Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 1094: Drunkenly Examining the Sword by Lamplight

“Lord Ding Dian, you must all know each other. He is currently the Imperial Guard, a top-tier expert protecting the Emperor.”

“Imperial Guard?” Song Qingshu was secretly startled. How could he not know that the Imperial Guard was the most elite protective force around the Southern Song Emperor? Each emperor had a maximum of six Imperial Guard positions, and sometimes only two. Therefore, each Imperial Guard was not only a master among masters but also someone the Emperor trusted implicitly.

“I wonder what kind of family background Brother Ding has to be chosen as an Imperial Guard.” Song Qingshu was secretly curious. Ding Dian’s martial arts skills were certainly more than enough for the Imperial Guard, but if his background wasn’t absolutely reliable, the Emperor wouldn’t have appointed him.

Lu Guanying continued the introduction: “This is Lord Su Shidan, a strategist under Lord Han. He was originally left by Lord Han in Lin’an to oversee the rear, but upon hearing of Lord Han’s troubles, he organized a rescue force to head north.”

“So this is Su Shidan, Han Yu’s strategist!” Song Qingshu was secretly astonished. This man, a mere staff member, had his name appear in the intelligence reports of both the Jin and Qing dynasties, demonstrating his crucial position within Han Yu’s inner circle.

“This is Lord Xin Qiji, then serving as the Chief Secretary of the Privy Council,” Lu Guanying introduced, pointing to the weathered old farmer.

“Xin Qiji?” Song Qingshu jumped up excitedly, ran over, and grabbed Xin Qiji’s hand, saying, “Master Xin, I’m your fan!”

“Huh?” Xin Qiji looked completely bewildered, as did the others. Among those present, Xin Qiji was probably the lowest in status. When the others were introduced, Song Qingshu had only responded politely, his attitude somewhat aloof. But when it came to Xin Qiji, Song Qingshu suddenly became so enthusiastic.

It’s understandable that they couldn’t figure it out, because Xin Qiji was Song Qingshu’s idol from his previous life. His mastery of poetry rivaled that of Su Dongpo, and in martial arts, he had led a few dozen men in a night raid on a Jin army camp of tens of thousands, capturing the traitor and bringing him back to the Southern Song.

“Drunk, I pick up my sword by lamplight; 

in my dreams, I hear the bugles of the camp.

My horse, like Lu Bu’s Red Hare, flies swiftly; 

my bowstring twangs like thunder.”

Back then, whenever Song Qingshu read about Xin Qiji’s deeds, he couldn’t help but slam his fist on the table in protest. Seeing the phrase “pitifully, his hair turned white,” he deeply understood Xin Qiji’s helplessness at not being given important responsibilities. For most of his time serving the Southern Song Dynasty, the emperor and his officials were pro-peace and surrender factions. Finally, the pro-war Han Xin was brought to power, but Xin Qiji was already old and ill, and died soon after. Truly, his ambitions unfulfilled, he died young.

Thinking of historical fates, Song Qingshu quickly observed him. Although the man was now old, he was vigorous and possessed astonishing cultivation; he didn’t seem like someone in his twilight years.

However, remembering that Li Bai was also a super master in Jin Yong’s world, Song Qingshu was not surprised. One was the most famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, and the other was the most famous lyricist of the Southern Song Dynasty. Moreover, Xin Qiji himself was a master who raided the Jin army camp at night; in this world, he was a top expert. Song Qingshu wasn’t surprised at all.

Amidst the strange looks from the crowd, Song Qingshu finally calmed down and continued his conversation with the Southern Song group.

Through their conversation, he learned that they weren’t officially dispatched reinforcements by the Southern Song court. Instead, Su Shidan had temporarily gathered top experts from the Han family group. This was to keep it a secret from the court—after all, Han Dingxiao was a respectable figure, and if word got out, it would easily damage his prestige and make him vulnerable to attacks from political enemies. Therefore, the number of people sent was small, but each one was a trusted top expert.

“No wonder Lu Guanying kept begging for my help; it turns out their strength isn’t enough,” Song Qingshu thought, glancing discreetly at Ding. He thought that Ding Busan and Ding Busi could barely be considered experts, but what kind of top expert was this?

As Song Qingshu looked at her, Ding’s gaze also lingered on him and Cheng Yaojia. From their earlier conversation, he knew Cheng Yaojia was Lu Guanying’s wife, but he had clearly seen her and Song Qingshu acting intimately. For some reason, a playful smile crept onto her lips.

“According to Guanying’s description, the Ruyang Prince’s Palace has many experts. We few are probably outnumbered,” Su Shidan, the leader of this group, said, glancing at Song Qingshu. “I wonder if the Golden Serpent King has any brilliant ideas?”

“Brilliant ideas? I wouldn’t presume,” Song Qingshu knew the other party wanted his help, but he didn’t want the Golden Serpent Camp to clash directly with the Mongols. “However, I recently thought of a plan.”

He had originally planned to rescue Han Dingxiao, and now that this group included Ding Dian and his former idol Xin Qiji, he naturally wanted to help.

“Oh? What plan?” The Southern Song group was overjoyed.

“Using one wolf to devour another.” Song Qingshu smiled mysteriously.

“Who’s the wolf?” Su Shidan’s eyes lit up.

“The Mount Song Sect!” Song Qingshu briefly recounted the information he had gathered, also voicing his doubts. He didn’t understand why the Mount Song Sect members had appeared here so coincidentally.

“I might know the reason,” Su Shidan said, his face grim. “This is probably a scheme by Jia Sidao and his men to use someone else to do their dirty work. According to our intelligence, the Changle Gang is likely connected to Jia Sidao, and the news of the Evil Exterminating Sword Manual probably originated from there. No wonder Jia Sidao didn’t use this incident during Han Xiang’s captivity; he was planning to ensure Han Xiang would never return to the court.”

He had pieced together almost the entire story from seemingly minor clues, truly worthy of the title “Han Xiang’s Intellect.”

“I see,” Song Qingshu said, suddenly enlightened by the explanation. “By the way, according to my intelligence, the Mount Song Sect plans to investigate whether Linghu… Wu Tiande is in the Yuqing Temple. If they accidentally discover that the Mongols have secretly taken over the Yuqing Temple, they might abandon their plan…Therefore, without hesitation, we will act tonight.”

The crowd’s expressions tightened. They hadn’t expected the action to be so hasty, but upon reflection, they knew it was the most advantageous choice. 

Su Shidan nodded, stood up, and said solemnly, “As you say, young master. If we can successfully rescue Lord Han this time, we will repay you handsomely afterwards.”

Song Qingshu smiled slightly: “The reason I’m helping this time is largely because Young Master Lu is my friend.”

Su Shidan glanced at Lu Guanying and smiled knowingly: “Prime Minister Han won’t forget the role the Lu family played this time.”

Lu Guanying, standing to the side, was so excited he almost cried. This Song Qingshu was truly a kind man. Originally, seeing his beautiful wife being so intimate with the other man, he couldn’t help but feel a little resentful, but now all his dissatisfaction had vanished, leaving only gratitude.

*****

That evening, at the residence of the Mount Song Sect.

“What? Are you sure you just saw Wu Tiande enter the Yuqing Temple?” Zuo Lengchan stood up excitedly.