Wuxia 11

Liu Zhong told everyone to stay calm, assuring them that he and his brother would find the antidote, help them neutralize the poison, and then lead them in escaping from Wan'an Temple and Dadu.

The members of the five sects were anxious, yet they understood that obtaining the antidote would be no simple task.

A poison with such potent effects would certainly be kept under tight guard by the imperial court, making it impossible to find easily.

Therefore, they had no choice but to endure.

"Young Masters Song, do you still remember the woman in labor and her family you saved by the Han River back then?"

Just as Liu Zhong and Song Qinghua finished speaking with Abbess Miejue and were about to leave, an Emei disciple suddenly spoke up.

The two turned to look at the disciple who had addressed them.

She was incredibly beautiful, like an orchid in a secluded valley, and her eyes, which seemed to brim with affection, sparkled as they fixed upon the two men.

When Song Qinghua saw the young woman, his heart skipped a beat, and his face flushed red instantly.

As soon as Liu Zhong heard the woman's words, he recognized who she was.

So Zhou Zhiruo had still joined Emei?

Song Qinghua also recognized Zhou Zhiruo and said, "Are you Zhiruo-meimei?!"

Zhou Zhiruo smiled happily: "Brother Qinghua, it is me."

The two gazed at each other, seemingly oblivious to everyone else around them.

Liu Zhong raised an eyebrow and said to Abbess Miejue, who stood nearby: "Forgive my brother, Abbess; he has lost his composure upon seeing an old acquaintance from his childhood."

Abbess Miejue replied: "It is no matter! It is fate that Zhiruo happens to know the two of you."

Her expression remained indifferent, but her mind was racing.

The two Song brothers possessed formidable martial arts, likely no less than that little demon Zhang Wuji.

If Zhou Zhiruo and Song Qinghua could become a pair, it would bring a powerful ally to Emei.

Liu Zhong pulled the reluctant Song Qinghua away: "Once we rescue everyone, there will be plenty of time for you to flirt with Miss Zhou."

Song Qinghua's face turned beet red: "It—it's not flirting. Brother, don't talk nonsense."

"Nonsense?" Liu Zhong chuckled. "Do you dare say you don't like Miss Zhou?"

"I, I..."

Liu Zhong continued: "Your brother has eyes; how could I not see what's in your heart? You're a lucky one, and Miss Zhou clearly has feelings for you too. Since you are both in love and well-matched in status, I will have Father go to Emei to propose for you when the time comes."

He was much luckier than the Song Qingshu in the original story.

Who would have thought that Zhou Zhiruo would take a liking to Song Qinghua?

Was it because Song Qinghua appeared earlier than Zhang Wuji?

If Song Qingshu had met Zhou Zhiruo first in the original story, would she have fallen for him instead?

Song Qinghua's face grew even redder, his voice filled with joy: "Big Brother, are you serious? Does Miss Zhou really like me?"

Liu Zhong replied: "Miss Zhou's feelings were so obvious that not only I, but even Abbess Miejue noticed."

Song Qinghua gasped: "Will Abbess Miejue make things difficult for Zhiruo?"

Liu Zhong said: "Rest assured, the Abbess is happy to see it happen. She is delighted at the prospect of an alliance between Emei and Wudang."

Song Qinghua breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good then."

The two brothers waited in Dadu for nearly a month before Zhao Min finally returned to the Ruyang Prince Mansion with her subordinates.

On the night they received the news, Liu Zhong and Song Qinghua snuck into the mansion and crept into the living quarters of Lu Zhangke.

Lu Zhangke was a master of martial arts, but he was no match for the two brothers.

Of course, to avoid alerting the enemy, they did not let Lu Zhangke discover them, nor did they kill him; they simply stole the antidote hidden within his weapon.

The two immediately headed to Wan'an Temple and distributed the antidote to the members of the five sects imprisoned in the tower.

The cells that were meant to hold them captive now served as a natural barrier, protecting them from disturbance while they neutralized the poison.

