Chapter 68

Chapter 67: The Skill to Revive the Dead

With a "pu!" a mouthful of blood spewed out. If it weren't for Song Qingshu's divine skill protecting him, an ordinary person hit by Hong Antong's solid punch would have already had their heart and lungs shattered.

Sangjie and the Blood Knife Old Ancestor also attacked. Song Qingshu barely managed to resist a few moves before the Blood Knife Old Ancestor's blade was at his throat.

"My life is over!" Song Qingshu's heart turned cold, and a scene of a head flying high flashed through his mind.

"Clang!" A projectile shot at the Blood Knife Old Ancestor's blade, shocking the three people in the field. It wasn't because of the strength of the projectile, but because it was a Golden Snake Dart!

Perplexed, he turned his head and saw that neither Yuan Chengzhi nor Murong Fu, who were surrounding and attacking Jumu Zhi, had the chance to shoot the projectile...

"There's no need to look. That Golden Snake Dart was released by me." Xia Qingqing walked in gracefully. At this moment, she had changed from her enchanting and bewitching demeanor to one of elegance, with her hair like clouds and a red veil around her. The men in the field felt she was incomparably dignified.

Sangjie pointed his finger and sealed Song Qingshu's major acupoints, then looked up in confusion and asked, "Why doesn't Madam Yuan let us finish him off?"

"I still have important matters to ask him. Thank you all for helping me capture him." Xia Qingqing placed her hands at her waist, slightly bent her knees, and bowed, truly displaying a myriad of graces.

Sangjie and Hong Antong were still fine; the former was a monk, and the latter had long since given up on women, even his beautiful wife. Therefore, although they admired her beauty, they had no extra thoughts.

The Blood Knife Old Ancestor was different. Looking at Xia Qingqing's slender waist as she bowed, he wished he could help her up. A greedy look flashed in his eyes, but thinking of her powerful husband, he sighed inwardly: "I'll find another young lady. That cross-dressing girl earlier was quite nice."

Song Qingshu smiled bitterly, never expecting that she would save his life. Thinking of their intimate moments earlier, his heart couldn't help but flutter.

Noticing his gaze, Xia Qingqing's face turned red, and she pretended to turn her head to watch the battle on the other side, no longer looking at him.

Although Jumu Zhi was at a disadvantage, he could still barely hold his ground. But when he saw Song Qingshu heavily injured and captured out of the corner of his eye, his heart turned cold, thinking that if he continued fighting, he might really have to meet the Buddha.

He immediately used all his strength to force Yuan Chengzhi and Murong Fu back with the Flame Blade, then leaped toward Song Qingshu: "Young Master Song, this poor monk will save you."

Sangjie and Hong Antong were shocked and punched at Jumu Zhi in the air. But Jumu Zhi's move was a feint; the palm looked powerful but had no strength. When it met the force of Sangjie and Hong Antong, he used their push to break through the window and disappear into the night sky. No one expected this, and Yuan Chengzhi and the others, considering his high martial arts, were unwilling to continue the chase.

"Lord Wei, Young Master Song, this poor monk will invite more experts and come to save you." Jumu Zhi's voice drifted from afar.

"You really have a sense of righteousness, my friend." Xia Qingqing stood beside Song Qingshu, sneering.

"I never thought that after traveling together for so many days, it wouldn't compare to the brief affection with a lady." Song Qingshu sighed, "Qingqin, my heart is filled with longing. What a charming lady, I should have known."

Seeing the situation turn bad, Wei Xiaobao quickly changed his expression: "May the Holy Lord Hong enjoy eternal blessings and longevity!"

"May the Blood Knife Sect Master be wise and martial..."

"May the Master benefit all living beings..."

A series of incoherent flattery followed. Seeing everyone just sneer, Wei Xiaobao sighed, "Damn, I'm done for today. Do what you will, whether you kill or torture me. In sixteen years, I'll be a hero again!"

"Isn't it eighteen years for a hero to rise again?" Sangjie thought he might have remembered wrong and looked at his companion in confusion.

"Damn, I find eighteen years too long. Can't I come out two years earlier?" Wei Xiaobao glared, thinking that since he couldn't escape death, he might as well be tough for once.

"Everyone, the imperial troops will be here soon. We should leave as soon as possible." Yuan Chengzhi walked over and said.

"I've already saved my cousin, so I won't disturb you. Farewell." Murong Fu clasped his hands and bowed, but in his heart, he thought that the Golden Snake King, the Divine Dragon Sect Master, the Blood Knife Sect Master, and Sangjie were all powerful figures. Making friends with them might help his cause of revival. However, since they had just ambushed the Qing Emperor's most trusted official, Wei Xiaobao, they would likely face severe retaliation. He decided not to get involved and offend the Qing Empire, which would be unwise...

