What was real, and what was fake?
The crowd in the hall was utterly confused by Gu Qingfeng's words. No one could understand what he meant.
In the private room of the pavilion, Shui'er didn't know, and neither did Tang Manqing.
However, from Gu Qingfeng's tone, she could more or less discern that his meaning seemed to be: even if he couldn't prove he was real, he still had to let others know about his existence as a fake, especially that Monarch Chixiao in Yanluo Kingdom?
But why?
If he wanted to impersonate, then just impersonate. Why did he have to let others know?
And he especially had to let that Monarch Chixiao in Yanluo Kingdom know?
What kind of tactic was this?
Or what kind of scheme?
She didn't know.
Tang Manqing truly couldn't figure it out.
Back in the hall.
Gu Qingfeng didn't expect others to understand either. He just sat lazily in his chair, legs crossed, sipping his Little Tipple, and continued, "In the past, putting on a bit of a show could stir up some gossip and serve the purpose of advertising. It's just...
This act can't be kept up forever. If you do it too much, even I start to feel like I'm genuinely becoming a bit of a show-off...
Though a man doesn't have to be handsome, he must have a bit of flair. But...
Deep down, I really don't have that kind of flair."
This time, although many still didn't fully grasp what Gu Qingfeng was saying, they caught a bit of his meaning. He seemed to want to create a focal point of gossip, to serve an advertising purpose. In other words, he wanted to make a name for himself, to let more people know about his existence as this Monarch Chixiao!
"Heh, so it seems you want to make a name for yourself?"
Obviously.
Peng Jia had also discerned the implied meaning in Gu Qingfeng's words. He stood there with his hands behind his back, staring intently at Gu Qingfeng, a cold smile playing on his lips as he said, "May I ask how you plan to make a name for yourself?"
"I heard earlier that your reputation is quite considerable?"
Gu Qingfeng tilted his head slightly, squinting his eyes as he looked at Peng Jia with a smile, asking, "Not only are you a direct disciple of some sect, but also a Noble Scion of the Immortal Dynasty?
In short, you're quite famous in Yanluo Kingdom, right?"
"So what?"
"In that case, don't just stand there. Come on."
With that one sentence, everyone was bewildered again.
What did 'come on' mean?
What was the meaning of 'come on'?
What was he preparing for Peng Jia to do to him?
"What do you mean?"
Peng Jia didn't understand either.
"I'm telling you to make a move. Can't you even understand that?"
If Gu Qingfeng's previous words had left everyone feeling lost in a fog, then at this moment, everyone understood exactly what he meant by this sentence.
Make a move!
That's right.
He actually wanted Peng Jia to make a move against him?
However.
Understanding was one thing.
Every single person in the hall, without exception, couldn't believe their eyes and doubted whether they had heard correctly.
Because everyone could see that this fellow had no cultivation whatsoever, no special endowments, and his physical body was frail and weak. Even so, he was actually saying they should square off and fight?
What did he have to fight Peng Jia with?
One must know that Peng Jia was a Noble Scion of the Immortal Dynasty, a direct disciple of a major sect, possessing over a hundred layers of Great Nature Transcendent Creation, and the invincible Great Sun Bright Dharma Form that everyone feared. Even Earth Immortals would flee at the sight of him.
And this fellow actually wanted to fight Peng Jia?
He had nothing. What could he use to fight Peng Jia?
What gave him the right?
"What did you just say?"
Peng Jia's expression was also filled with deep suspicion. He glared at Gu Qingfeng and asked uncertainly, "Could you repeat that?"
"Didn't you hear clearly?
Then I'll say it again. Since you want yesterday's gambling winnings back, then come on. The old rule of the jianghu: square off and have a fight."
Gu Qingfeng took a sip of wine. His indifferent expression and casual tone didn't seem like someone about to fight at all; it was as leisurely as chatting with a friend. He added, "Of course, I'm a few years older than you lot, so I'll let you have the first few moves. Otherwise, if word gets out, people might say Gu Tianlang is bullying the young."
This time, everyone heard clearly.
They were also quite certain this fellow wasn't joking, but was genuinely prepared to fight Peng Jia.
Yet still, no one dared to believe it.
This feeling was like witnessing an ant challenging a fierce tiger with their own eyes. Everyone knew that if the tiger wished, it could crush this ant at any moment. Yet this ant didn't seem afraid in the slightest. Not only was it unafraid, it appeared utterly nonchalant, as if it had the tiger completely figured out.
What game was this self-proclaimed Monarch Chixiao imposter playing?
Was he bluffing?
Or was there some scheme?
Or did he truly have some reliance?
No one knew.
Opposite him.
Peng Jia stared intently at Gu Qingfeng, trying to discern something from his eyes. But look as he might, he couldn't see anything. He then looked at Fei Kui. Fei Kui had been standing to the side all along, bowing his head, not saying a word, just pouring wine for Gu Qingfeng cup after cup, as if not worried in the slightest. This made Peng Jia, who was already quite wary of Gu Qingfeng, even more uncertain.
"What's the matter?
Scared?"
Gu Qingfeng shook his head slightly, as if somewhat disappointed. "Kid, never mind you being some sect's direct disciple or a Noble Scion of the Immortal Dynasty. Just based on your young age, how can you be so hesitant in your actions? If you don't even have the guts for this, how dare you bring people here to demand gambling winnings from me?
Do you think I'd give them to you?"
"You're looking for death!"
Whoosh!
Yue Jinghong, who had been standing nearby, roared in anger. He could no longer restrain himself. Dazzling radiance erupted from his body—eighty-one layers of Great Nature Transcendent Creation, plus his endowed Primordial Spirit Dharma Form. His strength was truly impressive. But the moment he moved, Peng Jia instantly stopped him.
"Brother Peng, this man is bluffing! Don't fall for his trick!"
Yue Jinghong's furious shout came through. Peng Jia stared at Gu Qingfeng and said, "Whether he's bluffing or not isn't important. What's important is that this is Linglong Mountain Villa. I said today I would give Sister Hong face and not make a move within the villa."
Peng Jia's words suddenly enlightened many in the hall, reminding them that this was indeed Linglong Mountain Villa.
Making a move within Linglong Mountain Villa would come at an unimaginable cost.
No one dared to offend the villa's owner, Sister Hong, over this.
Moreover.
Linglong Mountain Villa was filled with experts, especially Manager Wei who was standing right there. With him present, even if Peng Jia were willing to risk offending Sister Hong to make a move here, Elder Wei and the other villa experts would intervene to stop it. This fight would inevitably end before it even began.
Thinking of this, everyone understood why this imposter claiming to be Monarch Chixiao dared to be so arrogant and presumptuous.
So he was relying on Linglong Mountain Villa.
At the same time, many were extremely impressed that Peng Jia, worthy of being a Noble Scion of the Immortal Dynasty, could maintain his composure even when provoked face-to-face by this imposter. It was truly remarkable.
"Don't be afraid. Go ahead and make your move freely. If anything happens, I'll take care of it. It's just compensation, right?
I can afford it. Let's fight according to the ten-billion standard. No!
A hundred billion! No!
Since we're fighting, let's go all out. However much it costs, I'll pay!"
"Young Master Gu."
Elder Wei finally stepped forward and spoke, "This isn't a matter of compensation or not. The rules of our Linglong Mountain Villa do not allow anyone to make a move here. No one is permitted."
"And what if I insist on making a move?"
Elder Wei raised his head, his brows deeply furrowed as he stared intently at Gu Qingfeng. "If Young Master Gu makes a move here, then please don't blame this old man for being impolite."
"Is that so...
Well, that's perfect."