Ouyang Ye raced to the Spirit Seclusion Garden on the rear mountain at breakneck speed. Seeing that Steward Guang Yuan hadn't arrived yet, she secretly let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly rushed into the garden. But the moment she saw the scene inside, she was utterly dumbfounded.
She actually saw Gu Qingfeng reclining on that old-fashioned armchair, eyes closed, cultivating his spirit, basking in the sun, and sipping wine.
That wasn't what stunned her. The real shock was Elder Huode beside him...
He was actually bowing, fanning Gu Qingfeng with a fan in one hand while pouring him wine with the other.
Ouyang Ye wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her. She closed them, then opened them again. Gu Qingfeng was still reclining there, and Elder Huode was still fanning him beside him.
Heavens!
This...
What was going on?
Why would Elder Huode...
He was the Grand Elder of Yunxia Sect! The mighty True Being Huode who commanded respect throughout the Qingyang Region! He had cultivated his Golden Core for seven or eight hundred years, his cultivation profound, his spiritual power vast, earning everyone's admiration. Such a venerable senior... now...
Now he was actually bowing beside Gu Qingfeng like a servant, fanning him and pouring wine to serve him?
He truly looked exactly like a servant attending to his master, fanning carefully for fear of making the breeze too strong, even pouring wine with cautious, light steps.
Wasn't Gu Qingfeng just a test subject for Elder Huode?
Why was he now being served like a young master?
Mother of mercy!
What in the world was happening?
"Little Ouyang girl?"
Perhaps noticing Ouyang Ye, True Being Huode asked, "What brings you to my Spirit Seclusion Garden?"
"Old Master, you... I..." Ouyang Ye was currently bewildered, completely thrown off balance by the scene before her.
Gu Qingfeng slightly opened his eyes. True Being Huode beside him hurriedly handed over a cup of wine. Gu Qingfeng didn't stand on ceremony either; he took the cup, took a small sip, tilted his head, and looked at Ouyang Ye with bored amusement. "Sister Ouyang, what brings you to me today?"
"You... I..." Ouyang Ye opened her mouth, words failing her, her thoughts unable to keep up.
"I say, Huode, alright, that's enough of the gestures. I'll seriously consider it for a few days. No need to waste your efforts here either. Go do whatever you need to do. You're an Elder of Yunxia Sect, after all. It wouldn't look good if the sect's disciples saw you like this."
"At my age, do I still fear being seen?"
True Being Huode grinned, hehe laughing, bending at the waist, humble and subservient. Those who knew him knew he was Yunxia Sect's Grand Elder. Those who didn't would think he was Gu Qingfeng's servant, especially with that obsequious smile plastered across his old face as he fanned and flattered.
"Besides, you're the ancestor now, my dear ancestor. How dare I not serve you? My Senior Brother and I are counting on you to get by. We wouldn't dare neglect you... What do you say, Ancestor Gu?"
Huode knew Gu Qingfeng always yielded to softness, not hardness. As long as he kept pestering and annoying him like this, this kid would eventually agree.
"Just keep annoying me..." Huode knew exactly what kind of person Gu Qingfeng was.
Likewise, Gu Qingfeng was well aware of what tricks this old fellow was playing; he just couldn't be bothered to deal with it.
But this scene, falling into Ouyang Ye's eyes, made her already chaotic thoughts even more jumbled.
She completely failed to understand what was going on.
At that moment, a large group of people swarmed into the Spirit Seclusion Garden. Ouyang Ye looked over, her expression instantly changing drastically, for among these people she saw Yun Hong, Ye Hui, her own Senior Martial Sister Tan Siru, and Li Sen.
The faces of the four were each paler than the last, their spirits each more haggard than the next. Clearly, the injuries from two days ago hadn't healed. Especially Li Sen—he was completely supported by others, his wrist still wrapped in white bandages.
Accompanying the four were several Stewards of Yunxia Sect.
Among them were Yun Hong's master, Ye Hui's master, and the masters of the other beaten disciples. Walking at the very front was that middle-aged fatty, Li Sen's master, Grand Steward Guang Yuan. Beside him was an elderly man dressed in luxurious robes. This person was Li Sen's grandfather and also an Outer Sect Elder of Yunxia Sect, Li Ziheng.
"Master! Grandfather! It's him! He's the trash who injured me!"
Seeing Gu Qingfeng reclining on the armchair, Li Sen immediately flew into a rage.
Perhaps because the scene before them was somewhat strange, Grand Steward Guang Yuan, Elder Li Ziheng, and the others couldn't help but frown, exchanging glances that conveyed mutual incomprehension.
"What are you little brats doing at my place?"
Huode was also somewhat confused about the situation.
"Elder Huode, it's like this... This Gu Qingfeng not only severely injured my grandson two days ago at Redleaf Valley but also broke his wrist..." Li Ziheng stepped forward, cupping his hands as he spoke. Although he was also an Elder, there were differences among Elders. He was merely an Outer Sect Elder, above whom were Inner Sect Elders, Hall Elders, Council Elders...
