Reborn Song Qingshu: Besieging Bright Peak at the Start

Chapter 76 Spirit Serpent Island, We've Arrived!

After leaving Dadu, Song Qingshu, Zhao Min, Zhang Wuji, and Xiao Zhao did not linger and sped eastward toward the Bohai Sea.

The four were determined to reach Haikou before Granny Jinhua, changing horses at every stop along the way without resting.

After changing horses three times, they finally arrived at a place called Haijin Town after a day and a night.

This town is located on the coast of the Bohai Sea and is the closest port to Dadu (Beijing). It is likely that Granny Jinhua would have to pass through here to hire a ship to go out to sea.

Upon arriving in the county town, Zhao Min, holding the gold token from the Prince of Ruyang's residence, summoned the county magistrate to see her.

He was instructed to immediately prepare a sturdy large ship, with helmsmen, sailors, provisions, water, and changes of clothes.

He then ordered all ships within dozens of miles of the coast to be driven away, leaving only this one ship in the port.

Upon seeing the gold plaque from the Prince's residence, the county magistrate dared not disobey in the slightest and obediently went to handle the matter.

The four of them then ate and rested in a side hall of the county government office to relieve the fatigue of their journey.

Before half a day had passed, the county magistrate came to report that everything had been settled.

When the four arrived at the seaside, they found the huge harbor completely empty, with only a large two-story ship moored there.

The four immediately changed into coarse sailor clothes, mingled with the boatmen, and quietly hid in the stern cabin, waiting for Granny Jin Hua to arrive.

As the first watch of the night approached, a carriage arrived. The curtain was lifted, and Granny Jin Hua, leaning on her cane, led Zhu'er and Zhou Zhiruo down to the shore to hire a boat.

Zhang Wuji secretly admired him and whispered, "Senior brother is truly a master strategist; that wicked old woman really did come."

The boat captain, having been instructed by Zhao Min, first waved his hands repeatedly, saying that his boat made a living by fishing and never carried passengers or cargo, declining the offer again and again.

Only after Granny Jin Hua took out two large, golden ingots did the boatman reluctantly agree.

Once all three were on board, the large ship weighed anchor and set sail into the vast ocean.

As the sun and moon rise and set, and day and night alternate, a day and a night pass in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Wuji peered through the porthole in the lower deck and saw that both the sun and moon were rising from the port side, knowing that the ship was heading south.

He was filled with doubt: Icefire Island, where his godfather lived, was far away in the far north of the icy sea. If Granny Golden Flower wanted to find her godfather, she should have gone north. Why was she going south instead? Could it be that his senior brother had misjudged him? Was she not going to sea to find her godfather, but had some other plan?

He originally thought that since Granny Jin Hua was going to find her adoptive father, once they arrived at Icefire Island, he and his senior brother would secretly protect each other, and she wouldn't be able to harm his adoptive father. It would be a good opportunity to bring his adoptive father back to the Central Plains.

When the Ming Cult members descended from Bright Peak, their original intention was to go to sea to welcome Xie Xun. However, due to unforeseen circumstances and numerous changes, this matter has been delayed until now.

Seeing that the boat was heading in the wrong direction, they decided to take action on the boat, rescue Miss Zhou, capture Granny Jin Hua, and then turn back.

He whispered this idea to Song Qingshu and asked his senior brother what he thought.

Song Qingshu thought to himself: The sea is vast and the location of Ling Snake Island is hidden. Without this old woman to guide us, where would we find it? I can't let you ruin things.

He said calmly, "Since we're here, let's make the best of it."

There must be a reason why Granny Jin Hua acted this way.

"Once we reach the island, if we still can't find Senior Xie, then it won't be too late to make our move."

Hearing his senior brother say this, Zhang Wuji suppressed his thoughts and decided to wait until the boat reached the shore before making a decision. He muttered to himself, "I wonder what this wicked old woman is up to."

He had no affection for Granny Jin Hua. Hu Qingniu and Wang Nangu had died at her hands. Although Mr. Hu was eccentric, he had been kind to him. Even now, when he thought of their bodies hanging from the treetops, his eyes would well up with tears and his heart would ache.

He was so preoccupied with his own feelings that he didn't notice Xiao Zhao beside him lowering her head and slightly clenching the hem of her clothes as he spoke of Granny Jin Hua.

