Not only Senior Ziyang, but also Old Hall Master Wei Xuan of the Fire Cloud Branch Hall and the other Chixiao elders were the same.
Their resolute faces seemed to bear an indescribable expression, and they all looked toward Old Sen of Crimson-Letter Manor, as if inquiring about something. Old Sen did not speak, merely nodding.
Then, a scene that left everyone dumbfounded and shocked occurred. Ziyang, Wei Xuan, Old Sen, and the twelve Chixiao people stepped forward side by side. Then, they lowered their heads, bowed, and cupped their hands in unison, saying, "We pay our respects to the Chiyan Young Master."
The twelve Chixiao people paid their respects in unison.
This single bow.
Caused the originally clamorous and chaotic Liuren Mountain to instantly fall silent. Every single person on the mountain, without exception, upon witnessing this scene, felt as if struck by lightning. Their minds went blank, thoughts froze, eyes wide, mouths agape, standing as still as statues.
Just moments ago, the dignified Jiangzhu Ancestor, who had cultivated for three thousand years, had been frightened into unconsciousness by a few words from Gu Qingfeng, which was already unbelievable and incomprehensible to them.
Now, the twelve Chixiao people were actually paying their respects with utmost reverence.
You are the Chixiao people who followed the Chixiao Monarch to battle across the four directions in the ancient era!
Slaying immortals and demons above, slaughtering ghosts and monsters below, the dragon on the chest and the elephant on the back—who doesn't know the might of the Chixiao Dragon-Elephant?
Yet now, you bow in respect to a young man.
If not seen with one's own eyes, who would dare believe it?
Why!
Exactly why!
What on earth is Gu Qingfeng's origin?
And what is his identity?
They did not know.
No one could imagine. Someone who was neither a reincarnated expert, nor a body-snatcher reborn, nor blessed by a heavenly decree, lacking even immortal fate or fortune, without any immortal lineage bloodline inheritance, not even possessing the colorful aura of the Great Nature—just a pure Purple Mansion cultivation, pure to the point of being utterly ordinary.
Yet.
It was precisely such an ordinary person who frightened the Jiangzhu Ancestor into unconsciousness with a few words, and now the twelve Chixiao people bowed upon seeing him.
"Master, he...
What on earth...
What on earth...
Is he?"
Having suffered too many shocks and frights today, Lan Feier's consciousness and thoughts had long since begun to blur.
Who was he?
Ming Xin also wanted to know this question.
Not only her, but even Ziyang and Wei Xuan wanted to know.
They did not know who Gu Qingfeng was.
They had only learned from Old Sen that this person possessed the Chi-Shang Seal Token.
As Chixiao people, they understood better than anyone the significance represented by the Chi-Shang Seal Token.
As for who this person was, it was no longer important. What mattered was the Chi-Shang Seal Token. That alone was sufficient. Not to mention paying respects, even if he ordered them to die with a single word, they would not so much as frown.
Opposite them, Huode squatted on the ground, head bowed as he smoked his large pipe, saying nothing.
In such a scene, on such an occasion, he also did not know what to say.
"I've heard that your Crimson-Letter Sect has, for so many years, taken it as its duty to eradicate demons and defend the Dao, maintaining the underground order of this world."
Gu Qingfeng did not look at the twelve Chixiao people, merely forming one spiritual seal after another and applying them to Elder Shi Tong. His plain voice carried over, causing Old Sen, Ziyang, and the others' hearts to tremble. They felt somewhat puzzled and bewildered. After some thought, Old Sen stepped forward to respond.
"Eradicating demons and defending the Dao, maintaining the order of this world, is precisely the creed of our Crimson-Letter Sect."
"Good, very good."
Gu Qingfeng still did not look at them, speaking indifferently, "Then take a look. Am I an evil demon?"
"This..." Old Sen and the others dared not respond.
What a joke.
The Chi-Shang Seal Token represented the Chixiao Monarch.