"Indeed, the Southern Murong lives up to his reputation. Fighting alongside you, Master Murong, is truly a pleasure in my life." Yuan Chengzhi was very impressed by Murong Fu's extensive and profound martial arts.

"Cousin, what about Young Master Song?" Wang Yuyan tugged at Murong Fu's sleeve, looking at the dejected Song Qingshu with worry.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Wang. I won't die so easily. You don't need to worry about me. I believe that if the heavens brought me to this world, they won't let me die so easily. Hahaha..." Song Qingshu spat out a mouthful of blood, his laughter filled with desolation.

Song Qingshu knew that Murong Fu, being a person who sought benefits and avoided harm, wouldn't risk his life to save him with so many experts around. He would likely give a grandiose reason to politely refuse.

Why should he listen to those insincere words and be disgusted before dying...

"Long time no see, Young Master Song is still so open-minded... Cousin, this place is not safe. Let's go." Murong Fu pulled Wang Yuyan and disappeared at the inn's entrance.

"Miss Wang, wait for me." Duan Yu hurriedly followed.

Song Qingshu and Wei Xiaobao were tied up and thrown into a carriage, and the group hurriedly left the city.

When Duo Long arrived with a large group of soldiers at the Lichun Courtyard, seeing the guards lying on the ground and Wei Xiaobao gone, his face turned ashen, and he ordered, "Pursue them out of the city!"

Yuan Chengzhi and his group were well-prepared, disguised, and took a winding escape route, quickly shaking off the pursuers.

At noon, when they stopped to rest, the Blood Knife Old Ancestor glared at Wei Xiaobao and turned to Yuan Chengzhi, saying, "Golden Snake King, why not just kill this kid and spare the trouble of carrying him around?"

The Blood Knife Old Ancestor and Sangjie could leave after leaving Yangzhou, but they were afraid that Wei Xiaobao might be rescued again, leading to the mission's failure. After several days of hiding, they were already quite impatient, and the Blood Knife Old Ancestor finally asked.

"I plan to take this corrupt official back to the Golden Snake Camp, invite the leaders of the Shandong rebel forces, and kill him to raise the morale of our Shandong rebels." Yuan Chengzhi thought that since Emperor Kangxi's ascension, the rebels' days had become harder. In recent years, the morale of the rebel forces had declined, and they no longer had the sharpness of the past. He hoped to boost morale by killing one of the emperor's trusted generals.

Wei Xiaobao's heart turned cold, thinking: "Damn, this black-faced man looks loyal and honest, but he's so ruthless. If I go back with him, I'll be chopped into pieces. It might be better with this fierce Blood Knife Old Ancestor..."

His eyes darted around, and a plan formed in his mind. He shouted, "Ouch, I need to urinate."

The Blood Knife Old Ancestor, who was just walking by, said impatiently, "Just pee in your pants."

Wei Xiaobao smiled flatteringly, "I don't mind, but my urine is so foul it might ruin your appetite, Old Ancestor."

"Bad luck!" The Blood Knife Old Ancestor threw the pancake he was holding to the side, picked him up, and walked ten meters away, untying him, "Hurry up. If you try to run, I'll sever your tendons."

"Hehe, I wouldn't dare. I just wanted to talk to you, Old Ancestor." Wei Xiaobao looked at him with a smile, not showing any urgency to urinate.

"What do you want to talk about?" The Blood Knife Old Ancestor turned his head away disdainfully.

"Old Ancestor, don't you think I'm dead, your mission is complete?" Wei Xiaobao asked nonchalantly.

"Of course, so you should just die quickly." The Blood Knife Old Ancestor glared at him fiercely.

"Ha, ha, ha, how ridiculous." Wei Xiaobao shook his head, looking at him with pity.

The Blood Knife Old Ancestor felt uneasy under his gaze and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at you and that lama for being fools, big fools, working for others for nothing." Wei Xiaobao looked at him with disdain.

"You don't need to sow discord, boy," the Blood Knife Old Ancestor chuckled, "I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice."

"That's true, but what benefit do you get from my death?" Wei Xiaobao asked with a cold smile.

"How can there be no benefit?" The Blood Knife Old Ancestor said, "Prince Seven wanted you dead, and our goals align with Yuan Chengzhi's. We each get what we want."

"Such a convenient arrangement," Wei Xiaobao sneered, "But what is Prince Seven's goal in wanting me dead? And where are we now?"

"Of course, to remove one of Emperor Kangxi's right-hand men. Wait, that's not right..." The Blood Knife Old Ancestor was startled, realizing that Prince Seven's main goal was to disrupt the alliance between the Qing and Song. Killing Wei Xiaobao in Song territory would implicate Song, leading to the annulment of the alliance. Emperor Kangxi might even declare war on Song in anger.

But now, Wei Xiaobao had already left Song territory and was within Qing territory!

"Hmph, cutting off one of Emperor Kangxi's arms is still good," the Blood Knife Old Ancestor said stubbornly.

