Chapter 612: Kindred Spirits

The vulgar tone naturally came from Qinghai Yixiao, while the one attempting to mediate was Chu Hongliu.

“Who are you? Do you intend to harm my father?” Wu Yunzhu’s almond-shaped eyes widened in anger as she glared at the pair.

Qinghai Yixiao and Chu Hongliu exchanged glances before bursting into hearty laughter. “Hahaha, this is truly a case of the heavens sending us a gift without effort.”

Nalan Rongruo gave the young woman beside him a displeased look. “Miss, you’re usually so clever. Why are you being so foolish today?”

“Didn’t you notice I was deliberately stalling them with my words?” Wu Yunzhu replied, staring at him in confusion.

“Why?” Nalan Rongruo was now the one surprised.

“From what they just said, there must be a larger conspiracy against my father. I’m worried he won’t be able to handle it alone, so I thought I’d help by distracting a few of the experts here,” Wu Yunzhu explained matter-of-factly.

“Uh…” Nalan Rongruo was momentarily speechless. “But you’ve exposed your identity. What if you end up in danger?”

“Aren’t you here?” Wu Yunzhu looked at him as if it were obvious. “From their attire and demeanor, they clearly resemble the cannon fodder characters in martial arts novels. You’re an elite imperial guard; surely you can handle two such minor figures?”

Hearing this, Qinghai Yixiao was instantly enraged.

“You little girl, your hair is long but your knowledge is short. Do you not know my reputation? I, Qinghai Yixiao, have roamed the martial world for years. Do you think that was all for nothing?”

“Is your name famous? Why haven’t I ever heard of you?” Wu Yunzhu furrowed her delicate brows in apparent confusion.

Under normal circumstances, Qinghai Yixiao wouldn’t waste time arguing; he’d strike them down with a single slash. But seeing the young woman before him—a delicate and pampered noble lady—he found his anger dissipating. “Hmph, it’s normal you haven’t heard of me. You’re not part of the martial world.”

“But I’ve heard of the Golden Serpent King, Song Qingshu. Between the two of you, who’s more renowned in the martial world?” Wu Yunzhu tilted her head, her expression innocent as she gazed at him.

Qinghai Yixiao’s face darkened. In the past, he might have boasted and belittled Song Qingshu, but after witnessing the man’s otherworldly skills during their last encounter, he didn’t dare say a word.

Embarrassed by Wu Yunzhu’s casual remark, Qinghai Yixiao couldn’t vent his frustration on her, so he turned to Nalan Rongruo and sneered. “So you’re an elite imperial guard? You must be highly skilled.”

Watching Qinghai Yixiao feign ignorance of Wu Yunzhu’s words, Song Qingshu, hidden in the tree, couldn’t help but chuckle. He wondered whether Wu Yunzhu was naturally naive or cunningly sharp, as her remark seemed to deliver a massive blow to Qinghai Yixiao’s ego.

Nalan Rongruo hesitated before responding, “Imperial guards prioritize clean family backgrounds. All members must come from distinguished noble families.”

Wu Yunzhu huffed in dissatisfaction. “Why are you belittling yourself while praising others?”

Nalan Rongruo replied helplessly, “But it’s the truth.”

“You’re infuriating!” Wu Yunzhu stomped her foot. Though they’d grown up together, her feelings for him were conflicted. While she harbored some fondness, his mild and unassertive demeanor fell far short of the heroic image she admired.

Qinghai Yixiao burst into laughter. “So, you’re just a weakling!” Without finishing his laugh, he lunged with a silent thrust of his slender sword.

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Nalan Rongruo quickly drew his sword but lost the initiative, falling into a disadvantageous position.

Wu Yunzhu stomped her foot in frustration. “How shameless can you be? Aren’t you a renowned senior in the martial world? How can you resort to a sneak attack?”

She then turned to Nalan Rongruo. “Brother Nalan, it’s clear they mean us harm. Couldn’t you have been more prepared?”

Qinghai Yixiao chuckled. “Little girl, what do you know about those of us who live by the blade? If we clung to martial ethics, our bones would have long turned cold. Only those like me laugh until the end. You don’t need to be afraid. I won’t kill you. I, Qinghai Yixiao, have had my share of women, but I’ve never had the pleasure of a pampered young lady like yourself. The thought alone excites me.”

Nalan Rongruo’s handsome face flushed with anger, and his sword techniques became more aggressive, gradually regaining some ground.

Wu Yunzhu’s face turned pale with fury. “Shameless! Vile! Despicable!”

“Haha, curse all you want. The more you curse, the more excited I’ll be later,” Qinghai Yixiao jeered. “I’ll deal with this pretty boy first, so he doesn’t ruin our fun.”

His tone turned sinister as his swordplay grew increasingly erratic. Nalan Rongruo struggled to cope. In the original text, Qinghai Yixiao’s unorthodox moves had subdued even the head of the Mount Tai Sect in an instant. Though Nalan Rongruo’s skills were commendable for his age, they couldn’t compare to the prowess of a sect leader.

A significant opening soon appeared in his defense. Qinghai Yixiao grinned wickedly and thrust his sword toward a vital point.

Frowning, Song Qingshu was about to intervene—though he had no deep ties with Nalan Rongruo, letting such a famed figure from history die here seemed inappropriate. Just as he was about to flick a leaf to disrupt the attack, he noticed Qinghai Yixiao abruptly withdraw his sword and seal Nalan Rongruo’s acupoints instead.

“Huh?” Song Qingshu paused in curiosity, retracting the leaf.

“Why didn’t you kill him?” Chu Hongliu asked, puzzled. From his perspective, eliminating Nalan Rongruo, who knew martial arts, would prevent unnecessary complications.

“You don’t understand, Master Chu. I have a peculiar hobby,” Qinghai Yixiao replied with a sinister grin. “Simply having a woman is too dull. It’s far more thrilling to def!le her in front of her husband, watching his helpless fury and her struggle between morality and desire. That look of humiliation and despair is simply unmatched.”

Song Qingshu’s expression turned odd.

‘How is this guy even more twisted than me?’

Chu Hongliu’s eyes lit up as he gave Qinghai Yixiao a thumbs-up. “Truly a kindred spirit!”

Though the Chu Manor’s past involved robbery and the def!lement of w0men, they were careful to leave no witnesses. However, after joining the Red Flower Society under Yuan Chengzhi, Chu Hongliu had restrained himself. Qinghai Yixiao’s actions today reignited long-suppressed desires.

“These two aren’t husband and wife, but it’s clear the pretty boy has feelings for the girl, and she may not be indifferent to him either. Perfect,” Qinghai Yixiao smirked and turned to Chu Hongliu. “Master Chu, would you like to go first?”

“The catch is yours. I wouldn’t dare.” Though Chu Hongliu was tempted by Wu Yunzhu’s beauty, he knew Qinghai Yixiao was simply being polite. As his martial arts were inferior, he wouldn’t dare overstep.

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Qinghai Yixiao rubbed his hands together as he advanced toward Wu Yunzhu. “Little beauty, here I come.”

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