Previously, Old Master Shi Tong had personally visited the Yunxia Sect, and Gu Qingfeng had refused to see him.
Later, he had even driven away Old Master Shi Tong's eldest disciple.
And today, he had beaten Young Noble Renxu right at the gates of Liuren Manor.
This person.
This man in white robes.
Just how audacious was this Chiyan Young Master Gu Qingfeng?
What did he want to do?
Was he provoking Liuren Mountain?
Or was he provoking Old Master Shi Tong?
Did he not know that Old Master Shi Tong was the Monarch's Teacher?
Did he not know that even Old Master Heishui would address Old Master Shi Tong as 'Senior'?
Did he have a death wish?
No one knew.
No one understood.
At the gates of Liuren Manor, the previously haughty Young Noble Renxu now lay collapsed like a pile of mud. He wasn't seriously injured, having only spat out a little blood, yet he couldn't stand up, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
Not far away, Steward Yang was also standing there in stunned horror, not daring to move.
A single move would cost him his life.
These few words rolled thunderously through his mind, shaking his very soul.
Just as the crowd was buzzing with shock and confusion, a group of four or five people hurried over, their faces etched with worry, clearly having rushed over upon receiving the news. Leading them was an old man.
The old man wore simple, ancient robes, his hair and beard grey-white, his weathered face grave.
Seeing this old man, the crowd immediately erupted.
For this old man was none other than Old Master Shi Tong of Liuren Mountain. Accompanying the old master were his eldest disciple, Great Manor Lord Feihe, and his fourth disciple, Feixuan.
Old Master Shi Tong and his party arrived at the gates of Liuren Manor. They glanced at the stiff, unconscious disciples, then at the panicked Steward Yang. When their eyes fell upon Young Noble Renxu, trembling and collapsed on the ground, their expressions all stiffened.
Old Master Shi Tong said nothing.
Great Manor Lord Feihe immediately went to check their injuries.
Feixuan, however, roared in fury, "Who did this?!"
Hearing the crowd clamoring the name 'Chiyan Young Master', Feixuan's gaze instantly locked onto Gu Qingfeng. He said in a low, dangerous voice, "You truly have the gall of a leopard! Daring to cause trouble right at the gates of our Liuren Manor! You're seeking death!"
Whoosh!
As Feixuan was about to make a move, Old Master Shi Tong barked a command, stopping him. The old master still said nothing, merely frowning deeply as he stared intently at Gu Qingfeng opposite him.
"Master, they are not seriously harmed, merely frightened," Great Manor Lord Feihe reported after checking on the disciples and Renxu's condition. He was also filled with immense shock and confusion, unable to understand why Renxu and the others had been frightened to such a state, nor could he imagine what method the other party had used. Even Steward Yang seemed...
Old Master Shi Tong nodded. The moment he arrived, he had used his divine sense to investigate. Precisely because he knew Renxu and the others were unharmed, he had stopped Feixuan. Similarly, he was deeply puzzled, unable to fathom what technique could have terrified Renxu so.
"So you are the Chiyan Young Master," Old Master Shi Tong finally spoke, one hand clasped behind his back, the other stroking his beard. His cloudy eyes fixed on Gu Qingfeng as if trying to see through him. Yet, the more he looked, the deeper his frown became; the more he looked, the stronger the shock in his eyes grew; the more he looked, the more unbelievable and inconceivable it seemed.
Because he discovered he could discern nothing from this young man.
Apart from the spiritual aura of the True Body realm, there was nothing.
No turbid aura, no pure aura, no immortal root, no treasure physique, no bloodline, not even the aura of a Great Nature Colored Spirit. It was a purely True Body realm aura, pure to the point of being impossibly pure.
Such a bizarre situation was something Old Master Shi Tong, having lived for two thousand years, was encountering for the first time.
He was sizing up Gu Qingfeng.
And Gu Qingfeng was also observing Old Master Shi Tong. To be honest, he had recognized the old master the moment he appeared. Compared to over four hundred years ago, the old master hadn't changed much. Though his hair and beard were whiter and his face more aged, his spirit was exceptionally vigorous.
"This junior, Gu Qingfeng, pays his respects to the venerable Senior."
Gu Qingfeng took a step forward, clasped his fists, and bowed his head in salute.
To be honest, he had rarely saluted others in his life, even a simple fist-and-palm salute was exceedingly rare.
In his youth, it was due to arrogance.
In his young adulthood, it was due to aloof pride.
In his maturity, it was due to unyielding defiance.
And later... there was no one left in the world who could bear the weight of his salute. A single bow from him had once been something even the Heavens could not withstand!
However, for an old senior who had once offered him guidance, Gu Qingfeng felt genuine respect from the bottom of his heart. Hence, the salute.
"Venerable Senior, previously, this junior failed to consider matters thoroughly, leading to a minor misunderstanding. This junior..." Before Gu Qingfeng could finish, Old Master Shi Tong waved his hand, interrupting him. The old master smiled faintly and said, "Chiyan Young Master, there is no need for self-blame, nor any need for apology. I am well aware of Renxu's character. If anyone should blame themselves, it should be this old man. If anyone should apologize, it should be this old man apologizing to the Chiyan Young Master."
As Old Master Shi Tong spoke these words, they carried a tone of sincerity, self-reproach, and a touch of helplessness.
Indeed.
Just as he said, he understood Renxu's character better than anyone. Upon arriving at Liuren Manor, a single glance had allowed him to guess the general situation. He knew his previous visit to the Yunxia Sect had caused some misunderstanding. Worried that the disciples of Liuren Mountain might cause trouble, he had reprimanded them. Moreover, before leaving, he had specifically instructed Steward Yang to treat the Chiyan Young Master with courtesy. Yet, such a thing had still happened.
"The Old Master's reputation for great virtue is truly admirable!"
Gu Qingfeng had seen too many people and experienced too many things in his life, but those who could truly embody the words 'impartial and selfless, of immense virtue and boundless merit' were exceedingly few. In his memory, Old Master Shi Tong was precisely such a man of great virtue and impartiality.
Gu Qingfeng knew he himself was no saint. He was well aware he could not achieve such great virtue and impartiality. Therefore, he respected Old Master Shi Tong from the depths of his heart. If not for this, given his nature, why would he have sent an invitation card and personally come to visit? He certainly wouldn't have offered a fist-and-palm salute.
It was because Gu Qingfeng knew Old Master Shi Tong was worthy of such respect.
"The Chiyan Young Master flatters me. Please, come inside."
Old Master Shi Tong wore a smile as he issued the invitation. Gu Qingfeng, for his part, did not stand on ceremony and walked towards Liuren Manor.
Witnessing this scene, the surrounding crowd buzzed with discussion, all praising Old Master Shi Tong's reputation for great virtue and impartiality. At the same time, they marveled that this Chiyan Young Master Gu Qingfeng was truly an extraordinary individual. In one word: free and unrestrained.
Yes.
Free, unrestrained, and forthright.
He acted when action was called for, regardless of who you were or what your background was. He'd deal with you first and talk later.
Facing Old Master Shi Tong, he did not conceal his admiration in the slightest.
Under normal circumstances, not only would no one dare lay a hand on Young Noble Renxu, but even if they did, upon seeing Old Master Shi Tong, they would undoubtedly feel extremely uneasy, fearful and apprehensive, rushing to explain, then apologize, then admit fault.
But him?
He showed no unease, no fear or apprehension. He offered no explanation, no apology, and admitted no fault.
He merely expressed the admiration he held for the old master in his heart.
Such a person was truly carefree and natural, unbound and unrestrained, free and at ease in the greatest sense.