He flung his sword, and with a somersault, he made preparations to return to the stage, but Happy acted quickly. He destroyed his plans with a move and blocked Yin Zhiping while the man was airborne. He turned around, kicked him, and that one clean move allowed him to push him out of the arena.
"Thank you for letting me win!"
Chapter 530 - Meet Song Qingshu
Happy won two continuous battles and retrieved his plate. He then moved to the second arena and discovered a familiar figure at the foot of the second arena, much to his surprise!
He paused for a moment, then could not help but to stop completely.
"Song Qingshu."
The originally elegant young man was standing in the crowd. He had already switched to his old attire. He was dressed in a brocade robe and was standing with a dark gaze at the two people who fought on the stage.
Song Qingshu had indeed come to Hero's Mountain Villa.
Happy was delighted.
If Song Qingshu was here, Zhou Zhiruo was definitely here as well. That would save him time searching for those two all over the world.
Compared to last time, Song Qingshu had lost some of the conceitedness and gentleness within him. He had become much colder than before, and he also seemed much more level-headed!
Happy was stunned, then he noticed that Chen Youliang had pointed in his direction while standing beside his companion. Song Qingshu cast him a sideways glance and frowned.
At the instant the duo's gazes intersected with each other in the air, a clear hint of killing intent flashed in Song Qingshu's eyes, but the cold feeling came and left very quickly.
Song Qingshu soon concealed it in his eyes. The gentle expression returned, and he headed over.
"Young Swordsman Happy." His voice was clear and calm, but there were a few hints of false delight in his voice while he walked over to Happy with Chen Youliang.
Happy initially did not have the mood to deal with the two artificial people, but when he thought about how the last page of Nine Yang Divine Skill was in Zhang Sanfeng's hands, he remembered that he simply had to persuade this brat to return to Wudang Mountain. So, he forced himself to smile and answer.
"Ah, it's Young Swordsman Song of Wudang Sect. Pardon my rudeness."
As he spoke, his thoughts raced. He was thinking of a plan to bring Song Qingshu back to Wudang Sect.
"Hehe… Young Swordsman Happy, you're wrong." Chen Youliang smiled by the side before he stared into Happy's eyes. "Young Swordsman Song, it looks like Young Swordsman Happy still does not know that you left Wudang Sect and are staying with Sect Leader Zhou Zhiruo in Emei Mountain."
Happy said nothing. He knew of this since a long time ago, so he was not affected by Chen Youliang's words. However, when he noticed that Chen Youliang's words were intentionally designed to make him displeased, his mind raced. His expression changed, and he could not help but quirk his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
Chen Youliang was a very cunning person.
Since he was doing it intentionally, when he saw Happy's disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e, he immediately put on an enlightened and secretive expression. The then pretended as if it'd been a slip of the tongue.
"Young Swordsman Happy, could it be that you also… I didn't mean to say that. Ah, darn it. It's like this, Young Swordsman Song has been invited by Sect Leader Zhou to join Emei Sect. There's no other meaning to it."
The secretive words made it clear that he wanted to provoke Happy, and if Happy truly loved Zhou Zhiruo, perhaps he would get locked in a fierce struggle with Song Qingshu.
But Song Qingshu merely smiled.
"Brother Chen, you don't have to mind. Everyone in the world of martial artists knows that I love Sect Leader Zhou, and there is no need for me to hide it. Young Swordsman Happy should know about it as well, isn't that right?"
"Young Swordsman Song, it's fine if you don't mind it, but the key is Sect Leader Zhou Zhiruo's reputation!" Happy's tone suddenly became severe. "I do not wish for Sect Leader Zhou's reputation to be ruined because of certain people's tongues!
"Elder Chen, Young Swordsman Song, there are certain words that should not be said. I have quite a close relationship with Sect Leader Zhou, and if I hear any similar rumors again, do not blame me for not showing you any respect!"
He looked at Chen Youliang and Song Qingshu with a cold gaze.
