Reborn Song Qingshu: Besieging Bright Peak at the Start

Granny Jinhua paused, then slowly turned her head.

Ali also looked in the direction of the sound with alertness.

A young man dressed in an ordinary blue robe slowly walked out from a side room on the side of the main hall.

He walked with a composed gait, his expression serene, his face extremely handsome, with sword-like eyebrows that reached his temples, and his eyes gleaming with a gentle yet resolute light.

His aura was completely concealed, making it impossible for others to discern the depth of his internal strength.

But in that carnage of corpses and the pungent smell of blood, anyone who could walk out so calmly must either be a fool or have something to rely on.

The person in front of me is clearly not like the former.

Grandma Jin Hua narrowed her eyes.

How long has this kid been hiding in the village?

She was completely unaware.

The fact that this person could evade the Purple-Robed Dragon King's senses suggests that his internal strength is probably not as ordinary as he appears.

When Zhu'er saw this person, her eyes showed surprise.

She never expected to run into this person here.

On that day, she and Brother A Niu were captured by Abbess Miejue and had no choice but to follow the Emei Sect to Bright Peak.

Along the way, she encountered a group from the Wudang Sect. She pointed to the handsome young man in the moon-white Taoist robe with a long sword at his waist from afar and said to her brother A Niu in a half-joking manner, "This young hero Song is much more handsome than you."

At the time, Brother Niu just smiled sheepishly and wasn't annoyed.

Thinking of this, Zhu'er felt a sweet warmth in her heart, and she thought of her brother A Niu again.

The only boy who didn't mind her ugly appearance and genuinely treated her well couldn't help but smile slightly, a curve she herself didn't even notice. She thought to herself:

"I wonder where he is now, and if he is alright? Was he injured during that commotion on Bright Peak that day?"

Granny Jin Hua, with her keen eyesight, noticed the strange look on Zhu'er's face with just a glance. She immediately spoke, her tone calm but brooking no dismissal:

"Ah Li, do you recognize this person?"

Upon hearing her mother-in-law's question, Zhu'er's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately snapped out of her reverie.

She never dared to show the slightest disrespect or conceal anything from Granny Jin Hua, and immediately replied respectfully:

"Reporting to Grandmother, I was coerced by the old nun Miejue to go to Bright Peak with the Emei Sect that day, and I saw this person on the way."

This man is Song Qingshu, son of Song Yuanqiao, the great hero of the Wudang Sect. He ranks first among the third-generation disciples of Wudang and has a nickname in the martial arts world: "Jade-faced Mengchang" (a legendary figure known for his virtuous conduct).

"Oh?"

  

Granny Jin Hua gave a meaningful reply.

She gently tapped her coral-gold cane on the ground, and with a muffled "thud," the end of the cane sank more than half an inch into the bluestone ground, cracks spreading outwards like a spider web.

This skill of "inserting the staff into the brick" is performed with effortless ease and without a sound, making it awe-inspiring.

She looked at Song Qingshu, her aged voice as cold as the winter night wind:

"Young man, why aren't you diligently cultivating your Taoist practice on Mount Wudang? What are you doing here?"

Song Qingshu glanced lightly at the spot where the end of the staff was embedded in the bluestone, his expression unchanged, as if he had only seen something insignificant, without even raising an eyebrow.

He stood there, his posture as straight as a pine tree, and bowed respectfully, saying:

"This junior greets Granny Jin Hua. As for why I have come here, there is no need for you to ask. However, I would like to humbly request that you be merciful and allow this Master Wu to live a little longer, as I have a few questions to ask."

His tone was polite and courteous, addressing her as "senior" repeatedly, his manners impeccable. Yet, his calm gaze met Granny Jin Hua's cold, dagger-like old eyes without flinching, showing no fear whatsoever.

Granny Jinhua saw this and sneered inwardly.

The young man appeared respectful, but in reality, he didn't take her seriously at all.

An ordinary martial arts practitioner would have gone weak at the mere mention of "Golden Flower Granny," but this kid was not only unafraid, he even dared to bargain with her.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard, carrying a heavy stench of blood, causing the broken lanterns under the eaves to sway precariously.

