Gentleman of Liang Shang

Song Qingshu finally halted as they arrived at an opulent mansion, known to be the residence of the influential Wanjia family in Jingzhou. Madam Hu calmly withdrew her hand from Song Qingshu's shoulder, her gaze fixed on him as she inquired, "I've heard that the Wanjia family holds considerable influence in Jingzhou. What brings us here, Uncle?"

A triumphant gleam lit up Song Qingshu's eyes as he replied, "Sister-in-law, tonight we shall pay a visit to Wanfu. We need to know if Qi Fang has become the young matriarch of the Wanjia family. Once we have that information, everything will become clear."

Madam Hu raised an eyebrow, her expression tinged with concern. "It's not appropriate to intrude upon someone's residence in the middle of the night," she cautioned, gripping Song Qingshu's shoulder firmly. The two found themselves perched on the beams of a bedroom, hidden from view. Madam Hu continued, her voice laced with embarrassment, "Uncle, we must exercise caution and not recklessly invade someone's privacy."

A knowing smile played on Song Qingshu's lips as he confidently responded, "My dear sister-in-law, I understand your concerns. Although my martial arts skills may be lacking, I possess keen intuition. By approaching them openly, we would be exposing ourselves to potential danger. This way, we maintain the advantage of operating in the shadows while they remain oblivious to our presence. The discomfort of being constantly scrutinized by the enemy is not something I wish to endure."

Madam Hu sighed, realizing the determination in Song Qingshu's eyes. Over time, she had come to understand that he was unlike ordinary individuals, unfazed by the perils that would deter most. Remembering his past acts of heroism, she released her grip on his shoulder, allowing him to lean back against her, their bodies inadvertently touching.

With a gentle touch, Madam Hu tapped Song Qingshu's waist with her green jade finger, halting his advance. "Hush, someone is approaching," she whispered.

Song Qingshu followed her gaze and saw a man and a woman entering the room. The man was handsome, his beard lending him a mature air, while the woman exuded an aura befitting a young matriarch. Fragile and beautiful, Song Qingshu couldn't help but silently admire her, though he suspected her delicate appearance concealed inner strength.

His ongoing doubts were answered as he watched the couple. Once inside, Wan Gui began making advances, and Qi Fang reluctantly acquiesced, falling onto the bed.

Madam Hu discreetly gulped, turning her head away from the scene. She glanced at Song Qingshu, who was avidly engrossed in the unfolding drama. A wave of anger coursed through her as she realized his actions. She wanted to pull him away, but doing so would surely alert the couple below. Caught in a bind, she hesitated.

Feeling a jolt of pain in his waist, Song Qingshu turned to Madam Hu, finding her gaze fixed on him with a displeased expression. Her lips seemed to mouth a warning, "Don't look!" Reluctantly, he averted his gaze.

Silence enveloped the room, punctuated only by the sounds emanating from the couple below. The awkwardness between Madam Hu and Song Qingshu intensified, realizing they were eavesdropping on the private trysts of a married couple. Regret gnawed at Madam Hu's conscience, while Song Qingshu, unable to witness the live performance below, found solace in observing the beautiful woman beside him, her cheeks tinged with a light blush.

Their thoughts were interrupted by a sudden commotion outside. Shouts and the clash of weapons filled the air as Wan Gui and Qi Fang hastily dressed and rushed out.

Seizing the opportunity, Madam Hu grabbed Song Qingshu and swiftly fled the scene. However, Song Qingshu resisted, wanting to see who the intruder was and whether they could potentially become allies. Madam Hu, unable to dissuade him, held onto his waist tightly, and together they leaned against the courtyard wall, their attention fixed on the unfolding events within Wanfu.

Dozens of Wan family members swarmed the intruder, launching a relentless assault, yet their strikes failed to land a single blow. Instead, the mysterious visitor parried their attacks effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. However, even his formidable skills had their limits, and he was eventually overwhelmed, stumbling backward.

