Chapter 33: The Best of Both Worlds

“Miss Mu, thank you for your kindness! While I, Chu Feng, dare not claim to be a martial master, I believe that once I leave the Mu family, I will be able to protect myself.”
Chu Feng’s tone remained resolute.
“Well, you’re certainly quite confident!”
Mu Qiaoxue couldn’t help but smile, though it was clear her smile was tinged with skepticism. She said, “Let’s be frank, you pushed yourself to the point of coughing blood to forge the vein needle and relieve my pain. You have given me new life. I, Mu Qiaoxue, always repay my debts. Now you are facing a crisis, and I am fully capable of helping you. So I’ll be direct: when it comes to the matter of the Terror Sect and the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall, count me in!”
“Miss Mu, there’s really no need!”
Chu Feng shook his head. “Once I leave the Mu family, it’s like a fish returning to the sea. The Terror Sect and Wind and Thunder Martial Hall will never find me. And even if they do, I have enough skill to deal with them. Please don’t worry, Miss Mu.”
Mu Qiaoxue’s laughter cooled. She shook her head and said, “Chu Feng, I’ve discovered that not only do you possess impressive perseverance in martial arts, but you’re also incredibly stubborn! I offer my help sincerely, so why do you keep refusing? Do you think I, Mu Qiaoxue, harbor other intentions toward you? Are you worried your… your sweetheart will misunderstand?”
“No, I have neither a sweetheart nor do I believe you have any designs on me,”
Chu Feng shook his head. “I’m simply used to doing things on my own. I prefer relying on myself, not troubling others.”
“Is that so? Then I’m a bit puzzled. You don’t mind trouble when you push yourself to help others, even risking your own health, but when someone wants to repay you, you refuse to trouble them! Brother Chu Feng, if you’re not a sly old fox, then you must be a fool doomed to suffer losses all your life, ha!”
Mu Qiaoxue laughed, saying, “For a martial artist to go farther on the path of the martial way, the first thing they must learn is never to suffer losses. If someone only gives and never seeks return, even if they achieve something in martial arts, they’re merely preparing the bed for others!”
Chu Feng took a sip of tea, slowly set down the cup, and remained silent.
He understood Mu Qiaoxue’s good intentions perfectly well.
But Chu Feng also had his own convictions—when he was powerless in the past, nothing could be done. Now that he possessed a measure of strength, no matter what difficulties or crises he faced, he believed in himself most. He couldn’t always rely on the protection of a young lady like Mu Qiaoxue!
“Why are you silent?”
Mu Qiaoxue glanced at Chu Feng and sighed softly. “Brother Chu Feng, do you find my words tiresome? I’ve said quite a lot, but since I address you as ‘brother,’ it’s for your own good.”
“I know!”
Chu Feng nodded, cupped his fists to Mu Qiaoxue, and said, “After tomorrow’s challenge against the Diamond Battle Rhino, I’ll leave the Mu family to visit my sister and brothers whom I’ve been apart from for over ten days. If there is another chance in the future, I will return to see you.”
“Do as you wish!”
Mu Qiaoxue turned her gaze toward the doorway. “You seem to have important matters at hand. Go on, I’m rather tired myself, so forgive me for not seeing you off.”
“Very well, farewell!”
Chu Feng was no fool; he could see that Mu Qiaoxue was angry, and she had sent him away before he could bid his own goodbye.
He had barely walked a few steps out of the bamboo lodge when Mu Qiaoxue’s voice called from behind—“Chu Feng, wait!”

