Flower Stealing Master

Seeing that Song Qingshu’s admiration didn’t seem fake, Zhao Min felt a surge of pride. However, she maintained a cold expression, curling her lips disdainfully. “Why should I rack my brains to help you save your lover?”

Song Qingshu was immediately frustrated. “I’ve told you before, stop calling her my lover. Besides, most of the reason why Li Mochou ended up like this is because of you. If she dies without treatment, wouldn’t you regret abandoning her and feel a pang of guilt?”

Zhao Min’s expression turned frosty. “Since I’m already labeled a demoness by the people of the Central Plains, naturally, my hands are stained with blood. Do you think I would feel guilty over a stranger?”

Song Qingshu was stunned, suddenly realizing that the beautiful woman before him was still, at her core, the Mongolian princess who could manipulate and destroy with ease, treating human life as insignificant as grass. Attempting to persuade her with morality was indeed foolish.

“Fine, let me give you another reason,” Song Qingshu said after some thought. He pulled out a small object from his robe and opened his palm in front of Zhao Min. It was a delicate earring pendant. “Last time, I saved you, and you gave me this as a token, promising to do something for me in the future…”

Before he could finish, Zhao Min frowned and interrupted, “What, you plan to use that promise to save Li Mochou?”

“Yes.” Song Qingshu nodded.

“Not happening!” Zhao Min’s face turned icy as she flatly refused.

“A gentleman keeps his word. I’ve been honest with you, yet why would you treat me like this?” Song Qingshu couldn’t help feeling displeased.

“Who said I’m a gentleman? I’m the demoness everyone despises,” Zhao Min retorted, her gaze falling on the earring in his palm. She suddenly seemed amused. “Have you been carrying this with you all along?”

“Hmm,” Song Qingshu replied weakly. Seeing that Zhao Min was unwilling to help, he had no choice but to think of another solution.

“Looking at your pitiful face, fine, this princess is in a good mood today. I’ll be merciful and think of something to help you,” Zhao Min said with a faint smile, her icy demeanor melting like snow in spring.

“With your help, the chances of success have doubled.” Song Qingshu’s eyes lit up. Reluctantly, he handed over the earring. “Sigh, using such a precious promise for this feels like such a waste.”

“If it feels like a waste, you don’t have to use it.” Zhao Min looked at him with a sly smile.

Song Qingshu glanced at the feeble Li Mochou and shook his head. “Though it’s a shame, saving a life is worth it.”

“If you’re reluctant, just keep it,” Zhao Min said, her cheeks glowing with a charming radiance as she didn’t reach out to take the earring.

“Huh?” Song Qingshu looked at her in disbelief.

“Anyway, my manor has plenty of these earrings. Losing one or two doesn’t matter.” Zhao Min tilted her chin slightly, turning her gaze out the window.

Song Qingshu wasn’t dense. Seeing this, he immediately pocketed the earring with a grin. “Does this mean I can still use this earring to ask you for something in the future?”

“That will depend on my mood,” Zhao Min huffed. “But next time you ask me to save another woman, don’t blame me for turning hostile.”

“Of course not, absolutely not,” Song Qingshu replied cheerfully. “I’ve already thought of what I’ll ask you to do.”

“What do you want me to do?” Zhao Min asked curiously, turning back to look at him.

“When the time comes, I’ll ask you to give me a whole bunch of these earrings,” Song Qingshu said, making an exaggerated gesture with his hands.

Zhao Min was momentarily stunned but soon burst into laughter, rolling her eyes at him. “Keep dreaming.”

Their playful banter eased the subtle tension lingering between them from the last incident with the Golden Serpent Camp.

“All right, let’s figure out how to save your lover,” Zhao Min eventually said.

Song Qingshu deliberately feigned disappointment. “After all this time, I thought you already had a perfect plan.”

Zhao Min wrinkled her delicate nose in irritation. “I’m not a deity. How could I come up with a plan so quickly? Your flattery needs work.”

“Flattery, huh…” Song Qingshu murmured, his gaze inadvertently falling on her rounded, pert figure.

“Where are you looking?” Zhao Min exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. Feeling a strange heat, she instinctively tugged at her robes and shifted to the side, trying to block his view.

Caught red-handed, Song Qingshu felt awkward and hurriedly changed the subject. “Actually, surpassing Ren Woxing isn’t hard. The real challenge is getting him to willingly hand over the true Cosmic Absorption Technique.”

Zhao Min’s blush faded gradually as she remarked in surprise, “Have your martial arts skills reached such a level already?”

Song Qingshu smiled sheepishly. “Well… my training method is… more enjoyable, so I progress faster than others.”

“Your martial arts can’t be attributed to mere diligence,” Zhao Min said with a slight smile, recalling the scene from the Golden Serpent Tournament. “I nearly forgot, you even defeated Ah Qing. There’s probably no one in the world who can match you now.”

The memory of Ah Qing effortlessly defeating the Ming Zun had left a deep impression on Zhao Min, as the Ming Zun’s earlier display of martial prowess had seemed invincible.

Song Qingshu flushed slightly and explained awkwardly, “That was just a trick. After all, using Joyful True Qi, which specifically counters women, to deal with a young girl… it’s not exactly something I’m proud of.”

“A victory is a victory. There’s no such thing as trickery,” Zhao Min said nonchalantly. Having held a position of power for so long, she judged based on results. However, she didn’t dwell on martial arts and soon changed the topic. “By the way, how did you manage to control the winds and rain at Fox Hill?”

While many in the martial world dismissed it as a rumor, Zhao Min’s intelligence network confirmed it had truly happened. Even with her vast knowledge of military tactics and history, she couldn’t fathom how it was possible.

Song Qingshu scratched his nose awkwardly. “Aren’t we technically enemies? Such a big secret…”

Zhao Min’s expression darkened, and she snorted. “Forget it then. Who cares?”

Song Qingshu shrugged with a grin. “Just teasing. Although we’re on opposing sides, we’re also close friends in private. Sharing this secret with you isn’t a problem.”

“Who’s close friends with you?” Zhao Min shot him a glare, though her emotions were more complex than her words suggested. 

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