Knowing that her journey was to catch up with Granny Jin Hua, Xiao Zhao remained depressed, with only one thought running through her mind:

If the young master finds out the truth, he—he will surely despise me.

Meanwhile, the scene on the second floor of the ship was quite different.

Granny Jinhua sat cross-legged on the couch, her eyes closed, calming her mind and regulating her breathing.

Zhou Zhiruo's acupoints were sealed, making it difficult for her to circulate her internal energy. She sat quietly in the chair.

Spider leaned against the window, gazing intently at the surging waves outside.

The cabin was silent; each of the three was lost in their own thoughts, and none of them spoke.

Zhou Zhiruo appeared calm, but she was actually very anxious inside.

On a rainy night in an abandoned garden, she willingly submitted to coercion. Firstly, she wanted to fulfill her responsibility as the sect leader in front of her fellow disciples. Secondly, she was certain that Zhang Wuji would not stand idly by. As long as he followed behind, Granny Jin Hua would not dare to easily harm her life.

However, she couldn't find any trace of Zhang Wuji along the way. She was very worried and constantly on guard against the old woman suddenly trying to kill her.

Sure enough, after confirming that she had escaped the danger in Dadu, she clearly felt a trace of murderous intent from Granny Jin Hua, but in the end she did not act on it.

She didn't believe the other party would have a change of heart and soften their stance; this old woman was no saint.

As if sensing her thoughts, Granny Jin Hua on the couch slowly opened her eyes, glanced at her face, and then closed them again, returning to silence.

After abducting Zhou Zhiruo in the abandoned garden on a rainy night and escaping, she initially only used the girl as a shield in order to leave Dadu safely.

Once they escaped the danger, whether the girl lived or died was entirely up to her.

Once she was sure there were no pursuers behind her, she did have the urge to kill, but then, a thought suddenly popped into her head:

Everyone in the martial arts world says, "The supreme weapon of martial arts is the Dragon Slayer Saber, which commands the world and none dare disobey." Heroes from all over the world risk their lives to pursue it, just for a sharp and precious saber.

She absolutely refused to believe that a single weapon could command the world; there must be a tremendous secret hidden within this Dragon-Slaying Saber.

And after these four sentences, there is another sentence: "Without the Heaven-Slaying Sword, who can contend with it?"

The Dragon Slayer and the Heaven Sword are renowned in the world. Could there be some connection between these two divine weapons?

Once the idea took hold, it grew wildly like weeds, and the more I thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.

The Heaven Sword has been owned by the Emei Sect for generations. The old nun Miejue was the former sect leader, and Zhou Zhiruo is the current sect leader. Does the Emei sect leader know the secrets hidden in the sword?

This girl looks delicate, but she has a strong personality. Now that we are in a hurry to get to our destination, it may be difficult to get her to reveal her true thoughts in a rush. It would be better to take her to Spirit Serpent Island.

Ling Snake Island was the foundation of her business, built up over many years. Once on her own turf, she could use any means of interrogation, seduction, and psychological manipulation she desired, without fear that the girl wouldn't confess.

Furthermore, she also had another ulterior motive:

According to Ding Minjun, the young man surnamed Song seems to have some entanglement with the Emei Sect Leader. Keeping Zhou Zhiruo around might have some useful applications.

She came to Dadu to find the monk who killed her husband and avenge the death of her husband. However, instead of finding her enemy, she encountered the Emei Sect and was kidnapped by mistake.

As for agreeing to Xie Xun's request to find out Zhang Wuji's whereabouts, she never took it to heart.

Upon returning to Ling Snake Island, he only said that he had done his best in the Central Plains and that he would first try to trick them into giving him the Dragon Slayer Saber.

If Xie Xun becomes suspicious and refuses to comply, then we can disregard our past relationship and simply kill him without hesitation.

After traveling for three more days, one afternoon, the captain slipped into the wheelhouse and reported to Zhao Min that, following the old woman's directions, they could see land ahead.

Song Qingshu and the others peered through the porthole and saw a large island several miles away, lying across the sea. The island was covered with lush trees, towering peaks, and undulating mountains.

Song Qingshu's heart skipped a beat: Spirit Serpent Island, we've finally arrived.

-

>