"As you said, Zhou Taihe controls nearly fifty branch halls within Yanluo Kingdom, with close to a million followers. Among them are many prodigies of fortune—Edict Envoy recipients, Heaven-Chosen Ones, bearers of Greater and Lesser Mandates—allowing him to wield immense influence in Yanluo, and he colludes with the Immortal Court, gradually weakening Dong Laohu's sway."
Gu Qingfeng remarked indifferently, "Under such circumstances, Dong Laohu should have stayed in Yanluo Kingdom. Why did he leave instead? And from the sound of it, he's been gone for quite some time. What's the matter? Could it be that Dong Laohu knows he's no match for Zhou Taihe and went to seek reinforcements? That doesn't seem like that kid's style, unless he knew he was facing utter annihilation."
"This humble one isn't entirely clear on the specifics, only..." Fei Kui frowned, pondering as he spoke, "This humble one has heard some rumors that Zhou Taihe's side is planning some major move in collaboration with the Immortal Court recently. Perhaps Old Master Black Buddha left because of this."
"What major move?"
"As for what exactly this major move entails, this humble one doesn't know either. It should be related to the Crimson-Letter Sect. Otherwise, Old Master Black Buddha wouldn't have left in such a hurry."
"Is that so..." Gu Qingfeng leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and gently tapped his fingers against his brow.
To be honest.
Regarding matters of the Crimson-Letter Sect, he couldn't be bothered to intervene, nor did he have the inclination.
He had no interest whatsoever in Edict Envoys, Heaven-Chosen Ones, or Greater and Lesser Mandates.
Even if Chixiao People like Zhou Taihe broke away from the Crimson-Letter Sect or declared they were no longer Chixiao People, he couldn't be bothered to care.
Back then, he had led the brothers of the Chixiao Sect through life-and-death struggles, starting from nothing. After overthrowing the Immortal Dynasty, they had fame, strength, resources—they had everything they could want. He believed he had never wronged a single brother. Not only that, before leaving, he gave them everything he could, going above and beyond, considering it his final duty to his brothers.
He sought no repayment.
He only hoped these brothers could live freely and without worries.
As for how they chose to live, that was their business. Gu Qingfeng couldn't be bothered to meddle.
Whether they pursued fame and profit or sought power and authority.
He couldn't be bothered to care.
Even if they lost their conscience and colluded with the Immortal Dynasty, he couldn't be bothered to spare them a glance.
But they couldn't betray their conscience, collude with the Immortal Dynasty, and then turn around to deal with the brothers they had once fought alongside through life and death.
That was simply unacceptable.
And utterly devoid of righteousness.
Gu Qingfeng stood up, picked up a cup of wine, took a light sip, and asked, "Over these years, has Zhou Taihe ever acted against other Chixiao People?"
"To this humble one's knowledge, he has not. Although the other Chixiao People are indifferent to fame and fortune and avoid conflict, they are not to be trifled with. Moreover, with Old Master Black Buddha present, no matter how bold Zhou Taihe is, he wouldn't dare make a move against Chixiao People. However..." As he spoke, Fei Kui seemed to remember something, stealing a glance at Gu Qingfeng before continuing, "Zhou Taihe himself hasn't, but...
His subordinates have once taken action against the old Chixiao People."
"So such a thing really happened?"
A flash of anger instantly appeared in Gu Qingfeng's previously calm eyes. "Tell me the specifics."
As if sensing Gu Qingfeng's anger, Fei Kui dared not delay and quickly said, "Over the years, as the Crimson-Letter Sect's influence has grown, the four great families and seven major sects of Yanluo Kingdom have been currying favor everywhere. With the Immortal Court backing them, even the Yanluo royal family can do nothing. Consequently, Zhou Taihe's subordinates have grown increasingly arrogant, both externally and internally, especially those prodigies of great fortune. Each is arrogant and domineering, relying on their talents."
