Chapter 858: Dazzling Radiance

During this period, she and Song Qingshu had been treating the experts in Wanyan Liang’s residence as imaginary enemies, so they had naturally studied the characteristics of Ouyang Feng and the others in great detail.

At their grandmaster-level realm, they disdained disguising themselves or hiding their tracks, let alone dressing up like these black-clad men.

Zhao Yingluo suddenly had a thought and glanced back at Song Qingshu:

‘In this world, the only person with such high cultivation yet so shameless and unscrupulous is probably this b*stard.’

At the moment, however, Song Qingshu had no time to pay attention to her. His focus was entirely on the fair-skinned, red-lipped young master who had just entered, gently waving a white jade folding fan. His fingers were even fairer than the fan’s ribs, and his eyes carried a uniquely feminine charm—who else could it be but the long-absent Princess Zhao Min! But why was she appearing in the Jin Dynasty?

“The princess’s Paralyzing Ten Fragrance Powder is truly formidable. Everyone in this Courtyard has been incapacitated.” The Xuanming Elders, who always followed her, never missed an opportunity to flatter her.

“Enough nonsense. Quickly bring out those women,” Zhao Min said, casting a worried glance outside. According to her original plan, she was supposed to capture everyone in the Laundry Courtyard in one sweep. Yet, unexpectedly, Wanyan Ping and two others had left temporarily for some reason. This unforeseen complication gave her an ominous premonition.

“Zhao Min? Why is she here?” Zhao Yingluo also gasped softly. She had seen Zhao Min at the Lion-Slaying Assembly years ago.

Song Qingshu shook his head without answering, merely gazing at the radiant young woman in the distance. After not seeing her for some time, she was as dazzling as ever.

Noticing his gaze, Zhao Yingluo felt inexplicably irritated and couldn’t help but snort. “Stop staring. She’s the Cult Leader Zhang’s woman.”

Song Qingshu chuckled. “Miss Yang, your information is quite outdated.”

Zhao Yingluo looked puzzled. “The Cult Leader Zhang and her are a perfect match, deeply devoted to each other. What could possibly go wrong?” Suddenly, her expression changed. “Don’t tell me you and her…?”

At that moment, Zhao Min’s subordinates had already subdued the guards of the Laundry Courtyard and brought out the imprisoned Song Dynasty princesses. Zhao Yingluo could no longer dwell on the relationship between Song Qingshu and Zhao Min. Just as she was about to take action, Song Qingshu grabbed her. “Wait a little longer. The timing isn’t right yet.”

Zhao Yingluo took a deep breath and nodded slightly. She was not reckless—her earlier impulse had been born of concern. Now that Song Qingshu had stopped her, she quickly regained her composure.

“Princess, apart from the Song Dynasty princesses, we found other people in the cells.”

Hearing the report, Zhao Min replied indifferently, “Kill them all.”

Now it was Song Qingshu’s turn to panic. Song Yuanqiao and the others were still imprisoned inside! Just as he was about to rush down, the tables turned—Zhao Yingluo held him back. “Relax. We already detoxified the Rouge Drunk from Senior Song and the others. With their martial arts, Zhao Min’s lackeys can’t harm them.”

Only then did Song Qingshu remember that last night, he had sneaked into the Laundry Courtyard to cure Song Yuanqiao and the others of their poison. They had also discussed some details of today’s operation.

Sure enough, screams soon erupted from inside the building. Zhao Min’s expression darkened. “What’s going on?”

“Princess, there are three experts inside. Our brothers were caught off guard and suffered heavy losses,” a subordinate quickly reported.

“Who are they?” Zhao Min frowned. According to prior intelligence, there shouldn’t have been any experts inside—even if there were, the Laundry Courtyard should have neutralized them with Rouge Drunk. How could they still resist?

“Princess Zhao Min, we meet again.” Song Yuanqiao and the other two had already fought their way out amidst the chaos. Recognizing Zhao Min, they couldn’t help but recall their humiliation at the Ten Thousand Peace Pagoda years ago, their expressions darkening.

“Song Yuanqiao?” Zhao Min was stunned upon identifying them.

“Princess, these defeated foes are hardly worth mentioning. Let us brothers take care of these Taoist priests,” the Xuanming Elders said, seeing that the black-clad men were no match for Song Yuanqiao’s group.

Zhao Min finally snapped back to reality and shouted, “Everyone, stop!”

The black-clad men immediately retreated at her command. Song Yuanqiao and the others, though confused, sheathed their weapons but remained wary. “Witch, what trick are you playing now?”

Hearing herself called a witch, Zhao Min’s brow twitched, but she quickly composed herself and smiled at them. “Senior Song, we didn’t come here for you. This was all a misunderstanding. Well… considering my past ties with Wudang, and out of respect for that person, I’ll let you go today.”

Yin Liting looked puzzled. “But I heard you and Wuji had a falling out?”

