A Wound That Has Stopped Bleeding

Jiang Feng glanced over, unconcerned. “It’s just a scratch. You can lick it yourself.” Chong Fan stared intently at the wound, unmoving. Jiang Feng frowned. “A man shouldn’t fuss over such a minor injury.” He plucked a leaf and handed it to Chong Fan. “If you don’t want to lick it, just wrap it up.”

Chong Fan finally nodded, taking the leaf. Jiang Feng continued, “You’ll accept it anyway. I’ll get to work. Once you’re done with these, bring them over.” As soon as Jiang Feng left, Chong Fan’s diligence faded. He picked a couple of scallion leaves, then couldn’t resist peeling back the leaf to check his wound.

Perhaps something in the leaf had a special hemostatic property, for in no time, the bleeding stopped entirely, leaving only a fine mark. He stared in disbelief, then pinched himself hard. The pain was sharp and distinct—a clear sign he wasn’t dreaming. His blood had truly stopped flowing, the wound healed without priceless medicinal herbs or the aid of a master’s force, simply on its own.

From the moment of his birth, Chong Fan suffered a strange illness. His body was exceedingly fragile, blood vessels prone to rupture; even the lightest touch would leave enormous bruises. Worse yet, his body’s capacity for healing was weak. Even a small cut would bleed incessantly and could be fatal.

In any ordinary family, such a child would not have survived. Luckily, he was born into the Chong family—renowned as “the ones who claim gold from the world”—and was the only son of the family head. He was his mother’s sole child; upon discovering his illness, she resolutely chose not to have another, devoting herself entirely to his care.

He grew up like a flower in a greenhouse, untouched by hardship, more delicate than a vase. Even reading for too long would be discouraged. Yet his extraordinary talent could not be hidden by his frail health. He remembered everything he saw. His casual suggestions helped the Chong family avert a grave crisis and twice led to massive expansions of their business.

The Chong family grew increasingly regretful; if only such a child had a healthy body, what heights might he lead them to? Yet Chong Fan still had never tasted meat, his meals bland, unable to indulge in leisure or entertainment. Though born into the Chong family, even the poorest child lived more joyfully than he did.

This time, he had insisted his mother let him recuperate at the villa on Taiwu Mountain, simply so he could sneak out at night. To be honest, he didn’t know what he wanted, only that he could no longer endure his former life.

But now—what was happening? The vanished injury on his shoulder, his stomach untroubled after eating meat, and a wound that stopped bleeding on its own...

He turned in Jiang Feng’s direction, his face clouded with thought.

...

...

More than ten minutes later, Chong Fan filled a bamboo tube with washed seasonings and brought it to Jiang Feng. Jiang Feng glanced at it; it wasn’t perfectly clean, but it was clear Chong Fan had tried his best. Truly a pampered young master...

Chong Fan’s eyes shone brightly. “Is there anything else I can help with?” he asked eagerly.

Jiang Feng plucked all the tail feathers from the Phoenix-Eyed Chicken, placed them carefully to the side, then said, “We might not have enough firewood. Go gather some more.” Chong Fan looked at the high pile nearby, but still nodded happily. “Alright!”

Jiang Feng quickly finished plucking the chicken, removed its organs, dug out several fragments of wood-elemental cores, and tossed them aside. He wrapped two quails in clay, buried them with some wild yam roots underground, built a fire on top, and began roasting the chicken.

Night Snack was already waiting nearby; without Jiang Feng’s prompting, it began breathing green vapor onto the flames. The fire leapt up, then turned transparent, settling into a steady blaze.

Soon, a rich aroma spread from his direction. Chong Fan sniffed, glanced back, and his eyes widened. Whether it was Night Snack’s actions or Jiang Feng’s roasting technique, he didn’t know which astonished him more. In the end, he said nothing, only watched Jiang Feng intently.

Half an hour later, Jiang Feng called, “Dinner’s ready!” He brushed aside the ashes, dug out the hardened clay lumps, broke one open and handed it to Chong Fan. “This is for you—careful, it’s hot.”

The fragrance of the quail was overwhelming. Chong Fan took it gingerly, inhaled deeply. Jiang Feng asked, “You’ve never tried this way of eating, have you?”

Chong Fan hesitated. “I’ve read about it in books, but never tried it.” He bit off a piece, chewed twice, and swallowed quickly. Soon, he paid no mind to the heat, devouring one bite after another. If his table manners weren’t ingrained to his bones, he might have lost all composure.

