Chapter 55: Extra: Ruthless if Line (1) [Extra]

"I want to ask Master Shi for a favor."

The person who spoke was Qi Shaoshang, who had now returned to Lianyun Village.

Shi Qingruo looked behind him and saw someone else traveling with him.

This seemingly unruly young man in white had eyebrows like black knives. What caught people's attention at first glance seemed not his handsome appearance, but his unruly temperament.

The wind outside the Great Wall was blowing hard. Today, the flying sand had just stopped, and there was still a layer of gray color. Even the two people who entered the room seemed to be covered with a layer of gray.

However, if Shi Qingruo were to say, this gray did not seem to have fallen, but more like someone had fought in the yellow sand and stained it.

If she was not mistaken, there was a particularly clear sword wound on the young man's neck, near the collar.

However, the person who attacked withdrew his hand very quickly, and only scratched the oily skin.

But perhaps, even without the wound on his neck and the dust on his clothes, no one would have thought he could truly pass himself off as an elegant and refined zither player

simply because he carried a zither. Shi Qingruo nodded in greeting, "I've long heard of Chaotian Yijian's great name. I've heard you never dislike restraint, but I didn't expect you'd come here. But—"

"You've arrived and immediately engaged in a duel with the Great Leader Qi. That's typical of you."

The young man in white, whom Shi Qingruo had dubbed Chaotian Yijian, wasn't surprised to hear his identity revealed.

The Saint Leader of the Mitian Alliance was now also the Leader of the United Front, and he had complete control over all the news in the martial arts world.

This included Chaotian Yijian, Sun Qingxia.

Sun Qingxia replied, "I don't have many friends. Mr. Ba Wu is one. I heard he was invited to the north to serve as a military doctor, so I had to go see him. Now..."

He glanced at Qi Shaoshang, "Let's just say we've made friends through fighting."

Shi Qingruo smiled. "It's true we've made

friends through fighting. I lost an arm in the fight." Qi Shaoshang coughed awkwardly. "That's what I want to ask Master Shi."

During the Lianyun Village Rebellion, Qi Shaoshang had one arm severed by Gu Xichao, an undercover agent sent by Fu Zongshu. He then temporarily replaced Tie Shou in the Divine Marquis's Palace. Wuqing, known for his exceptional skill in crafting mechanical weapons, forged a magnificently crafted wooden hand for Qi Shaoshang, considering the inconvenience of having a missing arm. While

this hand couldn't wield a sword like his other intact one, it could help him accomplish tasks impossible with one hand, making his daily life much more convenient.

But now...

Shi Qingruo glanced at Qi Shaoshang's left sleeve, only to see a blank space, and then a faint trace of fire on it. Of course, the clothes were secondary; the more important thing was the mechanical hand, which had vanished in the blink of an eye.

If she still didn't know why Qi Shaoshang had come, she would be unworthy of the title of "Alliance Leader.

" "You want me to go to Chief Constable Wuqing and ask for a favor and make you a new hand?" Shi Qingruo raised an eyebrow, her eyes lingering over the two men. "Hey, Chief Qi, if you don't value this thing yourself, what are you doing here? Chief Constable Wuqing just finished debugging the mechanical crossbow for Rogue Feng, and I told him to rest. There's no need to work on something that might break again."

Qi Shaoshang lowered his eyes again in embarrassment. Shi Qingruo's words were harsh, but they were true. If he felt he was right, he would have gone and spoken to Chief Constable Wuqing directly.

But this move was entirely due to the recent stalemate with Sun Qingxia. To counter the firearm in Sun Qingxia's zither, he simply met it with his wooden hand, while his right hand slashed horizontally with his sword, narrowly defeating her.

To put it more righteously, Sun Qingxia was proud and unruly, and with this victory, he could cause no trouble in the camp.

But before Shi Qingruo's all-seeing gaze, the Nine-Manifestation Divine Dragon had better bow his head and admit his fault.

The fault for today's incident was undoubtedly his.

...

