Chapter 106: The Wooden Cabin

Become a master?

Mu Feng was a little surprised. After thinking briefly, he understood. He sighed softly inside.

After the heavy blow, Chu San, though young, was no longer the simple, even somewhat naive boy he used to be. Though his expression was no longer blank, he had become silent and resolute.

“Chu San, get up first. Your injuries aren’t fully healed yet. Wait until your body has recovered, then we can talk!”

Mu Feng reached out to help Chu San who was kneeling on the ground, politely refusing.

He had just started cultivating himself, and there were still many things about cultivation he didn’t understand. How could he qualify to take a disciple? Besides, even if he wasn’t afraid of leading others astray and taught Chu San the beginner methods like Mu Family Fist and Visualization Great Art, how could Chu San practice in his current state? Not to mention the injuries on his face, without both arms, how could he circulate his energy or fight others?

“Master Mu Feng, if you don’t agree, I’ll keep kneeling and won’t get up!”

Chu San stubbornly knelt on the ground, kowtowing forcefully several times, his head hitting the ground with loud thuds. “Master Mu Feng, I hate it! I hate how useless I am! If I had even half of your skills—no, even just one percent of your skills—how could those beasts have captured my mother and burned her alive right before my eyes? Master Mu Feng, my mother… her death was so tragic! She was almost burned to charcoal, but her eyes were still watching me anxiously… Master Mu Feng, I beg you, please take me as your disciple!”

Remembering the scene of his mother being burned alive before him, Chu San’s eyes turned red. He didn’t cry out loud or shed tears, as if all his tears had already been cried out. But his body trembled uncontrollably, his small, thin frame enduring inhuman pain.

When other boys his age were still carefree, eating, drinking, and having fun, he had become a homeless orphan, having watched his dearest, most beloved person die before his eyes. That heart-wrenching pain was something even a weathered adult might struggle to bear!

Hearing the noise outside, Jing Wushuang came out wearing an outer robe.

Seeing Chu San’s suffering, she couldn’t help but recall the tragedy from last night and the innocent villagers. Tears streamed down her face. “Brother Mu Feng, please agree and take Chu San as your disciple!”

Thud… thud… thud…

Chu San didn’t speak anymore, just kept kowtowing. Even when he became dizzy and his head bled, he didn’t stop.

He wanted to train in martial arts. He wanted to cultivate!

After witnessing his mother burned alive before him, he seemed to have matured overnight, becoming a different person.

Seeing his determined gaze and skinny body, Mu Feng faintly saw a shadow of his own past. After a moment’s hesitation, he bent down and supported Chu San’s frail body. “Chu San, stop kowtowing. What virtue or ability do I have to be someone’s master? I’m not capable of taking you as my disciple now, but I know someone—a true top expert with great power and abilities. If you can become his disciple, in the future, you’ll surely become a great figure who can command wind and rain. If you trust me, then stand up and come with me!”

Mu Feng spoke sincerely. Looking at Chu San’s empty sleeves, he suddenly thought of those blood-red hairs and recalled a figure as elusive as a divine dragon.

“Alright!”

This time, Chu San didn’t insist. He suddenly stood up and followed respectfully behind Mu Feng. After reminding Jing Wushuang to rest early, Mu Feng quickly led him away, past many guards, to a remote wooden cabin deep in Mu Manor.

In the distance stood grand palaces or elegant annex courtyards. Here, besides ancient trees, green bamboo, and weeds, there was only one lonely small wooden cabin. A night wind blew, howling, making it look especially lonely and chilly under the hazy moonlight. Without knowing the inside story, no one would guess that the prestigious Family Patriarch of Jianning Mu Family Manor actually lived in such a simple little wooden cabin.

Outside the small wooden cabin, there were no maids, not even a single guard. It was emptier and simpler than where the servants lived. Yet, just as the two were about to push the door open, long hairs suddenly appeared in the air. Then, with a ‘Hu’ sound, a figure appeared before them, leaving a faint afterimage.

In an instant, it was as if he had emerged from the ground or stepped directly out of the void—his speed was astonishing. Even Mu Feng couldn’t clearly see his movements and hadn’t sensed any presence before.

“Young Master Mu Feng, are you looking for the Family Patriarch?”

Zuinü bowed slightly, as low-key and calm as ever.

In the deep, quiet night, he showed no surprise at Mu Feng’s sudden visit. It wasn’t feigned profundity or numbness from enduring hardships, but a natural calm—the kind that remained unruffled even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. Rooted in formidable strength and a deep-seated detachment from fame and fortune.

“No, Elder Zuinü, I came to see you.”

Mu Feng respectfully presented the embroidery in his hands and continued, “This is an embroidery my mother made for you personally. Please accept it, Elder Zuinü. I am deeply grateful for your care all these years. This morning in the mountains, if you hadn’t intervened, I might never have seen my mother again!”

“Good, good. Just like your father, a filial son indeed!”

Zuinü nodded, his gaze carrying a hint of appreciation as he saw traces of another person in Mu Feng.

“Elder Zuinü, I have one more request!”

Seeing that Zuinü seemed in good spirits, Mu Feng pushed Chu San forward from behind him. “This is a young friend I met in the mountains, named Chu San. He is simple-hearted, loyal, and good. Unfortunately, fate has been harsh on him. He lost his father early and relied on his mother. Last night, he survived a terrible massacre. His face was slashed 999 times, and both arms were cut off at the roots. As for his mother… she was captured by that scoundrel Mu Qingyuan and burned alive right before his eyes! After this trauma, Chu San is determined to learn martial arts and wanted to become my disciple. I find myself lacking in cultivation and unfit to be a master, so…”

Mu Feng briefly explained Chu San’s identity and experiences. Without any hint, Chu San promptly knelt before Zuinü with a thud, kowtowing heavily.

Back at the cliff, though he seemed numb and indifferent to life and death, he actually understood everything clearly. Mu Feng was right—this old man before him, also without arms, was definitely a top expert with unfathomable strength. If he could be fortunate enough to become his disciple, it would be a great blessing in his life!

Whoosh…

The cold wind howled, Zuinü’s long hair, trailing on the ground, fluttered in the wind, his expression calm. He looked at the frail Chu San kneeling on the ground. He didn’t refuse outright, nor did he agree, remaining silent for a long time.

Night, cold wind, disheveled hair…

All three remained silent.

The wind grew colder and colder!