Clear as ever

Song Qingshu was well aware that Tian Guinong was the root cause of their predicament. However, when he gazed upon his enchanting sister-in-law, a stirring took hold of his heart. Subconsciously, he harbored a desire to prolong their time together, and thus he made the decision to withhold the truth from her.

The trio arrived in the vicinity of the White Horse Temple, where they noticed a gaunt scholar slumbering by the roadside. Approaching him, Madam Hu inquired, "Excuse me, sir. Could you please direct us to Yaowangzhuang?"

As the scholar raised his head, his eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but praise, "What a captivating lady!"

Young Hu Fei, ever quick to take offense at the attention of other men towards his mother, narrowed his eyes and retorted angrily, "You, a scholar, are shamelessly frivolous!"

The scholar turned his gaze towards Hu Fei and remarked, "The aura within you is unmistakable—a promising prodigy in the realm of martial arts. It would be a delight to test your mettle." With those words, the scholar reached out and grasped at Hu Fei. Although Hu Fei possessed a solid foundation in martial arts and attempted to block the scholar's advance with his Spring Silkworm Palms, his efforts proved futile as he was swiftly restrained.

"Feier!" Madam Hu cried out in shock, quickly flinging a piece of white silk towards the scene.

"Hmm?" Noticing the swiftly approaching white silk, the scholar reacted swiftly, deftly tapping his finger a few inches from its front, redirecting its trajectory.

A change came over Madam Hu's expression as she witnessed this display of skill. Flicking her wrist, the white silk whirled around, forming a large circle that struck the vital point behind the scholar.

The scholar, however, managed to grab hold of Hu Fei's shoulder and swiftly pressed certain acupoints, causing Hu Fei's movements to falter. Song Qingshu felt a sudden clarity in his vision as he observed the scholar evading Madame Hu's ribbon attack.

"Your Excellency, how do you possess knowledge of my martial arts techniques?" Madam Hu confronted the scholar before her.

"The Silver Bell and Golden Lock technique of the ancient Tomb Sect, renowned for its mastery of targeting the enemy's acupoints. It truly lives up to its reputation. Alas, today I have the fortune of encountering it," the scholar remarked, stroking his mustache with a triumphant smile.

"Sister-in-law, are you from the Tomb Sect?" Song Qingshu exclaimed, his astonishment evident as he glanced at Madam Hu, whose icy countenance matched the criteria for a disciple of the Tomb Sect. Could it be that the descendants of the Tomb Sect, like Li Mochou, still exist?

Madam Hu's expression grew solemn as she spoke, her voice laced with gravity. "The knowledge of the Tomb Sect remains elusive to the world, yet Your Excellency possesses an understanding of the methods used to dismantle our martial arts."

The scholar shook his head, feigning ignorance. "I merely possess superficial knowledge, mere scraps of the profound martial arts treasures such as the Female Heart Sutra and the Jade Suxin Sword Technique. Breaking them is child's play."

Observing the scene unfold, Song Qingshu couldn't remain silent. "Considering Your Excellency's esteemed martial prowess, why resort to embarrassing a mere child?"

The scholar cast a lewd smile in Song Qingshu's direction, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Ah, delightful! A beautiful widow graced with the allure of a celestial maiden, accompanied by a handsome youth. The perfect combination of loneliness, desire, and burning passion. Miao Zai, Miao Zai..." His words oozed with lascivious intent.

"Bastard!" Madam Hu's face flushed crimson with anger as she launched an attack, admonishing him. "Be cautious!" Song Qingshu recognized the scholar's ploy immediately—to agitate Madam Hu and exploit her vulnerabilities.

True to his expectations, after a series of exchanges, Madam Hu let out a cry of pain, clutching her chest as blood stained the corner of her mouth. She quickly retreated, her movements hindered.

The scholar made no attempt to pursue her, instead leisurely pinching his fingers and inhaling deeply through his nose, a look of intoxication on his face. "The touch is simply delightful, and the scent is so alluring~"

"You!" Madam Hu seethed with anger, preparing to launch another attack. However, her grimace betrayed the pain emanating from her wound.

"Sister-in-law, let us not fall prey to his provocative tactics," Song Qingshu implored, rushing to support her. As he did, a fragrant aroma enveloped him, momentarily distracting him despite the dire circumstances.

"Hehe, you are fortunate today. If I had encountered such a beautiful widow twenty years ago, hehe, I would have killed and ravaged her without hesitation. But now, I have pressing matters at hand that demand my attention. However, I shall have your son serve me first!" With those words, the scholar seized Hu Fei, whispered something in his ear, and vanished into the distance.

Hu Fei's trembling voice reached their ears faintly, "You're a pervert! You actually fancy men. If you dare to betray me, I'll bite my tongue and end my life..."

Song Qingshu's face contorted with disbelief, while Madam Hu seethed with anger, her chest wound exacerbating her fury. She succumbed to unconsciousness.

Alarmed by the turn of events, Song Qingshu feared the scholar's return and swiftly carried Madam Hu away from the scene.

To his surprise, despite Madam Hu's tall stature, her body felt as light as a feather, as if devoid of any weight. Along their hasty escape, Song Qingshu caught faint whiffs of her delicate fragrance, occasionally grazing her skin, akin to touching a piece of pure snow. The sensations stirred a turbulent storm within him, mingled with the self-reproach for his previous actions. He mustered his resolve, seeking refuge in every available option.

They finally stumbled upon an abandoned, dilapidated house. Song Qingshu swiftly spread a thick layer of hay on the ground, gently laying Madam Hu upon it.

"Hmm~" A pained snort escaped Madam Hu's lips, her expression contorted with agony.

Song Qingshu found himself momentarily unsure of the exact location of her injury. Indecision clouded his mind as he hesitated to touch her. Her face, adorned with an air of icy grace, seemed almost sacred, leaving him reluctant to trespass.

In an attempt to shake off his inner turmoil, Song Qingshu resorted to slapping himself forcefully. Checking her injury was merely an excuse—an excuse to lay his hands on her. Clearly, her wound resided on her chest, and he had concocted a feeble pretext to take advantage of the situation.

Yet, as a transmigrator from another world, why should he adhere to the etiquette of this realm? He had never laid eyes on a woman's body before, so why should he suppress his curiosity and yearning?

Just as Song Qingshu grappled with his conflicting thoughts, Madam Hu roused from her slumber. Startled, she immediately turned her gaze towards Song Qingshu, her voice brimming with urgency. "Where is Feier?"

"The scholar took him away. Witnessing your severe injury, I had no choice but to prioritize your well-being," Song Qingshu explained, feeling somewhat embarrassed. It was evident that his actions stemmed from fear of the scholar's return. In this moment, he couldn't help but resent his own perceived uselessness. He felt like a burden, devoid of any true strength or utility.

"I must save Fei'er!" Madam Hu struggled to rise, but the pain forced her back down onto the makeshift bed.

"Sister-in-law, how severe is your injury? I was unable to examine it earlier," Song Qingshu said, reaching out to support her. His touch encountered warm, fragrant skin where their contact began.

Blushing, Madam Hu gently extricated herself from his grasp, furrowing her brows. "I fear my ribs may be broken."

"Sister-in-law, let us tend to your injury first before embarking on a rescue mission. Pursuing the scholar now would prove futile," Song Qingshu proposed, assisting Madam Hu to sit.

"No, we must chase after the scholar," Madam Hu replied, her face flushed with determination. Deep down, she contemplated the distance from the marketplace, unsure how much time they had lost. Furthermore, considering that most doctors in this era were men, she couldn't fathom allowing a man to examine her body.