Song Qingchao was gambling.
She didn't loosen her grip on Zhou Zhengxi's hand. If she had detected even a hint of hesitation on his face, she would have killed him.
From their coordinated movements and fighting styles, she could tell they were trained, and trained in a way that surpassed ordinary people.
Such fighting styles and techniques could only originate from one place: the imperial family's secret guard camp.
In her previous life, she had seen Li Yanzhu's secret guards. A team of ten, each efficient and decisive, handling matters without any lingering hesitation.
They were a knife in the hands of the imperial family, a blade forged to sever any imperfections.
But this was just her speculation.
Song Qingchao: "You should be two men short."
"They are no longer with us."
Song Qingchao frowned, "Then why did you pledge yourselves to the Lin family?"
Zhou Zhengxi's previously furrowed brow slowly relaxed.
Since his master could inquire about the other two, it meant she knew where they originally came from.
Thus, he began to speak, "We were originally the secret guards of the Third Prince. We were under his command to complete a mission in Meishan. But halfway through the mission, we discovered it was a deception. The Third Prince was luring the Crown Prince into a trap, using us as pawns. Although secret guards have individual masters, all information is reported to superiors. For the princes, we are both a form of protection and surveillance."
"So he wanted to kill you to evade the Emperor's surveillance?"
Zhou Zhengxi nodded heavily, "Secret guards are assigned based on ability. Logically, we shouldn't be outmatched by the people he sent, but it was truly strenuous."
Song Qingchao's interest immediately piqued, "Are you saying the secret guards who ambushed you were of a higher rank than those of the Prince's secret guards?"
She clapped her hands together, "This is quite interesting. So, you faked your deaths?"
Zhou Zhengxi nodded, "We burned the entire mountain with a single fire. The eight of us barely escaped."
"I understand."
Song Qingchao was inwardly delighted.
She had only guessed before, but she hadn't expected to have found treasure.
Although these men had been in hiding for so long, their martial arts might have regressed slightly, but they were still men trained by a system and possessed fighting spirit. They had killed those stronger than them, exceeding their rank, with only two casualties.
With a bit of her own training and development, they could completely raise a banner.
Zhou Zhengxi knelt on the ground, feeling quite uncomfortable under Song Qingchao's gaze.
He didn't know if he had said something wrong, but his master kept staring at him like that.
It was quite eerie.
"Master?" he tentatively asked again.
Song Qingchao snapped back to attention, realizing her lapse in composure.
"Ahem, please rise and sit. Don't remain kneeling."
After helping Zhou Zhengxi up, she also sat back down, picked up a cup of tea, and drank it. "Then, from now on, you will follow me."
"Yes." Zhou Zhengxi did not refuse at all. He had always followed his master closely like this, serving as a shadow.
Song Qingchao glanced at him and added, "On the surface."
This remark almost made Zhou Zhengxi stumble back to his knees. He hesitantly tried to resist, "Master, I am a secret guard."
"Yes, I know."
Seeing that Song Qingchao had no intention of changing her mind, Zhou Zhengxi continued, "It might not be suitable for me to be on the surface."
"Why not?" Song Qingchao put down her tea, sweeping her fan across Zhou Zhengxi from head to toe, "You stand tall and proper, and you are handsome. Where could it be unsuitable?"
She tapped her fan against her chest, leaning to the side, "I think you are suitable everywhere. You, following me, cannot be just about fighting and killing."
Zhou Zhengxi ultimately could not resist Song Qingchao and could only nod in agreement.
Song Qingchao was very pleased with Zhou Zhengxi's attitude.
There was a significant disparity in the ranks of secret guards because the imperial family needed to ensure absolute central strength. If the secret guards assigned to lower echelons surpassed the strength of the top-tier secret guards, it would create danger.
That person would never allow himself to be placed in such a perilous position.
Yet, at that critical juncture, Zhou Zhengxi could still rationally assess the situation and how to protect his teammates, sacrificing the fewest to gain the greatest benefit.
For years, he had been lying low in the humble Lin manor, willingly serving as a secret guard for a wealthy gentleman.
If it were only him, Song Qingchao would not have held him in such high regard.
What she truly admired about Zhou Zhengxi was his ability to keep the remaining seven from resenting him and to have them remain with him in this small courtyard.
Such a person lacked only a wise lord.
Since the Third Prince did not value talent, she would not be polite.
The carriage swayed unsteadily.
Before they even reached Guangji Temple, they heard a commotion.
Song Qingchao initially thought it was the refugees inside causing trouble, but when she lifted the curtain with her fan and peered through the gap, she couldn't help but sneer.
She saw Elder Chang being carried on a stretcher by a group of people.
The leading members of the Chang family were shouting, "Hand the person over!"
The usually gentle and amiable abbot was even forced to retreat to the steps of the mountain gate by their harassment.
She hadn't gone looking for trouble with the Chang family, but the Chang family had come to her doorstep on their own.
"Master, shall I handle it?"
Song Qingchao softly replied, "Mm. Be careful, don't cripple them."
Zhou Zhengxi acknowledged with a "Yes" and alighted from the carriage.
He glanced at the still-shouting members of the Chang family, his expression turning cold. He made a few gestures, and the seven people behind him followed suit.
Their movements were synchronized and exceptionally well-coordinated.
When they subdued the Chang family members, they didn't even strike an extra blow.
The action was clean and decisive, without any lingering effort, clearly indicating years of practice and coordination.
Song Qingchao drank her tea leisurely inside the carriage.
This group from the Chang family was truly... not even enough to fill the gaps in her teeth.
Seeing that they were all suppressed, and the Chang family members were still spewing vulgarities, Song Qingchao lost all interest.
She stood up and lifted the carriage curtain, only to see Zhou Zhengxi's hand reach out.
"Why didn't you go?"
"The others are enough." Zhou Zhengxi, with extreme humility, prepared to help Song Qingchao out of the carriage, "Master, be careful."
For a dignified secret guard, he played the role of a personal attendant quite well.
Song Qingchao didn't mind taking his hand and prepared to step onto the carriage step.
As her foot stepped out, she heard a stifled, angry roar.
"Song Qingchao!"
Startled, Song Qingchao's foot faltered. Fortunately, Zhou Zhengxi was quick-witted. He gripped her hand tightly with his right hand and placed his left hand against her side, pulling her into his embrace as she stumbled.
"Master!"
"That was close." Song Qingchao patted her chest, then looked up and glared at the newcomer, "Bai You'an, why are you shouting?"