Chen Youliang had an awkward expression on his face, and he tactfully chose not to say anything.
Song Qingshu finally could not hold it back, and anger surged into his voice. "You—"
Happy's tone remained cold, and he continued to embarrass him without showing any mercy. "Besides, Song Qingshu, Miss Zhou is pure and noble, and she is also the sect leader of Emei Sect. While you are only a normal disciple of Wudang Sect, and a worthless disciple who betrayed his sect at that!
"What right do you have to tell others loudly that you like Sect Leader Zhou? Even if you do, I do not think you are worthy of her. That's why, if I hear you say similar things again, I will not mind helping the seniors of Wudang Sect to teach you a lesson."
Men were egotistical creatures.
Happy's words not only belittled Song Qingshu in terms of his strength and status, he even gave him a contemptuous image in terms of moral character. No matter how calm Song Qingshu was, there was no way he could endure that!
"Shut up!"
Clang!
He drew his longsword and pointed the sharp sword at Happy. "I respect you as a powerful martial artist who saved the six great sects and someone who worked hard for the righteous sects in the world of martial artists, but why do you insist on humiliating me repeatedly?! I challenge you to a duel!"
"With what status?" Happy remained calm and just snorted coldly. "Are you going to challenge me as a Wudang Sect disciple who betrayed his sect, an Emei Sect disciple, or a normal wanderer?"
"Obviously as an Emei Sect disciple!"
Song Qingshu gritted his teeth and answered in exasperation, but this was exactly what Happy had wanted.
He scoffed coldly. "If it's as an Emei Sect disciple, I suggest that you take back your words just now."
He paused for a moment, and when a group of martial artists had come forward to watch their argument attentively, he said with a myriad of emotions in his heart, "During the battle of Eternal Peace Temple, Emei Sect's Mistress Annihilation was saved by me, and the current Sect Leader Zhou Zhiruo gave a strict order to the disciples in her sect that I am an honored guest of Emei Sect and they are to treat me with respect.
"Do you think that you are currently higher in rank than the sect leader of Emei Sect, or are you used to being pampered by Great Swordsman Song's love so much that you are used to ignoring a sect leader's orders?"
"You—"
Song Qingshu clearly did not expect that Zhou Zhiruo would have given such an order and his expression changed. "If that is the case, I will temporarily cast aside the status of an Emei Sect disciple and challenge you with the status of a normal wanderer."
"A normal wanderer?" Happy smiled even brighter. "If you are a normal wanderer, then what have you contributed to the world of martial artists? What achievements do you have? What title do you carry? And who invited you to Hero's Mountain Villa?" He paused for a moment before he put on a smile that said that his plan had worked. "If you don't have any of that, why should I accept a boring person's challenge out of the blue?"
Song Qingshu's face turned pale before it turned red with rage.
Happy had struck where it hurt.
Even though he had also participated in the battle at Light Summit, Happy had displayed great splendor at that time and outshone Song Qingshu to the point that he was like a normal bystander. As for reputation, he was just a normal Wudang Sect disciple, and his experience in wandering about the land was small.
What reputation could he have then? Wherever he went, the people only called him Young Swordsman Song because of their respect for Wudang Sect and Song Yuanqiao.
"D
on't even think about leaving!" When Song Qingshu saw that Happy was about to leave, he quickly moved and blocked him while shouting angrily. "Don't even think about getting an upper hand over me with words! You've humiliated me in front of all martial artists, and I will absolutely fight against you today!"
While Happy and Song Qingshu were in a confrontation, Song Yuanqiao stopped two Wudang Sect disciples who were about to go downstairs from the first floor of a restaurant to mediate the fight. "Don't go! It'd be good if Young Swordsman Happy taught that unfilial son of mine a lesson."
Chapter 531 - Scheme Against Song Qingshu
When Chen Younliang saw that Song Qingshu was being verbally persecuted, he felt anxious.
