Mind Intent

Beneath the dappled shadows of the trees...

A tall, slender figure was secretly meeting with a plainly dressed young lady.

The tall, slender figure frowned slightly, a worried expression on his face. He called out, "Fang'er, that Qi Family good-for-nothing has appeared lately and is staying at the martial hall. I fear it might be bad for your brother."

The young lady's eyes widened in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Senior Sister Song has always been close to you and your brother, and she's even guided Chu Xiao in the past. Your bond is naturally extraordinary.

Fang'er... have you ever considered that perhaps Senior Sister Song is the ideal match for your brother Xiao?"

"No, no," the young lady quickly waved her hands. How could she even think about such a thing?

The tall, slender man's gaze flickered slightly as he probed, "Don't tell me you don't like Senior Sister Song?"

"It's not that. It's just that I heard Senior Sister Song has a childhood engagement with Young Master Qi from the Qi Family. The Qi Family is powerful and influential. It would be an excellent match for Miss Song to marry into the Qi Family."

The tall, slender man snorted coldly, "Fang'er, Fang'er, you're too honest!"

"Mingyong, what's going on?"

The tall, slender figure was named Wang Mingyong, and the young lady was Chu Xiao's sister, Chu Fang.

Ever since Chu Fang moved near the martial hall, Wang Mingyong had taken good care of her. Now, he secretly considered himself Chu Xiao's future brother-in-law. For his own benefit, he naturally wished for Song Xue and Chu Xiao to end up together.

After a moment of thought, he spoke vividly, "A while ago, I passed by the Herb Gathering Pavilion and saw a conflict between the second branch and the first and third branches of the Qi Family. The first and third branches dared not speak out despite their anger, and watched helplessly as the second branch took all the medicinal herbs from the warehouse.

I inquired a bit and heard that the first and third branches are already in decline.

Think about it, if Senior Sister Song marries into the Qi Family and becomes the wife of that good-for-nothing, won't she suffer?

Although the Qi Family is powerful, it is the second branch that holds immense power, and it has nothing to do with Qi Yu.

Furthermore, that Qi Yu has a bad character. He indulges in drinking, gambling, and whoring, doing all sorts of things. He's idle and unproductive all day.

His sudden interest in martial arts now is just to get a title, a larger share of the family fortune, and to trick Senior Sister Song.

If Senior Sister Song truly gets together with him, her life will be ruined!"

"Then... then what should we do?" Chu Fang suddenly panicked.

Wang Mingyong crossed his arms, exuding confidence. "I have great confidence in Junior Brother Chu Xiao, and I also feel Senior Sister Song is a better match for him. I will find a way to handle this."

Chu Fang bit her lip, saying urgently, "Why don't... I have a good talk with Miss Song? Miss Song is kind-hearted. She absolutely shouldn't marry such a scoundrel. This is a matter of a lifetime!"

Wang Mingyong quickly waved his hands. "Fang'er, you must not spread the word about this. Wait for me to find an opportunity... but..."

As he spoke, he suddenly fell silent, gazing intently at the young lady before him.

Chu Fang shyly lowered her head, murmuring, "I know you're good to me."

Wang Mingyong said solemnly, "Fang'er, Junior Brother Xiao's affairs are my affairs. I will do my utmost to help."

Chu Fang nodded gently.

Immediately, the two figures slowly separated amidst the dappled tree shadows and went their separate ways.

The next day...

Song Qinghong's voice came from the transmission secret chamber.

"Someone come, get a packet of Crimson Flame Powder and two hot compress bags, and come in to lend a hand!"

Wang Mingyong was waiting outside the secret chamber. Hearing this, his eyes darted, and he quickly responded loudly, "Master, coming right up!!"

After speaking, he ran off at top speed.

However, he did not head towards the storeroom but turned towards a separate small courtyard.

Sunlight streamed into the small courtyard, and the shadow of a spear flickered...

Song Xue, dressed in a fitted outfit, looked heroic and valiant as she practiced her spear technique with full concentration. Hearing footsteps, she stopped her movement, turned, and saw who it was. Her delicate eyebrows rose slightly as she asked, "Junior Brother Wang, what is it?"

Wang Mingyong panted slightly and said urgently, "Master asked for a packet of Crimson Flame Powder and two hot compress bags... Junior Brother Chu might have pulled a muscle."

Song Xue's beautiful eyes showed a hint of nervousness upon hearing this. "Chu Xiao is injured?"

Wang Mingyong sighed with feigned worry. "He probably is, otherwise, he wouldn't need hot compress bags. Alas... Junior Brother Chu is working so hard. He'll definitely avenge his past failures in the Provincial Examination and restore the prestige of our Spirit Serpent Martial Hall. And Crimson Flame Powder is a precious medicine that activates internal heat... Master is really getting serious."

Song Xue urged, "Then why aren't you going to get it? What are you doing here?"

Wang Mingyong put on a fawning smile. "It's just that I was afraid of delaying things.

This matter concerning Junior Brother Chu is of great importance, so it would be better for Senior Sister to help him personally.

