Chapter 158: Bone Mending

"Since I have received your answer, I have nothing else to say. If you are worried, you can go home and check on them now, then come to the Hong Sect this afternoon. Let us give it a try," Cheng Feng said calmly.

Cheng Feng also felt he was being somewhat despicable, but what of it?

On Sui Ran's side, the fine salt business could only be stabilized through deception; the territory on the Hutou Gang's side was only obtained through seizing it;

Only the Wang Tieshan Martial Arts Hall side relied on his own luck, but if it weren't for those one hundred and fifty taels of silver, he would be absolutely nothing!

So, what did it matter if he threatened Wu Feng a little?

However, this incident also served as a reminder to Cheng Feng; he realized that his own household also needed an expert to hold the fort. So, who would this person be?

Cheng Feng could not help but think of Cai'er.

As the woman in charge of the household, Cai'er and Meiniang had always coexisted peacefully. Moreover, as time passed, Cai'er, who had long held the position of manager, gained more and more of Cheng Feng's approval and affection.

Cheng Feng had once always thought Cai'er was the most suitable candidate. But if he were to let his own woman go onto the battlefield to fight, it would indeed be somewhat inappropriate; after all, it would damage her dignity.

However, if Cai'er could learn martial arts, perhaps she could take the lead, thereby stimulating the enthusiasm of the other women. In this way, the strength of the entire family would also be improved.

That was until Cheng Feng unexpectedly discovered Yu Niang! Although she was older, her talent was astonishing. This caused a biased thought to arise in Cheng Feng's heart.

After the Training Camp ends, Big Brother and Lao San should be able to inject the serum.

After all, men must grit their teeth and endure, no matter how painful it is.

As for Xu Miao, judging by her recent performance, she was still quite stable. And Cheng Feng himself possessed sufficient strength to firmly suppress her. Therefore, keeping her in the open to observe her was also feasible.

Watching Wu Feng's retreating back, Cheng Feng pondered to himself: at least for now, the position of Offering should be secure. He believed that as long as he successfully cured Wu Feng and acted proactively through the Hong Sect, he would surely be able to win over this hot-blooded swordsman.

After all, the Hong Sect was completely different from other gangs. Their source of income followed a high-end route, rather than oppressing the poor commoners at the bottom.

The protection fees collected were not high either; within the Hong Sect's territory, no one had any complaints about the Hong Sect.

Doing things with integrity and treating people with honesty had always been the creed the Hong Sect adhered to.

In the past dozen years, Wu Feng must have witnessed countless dark sides; the Hong Sect would undoubtedly become the ideal destination in his heart.

Returning home, Wu Feng saw his wife busy as usual, and a sense of worry could not help but well up in his heart. He furrowed his brows and asked softly, "Xiu Niang, are you and the children alright? Nothing happened, right?"

Xiu Niang was beautiful in appearance and dressed in coarse cloth clothes, focusing intently on her needlework. She looked up at her husband's slightly anxious face,

and responded with confusion, "Nothing's wrong. This is work Zhang Po brought over for me to do just now; I can earn five wen after finishing it. I was just bored, and the child is playing with the boys next door. Why do you ask?" Hearing Xiu Niang say that everything was safe and sound at home, the heavy heart Wu Feng had been carrying finally eased a little.

For these past dozen years, he had lived in seclusion, ignoring worldly affairs, just to avoid coming into contact with those powers again.

After all, the image of that hot-blooded swordsman from back then still made the major powers wary to this day.

Yet last time, the daughter of an old friend came to his door, asking him to help return a favor.

There was no need to kill or set fires; the old friend's daughter only hoped to use his background as a Blood Warrior to give a business rival a small warning, but he had not expected it to lead to today's events.

Now, Wu Feng was already twenty-nine years old, on the verge of stepping into the threshold of thirty.

Looking back on the past, he knew deep down that his life would probably just pass by in such a dull manner.

When he was young, Wu Feng saw a grown man relying on power to bully a weak woman, and he felt very angry, so he casually helped that weak woman take on this grudge.

But he did not expect this action to bring great disaster upon himself; it turned out that the man was actually the son of a gang leader.

At seventeen, Wu Feng resolutely took his sword and traveled the world, never showing mercy to those who deserved to die. However, one wave after another, enemies poured in endlessly. Helpless, Wu Feng had to hide Xiu Niang at an old friend's home, while he went alone to slaughter his way into the enemy's lair.