Jiang Feng was stunned. “Eat slower, eat slower! Careful you don’t choke!” he urged.

Before he finished, Chong Fan’s eyes suddenly blinked, and a tear slid from his cheek to his lips. He was oblivious, swallowing it along with the quail meat.

Jiang Feng froze. He’d never imagined someone could cry while eating meat.

He rubbed his nose and muttered, “It’s not even that tasty. Miss cooks much better than I do…”

Chong Fan wiped his tears, finally regaining some composure. He asked, “Miss?”

Jiang Feng nodded. “Yes, she’s the most important person to me. She’s remarkable—can do anything, and does it all well…” He said only two sentences before falling silent.

“Where is she now? Where did she go?” Chong Fan pressed.

Jiang Feng fell quiet, and after a long pause replied, “It’s nothing.”

He sliced off a chicken drumstick and placed it in front of Night Snack, who gripped it with short forepaws and ate happily. Jiang Feng took one for himself and began gnawing. Chong Fan unconsciously set aside his quail, staring at Jiang Feng in shock—within a single day, this wild youth had amazed him countless times.

The meat of a Bright Beast—can it be roasted and eaten so simply?

Without processing, the Bright Force inside…

He soon had his answer. Jiang Feng’s facial muscles twitched, large beads of sweat breaking out and dripping down. His eyes closed halfway, focusing inward, but his hands never stopped moving. After finishing two whole roast chickens, he was drenched, as if pulled from water.

He opened his eyes and nodded to Chong Fan. “Midday cultivation time. I’ll be away for a bit.”

Only then did Chong Fan notice that the sun was high overhead, showering the earth with golden light. Jiang Feng sat atop the peak near the valley, bathed in gold. Soon, the light gathered above him, forming a golden pillar that enveloped him completely. Bright Force visibly streamed through every pore, flowing beneath his skin.

Chong Fan murmured, “Golden Mountain and Jade Pillar! The phenomenon actually appeared!”

Jiang Feng cultivated for an hour, and Chong Fan watched him for an hour. The golden light gradually faded, and its powerful fluctuations subsided. Jiang Feng steadied his breathing, stood, and began practicing his fists.

He could now sense the movement of Bright Force within him. Each punch guided it, creating a surge inside his body, refining and strengthening him. After ten thousand punches, the Bright Force absorbed this session fused completely with his body. His gaze was sharp, his spirit vigorous, and he clearly felt himself growing stronger.

He jumped down from the peak, returned to the valley, and said cheerfully to Chong Fan, “Tomorrow’s the Half-Month Market. I’m going to Luming Town—you’ll come with me, and I’ll buy you some clothes to change into.”

He sized up Chong Fan. “But I definitely can’t afford anything like Cloud Silk, so you’ll have to make do.”

Chong Fan watched him oddly, then exhaled and asked, “What is the Half-Month Market?”

Jiang Feng replied, “It’s a gathering on the outskirts of Luming Town, held on the first and fifteenth of each month. Everything sold there is essential for martial practitioners. The Bright Beast materials I’ve hunted can be exchanged for some money there.”

Luming Town was a small place; most residents were ordinary folk, few martial cultivators, and even fewer of high rank. In larger cities, shops and markets for martial artists were often livelier than those for regular people. But here, such markets only appeared twice a month, and you had to go early.

Chong Fan nodded. “That’s right. Luming Town lies beside Taiwu Mountain and the Changchuan River, so transport is convenient. If not for the nearby Taicang Prefecture drawing away popularity, it might be even more prosperous. Some people rush here to collect mountain goods, but prices are probably lower than in Taicang City.”

He spoke clearly and logically, and Jiang Feng nodded. “You’re right. I don’t usually have much need for money, so saving time is better for me.”

Chong Fan shook his head in disagreement. “Saving time is good, but money is important. As the saying goes: ‘Poor scholars, rich warriors.’ Strengthening the body, guiding Bright Force, forging elemental cores and treasure tools—all require money. You may not feel it now, but you’ll understand in the future.”

He hesitated, then looked up at Jiang Feng. “If you trust me, you can hand over your Bright Beast materials, and I’ll sell them for you at the Half-Month Market…”

Before he finished, Jiang Feng agreed, “Alright, you help me. The commission can pay for your clothes!”

When Jiang Feng had mentioned buying spare clothes for him, Chong Fan felt awkward. Now, hearing this, he immediately straightened his back. “Leave it to me! I won’t let you lose out!”

———————————————— Oh, thanks to Xiao Ha 588 for the reward~ and DemonJay, mwah~