“But Senior, you clearly like Senior Chu Xuan Zhengfa, you clearly have feelings for each other,” Chu Feng said.
“Like? So what if I like him? Liking is one thing, but approval is another.”
“I, Gu Mingyuan, would rather marry someone I approve of than someone I merely like but who is weaker than me,” Gu Mingyuan declared.
Hearing this, Chu Feng didn’t know how to persuade her further. He could sense Gu Mingyuan’s resolute stance.
Besides, Chu Feng knew this was a matter between Gu Mingyuan and Chu Xuan Zhengfa. He could only offer light advice, not interfere.
So, with a hint of apology, Chu Feng said, “Sorry, Senior, I was out of line, I shouldn’t have spoken about this.”
“It’s fine, you meant well for us, for Lingxi.”
“But matters of the heart can’t be forced.”
“Like with your father…”
Gu Mingyuan stopped abruptly, then shook her head with a bitter smile.
Seeing this, Chu Feng realised something…
No wonder Gu Mingyuan treated him so well, she seemed to have special feelings for his father, despite their apparent unfamiliarity.
“Chu Feng, promise me, if anything happens to me, you’ll protect Lingxi,” Gu Mingyuan suddenly said.
“Rest assured, Senior, I’ll protect her with my life,” Chu Feng replied.
“I’m at ease, I’ve seen your actions,” Gu Mingyuan smiled, deeply comforted.
…
Afterward, Chu Feng chatted briefly with Gu Mingyuan but didn’t linger, as they seemed eager to leave.
When Chu Lingxi, Gu Mingyuan, and Chu Xuan Zhengfa were about to depart, Chu Feng naturally went to see them off.
Though he couldn’t escort them to the teleportation array, he could at least watch them go.
“Chu Lingxi!!!”
Just as they were leaving, a voice rang out from the palace where Chu Feng trained.
It was Old Daoist Ox-Nose.
“I’m giving you one last chance, are you really giving up?”
“If you do, you’ll never get my help again, nor the power of the Heavenly Granted Divine Body.”
Old Daoist Ox-Nose’s voice sounded again, tinged with anger, knowing Chu Lingxi was leaving.
Hearing this, Chu Feng felt a pang of sadness.
Despite Old Daoist Ox-Nose’s usual carefree, un-senior-like demeanor, Chu Feng had seen his help clearly these past days.
Chu Feng knew the Daoist genuinely valued Chu Lingxi, his question stemming from reluctance to see her go.
But sadly, Chu Lingxi’s mind was made up.
“Thank you for your care, Senior, and for saving my father and Chu Feng from the gates of death, but I can’t accept the Heavenly Granted Divine Body, farewell,” Chu Lingxi replied loudly.
After that, Old Daoist Ox-Nose’s voice didn’t sound again.
Then, the three left.
Master Liangqiu stayed behind.
After seeing Chu Lingxi off, Chu Feng hurried back to the palace where Old Daoist Ox-Nose was.
The outer hall was where Chu Feng trained.
Old Daoist Ox-Nose stayed in the inner hall.
Normally, Chu Feng wouldn’t enter without being called.
But this time, he pushed the door and stepped inside.
Upon entering, Chu Feng froze at the sight of Old Daoist Ox-Nose.
“Senior, you…”
Chu Feng’s eyes filled with heartache.
Old Daoist Ox-Nose sat naked in a bath, formed by a healing array.
Chu Feng had sensed weakness in his voice earlier, prompting him to barge in.
But the Daoist’s condition was far worse than he’d imagined.
“What are you doing here?” Old Daoist Ox-Nose asked, displeased.
“Senior, don’t speak,” Chu Feng said, ignoring his mood, approaching and releasing boundary power to aid his healing.
Chu Feng’s heart was heavy, his face full of guilt.
Though Old Daoist Ox-Nose looked rough and old, he usually spoke with vigor and a constant smile.
But now, he was extremely frail.
Chu Feng knew this was from helping him and Chu Lingxi with their refinement.
From the start, Chu Feng knew speeding up their refinement would drain the Daoist.
But seeing him now, the toll was far greater than expected.
Chu Lingxi had misjudged him.
Old Daoist Ox-Nose wasn’t deceiving them, or he wouldn’t have helped to this extent.
While healing him, Chu Feng’s gaze couldn’t leave the Daoist’s body.
Though frail, the scars were more striking.
Old wounds covered him, as if his body had once shattered and been pieced back together.
Those scars weren’t simple, unhealed despite his strength, still vivid.
Chu Feng guessed Old Daoist Ox-Nose had endured a horrific ordeal.
It must’ve been brutal, the scars hinting at what he’d survived.
Chu Feng even thought it a miracle the Daoist was still alive.
Perhaps… this was true survival from the jaws of death.