"About three years ago, those prodigies of great fortune publicly insulted the monarch. Several old Chixiao People couldn't stand it and stepped forward to reason with them. Not only did those prodigies refuse to listen, they became even more aggressive. In a fit of anger, both sides came to blows."
"The incident caused a huge uproar at the time. Many from the Crimson-Letter Sect arrived, led by those newly risen prodigies of fortune, and the fighting was fierce. Although the several Chixiao elders were battle-hardened veterans possessing the Blood Fiery Aura and Dragon-Elephant Spirit, there were simply too many people from the Crimson-Letter Sect. They were no match. Fortunately, Old Master Black Buddha intervened in time, otherwise...
The consequences would have been unthinkable."
"What kind of damned mess is this!"
Gu Qingfeng was furious upon hearing this. He barked, "When Dong Laohu arrived, didn't he slaughter those little bastards?"
"This...
Old Master Black Buddha probably had his own concerns."
There were some things Fei Kui didn't dare say in front of Gu Qingfeng, worried it might anger him. More importantly, he hadn't been present at the time and wasn't clear on the specifics, so he didn't dare speculate recklessly. If his guess was wrong, he couldn't bear the responsibility.
Actually.
Even if he didn't say it, Gu Qingfeng could more or less guess.
Edict Envoy recipients.
Heaven-Chosen Ones.
Greater and Lesser Mandates.
These prodigies of great fortune grew at a staggering pace, their strength increasing at an unparalleled rate. Even though the Chixiao People were all battle-hardened and possessed the Blood Fiery Aura and Dragon-Elephant Spirit, against these extraordinary beings of great fortune, they likely stood no chance.
Coupled with Zhou Taihe's growing influence in Yanluo and the Immortal Court backing him, if Dong Laohu didn't take action at the time, he must have had significant concerns.
But this kind of situation was utterly infuriating no matter how you thought about it!
Gu Qingfeng shook his head and sighed, "That fellow Dong Laohu has taken the wrong path. In this world, with strength comes endless wealth, but having wealth does not mean possessing absolute strength. When it comes down to it, this is ultimately a world where strength reigns supreme!"
He tilted his head back, drank, and asked, "How many Chixiao People were beaten, and who were they?
Were there any casualties?"
"There were over ten Chixiao elders. No casualties, but they were all seriously injured. There was Elder Deben, Elder Xingwen, and Elder Fengxu..." Gu Qingfeng listened carefully to these names. Most left no impression, but the name Fengxu rang a faint bell. "Which Fengxu?"
"Zhan Fengxu, the banner master of the Golden Glory Banner under Old Master Black Buddha's command in the Chixiao Sect back then."
Hearing it was the Golden Glory Banner under Dong Laohu's command, Gu Qingfeng immediately remembered, and the image of an iron-willed, crimson-blooded old man surfaced in his mind.
"Where is this Elder Fengxu now?"
"Right here in Shanhe City within the Jinxiu Great Domain."
"Perfect."
Gu Qingfeng stood up, shook out his sleeves, and said, "Take me there."
"Young Master, are you going over now?"
"That's right, right now."
If he hadn't known that the Chixiao brothers he once fought alongside through life and death had been beaten, it would be one thing. But now that he knew, Gu Qingfeng absolutely would not stand idly by. Moreover, they were beaten by a few little bastards from the Crimson-Letter Sect. This was an insult he could not swallow, no matter what. If he could swallow it, then he wouldn't be Gu Qingfeng, much less Gu Tianlang.
This trip served two purposes.
First, to visit Elder Fengxu.
Second, to gain a clearer understanding of the Crimson-Letter Sect's situation within Yanluo Kingdom, as Fei Kui's account was too vague, and many things were merely hearsay.
"Those little bastards have gone too far!"
Gu Qingfeng threw back his head and drained the cup of wine in one gulp, roaring, "Damn it all!
This time, I won't let this matter rest!"