Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Five: Let's Try It

"?" Mrs. Hu was secretly alarmed.

"Against those whose skills are inferior to oneself or who have evil intentions, it often has miraculous effects," Song Qingshu explained, "For example, it is useless against someone like Sister-in-law, who is highly skilled and has a pure heart." Song Qingshu was relieved that his previous injury, which had severed his meridians, had prevented him from cultivating the Nine Yin Manual, a world-renowned martial arts secret. After much research, he was delighted to find that the cultivation of soul-shifting did not require the circulation of internal energy but relied entirely on mental strength. It was then that Song Qingshu realized that as long as the conditions for cultivation were met, he could instantly master martial arts.

"I don't believe you; the more you deny, the more suspicious it becomes," Mrs. Hu's voice became incredibly sweet.

"Do you want to try it?" Song Qingshu felt his heart suddenly race as he stared at her intently.

Mrs. Hu glanced at him, and upon meeting his burning gaze, her heart fluttered. She replied as if possessed, "Let's try it then."

"Sister-in-law, look into my eyes..." With her consent, Song Qingshu did not hesitate.

The moment her eyes met his, she felt as if she had fallen into a huge vortex, her mind beginning to lose focus.

"Sister-in-law, come and embrace me." Although he had more in mind, Song Qingshu still retained his rationality and did not dare to give overly excessive commands.

"Um~" Mrs. Hu responded with a coquettish tone, indeed walking over, extending her arms, and tightly hugging Song Qingshu, her head gently resting on his chest.

Holding the warm and soft body in his arms, Song Qingshu thought he had gone too far. In a panic, he snapped his fingers, and Mrs. Hu regained her senses. Realizing their position, she pushed Song Qingshu away in a mix of shame and anger.

"Mistake, mistake," Song Qingshu explained awkwardly, "I forgot that I had just cultivated the Divine Illumination Technique, and my internal energy might be a bit higher than Sister-in-law's..."

Mrs. Hu sighed softly, looking at him with a complex expression, "Qingshu, if you... had a momentary lapse, how many virtuous women's reputations would be ruined?"

"Sister-in-law, don't misunderstand me, I am not that kind of person," Song Qingshu quickly clarified, "Martial arts themselves are not evil; it is the people who use them that can be good or evil. Both Guo Jing and Huang Rong know this technique. Do you think they are also villains?"

"Alright, I can't argue with you," Mrs. Hu smiled faintly, "But you must promise me..."

Mrs. Hu felt a mix of shame and anger. If he had lost control and asked her to stay the night, what would have happened?

"Sister-in-law, I will never use it on you again," Song Qingshu's expression turned serious as he solemnly promised.

"Sister-in-law is relieved," Mrs. Hu smiled, the rising sun illuminating her beautiful face, making Song Qingshu momentarily lost in admiration.

Noticing his intense gaze, Mrs. Hu made a decision, "Qingshu, Sister-in-law must take her leave."

The few clear and pleasant words sounded like a thunderclap to Song Qingshu, "Sister-in-law, I was wrong. I shouldn't have used such underhanded methods to tease you."

"It's not about that," Mrs. Hu sighed, "I am a widow. Previously, helping you find a cure for your meridians was understandable, but now that your meridians are healed, how can I continue to travel with you?"

"I'd rather my meridians never healed," Song Qingshu said petulantly.

"Don't say such things," seeing his childish behavior, Mrs. Hu found it somewhat amusing. After a moment of hesitation, she advised, "Qingshu, over these days, due to various reasons, we have become closer than a typical aunt and nephew."

"Between us, everything is as clear as the sun and moon, there is nothing to be ashamed of," Song Qingshu said urgently.

"What if I am ashamed?" Mrs. Hu's words made Song Qingshu pause, and both fell into a silence, their hearts racing.

"Qingshu, I can guess your thoughts..." After a while, Mrs. Hu continued.

Song Qingshu opened his mouth to speak but was silenced by Mrs. Hu's delicate finger on his lips, "Don't rush, listen to me." All his words were pushed back into his throat by her slender finger.

"Qingshu, it's impossible between us. I am a widow, and you have a bright future ahead of you, with a destined lady waiting for you," Mrs. Hu's voice was as gentle and melodious as always, but Song Qingshu felt a deep fear, knowing he might lose her forever.

