Intentions

Under the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall...

Beneath the mottled shadows of the trees...

A tall, thin figure was secretly meeting with a plainly dressed young woman.

The tall, thin man frowned slightly, worry showing on his face as he called, "Fang'er, that Qi Family wastrel has shown himself recently and taken up residence in the martial hall. I'm afraid he may bring trouble to your younger brother."

The young woman's eyes widened, filled with confusion. "What makes you say that?"

"Senior Sister Song has always been close to you and your brother. In the past, she often instructed Chu Xiao as well, so their bond is naturally no ordinary one.

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

"No, no." The young woman hurriedly waved her hands. How could she dare think of such a thing?

The tall man's gaze flickered as he probed, "Could it be that you don't like Senior Sister Song?"

"It's not that. I heard that Senior Sister Song and Young Master Qi of the Qi Family were betrothed as children. The Qi Family is powerful and influential. For Miss Song to marry into the Qi Family would naturally be an excellent destination."

The tall man let out a cold snort. "Fang'er, Fang'er, you're far too honest!"

"Mingyong, what's going on?"

The tall, thin man was named Wang Mingyong, while the young woman was Chu Fang, Chu Xiao's older sister.

Ever since Chu Fang had moved near the martial hall, Wang Mingyong had taken great care of her and now secretly regarded himself as Chu Xiao's future brother-in-law. For his own benefit, he naturally hoped that Song Xue and Chu Xiao could become a couple.

After pondering briefly, he said vividly, "A few days ago, I happened to pass by the Herb Gathering Pavilion and saw the Qi Family's second branch clash with the first and third branches. The first and third branches were furious but dared not speak out, forced to watch helplessly as the second branch took all the medicinal herbs from the storehouse.

"I made some inquiries and heard that the first and third branches have already fallen into decline.

"Think about it. If Senior Sister Song married into the Qi Family and became that wastrel's wife, wouldn't she suffer terribly?

"Although the Qi Family is powerful, it's the second branch that holds overwhelming authority, and that has nothing to do with Qi Yu.

"Besides, Qi Yu's conduct is vile. He eats, drinks, visits brothels, gambles—there's nothing he won't do. He idles around all day and does nothing worthwhile.

"Now that he has suddenly begun practicing martial arts, it's nothing more than an attempt to obtain an official title, claim a larger share of the family property, and deceive Senior Sister Song along the way.

"If Senior Sister Song truly ended up with him, her whole life would be ruined!"

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

Wang Mingyong folded his arms, brimming with confidence. "I have great faith in Junior Brother Chu Xiao, and I also think he and Senior Sister Song are much better suited. I'll find a way to handle this."

Chu Fang bit her lip and said urgently, "How about... I talk to Miss Song properly? Miss Song is kindhearted. She absolutely mustn't marry a wastrel like that. This concerns her entire life!"

Wang Mingyong hurriedly waved his hands. "Fang'er, don't spread this around. Wait until I find the right opportunity... It's just..."

As he spoke, he suddenly fell silent, his eyes burning as he stared at the young woman before him.

Chu Fang lowered her head shyly and whispered, "I know you've always treated me well."

Wang Mingyong said solemnly, "Fang'er, my younger brother's affairs are my affairs. I'll do everything I can to help."

Chu Fang nodded lightly.

Immediately afterward, the two figures slowly parted beneath the mottled tree shadows and went their separate ways.

The next day...

Song Qinghong's voice came from the secret chamber where martial arts were imparted.

"Someone, fetch a packet of Crimson Flame Powder and two hot-compress medicinal bags, then come in and lend me a hand!"

Wang Mingyong was waiting outside the secret chamber. At these words, his eyes rolled, and he quickly called out loudly, "Master, I'm coming!"

With that, he began running at full speed.

However, he did not head toward the storehouse. Instead, he turned and rushed toward a secluded little courtyard.

Sunlight spilled across the courtyard, and spear shadows flashed...

Song Xue wore a fitted martial outfit, looking heroic and spirited as she practiced her spear with total concentration. Hearing footsteps, she halted the flow of her spearwork, turned to see who had arrived, and raised her willow brows. "Junior Brother Wang, what is it?"

Wang Mingyong was breathing slightly hard as he said urgently, "Master sent someone to fetch a packet of Crimson Flame Powder and two hot-compress medicinal bags... Junior Brother Chu may have pulled a muscle."

Hearing this, tension appeared in Song Xue's beautiful eyes. "Chu Xiao is injured?"

Wang Mingyong pretended to sigh worriedly. "It seems so. Otherwise, there'd be no need for hot-compress medicinal bags. Alas... with Junior Brother Chu fighting so desperately, he'll surely wipe away his past humiliation in the Provincial Examination and restore the prestige of our Spirit Serpent Martial Hall. And the Crimson Flame Powder is a precious medicine that activates the body's internal heat... Master is truly going all out this time."

Song Xue urged him, "Then why aren't you hurrying to fetch it? What are you doing here?"

Wang Mingyong put on an ingratiating smile. "Isn't it because I was afraid of delaying things?

"Junior Brother Chu's situation is extremely important. It would be better for Senior Sister to go help him personally.

"I still remember a junior sister praising your skills, saying that a few simple stretches from you could leave an injured person perfectly fine.

