The Golden Book's Top Real Combat Master

Although the monks were wearing kasayas, they couldn't hide the ferocity in their eyes. Coupled with the strange curved sabers in their hands, Song Qingshu immediately realized these must be disciples of the Blood Saber Sect.

"Why would the Blood Saber Sect come to assassinate Wei Xiaobao?" Song Qingshu was very confused. The two shouldn't have any connection at all.

However, Song Qingshu didn't plan to intervene immediately. Saving someone also required timing. Wei Xiaobao's guards were currently at full strength. Even if he quickly defeated the Blood Saber monks, he wouldn't be that important in Wei Xiaobao's eyes. Only by putting him in a desperate situation could the effect of saving him be maximized.

Did you say you don't expect rewards for kindness? Sorry, Song Qingshu was never that kind of person.

The martial arts of the Blood Saber Sect monks were far superior to the Bell Sword Twin Heroes. Wei Xiaobao's Imperial Guards were struggling to deal with them, only managing to hold off the assassins due to their numerical advantage.

"Has Your Lordship Wei found any suitable companions during your trip to Jiangnan?" A long laugh echoed, and Song Qingshu noticed a fierce-looking middle-aged monk appear on the rooftop. As he spoke, he slowly ran the back of his saber across his gleaming bald head.

Seeing that iconic gesture and recalling the monk's self-introduction, Song Qingshu wondered if it was the legendary Blood Saber Ancestor, whose combat prowess was said to be incredible.

In Jin Yong's novels, the Blood Saber Ancestor was certainly not the highest in martial arts, but he had the most brilliant combat record. Facing four experts at his own level, he ultimately killed three and captured one, making him the undisputed master of practical combat.

Wei Xiaobao, however, was unaware of the Blood Saber Ancestor's reputation. But seeing the imposing aura of his arrival, he rubbed his ears, which were ringing from the laughter, and thought, "Damn it, my men are only fighting to a draw with these seemingly minor monks. This new old monk has 'I'm an expert' practically written on his forehead. If he makes a move, Wei Xiaobao will become dead Xiaobao."

He immediately put on a smiling face and chuckled, "Senior, your demeanor is majestic and imposing. You look like a distinguished elder. I, Xiaobao, love making friends the most. I just happened to find a beautiful young lady today. If you think she's pleasing to the eye, feel free to take her. Don't be polite with me."

Shui Sheng, standing nearby, let out a sound of intense indignation, but her mouth was already gagged, and all that came out were muffled groans.

The Blood Saber Ancestor looked at Shui Sheng with surprise, couldn't help but stroke his chin back and forth, and nodded, "Hmm, she is indeed a beauty in the making. Hmm, her brows haven't fully opened yet, and she's still a maiden. Not bad, not bad, Ancestor likes her."

Wei Xiaobao looked at him with admiration, "As expected of a true master. Even from this distance, you can tell this young lady is still a virgin. My admiration for you, Xiaobao, is like a surging river, endless..."

The Blood Saber Ancestor chuckled dryly, "Everyone says that Your Lordship Wei of the Great Qing is a chivalrous and generous little hero. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation. If we weren't on opposing sides, Ancestor would truly want to befriend you properly. What a pity, what a pity."

Hearing his words, Wei Xiaobao broke out in a cold sweat. He secretly regretted his earlier carelessness in not bringing Fatty Tou Tuo, Lu Gaoxuan, or even his brothers from the Green Wood Hall of the Heaven and Earth Society. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so vulnerable. This Zhang Kangnian, who usually blew his own horn so loudly, was useless when it mattered. If he could escape with his life this time, he would definitely have Little Xuanzi send all of them back to their hometowns...

While Wei Xiaobao was lost in thought, his subordinates had already been dealt with by the Blood Saber monks, leaving only a few.

Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian, along with a few remaining guards, shielded Wei Xiaobao. Their voices trembled slightly, "Wei... Your Lordship Wei, the situation is... a bit dire."

"Dire, my foot! Anyone can see that," Wei Xiaobao cursed speechlessly. "Everyone else is dead, how did you two escape without a scratch?"

Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian exchanged glances and could only offer an awkward smile.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Song Qingshu thought that with Wei Xiaobao's personality, who knew if he would suddenly escape with his glib tongue? In that case, his own careful plan would be ruined.

Clearing his throat, Song Qingshu stepped out from the shadows and looked at the Blood Saber Sect members, shaking his head and sighing, "Monks should have compassion. You masters have broken your vows and committed grave sins."

When Wei Xiaobao saw Song Qingshu, his eyes immediately lit up. He considered his ability to read people to be second to none in the world.

Even Mu Wanqing and Feng Qingyang mistook the wooden sword on his back for mere decoration, but Wei Xiaobao immediately saw its unusual nature. "Appearing in such a ridiculously handsome manner, he's either a simpleton or an extraordinary master. His expression is calm and composed, so he's clearly not the former."

"This Great Hero carries a wooden sword on his back, indicating he is a master among masters. These wicked monks have no Buddhist compassion and wish to take our lives. I implore this Great Hero to save us." With newfound confidence, Wei Xiaobao's attitude did a complete 180-degree turn.

"Hmph, abstaining from killing is a mere trifle of the Central Plains Zen Buddhism. We Tibetan Buddhists don't have so many rules," the Blood Saber Ancestor chuckled, looking at the wooden sword on Song Qingshu's back. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Tell me, young man, can this wooden sword of yours really harm people?" Although he had never heard of using a wooden sword as a weapon, his innate instincts made him unconsciously wary of Song Qingshu.

"If your Blood Saber can harm people, why can't my wooden sword?" Song Qingshu smiled faintly, but inside he was exhilarated. This feeling of showing off was truly wonderful.

The Blood Saber Ancestor hesitated for a moment, then signaled his disciples to attack. The world was in chaos, and many sects in the Western Regions were seeking their own enlightened rulers. Most leaned towards the stronger Mongols, but pledging allegiance to a Mongol prince was a learned skill. Some sought out Prince Ruyang Chahan, who governed the Western Regions, while others pledged allegiance to the more influential Kublai Khan. However, the Blood Saber Ancestor believed that Temujin doted on his seventh grandson, Ariq Böke, and that the position of Great Khan would surely pass to him. Thus, he led the Blood Saber Sect to pledge allegiance to Ariq Böke.

Currently, Ariq Böke remained in the vast Mongolian steppes, in a stalemate with the Manchu Qing. This time, they learned that Kangxi had sent his most trusted confidant, Wei Xiaobao, on a mission to the southern Song Dynasty to discuss an alliance.

Ariq Böke worried that if the Manchu Qing allied with the Song Dynasty, they would have no worries on their northern flank, making his own situation more difficult. Upon learning this, the Blood Saber Ancestor volunteered and led his disciples south, intending to intercept and kill Wei Xiaobao within the Great Song territory. This way, not only would the Manchu Qing and the Song Dynasty fail to form an alliance, but they might even launch a major war over Wei Xiaobao's death.

Although his intuition told the Blood Saber Ancestor that the strange young man before him was not simple, time was of the essence. He had to act quickly and kill Wei Xiaobao before the Song Dynasty court could react. Therefore, he ordered his disciples to go first, to test Song Qingshu's strength.