Chapter 946: Collecting a Debt

The people accompanying Song Qingshu on this trip included three thousand elite soldiers, as well as two top masters: Ouyang Feng and Qiu Qianren.

Although Song Qingshu had used every means possible to successfully bring them onto his side, camaraderie still needed time to develop. This trip to the Chongyang Palace on official business presented a perfect opportunity.

For Ouyang Feng and Qiu Qianren, neither held any fondness for Chongyang Palace. In the past, Ouyang Feng had nearly had his Toad Style Martial Art crippled by Wang Chongyang there. Thus, both were very willing to accept such a mission.

Additionally, Pucha Qiucao, the young lady of the Pucha family, had heard that Yang Guo once trained at Chongyang Palace. For reasons unknown, she insisted on going to Zhongnan Mountain as well. Pucha Ahute knew his daughter had been deeply upset since Yang Guo rejected the marriage proposal and hoped this trip would allow her to distract herself.

As the Pucha and Tang Kuo families were currently in a honeymoon phase of cooperation, Song Qingshu naturally couldn’t refuse without causing offense. Besides, with three thousand elite soldiers and masters like Ouyang Feng and Qiu Qianren accompanying them, she wouldn’t be in any danger.

When Song Qingshu left the capital, he also took someone else with him: the Purple-robed Dragon King, Daiqisi. Since the night of the coup when she fell into his hands, he had paid her no mind, simply confining her within the palace. Over time, this “neglect” had nearly driven Daiqisi mad. However, as days passed, her initial anxiety gradually turned into numbness.

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Since Tang Kuo Bian was still nominally seriously injured, Song Qingshu openly secluded himself in a luxurious carriage.

Daiqisi was also placed inside.

Aside from a few trusted individuals, most of the troops were unaware of her presence.

The cushions made of white fox fur were extremely soft and comfortable. The floor was covered with an expensive carpet imported from the Western Regions, making the carriage’s vibrations almost imperceptible. Sipping chilled grape wine, Song Qingshu marveled at how pleasant life was for ancient nobility.

Moreover, seated before him was a stunning beauty, a feast for the eyes. Song Qingshu hadn’t expected to experience the thrill of a luxurious carriage with a beautiful woman even after returning to ancient times. His mood lifted considerably as he held the cup to Daiqisi’s lips.

“Fine grape wine in luminous cups, about to drink,

But the pipa urges us on horseback.

Drunk upon the battlefield, laugh not,

For how many have ever returned from war?

It’s a pity grape wine is such a vivid red. For men like us to drink it lacks a certain heroic spirit. It suits a captivating beauty like you far more, Madam. Would you care for a taste?”

Daiqisi snorted coldly and turned her head away.

Unfazed, Song Qingshu grinned. “Since you’re not saying anything, Madam, I’ll take that as agreement.” Without waiting for a response, he pinched her chin and poured the remaining wine into her mouth.

“Cough, cough—”

Daiqisi choked immediately, crimson wine trickling from the corners of her lips. It slid down her jade-smooth chin, along her slender, delicate neck, and into the faintly visible cleavage of her bosom. The contrast between her snow-white skin and the vivid red wine created an unintentionally breathtaking and strangely seductive picture.

Song Qingshu couldn’t help but click his t0ngue in admiration. “Few Central Plains women can rival your snow-white complexion, Madam.”

Noticing her hateful glare, he smacked his forehead. “Look at my memory—I forgot to undo your acupoints.”

With a wave of his hand, Daiqisi felt her body relax instantly.

The moment she was free, Daiqisi made as if to pounce on him. But then she considered the disparity in their martial arts and quickly calmed down. In a real fight, she was no match for him. Moreover, in such a confined space, any struggle would inevitably lead to close physical contact, and she would be the one to suffer in the end.

Understanding the implications, Daiqisi stiffly sat back down. Feeling the sticky wine on her skin, she hurriedly wiped it from her face and neck. When she reached her chest, she blushed, glanced at Song Qingshu, and quickly turned her back to him.

Song Qingshu smiled knowingly. No wonder Daiqisi had been universally acknowledged as the number one beauty of the martial world, captivating countless heroes on Bright Peak. Even now, annoyed as she wiped herself, her every movement was exquisitely alluring.

He had never understood why those anime from his previous life were so fond of the “feeding” trope. Now he finally got it—feeding a beautiful girl indeed brought an indescribable sense of physical and mental pleasure.

“Where exactly are you taking me?!” Daiqisi demanded angrily after cleaning off the wine.

“Just taking you for a casual tour,” Song Qingshu replied earnestly. “We’ll enjoy the mountains and waters along the way, head to Zhongnan Mountain, and then proceed to Jianghuai.”

“Zhongnan Mountain? The Quanzhen Sect?” Daiqisi shook her head, uninterested. “I’m asking what you plan to do with me!”

“Do with you?” Song Qingshu smiled slightly. “What would you like me to do with you, Madam?”

Hearing the frivolity in his tone, Daiqisi cursed inwardly and answered coldly, “I want you to release me. Is that possible?”

“Release you? Of course, that’s possible.” His answer took her by surprise.

“Really?” Despite sensing a trick, she couldn’t help asking.

Song Qingshu followed up with another question: “But if I release you, where will you go?”

“That’s none of your concern. I have places to go,” Daiqisi retorted.

“Oh?” Song Qingshu smiled dismissively and analyzed for her: “You came here on a mission for the Persian Ming Cult. Now you’ve failed the mission, and the Cloud Envoy and Wind Envoy are dead. As for the Moon Envoy, she’s currently imprisoned in the palace. With a single word from me, she could be sold to a br0thel. With such heavy losses, even if your daughter is the leader, she couldn’t protect you, could she?”

Daiqisi paled, knowing there was truth in his words. The Persian Ming Cult had always enforced strict laws. With such catastrophic failure and no results to show, even if she returned to the Persian headquarters, all that awaited her was execution by fire.

Although Xiao Zhao had become the leader, she was young and had been thrust into the position unprepared. She held the title but little actual power, which remained in the hands of the Twelve Treasure Tree Kings and the council of elders. Those people, eager to keep the leader marginalized, would never pass up an opportunity to eliminate her allies.

“That’s my business. It doesn’t concern you,” Daiqisi insisted stubbornly.

“Very well, then let’s discuss what concerns me.” Song Qingshu took out a letter from his robe and unfolded it before her. “Do you remember this, Madam?”

Daiqisi glanced at it skeptically, then immediately flushed.

How could she not recognize it?

When Prince Changsheng was thrown into the imperial dungeon, she had pretended to seduce Tang Kuo Bian, the chief investigator, to save him. This was the written agreement for their transaction from that time.