Flower Stealing Master

Song Qingshu was exasperated. For a moment, he thought how wonderful it would be if all women obeyed his every word. But he quickly dispelled this ridiculous notion. These women were each unique in character and charm precisely because of their differences. If they all obeyed like robots, what would be the difference between them and the silicone dolls of his previous life?

As he was lost in thought, Xia Qingqing had already run over. Carefully bandaging his wound, she wept as she worked. “Big Brother Song, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

Song Qingshu hurriedly comforted her, though he was also troubled. He could certainly use his authority as a man to suppress the enmity between the two women. But blocking was not as good as channeling. If the root cause was not eliminated, he could not guarantee that something irreparable might not happen in the future.

“Did you really not mean to hurt him?” Dongfang Muxue suddenly asked.

Song Qingshu’s scalp tingled. *Are they going to start again?*

“Of course!” Xia Qingqing glared at her. “I would rather die myself than see Big Brother Song hurt…”

“Don’t say such unlucky things.” Song Qingshu quickly interrupted her, deeply moved. *It seems my efforts with Xia Qingqing over the years have not been in vain. She is someone who loves and hates with all her heart, with no hidden agendas. If she says this, she means it—they are not just empty words.*

“Then may I ask, does a wounded heart count as injury?” Dongfang Muxue pressed relentlessly.

Xia Qingqing bit her lower lip. She could already guess what the other woman was getting at, but she refused to lie. “Yes!”

Dongfang Muxue smiled. “Then your quest for revenge has only two outcomes: success, and I die; or failure, and you die. Either way, Song Qingshu will be heartbroken. And for the rest of his life, he will never be able to face the survivor. Is that what you want?”

Xia Qingqing fell silent. Earlier, upon learning Dongfang Muxue’s identity, her blood had rushed to her head. Now, calmer, she realized: even if she succeeded in avenging Yuan Chengzhi, could she still be with Song Qingshu afterward?

“But you killed Big Brother Yuan. Avenging one’s husband is only right and proper.” Xia Qingqing’s tone was noticeably less resolute than before, showing she was engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

“Right and proper, is it?” Dongfang Muxue sneered. “Then what about me saving your life on the battlefield? How do you repay a life-saving grace?”

“I…” Xia Qingqing was momentarily speechless, caught in a fierce inner turmoil. *Given the current situation, it’s clear I can’t get revenge. I could scheme and plot—there might be a chance—but how could I face Big Brother Song afterward? And Dongfang Muxue is right. She saved my life. How can I repay kindness with enmity? But if I don’t seek revenge, how can Big Brother Yuan rest in peace beneath the nine springs? I’m already with Big Brother Song, which is a betrayal of Big Brother Yuan. If I also treat his enemy as a sister, wouldn’t I be the most shameless of women?*

Countless thoughts surged through her mind. Xia Qingqing’s expression shifted rapidly. She seemed to fall into a daze. After a long while, she suddenly let out a long sigh. “Enough.”

With that, she drew the sword across her neck. She could neither pursue revenge nor abandon it. After much thought, only death could bring peace to her conscience.

“What are you doing!” Fortunately, the two beside her were top-tier masters with quick reflexes. One knocked the Golden Serpent Sword from her hand, while the other pulled her into his arms.

“Big Brother Song, let me die. I really can’t go on living.” Xia Qingqing buried her face in Song Qingshu’s chest, sobbing.

Song Qingshu was silent. Before this, he had not fully understood why Qiao Feng chose suicide at the end of *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*. But seeing Xia Qingqing now, he understood instantly.

Xia Qingqing could neither advance nor retreat. Though he could force her to live, every additional day she lived would be another day of torment. Only death could grant her release.

Just as Song Qingshu was at a loss, Dongfang Muxue spoke. “Xia Qingqing, have you considered another possibility—that Yuan Chengzhi is not dead?”

“What?” The words hit like a thunderbolt. Even Song Qingshu looked at her in shock. Though her tone was uncertain, given Dongfang Muxue’s character, she would not say such a thing without reason.

“Big Brother Yuan is not dead?” Xia Qingqing’s face first showed a mixture of joy and shock, but she quickly calmed down. She murmured, “That’s impossible. I personally buried him. Big Brother Yuan suffered a fatal head wound. Unless a god descended from heaven, no one could have saved him.”

Dongfang Muxue chuckled lightly. “Since I say so, I have my reasons. Yuan Chengzhi may still be alive in this world.”

“Tell me what’s going on!” Xia Qingqing was agitated. But Dongfang Muxue glanced at her and instead went to examine Song Qingshu’s injuries.

“How are your injuries?” Dongfang Muxue asked.

“Nothing…” With Song Qingshu’s current level of skill, a bit of meditation would set him right. He was about to answer truthfully when he noticed Dongfang Muxue subtly signaling him. Though he didn’t fully understand, he instinctively went along. “The sword wound on my hand is nothing, but that palm strike of yours nearly killed me. I’m afraid I won’t be able to fight for several months.”

