Chapter 16: Shut Out

Seeing the silver passed over, the martial artist’s face immediately lit up with joy. He turned to Chu Feng and said, “Brother, you’ve come to the right person for information. My cousin is none other than Liu Chuanfeng, the external steward of the Tianji Mu family! When it comes to their affairs, I’m quite familiar.”

“May I ask about the background of the Tianji Mu family’s Second Miss? And what old ailment does she suffer from?” Chu Feng asked directly.

“The Tianji Mu family is divided into the main and branch lineages. The main line resides in the imperial capital and is one of the most prominent forces there—far beyond the imagination of us humble martial artists. The Tianji Mu family here in the Eighteen Veins of Nine Mountains is merely a branch of the main family! Now, the Second Miss is named Mu Qiaoxue. She is said to be ethereal in beauty, fair as jade, with a visage that could make fish sink and birds alight, put flowers to shame and the moon to blush…”

“Have you actually met the Second Miss yourself?” Chu Feng interrupted.

“Uh… no, just what I’ve heard.”

“Then let’s get to the point—what exactly is Mu Qiaoxue’s old ailment?” Chu Feng pressed.

Chu Feng’s inquiry into Mu Qiaoxue’s condition was, of course, to see if there might be an opportunity for him to intervene. Her appearance was of no concern to him.

“Well then, the Second Miss suffers from the Pain Vein Affliction,” the martial artist replied. “It’s said that when her mother was pregnant, she was struck in the abdomen during a fierce battle. As a result, the Second Miss was born with a congenital flaw in her meridians. She grew up unable to cultivate inner energy or embark on the path of martial refinement. Every so often, she is wracked by excruciating pain in her meridians, making life worse than death. For over a decade, she has relied on the Six Meridian Golden Needles to suppress the agony.”

“The Six Meridian Golden Needles? What does that have to do with the Amethyst Crystal Flower?” Chu Feng asked.

“Originally, there was no connection,” the martial artist explained, “but now there is. My cousin Liu Chuanfeng mentioned that the Six Meridian Golden Needles are six long, fine golden needles. Once inserted into her meridians, they immediately halt the torment. However, one of the needles recently broke, and five are no longer enough, so they’ve had to use the Amethyst Crystal Flower to make pain-relieving pills.”

“The Amethyst Crystal Flower is so delicate that thousands of pounds are required to produce enough medicine. The Mu family, large as it is, can’t possibly scour every mountain for it alone. Even if everyone in the family helped, it would be nothing compared to rallying all the martial artists of the land. So, brother, now you see the situation, don’t you?”

“So that’s how it is!” Chu Feng nodded, remembering that his storage pouch had the remarkable power to create gold objects. His mind stirred, and he asked, “Friend, do you know the exact shape of these Six Meridian Golden Needles? Are they all identical, or are they different?”

Chu Feng knew his storage pouch had two features: it could only create gold objects, and whatever it made would be absolutely identical to the original—down to every detail.

Therefore, if each of Mu Qiaoxue’s needles was unique, his pouch would be of no use.

“Why do you ask? Do you think you could restore the broken needle for the Mu family? That’s impossible!” The martial artist shook his head with a smile.

“No, I’m just curious. Please, if you know anything, share it with me,” Chu Feng said.

“I’ve never seen the needles myself, but my cousin heard from the Mu family that they are six needles, each about the length of a chopstick, fine as hair, and all golden. According to what you just said, the Six Meridian Golden Needles are exactly alike.”

“Oh? So their length, thickness, and weight are all the same?” Chu Feng’s excitement was palpable.

“That should be the case, but I can’t guarantee it with absolute certainty. Brother, you seem ready to act—do you have something in mind?” The martial artist grew animated as well. “Are you planning to do something?”

“I’m only asking.” Chu Feng lowered his head in thought.