The atmosphere became extremely tense and awkward.

Just then, Zhu'er suddenly stepped forward and spoke before Granny Jin Hua could speak:

"Young Master Song, didn't you understand what Granny said? Granny, considering you are a member of the Wudang Sect and a junior, doesn't want to argue with you further. I advise you to leave the manor quickly, lest you make a mistake!"

After saying that, she turned her back to Granny Jin Hua and quickly gave Song Qingshu a wink.

His eyes were urgent and sincere, the meaning couldn't be clearer—hurry up, mind your own business, or it will be too late.

Song Qingshu took in Zhu'er's silent warning and felt a slight warmth in his heart.

Although this young lady Yin Li was taken in by Granny Jin Hua and learned ruthless martial arts, she was not truly cold-hearted.

Her offer of assistance at this moment, specifically mentioning that she was a "disciple of the Wudang Sect," was simply to remind Granny Jin Hua—

This person has quite a background. Killing him will provoke retaliation from the Wudang Sect and even Zhang Sanfeng. You should think carefully before you take action.

He appreciated the sentiment.

"Ah Li!"

Granny Jin Hua's cold voice came from behind. Although it was only two words, her tone clearly showed her displeasure.

Spider trembled, immediately lowered her head, and silently retreated behind Granny Golden Flower, not daring to utter another word.

Although she was Granny Jin Hua's disciple and had followed her around the country for several years, she was terrified of her unpredictable and ruthless master.

As she left, she secretly cast one last glance at Song Qingshu—hope for the best.

After Zhu'er stepped down, Granny Jin Hua gently lifted her hand, and the coral golden staff that was deeply embedded in the blue stone was easily pulled out. When the staff left the stone surface, not a single stone chip was raised. Her skill in lifting heavy objects with ease had reached a state of perfection.

She lifted her droopy eyelids, her cloudy eyes fixed on Song Qingshu, her tone as calm as if she were chatting casually, but every word she spoke was chilling:

"Young man, you have quite the nerve to think you can get someone to bail you out of this old woman's hands. Even your father, Song Yuanqiao, would be a bit lacking in that regard."

"I'm really getting old, so old that even the most insignificant cat or dog dares to jump out and bare its teeth at me."

After speaking, he coughed lightly again, so hard that he bent over, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

But Song Qingshu knew that the more violently the old woman coughed, the more it was a sign that she was about to make a move.

He casually brushed away non-existent dust from the cuffs of his blue robe, and spoke calmly, his voice not loud, but each word clear and distinct, like pearls falling onto a jade plate:

"Since you know you are getting old, you should go back to Ling Snake Island to take good care of yourself and live out your remaining years."

Don't spend all your time acting like an old man, taking people's lives at the drop of a hat. This world is dangerous; if you run into someone tough one day, your lifelong reputation could be ruined.

Upon hearing this, the temperature in the courtyard plummeted.

Spider was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat.

She stared at Song Qingshu in disbelief. This young hero Song looked so dignified, how could he have such a suicidal temper?

I've already made myself perfectly clear, so why is he not only not leaving, but instead adding fuel to the fire?

Anyone who dares to talk to their mother-in-law like that has long since died.

Now that's bad; there's no room for maneuver, not even a crack.

Sure enough, Granny Jin Hua slowly straightened her back.

His previously hunched figure straightened up section by section, his cloudy old eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his entire aura suddenly changed, no longer showing any trace of the decaying state of a candle flickering in the wind.

A sharp, murderous aura spread out as if it were a tangible force, and even the already shaky, broken lantern in the courtyard finally snapped and fell to the ground with a snap.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Three consecutive "good"s, each colder and more stern than the last.

Granny Jin Hua's full head of silver hair swayed slightly under the surge of murderous intent.

"The Wudang Sect has always prided itself on chivalry, but unexpectedly, it has produced such an arrogant and ignorant brat as you. Today, under this old woman's coral golden staff, there will inevitably be another ignorant and presumptuous soul lost!"

Before she finished speaking, she flicked her left finger, and with three sharp crackling sounds, three small golden flowers flew out of her hand, striking Song Qingshu's three major acupoints: his brow, chest, and dantian.