Unable to remain a mere spectator any longer, Wan Zhenshan unsheathed his sword and joined the fray. "Liancheng swordsmanship?" he questioned, his voice laced with surprise and determination. Ignoring the danger, he engaged the intruder, mirroring his opponent's techniques with the same graceful maneuvers.

"Hold on a moment!" Wan Zhenshan suddenly withdrew from the battle, leaping out of the encirclement. His heart raced as he recognized the familiar style of his opponent's swordsmanship. Memories of his late teacher, Mei Niansheng, flooded his mind, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. "Who are you, and how do you know my teacher's techniques?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and suspicion. Could this encounter hold the key to unraveling the profound secret that had eluded him for so long?

A cold smile graced the visitor's face as he retorted, "Mei Niansheng is my senior. Who do you think I am?" His words dripped with disdain, challenging Wan Zhenshan's comprehension.

"Wu Liuqi, the beggar in the snow!" Wan Zhenshan finally recollected the mention of a junior disciple from his master. Shock coursed through him as he realized the gravity of the situation. Hastily, he clasped his fists and bowed, acknowledging his junior's presence. "I apologize for my ignorance, Little Uncle. What brings you here? Lower your weapon; this is your ancestral home."

Furrowing his brow, Wu Liuqi raised his hand, signaling a temporary ceasefire. "Very well, I have come to investigate the murder of my senior brother. Rumors suggest that your three apprentices betrayed our master, killed him for treasure, and Yan Daping and Qi Changfa have mysteriously vanished. I must begin my search with you."

Incredulous, Wan Zhenshan shook his head vehemently. "We are innocent!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine disbelief. Sensing an opportunity, he decided to test the gaps in Wu Liuqi's knowledge. "Surely you have witnessed the extent of our martial arts prowess. Do you truly believe that the three of us possess the ability to harm our master and his esteemed peers?"

Wu Liuqi pondered for a moment, his initial doubts now surfacing. He, too, was unsure of the truth, having only heard of Mei Niansheng's demise at the hands of his three disciples. Observing Wan Zhenshan's lackluster display of martial arts, his suspicions intensified. "Then tell me, how did your master meet his end?"

A glimmer of hope crossed Wan Zhenshan's face as he glanced around cautiously. Swiftly adopting an expression of embarrassment, he beckoned Wu Liuqi to a more secluded area. "Little Uncle, this isn't a suitable place for such discussions. Let us retire to the inner chambers," he proposed.

Wu Liuqi, known for his boldness, was undeterred by Wan Zhenshan's attempts at manipulation. He nodded in agreement. "Lead the way. I am not afraid of your tricks," he declared, resolved to uncover the truth. Together, they followed Wan Zhenshan, unaware of the keen ears listening in on their conversation.

Once inside the secluded room, Wan Zhenshan dismissed any notion of tea or pleasantries. He cut straight to the heart of the matter. "Little Master, have you heard of the secrets hidden within the Liancheng Jue?" he inquired, his gaze fixed intently on Wu Liuqi's face.

Wu Liuqi regarded him warily, recalling his brother's mention of the sword technique, Liancheng Sword Art. "Yes, I have heard of it. What of it? Does it relate to our current situation?" he probed, his curiosity piqued.

Wan Zhenshan slapped his thigh in excitement. "Precisely!" he exclaimed. "I have learned that the Prefect of Jingzhou, Ling Tuisi, possesses knowledge of the treasure concealed within the Liancheng Art. Through his scheming, our master and his esteemed peers met their tragic end." As he spoke, he forced a few drops of feigned tears, adding a touch of authenticity to his tale.

"Ling Tuisi, the Prefect of Jingzhou?" Wu Liuqi's shock was evident in his voice. Ling Tuisi was a powerful figure, renowned for his influence in the region. Yet, Wu Liuqi couldn't fully accept Wan Zhenshan's words. He probed further, exposingWan Zhenshan's account as mere fabrication. "How do you know these details if you were not present? If you were there, Ling Tuisi would have surely claimed your life."