Chapter 15: The Ribs Are Below

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

This kind of drama is common in TV shows. Seeing her nervous expression, Song Qingshu immediately understood. Pretending not to know, he said, "Sister-in-law, are you worried that the round trip will take too long? I have been a long-time patient and know the art of bone-setting. If you don't mind, I can help you set the bone, and then we can go after that scholar."

"How can that be?" Mrs. Hu's face turned as red as a piece of cloth, and she stammered, "You and I... we are of different genders, how can it be convenient..."

"Fei'er is in grave danger now. I can't go to save him alone because my meridians are all broken. It is a matter of propriety that men and women should not touch each other, but it is also a matter of necessity to help a drowning sister-in-law. I'm sure Brother Hu, if he were here, would not blame you," Song Qingshu said solemnly.

Seeing his incoherent words, Mrs. Hu's face turned strange. She thought that Brother Hu was naturally generous and would not mind in such a situation, but as a woman, she was very hesitant.

"That scholar just said he wanted to use Fei'er for a drug test..." Song Qingshu added, seeing her hesitation.

Mrs. Hu's heart skipped a beat. Ultimately, maternal instinct overcame her shyness. She gritted her teeth and said, "Uncle... Uncle, please promise me that you will completely forget what happens today."

"Of course," Song Qingshu's expression turned serious, "Sister-in-law, I will cover my eyes with a cloth and won't see anything I shouldn't."

Mrs. Hu finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded slightly, "Alright then."

A faint smile appeared on Song Qingshu's lips. He tore off a strip of cloth and covered his eyes. Seeing this, Mrs. Hu shyly began to undress.

Hearing the rustling of clothes, Song Qingshu imagined the beautiful scene before him but dared not remove the cloth. It was too risky.

"Uncle~ It's done..." Mrs. Hu said timidly.

"Sister-in-law, bear with it a little longer," Song Qingshu reached out his hand.

"Ouch! What are you doing? The ribs are below..." Mrs. Hu was frustrated, almost on the verge of tears.

"Sorry, sorry," Song Qingshu apologized hurriedly, but he was savoring the soft and delicate feeling in his palm. He was secretly pleased, thinking that watching "The Return of the Condor Heroes" wasn't in vain. He never thought he would have the chance to try the move Yang Guo used on Lu Wushuang.

He had proposed covering his eyes with a cloth, appearing like a gentleman, but in reality, Song Qingshu had planned it all. If he couldn't see, even if he touched something he shouldn't, Sister-in-law couldn't blame him...

Her skin was as smooth as congealed fat, but he didn't dare to go too far. Finally, he successfully set Mrs. Hu's ribs.

After she dressed, Song Qingshu removed the cloth. He saw her face, which was so red it seemed to be dripping with water. Mrs. Hu tried to remain calm and said, "Let's hurry to the Medicine King's Manor. Saving Fei'er is the priority."

Song Qingshu smiled contentedly, "Sister-in-law, that scholar mentioned a drug test. I suspect he has some connection with the Poison Hand Medicine King."

Mrs. Hu nodded lightly, her face showing worry, "The injury I sustained during the fight was due to a trap, but that scholar's martial arts are indeed superior to mine. Now that he is involved with the Poison Hand Medicine King, I fear I won't be able to save Fei'er even if I catch up with him." She became more and more sad, looking on the verge of tears.

"Sister-in-law, I was just about to say, although I am now severely injured and weak, I can teach you a set of martial arts. Once you learn it, you should not be weaker than that scholar," Song Qingshu said, feeling a pang of pain seeing her sadness.

"Uncle knows martial arts?" Mrs. Hu looked at Song Qingshu in surprise, having always thought he was just a scholar due to his frail appearance.

"I used to know a little," Song Qingshu nodded slightly, not wanting to explain further.

"Sister-in-law, I have a set of White Python Whip techniques..."

Mrs. Hu's face lit up, finding the whip techniques more and more incredible. Since she originally used a long silk ribbon as a weapon, the techniques complemented each other. In a short time, she had a basic understanding of the White Python Whip techniques.

"Uncle, your whip techniques are exquisite and must be a top-notch martial art in the martial world. I don't know how to thank you for such a generous gift," Mrs. Hu's confidence in saving Hu Fei increased, and she looked at Song Qingshu with gratitude.

"Sister-in-law, Brother and I are sworn brothers. His son is my son. If I can save Fei'er, a set of martial arts is nothing," Song Qingshu said righteously, "If you really want to thank me, I have another set of whip techniques. When the time comes, you can guide me in our joint practice."

