Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 867: Cunning Schemes

Zhao Yingluo no longer worried about Song Qingshu’s safety. After giving him a deep look, she turned and signaled her subordinates to escort the convoy away. She knew they weren’t completely out of danger yet—only by safely returning these people to the Southern Song Dynasty could she live up to their efforts.  

It wasn’t until Zhao Yingluo and her party had vanished into the distance that the White Lotus Sect members finally snapped out of their daze. Tang Sai’er, flushed with humiliation and rage, barked, “What are you all standing around for? Keep firing!”  

Song Qingshu frowned slightly. While he could halt these crossbow bolts, the technique, though impressive, drained his internal energy rapidly. He wasn’t foolish enough to stand there passively, letting them exhaust him with endless volleys. Seeing the White Lotus disciples reloading, he lowered his hand slightly—the arrows suspended in midair abruptly reversed direction and shot back toward the sect members under the horrified gazes of the crowd.  

The White Lotus disciples, already in chaos and shock, were caught completely off guard. In an instant, nearly 70-80% of the several hundred men fell, pierced by their own bolts. Only a handful of skilled martial artists narrowly avoided fatal wounds, though almost all were injured. Judging by their terrified expressions, they had lost all will to fight.  

Tang Sai’er’s heart bled. These were all elite members of the sect, and with the sacred crossbows borrowed from the military camp, she had assumed dealing with the Jianshan Academy group would be effortless. Who could have predicted they’d run into a freak like Song Qingshu?  

“With such martial prowess, you are certainly no nameless figure in the martial world,” Tang Sai’er said, her voice trembling, all traces of her earlier coquettishness gone. “Why pretend to be Zhao Yingluo’s lover and ambush our sect?”  

“When did I ever say I was her lover?” Song Qingshu chuckled. “You jumped to that conclusion yourself. Blame me for that?” Seeing most of the White Lotus disciples incapacitated, leaving only the two saintesss, he wasn’t in a hurry. The longer he stalled, the better—ideally until the Jin Dynasty cavalry arrived and clashed with the White Lotus Sect. Not only would they tear into each other, but he could also pin the entire incident on the sect, eliminating future troubles.  

“Just who are you?” Tang Sai’er’s expression darkened further as he rambled on.  

“Song Qingshu, at your service.” There was no point hiding it now—with so many witnesses, the White Lotus Sect would uncover his identity sooner or later.  

“The Golden Serpent King, Song Qingshu!” Tang Sai’er stiffened in shock. 

Over the past two years, Song Qingshu had become one of the most talked-about figures in the martial world. Yet his skills surpassed even the rumors!  

“The Golden Serpent Camp and our White Lotus Sect have never crossed paths. Why are you making an enemy of us?” Left with no choice, Tang Sai’er invoked the sect’s name to pressure him. Though the Golden Serpent Camp had risen swiftly, it still lacked the centuries-old foundation of the White Lotus Sect.  

Song Qingshu raised an eyebrow. “Now you’re joking. I was just walking down the road when your White Lotus Sect jumped out and started shooting. If anyone’s causing trouble, it’s you.”  

Tang Sai’er choked. She knew she had no moral high ground here, but if she retreated in disgrace, how could she ever maintain her standing in the sect?  

“Let’s set aside right and wrong for now,” she said coldly, stepping forward and cupping her hands. “You’ve injured so many of our brothers—the White Lotus Sect cannot let this slide. I, Tang Sai’er, saintess of the White Lotus Sect, challenge the Golden Serpent King to a duel!”  

Song Qingshu laughed. “You really want to fight me?”  

“Your martial arts may be formidable, but you’re not invincible,” Tang Sai’er replied flatly.  

“Why not bring your friend along?” Song Qingshu glanced at the other silent saintess beside her. Despite never having met her, he felt an eerie sense of familiarity.  

“No need. I alone am enough!” The moment she spoke, a silk ribbon shot from her sleeve, coiling toward Song Qingshu.  

“An… interesting weapon.” He didn’t dodge, letting the ribbon wrap around his waist.  

Tang Sai’er’s eyes lit up, and she yanked hard, trying to disrupt his balance. Yet the ribbon didn’t budge—instead, an immense force yanked her forward, sending her stumbling straight into his arms.  

She gasped, struggling to steady herself, but the gap in their strength was too vast. Her efforts were futile, and she crashed into his chest without resistance.  

At that moment, her panic vanished, replaced by a sly smile. Unnoticed, two gleaming Emei daggers had appeared in her hands, and she thrust them toward his sides, using her momentum to drive them deep.  

But her smile froze—the daggers didn’t pierce flesh. Instead, they were caught between his fingers.  

“Tsk, tsk. You’re ruthless, little girl. Aiming straight for the kidneys? With so many lovely companions relying on me, what would they do if you ruined my waist? Their… ‘ahem’… lifelong happiness would be at stake.” Song Qingshu smirked.  

Zhao Min, standing nearby, spat in disgust. “What nonsense is this?”  

As a White Lotus saintess, Tang Sai’er was no pushover. With her hands restrained, she bent backward, flipping a leg up in a graceful arc to strike his forehead. Though the kick seemed light as a dragonfly’s touch, hitting a vital acupoint could be fatal.  

Song Qingshu sidestepped narrowly, dodging the strike, then trapped her leg under his arm as her momentum waned. The two ended up in an embarrassingly intimate pose.  

Tang Sai’er paled, trying to pull free, but his grip was immovable.  

Song Qingshu whistled. “Impressive flexibility, saintess.”  

Zhao Min cursed under her breath and walked away, leaning against a tree to avoid the spectacle. The other saintess kept her head lowered, her expression unreadable.  

“Let me go!” Tang Sai’er’s face burned with humiliation and fury.  

“After finally catching you? Why would I?” Song Qingshu grinned. “Besides, if I, the Golden Serpent King, released you just because a mere saintess threatened me, wouldn’t that imply the Golden Serpent Camp is inferior to the White Lotus Sect?”  

“Will you rel—” Tang Sai’er suddenly jerked her head up, and a black streak shot from her mouth.  

Song Qingshu, about to retort, sensed danger and barely dodged the hidden projectile by leaping aside.  

Tang Sai’er seized the chance to retreat several paces, panting as she glared at him.  

Song Qingshu couldn’t help but admire her. “No wonder Yingluo called you cunning. If I’d been any slower, I’d have fallen for your trap.”