The people within the square were all discussing and debating Gu Qingfeng's identity.
Some said he might have truly fused with a wisp of the Monarch's spiritual will, making him the Monarch's true successor.
Others said he might have accidentally obtained something belonging to the Monarch and was impersonating the Monarch's successor.
Truth and falsehood were mixed, with opinions divided.
No one could truly distinguish the real from the fake. It was precisely for this reason that the Chixiao people of the Three Black Banners had not acted rashly. Three hundred years had passed since Monarch Chixiao was put on trial. They had encountered countless frauds over the years. To this day, without ironclad evidence, they would not easily believe anyone who claimed to be the Monarch or his successor.
Across the way.
Su Hua also could not distinguish truth from falsehood.
She could not even determine whether Gu Qingfeng had truly fused with a wisp of the Monarch's spiritual will, much less know if Gu Qingfeng was a real or fake successor.
Even though Gu Qingfeng could command the reverence of the Chixiao people's Dragon-Elephant spirits, could condense the Chishang Seal Order, possessed the ability to return from death, and was a mysterious and bizarre existence...
Su Hua still doubted.
Because those few in the Southern Sea who impersonated Monarch Chixiao were similarly mysterious, similarly bizarre, and similarly possessed a host of incredible abilities. They could also condense the Chishang Seal Order, could also play the Monarch's melodies. More terrifyingly, the Chixiao people's Dragon-Elephant spirits reacted to them as if seeing family—excited, agitated, docile.
Who was real?
Who was fake?
Su Hua truly did not know.
She just hadn't expected another one to appear now. The only difference was that this person did not claim to be Monarch Chixiao, only saying he could represent Monarch Chixiao.
Why!
What in the world was going on!
Su Hua simply could not figure it out.
For some reason!
The clear weather from moments ago suddenly turned overcast, clouds blanketing the sky and blocking out the sun. In the blink of an eye, darkness enveloped the Great Northwest.
A fierce wind howled in.
Gu Qingfeng still stood there quietly. After sending off the seven Dragon-Elephant spirits, the handsome face once again turned indifferent. His pair of dark eyes were like the boundless abyss of endless darkness, terrifyingly still.
"Chiyan Young Master."
Noticing Gu Qingfeng's gaze sweep over the crowd of Immortal Officials, Su Hua, worried something might happen, decided it was best not to dwell on Gu Qingfeng's identity for now and resolve the matter at hand first. She said, "As I said earlier, I have already reported your matter to the Immortal Dynasty. Here and now, I guarantee you that the Immortal Dynasty will not hold you accountable for your previous actions. I hope you will also cease opposing the Immortal Dynasty."
Gu Qingfeng did not respond. Puzzlingly, he walked back to that pavilion and sat down.
Worried in her heart, Su Hua recalled what Huode had said earlier. "Regarding the matter of Gold Crane and the others, I am deeply sorry. As for today's events, it was entirely a misunderstanding."
Gu Qingfeng remained silent, merely sitting on the stone stool and drinking wine again.
Gazing at the silent Gu Qingfeng, Su Hua continued, "The Immortal Dynasty has not taken action against the Chizi Head, nor has it ever intended to. Their stationing in the Northwest Immortal Mansion this time is not to deal with the Chizi Head, but solely for the sake of the Heavenly Mandate."
Su Hua did not know exactly what kind of existence Gu Qingfeng was, but one thing was clear to her: Gu Qingfeng's strength was unfathomable, and he now clearly intended to represent Monarch Chixiao and stand up for the Chixiao people. She did not know why Gu Qingfeng was doing this, but regardless, she did not want Gu Qingfeng and the Immortal Dynasty to become too hostile. That would benefit neither side.
After some thought, she tried to persuade him further. "Today's events were entirely the willful actions of these Immortal Dynasty scions. They are still young, inexperienced in the ways of the world, a bunch of arrogant young masters who don't know their own limits. They don't understand the stakes involved, only know how to show off and throw their weight around. I hope you will not stoop to their level. Today's offense was not the Immortal Dynasty's intention. Here, on behalf of all the Immortal Officials present, I apologize to you. I hope you can forgive us!"
As her words fell.
The entire square erupted in an uproar.
Who was Su Hua?
She was the emissary representing the Nine Heavens! Her status was of the highest nobility under heaven. Never mind the leaders of major sects, even the Immortals of the Immortal Dynasty had to bow and salute upon seeing her.
And now, facing a criminal who had killed Immortal Officials, not only was she not punishing him, she was accommodating him at every turn. Now, she was even going so far as to humbly apologize to this criminal?
Heavens!
Was this real?
Had Fairy Su Hua gone mad or lost her senses?
How could she do such a thing?
Was Fairy Su Hua really shielding him?
No!
If it were merely shielding him, with a single word from Fairy Su Hua, who would dare say anything?
No one among the thousand-plus Nine-Star Immortal Officials, the Nebula Immortal Officials, or even the several dozen Immortal Dynasty scions present would dare.
Fairy Su Hua had absolutely no need to apologize so humbly.
Why then?
Or was it that Gu Qingfeng's strength was truly formidable, so formidable that even Fairy Su Hua was no match for him?
But was that possible?
Although no one had ever seen Su Hua make a move, no one dared doubt her strength. Who in the world didn't know that Fairy Su Hua had mastered all ten arts of the Immortal Dao, possessed divine and miraculous supernatural abilities? She could not only bring the dead back to life, but also make nature bloom with life's rainbow, and even cause the Nine Heavens to send down spirit rain. Moreover, legend had it that Fairy Hua's attainments were such that she was a person of the Great Dao's Edict.
Who would dare fight her?
Who could be her match?
But then...
Why was Fairy Su Hua apologizing so humbly to a criminal?
Had Fairy Su Hua also been deceived by Gu Qingfeng, mistaking him for Monarch Chixiao?
Thinking carefully, it seemed only this reason could explain Fairy Su Hua's actions.
Not far away, the expressions of the several dozen Immortal Dynasty scions were as ugly as could be. If anyone else dared say they were showing off and throwing their weight around, they would not hesitate to erase that person. But facing Su Hua, none of them had the guts. Never mind Xingyao or Liuguang Jiaoying, even Liuguang Qinghong only dared to be angry but not speak.
What they could not endure was Su Hua disregarding her own status to apologize to a criminal.
In the eyes of the Immortal Dynasty scions, this was not only a disgrace to the Immortal Dynasty, but a disgrace to the Nine Heavens Immortals!
Liuguang Qinghong, unable to bear it any longer, shouted, "Fairy Hua, you are an emissary of the Nine Heavens! Your every word and action represents not only our Immortal Dynasty but the Nine Heavens. I hope you can conduct yourself with dignity, and I ask you to open your eyes and see clearly: this man is not Gu Tianlang. Do not..." Before he could finish, Su Hua turned around, glaring at him angrily, and said bluntly, "Did I say he was Gu Tianlang?"
"But you...
Why are you..." "Shut up if you don't want to die!"
Feeling Su Hua's fury, even though Liuguang Qinghong was still unconvinced in his heart, he dared not say another word. If even he was like this, the other Immortal scions dared even less. Not far away, Lord Xun originally wanted to say something, but when he met Su Hua's cold, severe gaze, he opened his mouth, then swallowed his words.