Whoever obtained the Chi-Shang Seal Token must have received it directly from the Monarch's will.
If someone possessing the Chi-Shang Seal Token were an evil demon, that would be the greatest joke under heaven.
"Speak."
Gu Qingfeng uttered only one word, still very plain, but when it entered the ears of the twelve, it caused each of their minds to tremble violently. It was not due to intimidation, but rather an indescribable, inexplicable feeling. This tone seemed familiar to them, that silent, domineering, unquestionable tone was far too reminiscent of a certain person.
The twelve Chixiao people exchanged glances, as if each saw something in the other's eyes, yet none dared to raise their heads. Still cupping their hands and bowing, Old Sen steeled himself and responded, "Young Master's spiritual aura is pure, without any trace of evil. You are neither an evil cultivator, nor an evil demon."
"Turn around. Face everyone, especially every member of your branch halls, and repeat that for me."
Though puzzled, Old Sen and the others obediently turned around and, facing everyone present, repeated the words verbatim.
The tens of thousands from the Ten Great Sects and the Three Caves and Five Mountains gathered on Liuren Mountain stood dumbfounded like statues, staring blankly. They had long been stupefied.
No matter what, they could not understand. Not only did the twelve Chixiao people bow to Gu Qingfeng, but now they also obeyed his every word.
Were these still the Chixiao people who once followed the Chixiao Monarch to battle across the four directions?
Were these still the Chixiao people who slew immortals and demons above, slaughtered ghosts and monsters below?
Were these still the Chixiao people with the dragon on the chest and elephant on the back, brimming with heroic spirit, drinking blood with wild abandon?
At that moment, Gu Qingfeng's calm voice sounded again.
"How long have you been stationed at the two branch halls?"
"It has been a hundred years since the Calamity."
"For a hundred years, you have been stationed at the two branch halls?"
"Yes."
"How many people are currently in the two branch halls?"
This question, Old Hall Master Ziyang of the Wind-Cloud Branch Hall could not answer, nor could Old Hall Master Wei Xuan of the Fire Cloud Branch Hall. Although they were each stationed at the Wind-Cloud and Fire Cloud halls, it was merely a presence. Since the Calamity, they had hardly interfered in the affairs of the branch halls.
"Our Wind-Cloud Branch Hall currently has..." Ming Xin, the current hall master of the Wind-Cloud Branch Hall, was about to speak when Gu Qingfeng's voice immediately cut her off.
"I did not ask you. Shut your mouth."
As the words fell, Ming Xin's mind felt as if struck by a heavy blow, causing her to collapse to the ground.
"Master!"
Lan Feier was frightened into a daze.
Perhaps realizing something, Old Sen, Ziyang, and the other twelve Chixiao people immediately dropped to one knee, saying solemnly, "We have been derelict in our duties, lax in discipline. We beg the Young Master to punish us!"
They knelt.
The twelve Chixiao people actually knelt just like that, and even begged for punishment.
What on earth was Gu Qingfeng?
Could he also be a member of the Crimson-Letter Sect?
But the key point was, he was not a reincarnated expert, nor a body-snatcher reborn. Moreover, everyone had heard clearly just now. When he asked earlier, he said 'your Crimson-Letter Sect.' In other words, he was not a member of the Crimson-Letter Sect at all. So why were the twelve Chixiao people so reverent toward him?
Unclear. No one knew.
"Derelict in your duties?
Lax in discipline?
Punishment...
Heh..." Gu Qingfeng still did not glance at them, instead shaking his head and laughing, "What qualifications do I have to punish you? Who are you? The illustrious, awe-inspiring Crimson-Letter Sect, taking it as your duty to eradicate demons and defend the Dao, maintaining the peace and order of this world. With such grand status, such high authority, who in this world wouldn't steer clear upon seeing you?"
"Young Master, we..." Old Sen and the others were not fools; they naturally could tell Gu Qingfeng was speaking sarcastically. The twelve felt deeply ashamed, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.