Musashi Road

"Bing Xueer," Song Qingshu murmured, etching the name deep within his heart.

He was wavering, unsure whether to chase after her. After a few steps, he finally retraced his path. What was the use of pursuing her now?

In that moment, Song Qingshu felt an urgent need to grow stronger. Previously, it had been driven by his desire to seek vengeance against Zhou Zhiruo. But now, he had a new purpose—to ensure a smooth future with Bing Xueer.

He vividly recalled the immense resistance encountered by Yang Guo and Xiaolongnv in the beginning. Yang Guo had come perilously close to being killed by Guo Jing's palm, setting off a cascade of tragedies between the two lovers.

What had caused all of this? One could attribute it to the oppressive weight of societal conventions, or perhaps to Yang Guo's initial lack of strength.

In the later stages, when Yang Guo became a formidable hero, nearly invincible as the Divine Eagle, and Xiaolongnv unleashed her Jade Girl Suxin Sword technique, even embarrassing the King of the Golden Wheel—no one dared to question their union. Did Guo Jing and Huang Rong dare to use etiquette as a benchmark against them?

Song Qingshu did not wish to repeat the mistakes of Yang Guo and Xiaolongnv. He realized that finding Madam Hu, whether at Yaowangzhuang or Yubi Villa in Liaodong, would not be difficult. The pressing matter at hand was to bolster his own strength.

Upon reaching a large rock at the mountaintop, Song Qingshu assumed a cross-legged position and delved into the martial arts techniques he had memorized. Despite his shattered meridians, he painstakingly transcribed the "Nine Yin Scriptures" and the "Eighteen Palms of Jianglong" from the Dragon Sword and Heaven Sword. To his surprise, they proved effective. After half a day, when Song Qingshu opened his eyes, his inner energy had regained its thickness and potency.

Though he had swiftly acquired the Nine Yin Scriptures and the Eighteen Palms of Jianglong, Song Qingshu felt a twinge of dissatisfaction. His ability to master martial arts secrets in an instant was undeniably extraordinary, but he had discovered that this talent merely allowed him to go through the motions of practice.

Martial arts required harmony. Only when the martial artist's temperament aligned with the style of the martial arts could their true power be unleashed.

For instance, Song Qingshu could execute both the Eighteen Palms of Jianglong and the Jiuyin White Bone Claws, but these techniques did not resonate deeply with his own temperament. Consequently, his power paled in comparison to figures like Qiao Feng and Guo Jing in the case of the Jianglong Eighteen Palms, or Zhou Zhiruo and Mei Chaofeng in the case of the Jiuyin White Bone Claws.

Among the various martial arts encompassed by the Jiuyin Scriptures—the Jiuyin White Bone Claws, the White Python Whip Method, the Great Devil Palm, the Heart-Destroying Palm—was there none that aligned with Song Qingshu's temperament? Of course, there was—the profound art of soul manipulation.

Song Qingshu couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement as he contemplated his newfound path. The great method of moving souls within the Jiuyin Scriptures resonated with his temperament like no other. Its esoteric nature intrigued him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that it held the key to his ultimate power.

However, as Song Qingshu delved deeper into his training, a peculiar realization dawned upon him. He couldn't help but wonder—how was it that he could master this skill so effortlessly? Was his temperament truly aligned with the life of a thief, as the scriptures implied?

Conflicting emotions tugged at his heart. On one hand, he felt a surge of confidence, believing that no one in the world had cultivated this art more profoundly than he had. Even the legendary pair of Guo Jing and Huang Rong, with their extraordinary spiritual connection, would pale in comparison if they were not adequately prepared.

Yet, Song Qingshu was not without his challenges. Despite his vast knowledge of martial arts techniques, he lacked practical combat experience. While he could execute every move flawlessly, he struggled with selecting the appropriate parry or counterattack in the heat of battle. The fog of uncertainty surrounded him, leaving him yearning for guidance.

"Wang Yuyan and I are two extremes," Song Qingshu mused with a wry smile. "She possesses keen perception but lacks martial arts skills, while I possess vast knowledge but struggle with perceptive judgment."