“Heh, as it happens, ever since Mu Qiaoxue’s pain recurred, the entire Mu family has been thrown into chaos. It’s said that Patriarch Mu Zhentong, who is at the ninth level of the Body Refinement stage, was so shaken by the news of the broken needle that his own cultivation went into turmoil. He’s now bedridden! The family is doing everything possible—strategizing, exerting themselves, even inviting shamans and sorcerers, all to see Mu Qiaoxue through this calamity.”

“Is it really that serious?” Chu Feng asked.

“Absolutely! Mu Qiaoxue is from the main line of the Tianji Mu family in the capital—a true jewel among them. Here in the Nine Mountains, she’s the very pride of the branch family. My cousin says that even the family head, Mu Zhentong, treats her with utmost deference. If anything happens to her because of the broken needle, and the capital’s Mu family blames them, this branch could be entirely wiped out. The local four great powers would be reduced to three!”

“Thank you,” Chu Feng said, and immediately took his leave.

Departing from Hengshan Outpost, Chu Feng made his way to the docks and boarded the fastest boat to the Tianji Mu family.

He no longer minded playing the opportunist.

On the verge of stepping into the third level of the Body Refinement stage, what Chu Feng needed most was martial skills for external cultivation. The Tianji Mu family was undoubtedly an excellent source. Not only did they possess the best martial training apparatus—their ingenious puppet mechanisms—but they also had rare external martial arts techniques, second only to those of the top-tier Jiuxuan Sect, and far superior to the common methods circulating in the markets.

This journey was to confirm one thing: were the Six Meridian Golden Needles used by Mu Qiaoxue truly identical?

If they were, his storage pouch could come into play. Creating a new needle would relieve her suffering—and naturally, the Mu family would be deeply grateful.

If not, he would simply move on to seek another opportunity.

…

After two days and nights on the fastest boat, Chu Feng disembarked at the dock and soon entered the Tianji Mu family’s domain.

Before him rose the towering, majestic Tianji Mountain. Gazing into the mist, he could make out the palaces, halls, and pavilions built upon its slopes.

Tianji Mountain was the ancestral seat of the Mu family, the most important peak among the countless mountains under their control.

“Please halt, martial friend. Who are you? Have you come to deliver Amethyst Crystal Flowers?”

At the foot of Tianji Mountain, many Mu family disciples in white martial uniforms were busy receiving Amethyst Crystal Flowers from martial artists gathered from all directions. Some maintained order. Noticing Chu Feng approaching alone, one of the disciples stepped forward to block his path.

“No, I’m here to see your family head, or at least whoever is in charge of Miss Mu’s Pain Vein matter,” Chu Feng stated directly.

The white-robed disciple was taken aback and asked, “Do you have a card of introduction? If so, please present it. If not, please state your business with our family head. Otherwise, I’m afraid we cannot deliver your message.”

Chu Feng considered a moment, then said, “I’ve heard that your Second Miss suffers from an old ailment requiring the Six Meridian Golden Needles for pain relief. I wish to learn more about these needles, as I may have a secret method to cure her affliction.”

“What?” The disciple’s surprise was evident on his face, though he said nothing aloud. Clearly, he thought Chu Feng’s words were fanciful.

“Who’s causing a commotion here?” At that moment, a young man in white martial gear, a sword at his waist and a stern expression, strode over.

“Senior Brother Mi!” the disciple called out, then quickly explained Chu Feng’s purpose.

“Oh? You want to know about the Six Meridian Golden Needles?” Senior Brother Mi’s eyes flashed as he scrutinized Chu Feng. “Who are you? State your name.”

From the man’s expression and look, Chu Feng realized he would be difficult to reason with. “I am a wandering martial artist. My surname is Lin, given name Shan.”

“Lin Shan?” Senior Brother Mi looked him over and shook his head. “A nobody. Ah Chen, get rid of this itinerant. Even if he’s not a charlatan, he can’t be worth much.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.” The disciple Ah Chen nodded, then gestured for Chu Feng to leave, his face expressionless. “Martial friend, please be on your way.”