Though desperate to know about Yuan Chengzhi, Xia Qingqing heard that he was so badly injured. She shot Dongfang Muxue a fierce glare. “You vicious woman! How could you strike Big Brother Song so hard?”

She suspected no trickery. Though Song Qingshu’s martial arts were now high, the shadow Dongfang Bubai had left on her was too deep. In her heart, Dongfang Bubai was almost a demon. To survive a blow from Dongfang Bubai with only severe injuries was testament to Song Qingshu’s profound internal strength.

Dongfang Muxue, however, sneered. “What do you mean, I struck him hard? That palm was meant for you. You want to kill me, yet you expect me to pull my punches? If anyone is to blame, it’s you.”

“You!” Xia Qingqing trembled with rage. But she knew she could neither defeat her in a fight nor out-argue her. She could only swallow her anger and ask Song Qingshu, “Big Brother Song, could we find some experts to help heal you? Would that speed up your recovery?”

Before Song Qingshu could answer, Dongfang Muxue cut in. “He was struck by my full power. A few second-rate experts won’t make a difference. However…”

“However what?” Seeing a possible turn, Xia Qingqing pressed.

The corner of Dongfang Muxue’s mouth curled up. She pointed at Song Qingshu. “That brat’s Joyful Meditation Method is the best medicine for internal injuries. If a woman is willing to sacrifice her entire internal energy to help heal him, he should recover quickly.”

Xia Qingqing frowned, suspicious. “I’ve been with him for so long. How come I didn’t know about this healing method?” She knew of the healing effects of the Joyful Meditation Method, but had never heard of this particular application.

Dongfang Muxue’s expression did not change. “Your Big Brother Song is a man who cherishes and pities women. This method is extremely harmful to a woman’s body. He was unwilling to use it on you, so naturally you didn’t know.”

“Then how do you know?” Xia Qingqing was no fool and was not so easily fooled.

“Have you forgotten who I am? As the mighty cult leader, I have seen much and know much. I was the one who directed Song Qingshu to learn the Joyful Meditation Method in Tibet.” Dongfang Muxue answered instantly.

Song Qingshu was dumbfounded. *Dongfang Muxue truly deserves to be the one who commanded a hundred thousand cult followers. She spins one lie after another without missing a beat.*

Dongfang Muxue continued, “Xia Qingqing, the time has come to prove your love for him. Heal his injuries.”

Xia Qingqing blushed. She naturally knew what healing with the Joyful Meditation Method entailed. “You’re the one who injured Big Brother Song. Why don’t you do it?”

“First, my cultivation far exceeds yours. Using me would waste my heaven-defying abilities.” Dongfang Muxue answered with conviction. “Second, you clearly want to kill me in revenge. If I lose all my internal energy now, won’t I be at your mercy? I’m not that foolish.”

Xia Qingqing knew she could turn the tables by promising never to seek revenge. But those words would not come. She could only snort. “If I lose my power, I’ll never be able to avenge Big Brother Yuan.”

Dongfang Muxue mocked her. “With your meager skills, you can’t avenge him whether you have power or not.”

Xia Qingqing’s face darkened. Though the words were harsh, she knew they were true.

Biting her lip, Xia Qingqing let out a breath. “Fine. I’ll heal Big Brother Song. You two leave.”

Dongfang Muxue waved at Lan Fenghuang. Though reluctant, Lan Fenghuang nodded and rose to leave.

“Why aren’t you leaving?” Xia Qingqing snapped. She still had her identity as Madam Yuan. When intimate with Song Qingshu, she instinctively avoided all onlookers. The only exception was A’Jiu—after all they had been through, they were as close as sisters, with no secrets between them.

“Did I say I was leaving?” Dongfang Muxue laughed lightly.

“If you don’t leave, how can I… how can I heal Big Brother Song?” If not for knowing she couldn’t win, the mortified and furious Xia Qingqing would have lunged at her.

“Go ahead. I won’t disturb you.” Dongfang Muxue waved her hand, gesturing for her to proceed.

Song Qingshu had no idea what Dongfang Muxue was up to. He could only wait and see.

Seeing Xia Qingqing silently staring at her, Dongfang Muxue finally played her trump card. “If you don’t want to know about Yuan Chengzhi’s whereabouts, by all means, let’s just sit here.”

Xia Qingqing’s lashes fluttered. Clearly, her words had struck a chord. “How do I know you’re not lying to me?”

“It seems I’ll have to give you a little something to satisfy you.” Dongfang Muxue stood with her hands behind her back, her expression reminiscent. “Just like the Nine Swords of Dugu, the Primordial Unity Skill is not originally a Mount Hua technique. Its full name is the Nine Revolutions Primordial Unity Skill—a divine art passed down from ancient times. Legend has it that once mastered, one can achieve an indestructible state, impervious to water, fire, weapons, and stones. Unfortunately, the Mount Hua sect’s vision is shallow. They have been on the wrong path, unable to unleash the art’s true power.”

Seeing her suddenly stop, Xia Qingqing pressed, “And then?”

Dongfang Muxue pointed at Song Qingshu with a knowing smile. “First heal your man. Then we’ll talk.”

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