Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 1048: Adding Insult to Injury

The reactions of the onlookers varied. 

Yue Lingshan, without a trace of guile, wore a look of pure joy. 

Ning Zhongze glanced worriedly at her husband, for secretly learning martial arts was a grave taboo in the martial world. 

Yue Buqun remained expressionless, his eyes fixed on Lin Pingzhi’s swordsmanship, his mind growing increasingly puzzled: ‘Why did this swordsmanship look so familiar?’

On the other side, Murong Fu, with his family’s martial arts background, was well-versed in the martial arts of various schools and sects. He was the first to recognize the technique, secretly pondering: ‘This young man was actually using a long-lost swordsmanship of the Five Sacred Mountains Sword Sect. Could it be that the Mount Hua Sect had been keeping it hidden all along?’

Mu Wanqing, however, was far more nervous. She repeatedly gripped her sword, wanting to rush forward to help, but glancing at Yue Buqun and the others, she worried that rushing in would give them a legitimate excuse to gang up on her, which would be even more disadvantageous.

Cheng Yaojia said thoughtfully to Song Qingshu, “That young lady is worried sick right now, aren’t you feeling sorry for her?”

Song Qingshu turned around and gave her a half-smile, “Why is Madam so concerned about my relationship with that girl? Are you jealous?”

“Pah, what could I possibly be jealous of?” Cheng Yaojia blushed deeply, quickly lowering her head to drink her tea, trying to hide her embarrassment. 

Song Qingshu stopped there, not continuing his teasing: “Don’t worry, Lin Pingzhi’s swordsmanship is superb, but his weakness lies in insufficient internal energy, making it difficult to inflict fatal damage. Mu Gaofeng looks battered, but it’s actually just minor wounds. Once he gets used to Lin Pingzhi’s swordsmanship, that’s when his counterattack will begin.”

“Lin Pingzhi? Mu Gaofeng?” Cheng Yaojia was taken aback. “You know them?”

Song Qingshu was startled, realizing he’d inadvertently let something slip. However, it wasn’t a big deal. He seized the opportunity to tease her: “I know a lot, like how slender Madam’s waist is…”

“Don’t say that!” Cheng Yaojia was extremely embarrassed, her attention diverted as expected.

As if to confirm Song Qingshu’s words, Mu Gaofeng roared and launched three consecutive sword strikes, all head-on attacks. Lin Pingzhi’s expression changed; unwilling to clash with his sword, he hurriedly dodged to the side.

Mu Gaofeng laughed heartily. With years of experience fighting in the underworld, he was incredibly skilled. He immediately launched three more sword strikes, forcing Lin Pingzhi to retreat again. The tide of battle turned instantly.

Lin Pingzhi, lacking experience, was overwhelmed by his opponent’s internal energy. His swordplay gradually became chaotic, and he found himself in grave danger.

Seeing her beloved in peril, Yue Lingshan immediately drew her sword and rushed forward to help Lin Pingzhi.

Mu Wanqing, who had been watching the battle closely, sneered, “Outnumbering him? Shameless!” She then drew her sword and blocked her path.

Mu Gaofeng, seizing an opportunity, could have killed Lin Pingzhi with a single strike, but a glance at Yue Buqun nearby, seeing him poised to attack, changed his mind. He kicked Lin Pingzhi in the chest at the opportune moment.

Lin Pingzhi tumbled to the table like a gourd, scrambling to his feet and about to charge again when Yue Buqun pressed down on his shoulder: “Hey, Pingzhi, Senior Mu has already shown mercy.”

Mu Gaofeng sheathed his camel sword, grinning, “Today, out of respect for Sect Leader Yue, I’ll spare your life, kid. Go back and train for another ten years, and I’ll be waiting for you beyond the Great Wall.”

He was normally ruthless and not one to show such mercy, but with Murong Fu watching him like a hawk, he didn’t need to offend the Mount Hua Sect.

Lin Pingzhi felt the hand on his shoulder weigh heavily on him, knowing that things were hopeless. He could only sit back down and sulk. 

Yue Lingshan, having finished her fight with Mu Wanqing, rushed to his side and asked with concern, “Little Lin, are you alright?”

Lin Pingzhi, still annoyed, simply snorted and ignored her.

As Mu Gaofeng sat back down, Murong Fu picked up his wine cup and muttered to himself, “Some people are truly arrogant, relying solely on their age to bully younger generations with their internal energy. If they went back and practiced the Purple Cloud Divine Skill, combined with their current exquisite swordsmanship, they wouldn’t need ten years; they could probably beat some of them to a pulp in less than a year.”

Mu Gaofeng knew he was being sarcastic, but having just fought a major battle, it would be unwise to fight again now. He could only suppress his anger, let out a heavy snort, and return to the table to tend to his wounds and regulate his chaotic internal energy.

“Wow, you’re amazing! Just as you described!” Cheng Yaojia looked at Song Qingshu with starry eyes, admiring him immensely.

“I have many strengths, as Madam has already witnessed,” Song Qingshu said with a playful smile.

Cheng Yaojia was taken aback at first, then, remembering how the other person’s “Thing” had been standing stiffly against her when she woke up that morning, her cheeks flushed red, and she spat lightly, “Vulgar.”

This left Song Qingshu completely bewildered, and he asked with a puzzled look, “You witnessed my martial arts yesterday, so why are you making such a fuss today? And what’s so vulgar about this?”

Cheng Yaojia realized she had misunderstood, but she was too embarrassed to explain the reason to him, so she could only turn her head away and ignore him.

Meanwhile, Yue Buqun got up and walked towards Murong Fu, cupping his hands and asking, “Could this be the young master Murong, who uses the Great Cosmic Transformation?” Although they had never met before, given his young age, his cultivation and insight in the martial arts world, and the fact that they were from Jiangnan, Yue Buqun naturally connected him to Murong Fu.

Murong Fu hurriedly rose and returned the greeting, “Sect Leader Yue, you’re too kind. It is indeed I.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Yue Buqun suddenly asked, “May I ask what brings Young Master Murong to Yangzhou?” Although he suspected the other party wasn’t after him, he had been on edge lately and couldn’t help but feel worried.

Murong Fu smiled, his gaze sweeping over Mu Gaofeng and Mu Wanqing. “These two injured quite a few people at my aunt’s residence. I’ve come specifically to capture them and hand them over to my aunt.”

“I see.” Yue Buqun’s eyes gleamed. He considered whether to lend Murong Fu a hand. After all, either he or Murong Fu was more than capable of defeating Mu Gaofeng. If they joined forces, capturing them would be a piece of cake. Not only would he do Murong Fu a favor, but he would also avenge Lin Pingzhi, making it easier to extract the origins of that sword technique from him later.

Mu Gaofeng inwardly cursed. This hypocrite Yue Buqun was probably about to kick him while he was down. 

Just then, a group of people came up the stairs in a noisy commotion. 

Upon seeing the face of one of them, Cheng Yaojia exclaimed in surprise and subconsciously turned around.