Chapter 190

The arrival of Feng Heng and Shangguan Haitang brought no major changes to the Manuo Shanzhuang.

However, what surprised Jiang Sishui somewhat was that after completing her mission, Shangguan Haitang did not take her leave; instead, she stayed behind, seeming very interested in the Manuo Shanzhuang.

"Shangguan Haitang is absolutely not someone who would neglect duty for amusement. As a secret agent of the Hulong Shanzhuang, her affairs are busy, and she would never abandon her post without permission."

"The reason she hasn't left is likely that she still has a mission."

"What mission could Zhu Wushi have given her that requires her to linger at the Manuo Shanzhuang?"

"Could it be to plant a spy by my side? No, that would be too open. Could it be a beauty trap?"

Jiang Sishui pondered silently.

The intelligence he provided regarding Tianxiang Doukou was not wrong; this must have brought immense shock to Zhu Wushi.

Combined with his performance of虚实虚实 that day, Zhu Wushi must now believe by now that he has another powerful and terrifying force behind him.

So, could this cunning old fellow be trying to seek peace with him?

If so, it would explain why Zhu Wushi, acting against his usual nature, sent the two sects' sacred scriptures all at once.

This is likely a display of his sincerity.

"Seek peace..."

Jiang Sishui pondered for a long while, finally deciding to wait and see first, to observe Zhu Wushi's next move before acting.

210 Qin Keqing's Submission, The Sword God's Duel

During the day, Jiang Sishui continued his journey, heading for Luoyang.

Qin Keqing leaned quietly against his chest, allowing Jiang Sishui to hold her without resistance, remaining silent throughout the entire journey.

Jiang Sishui rested his chin on her shoulder, turned his head to look at her profile, and said, "I always feel that you have become somewhat different from before."

Qin Keqing lowered her head, remaining silent as ever, as if sparing words like gold.

Jiang Sishui did not mind, because he completely understood Qin Keqing's feelings.

He murmured to himself, "In what way are you different? I can't say specifically, but I feel you don't seem to despise me as much as you did at the beginning."

At this moment, Qin Keqing, who had remained silent, finally spoke: "Can you tell me the real reason?"

Jiang Sishui was stunned: "What reason?"

"You said you had a grudge against Brother Liu, so you snatched me."

"And also because your charm is too great."

"... Actually, you have no grudge against Brother Liu at all, do you?"

"Oh? Why do you think so?"

"Brother Liu went to Ezhou five years ago and entered Mount Wudang. And according to what they said, you only began practicing martial arts these past two months; before that, you were always in Suzhou."

"So you think I had no opportunity to cross paths with him?"

"Yes."

"But what if he offended me five years ago?"

Qin Keqing fell silent for a moment, then said, "You sent that assassin to kill the Tubo National Master; did he offend you back then?"

"Correct."

"So, you are a person who holds grudges. If Brother Liu had a grudge with you, then you would have no reason to spare him, especially since he is right there in Suzhou."

Hearing this, Jiang Sishui immediately laughed.

Is Qin Keqing stupid?

No!

On the contrary, she is very smart.

Otherwise, the her in the story could not have cooperated with Liu Ruosong to play Wu Lin experts like puppets on a string.

A beauty trap requires first that the woman be beautiful, and second that she be smart.

Otherwise, the scheme fails, and one ends up losing both the lady and the soldiers.

At the beginning, Qin Keqing, suddenly struck by a great change, was panicked and confused, her mind blank, having no time to think about the flaws in Jiang Sishui's words.

But these past few days, amidst calmness, this woman has obviously figured it out.

With her lies exposed, Jiang Sishui remained calm and composed, saying, "I can tell you the real reason; it just depends on whether you believe me."

Qin Keqing said nothing, silently waiting for what came next.

Jiang Sishui glanced at her and said, "I have a method that can predict that after you marry that person, your future will be very miserable."

"I am someone who cherishes beauty; how could I stand by and watch you sink into the sea of suffering?"

"Plus, the moment I saw you, I fell in love, so naturally I had to strive to win you over."