Zhang Songxi smirked slyly. “Sixth Brother, you’re married—yet you don’t understand lovers’ quarrels? Princess Zhao is a smart woman. Why would she offend her future elders?”

Zhao Min’s face turned cold. “Fourth Hero Zhang, be careful with your words! Zhang Wuji and I are finished. This has nothing to do with him, so don’t speculate wildly.”

Song Yuanqiao was also taken aback. “If not for Wuji’s sake, then for whom? My son Song Qingshu? Princess Zhao, there’s no need for that. We of Wudang do not casually owe favors.”

He had mentioned Song Qingshu offhandedly, never imagining there was any truth to it. But while the speaker was careless, the listener was attentive. Zhao Min’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she snapped angrily, “Who cares whose favor I’m considering? Are you leaving or not?”

Hidden in the tree, Zhao Yingluo stared at Song Qingshu in amazement, making him uneasy. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Zhao Yingluo sighed softly. “I already knew you were a philanderer, but I still underestimated your ability to charm women. Even someone like Zhao Min couldn’t escape your clutches. Truly eye-opening.”

“Clutches?” Song Qingshu said gloomily. “Are you praising me or mocking me? And who said I’ve charmed Zhao Min?”

“Because I’m not blind,” Zhao Yingluo wrinkled her nose. “If it’s not for Zhang Wuji, then among all of Wudang, who else could she possibly value besides you? These old men?”

Song Qingshu felt a hint of pride but modestly replied, “Zhao Min and I are just ordinary friends. Ordinary friends.”

“Ordinary friends?” Zhao Yingluo subconsciously shifted away. “I think I’d better keep my distance. Otherwise, I might end up like Zhao Min, with nowhere to cry afterward. But I really don’t understand—she and Zhang Wuji were so close. How could she fall for you…?”

Song Qingshu said irritably, “Because I can steal a w0man’s chastity from a thousand miles away, alright?” He had no intention of explaining Zhang Wuji’s situation to her, as it was closely tied to Zhao Min’s secrets. Without her consent, it wasn’t his place to reveal anything.

Zhao Yingluo’s face turned crimson, and she couldn’t help but scoff. “Filthy words from a dog’s mouth!”

As the two bantered in the tree, Song Yuanqiao below cupped his hands toward Zhao Min. “Thank you for your kindness, Princess Zhao. However, we have an additional request.”

Zhao Min noticed their glances toward the Song Dynasty princesses and had already guessed their intentions. She snorted. “If it’s an unreasonable request, then don’t bother saying it.”

Song Yuanqiao was rebuffed, but his composure remained unshaken. “Could you show mercy and release these women?”

Zhao Min raised an eyebrow. Before she could speak, the Xuanming Elders interjected rudely, “You lot have no shame! If not for our princess’s rescue, you’d still be rotting in prison. Yet instead of thanking her, you keep pushing your luck. How have you survived in the martial world all these years?”

“Xuanming Elders, watch your words!” Zhang Songxi, unlike his senior brother, had a shorter temper and flared up instantly.

The Xuanming Elders grinned at his drawn sword. “What, want a fight? We’ll gladly oblige!”

“Enough!” Zhao Min glared at them, and the two immediately shrank back like deflated quails. She then turned to Song Yuanqiao and the others. “Letting you go was already a favor for that person. If you want me to release these Song princesses, he will have to beg me personally. Maybe if I’m in a good mood, I’ll consider it.”

Zhao Yingluo couldn’t resist poking Song Qingshu beside her. “See? She’s thinking of you. Aren’t you going down?”

Song Qingshu shook his head. “No. Wanyan Liang’s men haven’t arrived yet. It’s not the right time. By the way, are the experts you brought all in position?”

“Using Empress Pei Man’s token, I stationed them there. They’ll rush over as soon as I give the signal.” She pointed to a nearby side hall.

“Let’s hope their martial arts aren’t too shabby,” Song Qingshu chuckled.

“Compared to you, of course… of course they’re shabby. But they’re elite fighters trained by our Jianshan Academy—more than enough to handle the rest.” Zhao Yingluo found Song Qingshu’s way of speaking peculiar yet oddly vivid, and she couldn’t help but mimic it sometimes.

“Well, they’re just here for support anyway,” Song Qingshu said dismissively before suddenly tensing. “They’re here!”

“Hahaha! No wonder the Laundry Courtyard is so lively today—it’s the princess’s doing!” A booming laugh echoed through the Courtyard, its sheer force shaking everyone’s eardrums. Such profound internal energy!

Seeing Ouyang Feng and the others appear at the entrance, Zhao Min instantly understood.

‘So Wanyan Ping and the others were lured away because Wanyan Liang had the same idea as me.’

In that brief moment, she pieced together nearly the entire situation.

She couldn’t help but glare at Song Yuanqiao and his companions.

‘If not for their interference wasting precious time, I would’ve already succeeded and retreated by now!’