After a fierce battle, the opponent's entire gang was almost wiped out, but Wu Feng himself was unfortunately struck in a vital spot by his opponent, ruining the skill in his hands. From then on, he could never lift the sword in his hand again, and the once-feared martial power gradually dissipated.

As time passed, Wu Feng's Martial Dao cultivation gradually declined; no matter how hard he tried to breathe and meditate, he could not stop this trend. In the end, he could only give up.

Those bystander powers had once come to his door, wanting to recruit him, but after their respective doctors had seen him, they all left silently. Because everyone knew that Wu Feng's injuries could no longer be healed; since that was the case, it was better not to disturb each other.

Wu Feng had once secretly sworn that if someone could truly save him from fire and water, he would willingly throw himself under that person's command and serve them like a dog or a horse. However, thirteen years had passed, and he had never found any way to solve the problem.

Seeing her benefactor fall into such a miserable state, Xiu Niang was filled with gratitude and decided to offer herself to him to repay Wu Feng's life-saving grace. Wu Feng, who was already disheartened and dispirited at the time, silently accepted this affection.

Thinking back to those years, Wu Feng had stepped onto the path of the jianghu with infinite longing for the Martial Dao, but before long, his dreams were shattered like bubbles.

Since then, he chose to hide his name, usually working as an obscure accountant in Qingxi County; no one around him understood his past, and even fewer knew of his past encounters.

For over a dozen years, Wu Feng had taken deep root in this small county, married, had children, and lived an ordinary and peaceful life. The hot-blooded swordsman of the past had now been gradually forgotten by people; only the elders who held power in those major factions might still have a slight impression of him.

Until today, a young man broke into Wu Feng's life again. This young man spoke wildly, claiming to have established a gang, and invited Wu Feng to join.

Wu Feng could not help but feel pity; the other party clearly did not understand the complex situation and the depth of the waters hidden behind this small county.

But it didn't matter; since the other party had not moved against his family, Wu Feng was willing to accompany him to try it out, to let him understand the cruelty of reality and thus give up completely.

The Hong Sect disciples followed closely behind Wu Feng. When Wu Feng confirmed that his family was safe, they led Wu Feng toward the Hong Sect's territory.

Looking at the territory that originally belonged to the Sishui Gang now sporting the Hong Sect's sign, Wu Feng pondered to himself: "This is simply snatching food from a tiger's mouth!"

Having struggled in Qingxi County for over ten years, Wu Feng knew the local gang forces like the back of his hand.

He could not help but wonder: "Could it be that this Cheng Feng is attempting to use the small to defeat the big? Or is that old fellow Wang Tieshan backing him?" Wu Feng shook his head; these things had nothing to do with him; he was just here to go through the motions.

As for the injuries on his own body, Wu Feng had not held any expectations at all.

But face was something that had to be maintained regardless.

Times were different now; Wu Feng was no longer the hot-blooded swordsman he once was.

Cheng Feng did not come to the Hong Sect's main hall often, leaving most affairs to be handled by Wang Hu. It had to be admitted that Wang Hu was indeed quite capable in external management, which was the reason Cheng Feng valued him.

No matter when or where, talent was always highly cherished.

Hearing the disciple report that Wu Feng had arrived, Cheng Feng held the Black Jade Intermittent Ointment brought from home in his hand and prayed silently: "It's all up to you now."

If Wu Feng could not recover, Cheng Feng's entire plan might be affected.

With no extra time to waste on pleasantries, Cheng Feng immediately invited an experienced doctor to examine Wu Feng's injuries.

After a careful examination, the doctor confirmed the fracture in Wu Feng's right hand and accurately pointed out the location of the break. This made Cheng Feng feel slightly relieved; since the problem was clear, the subsequent treatment had a direction.

After sending away the doctor who shook his head helplessly and expressed that there was nothing he could do, Wu Feng said calmly: "Cheng Feng, you have seen it too; even the doctor you invited has no way, so let's end this matter here."

Cheng Feng reached out to stop him and said firmly: "Wait, I invited the doctor over just to confirm your injuries, not to rely on their Medical Skill. Don't go back on your word after I cure you."

Facing Cheng Feng's stubborn attitude, Wu Feng did not respond; he chose to remain silent, quietly observing what Cheng Feng would do next.

