Su Hua had wanted to continue persuading him, but Gu Qingfeng turned a deaf ear to her words. From beginning to end, he had not paid her any attention, not even once. He simply sat silently in the pavilion, pouring and drinking wine by himself.
This left Su Hua feeling utterly helpless.
She had no idea what Gu Qingfeng intended to do.
With a silent sigh, she thought it best to persuade the Chixiao People to leave first. She said, "The Immortal Dynasty has no intention of offending you all. Let's consider today's matter settled, alright?"
Although Su Hua held the esteemed position of Nine Heavens Emissary, she was not siding with the Immortal Dynasty. Instead, she had always acted as a mediator to reconcile the conflicts between the Immortal Dynasty and the Crimson-Letter Sect. For the past hundred years of the current era, whenever major conflicts arose between the Immortal Dynasty and the Crimson-Letter Sect, it was Su Hua who stepped forward to mediate. The Chixiao People of the Three Black Banners knew this very well, and in their hearts, they had always been deeply grateful to her.
They all knew that the Chixiao People of the current era each had their own families. Facing the increasingly powerful Immortal Dynasty, they could not, nor would they, engage in the kind of bloody battles with the Immortal Dynasty as they had in the ancient times. In other words, the Crimson-Letter Sect of today was no longer a match for the Immortal Dynasty. Though they were reluctant to admit it, they had no choice but to acknowledge this fact.
"Moreover, I give you my word here and now: as long as I, Su Hua, am alive, the Immortal Dynasty will never declare war on the Crimson-Letter Sect!"
Since Su Hua had already spoken to this extent, the Chixiao People of the Three Black Banners were not unreasonable. Naturally, they had nothing more to say. Elder Hong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "We trouble Fairy Hua to worry about this. This old man also has a word: as long as the Immortal Dynasty does not declare war on the Crimson-Letter Sect, we of the Crimson-Letter Sect will not stir up trouble. But if the Immortal Dynasty harbors ill intentions towards the Crimson-Letter Sect, then even if it costs the lives of our entire families, old and young, we will fight the Immortal Dynasty to the bitter end!"
Su Hua nodded.
The reason she had always mediated the conflicts between the Immortal Dynasty and the Crimson-Letter Sect was not because she favored the Crimson-Letter Sect.
It was because she knew that once war broke out between the Immortal Dynasty and the Crimson-Letter Sect, the consequences would be terrifying and unpredictable.
Perhaps the Chixiao People of today were scattered and disorganized, no longer a match for the Immortal Dynasty.
But that was not the important part. The important part was the Monarch Chixiao.
To be precise, it was the Monarch Chixiao's Blood Curse.
Su Hua had been investigating the Monarch Chixiao. She knew very well that given the Monarch Chixiao's strength back then, if he had wanted to flee, even the Immortal Dao would have been unable to stop him. Yet he did not flee. Instead, he willingly shouldered all the blame and accepted the judgment of the Immortal Dao—on the condition that the Nine Heavens spare all the Chixiao People and not pursue the matter further. And the Nine Heavens had agreed.
Before the Monarch Chixiao was judged by the Immortal Dao and reduced to ashes, he had warned the Nine Heavens: he had sworn a Heavenly Oath and condensed a Blood Curse. If the Nine Heavens broke their promise and dared to move against the Chixiao People, the Blood Curse would be activated. Then, the winds and clouds of Chixiao would stir, blood-aura would fill the heavens, endless Dragon-Elephant Spirits would rage, and they would judge both heaven and earth.
No one knew if this was true or not.
No one knew if the Monarch Chixiao's Blood Curse would truly come to pass.
But based on Su Hua's understanding of the Monarch Chixiao, she believed that to protect the safety of the Chixiao People, the Monarch Chixiao was absolutely capable of such a terrifying act of preferring shattered jade to an intact tile.
Yet this was not what worried her the most.