The provocative words earlier had been successful, but Song Qingshu was clearly not Happy's opponent. He was refuted to the point that he was worthless, and in his anger, he forcefully blocked Happy's path.
When Chen Youliang saw that the martial artists of Hero's Mountain Villa were about to interfere, an anxious look appeared on his face. He tried to persuade Song Qingshu, but the young man was bent on trying to regain his honor from Happy, and he stubbornly refused to leave.
At that moment, Happy decided to compromise a little.
"It is not impossible for me to fight against you, but there must be something at stake."
When he said that, a hint of unease flashed past Chen Youliang's face.
He had thought that Happy had only decided to turn against Song Qingshu because he was provoked and they were in a stalemate, but by the looks of it, Happy had not actually flown into a rage. Instead, both of them had fallen into some sort of scheme by Happy.
Just when he was prepared to persuade his companion to stop, Song Qingshu beamed in delight and snorted coldly before he nodded. "Tell me what it is!"
Happy smiled and said what he had thought of when he had a sudden burst of inspiration earlier. "Swear in front of the people that if you lose to me, you will apologize to Sect Leader Zhou right in front of all the heroes in the world."
Song Qingshu's expression turned very unpleasant, but he remained silent.
He had also heard rumors about Happy's strength. Even though he practiced a rather extraordinary martial art that was now lost to the world—Heart Hastening Palm, he could admit to himself that he did not have full confidence in being able to defeat Happy. If he lost, he would lose all his dignity in front of Zhou Zhiruo, so how could he court her in the future?
"Too hard for you?"
When Happy saw that Song Qingshu's face filled with anger, he seemed to have predicted that Song Qingshu would not agree to it immediately. He did not wait for Song Qingshu to answer him though.
"If you can't do it, I have another offer. If you are beneath me and lose to me, as long as you agree to go back to Wudang Sect for three years without ever descending from the mountain as well as not harboring any delusional thoughts about Zhou Zhiruo, I can agree to your challenge. So? Do you still not dare to take up the challenge?"
Due to the atmosphere Happy had created, the martial artists in the area had already begun to cast Song Qingshu disdainful and mocking looks.
While in the restaurant, the eyes of Song Yuanqiao and his group lit up when they heard Happy's words. They finally understood the true meaning behind Happy's actions.
"Young Swordsman Happy is indeed extraordinary…" Song Qingshu stroked his beard and smiled in relief.
He understood his son's strength all too well. Happy had worked hard to provoke Song Qingshu so that he could push him into an embarrassing situation, but it unintentionally solved the greatest difficulty that had plagued Song Yuanqiao since he came.
The group smiled and continued to watch the street below them.
Once Song Qingshu was provoked, he gritted his teeth in exasperation and answered, "Alright! I'll agree to it!"
'Oh no!'
Chen Youliang's expression changed drastically, and the anxiety in his eyes grew even more prominent.
He wanted to use Song Qingshu to get close to Zhou Zhiruo so that he would have a chance to get Nine Yin Manual, but if Song Qingshu really lost and went back to Wudang Sect without the right to go down the mountain for three years, all his hard work would go up in smoke.
"Young Swordsman Happy, I think—"
Clang!
Happy ignored Chen Youliang. Naturally, he would not allow him to throw a wrench into his plans. A sword w.h.i.n.e that traveled far and wide rose. He drew his sword, and it was directed at Song Qingshu.
Song Qingshu lifted his sword slowly with a grave expression.
The martial artists on the street of Hero's Mountain Villa were affected by the duo, and out of their own free will, they cleared up a space for them. A light breeze blew past, and a bleak as well as stern atmosphere appeared/
Quite a number of players in the crowd were dumbfounded.
They did not expect that there would actually be people who would bring their quests to Hero's Mountain Villa and try to complete them there. The person even caused a huge ruckus. For a period of time, the crowd was incredibly interested in this. Everyone stood around and did not even blink.
*****
When Song Qingshu fell into his control, Happy quickly calmed down.
