Chapter 22: Her Beauty Is Beyond Compare

Poor Chu Feng, now seventeen years old, has yet to become close to any woman. While working as a laborer for the Dread Gate, Chu Feng spent his days surrounded by iron and charcoal; there were far more men than women, leaving him no opportunity to interact with the opposite sex. Besides his own younger sister, Chu Xinlian, the only woman to have exchanged a few words with him was a girl named Xiao Li, who sold him beast meat.

Thus, when the woman in the Green Bamboo Retreat smiled at Chu Feng, her smile was gracious like an orchid, yet to Chu Feng it seemed as dazzling as a blossoming rose—so beautiful it took his breath away, his heart pounding wildly.

“Chu Feng, oh Chu Feng, you really are hopeless! The other person merely smiles, and your heart can't take it? Your cultivation of composure is sorely lacking!” Chu Feng reproached himself inwardly, scrutinizing the changes in his own mood.

The young lady who so stirred Chu Feng’s heart was clearly Miss Mu Qiaoxue, the second daughter of the Mu family.

“Miss, you should rest in the quiet chamber. Why have you come out? We can handle these matters ourselves!” As soon as Mu Qiaoxue appeared, Lady Mu hurried forward to greet her. The dignified mistress of the Celestial Mechanism Mu family, before Mu Qiaoxue, was both loving as an elder and humble as a servant; to say Lady Mu acted as a housekeeper in her presence would not be an exaggeration.

“Aunt, you’re too kind. My days of suffering from pulse pain have brought you much trouble. You must be exhausted—go and take a nap. Now that my pulse pain has stabilized, I can handle things here myself. Please, go!” Mu Qiaoxue addressed Lady Mu.

“Well… Very well! Miss, if you need anything, just instruct Kaishan and Kaihe!” Lady Mu said no more, promptly withdrawing.

“Master Linshan, please come into the bamboo retreat!” Mu Qiaoxue smiled slightly, inviting Chu Feng inside.

“Thank you!” Chu Feng clasped his hands in gratitude.

“Wait!” At that moment, Ding Wanchong suddenly stretched out his hand to block the way, addressing Mu Qiaoxue, “Miss Mu, do you truly believe this Master Linshan’s so-called claims of creation?”

“What do you mean?” Mu Qiaoxue replied with a question.

“I mean his words are not to be trusted! If you accept his claims as a last resort, you may not only waste your efforts but worsen your pulse pain!” Ding Wanchong glanced at Chu Feng, continuing, “He said he needs to borrow your pulse needle for a whole hour to see if his creation succeeds. If he fails, you’ll endure an hour of pain, and the agony from four needles is far worse than the five-needle pain you are used to!”

“Yes, I am aware.” Mu Qiaoxue nodded, “I see that Master Linshan carries himself with composure, his spirit restrained, quite unlike those charlatans who bluff and deceive. I trust my own judgment.”

Hearing her resolute words, Ding Wanchong was taken aback. “All right, suppose he’s not a con artist, but what if he—”

“If he fails, I will blame my own fate, not Master Linshan, nor anyone else.” Mu Qiaoxue interrupted him. “Should my pulse pain worsen and disaster strike, I’ll write to the Mu family in the imperial city, ensuring none of you will be held responsible!”

Ding Wanchong’s expression shifted repeatedly. He turned to Chu Feng. “Master Linshan, Miss Mu’s trust is a great honor for you. But I, Ding Wanchong, do not trust you! I propose a wager—do you dare accept?”

“What wager? Speak.” Chu Feng nodded.

“If you can truly craft a pulse needle within an hour and relieve Miss Mu’s pain, I, Ding Wanchong, will immediately present you with two thousand gold coins as an apology! But if you fail, shouldn’t you offer something in return?”

“If I fail, I’ll pay you two thousand gold coins as well!” Chu Feng replied without hesitation.

“That won’t do. It’s too easy! If you fail, it proves you’re a fraud, causing Miss Mu even more pain—two thousand gold isn’t enough!” Ding Wanchong said sternly. “If you fail, I’ll sever the tendons in your hands and feet, crippling you for life! Do you dare accept such a wager?”

“How amusing!” Chu Feng couldn’t help but sneer. “Why not say that if I succeed, you first pay me two thousand gold and then sever your own limbs? If I succeed and you’ve tried to stop me, you nearly denied Miss Mu a chance at relief—doesn’t that make you worthy of death?”

“You—!” Ding Wanchong flushed with rage.

“Brother Ding, I see you’re no longer needed here. Please leave,” the woman in yellow spoke up.

“Indeed! I can handle everything myself,” Mu Qiaoxue agreed.

“Very well, very well! L