The golden flower shot forward with great speed and a sharp, needle-like sound as it cut through the air. Even the best martial arts masters would find it difficult to withstand this sudden attack.

Song Qingshu neither dodged nor avoided, remaining firmly planted on the ground.

When the three golden flowers shot to within two feet of him, he gently flicked his right sleeve.

This seemingly casual flick of the wrist actually concealed the flow of Nine Yang True Qi within the sleeve.

A warm and powerful internal force surged from his sleeve, like a spring breeze caressing the willows.

It may seem like a light touch, but it possesses an overwhelming and powerful strength.

The three golden flowers crashed into the gust of wind, their momentum immediately swerved, and with three crisp clangs, they were all embedded in the trunk of a tree as thick as a bowl beside Song Qingshu.

Three golden flowers are embedded in the tree trunk, their petals completely obscured, leaving only three barely perceptible golden glimmers, their penetration into the wood is astonishing.

Song Qingshu remained completely still throughout his life, without even blinking.

When masters clash, their skill is immediately apparent.

Although Granny Jin Hua's "Three Stars Illuminating the Moon" move was just a test, she knew exactly what it meant.

The fact that Song Qingshu could so easily remove his three golden flowers shows that his inner strength is consistent with his previous judgment—it is indeed very strong.

This is why she didn't act immediately at the beginning.

He immediately let out a cold shout.

"Impressive internal strength!"

With a light tap of his foot, he moved closer like a ghost, flicking his coral gold staff, causing three cold stars to appear at the tip of the staff, striking his left shoulder, right wrist, and waist respectively.

Her staff technique combined the bizarre style of the Persian Ming Cult with the fierce power of Central Plains martial arts. Every move was aimed at vital points. As the staff swept across, the fallen leaves accumulated on the bluestone slabs in the courtyard were swept into the air and flew everywhere. The nearby pebbles were also knocked and rolled around by the strong wind.

Song Qingshu remained calm and composed, stepping backwards in the Seven Stars formation, and unleashing the Wudang Ladder Cloud Leap Lightness Skill.

His figure floated erratically in the shadows of the staff, as fluid as flowing clouds and water.

He circled with his left palm and slashed diagonally with his right, using the Wudang Cotton Palm technique. His palm movements were round and soft, but each strike was infused with pure Yang internal energy.

The golden staff and the palm strikes clashed several times. Granny Jin Hua felt a warm yet powerful force rebounding from the staff, each strike heavier than the last. After exchanging more than ten blows, a faint pain began to throb in her tiger's mouth, and she was secretly alarmed.

"This young man is only in his early twenties, how can his internal energy be so profound? Even the old Taoist Zhang Sanfeng in his youth might not have had such cultivation!"

The two exchanged over thirty moves in the blink of an eye.

Wherever the staff and palm wind passed, the flowers and plants in the courtyard all fell down, and the wooden pillar under the corridor was hit by the palm wind, cracking open with a fine crack.

Spider had already retreated to a safe place under the eaves, staring in disbelief, her palms sweating profusely.

As her apprentice, she was well aware of her mother-in-law's capabilities.

Ordinary masters would die in less than ten moves under her, but this young hero Song from Wudang was not only not beaten to death on the spot, but fought back and forth, and even gained a slight advantage.

But when I met him on the way to Bright Peak last time, he was clearly not this powerful!

Zhu'er clearly remembered that when the three family retainers, Yin Wufu, Yin Wuyuan, and Yin Wushou, besieged Song Qingshu, he was barely holding on, but he was already struggling and in grave danger. If it weren't for Yin Liting's intervention, he would probably have been injured on the spot.

How long has it been?

How come she's like a completely different person? She can even fight back and forth with her mother-in-law now?

Was he hiding his true abilities back then?

Spider was completely baffled, but dared not speak.

She could only pray silently that her mother-in-law wouldn't kill him. After all, this young hero Song and Zhang Wuji were from the same sect, and if he died, Zhang Wuji would probably be heartbroken.

But then she thought, given her mother-in-law's temperament, and considering how rude Young Master Song had been, he was probably doomed to die today.