Mrs. Hu's ears turned red, not realizing the lewdness in his latter words. She spat inwardly, "Uncle is a good person in every way, except for his loose talk. What does he mean by 'Brother's son is his son'? Does that mean I, as Brother's wife, am also his wife?"

Compared to aimlessly searching for the scholar, Song Qingshu and Mrs. Hu decided to find the Medicine King's Manor first. After all, from the scholar's words, it seemed to have a significant connection to the Medicine King's Manor. They might find some clues there.

After riding for several miles, they arrived at a barren place. Mrs. Hu's face turned serious, but Song Qingshu was delighted, "Sister-in-law, the Medicine King's Manor must be nearby."

Mrs. Hu nodded, dismounted, and tied the horses to a nearby tree, "The Medicine King's Manor is full of dangers. There's no need to put these horses at risk."

Song Qingshu smiled, "Sister-in-law, you are not only as beautiful as a fairy but also have a heart of compassion. You are truly a reincarnation of Guanyin."

Mrs. Hu gave him a flirtatious look and pouted, "Uncle, you are teasing me~"

Song Qingshu, used to her cold demeanor, was taken aback by her sudden gentleness, losing his composure.

Noticing Song Qingshu's expression, Mrs. Hu's neck turned red. She took out a silk scarf, tied it over her mouth and nose, and handed one to Song Qingshu, "Uncle, the Medicine King's Manor is full of poisons. It's better to cover your mouth and nose for safety."

Song Qingshu caught the scarf, sniffed it, and was refreshed by its delicate fragrance. However, he didn't tie it over his face like Mrs. Hu, instead, he smiled, "The Poison Hand Medicine King is a master of poisons. If covering the mouth and nose could prevent them, his nickname would be meaningless."

Seeing he didn't cover his face, Mrs. Hu was both embarrassed and angry but couldn't react.

"You seem quite knowledgeable. You don't look as useless as you appear," a young girl passing by stopped and looked at him.

Song Qingshu, seeing her thin and frail appearance with sparse yellow hair but bright eyes, immediately understood, "We have something to visit the Venerable Wu Chen. Could the young lady guide us?"

"Really?" The girl looked at Song Qingshu in surprise, "Most people only know of the Poison Hand Medicine King, few know of Venerable Wu Chen. You are young but have such knowledge. Not bad, not bad..."

Song Qingshu, seeing her old-fashioned manner, tried to suppress his laughter, "My knowledge is nothing compared to yours, which is why I need your guidance."

The girl's eyes narrowed into a smile, and she said sweetly, "I know you are flattering me, but I'm still happy. Alright, if you want to go to the Medicine King's Manor, follow me."

Song Qingshu was delighted and quickly pulled Mrs. Hu to follow. Mrs. Hu tried to pull her finger back but couldn't, feeling both angry and anxious, "I wonder if Uncle is doing this on purpose..."

"I am Song Qingshu, and this is my sister-in-law, Mrs. Hu. May I ask for your name, young lady?" Song Qingshu asked knowingly.

"I don't understand your formalities. My surname is Cheng, and my name is Ling-su," the girl said quickly.

"The *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*. Could you be a disciple of the Medicine King?" Song Qingshu asked, feigning surprise.

"You are not honest. You already guessed, but you pretend to be surprised," Cheng Ling-su huffed.

Song Qingshu smiled awkwardly, surprised by Cheng Ling-su's sharpness despite her young age.

"Here." Cheng Ling-su threw two blue flowers, "The area around the Medicine King's Manor is filled with blood dwarf chestnuts, which are extremely poisonous. These blue flowers are their natural antidote."

As they hurriedly pinned the blue flowers to their chests, Cheng Ling-su added, "My master will be dealing with a major enemy soon. Once we enter the Medicine King's Manor, do not speak or ask any questions, no matter what you see."

"Of course," Mrs. Hu said gently.

Cheng Ling-su looked at her in surprise, pouted, and felt inexplicably annoyed. Song Qingshu found it amusing, thinking Cheng Ling-su was jealous of her future mother-in-law.

"Master, I'm back." Cheng Ling-su put down her basket and skipped into the room.

"Fei'er!" Mrs. Hu suddenly exclaimed, seeing Hu Fei sitting in the center of the hall, unable to move, with the scholar and a white-haired monk on either side.

"Ha ha, you actually found your way here unharmed," the scholar looked at them in surprise, seeing Mrs. Hu about to rush forward, "I advise you not to move. Your son is already heavily poisoned. Even if you save him, it won't do any good."

Mrs. Hu felt as if struck by lightning, her body swaying, and she was about to rush forward.