"So, what is Master Alliance Leader's attitude?" Wuqing sat behind the tea table. If he hadn't deliberately glanced down, it would have been almost impossible to notice at first glance that the space beneath him was not an ordinary tea table, but a wheelchair.

A wheelchair filled with hidden weapons, capable of killing people.

What caught people's attention first was his handsome face, cold and arrogant, yet with a hint of smile, and the hand that now held the teacup.

Compared to the two swordsmen he had just exchanged blows, his fingers seemed even more slender and long. Perhaps due to years of handling delicate objects, the curve of his fingertips also seemed unusually graceful. Yet, this delicacy seemed not frail, but rather possessed a fierceness.

Just like now, though he clearly meant to inquire about Shi Qingruo's attitude, the glance he gave out the window was filled with a hint of irritation.

It was directed at Qi Shaoshang and Sun Qingxia.

But the next moment, his anger was suddenly blown away by the wind.

"Master Shi, just be a lobbyist. Why are you looking at me like that?"

Shi Qingruo replied in a low voice, "Of course, it's because I want to ask Chief Constable Wuqing to be my accomplice once more."

Wuqing's eyebrows twitched: "...What do you mean by accomplice?"

The wind and sand outside the Great Wall made even those with the most internal energy protection less polished than those in Bianjing City, even Shi Qingruo was no exception. Yet, those eyes remained clear and compelling.

Wuqing could easily detect a glint of what should be called calculating cunning in those eyes.

Shi Qingruo's voice practically echoed in his ear, as if afraid to speak louder and be overheard by the people outside the window, making the whole thing sound even more like a conspiracy. "You know, Sun Qingxia, the one who fought Qi Shaoshang, is from the Shandong Divine Spear Society."

"Unfortunately, the Divine Spear Society has been working for Fu Zongshu for over a decade. After Fu Zongshu's death, they quickly disbanded and fled, leaving behind only a horrific legacy, such as the humanoid Dangke."

"Although Sun Qingxia calls himself a lecher and villain, he's a rare and upright figure in the martial arts world. He was also a genius of the Divine Spear Society in the past, and held many of their secrets."

Wuqing's ears felt a little hot, and his fingertips tightened their grip on the teacup slightly. "You want to win him over?"

"No, I just want to see the extent of the Divine Spear Society's mastery of mechanical weapons and firearms," Shi Qingruo replied. "If I'm not mistaken, it's the harp behind Sun Qingxia. I don't want anything to go wrong when I fight against the accomplices of the Divine Spear Society in the future."

She now has people from the Tang Clan in Shu under her command, and she has also swallowed up the former Liufenbantang. She took the opportunity to bite a hole in the Jiangnan Thunderbolt Hall. It can only be said that they are different from the Divine Spear Society in some areas, but they are not really inferior to them.

So all she wants is a chance to gain experience at close range.

If the things in the north were not important, she should have sent people to find the people from the Divine Spear Society as early as after Fu Zongshu's downfall. Fortunately, a more suitable person appeared in front of her.

"Chief Constable Wuqing?"

Wuqing was silent for a moment, "...I know."

He knew what to do and be a good "accomplice".

...

After Shi Qingruo said goodbye and left, Qi Shaoshang and Sun Qingxia stood in front of Wuqing.

"It is said that Sun Qingxia is like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath. Today, it seems that the rumors are indeed true."

When Sun Qingxia raised her eyebrows, it was as if she was drawing a sword, and her eyes were as bright as the clear light on the sword. At this moment, her thin lips moved slightly, as if she was holding a sword edge, "It's not easy for Chief Constable Wuqing

to say this." "When did I say I was praising you." Wuqing said coldly, "I mean, you are as decisive as the rumors say."

Sun Qingxia pulled the corner of her mouth, "Isn't that still a compliment?"

Qi Shaoshang always felt that he should say something to ease the atmosphere in this tense situation, but before he came in, Shi Qingruo specifically told him to speak as little as possible.

