The Great Prophet Jin Yong

"A graceful and virtuous lady is a gentleman's good match. Sister-in-law, you're as pure as crystal. It's no wonder Young Master Murong is so enthusiastic about you," Song Qingshu teased as he turned to her.

"Uncle~" Madam Hu chided him, her voice sweet and syrupy, making Song Qingshu's bones feel like they were melting. "You're joking again. With my humble appearance, that Miss Wang is much prettier. How could Young Master Murong be like... like you say."

"In my heart, sister-in-law, you're far more beautiful than Miss Wang." Seeing Madam Hu raise her delicate eyebrows, about to get angry, Song Qingshu quickly changed the subject. "I suspect Young Master Murong has his sights set on Chuang Wang's treasure."

"Uncle knows about Chuang Wang's treasure too?" Madam Hu was surprised. This was her biggest secret, and for a moment, she forgot about his earlier flirtatious words.

"Sister-in-law, have you forgotten? I'm known as the Jianghu Hundred-Know-All. There's very little in this martial world that I don't know," Song Qingshu said with a mysterious smile.

"Uncle, have you also had designs on Chuang Wang's treasure?" Madam Hu felt a pang of unease, suddenly doubting his true intentions for approaching her.

"Of course!" Song Qingshu's answer sent a chill through Madam Hu. "I'll have great use for this treasure in the future."

Noticing Madam Hu's displeased expression and understanding her thoughts, Song Qingshu smiled. "Sister-in-law, don't worry. Our meeting was purely by chance. Besides, I already know where the treasure is, so you don't need to worry about me having ulterior motives."

"You know where the treasure is?" Madam Hu exclaimed in disbelief. "That's impossible."

It was rare to see Madam Hu, usually so demure, with such a vivid expression. Song Qingshu scrutinized her, saying with a half-smile, "As I said, I'm the Jianghu Hundred-Know-All. While I don't know the exact location, I know the general direction. Once I get there, I should be able to find it. What, sister-in-law, are you planning to kill me to silence me?"

Madam Hu sighed softly. "I don't know how you, so young, know so much."

"When I was a child, I met a traveling Taoist priest. He saw I had extraordinary bones and unusual insight... and couldn't help but chat with me," Song Qingshu said, putting on an air of arrogance, and shook his head. "He even claimed to be an immortal and told me many stories, telling me to remember them well."

Madam Hu looked clearly unconvinced and pressed further, "Did he say what his name was?"

"Him? I think he was called Jin Yong," Song Qingshu replied, his expression somewhat strange.

"Jin Yong?" Madam Hu pondered for a moment. "I've never heard of such a person in the martial world." She thought Song Qingshu was unwilling to tell the truth and didn't press further.

"Xiang Province is so vast, where should we go first?" Madam Hu didn't want to continue discussing Chuang Wang's treasure and was troubled by how Song Qingshu knew about it, so she decided to change the subject.

"Naturally, Jingzhou!" Song Qingshu said confidently.

With the experience from their previous encounters, Madam Hu trusted Song Qingshu's judgment wholeheartedly and said no more. The two traveled tirelessly until they reached Jingzhou. Song Qingshu was constantly pondering how to find the Divine Light Scripture.

"First, I need to know where the plot of 'Liancheng Jue' is currently at," Song Qingshu thought carefully. The way to determine this was to see if Ding Dian was imprisoned in the Jingzhou prison and, if so, for how many years.

When Song Qingshu told Madam Hu his plan to scout the Jingzhou prison, she looked troubled. "Uncle, you may not know this, but the Mongols and the Song Dynasty are currently locked in a stalemate along the Xiangyang line. Jingzhou is vital to the logistics of Xiangyang city and is a strategic stronghold with over a hundred thousand troops stationed nearby. The Jingzhou prefectural prison is likely not easy to infiltrate."

This time, it was Song Qingshu's turn to be stunned. In his memory, martial arts masters in novels could move freely in and out of places like the imperial palace, let alone a prison. It seemed reality was quite different.

"Let's still go and take a look. What if the defenses aren't as strict as we imagine?" Song Qingshu urged, unwilling to give up.

Madam Hu couldn't refuse him and agreed, "Alright, but you must promise me not to act impulsively when we get there. Your health isn't good right now, and if anything happens, I fear I won't be able to protect you."

"I understand, I understand. I'm not an idiot," Song Qingshu nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick.

The two made their way to the Jingzhou prefectural prison. After a distant observation, both their expressions changed drastically. They saw soldiers patrolling everywhere, and the security was extremely tight.

Madam Hu was concerned about Song Qingshu's injuries. Hearing him say that someone inside knew the whereabouts of the Divine Light Scripture, she secretly made up her mind. Turning back to Song Qingshu, she said, "Uncle, wait here for a moment. I'll go and scout ahead."

They were very close to each other now. Smelling the faint fragrance emanating from the beautiful woman beside him, Song Qingshu's heart fluttered. He quickly said, "Sister-in-law, you mustn't take risks!"

"It's alright, I'm just going to scout," Madam Hu turned back with a charming smile and then, like a wisp of smoke, moved towards the prison.

Song Qingshu was momentarily dazed by the smile she displayed. He wondered what was happening to him. He had seen many beautiful women before, so why was her every smile and frown now stirring his heart?

Madam Hu moved as lightly as a swallow, always calculating the gaps between the patrolling soldiers as she advanced step by step. Soon, Song Qingshu could no longer see her.

"The martial arts of the Ancient Tomb Sect are indeed extraordinary," Song Qingshu murmured to himself. Not long after, the sound of fabric cutting through the air was heard, and Madam Hu returned to his side.

"How was it?" Seeing her troubled expression, Song Qingshu knew it was likely bad news.

Madam Hu's beautiful face showed a hint of worry. "I scouted carefully just now. The outer defenses of the prison are manageable, but the prison itself is designed with only one entrance. The entire structure is hidden underground, likely to prevent martial artists like us who can move freely. The entrance is heavily guarded. Unless we force our way in, there's no other way to get inside."

Song Qingshu understood that forcing their way in was unrealistic. This was a real world, and the authorities were not as insignificant as they were in novels. Moreover, Jingzhou was a military stronghold with strict security. If anything happened at the prison, the nearby troops could rush to help at any time. Although Madam Hu's martial arts were not weak, forcing her way into the prison to rescue someone was impossible.

But if they didn't enter the prison, how would they know if Ding Dian was there, or how far the plot of Liancheng Jue had progressed...

"Wait, if I just need to know the plot's progression, I don't necessarily have to start with the prison," Song Qingshu suddenly had a flash of inspiration and grabbed Madam Hu's hand, turning to leave.

Madam Hu was annoyed, thinking, Why does Uncle always like to touch me? Fortunately, after spending some time together, she had come to understand that Song Qingshu's behavior was unusual. He seemed to have no concept of the boundaries between men and women. Coupled with their shared experiences of hardship, Madam Hu knew his actions were natural and without ill intent, so she allowed him to hold her fair wrist without protest.