I remember a Junior Sister praising Senior Sister's excellent skills, saying that a slight stretch could make the injured person recover.

With Senior Sister's help, Junior Brother Chu will surely overcome this difficulty."

Song Xue blinked in surprise.

Seeing this, Wang Mingyong quickly urged, "Senior Sister, hurry up."

Song Xue gently shook her head, her expression calm. "Anyone can do stretching. The Junior Sister you mentioned is probably Junior Sister Xin, right? That girl praises everyone."

Seeing she remained unmoved, Wang Mingyong stamped his foot in anxiety, "Senior Sister, what time is it! Junior Brother Chu is risking his life for our martial hall! Don't tell me you're still maintaining distance with him because he's a man?"

Song Xue frowned as she looked at him, then suddenly said, "Junior Brother Wang, why are you acting so strange?"

Wang Mingyong feigned urgency, beating his chest and stamping his feet, "I'm worried for Junior Brother Chu, and for our Spirit Serpent Martial Hall! Senior Sister, let's go quickly!"

Song Xue stepped forward and took the Crimson Flame Powder. However, she didn't head to the secret cultivation room. Instead, she stopped Ghost Hand Seven midway and explained the situation. Ghost Hand Seven then patted his chest and said, "Junior Sister Song, I can handle the stretching! No matter how badly Junior Brother Chu is sprained, I'll pull him back."

Wang Mingyong was helpless.

His original intention was for Song Xue to have physical contact with Chu Xiao through the stretching, which would... inevitably lead to trouble.

He clearly saw the situation in the martial hall.

Before Chu Xiao appeared, and when the Qi Family was powerful, the hall master had indeed been wholeheartedly pushing for their marriage. But now, with the decline of the Qi Family and the rise of a genius disciple in the martial hall, the marriage was naturally no longer mentioned.

He only needed to add a little fuel to the fire, and it would be enough to make that good-for-nothing retreat.

However, this time, he had failed.

Wang Mingyong sighed inwardly but said no more.

Song Xue looked at his retreating back, frowning slightly.

As the senior disciple of the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall, how could she not know that Wang Mingyong was quite close to the Chu siblings? Combining this with the current situation, she had a general idea of this Wang fellow's intentions.

It was just a pity that she didn't like geniuses like Chu Xiao who were solely focused on being great heroes.

What she liked... was a certain clumsy childhood friend, a prodigal son who had turned over a new leaf and needed her protection.

Whether or not they had fate, feelings couldn't be forced.

Song Xue thought to herself.

She didn't return to her room but instead walked towards the small courtyard where Qi Yu resided.

As she walked outside the wall, she heard the sound of powerful gusts of wind coming from within.

Miss Song's curiosity was piqued. She tiptoed and peered inside through the holes of the white wall's flower window. She saw Qi Yu practicing boxing as a warm-up.

Having immersed herself in the Spirit Serpent Skill for over a decade, she was intimately familiar with every detail. At this moment, she felt the young man's boxing was fluid and natural, exuding a unique aesthetic.

This aesthetic, she had only seen in Junior Brother Chu—it was a manifestation of boxing reaching a state of perfection.

However, as she continued to watch, she felt something was increasingly amiss.

The Spirit Serpent Fist, as displayed by the young man, possessed a sense of consummate skill and effortless mastery.

Song Xue watched with curiosity and stepped inside. Seeing Qi Yu throw a punch, it moved like a swift serpent, "swishing" past. With a "snap," she raised her hand and blocked the young man's fist.

"Miss Song?"

"I'm suppressing my strength. Let's only use the Spirit Serpent Skill."

"Okay."

The two instantly engaged in a fierce battle, the wind of their fists whistling and their robes fluttering.

Experiencing it firsthand, Song Xue felt even more strongly the extreme perfection of the young man's Spirit Serpent Skill.

Although the movements were similar, the subtle feeling was very clear.

The Spirit Serpent Skill Qi Yu practiced had surpassed hers, Junior Brother Chu's, Ghost Hand Seven's... perhaps even her father's.

Song Xue was stunned.

Was this still the good-for-nothing she knew?

Suddenly, she felt that being a genius wasn't so bad after all.

As long as the genius was the young man before her, it was quite good.

The next moment, a thought formed in her mind.

Since her father was wholeheartedly teaching Junior Brother Chu, then... why couldn't she wholeheartedly help Qi Yu?

The killing techniques were not easy to master. Having someone to guide you versus having no one made a complete difference in cultivation speed...

Bang!

The two separated.

Song Xue said, "From today onwards, I will practice the Spirit Serpent Killing Technique with you."

Qi Yu smiled, "Why are you suddenly so enthusiastic towards me, Miss Song?"

Song Xue's almond eyes widened, and she shook her fist, "Be careful, I'll beat you crying like I did when we were kids!"

Qi Yu's smile disappeared, and he said seriously, "Thank you."

Song Xue snorted, "It's just that I couldn't stand watching you practice so clumsily... so I came to guide you, lest you get eliminated in the martial arts exam and start crying again!"