Determined to overcome this obstacle, Song Qingshu made a vow to focus on honing his speed and strength. He understood that in the realm of martial arts, these attributes were paramount. With unwavering determination, he set his sights on mastering the art of combat, free from deception or trickery.

As he descended the mountain, Song Qingshu continued to practice the Shenzhao Sutra and channel the Jiuyin Zhenqi. However, a grim realization soon washed over him—these two internal energies clashed. One was fierce and yang, while the other was gentle and yin. They were fundamentally incompatible, and he feared that if he did not choose one to cultivate, his body would succumb to the strain and ultimately self-destruct.

"Damn!" Song Qingshu exclaimed, his frustration boiling over. The merits of both arts were undeniable, making the decision agonizingly difficult.

After wrestling with the dilemma for half a day, Song Qingshu reluctantly set aside the choice for the time being. He knew he could not afford to let it consume him. As he traversed the path down the mountain, he pondered his next destination. Eventually, a resolute decision formed within his heart—"I shall head to the Immeasurable Jade Cave!"

He recalled a remark he had come across on a forum in his previous life, claiming that one could not truly master the martial arts within Jin Yong's world without a blend of the nine yin and nine yang, Lingbo and six veins. Song Qingshu, with his unique ability to absorb knowledge effortlessly, felt compelled to rise above and conquer the realm of martial arts.

While the Beiming Divine Art within the Boundless Jade Cave held little value for him, considering his already formidable internal strength, Lingbo Weibu, the art of lightness, beckoned to him. It was the quintessential skill for survival in a violent world, and Song Qingshu yearned to possess it.

With each step he took, Song Qingshu's excitement grew. He fantasized about the countless martial arts techniques awaiting him—Musashi's swordsmanship, the Nine Suns Magical Art of Kunlun Mountain, the Dugu Nine Sword of Huashan's Cliffside, the Golden Snake Cheats from the Golden Snake Cave, and the Evil Sword Spectrum of Fujian. The list seemed endless, fueling his determination to leave no stone unturned.

After a grueling journey through treacherous mountains and winding rivers, Song Qingshu ventured deep into the barren land, determined to locate the Boundless Sword Sect. With the knowledge that the Blessed Jade Cave lay in proximity to the sect, he embarked on an exhaustive search, relying on the jade bib as his guiding compass.

Weeks turned into arduous months as he tirelessly scoured the land, leaving no stone unturned in his search for the location. Fatigue settled into his bones, and hunger and thirst gnawed at his weary body. But Song Qingshu pressed on, undeterred by the physical toll.

At long last, a glimmer of hope emerged. He discovered the Wuliang Jade Cave, a surge of excitement coursing through his veins. "Sister Shenxian, I'm coming!" he exclaimed joyfully. If anyone else had been present, they would have marveled at the desperation in his voice, a testament to his hunger and thirst.

As he approached the cave, a sight greeted him—an exquisite jade statue that appeared almost lifelike. The pale yellow silk shirt clung to the statue's form, swaying gently in an ethereal dance. The eyes, adorned with starlike brilliance, held a captivating allure. The white jade exuded a faint reddish hue, its texture mimicking human flesh.

Gazing into those obsidian eyes, Song Qingshu felt an unexpected flutter in his heart. "No wonder that foolish Duan Yu fell under her spell. There's an undeniable allure to her."

However, with the purpose of his journey at the forefront of his mind, Song Qingshu swiftly pushed aside any distractions. Hastily, he lifted the statue's skirt, keenly searching for the object of his desire.

Finally, he found the futon. Yet, when he noticed the hole within it, a wave of disappointment washed over him. His face contorted into a grimace, his hand delving into the cavity, desperately seeking something of value. Alas, his efforts proved fruitless, leaving him disheartened.

It appeared that Duan Yu had already made his appearance in this world. The plot unfolded differently from what Song Qingshu had anticipated. He had held a glimmer of hope that perhaps Duan Yu had not yet arrived at this location. But now, he realized that his expectations were nothing more than wishful thinking.