Chapter 94

Chapter 93: An Unknown Mission

"Palace life is lonely; it's more interesting to have beautiful companions than to live alone." Song Qingshu neither admitted nor denied it, and after answering, he sat down to meditate and began to heal his internal injuries with the Nine Yin Manual.

Seeing Song Qingshu focusing on healing, Xia Qingqing, who had been tense all night, suddenly relaxed and felt a wave of drowsiness. She lay down on the bed, pulled the blanket tight, and looked at Song Qingshu sitting on the edge of the bed with caution: "We had a deal. I'm only sharing the bed with you because of the emergency today. If you have any ulterior motives, I'll cut off your hands and feet."

"Don't worry. I was injured in the lower abdomen. Even if I had any ulterior thoughts, I wouldn't have the ability to act on them." Song Qingshu didn't open his eyes and continued to circulate his true qi to heal himself.

Xia Qingqing was startled and asked, almost involuntarily, "Are... are you going to be okay?"

Song Qingshu opened his eyes and looked at her with a playful expression, "Do you hope I'll be okay, or not?"

"Go to hell." Xia Qingqing's face turned bright red, and she pulled the blanket over her head, turning her back to Song Qingshu.

Seeing the usually alluring Xia Qingqing showing a girlish side, Song Qingshu couldn't help but smile and returned to his meditative state.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Kangnian's voice came from outside: "Lord Song, the Emperor has asked you to wait for him in the Imperial Study."

Song Qingshu opened his eyes and found that it was already bright outside. He turned around and saw that Xia Qingqing was still sleeping soundly, her black hair naturally spread on the pillow, a smile on her lips, but a hint of worry in her brows. He sighed, knowing she must have been exhausted lately. Not wanting to wake her, he left a note by her pillow and quietly went outside.

"Brother Zhang, it's been a long time." Looking at Zhang Kangnian, Song Qingshu felt a special warmth.

"Don't call me that anymore," Zhang Kangnian smiled awkwardly, "Lord Song's rank is now higher than mine."

"Brother Zhang, you're making it sound too formal. Everyone knows I'm just a nominal First-Class Guard. I'll still need your help when I go to the gambling dens and brothels in the capital." Song Qingshu said this while dressing and joking with him.

Zhang Kangnian's face relaxed, and he chuckled, "Of course, actually, Wei Da is the real expert in that area..."

The two chatted for a while, and Song Qingshu casually inquired, "I wonder why the Emperor suddenly called for me?"

Zhang Kangnian looked troubled, "I don't know either. The Emperor specifically instructed me to notify you before the morning court session. He will come to the Imperial Study after the session."

"Could it be about the assassination attempt last night? Or did Dongfang Bubai report something? It shouldn't be, otherwise, there would have been an army waiting outside, not just Zhang Kangnian..." Song Qingshu kept speculating as he walked, soon arriving at Chapter 93: An Unknown Mission

Outside the Imperial Study.

"Lord Song, you can go in by yourself. I'll wait here."

After parting with Zhang Kangnian, Song Qingshu pushed the door open and was startled to see Dongfang Bubai sitting inside.

"Good morning, Sect Leader Dongfang." Song Qingshu's face twitched as he said awkwardly.

"Comfortable in the warm bed, Lord Song? You must have had a good time last night." Dongfang Bubai glanced at him, his face expressionless.

"I must thank you for letting me off the hook." Song Qingshu thought to himself that he had really pushed his luck, turning a powerful ally into an enemy. Beauty truly brings disaster, as the ancients said.

"I don't care about your dirty business," Dongfang Bubai said indifferently, "By the way, I have a question for you."

Song Qingshu's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure and replied, "If I know, I will answer without reservation."

Dongfang Bubai was satisfied with his attitude and asked, "Where did you learn the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms?"

"Indeed, it's here!" Song Qingshu wiped a cold sweat and answered truthfully, "I learned it from the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber."

"Really?" Dongfang Bubai opened his narrow phoenix eyes and sighed, "I didn't expect the legends of the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber to be true. But to think that just the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms would be enough to command the world, hah, that's a bit too much, isn't it?"

Song Qingshu nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, "Compared to the Sunflower Manual, the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms are nothing." He couldn't help but think: The line in the Sunflower Manual that makes all men feel a chill between their legs, 'To practice this divine skill, one must castrate oneself,' must be true. But I've never heard that the Sunflower Manual turns men into women. That soft feeling last night... Damn! I actually touched a eunuch's chest, is this like a hangover? Ugh...

