Chapter 102: Making an Enemy

“Junior Sister Yao, why did you start crying all of a sudden?”

Seeing Yao Xiaoxi tearful now, when she had not cried at all after being slapped earlier, Chu Feng couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile. He dipped his finger into some ointment and gently applied it to the bruise on her cheek.

This ointment, specially formulated for facial injuries, had been purchased long ago on a speedboat on the Heavenly Wolf River. It was leftover from when Chu Feng treated Xiao Dao’s facial wounds, and he had never brought himself to discard it. Now, it was finally coming in handy.

“Master Chu, I... I’m just so moved! In all my life, no one has ever cared for me like this—applying medicine to my face! You’re like the brother I never had!” Yao Xiaoxi choked back her sobs as she spoke. “That slap from Chief Bai was totally worth it!”

“Xiaoxi, come on! Although Chief Bai’s slap was fierce, it didn’t even distort half your face. You’re really clever, trying to use this chance to call me your brother. Haha, if that were so easy, I’d be willing to let Chief Bai break my head!” Chu Feng teased.

“Yeah, Xiaoxi, being Master Chu’s sister isn’t as simple as you think! The fact that Master Chu can apply ointment to you after you got slapped—that alone is a big favor!”

The surrounding disciples, both male and female, couldn’t help but tease Yao Xiaoxi. Yet despite their teasing words, their eyes glistened with genuine envy.

“Who would have thought Master Chu is not only incredibly powerful but also so gentle and considerate! Lei Jianqin is truly fortunate to be betrothed to someone like Master Chu—her future will be bright and filled with tenderness!”

“Everyone says so! A man like Master Chu, fierce and unbeatable against enemies, yet approachable and kind to his own people, is truly admired by all! I dare say his future achievements will go far beyond mere martial prowess. Countless followers will surely rally behind him!”

“Ah, comparing people is really unfair! Look at Master Chu’s character, then look at our Chief Bai—there’s no contest! Chief Bai has lost not only in strength but also in character against Master Chu!”

Hearing these remarks, Chu Feng maintained his usual calm expression, without a trace of pride.

After applying the ointment, Chu Feng’s thoughts shifted, and he asked, “Brothers and sisters, does anyone know why Bai Naizhao holds a grudge against me?”

“I know!”

Before he finished speaking, a male disciple stepped forward and said, “Master Chu, Chief Bai’s resentment toward you is all because of that Broken Cloud Roc! Chief Bai is the head of the Beast Mastery Hall, and that roc was raised under his care. After it was injured by you, Chief Bai was restless for days—unable to eat or sleep properly, deeply troubled!”

“Yes! At first, Chief Bai didn’t know the truth. He thought the roc was weak due to poor care, so he paused his martial training entirely, focusing only on nursing the bird back to health. It was only later, through Han Mo of the Thunder Martial Hall, that he learned the roc was injured in a confrontation with you, Master Chu. That nearly killed it.”

“Because of the roc’s injury, Chief Bai’s martial progress was delayed by about ten days—that alone was infuriating. What made him even angrier was when he went deep into the Wuhansnow Mountains to explain the injury’s cause to the Wuhansnow Tribe. Instead of understanding, he was scolded by one of their four mighty women, the one nicknamed ‘Blade Tongue.’ Chief Bai was left utterly frustrated!”

“Indeed! Chief Bai is quick-tempered. After returning from the Wuhansnow Tribe, he was sick with rage for two days, losing even more training time. So, it’s understandable why Chief Bai harbors such resentment toward you, Master Chu!”

The disciples eagerly explained the whole story, each adding bits in turn.

“So that’s how it is!”

Chu Feng nodded. From this perspective, it was hardly fair to blame Bai Naizhao for stirring trouble without cause—it was justified.

He thought to himself, if someone had injured a flying beast under his command, causing him to lose ten days of training and suffer humiliation elsewhere, even if accidental, he would demand a satisfactory explanation and never let it slide.

“So, Bai Naizhao’s grudge is understandable and reasonable. But instead of resolving it through calm discussion, he chose to escalate the conflict and show me his colors. Well, I have no choice but to respond in kind!” Chu Feng said with a nod.

“You’re right, Master Chu! Besides the Broken Cloud Roc incident, Chief Bai is very competitive. In recent months, your rising fame in the Nine Mountains and Eighteen Valleys martial world has overshadowed him. For that alone, he probably sees you as a rival!”