Wuqing had already spoken first: "Master Sun, don't you know what responsibility Qi, the leader of the Qi camp, now bears? He is now the Nine-Manifested Divine Dragon of Lianyun Village. If the jianghu here help the imperial court recapture the five states of Yingyun and gradually retreat to the Central Plains, Lianyun Village will become their outpost on the border. You knew his Yizi sword technique was unreturnable, so why did you choose to duel with him?"

"Recently, the Xiaolei Sect and the Tang Sect both sent a batch of gunpowder. How can you be so free to roam the camp while carrying a firearm in your qin?"

Sun Qingxia smiled casually, but a glance at Qi Shaoshang

seemed to be asking him why he said his master's wife had such ability to persuade Chief Constable Wuqing, but the result was this. It seemed that favors and face were not so effective.

But before he could finish his words, Wuqing reached out a hand towards Qi Shaoshang, the prosthetic hand that had been half-shattered by the explosion, and Qi Shaoshang immediately handed it over.

"I'll help you repair this prosthetic hand, but I have one condition."

Wuqing raised his eyes, a chill gathering in them. "I hope that Master Sun's firearms will be regulated in the camp, so that such a large loss won't happen again."

"In the name of the Six Gates?" Sun Qingxia sneered.

If Wuqing dared even say "yes," he would have turned and left, never to stay.

But the next moment, the beautiful young man's answer was, "No, as a victim."

The "severed hand" in Wuqing's hand revealed its intricate components at the cut. As he spoke, another piece of the joint fell off. No wonder, during their clash with Qi Shaoshang, Sun Qingxia had forgotten the rumors she'd heard in the martial arts world, the fact that Qi Shaoshang had only one hand.

That hand was even so agile it could hold his firearm in place, just like a real one.

He was already staying here for another good friend, and since he had struck up a friendship with Qi Shaoshang, it seemed reasonable to listen to the ruthless Chief Constable for a while.

He raised his chin, motioning Wuqing to continue.

"Sir Sun, please stay next door for a while. I hope you'll learn your way around the camp and know where to go and where not to go."

As for guiding Sun Qingxia...

Qi Shaoshang replied, "I'll take care of that."

Basically, it just meant getting Sun Qingxia to behave. If it weren't for this incident, given his reputation as a somewhat lax person in the martial arts world, there was no guarantee they wouldn't get into another fight.

By then, it wouldn't just be a case of mutual acquaintance, but a case of murder.

But two days later, when Sun Qingxia was walking in the camp with Qi Shaoshang, carrying the scorched-tail snake-patterned tiger-eye red-shell harp, he suddenly laughed as if he thought of something: "This ruthless chief constable is really interesting. I thought he was the next Zhuge Shenhou, but unexpectedly, he values selfishness over public interest."

Qi Shaoshang paused, "What do you mean?"

Sun Qingxia replied: "In the past two days, my firearms were not used outside, but here at the ruthless chief constable. I used them twice on the pretext of preventing the fake hand from being broken again. What's more interesting is that the mistress of the Mi Tian League was here when I used it both times. From your perspective, Qi Shaoshang, what does this mean? Don't tell me that this is the mistress of the master wanting to get back at her friend."

Qi Shaoshang was stunned for a moment: "If the mistress of the master wants to see your firearms, it seems that there is another way."

"But no way will be like this. I am willing to take action out of guilt, and I used all my strength." Sun Qingxia replied.

With Shi Qingruo's discerning eye, two strikes were enough for her to make a judgment.

It was hard not to feel that Wuqing was sacrificing himself for selfish ends in this matter.

His smile widened. "I did suffer some losses, but at least I didn't have to spend a month rebuilding a prosthetic hand. It's definitely not as tiring as Chief Constable Wuqing. Besides, it's a good deal! His selfish motive only benefits the Mi Tian Alliance, but may even harm the Imperial Court."

The Imperial Court's firearms share a common origin with some of the inventions presented to the Shandong Divine Spear Society. The weapon in his hand, a culmination of all these, was naturally the pinnacle of this endeavor.

