Martial Arts Crossover: Zhao Min, your sidekick is really something else.

Xiao Yaoqing began to have doubts:

"Who has offended this powerful figure? They're even abandoning the tactic of framing the Ming Cult by using Zhou Zhiruo?"

"This doesn't make sense."

Little did he know that Zhao Min's sudden change of heart was entirely because he had just squeezed Zhou Zhiruo's hand.

Xiao Yaoqing glanced at Zhou Zhiruo, whose pitiful appearance made her look pitiful, then turned to look at Zhao Min:

"You're not planning to send her back to relay a message to Abbess Miejue?"

Zhao Min was taken aback.

Yes, wasn't that what I planned from the beginning?

How could you forget it so easily in a moment of impulse?

But then she glared at Xiao Yaoqing, her tone filled with displeasure:

"Are you not going to listen to me?"

"Or are you saying that you think the women of the Emei Sect are so beautiful they're like celestial beings, and you can't bring yourself to harm them?"

Xiao Yaoqing looked completely bewildered.

Why does this sound so familiar?

These are clearly the lines you said to Zhang Wuji at Wan'an Temple!

Why was it put on me beforehand?

Zhao Min, something seems off about you.

Before Xiao Yaoqing could react, Zhao Min put her hands behind her back and continued:

"If you really like her, why don't you just take her back and make her your wife?"

Xiao Yaoqing glanced at her sideways.

Not right.

Something's really wrong.

Why did Zhao Min's words have a sour tone?

Zhou Zhiruo's face flushed red, she bit her lip tightly, her eyes filled with an unreadable mix of anger and something else. She stared at Zhao Min, her voice fierce: "Kill me if you want, don't disgust me like this!"

Zhao Min, however, remained calm and even looked her over with interest, her tone tinged with a hint of teasing: "Oh, I didn't expect you to be such a fiery person? Xiao Yaoqing, I originally wanted to help you two get together, but now it seems you're not so lucky."

Xiao Yaoqing looked at Zhao Min's appearance with a strange expression. He walked straight forward and reached out to touch Zhao Min's forehead.

Zhao Min's face flushed, and she reflexively took a step back, glaring at Xiao Yaoqing and asking, "What are you doing?"

Xiao Yaoqing withdrew his hand, his expression calm: "Are you running a fever? Why are you talking nonsense?"

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have successfully copied the martial art—Minor Grappling Technique!]

A system notification sounded in his mind. Xiao Yaoqing didn't pay it any mind. This thing was far inferior to the "Flower-Picking Capturing Hand" technique he had gotten from Fan Yao before. He had only wanted to check if Zhao Min was delirious from the fever.

"you……"

Zhao Min was momentarily speechless at his nonchalant attitude, but quickly pointed at Zhou Zhiruo, her tone turning cold: "Kill her!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiruo straightened her back. Although she wasn't injured, she knew in her heart that the gap between her and Xiao Yaoqing couldn't be bridged by fighting desperately. Since she was going to die anyway, she might as well die with dignity.

Xiao Yaoqing glanced at Zhou Zhiruo and muttered to himself: Zhiruo, it seems you won't be able to wait for your Wuji brother.

Ultimately, Zhou Zhiruo has absolutely nothing to do with him. As for the Nine Yin Manual? She only practiced a half-baked version; for the truly authentic one, you have to find that woman in yellow from the Ancient Tomb Sect. So, there's really no need to feel sorry for her.

Since Zhao Min wouldn't let her go and inform others, that's how it is.

To be honest, Xiao Yaoqing felt a little awkward about killing Zhou Zhiruo on his first trip into this world.

However, he still turned to Zhao Min and said, "Since you've made your decision, I have nothing more to say."

After saying that, he walked directly in front of Zhou Zhiruo.

He may not know how to use a sword, but anyone can put the tip of a sword into someone's throat.

Xiao Yaoqing took the sword from Zhou Zhiruo and pointed the tip at her throat.

Zhao Min stood aside and saw it all clearly—this kid didn't hesitate at all, he acted without hesitation, showing no mercy whatsoever.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

Just as Zhou Zhiruo closed her eyes and awaited death, about to be splattered with blood, Zhao Min suddenly spoke:

"stop."

The sword suddenly stopped, less than an inch from Zhou Zhiruo's neck.

Zhao Min walked up to the two of them, looked at Xiao Yaoqing and said:

"You're right. That old nun, Miejue, should know what happens when she messes with the Ming Cult."

She paused, then her tone softened:

"Let's go."

After speaking, Zhao Min turned around first, her steps surprisingly light.

Xiao Yaoqing pursed his lips.

This woman's face changes faster than turning the pages of a book?

He sheathed his sword, flicked it casually, and the longsword was embedded in the restaurant floor, its blade still trembling slightly.

He then glanced at Zhou Zhiruo, said nothing, and turned to leave.

To be honest, that's just Zhao Min's personality.

In the original novel, during the scene at Wan'an Temple, Zhang Wuji went to rescue Zhou Zhiruo and smashed the box she had given him. Her face immediately turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

But upon hearing that Zhang Wuji always carried that box with him, his face immediately brightened.

She's the kind of person whose emotions are always written on her face.

Perhaps Zhang Wuji ultimately chose her because of this sincerity.

As for whether Xiao Yaoqing and Zhou Zhiruo live or die, what does it have to do with him?

Killing him would only make the path to obtaining the Nine Yin Manual a little more troublesome.

It doesn't matter if we don't kill them.

Anyway, it has little to do with him.

Besides, since the sword didn't strike, he was spared the punishment of breaking the vow of killing.

Who knows how I'll react when I get blood on my hands for the first time?

