prince just asked me to create a good relationship with you, saying that I might be able to get some information in the future.â Zhang Zhaozhong said with a smile, âBut you and I have a relationship with the Wudang Sect, so I will naturally not harm you.â
Song Qingshu smiled reluctantly, but the doubts in his heart were not resolved. Zhang Zhaozhongâs greed and viciousness in the original book left a deep impression on him. He could even kill his own Senior Brother, who he knew for seven or eight layers.
âMaybe he really feels empathetic, thatâs why he is so enthusiastic about befriending me today?â
At that moment, the sound of broken porcelain came from the backyard. Although they were far apart, they were both experts, so they could hear it clearly. Soon a servant ran over, âMaster, the Miss is losing her temper again.â