"Whether for glory and riches or to attain the Dao and become an Immortal, there's nothing inherently wrong with that. However, there's one thing you said that was wrong, and you shouldn't have said it."
"What was it?"
"You said you didn't want to be an Immortal Dao Felon for the rest of your life."
Jin He stared at Gu Qingfeng, who was pouring wine, and demanded, "What's wrong with that!"
"The one who committed the crime was Gu Tianlang, not the Chixiao People. In other words, Gu Tianlang is the Immortal Dao Felon, but the Chixiao People are not. Even the Immortal Dynasty wouldn't dare call the Chixiao People Immortal Dao Felons. You were once a Chixiao Person yourself, so why take this charge upon your own shoulders?"
As soon as Gu Qingfeng finished speaking, Scar-face Kui's furious roar came from the side!
"Bullshit! Watch your mouth, kid! When was the Monarch ever an Immortal Dao Felon? Who in this world dares to say the Monarch is an Immortal Dao Felon!"
Gu Qingfeng looked at the enraged Scar-face Kui and chuckled, "Hei Kuizi, don't be so impulsive. Whether you admit it or not, the fact remains that Gu Tianlang is an Immortal Dao Felon."
"Kid! What did you just call me?"
Hei Kuizi was Scar-face Kui's childhood nickname, and it was so old even he had almost forgotten it.
"Just who are you!"
Elder Hong also stepped forward, staring intently at Gu Qingfeng as he asked in a grave voice, "Are you truly the Monarch's successor?"
"Is that question so important to you? What if I am Gu Tianlang's successor? What if I'm not? And if I am, what can you do about it?"
Gu Qingfeng's question truly stumped the Chixiao People among the three great banner lords.
They had always been searching for the successor of Monarch Chixiao.
But as for why they were searching...
None of them could answer.
And what would they do after finding him?
No one was clear on that either.
"So you see, who I am isn't important at all."
Gu Qingfeng's tone was placid, so placid it was like chatting with a group of old friends. "What's important is that I can represent Gu Tianlang. At the very least, today, right now, at this moment, in this place, I can represent him!"
Represent Monarch Chixiao?
These words were nothing short of audacious!
Who in this world would dare to represent Monarch Chixiao?
Who could represent Monarch Chixiao?
And who had the qualification to represent Monarch Chixiao?
The answer was certain.
No one!
In the eyes of the Chixiao People, no one could represent Monarch Chixiao.
Scar-face Kui roared in anger, "Kid! What gives you the right to represent the Monarch!"
"What gives me the right? Is the fact that I know you have a lotus mark on your backside enough!"
"You!"
Scar-face Kui was utterly shocked. The three great banner lords were also astounded, because they all knew Scar-face Kui really did have a lotus mark on his backside. But how did this person know such a private matter?
Gu Qingfeng paid them no mind. Instead, he handed over the seven cups of wine he had poured. However, none of the seven people opposite him, Jin He and the others, accepted them. They had no idea what game this young man was playing.
"Come on, this cup of wine is from me, representing Gu Tianlang, to honor you. Since you've accepted the Immortal Dynasty's conferment, I'll represent him in toasting you, wishing you achieve your desires."
With that, Gu Qingfeng drank a cup alone.
"Hmph! Don't think you're anything just because you're a fraud. Even if you really were the Monarch's successor, even if you were Monarch Chixiao himself, we would not drink with you."
Jin He snorted coldly. "We have accepted the Immortal Dynasty's conferment and are now Immortal Dynasty officials. How could we drink with an Immortal Dao Felon?"
"Ha!"
Gu Qingfeng let out a soft laugh, casually flicking his hand. The seven cups of wine landed at the feet of Jin He and the other six. "Whether you accept or not is your business. Whether to honor you or not is Gu Tianlang's business. Since I'm here today representing him, it's now my business."
He poured himself another cup of wine. "After all, we were once brothers who weathered storms together, who waded through seas of blood together. You also contributed much to Chixiao and shed much blood. I'll represent Gu Tianlang again in toasting you."
He drained one cup, then poured another.
"As for this third cup, whether it's for camaraderie or gratitude, after drinking this wine, from now on our ties are severed. You are no longer Chixiao People, and henceforth you shall have no further connection with the Chixiao People!"
He drained the third cup.
In the distance.
The Chixiao People of the three black banners watched this scene, their hearts filled with a complex, indescribable feeling.
They hadn't originally believed Gu Qingfeng was the Monarch's successor. Even though he could play the Monarch's 'Youth's Journey', even though the Dragon-Elephant spirits revered him, even though he could manifest the Chishang Seal Command and other such evidence, they still didn't believe it, or at least remained skeptical.
As for this Gu Qingfeng claiming he could represent Monarch Chixiao, that was pure nonsense. In their hearts, no one had the qualification to represent Monarch Chixiao.
But for some reason.
Watching Gu Qingfeng here, toasting Jin He and the other six three times, they all seemed to believe this young man might truly be the Monarch's successor, and might truly be able to represent Monarch Chixiao.
No!
Not just represent.
In a daze, they even felt this young man before them was Monarch Chixiao himself.
He really, really resembled him...
As for why he resembled him.
No one could say.
They just had this feeling, and it was very strong.
"Alright, I've said what needed to be said, and offered the toasts that needed to be offered. There's one thing it's time for you to hand over now."
"What thing?"
"The Dragon-Elephant spirits!"
What!
Jin He and the other six Chixiao People were greatly alarmed. The expressions of the Chixiao People from the three black banners also changed slightly, as if none had expected Gu Qingfeng to suddenly demand the Dragon-Elephant spirits. Could he really be the Monarch's successor?
Or could he truly represent the Monarch?
"Back then, Great Cang Dragon-Elephant died during the Immortal Dao Judgment protecting the Chixiao Sect, and he died very, very tragically. You can submit to the Immortal Dynasty, but the Dragon-Elephant cannot, because that would be disrespectful to him, an insult to him. Great Cang Dragon-Elephant would not allow it, Gu Tianlang would not allow it, and I will not allow such a thing to happen either."
"And what if we refuse to hand them over!"
Jin He and the other six showed no fear, because they had dozens of Immortal Dynasty nobles and over a thousand Immortal Dynasty officials by their side. If they weren't afraid of the Chixiao People, why would they fear Gu Qingfeng?
"Out of consideration for your past as Chixiao People, I don't wish to fight you. I also hope you'll consider the kindness Great Cang Dragon-Elephant once showed you and hand over the Dragon-Elephant spirits yourselves!"
"You don't wish to fight us? Hahaha! Just based on you?"
"You little brat! What do you think you are? Do you really think you're Gu Tianlang? Let me tell you! Even if you were Gu Tianlang, we wouldn't fear you!"
As Jin He roared, bloodlust boiled around him. With an angry roar, a violent Dragon-Elephant spirit erupted forth. At the same time, the other six also did not hesitate, immediately summoning their own bloodlust-empowered Dragon-Elephant spirits.
The bloodlust was sharp bloodlust, bloodlust brimming with murderous intent. The rolling might of the bloodlust was like gales within the clouds, seemingly capable of tearing everything apart.
The Dragon-Elephants were those savage Dragon-Elephants, those overwhelmingly domineering Dragon-Elephants. The might of the Dragon-Elephants was like the heavenly might of the firmament, inspiring fear in the hearts and minds of all.