Hidden Weapons

Luoxia Valley placed the utmost importance on respecting one's teachers. Although this technique wasn't personally taught by Elder Wu, Qin Fengming felt immense gratitude towards the elder in his heart.

"Fengming, there's no need for humility. In our sect, over hundreds of years, countless prodigies have strived to grasp even the superficial aspects of this technique, dedicating their entire lives without any success. Your ability to cultivate it to completion is sufficient proof that your talent is indeed several times stronger than others."

Listening to Elder Wu's sincere praise, Qin Fengming felt no pride whatsoever.

Looking at the respectful young man before him, Elder Wu was also greatly impressed. Weren't all those genius disciples arrogant and high-minded? Yet, this young man before him was remarkably calm.

"Ah, I almost forgot why I came here. Those small items you asked me to craft have been completed, and I've brought them to you specifically this time."

"Ah, really? Thank you so much, Elder Wu!" Hearing this, Qin Fengming immediately bowed happily. His excitement was even greater than before.

Taking the cloth bag handed over by Elder Wu, Qin Fengming appeared very thrilled.

After respectfully seeing Elder Wu off, Qin Fengming quickly returned to his room. With a rapid flick of his wrist, he poured the contents of the cloth bag onto his bed.

Looking at the dozens of small parts cast from fine iron on his bed, Qin Fengming's eyes gleamed.

Following the blueprints he had drawn himself, Qin Fengming organized and compared each part one by one. He found that all the components corresponded perfectly with the drawings. Only then did Qin Fengming relax.

The Detailed Explanation of Mechanisms had already been returned to Wangyue Peak. Now, to assemble the Cold Star hidden weapon, he could only rely on his memory.

Sitting cross-legged on a wooden chair, Qin Fengming closed his eyes slightly, his mind rapidly recalling the assembly steps for the Cold Star hidden weapon. It wasn't until after a full meal's time that he began the assembly.

An hour later, a dark, small box appeared before Qin Fengming.

The box was palm-sized. The front lid had five bean-sized holes, with two small ear-like holes on each side. There was a small hole on the left side of the box.

Qin Fengming knew that these side holes were for fixing the device, and the hole on the left was for connecting the trigger mechanism. He connected the mechanism with a tough silk thread he had prepared, leading it out of the box through the small hole.

Looking at the Cold Star hidden weapon in his hand, Qin Fengming felt a surge of excitement. He carefully took out five Heart-Questioning Nails and placed them into the five grooves inside the box with utmost care, then cautiously secured the lid.

He then picked up the box, aimed the front hole at the bamboo wall opposite him, and pulled the silk thread forcefully with his right hand.

Clack

With a crisp sound, five cold glints flashed before his eyes. Almost simultaneously, a "thud" sounded from the bamboo wall opposite. Five small holes, arranged in a cross shape, appeared on the bamboo wall.

Touching the five holes that had pierced the bamboo wall, Qin Fengming was filled with joy.

The power of this 'Cold Star' hidden weapon was even beyond his expectations. It could penetrate a sturdy bamboo wall with a single strike. If it hit a person, it would undoubtedly enter their body. Even a martial arts master who practiced body refinement techniques would undoubtedly suffer some flesh wounds.

Finding several thin ropes, Qin Fengming, following the introduction in the Detailed Explanation of Mechanisms, secured the 'Cold Star' to his chest and tied the thread connected to the mechanism to his left arm.

He then repeatedly experimented, constantly adjusting the length of the thread and its position on his left arm. After practicing for over half an hour, he finally adjusted the thread's position perfectly.

Over the next few days, Qin Fengming repeatedly tested and fired the 'Cold Star' hidden weapon. He finally achieved mastery, able to use it at will.

After several days of exploration and test firing, Qin Fengming realized that although this hidden weapon was extremely sharp, its killing power was very limited. If it didn't hit a vital spot, it would be difficult to kill or capture the opponent with a single strike.

To solve this drawback, the only way was to coat the Heart-Questioning Nails with a potent poison.

With this thought, Qin Fengming no longer delayed. He appeared before Elder Wu again.

"Heh heh, coming back to me so quickly, are you looking to ask for some potent poison?"

Seeing Qin Fengming arrive again, Elder Wu chuckled and said with a smile. With his experience, he naturally knew the drawback of the hidden weapon he had given the young man earlier.

"Ah, Elder already guessed it. That's right, I've come to seek a potent poison, but preferably something that can make someone lose their ability to resist upon contact, without causing significant harm to their life."

Seeing that Elder Wu already knew his purpose, Qin Fengming secretly admired him and admitted it directly.

"I have potent poisons that can cause death upon contact, but something like what you described requires careful consideration."

With a thoughtful expression, Elder Wu pondered silently.

After a full cup of tea's time, he suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed with pleasant surprise:

"Haha, I've thought of something that roughly fits what you're looking for. Our sect has a Spirit Numbing Powder. As long as it comes into contact with blood, it can immediately make the target's entire body go limp and lose the ability to move.

However, the effect of the Spirit Numbing Powder is very short-lived. Those affected will recover their mobility within a cup of tea's time without needing any antidote. For a martial arts expert, it only takes a moment to recover. If they encounter someone with profound cultivation, they might be able to neutralize it in just a few breaths."

Hearing Elder Wu's words, Qin Fengming's mind raced.

Although this kind of medicine could be neutralized in moments by a martial arts expert, with his Azure Cloud Maze movement technique, he could reach the opponent's side in the blink of an eye. Whether it was to kill or capture, he could definitely subdue the opponent.

"This kind of medicine is exactly what Fengming needs. But I wonder if Elder can procure this anesthetic?"

"The Spirit Numbing Powder can be concocted by our Hall Master Guo. I'll go find him now, it shouldn't be a big problem. I can hand it over to you in two days."

At noon two days later, Qin Fengming received the Spirit Numbing Powder brought by Elder Wu as scheduled.

After informing Qin Fengming of its usage, Elder Wu turned and left.

According to a certain ratio, Qin Fengming dissolved the Spirit Numbing Powder in a certain amount of clean water. After stirring evenly, he placed all the Heart-Questioning Nails into the mixture.

After soaking for a full hour, Qin Fengming used chopsticks to take out the Heart-Questioning Nails one by one, let them dry, and then carefully placed them into a leather pouch. He then carefully placed the five reserved Heart-Questioning Nails into the 'Cold Star' and eagerly walked into the depths of the dense forest.

His figure moved rapidly through the mountains and forests, and soon he spotted a mountain rabbit.

Looking at the rabbit, Qin Fengming silently prayed, "I'm sorry, but to test this hidden weapon, you'll have to be a target."

With a light click of the mechanism, the rabbit, which was chewing on grass leaves, immediately flipped over and fell to the ground, its body limp as if it had no bones.

After a full meal's time, the rabbit flipped over, stumbled, and hopped into a nearby pile of rocks before disappearing.