Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 1080: I Will Raise Them

“I…I feel a burning sensation in my chest…” Yelu Nanxian answered weakly, her eyes half-open.

Song Qingshu knew this was a hallucination caused by her injury and quickly sealed the acupoints around her wound: “Miss Nanxian, you must not use your internal energy to heal, lest the sword energy damage your foundation. I will remove the sword energy for you.”

“Thank…thank you…” Yelu Nanxian’s beautiful eyes were tightly closed, tears welling up in the corners, whether from the pain or the sadness of her father using her as a shield, it was unclear.

Song Qingshu quickly channeled a wisp of true energy into her body, controlling the sword energy and preventing it from causing trouble within Yelu Nanxian. However, dissolving it would take time.

Fortunately, Song Qingshu noticed something amiss at the critical moment, not only withdrawing most of his strength but also avoiding vital points. At this point, Yelu Nanxian would likely have already perished. Although her injuries were severe, as long as Song Qingshu removed the sword energy and she received proper care, her life would not be in danger.

Just as she had stabilized her injuries, Tian Guinong, not far away, suddenly vomited a mouthful of black blood, startling Cheng Yaojia who cried out, “Song…this person, this person…”

Song Qingshu, carrying Yelu Nanxian, appeared beside Tian Guinong in a single stride. Seeing his barely breathing state, he was greatly shocked. He had seen him take a punch from Yelu Yixin earlier; although it hit his back, it shouldn’t be life-threatening, which was why he had saved Yelu Nanxian first. But why was he like this now?

Seeing the pool of black blood on the ground, Song Qingshu’s expression changed. He hurriedly tore open the back of Tian Guinong’s clothes and found a dark purple fist mark there.

“Poisonous!” Song Qingshu’s face finally changed, and even from this distance, he could smell the nauseating stench of the poisonous blood; clearly, the poison was exceptionally potent.

Reaching out to check his pulse, Song Qingshu’s face immediately turned ashen. He could only do his best to channel his inner energy into the man’s body.

“Young Master Song… am I beyond saving?” Seeing his expression, Tian Guinong sighed.

Song Qingshu remained silent for a moment, then finally spoke the truth: “The poison has attacked your heart. Even a Great Immortal wouldn’t be able to save you.”

“Alas, in the end, I wasn’t destined for it.” Tian Guinong gave a bitter smile. “Young Master, please don’t waste your inner energy anymore. I have something I want to say to you.” He then glanced at Cheng Yaojia and her husband.

Her husband was injured because of this man. Cheng Yaojia glared at him irritably, but since it wasn’t appropriate to eavesdrop on someone’s dying words, she helped her husband to the side.

Song Qingshu didn’t withdraw his true Qi: “You said it was a promise, my cultivation can still hold.” Although Tian Guinong was despicable in the original story, he was Song Qingshu’s subordinate in this world. Tian Guinong had even planned to form a villainous group, and Song Qingshu was one of its members. Therefore, watching Tian Guinong’s life slowly slip away still saddened him.

“Thank you, young master!” Feeling the continuous flow of true energy into his body, Tian Guinong’s previously cold heart warmed. He pulled out an old cassock from his robes. “Last time, I learned the whereabouts of the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual from you, young master. I couldn’t resist the temptation and secretly went to Fuzhou to retrieve it…”

Song Qingshu sighed inwardly. 

Yue Buqun, Zuo Lengchan, and Lin Pingzhi had painstakingly searched for the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual, becoming suspicious of each other in the process, only to find it had ended up in Tian Guinong’s hands.

Gently stroking the cassock, Tian Guinong’s eyes were filled with reluctance. “The martial arts within are indeed incredibly profound. I’ve only practiced for a few months, and my skills have improved by leaps and bounds. It’s just a pity that the news leaked out, and I was targeted by a mysterious person… I disguised myself and tried countless methods, but I was still caught in Yangzhou…” His previous disguise as an old farmer was clearly a disguise, but now that the makeup had worn off, his true face was revealed.

Song Qingshu remained silent, knowing that the mysterious person he spoke of was probably Yelu Yixin. He was equally puzzled. Yelu Yixin was the Grand Councilor of the Southern Court of the Liao Dynasty, a high-ranking and powerful figure. Why would he get involved in martial arts feuds?

“This Evil Exterminating Sword Manual is ultimately not meant for me. I’ll give it to you, young master,” Tian Guinong said, placing the cassock into Song Qingshu’s arms.

Song Qingshu frowned, not taking the item, but instead saying, “This is your keepsake. You can give it to your wife or Qingwen later.” His wife was naturally Nan Lan, and Qingwen was Tian Guinong’s daughter, Tian Qingwen.

Tian Guinong chuckled, “This martial art isn’t suitable for women. You should keep it, young master. I found it based on your guidance, so it should rightfully belong to you.”

Song Qingshu smiled wryly. The Evil-Slaying Sword Manual was indeed unsuitable for women, but it was equally unsuitable for men. The phrase “To practice this divine skill, one must castrate oneself” had sent chills down the spines of countless men in the past.

Tian Guinong clearly had no time to explain, simply shoving the cassock into Song Qingshu’s arms. Gazing at the northern sky, his eyes gradually glazed over: “Young Master, please take good care of Nan Lan and Qingwen from now on.”

Song Qingshu’s heart stirred, and a widely circulated saying from his past life slipped out: “I will take care of your wife and daughters; you need not worry.”