“Exactly! Though Chief Bai’s appearance is unremarkable, among young warriors in the Nine Mountains and Eighteen Valleys these past two years, he ranks in the top five. You, Master Chu, are also a rising star. When you came to the Nine Profound Sect, you immediately became the center of attention, making Chief Bai look pale by comparison!”

“Yes, what you say makes sense. I understand this well. But this situation isn’t my fault!” Chu Feng nodded, then suddenly asked, “You mentioned the Wuhansnow Tribe has four mighty women? One called ‘Blade Tongue’? What exactly is a ‘mighty woman’?”

“The so-called four mighty women of the Wuhansnow Tribe are four exceptionally capable beauties! Though none of us have been there, we’ve heard some rumors. About these four women…”

“Hey, Junior Brother Yang, you’re too long-winded. Let me explain! The four mighty women of the Wuhansnow Tribe: the first is Blade Tongue, known for her sharp words; the second has a tender heart like tofu; the third sees everything in terms of gold; the fourth fights fiercely, risking her life in battle!”

“Oh?” Hearing this, Chu Feng’s interest was piqued. “It seems these four mighty women each have very distinct personalities. I wonder what their specific stories are?”

Chu Feng thought, since he would venture deep into the Wuhansnow Mountains tomorrow to attempt forging the Ice Pearl Gold Bead, it wouldn’t hurt to learn more about the tribe beforehand. Even if he had little interaction with them, understanding their nature was never a bad thing.

“Specific details? We can’t say much. Even if we knew a little, it would be hearsay mixed with fabrication—not worth listening to,” a male disciple replied.

“By the way, Master Chu, since you’ll set out for the Wuhansnow Tribe tomorrow, how confident are you in forging that Ice Pearl Gold Bead?” a female disciple asked with concern.

“That’s hard to say. It depends on the circumstances at the time,” Chu Feng replied.

“Oh! If Master Chu succeeds in forging the Ice Pearl Gold Bead, it will be a joyous occasion for all. But if you fail, I’m afraid the Wuhansnow Tribe won’t let it go easily. The vast Wuhansnow Mountains are easy to enter, but not so easy to leave!”

“Junior Brother Mo, you worry too much! What kind of person is Master Chu? How could he fail at forging? Even if he did, the Wuhansnow Tribe might not dare to do anything. After all, Master Chu has the support of the Celestial Wood Family and Thunder Martial Hall!”

“Not so sure! The Wuhansnow Tribe is not to be trifled with. Their male warriors are all fierce, and their female warriors are as cunning as foxes. They might not even respect the Celestial Wood Family or the Thunder Martial Hall!”

As the disciples continued to debate, Chu Feng waved his hand apologetically. “Brothers and sisters, I’m very glad you came tonight to talk with me. However, I feel bad that each of you lost ten points of your sect contribution for this visit. It’s late now, so please go rest. When I have the chance, I will return to the Nine Profound Sect to chat with you all again!”

“Master Chu, you’re too polite! Losing ten sect contribution points is a heavy punishment, but it’s a small price to pay. We’ll just work harder to earn them back. Besides, if we hadn’t come, we would have missed the chance to talk with you and witness your brilliant victory over Bai Naizhao. What’s the use of keeping those points if we can’t meet you?”

“Exactly! Master Chu, rest early. We wish you success in forging the Ice Pearl Gold Bead and fame throughout the Wuhansnow Mountains!”

The disciples all bowed to Chu Feng. Having met him tonight, witnessed his swift defeat of Bai Naizhao, and spoken with him face to face, they all felt richly rewarded. The ten points lost to Bai Naizhao were soon forgotten.

After seeing the disciples off, Chu Feng returned to his small courtyard.

He thought to himself, the grudge with Bai Naizhao—whether it ended peacefully or escalated—was up to Bai Naizhao now. If he wanted to talk, Chu Feng would talk. If he wanted to fight, Chu Feng would fight to the end.

As for the Wuhansnow Tribe, Chu Feng didn’t dwell on whether it was a peaceful paradise or a fearsome lair. He would soon find out for himself.

“Nothing else matters much, but the mystery of that storage pouch is worth some serious study. If I can fully understand its secret, using it will be much easier. I won’t have to rely on luck anymore,” Chu Feng mused as he entered his room and took the pitch-black ancient servant’s storage pouch into his hands.