Changsheng: Peak at the Beginning

Chapter 1847 The Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty 7

Song Que, the Heavenly Blade, is renowned for his swordsmanship, but he is well aware of his own limitations. Since a fruitless relationship in his youth, his skills have made little progress. Despite years of study, his martial arts level has only improved slightly, and he still has a long way to go before reaching the level of a grandmaster.

Therefore, Song Que couldn't help but set his sights on Jiang Xinxin, who had suddenly appeared and attracted the attention of almost all forces. He sent his own son to investigate the situation, but he didn't expect that Jiang Xinxin would not stay in Jinguan City but instead came to Lingnan.

The situation in Lingnan today is not good. Even though there are many Han people living here, and there are Han forces like the Song Clan who established themselves in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities, the ethnic minorities have not actually organized an effective resistance against the Song Clan. This is entirely because the high mountains and deep rivers have blocked effective communication between the various ethnic groups.

The Song clan was able to establish itself in Lingnan today entirely by using its methods to control miasma and by adopting advanced technology brought from the north.

So when he received news that Jiang Xinxin had appeared in Lingnan, Song Que of the Heavenly Blade was looking forward to her arrival. He even instructed his subordinates: "If that Miss Jiang can walk down the mountain unharmed, my Song Clan will open the mountain gate to welcome her up the mountain and treat her as an honored guest."

Just as Song Que thought, Lingnan is now a very wild place. Even in villages, poisonous miasma and insects are inevitable. If Jiang Xinxin's flesh and blood body were not entirely formed from her magical power, she would probably have had to spend a lot of effort to develop elixirs to repel insects and detoxify.

There was a rare flat area outside the Song Clan's mountain gate, and the people living around it were all servants who directly served the Song Clan. So when Jiang Xinxin appeared here in a clean and tidy manner, someone immediately relayed the news to Song Que on the mountain.

The Song Clan's fortress occupied not just one hilltop, but encompassed several surrounding hilltops. Climbing the steps, one could hardly see the summit. The fact that a fortress was built on such steep and towering mountains was enough to demonstrate the Song Clan's confidence and capability.

Upon arriving in Lingnan, Jiang Xinxin heard quite a few romantic tales about Song Que of Tian Dao and Fan Qinghui, the current master of Cihang Jingzhai.

However, she took it all as a joke. Even though she secretly felt that Song Que and Fan Qinghui had a relationship when they were young, now one is a powerful clan leader and the other is a sect leader. Even if the parties involved had some regrets, they might make the same choice if they had to do it all over again.

It's just a pity about Madam Song. In almost everyone's eyes, she was Song Que's second choice. Even though she bore Song Que three children, she was not recognized or respected by the world. Instead, she was a pitiful woman who was ugly and not loved by her husband.

Jiang Xinxin really wanted to gossip a bit more before speaking, but she sensed a sharp and majestic sword intent at the mountain gate. So she simply condensed a sword aura and rushed straight towards the place where the sword intent was emanating, as if it were her own visiting card.

Song Que was indeed waiting for Jiang Xinxin's arrival, and he even knew her whereabouts before she approached the mountain gate. However, he did not expect that Jiang Xinxin would send a sword aura first when she sensed his sword intent.

The sword energy came shakily and unpredictably, but the domineering and fierce power it contained was even greater than his sword intent. He had to use almost five-tenths of his strength to finally catch it.

"Ha ha ha ha--"

Song Que couldn't help but laugh heartily. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he leaped to his feet, preparing to personally greet Jiang Xinxin as she ascended the mountain. "A distinguished guest graces our humble abode, truly an honor for the Song Clan. Second and Third Brothers, prepare to welcome our guests!"

Song Que ignored the reply and rushed over after hearing the commotion. He didn't even see Song Que's back. He only learned from others that Jiang Xinxin was about to go up the mountain.

Song Que arrived quickly. Jiang Xinxin was wearing a pale yellow strapless dress today, without any hair ornaments or tassels, only a few small pearl flowers. However, Song Que could see that she was still relaxed despite having come from afar, and directly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect as a peer, "I am Song Que, the patriarch of the Song Clan of Lingnan. Greetings, Miss Jiang."

Jiang Xinxin returned the greeting with a cupped hand, "I am Jiang Xinxin, an unknown rogue cultivator. Greetings, Clan Leader Song."

Without saying much, Song Que simply raised his hand and gestured, "Miss Jiang, you are too kind. Your presence at the Song Clan today is truly an honor for us. If you do not mind, please come up the mountain for a chat."

Jiang Xinxin couldn't possibly step ahead of Song Que right away, so she had to be modest. "Clan leader Song, you flatter me. Although it is true that those who are skilled in martial arts are the most important, the Song clan has been operating in Lingnan for a long time, and I cannot ignore the many hardships involved. Moreover, the people of Lingnan live in peace and prosperity under your rule, which is already quite remarkable."

Song Que was never short of such praise, but the effect on him was naturally very different depending on who was speaking. At this moment, he couldn't help but feel a little proud.

The Song Clan came to Lingnan during the Five Dynasties period. At that time, Han people in the north were forced to migrate south. The Song Clan chose Lingnan, a place even more remote than Jiangdong. The Song family operated there for over a hundred years, which led to the current power and prestige of the Song Clan. The Song Clan's reputation was at its peak when it was revered as "Heavenly Blade" by the world.

For him, the head of the Song Clan, martial arts prowess was not the most important thing, but his level of skill, which was only one step away from the Grandmaster level, did indeed draw the world's attention to the Song Clan, which was confined to a corner of the country.

Song Que and Jiang Xinxin chatted and laughed all the way, which left the two elders and Song Shidao, who were a step behind to greet the distinguished guests, speechless. After all, Song Que had rarely appeared in public since he returned to the Song Clan and got married. He had spent most of his time in seclusion. The world had not seen him like this for at least twenty years.

Song Que's two brothers promptly bowed to Jiang Xinxin and greeted her, saying, "Greetings, Miss Jiang."

Song Shidao was taken aback for a moment, then quickly followed his two uncles in bowing, "...Greetings, Miss Jiang..."

Song Que felt somewhat embarrassed by Song Shidao's dazed appearance, but still had to formally introduce him: "Miss Jiang, these two are my younger brothers, and this is my son, Song Shidao."

Jiang Xinxin had already returned the greeting, and now she just smiled and nodded. Then, at Song Que's suggestion, she went to the training ground to prepare for a match.

Song Shidao followed behind his two uncles, looking dazed. During his trip to Jiangnan, he met Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, who had already learned the "Longevity Manual," and began to establish a friendship with them. He even developed some feelings for Fu Junzhuo, the mother mentioned by Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.

He never imagined he would be so fickle. He had been reluctant to leave Fu Junzhuo when he left Jiangnan and returned to Lingnan, but now, upon seeing Jiang Xinxin, his heart pounded like a drum and he was in a daze...