Trying It Out

"Is this Soul Shifting Great Method really that powerful?" Madam Hu secretly marveled.

"It often has a miraculous effect on those whose martial arts are inferior to one's own, or those with wicked intentions," Song Qingshu explained. "For example, it's useless against someone like you, sister-in-law, who has strong martial arts and a pure heart." Song Qingshu inwardly rejoiced. His meridians had been severed, preventing him from cultivating the peerless Nine Yin Manual. In his unwillingness to give up, he repeatedly studied the scripture and was delighted to discover that the Soul Shifting Great Method within it required no internal energy circulation, relying entirely on mental power. It was then that Song Qingshu realized that if the cultivation conditions were met, he could master martial arts instantly.

"I don't believe you; the more you try to hide it, the more obvious it becomes," Madam Hu said, her voice becoming incredibly charming.

"Then do you want to try?" Song Qingshu felt his heartbeat quicken, staring intently at her.

Madam Hu glanced at him, meeting his fervent gaze. Her heart fluttered, and as if possessed, she replied, "If you want to try, then let's try."

"Sister-in-law, look into my eyes..." Having received her consent, Song Qingshu didn't hesitate.

The moment Madam Hu's eyes met his, she felt as if she were falling into a vast vortex, her consciousness beginning to drift away.

"Sister-in-law, come here and hold me," Although he had more he wanted to do, Song Qingshu's reason remained, and he dared not issue overly excessive commands.

"Mmm~" Madam Hu agreed with exceptional charm and indeed walked over step by step, opening her jade-like arms to embrace Song Qingshu tightly, resting her head gently on his chest.

With the soft warmth of her body in his arms, Song Qingshu thought he had gone too far. In a panic, he quickly snapped his fingers. Madam Hu regained consciousness, discovered their posture, and pushed Song Qingshu away with a mix of shame and anger.

"My mistake, my mistake," Song Qingshu explained awkwardly. "I forgot that I just mastered the Divine Illumination Skill, and my internal energy might be a little higher than yours, sister-in-law..."

Madam Hu sighed softly, looking at him with a complex expression. "Qingshu, this Soul Shifting Great Method of yours is truly an evil art. If you... were to have a moment of misguided thought, who knows how many innocent women's reputations would be ruined."

"Sister-in-law, please don't misunderstand. I'm not that kind of person," Song Qingshu quickly distanced himself. "Martial arts are neither good nor evil; only the person using them can be judged as righteous or wicked. The Guo Jing and Huang Rong couple also knows this technique. Do you think they are also villains?"

"Alright, I can never win an argument with you," Madam Hu smiled faintly. "But you must promise me that you will never use this Soul Shifting Great Method on me again." In her heart, she felt a wave of shame and anger. If he had lost control for a moment and made her serve him, wouldn't she have...?

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

"Then I can rest assured," Madam Hu smiled sweetly. The rising sun illuminated her beautiful face, captivating Song Qingshu.

Noticing his fixed gaze, Madam Hu had made up her mind. "Qingshu, I'm afraid I must take my leave."

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

"It has nothing to do with that," Madam Hu sighed softly. "I am a widow. It was understandable before for me to accompany you everywhere while searching for a way to heal your meridians. Now that your meridians are healed, how can I continue to travel with you?"

"Then I wish my meridians had never been healed," Song Qingshu said petulantly.

"You're saying that out of anger again." Seeing his childlike demeanor, Madam Hu found it somewhat amusing. After a moment of hesitation, she still advised, "Qingshu, during this period, for various reasons, we have been... closer than ordinary aunt and nephew."

"Our relationship is as clear as the sun and moon; there's nothing we need to feel guilty about," Song Qingshu said urgently.

"What if I feel guilty?" Madam Hu's words, which sounded so familiar, stunned Song Qingshu. "Have you ever seen an uncle and aunt naked in front of each other?" The question made both of them tremble inwardly, and they fell into silence.

"Qingshu, I can guess some of your thoughts..." Madam Hu continued after a while.

Song Qingshu was about to speak, but Madam Hu gently placed a slender finger on his lips. "Don't rush, listen to me." Song Qingshu's unspoken words were immediately suppressed by her delicate finger.

"Qingshu, it's impossible between us. I am a widow, and you have a bright future ahead of you, with a destined girl waiting for you." Madam Hu's voice was still as soft and pleasant as usual, but Song Qingshu felt a deep fear, knowing he might lose her forever.

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

"But I do!" Madam Hu's expression became incredibly pure at that moment, and she said, word by word, "I am Hu Yidao's wife. Even though he is dead, I am still his wife, forever!"

Madam Hu had been reluctant to confront her recent emotional changes. This time, the warning from the Soul Shifting Great Method forced her to make a final decision.

Song Qingshu fell silent. To people from modern times, a widow's status meant little; as long as two people loved each other, nothing else mattered. However, in this world, propriety and reputation were things everyone valued. He couldn't expect Madam Hu to be as open-minded as he was.

He had subconsciously avoided thinking about this issue before. Now that he considered it, even if Madam Hu agreed to be with him, the societal resistance they would face would be unbearable for both of them.

On that day, to gain an advantage, Song Qingshu had sworn brotherhood with the deceased Hu Yidao. If he ended up with his widow, not only Madam Hu but Song Qingshu himself would be ruined, and they would both be scorned by the world.

Song Qingshu was a mature man. Although he was sometimes impulsive, he was never lacking in reason and quickly understood Madam Hu's decision.

Now, he deeply regretted why he had been so foolish as to swear brotherhood with Hu Yidao!

"Have you figured it out?" Seeing his expression gradually return to calm, Madam Hu's heart ached, but she steeled herself and asked.

"Yes," Song Qingshu nodded with a bitter smile. "The current me cannot handle the potential storm, let alone shield you from it. But sister-in-law, rest assured, one day I will make it so that no one in the world can oppose us."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Madam Hu pouted. "I don't care what you're thinking. Since you've come to your senses, I'm leaving."

"Sister-in-law, I regret it. I've decided to use the Soul Shifting Great Method on you one more time," Song Qingshu suddenly looked up and chuckled.

Madam Hu's heart leaped in alarm, and she quickly closed her eyes. "Qingshu, what are you doing?"

"Just kidding," Song Qingshu sighed. "I just realized that after so long, I don't even know your maiden name, and I regret it. I was thinking of asking you through the Soul Shifting Great Method."

Madam Hu glared at him impatiently. "Do you know that besides the closest relatives, a woman's maiden name is generally only told to her husband?"

"I know," Song Qingshu's smiling reply made Madam Hu's chest tighten. She rolled her eyes at him. "I can't be bothered with you." She turned and walked away.

After walking about ten yards, she looked back and saw Song Qingshu still standing there, staring blankly at her. Madam Hu's heart softened. She placed her hand by her mouth and called out, "Big Brother Hu used to call me Bing Xue'er." After saying that, she used her Qinggong to flee the scene as if flying.