"I don't care!" Song Qingshu roared.

"But I do!" Mrs. Hu's face became serene, and she said firmly, "I am Hu Yidao's wife. Even if he is dead, I am still his wife, forever!"

Mrs. Hu had always been hesitant to face her recent changes in heart. This time, the soul-shifting technique served as a wake-up call, forcing her to make a final decision.

Song Qingshu fell silent. For a modern person, being a widow was nothing, and as long as two people loved each other, everything else was not a problem. However, in this world, propriety and honor were valued by everyone, and he could not expect Mrs. Hu to be as open-minded as him.

He had subconsciously avoided thinking about this issue, but now he realized that even if Mrs. Hu agreed to be with him, the social pressure they would face would be too much to bear.

Back then, to gain an advantage, Song Qingshu had sworn brotherhood with the deceased Hu Yidao. If he ended up with Hu Yidao's widow, not only would Mrs. Hu be disgraced, but Song Qingshu himself would be ruined, and both would be despised by the world.

Song Qingshu was a mature man. Although he could sometimes be impulsive, he was never lacking in reason. He quickly understood Mrs. Hu's decision.

Now, he deeply regretted why he had impulsively sworn brotherhood with Hu Yidao!

"Have you thought it through?" Mrs. Hu saw his expression gradually calm down, her heart ached, but she still asked sternly.

"Yes," Song Qingshu nodded with a bitter smile, "I am not ready to face the storm, let alone protect you from it. But Sister-in-law, rest assured, one day I will make it impossible for the world to oppose us."

"Nonsense~" Mrs. Hu spat, "I don't care what you think. Since you've understood, I'll leave."

"Sister-in-law, I regret it," Song Qingshu suddenly looked up and smiled mischievously.

Mrs. Hu was startled and quickly closed her eyes, "Qingshu, what are you going to do?"

"Just joking," Song Qingshu sighed, "I just realized that I never knew Sister-in-law's given name, which is a bit regrettable."

Mrs. Hu glared at him angrily, "Do you know that a woman's given name is usually only told to her closest relatives and her husband?"

"I know," Song Qingshu's smiling response made Mrs. Hu's heart skip a beat, and she rolled her eyes, "I don't want to deal with you." She turned and left.

After walking a few dozen steps, she turned back and saw Song Qingshu still standing there, staring at her. Her heart softened, and she cupped her hand to her mouth, shouting, "Hu Yidao used to call me Xue'er." Then she used her lightness skill to flee the scene.

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Path of Plundering Martial Treasures

"Xue'er?" Song Qingshu murmured, deeply engraving the name in his heart.

He hesitated about whether to chase after her, taking a few steps but ultimately stopping. What would be the point of chasing her?

At this moment, Song Qingshu had a strong desire to become stronger. Initially, it was due to the urgency of Zhou Zhiruo's pursuit, but now he had a new reason: to be with Xue'er in the future.

He clearly remembered the immense obstacles that Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü faced in their relationship. Yang Guo had almost been killed by Guo Jing, leading to a series of tragic events.

What caused all this? It could be said that the unspoken rules of society were deadly, or that Yang Guo's early lack of strength was the cause.

When Yang Guo later became the Invincible Divine Carver, and Xiaolongnü's dual combat skills with the Jade Maiden Heart Sword Technique forced the Golden Wheel Dharma King into a corner, who would dare to criticize their relationship? Would Guo Jing and Huang Rong still use propriety as an excuse?

Song Qingshu did not want to repeat the mistakes of Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü. Knowing that Mrs. Hu would either go to Medicine King Valley to find Hu Fei or return to Liaodong's Jade Pen Manor, he realized that finding her would not be difficult. The urgent task was to enhance his own strength.

On the top of a mountain, sitting on a large rock, Song Qingshu meditated on the martial arts he remembered. Despite his severed meridians, he had deliberately memorized the Nine Yin Manual and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms from the Dragon Saber and Heaven Sword. He never thought these would come in handy. After half a day, when Song Qingshu opened his eyes, his internal energy had become even more substantial and dense.

Although he had learned the Nine Yin Manual and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms in a short time, Song Qingshu was not particularly happy. The ability to instantly master martial arts techniques was indeed extraordinary, but he now realized that this ability only allowed him to learn them.

Martial arts have a degree of compatibility. Only when a martial artist's temperament matches the style of the martial art can they maximize its power.

