Chapter 542 - 532: Chu Aoqing’s Request

Chapter 542: Chapter 532: Chu Aoqing’s Request

Taking a deep breath, Mu Chen glanced at the full moon in the sky, his thoughts turning to the Tiger Green Spiritual Liquid in his Storage Ring. ’If it’s just to restore a hand, a third of it should be more than enough.’

The only reason his arm had been so difficult to restore was that strange curse on it. Otherwise, just a tenth of the Jade Green Spiritual Liquid would have been enough for a full recovery.

’I’m in no rush to absorb the Gold Attribute Primordial Power. I’ll focus on mastering the Beginner’s Chapter of the Forest of Myriad Manifestations first.’

His decision made, Mu Chen’s figure vanished, leaving only a silvery afterimage hanging in the air.

...

"Huh?"

The moment he stepped into their suite, Mu Chen was surprised to find that Chu Aoqing hadn’t gone upstairs. Instead, she was still waiting for him in the great hall. She was completely spaced out, not even noticing his arrival. An urge to tease her stirred within him.

He tiptoed over to Chu Aoqing and found himself captivated by her flawless, exquisite face. ’Don’t they say the night has a way of amplifying a person’s beauty?’

Ever since that intimate night with Chu Aoqing, her image had been inexplicably etched into his mind. It wasn’t liking or love, but a more indescribable feeling—something almost possessive.

Lost in thought, Mu Chen found his face uncontrollably drawing closer and closer to hers, pausing only when the tip of his nose was about to brush against her cheek. At that exact moment, Chu Aoqing snapped out of her daze. Suddenly aware of a dark figure before her, she instinctively turned her head. As she did, their paths collided. He was looking up slightly; she was looking down. When she turned, the corners of their lips brushed against each other. A jolt, like an electric shock, shot through them both!

"Ah!"

Chu Aoqing’s shriek of surprise sent Mu Chen tumbling to the floor. He looked up at her, his face a mask of embarrassment. Realizing it was him, Chu Aoqing’s cheeks flushed a faint red. "You’re back! Why didn’t you say anything?" she chided. "Are you trying to scare me to death?"

Mu Chen gave a wry smile. "You’ve got it all wrong. I did say hello, but you were so lost in thought you didn’t even notice."

Chu Aoqing settled back into a velvet armchair, crossing her arms over her chest. She angled her long, slender legs to the side, her posture the picture of nobility and grace. Her large, red eyes narrowed as she stared at Mu Chen. "Is that so? Then why were you so close to me?"

As she spoke, however, she was replaying that sudden contact in her mind. ’It’s strange,’ she thought. ’I used to find all men repulsive, but I wasn’t the least bit angry just now. In fact... I think I might have even liked it.’

Mu Chen laughed awkwardly, rubbing his nose as he said earnestly, "Honestly, I just saw you spacing out and wanted to give you a little scare. That’s all."

"That’s it?" For some reason, Chu Aoqing felt a pang of disappointment at his earnest reply.

"Er... that’s it."

He inwardly cringed. Of course, he couldn’t just admit it was because she was so beautiful he’d been completely mesmerized. Fearing he’d let the truth slip if he continued, he quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, why haven’t you gone to rest yet?"

Chu Aoqing quickly masked the disappointment in her eyes and slowly rose to her feet. "I’m your personal guard. With the person I’m supposed to be protecting still out, how could I possibly rest? But now that you’re back, I’ll be turning in."

With that, Chu Aoqing turned. With a light tap of her toes, she gracefully ascended to the second floor in just a few steps, giving Mu Chen only a glimpse of her back before she vanished into the darkness. A moment later, her soft voice drifted down to him.

"Remember, you have your own room now. Don’t sleep in the great hall anymore."

He subconsciously reached up to rub his nose again, then stopped himself. ’I’m going to wear the tip of my nose flat,’ he muttered. ’When did I even pick up this habit? Whatever. I’ll go check out my room.’

To be honest, cultivating in an armchair was exhausting. The space was too small, and it felt a little stifling. As he reached the second floor, Mu Chen habitually glanced toward his old room, only to remember it was now Chu Aoqing’s.

"Huh?"

A single glance revealed something new: a cute little sign hanging on her door. On it were the words, "Resting. Please Do Not Disturb." The sight made Mu Chen smile. When he recalled the pajamas she had been wearing that morning, he couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

To keep Chu Aoqing from hearing him, Mu Chen quickly slipped into the Cultivation Room. The moment he stepped inside, the faint, refreshing scent of flowers filled the air, soothing his spirit. As he looked around the room, following the fragrance, he was surprised by a feeling of home.

The scent came from several Awakening Flowers on the windowsill. Despite its name, the Awakening Flower wasn’t a medicinal herb that stimulated one’s Spirit. Rather, it was a herb that dispelled fatigue, and it had no side effects.

