Chapter 57: Tian Bai's Dismounting Blow!

"Your young master is……"

Qin Shuo raised an eyebrow, his face showing inquiry.

The several people before him were all Rujin Martial Artists, the leader a burly man whose qi and blood were vigorous; he should have already achieved Inner Strength Great Success, possibly even Inner Strength Great Perfection.

Such a figure, placed in Black Water City, could open a hall and take disciples, becoming a hall master.

But here in Songyang Prefecture City, he was merely the guard of some noble young master, which made Qin Shuo sigh involuntarily.

"You'll know when you go!"

The burly man spoke in a cold, hard tone, clearly not taking Qin Shuo seriously.

"What if I don't go?"

Qin Shuo's face darkened as he faintly guessed the identity of the young master the burly man spoke of.

Having just arrived in the prefecture city, he barely knew anyone, let alone made enemies; who would block the road to trouble him?

If anyone truly sought trouble with him, it could only be someone connected to Song Yan, more precisely, her fiancé.

He had previously heard Qin Lan say that Song Yan went to Black Water City to avoid the family marriage arrangement.

This time, returning to the Song Family with Song Yan might have caused a misunderstanding, prompting the Song Family to gather information and come here to intercept him.

Judging from how the burly man confirmed his identity through Xiao Liu earlier, his itinerary had likely been leaked, probably inseparable from the ever-smiling fat steward.

After all, besides Song Yan, only the fat steward Luo Wansong knew of his visit to Dongling Temple to see Master Ku He.

And Xiao Liu was the guide arranged for him by Luo Wansong; if the steward had nothing to do with this, Qin Shuo absolutely would not believe it.

"What a smiling tiger." Qin Shuo coldly snorted in his heart.

He had previously thought Luo Wansong greeted him with a smiling face because of Song Yan's connection.

Now it seemed the steward didn't take him seriously at all, casually selling his movements to others, seemingly unafraid of Song Yan settling accounts later.

Thus, the status of this Tian Bai young master in the Song Family was likely higher than he imagined.

Otherwise, how could a household steward risk offending his own young lady to pass along a message for him?

In a short moment, Qin Shuo figured out many things.

Meanwhile, the burly man opposite him, upon hearing Qin Shuo's counter-question, let out a cold snort full of mockery: "If Young Master Qin doesn't go, then we can only offend."

Before his words finished, his palm, large as a cattail-leaf fan, swung toward Qin Shuo's shoulder to press him down and forcibly take him away.

Seeing this, Qin Shuo's face instantly flashed with cold frost.

This Song senior sister's fiancé was simply too overbearing; he wanted to give him a dismounting blow to make him know difficulty and retreat?

Having no time to think further, Qin Shuo shot out like lightning, grabbing the burly man's wrist and twisting it hard.

Crack!

The sound of bones dislocating, making teeth ache, rang out!

"Ah!"

The burly man screamed miserably.

He hadn't expected Qin Shuo to strike suddenly; now wanting to erupt inner strength was too late, as Qin Shuo kicked him in the belly, sending him flying like a shrimp.

"You dare to lay hands on me?"

The burly man heavily fell to the ground, eyes wide with anger, his pair of eyes seeming to spit fire.

"Just a watchdog, yet you dare to bark in my presence. Go tell your master: if he wants to see me, let him come himself."

Having said this, Qin Shuo was about to step away.

But the several youths who came with the burly man now all surrounded him, not letting him leave.

Although they looked at Qin Shuo with eyes full of fear, yet none dared to retreat.

"Heh! Such great prestige!"

Suddenly, a teasing voice came from the second floor of the nearby tavern.

Qin Shuo turned his head to see a youth with fair skin, a yin-like appearance, seeming to lack yang energy, staring at him with a half-smile.

"Are you the one looking for me?"

Qin Shuo narrowed his eyes slightly, fixing his gaze on the yin-like youth.

"I am Tian Bai, your senior sister's fiancé.

Today I merely wanted to meet you; unexpectedly, you turn out to be hot-blooded, daring to strike my Tian Mansion's guards."

Saying this, Tian Bai's smile suddenly vanished, his eyes sharp as blades, his tone icy cold as he said:

"Out of consideration for Yan'er, I will not quarrel with you today.

But I advise you to know your place; some matters are not for mud-legged wretches like you to meddle in.

Otherwise, in this Songyang Prefecture City, there will be no place for you to stand."

Qin Shuo frowned, utterly unable to understand what the other was saying.

The other seemed worried he would meddle in some affairs of the Song Family, thus giving a prior warning, a dismounting blow.