"But I know you certainly won't believe what I say, so I could only snatch you."

Jiang Sishui spoke straight to the point, speaking openly, concealing nothing of his feelings for Qin Keqing.

Qin Keqing nodded her head lightly: "I believe you."

"I knew you wouldn't..."

The words stopped abruptly; Jiang Sishui looked at Qin Keqing in astonishment.

"Wait, what did you just say? You believe what I said?" Jiang Sishui could hardly believe his ears.

Qin Keqing turned her head to look at Jiang Sishui's stunned expression, and couldn't help but curl her lips slightly, revealing a faint smile.

Yet this tiny expression, without any deliberate intent, revealed a touch of charm that made one's soul tremble upon seeing it.

Qin Keqing pressed her red lips lightly and said, "You can take me wherever you wish, traveling a thousand li in an instant; knowing some art of Heaven's secrets and predicting the future is nothing strange."

Hearing this, Jiang Sishui immediately realized he was the one blinded by the situation.

Having used "Hegemony and Imperial Map" so often, he had grown accustomed to teleporting back and forth, but he ignored that Qin Keqing was merely an ordinary "newcomer" in terms of experience.

Such a method of "traveling a thousand li in an instant" was undoubtedly subversive to her understanding.

Just like Li Qingluo back then.

Then in Qin Keqing's eyes, his body had Gained a layer of mysterious, unknown halo around it.

At this moment, if he said he could foresee the future, the Qin Keqing Society would believe it — and that seemed only reasonable.

Having thought all this through, Jiang Sishui suddenly felt enlightened.

"Then you don't hate me anymore now?"

Qin Keqing shook her head.

"Then from now on, forget Liu Ruosong and follow me in peace. How about it?"

Qin Keqing sighed, gave him a soulful look, and said, "It seems you haven't given me a chance to refuse."

Jiang Sishui saw that although her gaze held a hint of grievance, the despair, helplessness, and revulsion from the very beginning were gone — his heart leaped with joy.

????????? 求鲜花??????????

His arms involuntarily tightened, drawing the fox-like, soft-boned body of this enchantress closer into his embrace. He smiled and said, "You're not wrong. Once you've entered Shanzhuang, you're my woman. I won't allow you to follow another."

Qin Keqing leaned against his chest without speaking, yet a trace of submission had appeared in her expression.

……

Approaching noon, the two entered a town.

They had just entered from Chengnan when they noticed the townspeople were heading in groups toward the west of the city, as though something there was drawing them.

He reached out and grabbed — true qi swept forth — and pulled a lecherous middle-aged saber-wielder who had been sneaking peeks at Qin Keqing right up before him.

Jiang Sishui said coldly, "Seen enough?"

When a master makes a move, one instantly knows whether or not there's real skill behind it.

Knowing he had provoked a great disaster, the saber-wielder said not a word, dropped to his knees on the spot, and kowtowed repeatedly: "Hero, spare my life! It was my blindness failing to recognize greatness; I've offended the two of you."

"I was wrong, I was truly wrong. I beg the hero, my lord, to be magnanimous and let me off like a fart!"

"Pity me, my lord — above me is an eighty-year-old mother, below me a three-year-old child. If you kill me, my mother will have no one to care for her, my child no one to raise him. I hope the hero can spare this dog's life of mine."

"If the hero is willing to spare my life, from this day forth I shall surely reform myself, do good and accumulate virtue, and never again stare at the Miss in such a way."

Jiang Sishui: "……"

Hearing that the saber-wielder was still going to keep blabbering, he snapped, "Shut up!"

The saber-wielder hurriedly clamped his mouth shut.

"I ask you — why are all these people heading to the west of the city? What's there?"

"To answer the hero, my lord — outside the west of the city, people are having a martial contest. All these folks are going to watch the excitement."

"A martial contest? Who's fighting whom?"

"One is Xie Xiaofeng of the Divine Sword Shanzhuang; the other is Yan Nan, the 'Bridal-Gown Divine Sword.'"