Since Zhang Sanfeng had already spoken about hurrying on the journey, the group naturally did not dare delay. Although they didn’t travel day and night, they wasted little ti. Because they were already close to the Golden Serpent Camp’s territory, it only took a few days for them to reach Jining, where the camp was currently based.
“I wonder if Ah Qing and Ah Jiu will be able to handle the situation,” Song Qingshu muttered to himself while gazing at Jining’s city gates in the distance. Deep down, he was reluctant to reveal his true identity to Zhang Sanfeng. His feelings toward Wudang were rather complex and conflicted.
A loud creaking sound broke the silence as the city gates of Jining slowly opened. A procession erged, heading directly toward them.
The Golden Serpent Camp had already received word of Zhang Sanfeng’s arrival. Everyone was deeply astonished, with Xia Qingqing and Ah Jiu personally leading a group to welco him at the gates.
Song Qingshu took one glance at Ah Jiu, who was dressed in won’s attire, and imdiately realized that Xia Qingqing was impersonating him today. Though it had been a while since they last t, the two won were as graceful as ever. However, a faint trace of fatigue lingered between their brows, making Song Qingshu’s heart ache. He thought to himself, ‘I’ve been carefree as a hands-off leader, while they’ve borne the burden of managing everything in the Golden Serpent Camp. They’ve had it tough.’
This thought reminded him of the African savanna from his previous life. Male lions spent their days doing nothing but mating and fighting, leaving hunting and other responsibilities to the lionesses. Hmm… the more he thought about it, the more relatable it seed.
“Grand…Grandmaster, why are you here?” Xia Qingqing led the group forward and imitated Song Qingshu’s tone as she spoke.
Zhang Sanfeng gave the ‘Song Qingshu’ in front of him a puzzled glance but still answered, “I have so matters to investigate.”
“Grandmaster Zhang has traveled a long way. Please, co into the city,” Ah Jiu said softly with a bow.
When Zhang Sanfeng saw Ah Jiu, his eyes lit up. “This must be the Princess Changping of the forr Ming dynasty. It’s an honor to et you.”
Ah Jiu hastily replied, “No, no, Grandmaster Zhang. You are the grandmaster of my Song Lang, so naturally, you are also Ah Jiu’s grandmaster. How could I dare accept such courtesy?”
Standing nearby, Ren Yingying’s eyes almost shot fire upon seeing Song Qingshu. However, when her gaze shifted to Ah Jiu, even she couldn’t help but admire her beauty. ‘Back when Princess Changping was the Saintess of the Ming Cult, she was already elegant and ethereal. Now, she’s even more stunning.’
Ren Yingying’s feelings quickly shifted to indignation. ‘How could such a celestial woman end up with that scoundrel Song Qingshu? Heaven truly has no eyes.’
In stark contrast, Wu Yunzhu was overjoyed. Seeing her idol as dashing and extraordinary as she had imagined, her heart raced uncontrollably. But when she noticed Ah Jiu, who looked like a goddess, she couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious. ‘With such a beautiful companion, he probably wouldn’t even spare a glance at a girl like . Still, I wonder who’s more handso—him or my elder brother.’
As she pondered, she instinctively glanced at her masked elder brother, only to et Ah Zi’s hostile gaze. Startled, she quickly averted her eyes.
Ah Zi snorted coldly. ‘This little girl’s lovestruck expression makes it clear she harbors improper intentions toward my master. Hmph, I’ll have to teach her a lesson. Still, that Song Qingshu is indeed strikingly handso. No wonder his na is the most ntioned since I arrived in the Central Plains… Bah! What am I thinking? He’s definitely not as handso as my master.’
Rembering how her master had never removed his mask, even in intimate monts, Ah Zi suddenly felt a pang of discontent. ‘Master, if you don’t let
see your face, what if soone pretends to be you with a mask? How will I recognize you?’
As the group exchanged pleasantries, Suo Eto stepped forward with a wide smile. “Brother Song, it’s been ages since we last t in the capital! I’ve missed you dearly!” He spread his arms, intending to hug Xia Qingqing to show his affection.
Song Qingshu’s face darkened. ‘We were rely drinking buddies in the officialdom—when did we beco so close?’ Seeing that Suo Eto was trying to take advantage of Xia Qingqing, Song Qingshu flicked his fingers subtly.
“Ah!” Suo Eto suddenly felt a numbness in his legs, causing him to stumble and fall to his knees in front of Xia Qingqing.
Xia Qingqing had been contemplating whether to dodge but hesitated, worried it might reveal sothing suspicious if the two truly had a life-and-death friendship. Seeing Suo Eto trip, she felt relieved. “Brother Suo Eto, what are you doing? Please, get up.”
Covered in dust and thoroughly embarrassed, Suo Eto laughed awkwardly. “I have no idea what happened. My leg suddenly went numb.”
While the group’s attention was focused on the scene, Zhang Sanfeng cast a thoughtful glance at the nearby Song Qingshu.
“Brother Song, you wouldn’t believe it! On my way here, I almost lost my life. If not for Grandmaster Zhang and this hero, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” Suo Eto said while introducing Song Qingshu to the others.
Noticing the mask on Song Qingshu’s face, Xia Qingqing and Ah Jiu exchanged a quick glance, both noticing the sa suspicion in the other’s eyes.
Song Qingshu stepped forward and bowed. “I am Xu Ruowu. Greetings to the Golden Serpent King and Princess Changping. Might I ask if you’ve seen a lady nad Youyou here? I’ve been searching for her for so ti and would appreciate any information.”
The two won had already found the mask familiar and had noticed his figure resembled their lover. Hearing him ntion Youyou, how could they have any doubts left?
However, both were intelligent and understood that Song Qingshu had his reasons for hiding his true identity. They showed no unusual reactions, though faint joy sparkled in their eyes.
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“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. There’s no one nad Youyou here,” Xia Qingqing said calmly, though her heart fluttered at the ntion of her pet na. “But your feelings for her are surely sothing she would understand.”
Apart from the involved parties, everyone else was baffled by the exchange. Ren Yingying, in particular, was fuming. ‘Weren’t you supposed to impersonate Linghu Chong and crash the wedding? Why are you now entangled with another woman?’ Left with no choice, she resolved to see how things unfolded.
The group entered the city and arrived at the eting hall of the governor’s mansion. Xia Qingqing, acting as though she had just noticed Ren Yingying, remarked, “Oh, Miss Ren is here too?”
Song Qingshu had barely left before he ca back with a fiancée, leaving Xia Qingqing and Ah Jiu feeling understandably conflicted.
Ren Yingying, naturally, had no kind words for Song Qingshu. She rely huffed and turned her head away.
Taking advantage of the mont, Zhang Sanfeng addressed Song Qingshu. “Qingshu, one of the reasons I ca this ti involves Miss Ren.”
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