Song Yu zhi, after finishing her instructions regarding the seeds, found Song Que, Song Zhi, Song Lu, and other core members of the Song family that evening. She presented them with a gift specially prepared by Yang Hong for the Song family.
This could be considered a gift, an opportunity, or even a disaster.
The outcome would entirely depend on the Song clan's strength and heavenly will. However, this gift was undeniably something that neither the Song clan nor any dynasty in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms could refuse.
Yet, for this gift to bear fruit and generate benefits would take considerable time. Yang Hong was prepared to receive no returns within the next five years.
After arranging all the gifts, Song Yu zhi did not leave Song Family Fortress.
While teaching her siblings cultivation at the Song family, she also instructed her tenant farmers and merchant caravans to collect seeds of various plants, no longer limiting themselves to crops but gathering seeds of all kinds of flora. If she hadn't feared arousing suspicion from the old Taoist priest in the Imperial Observatory, Yang Hong would have even prepared to collect poisons.
Of course, these were the first group to leave the palace, and the first time collecting plant seeds. In the future, Yang Hong would certainly collect poisons as well. After all, poisons, when used correctly, could not only enhance strength but also heal the sick and save lives.
Jia Yuan chun and the other seven had the same mission.
...
Ten days after Song Yu zhi returned to Song Family Fortress, she met her elder sister, Song Yu hua, and her former prince charming—Kou Zhong. Kou Zhong, from "The Dual Dragons of the Great Tang."
However, upon seeing Kou Zhong, Song Yu zhi's expression changed dramatically. Beside Kou Zhong, besides her sister Song Yu hua, were the Great Tang's Princess Li Xiu ning, and an unfamiliar woman.
"Kou Zhong! You scoundrel!"
Furthermore, judging by their order of approach, Song Yu hua was clearly at the end. This situation ignited Song Yu zhi's fury.
"You're coming to the Song clan, my sister's maternal home! Even if you're just putting on a show, you should at least show basic respect to my sister!"
Disregarding everything else, Song Yu zhi channeled her internal energy, brandished her long saber, and in an instant, charged at Kou Zhong.
"Clang—"
After a clash of metal against metal, the two separated instantly. Kou Zhong had drawn his Jing Zhong Yue the moment Song Yu zhi attacked. Song Yu zhi retreated three steps, while Kou Zhong only took two!
"Little sister, you mustn't."
Song Yu hua, seeing her sister resorting to violence without a word, was displeased. She rushed between them, separating them, and began to reprimand Song Yu zhi.
"Yu zhi, this is your brother-in-law. You cannot be reckless. Apologize quickly."
"Sister, come here. I have something to ask this faithless man."
Song Yu zhi looked at Kou Zhong with a solemn expression, her internal energy surging.
"Yu zhi, you are also at the Heavenly Human realm!"
Song Yu hua was about to say more when Kou Zhong came to her side, looking at Song Yu zhi with a hint of confusion.
In this world, Kou Zhong and Xu Zi ling had also risen from humble beginnings as street ruffians and had established the Young Marshal Army. However, they hadn't had the opportunity to rebel against the Sui Dynasty, nor had there been a war between the Sui and Tang. It was merely a small-scale army formed by a combination of mercenary troops and bandits. But his luck was even more extraordinary than in "The Dual Dragons of the Great Tang." At only 39 years old this year, Kou Zhong's destiny was astounding, and he was already a grand master of the Heavenly Human realm. Seeing that Song Yu zhi, whom he had previously considered a clumsy little tagalong, had also ascended to the Heavenly Human realm, he was extremely surprised.
"Kou Zhong, you are truly fortunate. While your cultivation at the Heavenly Human realm is formidable in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, you are not invincible."
Song Yu zhi frowned. When she had pursued Kou Zhong in the past, she had only known him to be a Grandmaster. She hadn't expected him to have already reached the Heavenly Human realm.
"Heh heh, I am naturally not invincible. Yu zhi, do you have some misunderstanding about me?"
Kou Zhong was somewhat puzzled by Song Yu zhi's attitude. Three years ago, Song Yu zhi had pursued him desperately, to the point of life and death. If it weren't for his own interests and also for Song Yu hua's beauty, he wouldn't have chosen Song Yu hua. Song Yu zhi would have definitely been one of his consorts. Yet, upon meeting today, Song Yu zhi had attacked with the power of the Heavenly Human realm, clearly intending to kill him.
