Chapter 26: Generosity and Magnanimity

At this moment, it was midday, with the blazing sun hanging high overhead. Beneath the searing sunlight, Ding Wanchong and Mi Xin Jian, master and disciple, walked with their backs bare and feet unshod, carrying several layers of Tiger-thorn Serpent-briers upon their shoulders.

Their heads were bowed, disheveled hair shrouding their faces, resembling criminals burdened by grave misdeeds, trudging forward step by painful step.

The Tiger-thorn Serpent-brier was a type of thorny vine found along the Serpent Path of Tiger Mountain, covered in countless tough, backward-facing barbs. It took a century to mature, and when placed on a great stone, it could leave deep impressions. Its surface bristled with hooks like a tiger’s claw, and once driven into flesh, the entire vine would worm its way into the body like a serpent, hence its ominous name.

Ordinarily, hunters harvested these briers to set in pit traps, instantly paralyzing any beast that fell upon them. When used to tame wild creatures, they rendered the most stubborn beasts docile.

Ding Wanchong was the chief disciple of the Mu Family’s fiftieth generation, currently at the sixth stage of the Body-Tempering Realm, the level known as “Qi Induction.” Though his physique was as resilient as “Iron Bones,” even he could not bear the weight and vicious sting of several layers of Tiger-thorn Serpent-brier. Along the way, his back was torn open, blood streaming down in rivers.

Mi Xin Jian fared little better. Though he bore fewer briers, his strength was only at the third stage of Body-Tempering. Even a few strips of Serpent-brier left his flesh lacerated, blood flowing incessantly. With every step, the barbs tore anew at his skin, a pain that drilled straight into the bone.

Step by agonizing step, Ding Wanchong approached within several yards of the high platform, then glanced up at those gathered above. Slowly, he lowered himself to his knees.

Without hesitation, Mi Xin Jian knelt beside his master.

Bowing their heads like supplicants awaiting their doom, neither spoke a word.

Witnessing this, Chu Feng felt a surge of satisfaction, exulting inwardly. These two had repeatedly offended him before; to say he bore no resentment would be a lie. Now, seeing them thus, his anger was considerably soothed.

Catching Mu Zhentong’s gaze upon him, Chu Feng suddenly had a thought and asked, “Master Mu, may I ask—what is the reason for this?”

Pointing toward Ding Wanchong and Mi Xin Jian below the platform, Chu Feng feigned puzzlement.

“Nephew Lin Shan, I heard that when you first offered your services, Ding Wanchong and Mi Xin Jian gravely offended you? Ding Wanchong is my chief disciple, and Mi Xin Jian is a prominent member of the fifty-first generation. While I was bedridden, not only did they fail to welcome you warmly, but they repeatedly clashed with you, nearly driving you away in anger! Whether for the Mu Family’s reputation or Miss Mu’s life, their guilt is undeniable.”

Mu Zhentong put aside his previous smile, his expression stern.

“Nephew Lin Shan, if you harbor any grievances, feel free to address them to these two! Moreover, the two thousand gold that Ding Wanchong lost to you in a wager has already been handed to Mu Kaishan. You may claim it at any time!”

Mu Zhentong’s words were not for show. According to the house rules of the Celestial Mechanism Mu Family, any disciple who offended an honored guest must face punishment. Ding Wanchong and his disciple had offended Chu Feng, the very benefactor who cured Mu Qiaoxue’s vein affliction—a mistake that nearly proved disastrous. Naturally, their punishment was severe, and the lost wager was forfeit.

“Master Mu, you are too severe,” Chu Feng replied, shaking his head. “Brother Mi was only vigilant in his duties, suspecting me of being a charlatan and thus questioning me somewhat sharply—such an exchange is inevitable. As for Brother Ding, his concern for Miss Mu’s safety made him anxious about my methods and perhaps a bit harsh in his words. This is entirely understandable! I only worried that my own abilities might fall short and cause Miss Mu needless suffering. I bear no resentment toward either brother.”

The assembly, both above and below the platform, fell into utter silence—you could hear a pin drop. Everyone expected that, having succeeded in his endeavor, Chu Feng would take the chance to mock and belittle Ding Wanchong and Mi Xin Jian, venting his grievances.

No one anticipated that Chu Feng would speak with such magnanimity.

The crowd was astonished; Ding Wanchong was even more so. He could not help but look up at Chu Feng, studying him intently.

Chu Feng met his gaze, then immediately descended from the platform to stand before Ding Wanchong.

“Brother Ding, please rise!” Chu Feng grasped Ding Wanchong’s arm, raising his voice. “Brother Ding, your concern for Miss Mu’s safety made it difficult for you to trust me—that, I completely understand! Now that Miss Mu is out of danger, the Mu household should be celebrating. Why endure this suffering any longer?”

