Huang Chang continued, "If I stay in the palace, I can protect the emperor by myself. But soon, the emperor will have to travel lightly. I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of him by myself."
Song Qingshu looked at the Drunkard Monk and said, "Isn't it enough for the two of you to work together?"
Huang Chang shook his head and said, "The situation this time is extremely dangerous. I haven't been in a good state of mind, so to be safe, I'm inviting you. This matter is very important to the emperor. As long as you do it well, I'll give you a concubine."
Ah Ke's expression darkened when she heard his words. She could finally understand her mother's pain. So what if she was the most beautiful woman in the world? So what if she was famous? In the end, she was just a man's plaything. She could be given to someone else at any time.
Looking at the man's determined side profile, Ah Ke bit her lip and thought, "Luckily, Brother Song isn't that kind of person."
Song Qingshu understood something else from Huang Chang's words. It looked like Zhao Gou's trip this time wasn't a simple one. He had been wondering why Zhao Gou could tolerate Jia Shidao monopolizing power, but now it looked like he couldn't sit still any longer. He planned to take out the entire Jia Clan during this trip. But with Jia Shidao's power, if he really wanted to make a move, it would be like a thunderbolt. No wonder even Huang Chang and the Drunkard Monk weren't confident. Zhao Gou's move was too risky.
"Where does the emperor plan to go, and for how long?" Song Qingshu asked in a low voice.
Huang Chang's entire face was hidden in the cloak, but his joy could still be felt. "Oh, you've decided to join?"
"Tell me about it first. I need to see if I have time." Song Qingshu still had to deal with the Mongolians going south. If Zhao Gou took too long, he wouldn't be interested in accompanying him. He would leave even if he had to pay a certain price.
But if this operation didn't take too long, he could consider it. Zhao Gou was a firm believer in surrendering, and letting him continue to be the emperor would make the border much safer. As for Jia Shidao, he was currently in favor of peace, mostly because he wanted to oppose Han Xingzhou. Historically, he was a believer in war. Who knew if he would start a northern expedition to divert the attention of the country after he ascended to power.
Of course, Song Qingshu wasn't a selfless saint, so he wouldn't really work for Zhao Gou. It would be best if Zhao Gou's people and Jia Shidao's people fought each other to the death, and then he would reap the benefits.
Huang Shang replied, "It won't be long before His Majesty announces to the world that he is going to Mount Wudang to confer the title of Zhang SanFeng. Under the pretense of finding a way to prolong his life, he will dispel the suspicions of those ambitious people." At his level, there were many things that he felt it was beneath him to hide. Moreover, the other party was his potential ally, and no matter how he looked at it, they would not betray him.
Song Qingshu cursed silently. He heard that Zhao Gou's body was about to fail. He probably really wanted to find a way to prolong his life on this trip? I can't let him know that Grand Master has already taught me the Rootless Tree Incantation. Otherwise, it will be troublesome if he sends someone to ask for it.
As for dispelling the suspicions of those ambitious people, he scoffed at it. Whether it was the Spirit Mountain Manor or Jia Shidao, they would all be able to see through Zhao Gou's intentions. However, the bait this time was too tempting. Not many people would be able to resist the temptation.
At the same time, he finally understood why the Spirit Mountain Manor had tried so hard to deal with the Wudang Clan. Zhang SanFeng, the number one person in the world, was too much of a variable. If he helped Zhao Gou, the Spirit Mountain Manor's plan would probably fail. That was why they had to make arrangements in Wudang in advance, so it would be easier to catch Zhao Gou in one fell swoop.
Huang Chang continued, "During this period of time, the Emperor's guards will be unprecedentedly weak, so we will need you and us to protect the Emperor. Don't worry, the Emperor's subordinates will deal with ordinary experts. There will be no need for you to act. Only if a Great Grandmaster comes will we need you to act."
"That sounds dangerous." Song Qingshu thought about it. If it were other masters, he would be able to deal with them. But the grandmaster level people were all legendary figures. If he wasn't careful, he might actually be in danger.
The Drunken Monk said, "Don't worry. At our level, we rarely fight to the death. Even if we do fight, no one will be able to do anything to the other. When the time comes, you just need to help keep one of the grandmasters occupied. We will take care of the rest."
Song Qingshu froze. "Are there so many grandmasters in the world? Isn't it enough to have you two guards?"
The Drunken Monk answered, "There are only a few grandmasters in the world. They are mostly old and live in seclusion in the mountains, not caring about the world. But there is no guarantee that someone won't find a way to invite them. We are just being careful."
Song QingShu snickered. "Then how many grandmasters do we have in this group?" He did not mind probing Zhao Gou's trump card first.
Huang Shang looked at him quietly and extended three fingers.
"So there is no one else." Song Qingshu was a bit disappointed. But thinking about it, it was normal. Grandmasters weren't cabbages. Looking at the world, could there even be ten?
They had three of them at once. After taking out some people who definitely wouldn't come out, they should be able to deal with it.
"I've told you everything I need to say. What do you think?" Huang Shang asked.
Song Qingshu nodded. "Okay, I'll join." This time, the Southern Song court was full of undercurrents. He had been worrying about how to ensure that things would develop in his favor. Now, this was a good opportunity. Personally participating would make it easier for him to guide the direction.
"Okay. Go back and prepare. If anything happens, we will let you know in advance," Huang Shang said.
"I'll go back first?" Song Qingshu frowned and pointed at Ah Ke in his arms. "What about her?"
Huang Shang was expressionless. "The imperial concubine will naturally stay in the palace. When we return from Mount Wu Dang, we will fulfill our promise and give her to you."
Thinking of the people in the palace, Ah Ke's face paled. But she didn't say anything in the end.
Song Qingshu shook his head. "No, I have to take her away today."
The Drunkard chuckled. "In the world, the principle is that you give the goods when you give the money. You haven't even fulfilled your promise and you want to be paid first. How can that be?"
"When I found her," Song Qingshu said lightly, "a few eunuchs and palace maids were about to scratch her face. Do you think I can leave her here?"
The Drunkard and Huang Shang looked at each other and then said, "Don't worry. From now on, we will take care of her."
Song QingShu sneered, "What kind of big shots are you? How could you keep protecting a little girl? As long as you aren't careful, she might suffer a fate worse than death. How are you going to compensate her then?"
"This …" The Drunken Monk hesitated. The other's words did make sense. Their main focus was on Zhao Gou, and they could not guard this imperial concubine twenty-four hours a day. Furthermore, there were differences between men and women, and they could not watch over her at all times.
Huang Shang said, "We will send more people. Before the mission is completed, we can't let you take her away."
"What if I insist on taking her away today?" Song QingShu stood there, his arrogance soaring to the heavens.
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