Chapter 141 - 139: Eternal Youth Without Regret
"So, that person has approached you as well."
Today, when Liu Dingsheng met with Song Changming, he quickly grasped most of the situation.
He looked at Song Changming with curiosity and asked, "What’s your plan then?"
Song Changming replied, "Honestly, the terms they offered are very tempting, but I’m still reluctant to get involved in this matter."
Upon hearing this, Liu Dingsheng smiled and said, "I guessed you would have many concerns. However, I must remind you, opportunities to obtain a Martial Technique like this are rare in the Jianghu.
If you miss this chance, you might not see another Martial Technique come your way for years, even decades.
Back in the day, I wasted time and missed the best period to cultivate a Martial Technique, which is why my achievements in the Martial Tao stopped here.
Changming, the value of a Martial Technique exceeds your imagination!"
As Liu Dingsheng said this, his expression became more serious, and a hint of melancholy appeared in his eyes.
Such is life; sometimes, if you don’t make a crucial decision right, if you don’t seize an important opportunity, there may not be another chance to do so in the future.
In Liu Dingsheng’s view, Song Changming possesses a maturity beyond his years, but at times he might be too prudent, lacking the drive, making it easy to miss important opportunities.
Most of the time, opportunities often come with considerable risks.
Without taking risks, how can one seize opportunities?
"So, do you also think I should participate and obtain a Martial Technique?" Song Changming asked.
"I’m merely offering my perspective, not advising you. How to proceed, of course, is your decision entirely; others cannot decide for you." Liu Dingsheng blew gently on the steam rising from his tea and smiled lightly.
"Thank you, Elder." Song Changming cupped his hands in gratitude.
With just a few words from Liu Dingsheng, his mind cleared a lot.
He knew very well that he is not a perfect person; whether in terms of temperament or character, he has his own flaws.
Liu Dingsheng was right.
If everything is done with caution to avoid risks, it’s easy to be stuck in such hesitation and overthinking, making it difficult to act decisively.
In the end, it’s also easy to miss out on a lot.
Although he is an Immortal, he does not want such a boring, wasted life.
When benefits are right in front of you, aiming for steady progress is the best mindset.
Just as Song Changming was reflecting on himself, suddenly Liu Ziwen came over and spoke as soon as he saw Song Changming.
"Changming, something happened at the Song Residence."
"Hmm?" Song Changming frowned.
"A group of armored warriors from the army went to the Three Alleys and are looting money and grain wildly. I heard even quite a few elderly people have been taken away to transport military supplies. I am worried about the safety of the two elders at your home..." Liu Ziwen said in a deep voice.
Plop!
Song Changming suddenly put down the chess piece in his hand; his eyes turned cold instantly as he leaped to his feet.
"Elder Liu."
Liu Dingsheng waved his hand and immediately said, "Say no more, go quickly."
Song Changming nodded and turned away with large strides.
Previously, conscription and levying of grain were handled by the Patrol Armor Bureau between cities with the help of Liang Chuan Mountain, and the Song Family was at peace.
But at some point, the military directly took over these matters.
Under their more brutal forced conscription, incidents of beating, smashing, and arresting those who do not comply are commonplace.
This army, largely composed of converted Jianghu knights, acts no different from bandit military forces.
Sometimes, with the government backing them, their behavior seems even more egregious than bandits and thieves.
Liu Dingsheng watched Song Changming leave and then glanced at the half-played chessboard on the table.
Today, Song Changming’s chess style was aggressive and fierce, and he was like this when he came.
Perhaps in Song Changming’s heart, he had already made a decision on this matter, and there’s basically no need for him to say more.
"Ziwen, make some preparations. If things don’t go well over there with Changming, escort them out of the city and leave first." Liu Dingsheng instructed.
With Song Changming there, he was not worried about anything else, just afraid that today Song Changming might kill indiscriminately and become a wanted man by the government, unable to establish himself in Donglai County City.
On the other side, in the courtyard of the Song Family.
A few armored warriors lay on the ground moaning, covered in blood.
Another group of armored warriors holding knives and spears surrounded the courtyard, staring at the two long-haired big dogs like lions inside, as if facing a formidable enemy.
The yellow one bared its teeth ferociously, while the white one was chillingly stern.
