Chapter 497: Choices of Various Factions - Flower Stealing Master

“‘Fu*k’ is a word that represents countless vulgar and dirty words and actions. You’re still a child, so don’t ask too much.” Yuan Ziyi explained a few sentences, feeling somewhat at a loss and had to feign impatience.

“Oh.” Ah Qing nodded, seemingly understanding but still confused.

“By the way, Ah Qing, you were about to win just now. Why did that scoundrel suddenly turn the tables?” Yuan Ziyi suddenly remembered and asked the question that had been puzzling her.

“I don’t know why. Just when I was halfway through my move, I suddenly felt my whole body heat up, a strange heat flow surging inside me. Somehow, my body softened…” Thinking of that peculiar feeling at the time, Ah Qing’s little face unintentionally blushed again.

“Could that scoundrel have used some kind of poison? So shameless!” Yuan Ziyi was shaking with anger. However, being an inexperienced maiden, she didn’t realize that Ah Qing’s symptoms were not caused by poison…

Standing on the stage, Song Qingshu cleared his throat and continued, “Now no one thinks I’m a spy, right?”

The heroes in the audience nodded in agreement. Song Qingshu’s earlier words were undoubtedly a grave offense, punishable by the extermination of his entire clan. If he were truly a spy, no matter how great his contributions, he wouldn’t escape death. Naturally, no one believed he was a spy sent by Kangxi.

Seeing Xuan Cheng’s livid face and silence, Song Qingshu sneered, “Master Xuan Cheng, you swore earlier that Master Shi Li was not colluding with the court. Do you dare to swear by the Buddha that if he was, Shaolin monks would not enter the Western Paradise after death and would all descend into the hell of tongue-pulling?”

“You!” Xuan Cheng’s face turned red. Though he believed Master Shi Li was not a Qing court spy, it was undeniable that Qingliang Temple accepted the court’s grant. He didn’t dare to make such a vicious vow.

“Hmph, let’s go!” Xuan Cheng snorted angrily, knowing that staying longer would only bring more trouble. He decisively led the Shaolin monks away.

“Leader Yu, do you want me to expose your deeds to the public?” Having driven away Xuan Cheng, Song Qingshu turned to the Red Flower Society group.

It was a good opportunity to eliminate the Red Flower Society. However, besides Yu Wanting and a few others, most of them were still upright men. Song Qingshu was not a ruthless butcher. Moreover, although he knew Yu Wanting’s conspiracy clearly, he had no concrete evidence. A confrontation wouldn’t end quickly. Lastly, Ah Qing was still among the Red Flower Society…

Yu Wanting’s expression changed several times. After a while, he gritted his teeth and said, “Let’s go.”

Now that Xuan Cheng was gone, he was in a weak position and staying would be useless. He had already decided to use the forces of the Tianshan’s Hui Tribe to counterattack the Central Plains and avenge the shame brought by Song Qingshu.

As Yuan Ziyi pulled Ah Qing away, she couldn’t help but look back at the figure on the stage, “Big brother, will you come to the Western Regions to see me?”

“I will, I will definitely come to see you!” Song Qingshu’s eyes sparkled, thinking of the Tianshan’s Hui Tribe’s Young and Great Khans, and the Ming Sect’s Bright Peak…

Seeing Song Qingshu’s promise, Ah Qing smiled happily and waved excitedly at him.

“That rascal really knows how to charm women!” Seeing Ah Qing’s reluctant look, Huang Rong felt extremely complex. “If Ah Qing truly becomes his, who in the world could stand against them?”

Zeng Rou noticed Zhou Zhiruo’s slightly jealous expression and said, “Sister, if Ah Qing bullies me in the future, you must stand up for me.”

Zhou Zhiruo blushed and said, “Her martial arts are so high, I can barely protect myself. Who will have time to take care of you?”

…

Having successfully driven away the two largest opposing forces, Song Qingshu turned leisurely to the three seated leaders of the Golden Serpent Camp, “It seems you disagree with me becoming the Golden Serpent King?”

Upon hearing his words, Chu Hongliu from Thousand Willow Manor, Sha Tongtian from Evil Tiger Gorge, and Meng Bofei the Gai Mengchang felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave. They quickly knelt and said, “Greetings to the Golden Serpent King!”

The three exchanged glances, understanding each other’s thoughts. Song Qingshu had just killed Master Shi Li in a blink of an eye. Who knew if opposing him would result in immediate death?

Given their factions, they couldn’t align with Song Qingshu. They decided to appear obedient on the surface to avoid trouble, planning to disobey later when the opportunity arose.

Their scheming did not escape Song Qingshu’s keen eyes. Even without mind-reading skills, he could guess their thoughts. However, he didn’t mind. In the face of absolute strength, schemes were mere jokes. Besides, he had already planned how to deal with them.

Aside from the deceased Master Shi Li, the remaining eleven leaders of the Golden Serpent Camp, though harboring different intentions, all pledged their loyalty to him publicly. Thus, the coronation of the Golden Serpent King began. Due to the looming enemy, the ceremony was kept simple.

During this time, Wudang and Emei sects were the first to express their willingness to stay and help the Golden Serpent Camp against the invading Qing army. Following them, the Prince Mu Palace also agreed. Although the Heaven and Earth Society was closely related to the Red Flower Society, its leader Chen Jinnan knew how to distinguish between personal grudges and greater good. Moreover, he was friends with Song Qingshu and respected Ah Jiu, so he also agreed to stay and help.

Ren Yingying, fearing an encounter with Song Qingshu, used Linghu Chong’s severe injury as an excuse to leave hurriedly with her followers.

The Sun Moon Holy Cult wasn’t known for anti-Qing sentiments. It would have been strange if Ren Yingying had stayed to help, as people might suspect she had a relationship with Song Qingshu.

At the Lion-slaying Assembly, Song Qingshu and Zhou Zhiruo had become enemies with the Beggar Gang. Thus, the Beggar Gang members didn’t show much goodwill. While they could congratulate him for Huang Rong’s sake, they wouldn’t stay to help against the Qing army.

The Mount Song Sect, always at odds with Song Qingshu, left hastily after the ceremony.

The Quanzhen Sect also left quickly after the ceremony, citing the need to return to Chongyang Palace for Qiu Chuji’s recovery.

Most of the remaining people were wandering fighters. Some stayed to help, while others left. However, only a small portion chose to stay, as the Qing army’s mobilization of 100,000 troops was daunting. These martial artists didn’t dare risk their lives.

“Brother Song, if you don’t mind, I, Xiao, am willing to stay and lend a hand.”

A hearty laugh rang out, causing many present to change their expressions.