“Look, that person is actually standing in mid-air above the river!”
“Could this be some hidden expert from a secluded sect? Do they have a grievance with our Song Clan?”
“This person looks like a Grandmaster, not someone we small fry can provoke.”
“Didn’t they go to fetch the Young Master and Miss? Why haven’t they returned?”
“Here they are! The Young Master and Miss are here! Make way!”
Song Shi Dao and Song Yu Zhi walked out of the cabin side by side, reaching the deck at the bow of the ship.
The dazzling sunlight bathed the deck, creating a shimmering golden glow!
As soon as they emerged, they saw their men had stopped the ship in the middle of the river!
They were discussing something with a nervous and uneasy look, looking towards the river ahead.
“Young Master, Second Miss!”
The moment everyone saw the Song siblings, they immediately dispersed to the sides, creating a path for them.
Song Shi Dao walked to the bow of the ship, his gaze fixed on the river ahead.
On the rolling river, a figure stood!
Their presence was extraordinary!
The person was wearing a jet-black martial arts robe, with dark gold threads woven into a dragon pattern!
It shimmered under the sun, as if a true dragon were coiled upon it, ready to take flight at any moment!
A cold expression graced their handsome face, their eyes as sharp as ice!
Their aura commanded respect, and there was an underlying sense of domineering power that made one want to bow down in submission!
Kou Zhong glanced at the four large ships in front of him, his consciousness spreading out like a fishing net!
He instantly locked onto Fu Jun Yu within the cabin, whose face was pale.
Kou Zhong's brow furrowed, but then he relaxed.
Seeing Kou Zhong, Song Shi Dao's heart skipped a beat, filled with astonishment!
In this world, even the Imperial Court wouldn’t dare stop a Song Clan ship!
The other party had quite the nerve!
Thinking this, he stepped forward with a bow, asking politely,
“Dare I ask, brother, why are you stopping our Song Clan merchant ship?”
Song Shi Dao knew very well that he was only at the threshold of Grandmaster-level strength!
Even though there was a Grandmaster-level elder from the family on board the ship behind him.
Kou Zhong, however, felt incredibly dangerous!
He mustn't act rashly!
Kou Zhong looked at the man and woman at the bow, guessing that they were the ones who rescued Fu Jun Yu.
He retracted his aura, and with a flash, he was on the ship.
Witnessing this uncanny movement, Song Shi Dao was secretly thankful that he hadn’t decided to fight.
But he also didn't want to appear weak, for fear that the other party would act recklessly!
“I am Song Shi Dao of the Song Clan, and this is my younger sister, Song Yu Zhi. May I ask your name, brother?”
Upon hearing those names, Kou Zhong instantly recalled a plethora of information.
He raised his eyes, gently observing the two.
Song Shi Dao had a gentle and refined demeanor, yet his strength was not to be underestimated.
Song Yu Zhi had a refined and elegant air, along with a sense of heroism, which matched the descriptions in his mind.
He was also struck by the Butterfly Effect, thinking he wouldn't encounter the Song Clan again.
But now, Fu Jun Yu had made a second attempt on Yang Guang, and failed, leading to this encounter with the Song siblings.
In the original story, Fu Jun Yu managed to escape the pursuit of Yu Wen Huaji with the help of the Dragon Twins.
Regarding the Song Clan, one of the Four Great Clans.
Kou Zhong recalled the past, this brother and sister.
Song Shi Dao was a broad-minded and knowledgeable individual, who valued his relationships and had a compassionate heart!
Just like his sister, Song Yu Zhi, he didn't want the people of Lingnan to be caught up in the whirlpool of the struggle for dominance.
When the Dragon Twins and Li Shimin were vying for the throne, and the Dragon Twins fell into a series of miscalculations!
It was Song Shi Dao who came up with the idea of an alliance to threaten Li Yuan.
As for Song Yu Zhi, needless to say, she was Kou Zhong's wife in his previous life!
They were practically sworn enemies in his past life!
Song Yu Zhi thought of him as a foul-mouthed, womanizing scoundrel!
While in his previous life, he considered Song Yu Zhi a fierce and unyielding shrew!
Yet, their love had bloomed amidst their bickering.
Whenever he was in danger in his past life, Song Yu Zhi would always unconsciously come to his aid!
After going through hardships together, they had become like siblings. Especially after the emotional blow from Li Xiu Ning in his past life!
He was comforted by Song Yu Zhi, and his view of her changed.
He considered her his confidante!
But Song Yu Zhi was deeply in love with him.
One time, after drinking too much, Kou Zhong made an unguarded remark, angering Song Yu Zhi!
Kou Zhong was shocked to realize that Song Yu Zhi was also a lovely woman!
He unconsciously said a few sweet words to her, which filled her heart with joy.
Just as Song Yu Zhi was hesitating whether to confess her feelings to him.
She discovered that he was still hung up on his good friend Li Xiu Ning.
In a fit of anger, Song Yu Zhi left him, vowing never to speak to him again…
But her heart remained unchanged, still on him!
To be fair, in matters of love, Kou Zhong had only ever liked and pursued Li Xiu Ning.
He was only interested in a woman who didn’t care about him and treated him as a tool…
He simply didn’t understand the saying, “If I bloom, the butterflies will come.”
