Chapter 9 of 100

Chapter 9: On the Eve of Revenge

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Song Qingshu stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the secret letter his mother had given him. He thought to himself that Zhang Wuji was a martial arts genius and the leader of the Ming Cult, which could stand up to the Mongols in the Western Regions, indicating its formidable influence. Now, he was a cripple, with no martial arts skills and no power. How could he possibly take revenge? A sense of powerlessness spread throughout his body.

However, the occasional coquettish whispers from Zhou Zhiruo were like drums of war, gradually igniting his fighting spirit. Song Qingshu slowly calmed down and began to clear his thoughts.

If his meridians were broken, he would find a way to repair them. He still remembered most of the Nine Yin Manual and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms from the Heaven Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber. With his familiarity with the martial arts of this world, he believed it wouldn't be too difficult to achieve supreme martial arts skills. Then, he would find those treasures, and with the current chaos in the world, it would be easy to gather a force. Finally, he would challenge Zhang Wuji...

As his thoughts became clearer, Song Qingshu's mood gradually calmed. He had considered secretly informing Zhao Min to capture Zhang Wuji, but he feared that if Zhao Min, who had agreed to share a husband with Zhou Zhiruo, acted impulsively, she might tell the same story, exposing him. The three of them would certainly not tolerate him... The thought made him shudder.

The next day, when Zhang Wuji regretfully announced to everyone that he was powerless to repair Song Qingshu's broken meridians, Zhou Zhiruo was somewhat worried that Song Qingshu might lose his composure. However, to her surprise, Song Qingshu calmly sipped a cup of tea and said, "It's the will of heaven. I can't blame anyone. I've troubled you, Lord Zhang."

This response surprised even Zhao Min, who looked at him with a mix of curiosity. Song Qingshu responded with a faint smile, but inside, he was in turmoil, constantly refining his plan for revenge.

This was the skill he had honed through years of struggle in the real world. Unless the outcome was certain, he would never reveal his grievances prematurely, giving his opponents a chance to guard against him.

After some casual conversation, due to the urgent situation in the Western Regions, Zhang Wuji had to leave early with his group. Zhou Zhiruo instructed her disciples to pack their luggage and set off on the journey back to Emei.

"Seems like the Sect Leader has become even more beautiful recently," two young female disciples flattered Zhou Zhiruo sincerely along the way.

Previously, Zhou Zhiruo was beautiful, but there was always a hint of melancholy in her eyes, which made people feel a bit afraid. Now, with a faint smile always on her lips, she indeed looked more radiant.

"Zhiruo is naturally beautiful, of course she will become more beautiful," Song Qingshu gently held Zhou Zhiruo's small hand and looked at her affectionately. Feeling her smooth skin, he sneered inwardly. The disciples didn't know the reason, but he was well aware that Zhou Zhiruo had been receiving the essence of the Nine Yang True Qi from Zhang Wuji every day, making her even more alluring.

With the disciples watching, Zhou Zhiruo couldn't pull her hand away, though she felt somewhat annoyed, and her eyes gradually turned cold.

Feeling that it was enough, Song Qingshu let go of her hands and sat back in the carriage, resting and gathering his thoughts.

After much deliberation, he had a plan. Although the chances of repairing his meridians were slim, he had to try. The four great doctors in the world, Ping Yizhi and Doctor Xue, were on par with Hu Qingniu. Since Zhang Wuji couldn't help, they probably couldn't either. The only hope was the mysterious Poison Hand Medicine King, who also had the future medical genius Cheng Lingsu. He believed that the best hope lay with him.

If everything went smoothly and his meridians were healed, he would practice diligently, retrieve those secret martial arts manuals and treasures, and follow his plan. If, unfortunately, he couldn't be healed, he would simply not practice martial arts. After all, Wei Xiaobao had no martial arts skills and still managed to thrive. He had climbed the ranks in his previous life, and there was no reason he couldn't do the same in this one!

Song Qingshu was a tenacious person. Unless he was dead, he would never give up on any small hope.

He had already prepared to leave without saying goodbye, but before he left, he needed to collect some interest from certain people. Thinking of this, he narrowed his eyes and sized up Zhou Zhiruo's back. Zhou Zhiruo, sitting in front, suddenly felt a chill and tightened her clothes.

After nightfall, the four of them found an inn in a small town. After dinner, the two female disciples wisely retired to their rooms. Zhou Zhiruo frowned and followed Song Qingshu into her room, noticing there was only one bed, her expression turned sour.

Following her gaze, Song Qingshu quickly understood and smiled, "Zhiruo, you sleep on the bed tonight."

