Chapter 454: Chapter 284: Development_1

Three days later, outside the city of Evergreen, three people walked together in silent solidarity.

They were Li Hongjun, Chu Lingfeng, and Zhang Shaobai.

All three were Yuan Core Martial Artists. Compared to thirty-eight years ago, their appearances had hardly changed, but their demeanor had, each distinct from the others.

Zhang Shaobai still had the appearance of a scholarly youth, but for some reason, his expression was sullen, and his eyes ice-cold. Although he was flanked by the other two, he seemed to somehow be walking alone ahead of them.

Li Hongjun and Chu Lingfeng trailed slightly behind him on either side, their positions only serving to add to the oppressive atmosphere.

In this manner, and without knowing for how long, they had moved far from Evergreen City; yet none of them had spoken a word.

Finally, it was Zhang Shaobai who stopped walking and broke the silence, “This is far enough. After accompanying a friend for a thousand miles, there must come a parting. You two should head back quickly. Otherwise, should someone take issue, they may accuse you of having an undue connection with me, Zhang Shaobai, or even conspiring illicitly and harboring ulterior motives!”

His words were cold, laced with sarcasm, and a hint of resentment.

And he had cause to be resentful!

They had known each other for many years and had supported each other through humiliations and hardships during their thirty-eight years of suffering, finally regaining their freedom. Yet, these two were choosing to stay behind instead of leaving with him.

Zhang Shaobai could not understand, he was utterly baffled.

If it were those from small families or solitary Loose Cultivators, that would be one thing. But they were from the lineage of Divine Martial, renowned scions on the lists. Why would they stoop to serve a tyrant known for his cruelty?

Facing Zhang Shaobai’s angered and puzzled words, Li Hongjun and Chu Lingfeng exchanged glances, both sighing but still trying to persuade him.

“Brother Shaobai, we three have known each other for years, and though our paths diverge today in such a helpless parting, our friendship remains forever etched in our hearts. If ever you change your mind, come seek us at the Scholar’s Palace. The Taoist Master is magnanimous like the ocean, broad-minded and generous. As long as you, Brother Shaobai, carry no evil deed…”

“Enough!!!”

Before the sentence was completed, it was interrupted by a sharp rebuke.

Zhang Shaobai’s eyes were bloodshot as he glared angrily at the two, saying harshly, “We are far enough now, and during these three days, many have traveled this road. Even if that Human God has vast Divine Skills, he wouldn’t have the leisure to watch over trifles like us. Why must you two still put on an act, advocating on his behalf?”

His words were both angry and puzzled.

He simply could not understand, truly could not fathom, why the two from Divine Martial Heritage would assume such a demeanour.

Were they biding their time with hidden intentions or so intimidated by the tyrant’s ferocity that they dared not speak their minds?

That could not be so. He was a careful man himself, or he would not have waited until today to make a move.

In the span of three days, even though many had chosen to stay, there were also quite a few who had left untroubled.

From this, he could tentatively conclude that the tyrant genuinely intended to let people go and was not maliciously testing them. That’s why he had suggested to the other two to join him in escaping the clutches of the tyrant’s control.

But unexpectedly…

Seeing Zhang Shaobai’s resentful expression, Li Hongjun shook her head and sighed, “Brother Zhang, calm your anger!”

“Calm my anger, how can I calm my anger?”

Zhang Shaobai glared at Li Hongjun, his voice rising, “Fairy Qihua, you hail from the Hundred Flowers Building, pledged to the Evergreen Palace. Now that man has seized your family heritage and occupied your foundation, why do you still choose to serve him? Is it out of fear of his fierceness, or have you no other refuge? If it’s the latter, as far as I know, the Master of Evergreen Palace has not endured disaster, and has already led various branches, such as the Hundred Flowers Heavenly Fragrance Tower, in establishing a new base in the Domination Domain…”

“Brother Zhang, as you know, those are just branches!”

A soft yet icy voice interrupted Zhang Shaobai, leaving him stunned and visibly taken aback.

Li Hongjun looked at him, shaking her head, “The Evergreen Palace is the Evergreen Palace, the Hundred Flowers Building is the Hundred Flowers Building. Who is the main lineage, and who are the branches, Brother Zhang, you know this all too well. What about them?”

“This…”

Faced with such words, Zhang Shaobai found himself speechless.

With a cold and self-deprecating tone, Li Hongjun added, “All those Hundred Flowers beauties, the Heavenly Fragrant lovelies, nothing more than gifts to be given, playthings to be enjoyed.”

“Brother Zhang, you are the direct scion of the Zhang Family, and Mr. Longyuan is of your ancestral lineage. Born a noble gentleman, how can you comprehend the hardship of being a branch family, let alone the plight of a female slave like me who doesn’t even count as a branch?”

“Qihua…”

“In this world now, there is no Qihua!”

Zhang Shaobai’s expression stiffened, and as he was about to speak, Li Hongjun cut him off with a cold tone.

Her expression was ice-cold, her determination evident, “From now on, Brother Zhang, it’s best to call me by my birth name. Here, within the Wandao School, this woman can be Li Hongjun, and not some Fairy Qihua.”

“…”

Zhang Shaobai’s complexion turned ashen, unable to retort, and instead turned to Chu Lingfeng, “Brother Lingfeng, do you feel the same way?”

Chu Lingfeng nodded, bowing respectfully, “Brother Shaobai, I hope that one day, we might meet again.”

“Why?”

Zhang Shaobai was full of bewilderment and frustration as he pressed, “Fairy Qihua aside, Brother Lingfeng, you are the true descendant of Heavenly Thunder Peak, highly ranked on the Heaven List. In the future, you might ascend to the Heaven List or even leave a name in the Divine Martial annals. Why stoop to hold regards to that tyrant’s whims? Furthermore, two hundred years from now, on the day the Temple of War God reopens, your senior from Heavenly Thunder Peak will likely return. What will you do then?”

In his words, there was even greater suspicion and disbelief.

Although the current state of the Divine Martial four lists had become nominal, their previous glory and weight had not waned.

Chu Lingfeng, being highly placed on the Heaven List and a true scion of the Divine Martial Heritage, lacked neither cultivation resources nor opportunities for advancement. Zhang Shaobai truly saw no reason for him to stay.