31: trust

Qin Feng clutched his chest, which still throbbed with a faint pain, and quietly returned to the Huichun Medical Hall. The light was still on in Doctor Chu's room; it seemed he had been waiting for him all along.

Pushing the door open, he found Doctor Chu sitting under the lamp, leafing through a medical book. Hearing the movement, the doctor looked up, his calm gaze falling upon Qin Feng, pausing for a moment on his slightly pale face and his dusty, somewhat disheveled robes.

He didn't ask about the outcome, for the brief but intense clash of auras in the distance and the subsequent surge of the City Lord's Mansion's experts' presence had already told him everything. He simply set down his book, stood up, and pointed to the low couch nearby. "Sit down."

Qin Feng did as he was told. Doctor Chu stepped behind him, unfastened his lapel, and frowned imperceptibly upon seeing the bruised, purplish fingerprints on his chest and the faint, corrosive traces of poisonous mist on his skin. Without asking further, he took out silver needles and, with practiced and precise movements, inserted them into the surrounding acupoints to clear the stagnant blood and neutralize the residual poison. Then, he took out a specially prepared ointment and carefully applied it to the injury. The ointment was cooling, instantly soothing the burning pain.

Throughout the entire process, both master and disciple remained silent. The only sounds were the faint whistle of the silver needles piercing the air and the rustling sound of the ointment being applied.

After applying the medicine, Doctor Chu poured a cup of warm water and handed over a brown Medicinal Pill the size of a longan, which emitted a rich medicinal fragrance.

"Master..." Qin Feng took the Medicinal Pill and the water, finally unable to resist speaking, his voice somewhat dry. "Do you... have nothing you want to ask me?"

For instance, how did he find that maidservant so accurately? Why was he so certain she was the problem? Why did he choose such a risky approach?

Doctor Chu looked at him, the dim lamplight casting deep shadows on his face. He slowly shook his head, his voice peaceful yet carrying a detached air of someone who had seen through the world. "No."

Qin Feng was slightly stunned.

Doctor Chu continued, "Everyone has their own secrets and Opportunities, including myself." His gaze seemed to penetrate Qin Feng's body, seeing something deeper. "Your perception, your 'luck,' seems exceptionally good. This is a good thing."

He paused, his tone becoming more emphatic, carrying an unquestionable certainty. "But I know that you have repeatedly sabotaged the Purple Robe Bandits' schemes for the sake of Star South City, for the people of this city, for the medical hall, and for... us."

These few brief sentences were like a warm current, instantly dispelling the last trace of anxiety and guilt in Qin Feng's heart caused by his concealment. He understood; his master didn't need to know how he did it, only his stance and original intentions.

"Thank you, Master." Qin Feng lowered his head, burying that gratitude deep in his heart, and then swallowed the Jinchuang Pill. As the pill entered his stomach, it transformed into a gentle yet powerful medicinal force, rapidly nourishing his damaged Meridians and internal organs. The dull pain in his chest immediately lessened by more than half.

"These are medicinal bath packets for the next few days; they will be beneficial for recovering from your injuries and consolidating your cultivation." Doctor Chu placed several pre-prepared medicinal packets on the table. "Go back and rest well. For the next few days... refrain from going out for the time being."

"Yes, Master." Qin Feng picked up the medicinal bath packets, rose to salute, and left the room.

The moment he closed the door, he clearly heard his master's nearly inaudible sigh, followed by a whispered remark: "The feeling of having a disciple... isn't bad either."

The corners of Qin Feng's mouth curled up slightly. An indescribable sense of warmth and belonging filled his heart. The feeling of having a master's support and understanding was truly wonderful.

Returning to his own room, Qin Feng regulated his breathing to dissolve the medicinal power of the Jinchuang Pill while habitually refreshing the System intelligence at the zi hour.

[(White) Your master, Chu Yunhe, expressed extreme surprise and suspicion regarding your two consecutive precise disruptions of the Purple Robe Bandits' major operations (Zhao Qianshan, Ghost Net), even once speculating whether you were using a self-injury ruse or were an inside agent planted by the other side. However, after deep reflection, he believes it is impossible for the Purple Robe Bandits to sacrifice a Deputy Commander and dozens of elites for a setup. He ultimately concluded that you must possess a special method of tracking and investigation, and since your original intention was to protect Star South City and the medical hall, he felt relieved and decided not to investigate further.]

[(White) The Purple Robe Bandits sent a message to the Xingnan City Lord's Mansion through secret channels, claiming that as long as Deputy Commander Ghost Net is released, they can guarantee that none of their armed forces will come within a hundred li of Star South City for three years. After internal deliberation, the City Lord's Mansion replied: Ghost Net's crimes are well-established, and she must be detained for interrogation for at least one year as a warning to others. The matter of her release will be discussed later.]

[(Green) Before being captured, Ghost Net hid some of the important items she carried (including secret letters for contacting the Yin Demon Sect, internal tokens of the Purple Robe Bandits, and a small amount of emergency funds) in two separate locations: one is a hidden compartment under the incense burner of the 'Abandoned Earth Temple' in the south of the city; the other is in the hollow of the left eye of the stone lion (sealed with special wax) in front of the third house in 'Willow Lane' in the west of the city. She originally planned to wait for the heat to die down before having a lurking subordinate retrieve them.]

Looking at these three pieces of intelligence, Qin Feng's eyes flickered.

The first piece confirmed the turbulence in his master's heart and his ultimate trust, which made him feel even more at ease.

The second showed the toughness of the City Lord's Mansion and the Purple Robe Bandits' hesitation due to their fear of consequences; Star South City had temporarily won a breathing space.

And the third, Green intelligence! The items hidden by Ghost Net!

Secret letters, tokens, funds!

These were vital pieces of evidence and clues! Especially the secret letters for contacting the Yin Demon Sect; they might reveal what they were truly searching for and the deeper conspiracies! They must not be left for her subordinates!

Qin Feng took a deep breath, suppressing his somewhat erratic breathing caused by his injuries and excitement.

"As long as I get these items... I'll be able to grasp more of the initiative!"

He glanced at the heavy darkness outside the window and felt the injuries within his body rapidly recovering under the effect of the Jinchuang Pill. A clear plan formed in his mind.