The Divine Light Scripture

"Of course not," Ling Shuanghua said. While the existence of gods and spirits was ethereal and illusory, she couldn't possibly believe her mother had entered the lower realms.

"Then it's settled, isn't it?" Song Qingshu spread his hands. "Miss Ling, you won't have to agonize over that poisonous oath anymore."

"Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Song." His words brought a sudden clarity to Ling Shuanghua's mind, lifting a great weight from her heart. She had been too close to the situation to see it herself, and Ding Dian, being a rough man of the martial world, lacked such delicate insight. This had led to them being tormented by a baseless oath for years.

"Rest assured, Miss Ling, I have a way to ensure you and Great Hero Ding can be together," Song Qingshu said. Having finally understood the core of their problem, he felt his mission was largely accomplished. He stood up to take his leave.

"Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Song." Ling Shuanghua rose and returned his bow. Even with her face disfigured, her every movement exuded an elegant and refined aura. Song Qingshu offered a kind smile and turned to leave.

"You saw Shuang Hua?" Ding Dian exclaimed, standing up excitedly in his cell. He fixed his gaze on Song Qingshu. "How has she been lately?"

Song Qingshu shook his head with a sigh. "You two lovesick fools always ask the same first question. She's well, though she's grown a bit thin from worrying too much."

"That's good, that's good..." Ding Dian chuckled foolishly, as if entranced.

"Stop acting cute," Song Qingshu coughed lightly. "Let's talk about the Divine Light Scripture."

Ding Dian immediately became wary. "Once Shuang Hua and I leave Jingzhou City, I will naturally hand over the Divine Light Scripture to you."

Song Qingshu said with a half-smile, "I'm completely defenseless. What if you go back on your word then?"

"Likewise," Ding Dian replied, crossing his arms and snorting. "It's impossible for me to teach you right now."

"Alright, I'll take your word for it. But how do I know if your Divine Light Scripture can actually heal my meridians?" Song Qingshu feigned suspicion. "What if I brave great danger to fulfill your wish, only to find the Divine Light Scripture is useless for my injuries? Who will I cry to then?"

"Didn't Ling Tuis's men sever my Achilles tendons before? And yet here I am, alive and kicking?" Ding Dian gestured to his leg.

"Everything you say is just your word, and I don't know if it's true. No, no," Song Qingshu paced back and forth, frowning. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands. "How about this: you teach me the first half of the Divine Light Scripture now. After I've helped you and Miss Ling get together, you can give me the second half. What do you say, Great Hero Ding? This concession is made out of my trust in your and Miss Ling's character..."

Ding Dian hesitated for a moment. He knew that a mere promise wouldn't motivate this cunning, ghost-like man to act. "Fine. Shuang Hua is the love of my life. What's one Divine Light Scripture compared to that? Listen carefully."

Di Yun, standing nearby, saw that Ding Dian was about to impart martial arts. Disheartened, he couldn't muster any interest. Fearing he'd be beaten, he covered his ears and retreated to a corner.

Ding Dian glanced at him guiltily. "Hey, Di Yun, you should listen too."

Di Yun shook his head like a rattle drum. Ding Dian glared at him fiercely. "Do you want another beating?"

Terrified, Di Yun quickly removed his hands from his ears and listened tremblingly.

"You seem quite eager, but I must remind you," Ding Dian said, seeing Song Qingshu's expectant look. "Diligent practice is crucial for martial arts. However, haste makes waste; you must proceed step by step. When practicing the Divine Light Scripture, it is especially important to remain calm and free of distracting thoughts."

"Naturally," Song Qingshu said, though he sighed inwardly. How could he not be anxious? He could be hunted down at any moment...

Seeing his insincerity, Ding Dian let out a cold laugh and ignored him, proceeding to recite the scripture: "Since ancient times, those who comprehend the heavenly creation, the root of life, originates from Yin and Yang. Between heaven and earth, within the six directions, its Qi flows through the nine provinces, the nine orifices, the five organs, and the twelve joints, all connected to the heavenly Qi..."

"The Qi of the heavens, when pure, governs the will and mind; when in harmony, the Yang Qi is solidified. Thus, the sages transmit the spirit, absorb the heavenly Qi, and connect with the divine illumination..."

Perhaps it was due to his soul's enhanced power from transmigration, but Song Qingshu found his memory to be exceptionally sharp, reaching the level of photographic memory. He silently recited the last few lines of the first half of the Divine Light Scripture, confirming he had memorized it all.

After carefully contemplating the scripture's content, Song Qingshu realized the core of the Divine Light Scripture lay in absorbing the Qi of the heavens. Unlike conventional martial arts that required circulating Qi through meridians, its cultivation method actually nourished and regenerated meridians upon completion. It was indeed a miraculous art between heaven and earth.

Song Qingshu rejoiced. "The Divine Light Scripture is truly extraordinary, Great Hero Ding. Rest assured, though I disregard propriety, I always honor my promises. I will do my utmost to help you and Miss Ling escape."

"Huh?" Ding Dian looked at him in surprise. Without any guidance on cultivation methods, Song Qingshu had already achieved the crucial Qi sensation of the Divine Light Scripture after hearing it recited just once! The remaining cultivation only required the accumulation of time and the refinement of heavenly Qi... Looking at Di Yun, who was completely bewildered by what he heard, Ding Dian's heart was filled with uncertainty. Could this person be a once-in-a-century martial arts prodigy?

Song Qingshu also sensed the changes within his body and was startled. It felt like playing a game in his past life – picking up a secret manual and immediately reaching max level upon clicking "cultivate." Was he truly the legendary, peerless genius?

"Young Master Song, Lord Ling has sent someone to invite you to his manor for a discussion," a yamen runner shouted from a distance.

"Understood, I'll be right there," Song Qingshu called back. He then turned to Ding Dian. "Great Hero Ding, your matter with Miss Ling will likely need to be addressed through Ling Tuis. I'll go deal with him first."

"Mm!" Ding Dian nodded noncommittally and turned to stare at the foolish boy, Di Yun. He thought, "I can't put all my eggs in one basket. Although this kid is a bit slow, he's honest and reliable. If something unexpected happens in the future, I might need him to help bury me and Shuang Hua together..."

"Why has Lord Ling summoned me so urgently?" Song Qingshu mused as he walked. A faint vortex of Qi was slowly circulating within him. Wherever the vortex passed, his meridians and acupoints felt a trace of cool, moist sensation, replacing the previous soreness and swelling. Although many meridians and acupoints still seemed blocked, he assumed it was due to his incomplete understanding of the Divine Light Scripture. Once he obtained the complete scripture, his recovery would surely be within reach...

"I see a joyful expression on your face, Young Master. Have you discovered something?" Lord Ling asked, blowing gently on his teacup with a somber expression.