Zhao Min and Xiao Yaoqing had already left the restaurant.

Zhou Zhiruo slowly opened her eyes.

Shock still lingered in his pupils:

"They...didn't kill me?"

She truly believed she was going to die today.

But at the last moment, the man who called himself the Fiery Banner of the Ming Cult actually stopped?

That person looks very refined; he must hold a high position within the Blazing Banner, right?

What's strange is that his subordinates are clearly much stronger than him, so why are they still willing to follow him?

Thinking of Xiao Yaoqing, Zhou Zhiruo's cheeks flushed again:

"That... his name is Xiao Yaoqing, right? Surprisingly..."

Zhou Zhiruo slowly raised her right hand, her fingertips lightly brushing against the blade.

Her gaze shifted, catching sight of her fellow disciples lying motionless on the ground, blood seeping from their mouths and noses. Zhou Zhiruo bit her lip, her eyes slightly reddening.

"It only dragged a few of them down with it."

She took a deep breath and added:

"No, Master must know about this—the Ming Cult has known about our plan to besiege Bright Peak for a long time!"

After saying that, she reached out and grabbed the long sword that Xiao Yaoqing had casually nailed to the ground, and pulled it hard.

The sword remained completely still.

Zhou Zhiruo frowned, her heart skipped a beat:

"What happened?"

This time she wasn't going to hold back, and directly channeled her inner strength, using both hands and feet to exert force.

The sword only wobbled slightly, but it didn't come out of the ground!

"No... that can't be..."

Zhou Zhiruo's mind was full of questions. She clearly remembered that Xiao Yaoqing had simply tossed it aside casually.

Is it really that sturdy?

A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes:

"He looks only a few years older than me, how come his internal strength is so profound?"

"Just who exactly is this Xiao Yaoqing?"

She no longer held back, unleashing all the internal energy she had cultivated for ten years.

"Click—"

A piece of wood was torn from the ground, but the sword was still stuck inside, attached to a piece of wood, and could not be pulled out.

To be honest, Xiao Yaoqing himself didn't expect that casual gesture would have such an effect.

He didn't exert any force at all.

He was unaware that he had left an indelible mark on Zhou Zhiruo's heart.

At this moment, Xiao Yaoqing had already followed Zhao Min out of the restaurant.

As darkness fell, a yellowish hue enveloped the streets.

Zhao Min suddenly turned her head and said with a smile:

"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll treat you to a meal."

"Let's try out the mutton hot pot outside of Dadu and see how it tastes."

Hot pot with mutton?

Xiao Yaoqing paused, a thought flashing through his mind—

That's not right. Wasn't the first time Zhao Min treated someone to hot pot in Dadu, when she invited Zhang Wuji?

We haven't even arrived at that place yet, why are you inviting me first?

I'm not showing you the Dragon Slayer Sword.

But Zhao Min didn't wait for his response at all; she had already chosen a hot pot restaurant and walked inside.

Xiao Yaoqing shrugged and didn't say anything more.

If someone invites you to dinner, you might as well take it.

……

The hot pot restaurant was steaming hot.

Xiao Yaoqing and Zhao Min sat facing each other, with a copper pot placed in the middle of the table.

Zhao Min asked him to sit next to her, but Xiao Yaoqing refused and chose the seat opposite her instead.

He felt it was best to keep some distance from this woman.

Zhao Min watched him sit down, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment, then she said nothing and turned to wave to the waiter:

"Serve the wine first."

"Okay!"

The waiter responded very quickly.

This dialogue made Xiao Yaoqing feel as if Zhang Wuji was sitting right next to him.

The only thing missing from the table is the Heaven-Slaying Sword.

The waiter brought over a pot of fine wine.

Zhao Min poured Xiao Yaoqing a glass first, then filled her own glass, raised it to him with a smile, and said, "Xiao Yaoqing, I'd like to toast you."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Xiao Yaoqing held his wine glass, a hint of doubt in his eyes, but didn't move.

Seeing that he didn't move, Zhao Min raised an eyebrow and said, "What, are you afraid I'll drug you?"

He reached for the cup, saying, "Let me take a sip first, then you'll feel at ease, right?"

Xiao Yaoqing dodged, avoiding being touched.

This scene looks so familiar!

This should be Zhang Wuji's script—

On a night in Dadu, Zhang Wuji was preparing to go to Wan'an Temple to rescue someone when Zhao Min stopped him and dragged him to drink. Zhao Min even left a light lip print on the rim of his cup, playing a game of indirect kissing.

But is this out of control and chaotic?

The timing was wrong, the place was wrong, and even the people were wrong!

He's not Zhang Wuji!

In order to avoid Zhao Min's "indirect kiss"

Xiao Yaoqing simply tilted his head back and drank it all.

Seeing that he was straightforward, Zhao Min didn't say much.

Xiao Yaoqing frowned and asked, "I'm just wondering, why is the princess showing me such respect out of the blue?"

Zhao Min smiled and said, "You saved my life today."

"So that you can teach me kung fu."

"So that you can stay by my side and protect me."

"Are these reasons enough?"

Listening to Zhao Min rattle off a string of words, Xiao Yaoqing understood perfectly.

Putting aside the fact that he didn't genuinely want to save Zhao Min, he couldn't possibly truly protect her, and he certainly wouldn't genuinely teach her martial arts.

He didn't believe it just from Zhao Min's tone and attitude.

But since that's what they said, there's no need for him to argue.

A steaming copper hot pot was served, with various beef, mutton, and vegetables filling the table.

Zhao Min's eyes lit up, and she rubbed her hands together, saying, "Quick, Xiao Yaoqing, try this hot pot mutton from the west. How does it compare to the mutton from our capital?"