For example, Song Qingshu now knew both the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and the Nine Yin Bone Claw, but these techniques did not match his temperament. Therefore, when he used the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, his power was far less than that of people like Qiao Feng and Guo Jing. Similarly, when he used the Nine Yin Bone Claw, his power was less than that of Zhou Zhiruo and Mei Chaofeng.

The Nine Yin Manual contained many techniques, such as the Nine Yin Bone Claw, White Python Whip Technique, Great Demon Subduing Palm, and Heart-Crushing Palm. Was there none that matched Song Qingshu's temperament? Of course, there was.

Song Qingshu's expression was strange. How did he manage to master this technique so well? Was his temperament really destined to be that of a lecher?

He was now confident in this technique. Looking around the world, no one could match his proficiency. If someone was unprepared, they would be captivated by him.

Besides the compatibility of martial arts, Song Qingshu also had... Chapter Thirty-Six: The Path of Plundering Martial Treasures

"Xue'er?" Song Qingshu murmured, deeply engraving the name in his heart.

He hesitated about whether to chase after her, taking a few steps but ultimately stopping. What would be the point of chasing her?

At this moment, Song Qingshu had a strong desire to become stronger. Initially, it was due to the urgency of Zhou Zhiruo's pursuit, but now he had a new reason: to be with Xue'er in the future.

He clearly remembered the immense obstacles that Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü faced in their relationship. Yang Guo had almost been killed by Guo Jing, leading to a series of tragic events.

What caused all this? It could be said that the unspoken rules of society were deadly, or that Yang Guo's early lack of strength was the cause.

When Yang Guo later became the Invincible Divine Carver, and Xiaolongnü's dual combat skills with the Jade Maiden Heart Sword Technique forced the Golden Wheel Dharma King into a corner, who would dare to criticize their relationship? Would Guo Jing and Huang Rong still use propriety as an excuse?

Song Qingshu did not want to repeat the mistakes of Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü. Knowing that Mrs. Hu would either go to Medicine King Valley to find Hu Fei or return to Liaodong's Jade Pen Manor, he realized that finding her would not be difficult. The urgent task was to enhance his own strength.

On the top of a mountain, sitting on a large rock, Song Qingshu meditated on the martial arts he remembered. Despite his severed meridians, he had deliberately memorized the Nine Yin Manual and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms from the Dragon Saber and Heaven Sword. He never thought these would come in handy. After half a day, when Song Qingshu opened his eyes, his internal energy had become even more substantial and dense.

Although he had learned the Nine Yin Manual and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms in a short time, Song Qingshu was not particularly happy. The ability to instantly master martial arts techniques was indeed extraordinary, but he now realized that this ability only allowed him to learn them.

Martial arts have a degree of compatibility. Only when a martial artist's temperament matches the style of the martial art can they maximize its power.

For example, Song Qingshu now knew both the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and the Nine Yin Bone Claw, but these techniques did not match his temperament. Therefore, when he used the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, his power was far less than that of people like Qiao Feng and Guo Jing. Similarly, when he used the Nine Yin Bone Claw, his power was less than that of Zhou Zhiruo and Mei Chaofeng.

The Nine Yin Manual contained many techniques, such as the Nine Yin Bone Claw, White Python Whip Technique, Great Demon Subduing Palm, and Heart-Crushing Palm. Was there none that matched Song Qingshu's temperament? Of course, there was.

Song Qingshu's expression was strange. How did he manage to master this technique so well? Was his temperament really destined to be that of a lecher?

He was now confident in this technique. Looking around the world, no one could match his proficiency. If someone was unprepared, they would be captivated by him.

Besides the compatibility of martial arts, Song Qingshu also had... Chapter Thirty-Six: The Path of Plundering Martial Treasures

"Xue'er?" Song Qingshu murmured, deeply engraving the name in his heart.

He hesitated about whether to chase after her, taking a few steps but ultimately stopping. What would be the point of chasing her?

At this moment, Song Qingshu had a strong desire to become stronger. Initially, it was due to the urgency of Zhou Zhiruo's pursuit, but now he had a new reason: to be with Xue'er in the future.

He clearly remembered the immense obstacles that Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü faced in their relationship. Yang Guo had almost been killed by Guo Jing, leading to a series of tragic events.

What caused all this? It