Noticing Song Qingshu's changing expression, Dongfang Bubai said calmly, "From your expression, it seems you're not entirely convinced."

"I am, of course, I am. Sect Leader Dongfang is a paragon of both literary and martial prowess, a unifier of the martial world for all time." Song Qingshu was startled and even blurted out the catchphrase of the Sun Moon Sect.

Dongfang Bubai couldn't help but smile and asked, "Do you know any young martial artists who can perform the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms?"

"Speaking of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, the first to mention would be Xiao Feng, the Southern Duke of the Liao Kingdom, and Guo Jing, the Northern Hero." Song Qingshu said this while observing the other's reaction.

"Continue." Dongfang Bubai had already ruled out these two people in his mind.

"Shi Huolong, the leader of the Jiangnan Beggar Sect, is rumored to be second only to Xiao and Guo in his mastery of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms." Song Qingshu, thinking of his own safety, tried to find someone else to take the blame.

"Continue." Dongfang Bubai shook his head inwardly; the age didn't match.

"Some of the nine-bag elders of the Beggar Sect also know some moves of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms." Song Qingshu's back was drenched in sweat.

"Is there anyone younger, about your age?" Dongfang Bubai looked at him suspiciously, thinking Song Qingshu looked a lot like the person from last night.

"Uh!" Song Qingshu almost died of fright and quickly said, "I've heard that Yelü Qi, the top young martial artist of the Liao royal family, is also proficient in the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms."

"Yelü Qi?" Dongfang Bubai seemed to be thinking, then suddenly looked up and smiled, "Lord Song seems to be quite well-informed about the martial world."

"Just average, I'm known as the 'Hundred-Knowing Scholar of the Martial World,' that's me." Song Qingshu didn't care about boasting; he just wanted to divert Dongfang Bubai's attention. The more he asked, the more suspicious he would become.

"Ha ha ha, since you call yourself the 'Hundred-Knowing Scholar of the Martial World,' this task is perfect for you." Emperor Kangxi walked in and couldn't help but laugh when he heard Song Qingshu's words.

"What task is it?" Song Qingshu was taken aback, bowed, and asked.

Kangxi, seeing Song Qingshu's humble demeanor, thought of how his beloved Concubine Mi had willingly submitted to Song Qingshu last night, and his expression became somewhat strange. Chapter 94: Two Masters of Disguise

"Recently, I sent you to pacify the martial world, primarily to deal with Yuan Chengzhi. Therefore, I only required the sects to accept the imperial seal. After careful consideration, I realize that such a superficial submission is not enough; the sects may still harbor ulterior motives against the Qing Dynasty." Kangxi said, frowning.

"What is Your Majesty's brilliant plan?" Having spent time with Wei Xiaobao, Song Qingshu had become adept at reading people's expressions and quickly asked in response.

Kangxi replied, "For years, I have felt a lack of skilled guards in the imperial court. This is a good opportunity to have the leaders of the sects send their trusted nephews and children to the capital to expand the guard force in the Forbidden City. Qingshu, you are familiar with the sects, so I will send you to recruit their disciples."

Song Qingshu praised the plan, noting that while it sounded like they were becoming imperial guards, in reality, they were hostages. In the future, if the sects had any other thoughts, they would have to consider the safety of their hostages.

"Your subject will obey the imperial command!" Song Qingshu immediately understood the true nature of his mission: he would ensure that the sects sent their leaders' most beloved children to the capital, or, if they had no children, their top disciples.

"How many men do you plan to take on this mission?" Kangxi asked.

"Your subject alone will suffice." Song Qingshu thought this was a rare opportunity to leave the capital with Xia Qingqing. If he took Duolong or Zhang Kangnian, who had seen the face of You You at the Yangzhou Lichun Courtyard, they might recognize her, so he wouldn't agree to take anyone.

Kangxi frowned, "This mission is dangerous; a single person might be too weak."

"Your Majesty, the sects have already pledged allegiance to the court. Even if some have ulterior motives, they are in the minority. With my martial skills, I can handle them." Song Qingshu replied.

"Lord Dongfang, what do you think?" Kangxi turned to Dongfang Bubai.