Even though he did not know what sort of martial art Song Qingshu had obtained, if it allowed him to have the courage to challenge him, it definitely had to be some sort of killing move.
He was still rather confident that he could win the fight though.
No matter how strong Song Qingshu was, it was impossible for him to be stronger than Xuanming Elders, A'da, and A'er, which meant that as long as Happy was careful, it would not be difficult for him to win.
Right then, what troubled Happy was that it was clear that he could not rely on Flying Dragon Sword Technique if he wanted to defeat Song Qingshu. The man before him was an outstanding disciple of Wudang Sect, and his skills with the sword were not weak. He also had an unknown ultimate technique with him.
If Happy used just Ten True Dragon Styles, it would be difficult for him to win against within a short period of time, and if the situation forced him to, he might have to use Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm.
If it was exposed, however, it would surely bring him a lot of trouble, but Happy believed that everything had its own risks. For the sake of Nine Yang Divine Skill, it was worth it to take this bit of risk.
*****
"Happy, please grant me your guidance."
Song Qingshu's emotions might have been affected because of Happy's words, but when the time came for the battle, he calmed down, and even though his expression was still unpleasant, killing intent raged in him.
Happy raised his Nation Protecting Divine Sword indifferently and calmly changed into his Golden Armor.
"HAH!"
At the moment he equipped the last piece of armor, Song Qingshu finally moved. He tapped against the ground, and his longsword moved like lightning toward Happy's face. It had the momentum of a thunderclap.
The two people who were fighting on the arena not too far away could not even match up to the momentum of Song Qingshu!
At that moment, the limelight of the fight in the arena had been completely snatched by Song Qingshu.
But Happy did not bother with that. He tapped repeatedly against the ground and put on a solemn expression while facing the lightning fast sword light. He parried and blocked the attacks in an orderly fashion while he repeatedly switched his position to reduce Song Qingshu's momentum.
In a restaurant nearby, there were quite a few pairs of eyes fixed on the figures that were moving nonstop while they analyzed the sharp and dazzling sword lights.
"Master, Big Brother Song seems to have become much stronger than before."
"Indeed."
When Song Yuanqiao heard his disciples' words, a complicated expression appeared on his face, but he could not hide the slightly gratified look in his eyes. He nodded slowly. "That unfilial son of mine did not forget to continu
e improving his skills with the sword despite leaving Wudang Sect."
"Perhaps Happy will not be Big Brother Song's opponent," someone said.
Song Yuanqiao shook his head. "While Qingshu's attainments in the sword are pretty good, Happy is a disciple of the Murong Clan. He knows the essence and flaws of the sword techniques from various sects. While his qi realm is lower than Qingshu's, his achievements are extraordinary. Besides, Shaolin Temple's Yuan Mie is only slightly weaker than I am, but even he only has high praise for Happy. It… will be difficult for Qingshu to win against Happy."
As expected, Song Qingshu's momentum became weaker with time while Happy used his defensive parries to negate and cut down at it. Happy seized the chance to change his sword momentum then.
His body contorted in a bizarre fashion on the street, and he avoided Song Qingshu's fierce diagonal slash upward. He formed his left hand into a seizing motion, and in the blink of an eye, he seized Song Qingshu's hand. While he was at it, he also snatched away the longsword.
Song Qingshu was not surprised, but delighted! He let out a thunderous cry and resolutely gave up on his weapon.
Black light shone from his palm, and it brought forth a powerful black wind that traveled forward quickly!
Song Qingshu hit Happy's c.h.e.s.t with a savage gaze. His killing intent was completely revealed at that moment!
Chapter 532 - Repent
Heart Hastening Palm!
The moment Happy executed Dragon Capture to seize Song Qingshu's weapon, he did not let down his guard. When he saw black light appear around Song Qingshu's palms, he immediately knew that the other had learned an evil martial art that had been lost to the world of martial artists for many years.
He tensed up, and the details of Heart Hastening Palm flashed in his mind.
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