Chapter 180 That Hollowed-Out Feeling

• Almost at dawn, Charmaine’s body suddenly jolted. In her head, it sounded like an eggshell cracking—then a deafening boom. The next second, she felt the energy inside her surge like floodwaters breaking a dam, roaring through her body without a single blockage. In no time, the energy ran a full minor cycle. “Grandmaster-Uncle, did I just open up my Ren and Du channels?” Charmaine asked Harold Lawson, not quite sure. “That’s right. Your Ren and Du are open. Congrats. From today on, your martial path is wide open. How far you go depends on your talent,” Pierre Cook said, collecting the silver needles from Charmaine one by one, tired but smiling. Tonight, he had used energy to transplant his daughter’s corneas and helped Charmaine open her Ren and Du. Without gold needles, he could only use regular silver ones, which burned through energy several times faster. After opening Charmaine’s channels, he felt like Charmaine had hollowed him out. “Awesome! I’m gonna be a martial expert too. Grandmaster-Uncle, I love you so much!” Hearing Pierre’s confirmation, Charmaine spun around and hugged him, then planted a hard kiss on his cheek. It stunned Pierre. Charmaine wasn’t even dressed yet, and that bold move triggered a very basic reaction. Especially when her firm curves pressed against him, it gave him a suffocating sense of pressure. Now it was Pierre’s turn to blush. “Uh… could you maybe put your clothes on first? Or I might lose control,” he said, forcing himself not to push away the girl in front of him—perfect figure, face that could rival any woman, and status to boot—awkward as hell. “Ah!” With Pierre’s reminder, Charmaine finally noticed her state. She let out a reflexive squeak and yanked the blanket over herself. “Go out first! Or… I can’t dress.” With her body covered, she spoke, shy to the core. Pierre packed up his silver needles, turned, and left the room, closing the door behind him. Once he stepped out and loosened up, that long-lost fatigue rushed in, leaving him a bit gaunt. This was the first time since inheriting his Master’s legacy that he felt this drained. He knew it was because he’d burned through too much energy. With that in mind, he quickly took two Vitality Pills, then sat cross-legged on the couch to circulate and restore what he’d spent. The pills wouldn’t refill energy fast, but they wiped out fatigue and brought his vigor back. Not long after, Charmaine came out, all dressed, cheeks still flushed. “Grandmaster-Uncle, I’m heading out first. Don’t forget the banquet tonight. This afternoon I’ll have my brother bring Tongtong to you,” she said. Pierre was meditating on the living room couch. He didn’t open his eyes—just nodded—and she left. In a blink, the day flew by. The banquet kicked off at eight p.m. Pierre arrived early, at 7:50, at the Peach Blossom Hall of the Laurel Hotel. The hall was buzzing. Almost all of them were young, and ninety-nine percent were single. This banquet was hosted by the eldest Miss of the Zhu family—one of Rockville’s top three powerhouses. In Rockville, only the Lu and Liang families dared to snub the Zhu. And the venue—Peach Blossom Hall at the Laurel Hotel—screamed matchmaking. Word was Miss Zhu planned to introduce Old Mr. Lawson’s granddaughter, Charmaine, to her brother. Every young person in Rockville wanted a glimpse of the God of War’s granddaughter, so the banquet drew a crowd of elite heirs. Some had even shown up one or two hours early to wait for it to start. Seeing that Charmaine hadn’t arrived, Pierre poured himself a drink and found a dim corner to sit down.