What truly worried her was the Monarch Chixiao himself.
Although the Monarch Chixiao had been judged by the Immortal Dao and reduced to ashes three hundred years ago, no one could guarantee that he was truly and completely dead.
Yes.
No one could guarantee it.
Not even the Immortal Dynasty, not even the Nine Heavens.
Moreover, Su Hua had always felt that the true Monarch Chixiao was still alive.
Back then, the Monarch Chixiao had willingly borne all the blame and accepted the Immortal Dao's judgment for the sake of the Chixiao People's safety. If he learned that the Immortal Dynasty was seeking retribution and moving against the Chixiao People, then it likely wouldn't be just the Blood Curse judging this world. Given the Monarch Chixiao's temperament, he would surely slaughter his way up to the Nine Heavens.
This was the real reason she had always mediated the conflicts between the Immortal Dynasty and the Crimson-Letter Sect.
For the sake of the Crimson-Letter Sect, for the sake of the Immortal Dynasty, and for the sake of everyone under heaven, she would spare no effort to prevent war between the Immortal Dynasty and the Crimson-Letter Sect.
In the distance.
The Chixiao People of the Three Black Banners were preparing to leave. However, they had one more crucial matter they wanted to clarify: whether Gu Qingfeng was truly the successor of the Monarch Chixiao. Elder Hong and the other two Black Banner leaders flashed over and said, "We thank Young Master Chiyan for your assistance today. All of us Chixiao People are deeply grateful."
"You're too kind. It was only right."
Gu Qingfeng, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. Holding his wine cup, he glanced at Elder Hong and the other two across from him and smiled. "I said I represent Gu Tianlang today."
That statement again.
The three Black Banner leaders exchanged glances. Elder Hong said, "Since you claim to be able to represent the Monarch Chixiao, might we invite you to our residence for a visit?"
"Sure, no problem. But I still have some unfinished business here. You go back first. Once I'm done, I'll naturally pay you a visit."
Gu Qingfeng's words not only greatly puzzled Elder Hong and the other Chixiao People but also left Su Hua confused. She didn't understand what Gu Qingfeng meant by 'unfinished business.' She cautiously asked, "Might I ask what business Young Master Chiyan still has left?"
"Waiting for people."
"Waiting for people?"
Su Hua was somewhat baffled. "Waiting for whom?"
"Waiting for your Immortal Dynasty people."
"What! You..." Su Hua was instantly shocked, and a surge of anger rose within her.
She had exhausted all her persuasive words for his sake, disregarding her status, her reputation, and the consequences. She had both apologized and made amends. Yet, not only did this fellow refuse to listen, he actually insisted on causing trouble for the Immortal Officials. Not only did he intend to trouble these Immortal Officials, but he also planned to wait here for the other Immortal Officials to arrive? What did he mean by this?
Suddenly.
Su Hua remembered what Xiao Jin'er and Huode had said. They both said that Gu Qingfeng was a very lazy fellow with one particular flaw: either he wouldn't do something, or if he did, he would do it thoroughly. In other words, either he wouldn't act, but once he did, to achieve a permanent solution and eliminate future troubles, he would kill everyone involved, leaving no one alive.
Heavens above!
Could it be that this fellow truly intended to unleash a great slaughter in the Northwest, killing all the Immortal Officials?
What kind of person does such a thing!
Su Hua took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the fury in her heart, and asked, "What do you want with the Immortal Dynasty people?"
"Nothing much. I just want to confirm something."
Gu Qingfeng held the Taixu Cup, drained the wine within, and added, "And incidentally, have them relay a message to the Immortal Dynasty for me."
"What do you want to confirm? What message do you want to send? I can help you."
"You?"
Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, looking Su Hua up and down. He shook his head and smiled. "You won't do."
"Why not!"
Su Hua rushed over, standing inside the pavilion, staring at Gu Qingfeng. Her tone was no longer calm. "Just what are you planning to do!"