"Then what about you?" Zhou Zhiruo was surprised by Song Qingshu's understanding and felt a warmth in her heart. She remembered how Song Qingshu had always been courteous to her, even after their marriage, he had never overstepped. Thinking of her secret agreement with Zhang Wuji, her face flushed.

"I'll sleep on the floor," Song Qingshu glanced at her with a strange look.

"That won't do. Your injuries are still healing, the cold from the floor could cause you to develop a chronic illness," Zhou Zhiruo's words warmed Song Qingshu's heart. It seemed she wasn't completely heartless.

"What else can we do?" Song Qingshu glanced at the single bed, his meaning clear, "How about we share?"

"How can we do that?" Zhou Zhiruo shook her head vigorously. If she hadn't made a lifelong commitment to Zhang Wuji, she might have agreed, considering they were married. They could each use their own blankets, and with her superior martial arts, she wouldn't fear any mischief from him.

But after her agreement with Zhang Wuji, she subconsciously resisted any other men, even her husband.

Song Qingshu smiled bitterly, "Don't worry, I'll ask the innkeeper for extra bedding to lay on the floor."

Thinking of the day she would abandon him and become the wife of the man he hated most, Zhou Zhiruo felt a twinge of guilt. Hearing this, she quickly stood up, "You're still injured, rest here. I'll go get it." She hurried out of the room.

The innkeeper, seeing a celestial-like beauty asking for bedding, was overjoyed and enthusiastically provided several sets. As she left, he looked at Zhou Zhiruo's back and asked, "Mistress, do you need more blankets?"

Zhou Zhiruo was still in a good mood when she returned to the room. No woman disliked being praised for her beauty. She happily helped Song Qingshu set up the bedding on the floor. They couldn't let the disciples know about their lack of intimacy, so she had to do everything herself.

Finally, the bedding was set up. Zhou Zhiruo wiped the fine sweat from her forehead, and Song Qingshu handed her a cup of tea, "Zhiruo, you've worked hard. Have a drink."

Zhou Zhiruo, feeling thirsty, drank it in one go. They chatted for a while, but the conversation soon became awkward. Zhou Zhiruo said, "It's late, let's rest."

As she sat on the bed, she was surprised to see Song Qingshu follow her, and she said unhappily, "What are you doing? Your bed is over there."

Song Qingshu's smile was somewhat eerie as he sat on the bed, "I want to sleep here."

Zhou Zhiruo felt a surge of anger but, considering his pitiful state, she stood up, "Then I'll sleep on the floor."

"No, no, I want to sleep with you," Song Qingshu's smile grew wider.

"You!" Zhou Zhiruo thought he had lost his mind, raised her hand to slap him, but suddenly everything went dark.

"My dear, how does the Ten Fragrant Soft Bone Powder taste?"

Zhou Zhiruo remembered the tea he had given her and was startled, "Song Qingshu, are you crazy?"

"Am I crazy?" Song Qingshu laughed strangely, "I am indeed crazy, but I had to pretend I knew nothing."

Zhou Zhiruo was shocked, "You know everything? Impossible, you weren't..."

"Weren't I paralyzed?" Song Qingshu touched her smooth face, "Fortunately, heaven was merciful. By chance, I woke up and later, with precautions, I spat out all the Ten Fragrant Soft Bone Powder you prepared. That's how I saw the ugly scene between you and that man."

"Song Qingshu! What do you want?" Her face tingled where he had touched it.

"In such a beautiful night, and we are husband and wife, what do you think I want?" Song Qingshu began to unbutton her collar, one by one, deliberately slowly.

"Song Qingshu, you dare!" Zhou Zhiruo's face turned red, and she raised her eyebrows, scolding him.

"I am your husband. What's wrong with asking you to fulfill your duties as a wife?" Song Qingshu finally undid the outer layer, admiring the light pink undergarment, "Oh, even embroidered with mandarin ducks."

"Song Qingshu, I will kill you!" Feeling a chill on her chest, Zhou Zhiruo thought of the nightmare to come and trembled with anger.

"Death under the peony, it's worth it," Song Qingshu wrapped his arm around her shoulder, lifted her up, and let her hair down, the black tresses cascading over her white skin, a sight that made his breath catch.

"Qingshu, please let me go. You were once so good to me, why are you doing this now?" Zhou Zhiruo, seeing that her threats had no effect, became increasingly panicked and pleaded softly.

Chapter 10: A Long-Delayed Revenge

As she sat on the bed, she was surprised to see Song Qingshu follow her and said unhappily, "What are you doing? Your bed is over there."