Mu Wanqing choked at his words, a chaotic sense of absurdity rising within her. Why did this conversation sound so familiar? Her face quickly turned cold, and she raised an arm. "Go away, or I'll shoot you with poisoned arrows!"
"Big sister is so fierce! Gou Dan'er is scared," Song Qingshu said as he hurriedly darted aside, muttering, "So vicious. I wouldn't want you as my wife even if you begged me."
Though Song Qingshu had deliberately lowered his voice, he had also made sure Mu Wanqing could hear every word. Her teeth itched with rage, but remembering that Yun Zhonghe was still there, she quickly composed herself and remained fully on guard.
"Mu Wanqing, what's so bad about following me? Your big brother here knows how to cherish a woman," Yun Zhonghe said lewdly, one brow twitching.
"Shameless!" Mu Wanqing raised her hand and fired a Butterfly Sleeve Arrow. Yun Zhonghe had been prepared; with a flash, he closed in beside her.
Song Qingshu watched in alarm. Yun Zhonghe's martial arts might not have been much, but his qinggong was absolutely first-rate. If Song Qingshu wanted to catch him, he would probably have to rely on his inner strength and win through endurance.
With Yun Zhonghe suddenly right before her, Mu Wanqing's face went pale. She hurriedly swung her sword to defend herself, but he struck as swiftly as lightning, tapping an acupoint at her waist with one finger. Ever since Duan Yu had become her biological brother, Mu Wanqing had been distraught and absent-minded. Now that Yun Zhonghe had captured her, the thought of the nightmare awaiting her made her blood surge in fury, and she immediately fainted.
"What a beauty. Even fainting, she looks so lovely," Yun Zhonghe said, rubbing his hands as he stared at the beauty lying on the ground, practically drooling. "Should I wake her up and have some fun first, or have some fun first and wake her afterward?"
"If she wakes up, she'll surely fight and scream, ruining the mood. But if she stays like this, she's just like a block of wood, and that seems to lack a little something..." Yun Zhonghe found himself in a dilemma.
"Ah, the reputation of lecherous villains has been ruined by scum like you." A voice suddenly sounded from nearby, startling Yun Zhonghe.
He looked up and saw that it was that foolish brat. Yun Zhonghe's eyes flashed with malice. "You little bastard, so you were pretending to be stupid and making a fool of your grandpa."
"Prince Duan is what you call a truly refined lecherous villain. He steals a woman's heart first, then wins her body, and she does it willingly. In the end, he still earns a reputation as a dashing romantic. Unlike you, who have made yourself notorious enough that everyone spits at the mention of your name." Song Qingshu looked as though he hated Yun Zhonghe for failing to live up to expectations, leaving Yun Zhonghe dumbfounded.
Yet his words struck a raw nerve. Yun Zhonghe said bitterly, "That bastard Duan Zhengchun is the prince of Dali. With that status alone, countless women are waiting to throw themselves into his arms. Besides, he has a handsome face, decent martial arts, and plenty of gold in his pockets. How can wandering rogues like us compare to him?"
"So you just gave up on yourself?" Song Qingshu raised a brow, then suddenly asked curiously, "Of all the women you've harmed over the years, was even one as beautiful as Duan Zhengchun's lovers?"
Yun Zhonghe looked awkward and could only tell the truth. "No..."
"That's what I thought. Instead of considering how to improve yourself, you went down the wrong path. Look at you now—your face is all skin and bones, your body is like a bamboo pole. Anyone can tell you've been hollowed out by wine and women. With that disgusting face, plus your foul reputation, a woman would have to be blind to fall for you." Song Qingshu curled his lip disdainfully.
"I don't need women to fall for me..." Yun Zhonghe began, then suddenly realized what he had said. He flew into a rage. "Where did this little bastard come from, daring to mock your grandpa?"
Song Qingshu shook his head. "I'm telling you all this because your life has been quite the failure. I hope that when you reincarnate in your next life, you reflect on yourself properly."
Yun Zhonghe gave two dry laughs and lunged forward, brandishing his Rusted Silver Crane Claws. Song Qingshu twisted at an extraordinary angle where he stood, neatly finding an opening and tapping a finger beneath Yun Zhonghe's armpit. Yun Zhonghe felt his entire body go numb, unable to move another inch. His expression changed drastically. "How did you know my weak point was beneath my armpit?"
"Being uneducated is terrifying. 'Crane Snake Eight Strikes, the armpit reveals an opening'—that's common knowledge." Song Qingshu made it sound effortless, but inwardly he thanked Wang Yuyan ten thousand times. If she had not pointed out Yun Zhonghe's weakness in the original work, defeating him would have been easy enough, but capturing him so easily would have been impossible with his qinggong.
Yun Zhonghe had committed countless evils, and his mind worked quickly as well. His eyes shifted, and an idea came to him. "Little brother, after hearing your brilliant remarks just now, I can see that you and I are of the same kind. Since you have taken a fancy to this beauty, please help yourself. I willingly offer her to you."
"Pah! Who's of the same kind as you?" Song Qingshu had been struck on a sore spot and immediately jumped up. "Besides, your life and death are in my hands now. If I truly had improper intentions toward this lady, why would I need you to offer her to me?"
"Yes, yes, I misspoke. Hero, you are handsome and dashing, as elegant as jade, graceful as the wind, a charming romantic..." Yun Zhonghe's words soon made Song Qingshu impatient. He waved a hand, stopping him from continuing his flattery. "No matter how much you say, it's useless. You will not escape death today. I will act on behalf of heaven and avenge the women you defiled."
Panic rose in Yun Zhonghe's heart, but he sensed an opening in Song Qingshu's tone and hurriedly said, "If Hero agrees to spare me, I can give Hero my unique skill."
"What use is your pathetic martial arts?" Song Qingshu said disdainfully.
"Of course, my martial arts are not worth mentioning in Hero's eyes," Yun Zhonghe said with an awkward chuckle. "But my qinggong can rank third in the martial world." He could not hide the pride in his voice.
"Oh? Who are the two masters ahead of you?" Song Qingshu immediately grew interested. He himself had no martial art that could rank among the top ten under Heaven.
"The finest qinggong naturally belongs to Wei Yixiao, the Green Winged Bat King of the Ming Cult's Guangming Peak. His qinggong was truly bestowed by Heaven..." Yun Zhonghe's words were full of admiration. "As for second place, that would be Dongfang Bubai of Blackwood Cliff. That ghostly movement technique should far surpass mine as well." His voice brimmed with fear.
"And third is you?" Song Qingshu sneered. "What shameless boasting."
Yun Zhonghe smiled awkwardly. "Hero is wise. There are indeed quite a few people under Heaven whose qinggong is no weaker than mine, but none are clearly stronger either. So I shamelessly call myself third." Seeing that Song Qingshu remained unmoved, he hurriedly added, "My qinggong and Wei Yixiao's actually share the same origin. I merely failed to master it because of my aptitude and inner strength."
"Oh? What qinggong is it?" Song Qingshu was genuinely tempted now.
"Treading Sand Without Trace!" Seeing his interest, Yun Zhonghe hurriedly said, "As long as Hero spares this lowly one, I guarantee that I will repent and reform. I will never again harm decent women."
"Fine! Tell me the qinggong formula. Once I verify that it is correct, I will naturally let you go." Song Qingshu's heart pounded wildly. If he learned Treading Sand Without Trace, it truly would not be inferior to Lingbo Weibu!
Seeing him agree so readily, Yun Zhonghe instead became uncertain. He gave an embarrassed smile. "What if I tell Hero the qinggong formula, and Hero goes back on his word..."
Before you continue