A strange look appeared on Tian Guinong’s face, but he ultimately smiled: “That’s good, that’s good…”

Watching his eyes slowly close, Song Qingshu couldn’t help but sigh. He had been channeling his inner energy into him; how could he not know that his life force had been extinguished?

“Chief, Chief!” At this moment, members of the Golden Dragon Gang, who had been lying in ambush nearby, ran out. “Chief, let’s go quickly! The Qing Dynasty has received news that a group of soldiers is on their way.”

Song Qingshu nodded slightly. Given his current status, it was indeed inconvenient for him to encounter the Manchu army. He immediately ordered the Golden Dragon Gang members to take away Tian Guinong’s body, and helped Cheng Yaojia support Lu Guanying. He himself carried the unconscious Yelu Nanxian and returned with them to the Golden Dragon Gang’s secret stronghold.

“Where is your leader?” Having not seen Jiao Wan’er, Song Qingshu couldn’t help but ask.

“The leader has taken men to Taizhou on business these past few days,” a Golden Dragon Gang member replied.

Song Qingshu nodded. Jiao Wan’er was indeed incredibly busy managing such a large operation, while he, as the Chief, was much more relaxed. “Go and order a fine coffin, and send Tian Guinong’s body to the Tian family mansion in Yanjing City. Give it to Madam Tian and ensure she receives a proper burial. Remember to deliver this letter to Madam Tian as well.” Song Qingshu handed a secret letter to a subordinate. The letter briefly described the events and offered words of comfort to the mother and daughter, telling them to accept their fate.

“Yes, Chief!” Because of the previous great victory over the Qing army, Song Qingshu’s prestige within the Golden Snake Camp was unparalleled. This member was clearly very excited to be able to do something for him.

“Also, find a highly skilled doctor in the city to treat Young Master Lu’s injuries. Don’t worry about the cost. If it’s effective, use any expensive medicinal herbs you can find.” Song Qingshu added. “Alright,” the subordinate thought to himself, puzzled as to why his master valued Lu Guanying so highly. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something. “Shouldn’t we find a doctor to examine that young lady?”

Song Qingshu knew he was referring to Yelu Nanxian and shook his head. “No need. I will treat Miss Yelu.” Yelu Nanxian was injured by his sword energy. If he hadn’t neutralized the sword energy within her, even the most skilled doctor, though able to save her life, wouldn’t have been able to preserve her inner strength.

You see, even a thousand-year-old demon like Ming Zun, after being struck by Ah Qing’s innate sword energy, tried countless methods to neutralize it, only to have his injuries worsen. Ultimately, he had to go to Blackwood Cliff to seek the Star-Absorbing Technique, dissolving all his inner strength to remove Ah Qing’s persistent sword energy.

After arranging everything, Song Qingshu returned to the room where he had placed Yelu Nanxian. Looking at her slightly furrowed brows as she lay half-conscious, he was immediately filled with regret: if he had known this would happen, he shouldn’t have used his sword energy. If he had used the One-Finger Divine Skill, she wouldn’t be in such pain now.

He didn’t know why, but seeing Yelu Yixin had stirred a murderous intent within him. They hadn’t known each other before. Could it be because of Tian Guinong? That seemed unlikely…

Song Qingshu shook his head, dispelling the various speculations in his mind. He helped Yelu Nanxian sit up opposite him and then reached out to undress her.

Throughout the process, Song Qingshu’s eyes were crystal clear, completely devoid of any evil thoughts. He wouldn’t deliberately take advantage of her now; it was simply because Yelu Nanxian’s wound was in her chest, and he couldn’t treat it through her clothes.

Fortunately, the wound inflicted by the sword energy was located between her chest and collarbone, so her clothes only needed to be pulled down a few inches below her collarbone. If the wound had been any lower, even if Song Qingshu had no impure thoughts, the situation would have been somewhat awkward.

He placed his palm on her wound, and Yelu Nanxian couldn’t help but groan, clearly having touched a sore spot. Song Qingshu’s subsequent movements became increasingly gentle, carefully dissolving the sword energy within her body.

After dissolving the sword energy, Song Qingshu picked up a bunch of small red flowers he had prepared earlier. These small red flowers had a rather interesting name, “Buddha’s Seat Little Red Lotus,” which not only reduced swelling and promoted tissue regeneration but also had certain detoxifying properties, making them an excellent medicine for treating external injuries.

Song Qingshu first crushed half of the small red flowers and fed it to Yelu Nanxian. He placed the other half an inch away from her wound, then channeled his powerful and pure internal energy, forcing the medicinal properties contained within the flower little by little into her wound.

About half an hour passed before Yelu Nanxian groaned and woke up, whispering, “Am I…am I still alive?”

Song Qingshu smiled slightly, “Originally, you weren’t going to live, but the King of Hell thought it would be a pity for such a beautiful young lady like you to die before marriage, so he sent me to bring you back.”

“Your words are always so sweet.” Yelu Nanxian had known him for a long time and was somewhat used to his way of speaking.

Suddenly, she felt a slight coolness on her chest. Looking down, she was startled to see her smooth, jade-like skin.

“It was an emergency, so I took off your cl0thes to heal my wound. I hope Miss Nanxian won’t mind,” Song Qingshu quickly explained.

A fleeting blush crossed Yelu Nanxian’s face as she spoke frankly, “We women of the grasslands aren’t as shy as you Han women, and besides, nothing was actually showing.”

“Yes,” Song Qingshu clicked his tongue regretfully, “If only the wound were two inches deeper.”