Old Master Hong's face was dark and gloomy. He closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and took a deep breath, clearly suppressing the rage in his heart. Beside him, Banner Master Tang of the Black Flame Banner and Banner Master Huang of the Black Wind Banner both shook their heads, signaling Scar-face Kui not to make a move, otherwise the Immortal Dynasty's scheme would succeed.
Scar-face Kui was not unaware that this was a cunning ploy by the Immortal Dynasty, nor was he unaware that taking action would bring nothing but harm to the Crimson-Letter Sect. But he simply couldn't swallow this bitter pill.
"We're leaving."
Old Master Hong chose forbearance and ultimately departed.
Although the other Chixiao People also found this humiliation hard to stomach and were filled with resentment, they all clearly understood that without the Chixiao Monarch, the Crimson-Letter Sect was nothing but a scattered mess. If they went to war with the Immortal Dynasty, they would not only implicate their families but also harm the innocent.
Given the circumstances, this was the only way.
Watching the Chixiao People prepare to leave, Liuguang Jiaoying was also unwilling. He asked, "Qinghong Brother, are we just going to let them leave like this?"
Liuguang Qinghong smiled but did not respond. Instead, he addressed the departing Chixiao People, "What? Are you all just going to leave like this? I still have a good show to present to you all. Of course, don't misunderstand—I merely wish to have these people see you off."
With that, Liuguang Qinghong waved his hand and barked, "Gold Crane, Minghui! What are you two still standing there for? Hurry up and kneel to respectfully send off these esteemed Chixiao seniors!"
Gold Crane, Minghui, and the other Crimson-Letter Sect members who had defected to the Immortal Dynasty were stunned, unsure of what to do.
Lord Xun could see that today, Liuguang Qinghong was not only testing the Chixiao People's limits but also trampling on their dignity, all while displaying the Immortal Dynasty's glorious hegemony for all to see.
"What? Did you not understand my words? Do I need to repeat myself?"
Liuguang Qinghong's voice came again. Minghui and the others knew they had no way out and could only obey Liuguang Qinghong. They immediately knelt down one after another. In the end, only Gold Crane and six other Chixiao People remained. The seven of them were pale and livid, caught between kneeling and not kneeling. If they knelt, they would lose all face.
Not only would they lose face, but the dignity and honor of the Crimson-Letter Sect's Chixiao People would also vanish into thin air, for even now, they still bore the Bloodfiend-Gang Dragon-Elephant Spirits, which represented the Chixiao People.
"Gold Crane, you old traitor! If you dare kneel today, I'll stake my life to slaughter you!" Scar-face Kui spat out each word with murderous intent.
"Gold Crane, a man must have backbone. Don't make this old man look down on you!" The Bloodfiend aura around Old Master Hong flickered faintly. Clearly, even he, who had chosen forbearance, was beginning to struggle to suppress his inner fury.
"I'll say it one more time. Kneel and respectfully send off these esteemed Chixiao seniors!" Liuguang Qinghong didn't even glance their way as he continued.
Gold Crane and the other six exchanged glances, as if they had all reached a decision. Steeling their hearts, they were about to kneel when a voice rang out.
"Enough!"
As the voice fell, two figures appeared in response.
They were two women.
One was a woman towering three meters tall like a mountain peak—it was Qianshan.
The other was a woman dressed in white, with long black hair, possessing beauty that could topple cities and kingdoms, transcendent and ethereal, as exquisite as a celestial fairy. It was none other than Su Hua.
No one had expected Fairy Su Hua to descend so suddenly.
Liuguang Qinghong hadn't anticipated it either. He seemed to have a bad premonition, but he still greeted her with a smile. "I was unaware of Fairy Hua's grand arrival and failed to welcome you properly. My apologies for any discourtesy; I hope you will forgive me."
The others also bowed in greeting, for Su Hua was an envoy of the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao. Her status, position, and background were beyond their reach.
Her expression looked very poor, her mood foul. She glanced at Gold Crane, Minghui, and the others, then turned her gaze to Liuguang Qinghong and the other Immortal Dynasty nobles. "Let this end here."
"Oh?" Liuguang Qinghong pondered. "Might I ask what Fairy Hua means?"
"Do you not understand? I said let this end here. Hand these people back to the Crimson-Letter Sect."
"Fairy Hua, I'm afraid that might not be appropriate. They have already accepted our Immortal Dynasty's enfeoffment and are now people of our Immortal Dynasty. Moreover, this is Young Master Long's intention."
"I don't care whose intention it is." Fairy Su Hua stared at him, speaking softly but firmly. "I'm only asking you one thing: will you hand them over or not?"
Su Hua's attitude was very resolute.
Few had ever seen her like this. This was the first time. At the very least, those familiar with Su Hua knew she had always been amiable and approachable, charitable and kind-hearted. She had never fought with anyone, nor had she ever gotten angry with anyone, always gentle and moving. Why had she become so frosty today?
"Fairy Hua, you yourself have said you would not interfere in any conflicts. I wonder why today..." Liuguang Qinghong's words were cut off as Su Hua interrupted, "There is no why. And I can also tell you, today's matter, I am determined to intervene."
"Heh, since Fairy Hua puts it that way, how dare we disobey? However..." Changing the subject, Liuguang Qinghong smiled. "However, I hope Fairy Hua understands one thing. Right now, it is not we who are forcing them to defect to the Immortal Dynasty. At this moment, we are not even stopping them. All of this is their own voluntary choice. If you don't believe me, Fairy Hua, you may ask them yourself."
As soon as Liuguang Qinghong's words fell, Gold Crane and the others spoke up, "Fairy Hua, we are sincerely and genuinely defecting to the Immortal Dynasty. We hope Fairy Hua will grant us this wish."
Su Hua looked at them, shaking her head, deeply disappointed. "Your defection to the Immortal Dynasty will not only bring you no good outcome but will only provoke unnecessary conflict. If you turn back now, everything is still not too late. I guarantee in my own name that no one can harm you."
"No need for Fairy Hua to trouble herself. Our stance remains: we are sincerely and genuinely defecting to the Immortal Dynasty."
"Heh, Fairy Hua, now you should understand, right?"
Having said that, Liuguang Qinghong added, "Moreover, you, as an esteemed envoy of the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao, showing such partiality toward these Immortal Dao criminals who once dared to rebel against their superiors, is perhaps somewhat inappropriate? I heard that before this, you also advised Xingyao and others, telling them not to pursue Gu Qingfeng's responsibility. Heh... Fairy Hua, that criminal Gu Qingfeng openly killed Immortal Dynasty officials and even scorned the dignity of our Immortal Dynasty... If Fairy Hua acts this way, in the future, some may inevitably say the fairy is suspected of shielding a criminal... We are also concerned for the fairy's reputation. We hope the fairy will not interfere in this matter..."
Su Hua did not respond. She only looked at Gold Crane and the others, as if pondering how to deal with them to resolve this matter.
"Immortal Noble Qinghong, there is one thing you have mistaken. My young lady was not advising, but warning you not to provoke Gu Qingfeng."
Qianshan, unwilling to let Su Hua be gossiped about, explained, "You are no match for Gu Qingfeng. Provoking him is undoubtedly equivalent to seeking death. If you say my young lady is shielding someone, then it is shielding you, out of consideration for your parents' sake, unwilling to watch you go to your deaths."