"Although it's a bit embarrassing, I must be honest. What else can I do besides flattery and corruption? How can I be considered one of the emperor's right-hand men?" Wei Xiaobao said with a bitter face, "If you really let me die, you might never have a chance to rise again under Prince Seven."

The Blood Knife Old Ancestor was shocked, "How is that possible!"

"Think about it. In Prince Seven's eyes, you failed to kill me in Song territory, which is incompetence. Later, you captured me but didn't bring me back to Mongolia to use as leverage against our emperor, which is foolish. How can Prince Seven trust you again?" Wei Xiaobao's smile became increasingly cunning.

The Blood Knife Old Ancestor's face turned increasingly grim. He coldly hummed and said nothing, then tied Wei Xiaobao back to the camp.

Wei Xiaobao knew his words had taken effect because he saw the Blood Knife Old Ancestor immediately find Sangjie, and the two pointed and whispered to each other.

"Old Ancestor, I think the boy is right," Sangjie's face was uncertain.

"Then should we take him back to the Mongolian grasslands?" The Blood Knife Old Ancestor's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"But Yuan Chengzhi's martial arts are too high, and I have been injured by Song Qingshu's sword qi. The two of us might not be enough," Sangjie said, still suffering from the internal injuries he received when Song Qingshu broke his Great Hand Seal aura.

"What if I join you?" A long laugh echoed, and Hong Antong emerged from the shadows. He had always coveted the eight volumes of the Forty-Two Chapters Sutra in Wei Xiaobao's possession and didn't want him to die.

Unfortunately, he was alone, and neither the Blood Knife Old Ancestor nor Sangjie was inferior to him. Yuan Chengzhi's martial arts were clearly superior, so he didn't dare act rashly. He could only keep an eye on the Blood Knife Old Ancestor and Sangjie. Hearing their conversation, he was overjoyed and jumped out.

Seeing the three old foxes whispering, Wei Xiaobao sighed in relief, thinking his life was finally safe. Being taken to Mongolia might not mean death, and he might even talk his way out of it with the Mongolian prince... Thinking of the good outcome, Wei Xiaobao couldn't help but chuckle.

On the other side, Song Qingshu was tied to a temporary post, appearing dejected but secretly using the Nine Yin Manual's method to unblock his acupoints.

Suddenly, a sweet fragrance wafted to his nose, and he opened his eyes. He saw a light green skirt sway before him and looked up, "It's you... no, Madam Yuan."

"How are your injuries?" Xia Qingqing frowned, thinking of how he was hit by Hong Antong and the others, her face showing concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Madam Yuan. I just have scattered true qi and won't die so easily." Song Qingshu leaned against the post, looking at Xia Qingqing with a playful expression, "Did Miss Youyou send you to see me?"

Xia Qingqing's face turned red, and seeing he didn't expose her, she pretended to be ignorant, "Miss Youyou hates you to death. Why would she come to see you?"

"Alas, since that day, I and Miss Youyou may never meet again." Song Qingshu understood that Xia Qingqing had only played the role to lure Wei Xiaobao. Looking at the dignified and graceful Xia Qingqing now, he knew that the enchanting and bewitching Yangzhou courtesan was gone forever.

"Hmph!" Whenever she was alone, recalling the intimate scenes with him, Xia Qingqing's heart couldn't help but flutter. Although they hadn't really... Chapter 68: A Dream of Yellow Millet

The Blood Knife Old Ancestor's face turned increasingly grim. He coldly hummed and said nothing, then tied Wei Xiaobao back to the camp.

Wei Xiaobao knew his words had taken effect because he saw the Blood Knife Old Ancestor immediately find Sangjie, and the two pointed and whispered to each other.

"Old Ancestor, I think the boy is right," Sangjie's face was uncertain.

"Then should we take him back to the Mongolian grasslands?" The Blood Knife Old Ancestor's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"But Yuan Chengzhi's martial arts are too high, and I have been injured by Song Qingshu's sword qi. The two of us might not be enough," Sangjie said, still suffering from the internal injuries he received when Song Qingshu broke his Great Hand Seal aura.

"What if I join you?" A long laugh echoed, and Hong Antong emerged from the shadows. He had always coveted the eight volumes of the Forty-Two Chapters Sutra in Wei Xiaobao's possession and didn't want him to die.

Unfortunately, he was alone, and neither the Blood Knife Old Ancestor nor Sangjie was inferior to him. Yuan Chengzhi's martial arts were clearly superior, so he didn't dare act rashly. He could only keep an eye on the Blood Knife Old Ancestor and Sangjie. Hearing their conversation, he was overjoyed and jumped out.

Seeing the three old foxes whispering, Wei Xiaobao sighed in relief, thinking his life was finally safe. Being taken to Mongolia might not mean death, and he might even talk his way out of it with the Mongolian prince... Thinking