Chapter 1082: Beautiful Wife and Consorts

Of course, this was only a last resort, a desperate measure. After all, the Southern Song Dynasty was now considered the legitimate dynasty by the Han people, and a rash attack would likely be met with their scorn.

However, as the leader of the Golden Serpent Camp, and with ambitions to conquer the world, Song Qingshu had to plan ahead. The most crucial aspect of this plan was speed; therefore, Shaoxing City had to be under his control before the attack.

Shaoxing (Shanyin) was the Lu family’s stronghold. They had operated there for nearly a century, and their family influence had permeated every aspect of Shaoxing City. Controlling the Lu family was tantamount to controlling Shaoxing City.

This was the fundamental reason why Song Qingshu had devoted so much time and energy to Lu Guanying and his wife!

Song Qingshu composed himself and looked at Lu Guanying, comforting him, “Young Master, why belittle yourself as a useless person? Sima Qian suffered great hardship, yet he still completed the historical masterpiece ‘Li Sao’; Cai Lun, though confined to the palace, invented papermaking and is remembered for eternity; Zheng He made seven voyages to the Western Seas, enhancing China’s prestige… Each of them suffered more than you, Young Master, yet they too achieved immortality. Why should you be disheartened by a minor setback?”

Lu Guanying sighed, “I understand the reasoning, but as a man… how can I accept this?”

Seeing his still listless eyes, Song Qingshu knew his words of comfort hadn’t worked.

Cheng Yaojia, beside him, looked at him worriedly, her earnest gaze revealing the high hopes she held for him.

After a moment’s hesitation, Song Qingshu suddenly said, “For a true man, matters of the heart are trivial. The right path lies in achieving something extraordinary, bringing glory to one’s ancestors. Why doesn’t Young Master focus his energy on his career?”

“Career?” Lu Guanying gave a wry smile. “I know my limitations. In terms of talent, I’m merely average; in terms of martial arts, I’m utterly insignificant in the martial world. What kind of achievement could I possibly have?”

“That’s not how it works,” Song Qingshu smiled. “I wonder if you’ve ever heard of the ‘Evil Exterminating Sword Manual?”

“The Evil Exterminating Sword Manual?” Lu Guanying was startled, a glimmer of light finally appearing in his eyes. “Legend has it that Lin Yuantu of the Fortune Escort Service was invincible with a set of seventy-two moves of the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual. In recent years, various sects in the martial arts world have fought to the death for this manual, how could I not know about it? However, this sword technique only exists in legends. The Fortune Escort Service was wiped out a few years ago, and no one from the Lin family has ever used it, so many people doubt whether this sword technique truly exists.”

“This sword technique certainly exists,” Song Qingshu said with a profound smile.

“Why are you so certain, young master?” Lu Guanying’s heart stirred, and he looked up at him. “Could it be…”

“That’s right, the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual is now in my hands.” Song Qingshu took out the scroll of a cassock from his robes and handed him the opening section. Seeing the four eerily inscribed characters “Evil Exterminating Sword Manual” on the cassock, Lu Guanying gasped in astonishment: “It really is the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual!” The cassock clearly showed its age of several decades; it couldn’t have been faked in such a short time.

“Indeed, I can pass on the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual to you, young master. I hope you will be inspired and one day master this divine skill and achieve great things,” Song Qingshu said with a smile. He had already glanced at the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual before.

Back then, Hong Qigong, Ouyang Feng, and the other four masters cultivated the Nine Yin Manual for decades and still frequently gained new insights. Yet Wang Chongyang mastered the Nine Yin Manual in just over ten days.

With Song Qingshu’s current cultivation level no lower than Wang Chongyang’s back then, coupled with his special talent, he had already thoroughly understood the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual in a short time. Furthermore, because the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual was recorded by Lin Yuantu from his memories, it was somewhat incomplete, resulting in numerous flaws in the swordplay.

These flaws were fleeting; even Linghu Chong, with his mastery of martial arts in the original novel, wouldn’t have noticed them. However, Song Qingshu, having read the sword manual and possessing higher cultivation, had thoroughly understood its weaknesses after reading it. Therefore, anyone who used the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual against him would be courting death.

Thus, Song Qingshu wasn’t worried about Lu Guanying betraying him after passing on the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual; everything was under control.

“Really?” The Evil Exterminating Sword Manual was a divine skill coveted by countless martial artists; how could Lu Guanying not be excited?

Cheng Yaojia, standing beside him, was equally shocked, completely bewildered as to why Song Qingshu would give such an important manual to her husband.

“Could it be… could it be because of me?”

Thinking this, Cheng Yaojia was momentarily lost in thought.

“Of course it’s true,” Song Qingshu smiled slightly.

“But…” Amidst his initial surprise, Lu Guanying suddenly thought of his physical condition, “Now… I’m no longer a normal man. Won’t practicing this divine skill have any impact?”

Many martial arts manuals in the martial world have extremely demanding requirements regarding physical talent. Moreover, let alone divine martial arts manuals, even eunuchs often find it difficult to master ordinary martial arts due to their physical limitations. This is why Lu Guanying is so worried.

Song Qingshu’s expression was strange as he unfolded his robe a little more: “Other martial arts might be uncertain, but this one can be said to be tailor-made for the young master.”

Lu Guanying and Cheng Yaojia, curious, leaned over to take a look. The first line read, “To practice this divine skill, one must castrate oneself.” They exclaimed in unison.

Cheng Yaojia was ashamed, while Lu Guanying was both surprised and delighted.

Lu Guanying suddenly thought of something, and his expression turned strange: “Could it be that you, young master, also…” The ‘Evil Exterminating Sword Manual was a divine skill coveted by all martial artists. He didn’t believe Song Qingshu could resist the temptation, and judging by his own experience, if Song Qingshu hadn’t mastered it, why would he be willing to pass it on to him?

“Ahem~” Song Qingshu knew he had misunderstood, so he could only explain, “I have other techniques, so I’ve never practiced this one.” He glanced at Cheng Yaojia subconsciously as he spoke.

Cheng Yaojia’s heart fluttered at his gaze, and she couldn’t help but recall his vigorous advances on her that night, feeling a slight weakness creeping over her. She silently added in her head,

“He definitely hasn’t practiced this skill; I can vouch for that.”

Lu Guanying was thrilled, but he wasn’t an idiot. He knew there was no such thing as a free lunch and hesitated, “I’ve only just met you, young master. Why are you giving me such a generous gift?”

Song Qingshu, who had been admiring Cheng Yaojia’s shy and demure demeanor, withdrew his gaze upon hearing this and smiled, “Young Master Lu has been busy resisting the Mongols and the Jin Dynasty for years, neglecting his wife and children. He hasn’t even had any offspring yet. I deeply admire his patriotism. Helping you now is merely a small favor; you needn’t worry about it.”