"A windowsill?"

Mu Chen vaguely recalled this Cultivation Room being a sealed space. Besides the door, there were no windows. But now, he saw a brand-new windowsill, window, and even curtains.

A warmth spread through his chest. He knew that while he had been gone for the day, Chu Aoqing had done a lot for him.

Looking around, he saw the once-empty room was now fully furnished. His favorite additions, aside from the new window, were the large, soft bed and the desk placed before it.

He took off his outer coat and leaped onto the bed. The moment he sat down, he felt himself sink deep into the mattress. It was a level of softness and comfort he had never experienced before.

Tucking his gratitude away in his heart, Mu Chen sat down cross-legged. Just as he was about to enter a state of Dual Tasking for his cultivation, he suddenly heard the door open.

Mu Chen looked toward the door in surprise. Standing there was a figure in pink—it was none other than Chu Aoqing in her pajamas.

"Is something wrong?" Mu Chen couldn’t help but ask when he saw her hesitating at the door. "You don’t seem like your usual self today."

After a moment of internal conflict, Chu Aoqing pushed the door open and entered the room. Paying no mind to the fact that he was a boy, she slipped off her fluffy rabbit slippers and climbed onto the bed.

"Uh..."

Mu Chen was already getting used to this sort of thing. "If you need something, just say it," he said directly. "As long as it’s something I can help with, I won’t refuse."

Her face lit up. "Really?"

Mu Chen smiled. "Of course. But only on the condition that it’s within my power."

"I’m sure you can," Chu Aoqing said with conviction. Then, she asked, "Mu Chen... you said... can you really help someone restore a severed limb?"

Her words took Mu Chen by surprise. He paused, then gave a slight smile. "I couldn’t before, but I can now. However..."

He thought for a moment. ’She must be asking about restoring a limb.’ He mentally calculated how much Jade Green Spiritual Liquid he had left and concluded that he had enough to restore one more severed limb at most.

"However what?" Chu Aoqing asked, her voice filled with excitement. "If you can help me, I’ll do anything you ask!"

The moment she said that, Mu Chen’s expression turned icy. "If you ever say something like that again," he said in a cold voice, "I think our friendship is over."

Mu Chen spoke with absolute seriousness. Chu Aoqing was stunned at first, but then the meaning of his words sank in, and she couldn’t help but feel ashamed. She had judged a noble person by her own petty standards.

"I’m helping you because we’re friends, not because I want something from you," Mu Chen continued. "However, what I can restore is limited. As it stands now, I can only help one person, and only if the damage isn’t too extensive. For example, half an arm or a lower leg would be within my capabilities. But a full arm or a whole leg would likely be beyond my means. It’s not a matter of ability—I just don’t have enough of the medicine."

Chu Aoqing looked at Mu Chen apologetically. "I’m sorry," she said softly. "I was just too emotional. I apologize for what I said, and I take it back."

Hearing this, Mu Chen smiled. On some strange impulse, he reached out and gently patted the top of her head. The touch stunned them both. Mu Chen quickly snatched his hand back, his expression flustered as he stammered, "Ah, um, right, no, I mean... uh, hey? What were we just talking about?"

Seeing his flustered state, Chu Aoqing let out a small laugh. Her smile was like a hundred flowers blooming at once, and her expression softened. "We were talking about the extent of the damage," she said gently. "What I need your help with isn’t restoring a limb, but bones. I figure if you can restore an entire limb, bones should be even easier."

"Restoring bones?" Mu Chen, recovering from his embarrassment, thought for a moment. "Where are the bones?"

Chu Aoqing took a deep breath. "The spine. Half of the spine."

"Half of the spine?"

Mu Chen fell into thought. Chu Aoqing was right; restoring bone should be easier than regenerating an entire limb. However, the spine was one of the most critical parts of the human body, second only to the brain and the Dantian. ’Will that cause it to consume more Spiritual Liquid?’

After a moment’s hesitation, Mu Chen nodded. "It shouldn’t be a major problem. But who is it that needs healing?"

Her expression was resolute as she answered without hesitation, "My grandfather, Chu Jingyun."

"I see," Mu Chen nodded. "No problem. But where is your grandfather?"

Chu Aoqing fiddled with the hem of her clothes, looking a little surprised. "How come you’re not surprised my grandfather is Chu Jingyun?"

Mu Chen stared back blankly. "Who’s Chu Jingyun?"

"..."

Chu Aoqing was left speechless. "My grandfather," she said with a sigh, "is the Great Manor Master of Hidden Sword Manor... you know, the Sect Leader."

"Oh, Hidden Sword Manor," Mu Chen said nonchalantly. Then his eyes bulged in realization. "Wait, WHAT?! The Great Manor Master of Hidden Sword Manor?!"