Several monks wore kasayas, but the vicious, savage aura on their faces was impossible to conceal. Coupled with the strange curved blades in their hands, Song Qingshu immediately realized that they were likely disciples of the Blood Saber Sect.
"Why would members of the Blood Saber Sect come to assassinate Wei Xiaobao?" Song Qingshu was deeply puzzled. The two sides should have had nothing to do with each other.
However, Song Qingshu had no intention of stepping in to save him just yet. Saving someone required proper timing. Wei Xiaobao's guards were still strong enough at the moment; even if he swiftly knocked down the Blood Saber monks, he might not mean much to Wei Xiaobao. Only by letting him fall into desperate straits could the rescue have the greatest effect.
You said one should bestow favors without expecting repayment? Sorry, Song Qingshu had never been that kind of person.
The Blood Saber Sect monks were far stronger than the Bell Sword Twin Heroes. The Imperial Guards under Wei Xiaobao's command struggled greatly against them, barely holding off the assassins only through their numerical advantage.
"Lord Wei, did you find any pleasing companions during your trip to Jiangnan?" Amid a burst of laughter, Song Qingshu noticed a fierce-looking middle-aged monk appear atop the roof. As he spoke, he slowly ran the back of his blade over his gleaming bald head.
Seeing that distinctive gesture and recalling his self-proclaimed title, Song Qingshu wondered, Could this be Blood Saber Ancestor, that monstrous practical fighter?
Among the characters in Jin Yong's novels, Blood Saber Ancestor was certainly not the strongest in martial arts, but his record was the most brilliant. Facing four experts on his own level, he ultimately killed three and captured one. He truly deserved to be called the foremost fighter in actual combat.
Wei Xiaobao, however, did not know Blood Saber Ancestor's reputation. Seeing the imposing manner of his entrance, he rubbed his ears, which ached from the man's laughter, and thought, Damn it, my men can only fight these monks, who clearly look like mere lackeys, to a draw. This newly arrived old monk might as well have "I'm an expert" written across his forehead. The moment he makes a move, Wei Xiaobao will become Dead Xiaobao.
He immediately plastered a smile across his face and chuckled. "Senior, your bearing is mighty and magnificent. One look tells me you are a distinguished elder of the martial world. I, Xiaobao, have always loved making friends. Today, I happened to encounter a beautiful young lady. If she catches your fancy, Senior, please take her with you. No need to stand on ceremony with me."
Shui Sheng let out an indignant cry, but her little mouth had long since been gagged, and it all turned into muffled whimpers.
Blood Saber Ancestor gave Shui Sheng a surprised glance, then could not help stroking his chin repeatedly. He nodded. "Mm, she is indeed a fine beauty. Mm, her brows have yet to bloom—she is still a virgin. Not bad, not bad. This ancestor likes her."
Wei Xiaobao looked at him with admiration. "An expert truly is an expert. From so far away, you could tell that this young lady is still untouched. My admiration for you is like the surging river, endless and unceasing..."
Blood Saber Ancestor gave a dry laugh. "Everyone says that Lord Wei of the Qing Dynasty is a chivalrous young hero who gives generously to others. Seeing you today, the rumors are indeed true. If we did not serve different masters, this ancestor would truly like to befriend you properly. What a pity, what a pity—truly a pity."
Wei Xiaobao broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing those words. He secretly regretted being overconfident and not bringing Fat Monk, Lu Gaoxuan, or the brothers from the Qingmu Hall of the Heaven and Earth Society. Otherwise, he would not have been so utterly helpless. This Zhang Kangnian usually bragged to the heavens, yet at a critical moment he was completely useless. If I get out of this alive, I'll make Little Xuanzi send every last one of you back home...
While Wei Xiaobao was lost in wild thoughts, his subordinates had already been dealt with by the Blood Saber monks, leaving only a handful.
Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian led several remaining guards in protecting Wei Xiaobao, their voices trembling. "Lord... Lord Wei, the situation is... is not looking good."
"Not looking good, my ass! Anyone can see that!" Wei Xiaobao cursed speechlessly. "Everyone else is dead. How come neither of you has a scratch?"
Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian exchanged a look and could only smile awkwardly.
Song Qingshu saw that the time was about right. Given Wei Xiaobao's slippery nature, who knew whether he might suddenly talk his way out of danger by relying on his own silver tongue? If that happened, Song Qingshu's carefully laid plans would go to waste.
With a soft cough, Song Qingshu stepped out from the shadows. Looking at the Blood Saber Sect members, he shook his head and sighed. "Those who leave the secular world should cherish compassion. Yet you masters have committed murder. Your sins are truly grave."
Wei Xiaobao's eyes immediately lit up when he saw Song Qingshu. He claimed that his ability to read people was second to none—if he called himself second, no one would dare claim first.
Even Mu Wanqing and Feng Qingyang had thought the wooden sword on Song Qingshu's back was merely an ornament, but Wei Xiaobao spotted its unusual nature at a glance. Making an entrance in such a devastatingly handsome pose, he's either a fool or a hidden master. Looking at how calm and composed he is, he's obviously not the former.
"This heroic gentleman carries a wooden sword on his back. One look tells me he is an expert among experts. These evil monks possess none of Buddhism's compassion and seek to take our lives. I beg this hero to save us." The moment Wei Xiaobao had something to rely on, his attitude immediately made a complete reversal.
"Hmph, abstaining from killing is some nonsense from your Central Plains Chan Buddhism. We Buddhists of Tibet do not have so many rules," Blood Saber Ancestor said with a chuckle. Looking at the wooden sword on Song Qingshu's back, he hesitated before asking, "Say, little brother, can that wooden sword of yours really hurt people?" Though he had never heard of anyone using a wooden sword as a weapon, his inborn instincts still made him wary of Song Qingshu.
"If Your Excellency's blood saber can hurt people, then why can't my wooden sword do the same?" Song Qingshu replied with a faint smile, though inwardly he was thrilled. Showing off like this really did feel rather good.
Blood Saber Ancestor hesitated, but ultimately motioned for his disciples to attack. The world was now in turmoil, and the many sects of the Western Regions were each seeking the lord they deemed worthy. Most had turned toward the more powerful Mongol Empire, but choosing which Mongol prince to support was an art in itself. Some had thrown their lot in with Prince Ruyang Chahan, who governed the Western Regions nearby; others had pledged themselves to the more prominent Kublai Khan. Blood Saber Ancestor, however, believed Temujin favored Seventh Prince Ariq above all others, and that the position of Great Khan would surely pass to him in the future. Thus, he led the Blood Saber Sect in pledging allegiance to Seventh Prince Ariq.
At present, Seventh Prince Ariq remained in the Mongol grasslands, locked in a stalemate with the Qing Dynasty. This time, they had learned that the Kangxi Emperor had sent his most trusted confidant, Wei Xiaobao, as an envoy to the southern Song Dynasty to discuss an alliance.
Seventh Prince Ariq feared that once the Qing Dynasty and Song Dynasty formed an alliance, they would no longer have worries behind them, leaving him in an even more difficult position. Upon learning this, Blood Saber Ancestor volunteered to lead his disciples south, intending to intercept and kill Wei Xiaobao within Great Song territory. That way, not only would the Qing Dynasty and Song Dynasty fail to form an alliance, they might even launch a great war over Wei Xiaobao's death.
Although his instincts told Blood Saber Ancestor that this strange young man before him was no ordinary person, time was pressing. He had to end the fight quickly and kill Wei Xiaobao before the Song Dynasty court could react. Thus, he sent his disciples in first to test Song Qingshu's true capabilities.
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