"With Senior Sister's help, Junior Brother Chu will surely get through this crisis safely."

Song Xue froze for a moment.

Seeing this, Wang Mingyong hurriedly urged her, "Senior Sister, let's hurry."

Song Xue shook her head lightly, her expression calm. "Anyone can do stretches. The junior sister you mentioned should be Junior Sister Xin, right? That girl praises everyone she meets."

Seeing that she remained unmoved, Wang Mingyong stamped his foot anxiously. "Senior Sister, what time is it? Junior Brother Chu is fighting desperately for our martial hall! Could it be that you still have scruples between men and women with him?"

Song Xue frowned at him and suddenly said, "Junior Brother Wang, why are you acting so strangely?"

Wang Mingyong pretended to be frantic, pounding his chest and stamping his feet. "I'm worried about Junior Brother Chu, and I'm worried about our Spirit Serpent Martial Hall! Senior Sister, hurry and go!"

Song Xue set off and fetched the Crimson Flame Powder, but she did not go to the secret chamber where martial arts were imparted. Instead, she stopped Ghost Hand Seven halfway there, explained the situation, and Ghost Hand Seven thumped his chest and said, "Junior Sister Song, stretching is my specialty! No matter how badly Junior Brother Chu has twisted himself, I'll pull him back into shape."

Wang Mingyong was helpless.

He had originally wanted to use the stretching to bring Song Xue and Chu Xiao into physical contact. That way... trouble would inevitably arise.

He saw the situation in the martial hall clearly.

Before Chu Xiao had appeared, when Third Master Qi's household was powerful, the hall master had indeed been wholeheartedly pushing the two toward marriage. But now, as one side rose and the other fell, the martial hall had gained a genius disciple while Third Master Qi's household could only watch itself gradually decline. In that case... naturally, no one mentioned the marriage anymore.

All he needed to do was add a little fuel to the fire, and that wastrel would be enough to retreat in the face of difficulties.

But this time, he had failed.

Wang Mingyong sighed inwardly but said no more.

Song Xue watched his back as he left, frowning slightly.

As the senior sister of the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall, how could she not know that Wang Mingyong had grown quite close to the Chu siblings? Putting the current matter together with that, she more or less understood the thoughts of this man surnamed Wang.

It was just a pity that she had never liked a genius like Chu Xiao, who was determined to become some great hero.

The one she liked... was a certain foolish childhood friend who had turned over a new leaf and needed her protection.

Whether they still had fate between them or not, feelings could not be forced.

Song Xue thought this as she did so.

She did not return to her room but walked toward the little courtyard where Qi Yu was staying.

She had just reached the outside of the wall when she heard the forceful sound of wind coming from within.

Curiosity stirred in the young Miss Song. She lightly rose onto her toes and peered inside through the holes in the white wall's flower window, only to see Qi Yu practicing his punches as a warm-up.

She had immersed herself in the Spirit Serpent Skill for more than a decade and knew every detail of it by heart. At that moment, she felt that the youth's punches flowed like clouds and running water, carrying a distinctive beauty.

She had seen that kind of beauty only in Junior Brother Chu. It was the sign of a boxing technique reaching perfection.

However, the longer she watched, the more something felt wrong.

When that set of Spirit Serpent Fist unfolded in the youth's hands, it possessed an exquisite perfection, as though he were handling something heavy with the ease of lifting a finger.

Curious, Song Xue stepped inside. Just as she saw Qi Yu throw a punch, she darted forward like a spirit serpent and "swam" across the distance, raising her hand with a smack to block the youth's fist.

"Miss Song?"

"I'll suppress my strength. We'll only use the Spirit Serpent Skill."

"Good."

The two instantly tangled in combat. Their fists whipped up roaring winds, and their robes fluttered.

Experiencing it firsthand, Song Xue felt even more strongly that the youth's Spirit Serpent Skill was flawless beyond compare.

The movements were clearly similar, yet those exceptionally subtle sensations were unmistakable.

Qi Yu's Spirit Serpent Skill had already surpassed hers, surpassed Junior Brother Chu's, surpassed Ghost Hand Seven's... Even her father might not be able to compare.

Song Xue was stunned.

Was this really the wastrel she knew?

All of a sudden, she felt that being a genius was rather good, too.

As long as that genius was the youth before her, it was quite good.

The next moment, a thought surfaced in her mind.

Since her father was giving Junior Brother Chu his all-out guidance, then... why couldn't she help Qi Yu with all her strength?

The killing technique was not easy to master. Having someone to teach one versus having no one to teach one were two entirely different levels of cultivation speed...

Bang!

The two separated.

Song Xue said, "From today onward, I'll accompany you in practicing the Spirit Serpent Killing Technique."

Qi Yu smiled. "Why has Miss Song suddenly become so enthusiastic toward me?"

Song Xue widened her almond eyes and shook her fist. "Be careful, or I'll beat you to tears again like I did when we were children!"

Qi Yu put away his smile and said seriously, "Thank you."

Song Xue gave a cold snort. "I just couldn't stand watching you practice so clumsily anymore... That's why I came to give you a few pointers, so you won't get eliminated from the martial examination and then sob your eyes out again!"