Cheng Feng waved the disciples outside the door away, then slowly took out an unremarkable black box from his bosom, placed it gently on the table, and said with a smile: "It's just a broken bone, it's just that it wasn't treated in time; what does that amount to! I happen to have a secret medicine here that I obtained from a wandering expert—Black Jade Intermittent Ointment. This medicine is a rare treasure specifically for treating broken bones; after an Ordinary person uses it, they can recover as before within three months; if a Martial Artist applies this medicine, the effect is even better, and the speed of recovery is astonishing.

However, your arm has been injured for a long time; even if you have been nourishing it with Qi and Blood daily to maintain the state of the flesh and blood, it has ultimately been too long. So, to be completely cured, you still need to experience the pain of breaking the bone once more before you can apply the medicine. Are you able to endure such pain?"

Looking at Cheng Feng's cautious movements and the confident expression brimming on his face, Wu Feng immediately believed him for the most part, yet he still couldn't help but ask: "Does this Black Jade Intermittent Ointment of yours truly have such miraculous effects?"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Cheng Feng's eyes, and he patted his chest, full of confidence: "If it didn't have such miraculous effects, would I dare to rashly invite you to join the Hong Sect? Do you really think just anyone can enter my Hong Sect?"

"Fine! Since that is the case, then let this bone be broken once again! I solemnly promise that if I am truly cured and recovered, I will willingly serve as a Protector for the Hong Sect. But the premise is that the Hong Sect must never force me to commit those vile acts of violating morality or bullying others by relying on power." Wu Feng expressed his stance in a firm tone.

Cheng Feng appeared very indifferent; he waved his hand casually and replied: "You can rest assured. After all, as an Offering of the Hong Sect, you won't be needed for trivial matters. Our Hong Sect has always only drawn our Sword against true powerhouses; what meaning is there in bullying the weak?"

Hearing this, Wu Feng felt a sense of relief in his heart and received a personal promise from Cheng Feng, the Hong Sect Leader: "Then please remember what you said today; you have already given me your word." His gaze was sharp, as if he wanted to deeply brand this promise into Cheng Feng's heart.

After Cheng Feng nodded firmly once more, Wu Feng took a deep breath and gripped the part of his right arm that the doctor had just pointed out with his left hand.

He gritted his teeth, Blood Qi surging in his left hand, and squeezed with all his might—only to hear a crisp "Crack!", Wu Feng's arm instantly swelled to a purplish-red color, and beads of sweat as large as beans rolled down his forehead.

Despite enduring such immense pain, Wu Feng only let out a muffled groan.

His bloodshot eyes remained fixed on Cheng Feng, revealing a sense of madness and hope in his gaze. At this moment, he secretly told himself in his heart: "If it still can't be cured this time, then I'll just accept it!"

The Wu Feng of the past was a swordsman full of passion and hot blood, but the hardships of life had long since worn away his former edge.

This time, he staked everything on a single throw, pinning all his hopes on this final attempt.

If he failed, he could only choose to accept his fate...

As for revenge? His heart was already dead, who was there to take revenge on?

Watching this scene before him, Cheng Feng thought to himself: 'This is truly a ruthless man!'

He then turned and went to the back hall to bring out the items he had prepared long ago. He first used the wine on the table to gently rinse the badly swollen part of Wu Feng's arm, and after wiping it clean, he carefully applied the Black Jade Intermittent Ointment evenly onto the broken bone.

Next, Cheng Feng fetched a clean piece of white cloth and carefully bandaged the area where the ointment had been applied. While bandaging, he repeatedly warned Wu Feng based on the information he had previously absorbed: "The absorption rate of the Black Jade Intermittent Ointment will be very fast in the first two days. If you feel it is not enough, you can come find me at any time, and I will replenish some for you."

Wu Feng felt a cool, refreshing sensation slowly spreading through his arm, which had often caused him unbearable pain.

This feeling made his heart tremble; after all, thirteen full years had passed, and he had finally felt the existence of his right hand once again.

Wu Feng murmured about the sensations in his body; as he spoke, he looked at Cheng Feng, his eyes filled with a trace of doubt and anticipation, as if he wanted to receive an affirmative answer from Cheng Feng.

Cheng Feng listened quietly, a faint, imperceptible smile appearing on his face. He nodded slightly, indicating his approval that everything Wu Feng described was the effect of the medicine.

After seeing Cheng Feng's response, the anxiety in Wu Feng's heart gradually dissipated. He widened his eyes, trying to suppress the tears that were about to spill over.

However, those tears were like a long-suppressed torrent that had finally found an outlet to break the dam, flowing down continuously and wetting his cheeks.

It has been thirteen years; who knows how that genius youth from back then managed to survive?