Master Shi's command of the heroes and his meddling in border affairs had only intensified the Mi Tian Alliance's prestige, forcing them to be even more wary of the Imperial Court. Further investigation into the Imperial Court's firearms capabilities was one of their priorities.

As Chief Constable of the Six Gates, Wuqing, far from obstructing her plan, instead transformed the probing into a seemingly ordinary exchange.

If the imperial court and the Misty Heaven Alliance weren't now united in resisting foreign aggression, his actions would have been no different from aiding the enemy.

"So I say, his selfishness outweighs the public interest,"

Sun Qingxia yawned lazily. "I don't mind telling others how many variations this firearm has. After all, I'm a swordsman, and I trust my swordsmanship more than anything else. But I wonder if Zhuge Shenhou cares that his own apprentice is practically throwing himself at the Misty Heaven Alliance."

Qi Shaoshang: "...That's not necessarily the case."

Sun Qingxia rolled her eyes. "They say you had a deeply moving relationship with Aunt Xi of Huinuo City in your early years, and even after parting ways, you still have many confidantes. Can't you see the feelings that ruthless Chief Constable harbors for Madam Shi?" Even a

self-proclaimed playboy could see it clearly.

"I've heard Chief Constable Wuqing is always aloof and arrogant. Even with his crippled legs, weakened meridians, and inability to circulate internal energy, his hidden weaponry and martial arts skills are enough to make him a world-beater. He's always got the arrogance of a master, but it seems to me that he still feels a bit inferior in front of the woman he loves."

Sun Qingxia let out a soft "tsk," feeling she'd be seeing a lot of good drama in the near future.

Besides the progress of the war in the north, it might be interesting to see how Chief Constable Wuqing struggles

, a way for him to calculate his due payment. He glanced at Qi Shaoshang's face. "What's with that expression? Are you worried he'll be hurt by a broken heart one day and ruin your unfinished prosthetic hand?"

Qi Shaoshang: "...You're overthinking it."

He suddenly thought back to what happened in Anyang.

Back then, Wuqing's concern and anxiety over his master's wife's disappearance far exceeded the concerns of a constable over a case.

Especially at the wedding banquet, it wasn't so much that Chief Constable Wuqing was here to capture Gongzi Yu and rescue Shi Qingruo, but rather that he absolutely didn't want to see the girl he loved marry someone else in front of him.

Even Sun Qingxia, a newcomer, could see it now, and it was probably only a matter of time before everyone knew it.

He and Chief Constable Wuqing had a life-or-death relationship, and he still owed him several favors. He couldn't just watch him remain silent due to his low self-esteem.

Shouldn't he find a way to help him?

But what can one say? He used to consider himself a playboy, but he wasn't a loser who could only watch his beloved marry someone else! Although he could see things more clearly from the sidelines, he might not be able to truly help. If he

only made things worse, that would be even more wrong.

He collected his thoughts and said to Sun Qingxia, "Never mind, let's drink!"

The wind was strong in the frontier, blowing like frozen ice. A pot of hot liquor was exactly what was needed to dispel the chill, and then use the rising power of the alcohol to

transform into a fire burning towards the north!

...

Shi Qingruo was also gazing at the bright red before him, watching it slowly lick the flames and envelop a small ceramic basin above it.

The gel, once frozen in the basin, slowly melted in the heat of the flames.

Wuqing took up his special brush, dipped it into the melted gel, and slowly applied it to a "thin bone" in his hand.

He was already handsome, and now he was concentrating on the task at hand, which was what he was best at. The concentration between his eyebrows and eyes gave him an extra touch of heart-warming expression.

Only after the last stroke was made did he have some spare time to look at Shi Qingruo, who was also in the room.

Seeing her wrapped in fox fur, watching his actions with interest, he suddenly felt that the charcoal fire in the room and the open flame on the shelf were a little too hot.

"Aren't you bored here?" Due to his previous actions, a few strands of hair on his temples had loosened up and fell to the side of his face, blocking his eyes.

If you ignore the thawing tenderness in those eyes, it seems that he was just asking a question to a friend.