But since entering the Song Family, aside from going to the Library to read books, he had not meddled in any Song Family affairs.

Even so, this Tian surname person was not reassured, having followed him all the way to the city outskirts just to give him a warning.

Thus, the waters of the Song Family were likely deeper than he imagined.

Seeing Qin Shuo silent, Tian Bai thought he had been frightened by him, so he resumed his frivolous smile and said:

"I thought you were truly a hot-blooded hard bone, but turns out you're also a coward, lacking strength! "

Saying this, he waved his large hand; the lackeys surrounding Qin Shuo, as if relieved of a burden, scattered in all directions.

Only the burly man whose arm Qin Shuo had twisted broke glared at Qin Shuo fiercely before also leaving angrily.

"Return to the Song Family."

Qin Shuo expressionless, ignored Tian Bai's provocation, boarded Xiao Liu's carriage, and returned the same way.

He entered the Song Family this time only to seek the method of cultivating Vajra Buddha Nature, and had no intention of getting involved in the Song Family's disputes.

Moreover, he could not understand why, as merely a martial artist who had achieved Inner Strength Great Perfection, he would be so highly valued by this young master of the Tian family.

One must know that to establish a foothold in the prefectural city, a clan must at least have one Pulse Passing expert holding the fort.

Like the Song Family, such top-tier aristocratic clans have more than one Pulse Passing expert, and may even hide an old monster in the Condensing Truth Realm who remains secluded.

Such a colossal entity, why would it pay attention to a mere Inner Strength Great Perfection martial artist?

Qin Shuo was full of doubts, and made up his mind to bid farewell to his senior sister and leave the Song Family upon returning to the city.

A gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall.

With his current strength, he is still insufficient to contend with the Tian and Song clans, the great clans of the prefectural city; withdrawing from the vortex of conflict is the wise course.

Watching Qin Shuo's carriage depart.

Tian Bai turned and poured himself a cup of wine, shaking his head with self-mockery as he said:

"It seems I was indeed overthinking this time.

My uncle was right; this brat is nothing but a rustic from a remote town, how could he have the gall to meddle in Earth Cave affairs?

Still, if I had not seen him with my own eyes, I would not have been at ease.

Song Yan, Song Yan! Once I break through to Pulse Passing, I'll see what you have to refuse me with!

By then, you will marry me whether you want to or not.

The resources of the main branch of your Song Family will ultimately become the stepping stone for my Tian Bai to achieve supremacy on the Martial Path."

……

The carriage slowly entered the city.

Qin Shuo did not return directly to the Song Mansion, but had Xiao Liu take him to the Wind and Thunder Pavilion.

He has now achieved Inner Strength Great Perfection; to advance further, he must refine strength into Qi and open the meridians.

Since strength arises from blood, to refine strength, one must first replenish qi and blood.

Over the past half month, having endured wind and dew, the exotic beast meat jerky he carried has been almost completely consumed.

It is just the right time to purchase some qi and blood replenishing pills from Wind Thunder Valley to aid his subsequent cultivation.

As the premier merchant guild of the prefectural city, the Wind and Thunder Pavilion offers a dazzling array of pills, with everything one could need.

He also saw there the Peiyuan Pill that Wei Laotou had given him to take, priced at one thousand taels of silver per pill—no wonder Wei Laotou looked pained when giving him the medicine.

Having purchased the pills, Qin Shuo directly returned to the Song Mansion.

Upon entering the gate, he happened to meet the fat steward Luo Wansong, who was just about to go out.

"Young Master Qin has returned; did you enjoy yourself?"

Luo Wansong wore a smile all over his face, as if it were not him who had leaked information to Tian Bai.

"Hmm, not bad."

Qin Shuo gave a slight nod, his attitude aloof.

Had it not been for the matter of Tian Bai, he might still have found this fat man amiable and approachable.

But now, he only felt that the other's smile was full of falseness and disgust.

Luo Wansong seemed to have anticipated Qin Shuo's change in attitude; at this moment he paid it no heed, his smile undiminished, and continued:

"The Eldest Miss has instructed that if Young Master Qin returns, I am to bring you to the study to find her."

"Oh? Is there something?"

Qin Shuo's heart stirred, recalling Tian Bai's warning today not to meddle in Song Family affairs.

Could it be that Song Yan seeking him now is related to what Tian Bai said?

Luo Wansong gave a slight smile, "This old servant merely relays the message; as for the specifics, Young Master Qin should ask the Eldest Miss himself."

"Good!"

Qin Shuo also had no further words, following Luo Wansong to Song Yan's study.