Chapter 32: Earnest Advice

With deep misgivings, Chu Feng followed Mu Yun’er toward the Green Bamboo Pavilion where Mu Qiaoxue resided.

While Mu Yun’er claimed to know nothing, Chu Feng could tell from her demeanor that she seemed to be aware of something, but was reluctant to share it with him.

“What could it be? Could it be that Miss Mu has discovered my true identity? Well, even if she has, it’s not that big a deal,” Chu Feng thought to himself.

Soon, Chu Feng once again entered the Green Bamboo Pavilion, where birds sang and flowers bloomed. Dressed in white, as pure as snow, Mu Qiaoxue sat serenely in the small reception hall. Two cups of fragrant tea had already been steeped on the delicate tea table.

“Miss Mu, you wanted to see me?” Chu Feng asked, unreserved, as he took a seat at the table.

“Yes. In these ten-odd days apart, your strength has increased rapidly,” Mu Qiaoxue gazed at him intently. “To have survived for more than a day in the high-tier Xuan-class mechanism chamber, I must congratulate you. You now possess enough power to subdue the Diamond Rhino. In any martial academy under the jurisdiction of the Dayue Dynasty, you could serve as an instructor.”

“Heh, thank you,” Chu Feng replied with a slight smile. “But surely you haven’t summoned me just to congratulate me?”

“No,” Mu Qiaoxue nodded, then suddenly asked, “Could you tell me your real name?”

Chu Feng’s heart tightened.

To refuse her would seem lacking in candor, for Mu Qiaoxue had always been open with him; to continue hiding now would make him appear distrustful. Yet to reveal his identity was also inconvenient.

“Is it so difficult?” Mu Qiaoxue’s gentle gaze, tinged with amusement, fixed on his face.

“I suspect, even if I don’t say it, you already know my name, don’t you?” Chu Feng was no fool. If she asked so directly, she had likely already uncovered his background.

Mu Qiaoxue smiled faintly, sipped her tea, and said, “Master Chu, your experiences are truly eventful—quite legendary, in fact.”

“I hardly deserve such praise,” Chu Feng shook his head. “If you don’t mind, just call me Chu Feng. I was once a humble Dingteng of the Kong Sect, never had anything to do with titles like ‘Master’.”

“Is that so?” Mu Qiaoxue covered her mouth with a smile.

“Miss Mu, may I ask how you discovered my identity? For convenience in the martial world, I was compelled to change my name and appearance. I hope you’ll forgive me. Also, I imagine you called me here for more than just this?”

“Indeed. I have some rather unpleasant news for you,” Mu Qiaoxue’s smile faded.

“Go on,” Chu Feng braced himself.

“Five days ago, while you were secluding yourself in the mechanism chamber, the Mu family received envoys from the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall. They requested permission to investigate the Golden Python and the sect expert Tang Dong in our territory, keeping the Mu family informed. As our relations are cordial, we granted their request.

“The next day, the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall discovered traces of the Golden Python along a branch of the Sirius River, and even found the burial site of Tang Dong!

“Not far from there, the Kong Sect’s Xiong Gang and Xiong Meng were found brutally slain. From the evidence at the scene, the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall drew an ironclad conclusion: the person they were seeking, and the person who killed the Xiong brothers, are one and the same—you, Chu Feng.”

Mu Qiaoxue delivered this news in an unhurried manner.

Chu Feng was truly shocked by this. He hadn’t yet resolved his troubles with the Kong Sect, and now he had inadvertently provoked the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall as well?

“Do you know what the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall wants with me?” he asked.

“I don’t. The Mu family didn’t ask, and they didn’t say,” Mu Qiaoxue shook her head with a sigh. “But since they’re so eager to find you, it must be connected to the Golden Python and Tang Dong’s deaths. Chu Feng, no matter how you look at it, this doesn’t bode well for you.”

“I think so too,” Chu Feng nodded, then suddenly asked, “Miss Mu, how did you discover my identity?”

“It was quite simple, really. The Wind and Thunder Martial Hall repeatedly mentioned the Golden Python, saying it had been hacked to pieces and cooked locally. The Golden Python is no ordinary beast. I connected this to the fact that you recently ate python meat, and deduced that you were likely the one who, after eating the python, trained furiously among the trees nearby, then killed the Xiong brothers—the very Chu Feng whom the Kong Sect is now hunting.”

Mu Qiaoxue recounted the events with such clarity, it was as if she’d witnessed them herself.

“You’re absolutely right,” Chu Feng admitted. “By now, the Kong Sect must also know that the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall is searching for Chu Feng, correct?”

“Exactly. The Tianji Mu family, the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall, and the Kong Sect—all three factions are aware,” Mu Qiaoxue replied. “But none of them know your whereabouts, nor do they realize that you, Chu Feng, are sitting here as Lin Shan, having tea with me.”

“Indeed.” Chu Feng nodded, falling into thoughtful silence.

After a long pause, Mu Qiaoxue asked, “Chu Feng, what are you thinking? If the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall means you harm, you’ll have offended two of the four great powers. Your situation is hardly optimistic.”

“I’m thinking I’ll stick to my plan. Tomorrow is the Mu family’s annual Autumn Trial. After I participate and challenge the Diamond Rhino, I’ll leave immediately,” Chu Feng said.

“In such a hurry? Though two factions are searching for you, they don’t know where you are. Besides, even if you must eventually leave, you could wait a while longer—at least until you reach the fifth level of the Body Refining Stage,” Mu Qiaoxue said, meeting his gaze. “The Mu family’s mechanism chambers are a sacred training ground for countless martial artists. With your Golden Python physique, your progress far outpaces ordinary fighters. If you train in the Earth-class chamber for a while, you’ll soon reach the fifth level.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Chu Feng shook his head.

“I’ve offended Ding Wanchong and his disciple; they surely bear a grudge and are investigating my background. The Kong Sect and the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall are searching for me—Ding Wanchong could easily suspect me as well. If he informs the two factions and they come here together, that’s not a situation I want to face,” he explained.

“Chu Feng, you’re being overly cautious. Ding Wanchong and his disciple would never guess that Lin Shan is Chu Feng. Even if they did, and informed both factions, the Mu family wouldn’t stand by and do nothing,” Mu Qiaoxue insisted. “You risked your life to cure my meridian pain—that favor is greater than saving the Mu family’s master ten times over. With the Mu family as your backing, things won’t be as dire as you imagine.”

“Miss Mu, thank you for your support. But I have my own plans. After challenging the Diamond Rhino in tomorrow’s Autumn Trial, I will leave the Mu family,” Chu Feng said firmly.

“You’re really so determined to go?” Mu Qiaoxue sighed softly. “If you stay with the Mu family, even if the Kong Sect and the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall know you are here, they won’t dare touch you. But if you leave, sooner or later they’ll track you down, and then you’ll truly be in danger.”

“Why is that?” Chu Feng asked.

“Think about it. While you’re here, you’re an honored guest, listed as a benefactor of the Mu family. If those factions come looking for you, even if our master can’t stop them, I can intervene. Unless they wish for utter annihilation, they wouldn’t dare harm you in the slightest! But if you leave, the Mu family can’t have people shadow you day and night. If your enemies wish you harm, you’d be far more vulnerable,” Mu Qiaoxue said, her tone earnest and heartfelt.