Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen: The Green-Clothed Maiden

"Uncle seems to know all the secrets of the various martial arts families..." Mrs. Hu looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Song Qingshu smiled slightly, "I have a nickname, 'The Omniscient of the Martial World'... just a joke, Sister-in-law, don't take it seriously."

"Ah, if this young master is the Omniscient of the Martial World, do you know who this little girl is?" The voice was extremely sweet and clear, making one feel inexplicably comfortable. Song Qingshu and Mrs. Hu were startled and turned to see the owner of the voice, a young woman in green, about sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate hands as white as jade, a gentle face, and an air of elegance.

Song Qingshu saw that although her appearance was not as exquisite as Mrs. Hu's, her extreme gentleness made her very charming. Seeing her in green, a flash of inspiration came to him: "What if I tell you your name and background?"

The green-clothed maiden smiled and shook her head, "I don't believe you."

"If I'm right, I don't ask for anything else, just to take us to Swallow's Nest," seeing the green-clothed maiden's hesitation, Song Qingshu became even more certain, "I've long heard that in Suzhou, there are two fairy-like maidens. Heaven created a beautiful A-Zhu, and the elegance of Jiangnan created A-Bi, your gentle and graceful nature. It's truly rare and precious."

A-Bi was flattered and shyly said, "You'll know if you meet Miss Wang, then you'll realize you praised me too early."

Seeing Song Qingshu smile without speaking, A-Bi looked up and asked, "I wonder what business the young master has at Swallow's Nest?"

"Brother and I have no ill intentions; we just have an important matter to discuss with Young Master Murong. We hope Miss A-Bi can help us," hearing Song Qingshu's introduction, Mrs. Hu nodded slightly.

A-Bi, seeing their noble and beautiful appearances, subconsciously didn't consider them to be bad people, and smiled sweetly, "Young Master is at home today, please follow me."

Mrs. Hu inwardly smiled, this young man is not only handsome but also good at pleasing girls. This young girl is really naive.

A-Bi untied the rope and invited the two to board the boat. Mrs. Hu's smile froze; having grown up in the icy north, she knew nothing about water and felt an inexplicable fear at the sight of the lake.

"Brother, be careful." Seeing her wobble, Song Qingshu quickly helped her onto the boat. Throughout the journey, Mrs. Hu's forehead was drenched in sweat, feeling nauseous and uncomfortable, and didn't even realize that Song Qingshu had been holding her in his arms the whole time.

A-Bi, on the other hand, looked at the two curiously, wondering why Song Qingshu, who called her "sister-in-law," now seemed like a couple. However, as a maid, she kept her doubts to herself.

After docking, Mrs. Hu realized she was tightly pressed against Song Qingshu and quickly pulled away, leaping directly onto the shore. Song Qingshu smiled bitterly and got off the boat with A-Bi.

Chapter Nineteen: The Green-Clothed Maiden

"Song Qingshu and Mrs. Hu pay our respects to Young Master Murong." After A-Bi went in to announce them, Murong Fu greeted them in the hall.

"Is this the young hero who is the master of both Wudang and Emei? And Mrs. Hu... could you be the widow of the great hero Hu Yidao from Liaodong?" Murong Fu, with his handsome appearance, looked at them for a moment and asked in surprise.

"Indeed, Young Master Murong, you know the martial world well, recognizing us at first glance," Song Qingshu and Mrs. Hu exchanged glances, thinking that the Murong family's ability to use others' methods against them was not undeserved.

"What brings you two here today?" Murong Fu, focused on his ambition to restore his kingdom, was usually enthusiastic about making connections with martial artists.

"It's like this," Mrs. Hu paused, then told him about Murong Jingyue.

"Murong Jingyue?" Murong Fu was startled, having never heard of this distant relative, "I need to check the family records to see if I can find any information." In his heart, he thought the Murong family was small, and now there might be another helper.

Seeing the joy on his face, Song Qingshu guessed his thoughts and quickly said, "Young Master Murong, please forgive my impertinence, but this Murong Jingyue's martial arts are not inferior to yours, and he is skilled in unorthodox techniques and the use of poisons. He is determined to seize the ownership of the Compound, and as a bastard, he may not tolerate the legitimate line of the Murong family."

Murong Fu was somewhat dismissive, thinking that if his martial arts were better, he would have attacked long ago. But then he thought, perhaps he is not afraid of me but of my father, who is pretending to be dead. His expression gradually became serious.

"Can we help Young Master Murong? After all, Murong Jingyue might be the one who poisoned you years ago." Mrs. Hu bowed slightly, not wanting to be left out after seeking help from the Murong family.