Like two door gods, they guarded the courtyard, intimidating the armored warriors from advancing.
Song Ping’an protected Song’s Father and Song’s Mother, holding a long saber, also wearing a vigilant expression, staring at this group of fierce armored warriors outside the courtyard.
"Patriarch, Mistress, please rest assured, everything will be fine once Brother Song returns," Song Ping’an comforted.
The surrounding residents from Three Alleys were crying and pleading, accompanied by the sounds of curses and smashing.
Not only had the Song Family been subjected to the plundering and smashing of this group of armored warriors, but nearby residents also struggled to escape their fate.
"Get out of here! A bunch of useless trash!"
A military officer strode in, glancing at the two big dogs in the courtyard, and sneered, "Letting dogs attack people is a crime! You’ll be sent to the army as punishment!"
With that, he unsheathed his long saber and led a group of armored warriors into the courtyard.
Dahuang immediately lunged forward, fiercely aggressive.
White followed closely behind.
Both dogs targeted the officer, sensing he was the most challenging threat.
Zhou Ao’s eyes gleamed, and he abruptly stepped forward, slashing his big saber horizontally.
This single slash was meant to disembowel and sever the big dog at the waist!
Clang!
However.
Dahuang’s claws deftly caught the blade, their immense force pushing Zhou Ao backward.
White then bit Zhou Ao’s steel-shrouded leg.
Zhou Ao somersaulted, dodging White’s lightning-fast bite, and kicked down in the same motion.
White’s head took the hit, slamming to the ground and rolling several times from the momentum.
Encouraged by the scene, the rest of the armored warriors finally mustered the courage to attack the big dogs.
Zhou Ao twisted his blade, spinning mid-air and slashing Dahuang’s back several times before landing steadily.
Dahuang let out a furious howl.
"Hmm?!" Zhou Ao reevaluated these two big dogs.
With his Sixth Realm power, a normal dog would have been long dead by his attacks.
Even a canine beast with unique blood would rarely survive multiple slashes.
If not for the lack of fog beast traits, he might have mistaken them for steel-boned fog beasts.
Dahuang wasn’t unscathed; beneath its thick fur, blood seeped from its back, proving the slashes left cuts, though far less than Zhou Ao expected.
Injured, Dahuang showed no fear, instead growing more frenzied, chasing Zhou Ao throughout the courtyard.
Its movements were agile, fast, explosively powerful, cleverly dodging Zhou Ao’s fatal attacks.
For a time, Zhou Ao couldn’t deal with this rampaging mad dog.
Meanwhile, White was wreaking havoc among the armored warriors, biting over ten and driving the rest back outside the courtyard.
"Die!" Zhou Ao, embarrassed by his struggle with a dog, seized an opportunity and decisively used his sword skill, slashing Dahuang’s neck thrice.
Blood sprayed, flesh flew!
Seeing Dahuang about to meet its end, Song Ping’an wanted to intervene but was too late, his skills slightly inferior.
Just then, White charged from behind and viciously bit Zhou Ao’s leg.
"Argh!" Zhou Ao howled, slashing White away, determined to feast on dog meat tonight!
In the city, being bitten by dogs was embarrassing, fearing mockery from fellow officers for days.
As Zhou Ao prepared to kill the dogs, urgent hoofbeats echoed into Three Alleys, a galloping horse knocking over blocking armored warriors.
"Who dares!"
An armored warrior raised his spear to stop the charging horse, but the rider snatched the spearhead, tossing both man and spear into the air, crashing behind!
The rider was Song Changming returning, nearing Song Residence and seeing soldiers blocking it, glimpsing chaos inside through the door gap.
He saw the dogs being beaten and instantly fumed.
The two dogs were raised since young, cherished, never hit, loved dearly, but now savaged by these people!
He lifted his long spear, sweeping it in a circle on horseback, launching it straight at the gate.
The spear whistled through the air, piercing the door frame.
Zhou Ao heard the fierce sound behind, spine chillingly cold.
Whirling around, he saw the fired spear nearing.
Hastily, he raised his saber to defend, blade meeting spear, the powerful force pushing him back several steps, colliding with a pillar to stabilize.
"What terrifying strength!"