Mu Qiaoxue stepped out.
“Miss Mu, is there something else?” Chu Feng paused and asked.
“Yes, there is. If there weren’t, how could I dare stop someone as hurried as you?” Mu Qiaoxue smiled coolly. “I almost forgot to ask—how is Xinlian these days?”
“Xinlian?” Chu Feng was taken aback.
“Yes, your sister, Chu Xinlian! Surely you don’t know another Xinlian?” Mu Qiaoxue asked curiously.
“No, I just didn’t expect you to ask about her,” Chu Feng replied. “Why do you ask?”
“Why? Ha, Brother Chu Feng, are you suspicious I might have ulterior motives and could reveal your sister’s whereabouts to the Terror Sect?”
Mu Qiaoxue laughed, saying, “I heard your conflict with the Terror Sect was because that Young Lord Xiong took a fancy to your sister Xinlian? So I thought Xinlian must be quite a beauty. I’d like to see for myself how lovely she is—that’s the first reason.”
“The second is, if you intend to wander the martial world on your own, what about Xinlian? Will you let her follow you, fleeing from place to place? If she has to travel with you, enduring the elements and living in constant fear, even the prettiest young lady’s looks will fade within months! By then, you as her brother will be guilty indeed.”
“That…” Chu Feng was instantly troubled.
What Mu Qiaoxue said was exactly what Chu Feng had been worrying about; her words were perfectly reasonable.
“So, if you don’t want her wandering the martial world with you, nor wish her to marry early, then send her to me!”
Mu Qiaoxue said, “If Xinlian wants to become a martial artist and cultivate like you, that’s no problem. I can even promise her progress in martial arts will not be slower than yours! Or, if she doesn’t want martial arts and prefers another skill—alchemy, herbal cultivation, armor crafting, tailoring, crystal gathering—at least among the Nine Mountains and Eighteen Ranges, she won’t find a better teacher than me!”
She looked at Chu Feng. “Now, a rare opportunity is before Xinlian—will you let your sister have it?”
“Yes, of course I will!”
Chu Feng nodded without hesitation.
“Oh? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to trouble anyone? If Xinlian comes to me, I’ll have to teach her all sorts of things. Over time, the effort I spend will far exceed what it would take to settle your problems with the Terror Sect and Wind and Thunder Martial Hall! Chu Feng, you’re all talk—your actions say otherwise. I’ve been thoroughly tricked by you!”
Mu Qiaoxue shook her head, putting on a look of dejection, yet her face shone with a radiant smile.
“Ha, Miss Mu, you’re exaggerating! I, Chu Feng, don’t like to trouble others, but Xinlian is different—she’s more like you. She doesn’t mind bothering others, so I’m agreeing to your offer on her behalf!”
Chu Feng laughed as well.
He had indeed been troubled over how to settle his sister Xinlian’s future. He could roam the world, but Xinlian was a girl; she shouldn’t always follow him through hardship, and eventually she would marry. As her brother, it was his duty to find her a proper home.
What Mu Qiaoxue suggested was truly a perfect solution.
Xinlian at the side of Mu Qiaoxue—an expert at the ninth stage of body refinement—would be safe, and could learn from her. Her future would be limitless!
“Chu Feng, you really take advantage and play innocent. I almost thought you were a gentleman, but clearly you’re not!”

Mu Qiaoxue shook her head, smiling, and said, “I owe you a favor and want to help you solve the Terror Sect and Wind and Thunder Martial Hall problem, but you won’t accept it. Very well! If I teach Xinlian and help her achieve greatness, you’ll have to accept that favor, whether you like it or not!”
“Indeed! It’s Xinlian’s blessing to have you as her mentor!” Chu Feng nodded.
“What?”
As soon as he said this, Mu Qiaoxue’s smile vanished. She said, “Brother Chu Feng, are you truly clever or just pretending? If Xinlian is my disciple, what would you be in my eyes—my junior?”
“Oh, forgive my thoughtlessness—I didn’t consider that! It’s better for Xinlian to call you sister instead!” Chu Feng quickly corrected himself.
“Is that so? Think as you wish.” Mu Qiaoxue shook her head, looking a bit listless.
Chu Feng didn’t linger. He cupped his fists to Mu Qiaoxue and turned to leave.
As Chu Feng departed, in the green bamboo grove more than a hundred yards away, a man dressed entirely in green, blending so seamlessly with the bamboo that he seemed part of it, quietly withdrew a ram’s horn-shaped listening device from his ear.
A sinister smile appeared on the man’s face, but he dared not make a sound, moving stealthily and slipping away before Chu Feng could approach the grove.
“Miss,”
As Chu Feng walked away, Mu Yun’er appeared at Mu Qiaoxue’s side, whispering, “Just now, Ding Wanchong was hiding in the bamboo grove, eavesdropping on your conversation with Chu Feng. You must have noticed him long ago?”
As Mu Qiaoxue’s close maid, Mu Yun’er was well aware of her mistress’s abilities.
Mu Qiaoxue was at the ninth stage of body refinement, possessing insight and sharp senses, able to see and remember everything, her six senses more acute than any beast. Within a certain range, she could perceive through walls and obstacles.
With the study of secret techniques, she could even know herself and others, friend and foe, life and death, and the value of all things.
Mu Qiaoxue nodded.
Ding Wanchong, dressed in green, believed his concealment in the bamboo grove was flawless, but Mu Qiaoxue had seen through him from the start.
The first time she saw Chu Feng, she knew he had eaten python meat and sensed the violent battle python aura in him. Ding Wanchong’s little tricks were utterly beneath her notice.
“Miss, what should I do?” Mu Yun’er asked, “Ding Wanchong may now know Chu Feng’s identity. If he harbors ill intentions, won’t Chu Feng be in great trouble?”
Mu Qiaoxue clasped her hands behind her back and paced slowly, her gaze flowing like water toward the drifting white clouds above.
“This boy Chu Feng has a tough fate. What is a crisis for others may well be a valuable trial for him!” Mu Qiaoxue smiled. “Even if it truly is a calamity, Chu Feng will find his own way to handle it. There’s no need for us to worry!”
“Haha, Miss, you’re right!”
Mu Yun’er nodded. Her mistress, a ninth-stage body refinement master with keen insight, could see others’ fortunes and recognize their fate. If she said there was no need to worry, then surely there was nothing to fear.