After everyone took the antidote, they began the process of recovery with peace of mind.

Liu Zhong and Song Qinghua did not stay to wait for them to finish, merely agreeing to return the following night to discuss the escape plan with everyone.

As it turned out, Zhao Min arrived at Wan'an Temple the next day, dragging out several members of the five sects to spar with her subordinates so she could steal their martial arts techniques.

Although He Taichong and Ban Shuxian had recovered their internal energy, they knew that facing so many powerful enemies surrounding Zhao Min, they could not fight their way out alone, so they swallowed their pride and pretended their energy had not yet returned, only to have a finger cut off by Zhao Min's subordinates.

The couple harbored deep resentment, swearing that they would make Zhao Min pay.

After dismissing He Taichong and Ban Shuxian, Zhao Min ordered someone to bring Zhou Zhiruo forward.

Zhou Zhiruo exposed Zhao Min's intention to steal their martial arts, declaring that even if her fingers were cut off, she would not spar with Zhao Min's subordinates.

Zhao Min threatened to ruin Zhou Zhiruo's face, and Zhang Wuji, unable to hold back, leaped out, hoping to play the hero saving the beauty.

Although the scene of being fed by the Han River never occurred, Zhou Zhiruo had sympathized with Zhang Wuji and Zhu'er when they were captured by Abbess Miejue, treating them with great care, which had caused Zhang Wuji to develop feelings for her.

However, Zhang Wuji was a step too late; he discovered that Zhou Zhiruo was already being held in the arms of a handsome man in green robes, far away from Zhao Min and her group.

Zhang Wuji was shocked—who was this man?

Zhou Zhiruo was overjoyed to be held in the arms of the one she loved.

Every time she found herself in danger, it was this man who came to save her.

"Who goes there?" Zhao Min demanded.

She stared at Song Qinghua, discovering that this man's appearance and temperament were in no way inferior to Zhang Wuji.

"Wudang's Song Qinghua!" Song Qinghua said coldly.

"Senior Brother Song!" Zhang Wuji called out in surprise.

"Song Qinghua? Never heard of him," Zhao Min scoffed.

A nameless nobody was not worth the attention of the Princess.

"I am but a commoner of the pugilistic world; it is only natural that the Princess has not heard of me," Song Qinghua replied coldly.

Zhao Min glanced at Zhang Wuji, then looked at Song Qinghua and Zhou Zhiruo, who were still holding each other, and pulled a strange smile.

"Miss Zhou is so beautiful; it is no wonder she can captivate two young heroes. I just wonder, which one does Miss Zhou actually fancy?"

Zhou Zhiruo's face turned beet red. She broke free from Song Qinghua's embrace and said coldly, "Princess, please watch your tongue. Senior Brother Song and I are old acquaintances, while I am merely acquainted with Sect Leader Zhang."

Zhao Min laughed heartily and said to Zhang Wuji, "Sect Leader Zhang, did you hear that? Miss Zhou only considers you a passing acquaintance, while her relationship with this Master Song is the truly close one."

Hearing this, Zhang Wuji felt a sense of loss. He thought to himself that Miss Zhou was so wonderful, it was only natural for others to like her.

Since the other party was Senior Brother Song, and they were a perfect match, he should be happy for them.

He suppressed his disappointment and spoke up, "Miss Zhao, Miss Zhou and I are only acquaintances. Please do not spout nonsense and tarnish Miss Zhou's reputation."

Zhao Min laughed again, deciding not to press the matter with Zhou Zhiruo any further.

In high spirits and with a smile on her lips, she raised her fair, jade-like wrist and gave a light wave.

"Seize them for me."

As the words fell, the Xuanming Elders, who had already been poised for action, lunged toward Zhang Wuji.

Ku Toutuo, meanwhile, pounced toward Song Qinghua and Zhou Zhiruo.

Yang Xiao and Wei Yixiao, who had been hiding in the shadows, hurriedly jumped out to help Zhang Wuji deal with the enemies.