Chapter 144: Getting Something for Nothing

Upon hearing Chu Feng’s refusal, Jin Sheng instantly wore a look of disappointment, which was mingled with an unmistakable trace of sadness.

"Brother Chu Feng, this is a gift from your younger sister, meant as a greeting and a token of gratitude for your journey here. How can you refuse to accept it? Do you think the gift is too meager or insignificant?"

Jin Sheng gazed at Chu Feng, speaking slowly with an expression of utmost heartbreak.

"Don't misunderstand, Sister! Brother Chu Feng has already accepted the sentiment behind your greeting gift!"

Chu Feng replied, "As for thanking me on behalf of the female clan for my ability to materialize ice-shell gold pearls, that is entirely unnecessary. If you truly wish to thank me, you can gather the maidens of the female clan and we can celebrate together. If not, that matters little as well; when I injured the cloud-breaking room eagle, lending a hand here was only right!"

By this point, Chu Feng grew increasingly convinced that this sister Jin Sheng, famously known as "having eyes full of gold," must have an ulterior motive for presenting this greeting gift, seeing as she still refused to take back the box.

"Sister, if there is something you need my help with, you can simply state it openly! If there is nothing, I will not accept this personal gift of yours!"

Chu Feng said with absolute firmness.

"Since it has come to this..."

Seeing Chu Feng's resolute expression, Jin Sheng rolled her bright, clever eyes and smiled, "Very well then. Little sister does indeed have a favor to ask of Brother Chu Feng. I had originally intended to bring it up later, but since Brother Chu Feng has asked, little sister will speak frankly now, alright?"

"Go ahead and speak."

Chu Feng nodded, thinking to himself that things were indeed as he expected: this sister with "eyes full of gold" showing goodwill toward him was truly seeking something from him!

"Brother Chu Feng, I want to learn your miraculous art of creation from you, so that I too can use spiritual power to create things just like you, materializing ice-shell gold pearls and the like..."

"What did you say?"

Before Jin Sheng could finish, Chu Feng could not help but interrupt her.

Chu Feng never imagined that while sister Jin Sheng looked so petite and delicate, her appetite was so enormous that she actually wished to learn the so-called art of creation from him!

Ever since Chu Feng materialized golden pulse needles at the Tianji Mu family, almost all warriors across the Nine Mountains and Eighteen Veins knew that Chu Feng possessed the divine ability to materialize metal-attribute objects, yet not a single person had ever expressed a desire to learn this art from him.

Jin Sheng was the very first!

Understanding her intent, the smile on Chu Feng's face stiffened somewhat.

Yuzui also wore an expression of astonishment, clearly not expecting Jin Sheng to harbor such an ambition.

Seeing Chu Feng's expression change, Jin Sheng asked cautiously, "Brother Chu Feng, what do you mean by this?"

"My meaning can be summed up in three words: absolutely not!" Chu Feng decisively shook his head.

"Oh? And why is that?" Jin Sheng asked earnestly, clearly wishing to have a proper discussion with Chu Feng about the matter.

"This divine ability of mine to materialize objects is a closely guarded secret passed down to no outsider; I will not impart it to anyone!" Chu Feng answered with utter certainty.

"Hehe!"

Jin Sheng chuckled as though she had just heard a small joke, "Brother Chu Feng, you surely don't think I expect to learn this divine art from you for free, do you? Rest assured, I will offer a tuition fee that will leave you more than satisfied!"

Chu Feng smiled without a word.

Yuzui also shook her head and said, "Jin Sheng, a gentleman does not force others. Since Brother Chu Feng finds it inconvenient to impart this divine art to you, you should stop pestering him!"

"My, Sister Yuzui, how interesting of you to say that. A gentleman does not force others? Am I a gentleman?"

Jin Sheng giggled softly and said, "I am no gentleman, Brother Chu Feng is the gentleman! Sister Yuzui, you should rephrase that: a gentleman delights in helping others fulfill their noble desires! Isn't that right, Brother Chu Feng?"

"Hehe, Jin Sheng, you really are a troublesome sister."

Chu Feng could not help but shake his head, saying solemnly, "Little brother is telling you quite seriously: this divine art of mine to materialize objects is inherently an unteachable secret. Even if it could be passed on, you wouldn't be able to learn it, because even I have not fully mastered it myself—how could I possibly teach you? Therefore, you had better dispel this notion as soon as possible..."

"Brother Chu Feng, how do you know for certain that I wouldn't be able to learn it? Even if I truly cannot learn it, I can have someone else study it!"

"What, you even want to have others learn it too?" Chu Feng exclaimed in surprise.

"Indeed! As the saying goes, give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to fish and you feed them for a lifetime! No matter which of our clansmen learns your secret art of creation, in the future you won't need to personally come to the Wuhan Snow Clan; we will be able to materialize ice-shell gold pearls all by ourselves. Brother Chu Feng, your virtuous merit would surpass the heavens!"

"Sister, stop lingering on this matter! I've already said it is impossible." Chu Feng shook his head and refused once more, "It is impossible for me to impart it, and none of you would be able to learn it! In short, you can completely banish this thought from your mind!"

"Brother Chu Feng, everything is open to negotiation! The so-called unteachable art simply means you haven't been offered sufficient benefits! Tell me, what price must I pay in order to learn this secret art?"

Jin Sheng still refused to give up, asking with stubborn persistence.

"Sister, if you are still determined to learn, then I will tell you this: you need not pay any price at all—the price will be paid by me!" Chu Feng said.

"Oh? How do you figure that? I am the one learning this secret art of creation from you, yet you are the one paying the price?" Jin Sheng asked, consumed with curiosity.

"Indeed!" Chu Feng nodded. "What I mean to say is: my head may be severed, but the secret art shall never be imparted! As long as I cut off my own head, the secret art can then be passed on, and I can teach it to you. Sister, do you still wish to learn?"

Hearing these words, Jin Sheng was instantly struck with awe. Catching Chu Feng's gaze fixed upon her, a chill ran through her heart.

"Brother Chu Feng, is... is it really that serious?" Jin Sheng asked cautiously.

"Yes, it is precisely that serious! If you believe you can name a condition that would make me willingly sever my own head, then go ahead and name it! If you cannot, then completely dismiss this thought. How about that?"

Chu Feng stared into Jin Sheng's eyes and asked.

"Ah, alright, alright, alright! Brother Chu Feng, I understand!"

Jin Sheng nodded hastily, then shook her head again, saying, "Brother Chu Feng, I was being too presumptuous just now. I haven't made you angry, have you? Look, you must still accept this greeting gift, consider it my apology for my presumptuousness!"

"Oh? Then do you still want to learn the art of creation?"

"Of course not! Even if my own head were to be chopped off, I wouldn't learn it! My head may be severed, but Brother Chu Feng's head must not be! Hmm, not even a single strand of hair shall be harmed!" Jin Sheng said solemnly.

"Hehe, very well then! In that case, I will accept your greeting gift!" Chu Feng smiled and nodded.

"Uh..."

Seeing Chu Feng put the small box away, Jin Sheng looked somewhat dumbfounded, a wry smile appearing on her pure white, delicate face.

"Brother Chu Feng, I have realized that you truly are a master! This trick of catching a wolf with empty hands is far more brilliant than my method of casting a brick to attract jade! You didn't have to teach me a single thing, yet this little token of affection still ended up in your hands! Brother Chu Feng is truly one of the very few who can ever take advantage of me, Jin Sheng. Well, thumbs up to you!"