Dongfang Bubai glanced at Song Qingshu and replied, "There are no major sects in the Qing Dynasty. With Song Qingshu's skills, he can easily handle the second- and third-rate sects."

Kangxi felt reassured and said, "Very well, Lord Song, I hereby appoint you as a special envoy of the court, granting you the yellow robe. If needed, you can call upon local officials for assistance and have the authority to act first and report later..."

Leaving the Imperial Study, Dongfang Bubai looked at Song Qingshu suspiciously, "You're not planning to run away with Concubine Mi, are you?"

Song Qingshu's face stiffened, "Sect Leader Dongfang, you're joking. I wouldn't dare even if I had ten lives."

"I don't think you would. I don't want to be sent to hunt you down one day." Dongfang Bubai said and walked away.

Thinking of that terrifying scenario, Song Qingshu shook his head and hurried to his residence.

Pushing open the door, he saw the bed neatly made, and the beauty was nowhere to be found. Song Qingshu felt a sense of loss and stood there in a daze. Chapter 94: Two Masters of Disguise

"Recently, I sent you to pacify the martial world, primarily to deal with Yuan Chengzhi. Therefore, I only required the sects to accept the imperial seal. After careful consideration, I realize that such a superficial submission is not enough; the sects may still harbor ulterior motives against the Qing Dynasty." Kangxi said, frowning.

"What is Your Majesty's brilliant plan?" Having spent time with Wei Xiaobao, Song Qingshu had become adept at reading people's expressions and quickly asked in response.

Kangxi replied, "For years, I have felt a lack of skilled guards in the imperial court. This is a good opportunity to have the leaders of the sects send their trusted nephews and children to the capital to expand the guard force in the Forbidden City. Qingshu, you are familiar with the sects, so I will send you to recruit their disciples."

Song Qingshu praised the plan, noting that while it sounded like they were becoming imperial guards, in reality, they were hostages. In the future, if the sects had any other thoughts, they would have to consider the safety of their hostages.

"Your subject will obey the imperial command!" Song Qingshu immediately understood the true nature of his mission: he would ensure that the sects sent their leaders' most beloved children to the capital, or, if they had no children, their top disciples.

"How many men do you plan to take on this mission?" Kangxi asked.

"Your subject alone will suffice." Song Qingshu thought this was a rare opportunity to leave the capital with Xia Qingqing. If he took Duolong or Zhang Kangnian, who had seen the face of You You at the Yangzhou Lichun Courtyard, they might recognize her, so he wouldn't agree to take anyone.

Kangxi frowned, "This mission is dangerous; a single person might be too weak."

"Your Majesty, the sects have already pledged allegiance to the court. Even if some have ulterior motives, they are in the minority. With my martial skills, I can handle them." Song Qingshu replied.

"Lord Dongfang, what do you think?" Kangxi turned to Dongfang Bubai.

Dongfang Bubai glanced at Song Qingshu and replied, "There are no major sects in the Qing Dynasty. With Song Qingshu's skills, he can easily handle the second- and third-rate sects."

Kangxi felt reassured and said, "Very well, Lord Song, I hereby appoint you as a special envoy of the court, granting you the yellow robe. If needed, you can call upon local officials for assistance and have the authority to act first and report later..."

Leaving the Imperial Study, Dongfang Bubai looked at Song Qingshu suspiciously, "You're not planning to run away with Concubine Mi, are you?"

Song Qingshu's face stiffened, "Sect Leader Dongfang, you're joking. I wouldn't dare even if I had ten lives."

"I don't think you would. I don't want to be sent to hunt you down one day." Dongfang Bubai said and walked away.

Thinking of that terrifying scenario, Song Qingshu shook his head and hurried to his residence.

Pushing open the door, he saw the bed neatly made, and the beauty was nowhere to be found. Song Qingshu felt a sense of loss and stood there in a daze. Chapter 94: Two Masters of Disguise

"Recently, I sent you to pacify the martial world, primarily to deal with Yuan Chengzhi. Therefore, I only required the sects to accept the imperial seal. After careful consideration, I realize that such a superficial submission is not enough; the sects may still harbor ulterior motives against the Qing Dynasty." Kangxi said, frowning.

"What is Your Majesty's brilliant plan?" Having spent time with Wei Xiaobao, Song Qingshu had become adept at reading people's expressions and quickly asked in response.

Kangxi replied, "For years, I have felt a lack of skilled guards in the imperial