"Kou Zhong, do you deserve my sister? You philanderer, die!"
Hearing Kou Zhong's question, Song Yu zhi's anger flared up again. Unceremoniously, she employed her Qinggong and, leaping over Song Yu hua's head, attacked Kou Zhong once more!
"Yu zhi~ Little sister~ Don't be unreasonable. I have agreed to Miss Shang's matter."
Song Yu hua turned around, preparing to separate them again. However, after Song Yu zhi revealed her agility, she was completely unable to stop her.
"Clang ~ Clang ~ Clang ~"
Fueled by her rage, Song Yu zhi's combat power gradually reached the sixth level of Qi Condensation. While she couldn't fully leverage her advantage in internal energy, she could still fight Kou Zhong to a draw.
"Yu zhi, you've misunderstood. Regarding Xiu jun's matter, I truly have obtained the consent of Yu hua and Xiu ning. We are deeply in love!"
Kou Zhong grew increasingly alarmed as they fought. Although Song Yu zhi's techniques were crude, her internal energy and physical fitness were not far inferior to his. Moreover, Song Yu zhi's movement techniques were more agile, which he found troublesome. Who was he? Kou Zhong! The commander of the Young Marshal Army, an supreme expert at the Heavenly Human realm, a supreme expert whose status in the Young Marshal Army was acknowledged by all the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms! Before the old monsters who had entered eternal seclusion emerged, he was an invincible existence.
This time, coming to the Song clan, he intended to subdue them and begin his journey to conquer the world. His strength and ambition drove him to unify the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms and establish a grand empire! Before arriving, he had already subdued hundreds of large military forces (essentially, large bandit gangs) from the Great Tang, Great Sui, and Great Song dynasties. He had also, through conquering Shang Xiu jun, subdued the Shang clan, the foremost merchant association in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. At this moment, when his ambition was at its peak, he unexpectedly encountered this madwoman, Song Yu zhi.
"Yu zhi~ Stop, or I'll die before your eyes."
Just as Song Yu zhi was gaining the upper hand, subtly starting to suppress Kou Zhong, Song Yu hua's mournful cry echoed. Song Yu zhi took a step back and looked at her sister. To her surprise, Song Yu hua had a long sword pressed against her own neck. Song Yu hua was using her own life to threaten her sister.
Song Yu hua, 40 years old, was also a Grandmaster of the Innate realm. Her eyesight was sharp, and she could see her sister's abnormal strength. Being ten years older than Song Yu zhi, she had essentially raised her younger sister. She knew that her sister listened to her most, but her sister also cared deeply for her. Although she knew Song Yu zhi's sudden frenzied attack was genuinely for her well-being, she had to defend her own man and her own path. Therefore, Song Yu hua could only resort to this drastic measure.
"Sister~~"
Seeing the silver-white sword against her fair neck, the long saber in her hand instantly lost its power. A sister is like a mother. For the elder sister who had raised her, Song Yu zhi harbored not only sisterly affection but also a sense of filial devotion.
"Alas~ Sister, I won't fight anymore."
Sheathing her saber and tossing it to Xiao Yu behind her, Song Yu zhi slowly walked to Song Yu hua's side and took the sword away.
"Yu zhi, I know why you're angry, but there's no need. I love Brother Kou, and Brother Kou loves me. That's enough. And I am very happy."
Song Yu hua held Song Yu zhi's hand and spoke softly. She was actually deeply moved. Moved that Song Yu zhi was willing to draw her saber for her, to risk her life for her.
"Yu zhi, please rest assured. I, Kou Zhong, will love Yu hua dearly my entire life. I swear, may lightning strike me if I break this oath."
Seeing that Song Yu zhi had no intention of attacking, Kou Zhong quickly stepped forward and swore.
"I have heard your words. If you dare to betray my sister, I will personally take your head."
Song Yu zhi glared fiercely at Kou Zhong, threatening him.
"Little sister~"
Song Yu hua gently tugged at her sister's hand, not with blame, but with emotion.
"Hahaha~ I promise."
The conflict was about to end, but the two women Kou Zhong had brought were not pleased.