Not to mention the turmoil in Zhu'er's heart, Song Qingshu was also secretly amazed at this moment.

He originally thought that he had mastered the Nine Yang Divine Skill, and that his inner strength was vast and unfathomable. He no longer took most people seriously.

But when he actually fought against a first-rate master like Granny Jin Hua, who had been famous for decades, he suddenly realized that although he had extraordinary internal strength, his experience in combat and his mastery of techniques were far inferior to those of such a seasoned veteran.

Several times, despite having the advantage in internal strength, he was neutralized by his opponent's exquisite and unparalleled moves, and was even forced to retaliate to protect himself.

The frustration of being unable to exert his strength gradually made him abandon his initial contempt before the war.

At this time, Granny Jin Hua's staff techniques became increasingly strange, sometimes like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, cunning and ruthless.

Sometimes it crashes like a giant wave against the shore, with a powerful and heavy force.

The shadows of the staff overlapped, enveloping Song Qingshu in a golden-red glow.

However, Song Qingshu defended himself as firmly as Mount Tai. His Nine Yang True Qi circulated continuously throughout his meridians, and his internal energy was inexhaustible, completely neutralizing the opponent's attacks.

When she retaliated, her palm strikes were as powerful as the Yangtze River, forcing Granny Jin Hua to return her staff to protect herself.

After forty moves, Granny Jin Hua was still unable to break through, and she became increasingly shocked.

Could it be that she has been living on Ling Snake Island for a long time and is out of touch with the outside world?

When did a third-generation Wudang disciple become so powerful?

She has been famous for decades as the Purple-Robed Dragon King, and her Four Great Protectors are renowned throughout the world. If she cannot defeat a junior from Wudang today, how will she save face?

With a muffled groan, he raised his left hand repeatedly, and with a series of hissing sounds, seven or eight golden flowers shot out in quick succession, some high and some low, some straight and some diagonal. Some struck pressure points, some joints, and three of them circled around behind Song Qingshu and struck his vital points on the back of his heart.

This move, "Rain of Flowers," was her signature skill, and countless martial arts masters were defeated by it back then.

Song Qingshu took a deep breath, and the Nine Yang True Qi in his dantian suddenly surged forth, causing his clothes to billow out abruptly.

He drew a circle with both palms, and his protective energy condensed into a thick, invisible barrier.

All that could be heard was a series of crisp, tinkling sounds, as dense as a sudden downpour. More than ten golden flowers crashed into the barrier of true energy, and were all sent flying backward, either embedding themselves in the bluestone on the ground or striking into the buildings in the courtyard. Not a single one could get within three feet of him.

Just as the golden flowers were flying and the view was slightly confused, Granny Golden Flower suddenly lowered her body and swept her coral golden staff across the ground, aiming straight at Song Qingshu's shinbones.

This move was swift and ruthless, her trump card, "Sweeping Through a Thousand Armies." Before the staff even arrived, the powerful wind had already sent fallen leaves flying.

Song Qingshu remained calm and composed. He suddenly leaped up more than ten feet into the air, using his Cloud Ladder Leap Lightness Skill to its fullest extent. He was like a blue crane soaring through the air, and in mid-air, he twisted his body to avoid the sweeping golden staff.

While he was in mid-air, his right palm struck down from above, unleashing the full power of the Nine Yang Divine Skill. This palm strike was filled with pure Yang internal energy as thick as a mountain.

Before the palm strikes, the wind from the palm strike arrives first.

The dust on the ground below was pushed outwards by the powerful palm force, creating a ripple of gray earth with Granny Jin Hua at its center.

Spider under the eaves felt a wave of scorching heat rush towards him and involuntarily took two steps back.

Granny Jin Hua's pupils suddenly contracted, and her expression finally changed.

There is no way to avoid it.

She suddenly sank her feet, gripped the staff with both hands, and poured all her life's power into the staff. The coral-gold staff shone brightly with golden light and she forcefully raised it upwards.

"Buzz—"

A deep, resounding thud, like the striking of an ancient bell.

The sound waves spread in all directions as if they were tangible, and the few remaining windows under the corridor shattered in response. Spider was so shocked that her ears were ringing, and she covered her ears tightly with both hands.