Kou Zhong shook off his thoughts, his cold expression melting away as he chuckled lightly,
“I am Kou Zhong. Nice to meet you both.”
Song Yu Zhi curiously looked at Kou Zhong. Just moments ago, he had a domineering and arrogant air, but now he was like a gentle gentleman!
Upon hearing Kou Zhong’s name, Song Shi Dao’s face changed, and he asked,
“Are you Kou Zhong, one of the Yangzhou Dragon Twins, Brother Kou?”
Kou Zhong smiled noncommittally, then said,
“It is I.”
Song Shi Dao immediately stood up and took Kou Zhong's hand, saying,
“A pleasure to meet you, a pleasure to meet you!”
“We were planning to go to Jiangdu to discuss a salt trade deal with the Dragon Twins’ gang.”
“However, we heard that the majority of the Dragon Twins’ gang had retreated to Yu Hang. We thought we wouldn’t have the opportunity…”
Kou Zhong shook hands with Song Shi Dao, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked directly,
“Brother Song, have you ever seen a tall, dignified woman wearing a plain white martial arts uniform?”
The moment he said this, the smile on Song Yu Zhi's delicate face froze. Then she realized.
She pretended to be thirsty and took a few sips of tea.
Song Shi Dao also furrowed his brow, gently retracting his hand and subtly moving to stand in front of his sister.
He was filled with suspicion and uncertainty. How did Kou Zhong know that he rescued the Imperial Assassin, but he still maintained a calm facade, saying,
“I haven’t seen this person, and I haven’t heard of this matter. Brother Kou must have been misled.”
Kou Zhong fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.
He was merely trying to probe the Song siblings, to see what their intentions were in rescuing Fu Jun Yu.
If they had other motives, he would naturally not be polite.
But it seemed that it was just their kind hearts that led them to save Fu Jun Yu.
“Brother Song, there’s no need to be nervous. I’m not with that dog emperor, nor am I seeking a reward for catching the assassin.”
“That person is very important to me. I’m taking her back with me!”
Kou Zhong shook his head, his tone calm but his attitude incredibly forceful.
Song Shi Dao and Song Yu Zhi looked at each other, never expecting that the Imperial Assassin had anything to do with the Dragon Twins!
Song Shi Dao suddenly remembered that Yu Wen Huaji had lost his official position because of the Dragon Twins!
Furthermore, there had been a major incident in Jiangdu recently!
Three hundred Iron Cavalry from the Iron Cavalry Society, along with their leader, Ren Shaoming, had been killed in Jiangdu!
Rumors said that they were wiped out by the Li Clan’s Xuanjia Elite Cavalry…
But now, Song Shi Dao felt that things were far from simple!
Thinking about this, Song Shi Dao took a deep look at Kou Zhong, then said,
“Brother Kou, come with me.”
He led Kou Zhong towards the cabin where Fu Jun Yu was recuperating.
They walked around the cabin for a while before reaching a door.
Song Shi Dao gently pushed open the door…
“Brother, be careful!”
Song Yu Zhi exclaimed from behind!
Kou Zhong's brow furrowed.
A flash of cold light shone the moment Song Shi Dao opened the door, and a figure emerged!
They held a dagger, stabbing towards Song Shi Dao, but before he could react.
Another black figure had blocked them.
Kou Zhong gently knocked the dagger from Fu Jun Yu’s hand, then embraced her and whispered,
“Jun Yu, it’s me, I’m late.”
Fu Jun Yu felt the warmth of Kou Zhong’s embrace, and smelled a familiar scent.
She trembled as she raised her eyes to look at Kou Zhong's chiseled face, weakly saying,
“Young Master Kou, I… I made a mistake.”
Kou Zhong chuckled and shook his head, saying,
“Those things don’t matter. What’s important is that your body needs to recover as soon as possible.”
Song Shi Dao realized that Kou Zhong wasn't an ordinary person, so he decided to go the extra mile, hoping to cultivate a good relationship, and said,
“Brother Kou, this young lady’s injuries are very serious.”
“My sister and I simply treated her wounds…”
“As far as I know, there is a healing elixir in the Three Flavored Hall of Cuishan Town.”
Song Shi Dao paused, then continued,
“It’s called Dragon Blood!
Kou Zhong heard this, and he remembered the herb book he saw in the Dragon Twins’ gang’s warehouse.
Dragon Blood was a rare herb, a legend said it only grew in extremely secluded and deep mountains!
Discovering and harvesting it required both opportunity and luck.
This herb was deep red throughout, as if dragon blood had dripped onto it.
Therefore, it was named Dragon Blood!
It had extremely strong regenerative and healing properties!
It was incredibly effective for external wounds, cuts, and so on, quickly stopping bleeding!
It promoted wound healing and left no scars.
It could also invigorate the blood and dispel stagnation, making it very effective for internal injuries, blood stasis, and other symptoms!
Seeing Kou Zhong’s interest, Song Shi Dao chuckled lightly and said,
“Brother Kou, if you don’t mind, you can take our clan’s merchant ship. We happen to have business there.”
Kou Zhong glanced at Fu Jun Yu, who was weak in his arms, and thought about the Clear Spirit Powder in his storage bag, which was only suitable for dissolving poisons. He nodded, saying,
“In that case, I shall trouble Brother Song!”