Chapter 626: An Unexpected Encounter

Ever since leaving the temple, Xuan Cheng had encountered countless masters in the martial world. Yet, with his mastery of thirteen Shaolin techniques, he was an unstoppable force, overcoming all obstacles—except for Song Qingshu.

Recalling the repeated setbacks he had suffered at Song Qingshu’s hands, Xuan Cheng felt a sense of frustration welling up in his chest. In his leisure time, he often treated Song Qingshu as an imaginary rival, analyzing and countering his techniques. Naturally, he was intimately familiar with Song Qingshu’s martial arts style.

Since the fall of the Sword Saint Feng Qingyang, few swordsmen in the martial world could catch Xuan Cheng’s eye. However, the sword strike just now had left even him momentarily dazzled. His first reaction was to think of Song Qingshu.

Hearing Xuan Cheng’s exclamation, the crowd reacted with mixed emotions.

Wu Yunzhu’s face lit up with delight, while Zuo Lengchan and others looked grim.

Noticing the stiffness of the figure in his arms, Song Qingshu smiled faintly. “Master, are you perhaps referring to the Golden Serpent King, whose reputation has been rising rapidly in the martial world?”

Due to his sensitive identity, Song Qingshu had no intention of revealing himself and was determined not to admit it.

“Huh?” Xuan Cheng had only made the assumption based on the exquisite swordsmanship displayed earlier. Hearing no trace of guilt in the other party’s tone, he began to waver.

“I’ve long heard of the Golden Serpent King’s divine swordsmanship. I’ve always wanted to experience it firsthand, but unfortunately, we’ve never crossed paths…” Song Qingshu sighed, his tone filled with apparent regret. After a moment, he shifted the conversation, “Judging from your tone, Master, I assume you’ve witnessed his swordsmanship?”

Song Qingshu’s shameless self-praise was convincing. The crowd’s doubts were dispelled, as no one in the martial world would dare to lie so brazenly. However, Song Qingshu, coming from the modern era, disregarded the unwritten rules of the martial world.

“I have seen it,” Xuan Cheng replied with a dark expression.

“How does my swordsmanship compare to that of the Golden Serpent King?” Song Qingshu allowed a faint smile to cross his face, which was fortunately hidden by his mask.

“Your swordsmanship just now showed some skill, but it falls far short of the Golden Serpent King’s,” Xuan Cheng answered gruffly. Having sparred with Song Qingshu before, he knew full well that the man’s abilities were no less than his own. If he were to claim that this man’s swordsmanship surpassed Song Qingshu’s, it would only diminish his own standing.

“If someone of your reputation says so, it must be true…” Song Qingshu feigned disappointment, his expression seemingly crestfallen.

Xuan Cheng felt a twinge of embarrassment and managed a forced laugh.

Meanwhile, Ren Yingying couldn’t help but speak up to comfort him, “Senior, there’s no need to belittle yourself. I’ve seen Song Qingshu’s swordsmanship too. It’s not far above yours.”

Song Qingshu was taken aback by Ren Yingying’s unexpected consolation, leaving him both amused and exasperated. He silently resolved never to reveal his identity in front of her, lest her reaction bring about even greater embarrassment.

Zuo Lengchan suddenly sneered. “Miss Ren truly lives up to her reputation as a member of the demonic cult. Not long ago, your father announced your engagement to Song Qingshu to the entire martial world, yet here you are in another man’s arms, badmouthing your fiancé. Ha…” Though he left the sentence unfinished, everyone understood the insinuation and looked at the pair with knowing expressions.

Ren Yingying’s face turned icy. “Zuo Lengchan, for a grandmaster, you have no qualms spewing such vile words.”

“I’m merely stating the facts,” Zuo Lengchan retorted mockingly. “What, Miss Ren, even you acknowledge how indecent your behavior is?”

“Silence!” Sensing Ren Yingying’s trembling body, Song Qingshu’s anger flared. He thrust his sword toward Zuo Lengchan. His timing was impeccable, striking just as Zuo Lengchan’s injuries flared up, rendering him powerless to resist.

Just as the sword tip was about to pierce Zuo Lengchan’s forehead, a gray shadow flashed by.

Xu Zhu appeared, striking the sword with his palm like a blade.

The clash echoed through the air as Xu Zhu successfully shielded Zuo Lengchan, placing him behind himself. He looked at Song Qingshu from a few feet away and said, “Your opponent is me.” With that, he launched an attack.

Song Qingshu frowned. With someone in his arms, his movements were significantly hindered.

Xu Zhu managed to rescue Zuo Lengchan with ease.

Noticing the True Qi coursing along Xu Zhu’s palm, Song Qingshu grew cautious. He had witnessed the power of Xu Zhu’s Northern Darkness True Qi at the Golden Serpent Camp before, knowing it could rival real blades.

The two exchanged dozens of moves. Xu Zhu’s palm strikes and Song Qingshu’s sword never directly clashed, as each side would alter their moves midway, creating a seemingly subdued but perilously intense battle. Any lapse could invite a devastating counterattack.

Observing the duel, Zuo Lengchan’s eyes flickered with thoughts.

‘I always considered my swordsmanship unmatched within the Five Sacred Mountains Sword Sect. I never expected even a simple monk from Shaolin to have such skill. I must hasten my plan to seize the Lin family’s Evil Exterminating Sword Manual.’

As Xu Zhu’s Northern Darkness True Qi continued to dissolve the Qi on Song Qingshu’s sword, Song Qingshu sighed inwardly, recognizing Xu Zhu’s strategy. By forcing them to exhaust their inner force, he aimed to exploit Song Qingshu’s additional burden of suppressing Ren Yingying’s cold poison.

Fang Zheng suddenly sighed. “Young man, your focus on healing Miss Ren is affecting your performance. This battle can only end in defeat. If you trust me, hand her over, and I will suppress her cold poison for you.”

Song Qingshu frowned, letting out a cold laugh. “She was injured because you hindered me earlier. Now you pretend to be compassionate?”

“Miss Ren’s injury was an accident,” Fang Zheng replied, shaking his head. “And everyone here knows who actually harmed her.”

Zuo Lengchan seized the opportunity. “The martial world knows Fang Zheng is a compassionate man. To think you would accuse him of ulterior motives—what are you really scheming? Do you think we don’t see through you?”

Song Qingshu deflected Xu Zhu’s attack with a sword move and paused. “What could I possibly be scheming?”

Zuo Lengchan chuckled darkly. “Miss Ren is famously beautiful and has always looked down on men. Yet here you are, holding her openly. Such opportunities are rare. How could you bear to let go?”

Ren Yingying’s face alternated between red and white. She bit her lip and said softly, “Senior, you can let me go.”

Song Qingshu frowned. “Miss Ren, don’t you see Fang Zheng’s true intentions?”

“Of course I do,” Ren Yingying replied, lowering her head with a faint blush. “That old monk offering to help me suppress the cold poison is just a pretext. His real aim is to hold me hostage. But they also have a point. Besides, I already have someone in my heart. It’s inappropriate for another man to keep holding me like this.”

A gentle, resonant laugh suddenly came from the nearby woods. “Miss Ren refuses the monk’s help and the young man’s as well. I wonder if she’d allow this old Taoist to assist?”

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