Green-Clothed Girl

"Uncle seems to know all the secret histories of the martial arts sects like the back of his hand..." Madam Hu glanced at him curiously.

Song Qingshu smiled slightly, "I have a nickname, 'Jianghu Hundred-Know-All'... Just kidding, sister-in-law, don't take it seriously."

"Oh my, if this young master is the Jianghu Hundred-Know-All, do you know who this little maid is?" The voice was incredibly sweet and clear, giving an indescribable sense of comfort. Song Qingshu and Madam Hu were startled, turning to see the owner of the voice was a girl in green, about sixteen or seventeen years old. Her slender hands were as fair as jade, her face full of gentleness, and her entire being exuded elegance.

Song Qingshu saw that while her beauty didn't match Madam Hu's refined elegance, with an extra twelve parts of gentleness, she appeared quite captivating. Seeing her in green, a thought flashed through his mind: "What if I revealed your name and origin?"

The Green-clothed Girl pursed her lips into a smile, shaking her head as she said, "I don't believe you."

"If I guess correctly, I won't ask for anything else, only that you take us to Yanziwu," Seeing the Green-clothed Girl's noncommittal response, Song Qingshu felt even more certain. "Song has long heard that Gusu has two fairy-like maidens. Heaven created A Zhu, beautiful as the rosy clouds, and then used the elegance of Jiangnan to create you, Miss A Bi, with your gentle nature like flowing water. Truly remarkable, truly remarkable."

A Bi blushed at his praise, saying shyly, "You'll know you praised too early when you meet Miss Wang."

Seeing Song Qingshu smile without speaking, A Bi looked up and asked, "May I ask what business brings you to Yanziwu, young master?"

"My sister-in-law and I have no ill intentions on this trip. We merely have an important matter we wish to consult Young Master Murong about. We hope Miss A Bi can facilitate this for us." Hearing Song Qingshu's introduction, Madam Hu also nodded slightly.

Seeing their handsome demeanor, the man like a jade tree before the wind, and the woman of unparalleled beauty, A Bi instinctively didn't see them as bad people. She smiled sweetly, "The young master is home today. Please follow me."

Madam Hu chuckled inwardly. Her little brother-in-law was exceptionally handsome, and he had a way with words that could win over girls. This young girl was truly inexperienced.

A Bi untied a rope nearby, inviting the two onto the boat. Madam Hu's smile froze. Having grown up in a land of ice and snow, she knew nothing of swimming and felt an inexplicable fear of the water.

"Sister-in-law, be careful." Song Qingshu quickly supported her as she boarded the boat, seeing her sway. Madam Hu's forehead beaded with sweat the entire way, feeling nauseous and disgusted, not even realizing she was being held in Song Qingshu's arms.

Instead, A Bi glanced at them strangely, wondering why Young Master Song called her sister-in-law, yet now they were embracing like a couple. However, her innate cautiousness as a maid kept her doubts hidden.

After docking, Madam Hu realized how closely she was pressed against Song Qingshu. She quickly broke free from his arm and leaped directly ashore. Song Qingshu gave a wry smile and disembarked with A Bi.

"I am Song Qingshu, and Madam Hu has come to meet Young Master Murong." After A Bi went in to announce them, Murong Fu greeted them in the main hall.

"Could this be Young Hero Song, who possesses the strengths of both Wudang and Emei sects? Madam Hu... are you perhaps the widow of the Great Hero Hu Yidao from Liaodong?" Murong Fu, with his refined and handsome appearance, examined them for a moment and asked in surprise.

"As expected of Young Master Murong, you know everything about the martial arts world. You recognized our origins at a glance." Song Qingshu and Madam Hu exchanged a look, thinking that the Murong family's 'Returning Injuries with the Same Technique' from Gusu was indeed not just a reputation.

"May I ask what brings you here today, esteemed guests?" Murong Fu was focused on his great cause of restoring his family's kingdom. He often enthusiastically befriended martial artists he met.

"It's like this," Madam Hu paused and told him about Murong Jingyue.

"Murong Jingyue?" Murong Fu was startled. He had never heard of this collateral family member before. "I must thoroughly check the family genealogy to see if I can find anything." What he was thinking was that the Murong lineage was sparse in numbers, and perhaps now they had an additional helper.

Seeing his pleased expression, Song Qingshu guessed his thoughts and quickly said, "Young Master Murong, please forgive my presumption, but this Murong Jingyue's martial arts seem to be no inferior to yours. Moreover, he practices unorthodox skills and is adept at using poisons. He is determined to seize ownership of Canhe Manor. With his status as a child of a concubine, he might not tolerate your legitimate lineage when the time comes."

Murong Fu felt a bit dismissive. He thought, if his martial arts were superior to his own, he would have attacked already instead of wandering the martial arts world learning skills... Wait, perhaps his concern isn't for me, but for my father who faked his death? As he pondered, Murong Fu's expression gradually became serious.

"May we be of assistance to Young Master Murong? After all, Murong Jingyue is likely the culprit who administered the poison back then." Madam Hu bowed slightly. She had come seeking the Murong family's help and didn't want to be left aside like this.

"Madam Hu, please accept my condolences," Murong Fu offered a slight support. "I am already immensely grateful for the vital information you've provided. How could I dare trouble you further? If our Murong family cannot even manage our own household affairs, wouldn't we become a laughingstock of the world? Madam Hu, please rest assured. Once we apprehend Murong Jingyue, we will certainly invite you for a chat."

Seeing his reasonable excuse, Madam Hu didn't know how to proceed. Interfering in someone else's internal affairs was indeed a major taboo in the martial arts world, yet she couldn't bring herself to let him ignore it.

"If Madam Hu doesn't mind, you could stay at Yanziwu for a while. As soon as we find Murong Jingyue, Madam can investigate the matter of Great Hero Hu from back then, how about it?" Murong Fu invited her warmly, while inwardly contemplating the martial arts rumors from years ago that Hu Yidao guarded a great treasure. He wondered if it was true or false. Now that his wife was here, he needed to find an opportunity to probe subtly.

Madam Hu was clearly tempted, but she was concerned about the impropriety of a widow staying there.

She glanced at Song Qingshu beside her and immediately had an idea. She smiled at Murong Fu, "Thank you for your kind offer, Young Master Murong. I gratefully accept. However, we have an impudent request for this uninvited visit. My brother here has suffered a severe injury, causing all his meridians to be severed. Following the guidance of the Medicine King, we heard that the Murong family's 'Star Shifting' in Gusu is incredibly profound. I wonder if it can heal my brother's damaged meridians?"

Murong Fu instinctively frowned. 'Star Shifting' was the foundation of the Murong family's existence. How could it be given to outsiders? However, he was still thinking about Hu Yidao's treasure. He thought that if he could obtain the treasure, he could recruit soldiers and buy horses, and perhaps complete the great undertaking that generations of his ancestors could not. His heart suddenly blazed with ambition.

"Young Master Song, may I examine your pulse?" Murong Fu looked at Song Qingshu and gestured.

Song Qingshu nervously extended his hand, thinking that although he sympathized with Murong Fu, he had always been dismissive of his abilities. Placing his fate in his hands felt truly unreliable.