"Boring?" Shi Qingruo shook her head and replied, "I was wondering if Sun Qingxia's firearm could be transformed and used in other ways. A few days ago, I asked Lu Xiaofeng for help and invited the skilled hand Zhu Ting here. Perhaps with his always imaginative mind, he can bring some new ideas."

"I think Boss Zhu would like Sun Qingxia very much," Wuqing replied.

"Why?" Shi Qingruo asked curiously.

"Because he can come up with a name like the Seven-foot-Three-inch Chaotian Lustful Sword, and he can also name his own firearm Teng Teng Teng. It is both vulgar and elegant, which is probably what Boss Zhu likes. With Sun Qingxia's rebellious temperament, she might also believe the idea that Boss Zhu and his people can fly into the sky and talk with their heads separated from their bodies."

Shi Qingruo smiled, "Why do you say it as if I shouldn't use the same method as before to trick Sun Qingxia into taking action, but should let Boss Zhu deal with him?"

"That's not the case." Wuqing pursed his lips, "You told me that Boss Zhu is a lazy man who can't move without leaving his chair. In such weather in Saibei, he may not be willing to go out and talk to Sun Qingxia."

"What about you?" Shi Qingruo supported his chin and asked lazily, "We are both proficient in the art of strange manufacturing, but I always feel that you don't seem to want to deal with Boss Zhu too much."

Just like this time, Qi Shaoshang's severed hand needed to be remade. Wuqing knew that the workload was not small, and he also knew that Zhu Ting had made a moving wooden man, but still had no intention of having any dealings with him.

Zhu Ting, on the other hand, had long heard of Wuqing's fame and was eager to make his acquaintance.

Wuqing replied, "I'm different from him. He has the right to dream, but I need to be more pragmatic. He can..."

"What can he do?"

Wuqing didn't answer the question, simply swallowing the answer. Zhu Ting, the skilled hand, could ignore his reputation and constantly talk about his wife, much to the envy of others. But there were certain things he couldn't... or rather, he didn't dare to say.

He had grown from that physique to the chief constable he is today, capable of commanding the world and earning the reputation of "traveling a thousand miles without legs, and being unstoppable by a thousand hands."

But when he saw Gongzi Yu standing before Shi Qingruo with such radiance, and Sikong Zhaixing running around for her, he often felt a pang in his heart, as if another voice was reminding him whether he could truly bring happiness to others.

He also never forgot the vague whispers he'd heard from his uncle, Dashi Gong, and others in the past about his identity, and his position as the Six Gates Chief Constable made it even more inappropriate for him to confess his feelings to his master's wife.

He could only be an accomplice, but could go no further.

He had always been rational and intelligent, so he understood this principle.

The charcoal fire crackled in the room, and the gel on it burst with bubbles, occasionally making a sound that echoed the burning sensation in his heart.

"Nothing, I'm just a little envious of him."

He lowered his eyes and pushed the parts in his hand into the roughly formed prosthetic hand in front of him.

It would take quite some time for this prosthetic hand to be fully realized and passed on to Qi Shaoshang. However, since this wasn't his first time making this hand, the mechanical bearings and force generated by it could already do something.

It could also allow him to occasionally indulge in some unbridled indulgence.

Shi Qingruo leaned forward and saw Wuqing, testing the strength of his "fingers," use his artificial hand to pick up a flower from the basin in front of him.

With a gentle scraping sound, the "hand" shifted direction, steadily holding the flower in front of Shi Qingruo.

Shi Qingruo let out a soft "Huh!"

The frail, icy-white flower lacked much fragrance, its petals bearing traces of snow and wind. It wasn't particularly appealing, with only a faint red tint adorning the curled edges.

But before her lay more than just the flower, held up by the artificial hand, but also... Wuqing, slowly raising his head while grasping the artificial hand.

The flower in front was a rare sight in the harsh winter of the northern frontier, perhaps having survived by entwining its roots in the cracks of the rocks.

And behind it, another flower of the snowfields. It was as if the flames before them had melted the snow, giving it a fleeting moment of bloom.