“I… I…” Ding Wanchong was at a loss for words. Had Chu Feng mocked or scolded him, he would have found it easier to respond. But spoken so openly and generously before all, Ding Wanchong was overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. Whether he admitted fault or not, he looked petty, for Chu Feng had dismissed the matter as nothing.

He opened his mouth, but no words came. The pain in his flesh was nothing compared to the bitterness in his heart; he wished only to vanish from sight.

“Hurry! Someone, help Brother Ding and Brother Mi remove those briers!” Chu Feng called out. Seeing Ding Wanchong’s back torn to shreds, thorns still embedded and scraping against bone, he exclaimed, “Brother Ding, you have suffered! Be sure to use the finest herbal medicines for your recovery!”

At Chu Feng’s command, several disciples rushed forward to carefully remove the Tiger-thorn Serpent-briers from Ding Wanchong and Mi Xin Jian’s backs.

Upon the platform, Mu Zhentong nodded approvingly at Chu Feng’s actions. Even Mu Kaishan, Mu Kaihe, and several younger elite disciples looked upon Chu Feng with newfound admiration.

“Who would have thought Master Lin Shan possesses not only unmatched skill but also such generosity and magnanimity! Not a single word of mockery—he truly repays enmity with virtue!”

“Indeed! Such grace is rare. Master Lin Shan’s conduct is a model for us all.”

“Absolutely! Once the banquet begins, I must toast Master Lin Shan to show my respect!”

The elite disciples gathered around Chu Feng, unable to withhold their praise.

Hearing compliments from all sides, Chu Feng was inwardly delighted. In truth, he was neither a petty villain nor a saint who always repaid evil with good. He considered himself someone who met kindness with greater kindness, and insult with greater insult.

Observing Ding Wanchong and his disciple submitting to punishment, Chu Feng had already decided to let the matter rest.

First, he needed to train in the Celestial Mechanism Mu Family’s mechanical chambers and would be staying for some time; forming alliances was wiser than making enemies.

Second, Ding Wanchong, as Mu Zhentong’s personal disciple and chief of the fiftieth generation, wielded considerable influence. Humiliating him would offend many.

Third, by showing magnanimity and resolving this conflict openly, many Mu Family disciples would look upon him favorably—far better than sowing discord.

Now, it was clear Chu Feng’s calculations were sound.

Among the Mu Family disciples, few sympathized with Ding Wanchong and Mi Xin Jian; instead, all praised “Master Lin Shan” as a man of skill and exceptional character.

“Excellent! Since Master Lin Shan is so magnanimous, let us lay aside all past unpleasantness,” Mu Zhentong declared. “The hour is noon, and the banquet is prepared! Master Lin Shan, will you join me for a celebratory drink?”

“With pleasure!” Chu Feng replied, saluting with cupped hands.

…

The Mu Family’s Zhiwei Pavilion was filled with more than three hundred banquet tables spread across three floors. The aroma of delicacies and fine wine filled the air, with tables laden with exotic meats and colorful dishes said to increase martial prowess.

The wines were exquisite fruit and medicinal brews, reserved for the family and unavailable in any market.

As the honored guest, Chu Feng sat at the leading table on the eastern side of the third floor, dining with Mu Zhentong, his wife, and several family elders.

At the adjacent table sat prominent martial artists from the Nine Mountains and Eighteen Veins, including envoys from the four great powers.

Mu Qiaoxue’s vein affliction had thrown the Celestial Mechanism Mu Family into turmoil, and word had already spread throughout the region. Many allied martial artists came to offer their regards, and the four great powers sent special envoys bearing gifts.

At the table behind Chu Feng sat representatives from the Jiuxuan Sect and the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall—though none from the Kong Sect were present.

To Chu Feng, sitting among these notable figures of the martial world was an invaluable opportunity. Though outwardly composed, he was inwardly thrilled.

“Brother Yang, these truly are troubled times for our Nine Mountains and Eighteen Veins,” remarked a martial artist in a dark-blue tunic—clearly from the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall—during the heat of drinking.

“Brother Zuo, what makes you say so?” came the reply.

“Just recently, a certain Chu Feng from the Kong Sect and his sister set fire to their stronghold and escaped. Against all odds, he survived and, not long after, slew the fourth and fifth of the Xiong Clan’s Five Tigers! The Kong Sect has now placed a bounty of one hundred thousand silver on his head, hunting him across the land. But this man is no ordinary foe; he may yet contend with the Kong Sect!”

The martial artist surnamed Zuo took a sip before continuing, “And at our Wind and Thunder Martial Hall, just days ago, our master dispatched four experts from the Wind and Thunder Halls to hunt a Golden War Python. The python vanished, and Tang Dong of the Thunder Hall is missing—neither alive nor dead. He likely came to a bad end, and our master is investigating.”

“And as for the Celestial Mechanism Mu Family, Miss Mu’s affliction nearly plunged the household into chaos. Fortunately, with help from a worthy benefactor, all was resolved. Now, let us hope the Jiuxuan Sect avoids further calamity!”