“But is this person really Chu Feng?”
“Could it be someone else entirely, and Xu Morong and Gong Mingyue just happened to offend that person before coming here?”
Though people had started suspecting that Chu Feng might be the honored guest invited by Tantai Xing’er, doubts lingered in their hearts. After all, Chu Feng didn’t quite match the image of such a prestigious figure, which explained their shock once they began piecing it together.
Yet, amid the crowd’s uncertain speculations, Chu Feng spoke.
“Miss Tantai, let it go.”
When Chu Feng’s voice rang out, Tantai Xing’er not only softened her cold glare but turned to him with a warm, radiant smile. “Since Young Master Chu Feng says to let it go, then let it go.”
“My heavens, it’s really him?!!!”
At that moment, the crowd’s minds erupted.
If there had been any doubt before, it was now settled beyond question.
This person—the honored guest Tantai Xing’er had invited, the one she’d gone so far as to gravely injure Xu Morong to protect—was indeed Chu Feng!!!
But once it was confirmed that this guest was Chu Feng, their initial shock gave way to a creeping fear.
After all, just moments ago, they’d been loudly proclaiming their intent to “teach Chu Feng a lesson.”
Now, they regretted it so deeply they wanted to slap themselves senseless.
This was a personal grudge between Chu Feng, Gong Mingyue, and Xu Morong—why had they gotten involved?
That was the prevailing thought among most of them.
And if they felt this way, it was even worse for Xu Morong and Gong Mingyue.
At this point, Xu Morong was already severely injured, his companions tending to his wounds. But now, those companions halted—they didn’t dare continue healing him, afraid of being dragged down with him.
Normally, if someone dared treat him this way, Xu Morong would’ve started cursing up a storm.
But now, he stayed silent. He didn’t dare speak—he was too rattled to even try.
Suddenly, Xu Morong struggled to his feet, his bloodied and broken body trembling. In an utterly submissive tone, he addressed Tantai Xing’er: “Miss Tantai Xing’er, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t know Chu Feng was your honored guest. If I had, I’d never have dared disrespect him.”
He apologized—swiftly and without hesitation. Despite his usual arrogance and disdain for others, Xu Morong knew full well that Tantai Xing’er was someone he couldn’t afford to cross.
“You don’t need to apologize to me. The one you should apologize to is Elder Chang Fei,” Tantai Xing’er replied.
“Elder Chang Fei?” Xu Morong looked bewildered.
“If it weren’t for trusting you, Elder Chang Fei wouldn’t have mistaken Chu Feng’s genuine token for a fake. He wouldn’t have suffered the lash punishment either,” Tantai Xing’er explained.
“What? So the token Chu Feng had that day was real?”
“So it was Xu Morong who wrongly accused Chu Feng—and even got Elder Tantai Chang Fei caught up in it?”
“I’ve heard Elder Tantai Chang Fei has a fiery temper. Now that he’s been punished because of Xu Morong, he definitely won’t let it slide.”
Hearing the crowd’s murmurs, Xu Morong began trembling—not just from his injuries, but from pure terror.
Compared to the others, Xu Morong knew Tantai Chang Fei far better. Having caused harm to someone as vengeful and ruthless as the elder, there was no chance he’d be spared.
At that moment, Xu Morong couldn’t help but glance at Chu Feng, his eyes brimming with complicated emotions.
It suddenly clicked—why Chu Feng, upon seeing him, had asked, “You’re still alive?”
Indeed, having crossed someone like Tantai Chang Fei—a man who always repaid grudges with cruelty—it was a miracle Xu Morong was still breathing.
Fortunately, he’d had something come up that day and hadn’t stayed for the Ice Summit Peak selection. That was likely how he’d dodged disaster.
But now, here he was, within the Tantai Heavenly Clan’s territory. Today… could he escape this fate?
*Thud—*
With that thought, Xu Morong collapsed to the ground, shaking so hard he was on the verge of tears.
He was genuinely terrified—fear had sunk into his very bones.
Seeing Xu Morong in such a state, Gong Mingyue’s expression grew even uglier.
Though Chu Feng’s cultivation was weak, his background was undeniably formidable—so powerful that even Lord Nameless Starfall was connected to him, and Tantai Xing’er treated him as a guest of utmost importance.
And yet, what had she done to someone like Chu Feng just moments ago?
She’d publicly declared that she and Chu Feng could never be together.
She’d publicly called him a waste.
But now, she realized that in Chu Feng’s presence, she was the one who amounted to nothing.
Earlier, if Chu Feng hadn’t spoken up, she might’ve ended up like Xu Morong—punished by Tantai Xing’er, lying bloodied and broken in a corner.
At this moment, Gong Mingyue felt she’d lost all face. The mocking gazes directed at her were like invisible blades, slashing away at her pride.
For the first time in her life, she understood what it meant to feel… like there was no place for her in the world.
“Alright, I gathered everyone here today for a friendly get-together. Let’s not dwell on unpleasant matters. Since you’re all here, let’s enjoy ourselves,” Tantai Xing’er suddenly spoke again. As she did, the anger on her face melted away, replaced by a warm smile.
After she finished speaking, members of the Tantai Heavenly Clan entered from the entrance, carrying exquisite pastries and fine wine. Beautiful songstresses began performing, singing and dancing. Compared to earlier, the peach garden now truly felt like a grand banquet.
Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Tantai Xing’er wouldn’t pursue further punishment.
“Young Master Chu Feng, that’s the Peach Garden Secret Realm. It contains the mysteries of martial cultivation,” Tantai Xing’er said. “Our clan has a rule: all honored guests may enter the Peach Garden Secret Realm to observe. And to me, Young Master Chu Feng is an honored guest among honored guests. So, your friends may enter as well. I know Young Master Wuma Shengjie is your friend, but this young lady—is she also your friend?” She glanced at Gong Qing before looking back at Chu Feng.
“Yes,” Chu Feng nodded.
“In that case, let’s go in together,” Tantai Xing’er said.
“Wait—I… I can really go in too?” Gong Qing’s eyes widened as she stared at Tantai Xing’er, hardly believing her ears.
Seeing Gong Qing’s reaction, Tantai Xing’er covered her mouth and smiled. “You’re Chu Feng’s friend—of course you’re qualified. Please, Miss Gong Qing.”
With that, Tantai Xing’er took Gong Qing’s hand, leading her forward, while Chu Feng, Wuma Shengjie, and Gong Qing followed closely behind.
At that moment, the crowd was filled with envy, their gazes mostly fixed on Gong Qing.
That was the Peach Garden Secret Realm—a place they’d dreamed of entering their whole lives. Yet Gong Qing, simply because she knew Chu Feng, had earned the right to enter and was even receiving such warm hospitality from Tantai Xing’er. What incredible luck!
Compared to the others, the Gong Clan members felt far more complicated emotions.
But the one with the most tangled feelings was still Gong Mingyue.
Standing there now, she felt like a clown.
Yet Chu Feng—the one she’d publicly rejected, insulted, called a waste, and deemed unworthy of her—was the center of attention. Even Tantai Xing’er herself was personally guiding him.
Gong Mingyue’s heart was filled with bitterness. For various reasons, she couldn’t help but wonder.
Between her and Chu Feng…
Who was truly unworthy of whom?