"Please, Mrs. Hu, don't be sad," Murong Fu gently supported her, "I am deeply grateful for the important information you have provided. I wouldn't dare to trouble you to take action. If we can't clean up our own house, it would be a laughingstock to the world. Rest assured, once we capture Murong Jingyue, we will invite you to discuss the matter."

Seeing his reasonable arguments, Mrs. Hu didn't know how to respond. Interfering in internal family matters was a major taboo in the martial world, but she couldn't just let it go.

"Mrs. Hu, if you don't mind, you can stay at Swallow's Nest for a while. Once we find Murong Jingyue, you can investigate the matter of Great Hero Hu. What do you think?" Murong Fu invited her warmly, thinking about the rumors of a great treasure that Hu Yidao guarded years ago. He wanted to find a way to probe for information.

Mrs. Hu was clearly tempted but hesitated, thinking that as a widow, staying here might not be proper. Chapter Nineteen: The Green-Clothed Maiden

Looking at Song Qingshu beside her, she had an idea and smiled at Murong Fu, "Thank you, Young Master Murong. I will accept your kind offer. However, we have another request. My brother was severely injured, causing his meridians to be completely severed. The Medicine King suggested that the Star Shift technique of the Murong family might be able to treat his damaged meridians. Is it possible?"

Murong Fu subconsciously frowned, the Star Shift technique was the foundation of the Murong family, how could he give it to outsiders? But he was thinking about the treasure of Hu Yidao. If he could get the treasure, he could recruit soldiers and horses, possibly achieving what his ancestors could not. His heart was suddenly filled with enthusiasm.

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

Song Qingshu, feeling uneasy, extended his hand, thinking that although he sympathized with Murong Fu, he had always been skeptical of his abilities. Putting his fate in his hands was unreliable.

Chapter Twenty: The Internal Skill That Can Restore Meridians

Sure enough, after a while, Murong Fu frowned and said, "Young Master Song's meridians are indeed... severely damaged... Did the Medicine King really say that the Star Shift technique can treat your condition? Perhaps I am not skilled enough, having practiced the Star Shift technique for twenty years, I didn't know it had the ability to restore meridians."

Song Qingshu was greatly disappointed, and Mrs. Hu also looked pained, saying, "Since Young Master Murong can't help, I must accompany Brother Song to try elsewhere. I'm afraid we can't stay here."

"Brother, there's no need to be so upset. Since this last hope is gone, I've given up. If you want to investigate Murong Jingyue, staying here would be more convenient." Song Qingshu's voice was filled with sadness and reluctance. The trip to Swallow's Nest couldn't heal his injuries, so he had to leave.

Although he could stay here with Mrs. Hu and live a peaceful life, thinking of the sword of Zhou Zhiruo hanging over his head, he needed to accumulate more strength before she found him.

With no hope of martial arts, it seemed the only way was to enter the government. Song Qingshu's mind raced, considering the various forces in the world, who should he join...

Seeing Mrs. Hu's intention to leave with Song Qingshu, Murong Fu was anxious and suddenly thought of a way, quickly saying, "There's no need to worry, I seem to have remembered a method to treat Young Master Song's meridians."

Song Qingshu looked at him indifferently. He had experienced hope and disappointment, and now he was numb to any possible treatment.

"I hope Young Master Murong can enlighten us." Mrs. Hu was clearly more enthusiastic.

"I have a cousin who is well-versed in martial arts," Murong Fu's eyes flashed with tenderness, but it was quickly replaced by determination, "A few years ago, when we discussed the internal skills of various schools, she mentioned an internal skill that can revive the dead and heal the flesh. It might be able to treat Young Master Song's injuries..."

"Wang Yuyan?" Song Qingshu was suddenly interested. How could he forget this young girl who was a master of martial arts but had no martial skills? If she really said it, there might be hope. He asked excitedly, "Young Master Murong, what is the name of this internal skill?"

Murong Fu's expression became complicated, "I forgot..."

It turned out that when Murong Fu first heard about this skill, he didn't believe it and dismissed it, so he didn't pay attention to its name. This time, reminded by Song Qingshu's condition, he suddenly remembered this anecdote to retain Mrs. Hu.

Seeing the strange expressions of the two, Murong Fu quickly added, "But my cousin definitely remembers."

"Is your cousin at the residence?" Mrs. Hu was now more anxious than Song Qingshu.

"My cousin is at the Mandala Manor, a bit far from here. It's getting late, why don't you stay at my residence for the night?"