While Huode was a Council Elder, and the Grand Elder among the Council Elders at that. One could say that in the entire Yunxia Sect, in terms of status, aside from the Sect Head, no one surpassed Huode.
"Grandfather Huode, that's not how it happened at all! They bullied Gu Qingfeng first... Gu Qingfeng only fought back because he had no choice!"
Ouyang Ye quickly explained the truth, hoping the Old Master would stand up for Gu Qingfeng.
"Ouyang Ye, you bear responsibility in this matter too. The sect, considering your youth and ignorance, has temporarily not taken any action against you. Don't meddle in affairs that aren't your concern. Step back."
Grand Steward Guang Yuan was a middle-aged fatty with a protruding belly, hands clasped behind his back, eyes narrowed, wearing an expression of lofty superiority. As he slightly lowered his head, he said indifferently, "We hope Elder Huode will hand this fellow over."
Elder Huode glanced at Gu Qingfeng and asked, "Is there such a thing?"
"There is."
Gu Qingfeng was still reclining on the armchair, legs crossed, head slightly tilted to the side, looking utterly at ease.
Elder Huode walked over, examined Yun Hong's injuries, then looked at Yun Hong, Li Sen, and Tan Siru's injuries, and laughed. "Doesn't seem like your handiwork... Since when did you strike so lightly?"
Huode's words left everyone somewhat unable to react.
What did he mean by 'strike so lightly'?
This was light?
Li Sen suffered internal injuries, his dantian impaired, his wrist broken—and this was called light?
"What do you mean, 'strike so lightly'?"
Gu Qingfeng picked up his wine cup, raised an eyebrow, and said very seriously, "I've always struck very lightly, okay."
"Hahahaha!"
Elder Huode laughed uproariously as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.
Indeed, hearing these words come from Gu Qingfeng's mouth felt like...
Like a ruthless, murderous old demon claiming to be a good person.
Was Gu Qingfeng a ruthless, murderous old demon?
No!
Of course not.
Because he was more demonic than an old demon.
You've always struck lightly?
What a joke!
The man who once dyed the Desolate Region with blood, slaughtered countless lives, caused rivers of blood to flow, and made nature itself shed crimson snow in the sixth month—now claimed he always struck lightly?
There was no funnier joke in the world.
"I say, Huode, do you have to laugh so maniacally? Is it that funny?"
Watching Huode laugh hysterically, Gu Qingfeng shook his head.
"It is funny, very funny... Haven't heard such a hilarious joke in a long time... Almost laughed my jaw out of joint..." True Being Huode pinched his own chin, then asked again, "I remember in the past, anyone who harbored killing intent toward you, regardless of gender or age, you never spared a single one... This time, why..."
"Get lost! Are you done yet!"
"Alright, alright, I'll stop."
Seeing Gu Qingfeng growing somewhat impatient, True Being Huode very tactfully shut his mouth.
But this scene, falling into the eyes of everyone present, made them all frown deeply.
In their minds, this Gu Qingfeng was just a test mouse Elder Huode had found for testing formations. After all, everyone knew Elder Huode had always wanted to find someone with a powerful physique to be his test mouse, but had never succeeded. Now, with Gu Qingfeng's appearance, due to his Foundation-Establishment crippled body yet powerful physique, he perfectly fit the Old Master's requirements.
Everyone had thought so.
But now, what was going on?
Why was this test mouse reclining on the rocking chair like a lord?
Why was True Being Huode serving this test mouse like a servant?
And what did True Being Huode mean by 'never sparing a single one, regardless of gender or age'?
Was he talking about this test mouse?
Most jaw-dropping of all, just now this test mouse had cursed 'Get lost!', and True Being Huode not only didn't get angry but actually very obediently shut his mouth?
This...
Why on earth!
They didn't know.
No one understood.
Everything about this was permeated with an eerie strangeness.
"Alright, I'm aware of this matter."
Huode waved his hand. "All of you, go back."
Go back?
What did that mean?
Were they just going to let it go like this?
Grand Steward Guang Yuan and Li Ziheng exchanged glances, both seeing deep suspicion and doubt in each other's eyes.
However.
At that moment, Li Sen suddenly stepped forward angrily, roaring, "Elder Huode, I was beaten to this state by this trash, and we're just going to let it go? No! Today, I must tear this trash to pieces!"
"How dare you!"
Elder Huode's eyes flashed with anger. He reached out and slapped Li Sen directly across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground on the spot. He cursed loudly, "You little brat, can't you speak like a human? You call him trash? Do you know who he is? You have no idea how close to death you are, you damned fool!"
No one expected Elder Huode to suddenly strike. Seeing his grandson beaten, Li Ziheng stepped forward and shouted.
"Elder Huode, what are you doing? How could you..." Before he could finish, Elder Huode pointed at him and bellowed, "Li Ziheng, you little turtle spawn! I advise you to rein it in, stop strutting around all day showing off! Let me tell you, today your grandson is lucky to be alive—you should be burning incense in thanks! In the past, forget your grandson, your whole damn family would have long met King Yama! And you still dare to come settle accounts with him? How damn eager are you to die?!"
If you have collections, recommendation tickets, please reward! Rolling on the ground begging for it!!