The blue bricks beneath Granny Jin Hua's feet suddenly shattered, sending fragments of stone flying like rain.

She felt an overwhelming force pressing down on her like a torrent from the golden staff, her chest feeling as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer, her blood churning and boiling.

Unable to maintain his footing any longer, he stumbled backward—

One step, and the blue bricks beneath his feet shattered!

Two steps, and the ground sank in by about an inch!

He took three steps and his back slammed into an old locust tree in the yard, the trunk cracking open with a loud crack.

He stumbled back six or seven steps before he could barely regain his balance.

Her hands, gripping the staff, were numb and aching, her knuckles were white, and blood was seeping from the base of her thumbs. The entire golden staff was still vibrating and humming, and a faint crack was visible on its surface.

A sweet taste rose in his throat, and he couldn't hold back the mouthful of blood that spilled from the corner of his mouth, dripping onto the gray cloth lapel of his chest.

Using the recoil from that palm strike, Song Qingshu floated to the ground, his feet swaying slightly before he regained his footing.

His green robe fluttered in the wind, yet his figure remained upright.

Although he had mastered the Nine Yang Divine Skill, he was still relatively inexperienced in combat. This palm strike, delivered with all his might, consumed a considerable amount of his true energy.

However, the Nine Yang True Qi is self-generating and inexhaustible; one only needs to concentrate and regulate one's breathing for a moment to regain composure.

"Mother-in-law!"

Zhu'er's face turned pale, and she quickly stepped forward to support Granny Jin Hua's swaying body.

She had been with her mother-in-law since she was a child. When had she ever seen her mother-in-law being defeated head-on in a one-on-one fight and spitting blood?

This scene greatly shocked her.

Granny Jinhua pushed away Zhu'er's support, used her golden staff to prop herself up, and slowly raised her head.

She stared at Song Qingshu for a few moments. His wrinkled old face turned pale and then calmed down. However, there was still a trace of surprise and resentment deep in his eyes.

She knew she had lost.

The humiliation she suffered today was the biggest loss she, the Purple-Robed Dragon King, had endured in the past decade.

The young man's inner strength and the purity of his true energy far exceeded her expectations.

If she hadn't withstood that blow with her decades of internal strength, anyone else would probably have had their bones broken.

She thought to herself that if she were ten years younger and had more energy, she might be able to use her wits to overcome strength and fight to the end.

But now his physical strength is not what it used to be, and he is no match for this young man in a direct contest of internal strength.

Continuing to fight will only result in an even more humiliating defeat.

Thinking of this, a glint flashed in her eyes, and she raised her left hand as if to throw another golden flower.

Just as Song Qingshu was about to brace himself, he saw her figure sway, one hand already gripping Zhu'er's wrist, and her whole body shot backward several feet like an arrow released from a bow.

With a few leaps and bounds, the hoarse, chilling voice drifted beyond the walls of Blizzard Manor, fading into the twilight of Kunlun Mountain as it approached and receded into the distance.

"What a lucky child! I'll remember this debt!"

As soon as they finished speaking, the two figures disappeared into the vast snow-covered mountains.

Song Qingshu stood with his hands behind his back, watching the direction she left in, without chasing after her.

A gentle evening breeze stirred, lifting a few strands of his dark hair and causing his blue robe to flutter slightly.

He slowly withdrew his inner energy into his dantian, only then realizing that his palms were slightly sweaty.

He had no intention of killing them all. Granny Jin Hua's moves were exquisite, and her experience in combat far surpassed his own. If it weren't for the overwhelming advantage of the Nine Yang Divine Skill in terms of internal strength, the outcome of today's battle would have been uncertain.

Pushing the other party too far will not be good.

A gentle breeze swept through the courtyard, dispersing the stench of blood that had filled the ground.

The setting sun had completely sunk behind the cliffs, and the sky had turned from dusky yellow to dark blue, with a lingering dark golden glow on the distant snow-capped peaks.

Song Qingshu withdrew his gaze, slowly turned around, and turned his eyes to Wu Lie, who was huddled at the bottom of the stone steps, trembling.