Su Xi and Ouyang Chu Ge, along with the Grand Elder, soon appeared before him.
Seeing three people suddenly appear at the Yuan Manor, he couldn't help but furrow his brow.
Had the Yuan Manor suddenly changed its leadership?
And why hadn't he been informed?
Even if the leadership had changed, where had Yuan Jun gone?
As soon as this thought surfaced, he quickly noticed something unusual.
Su Xi bore their unique brand, and it was a fresh one, indicating it had appeared recently.
This brand was no ordinary mark; it required life force to set. Once imprinted, it wouldn't fade for a year.
Seeing this mark on Su Xi now, he could confirm Yuan Jun had been killed. The killer was likely among these three individuals.
Having figured this out, Gao Feng turned his gaze to Su Xi standing before him and asked, bewildered, "Who are you people?"
He was completely unfamiliar with the individuals before him, having never seen them before. Thus, he couldn't understand their motive for disrupting his plans.
Yuan Jun's death was unimportant to him; what mattered more was that his opportunity not be ruined.
Hearing Gao Feng's question, Su Xi did not answer. Instead, she retorted, "Who are you, and what is your purpose in doing this?"
Hearing Su Xi dare to question him in return, Gao Feng couldn't help but laugh.
Someone actually dared to refuse to answer his question and instead pose their own.
He truly wondered who gave them the audacity to speak such words to him.
After laughing for a while, Gao Feng patted his chest and said, "It seems you don't intend to talk properly. If that's the case, then I will make you listen."
With that, Gao Feng tore off his clothes, revealing his chest, as if he were performing a striptease.
However, Gao Feng's body was lean, and his chest was covered in a dense mass of eyes, looking rather terrifying.
The Grand Elder saw the eyes on Gao Feng's chest and swallowed hard, his voice suddenly trembling as he said, "Don't make a move yet. I didn't say we wouldn't talk properly. Let's not fall out. You only want information, not to take a life."
Seeing so many eyes, the Grand Elder had already thought of an individual he couldn't afford to offend. Therefore, ever the cautious one, he decisively chose to comply.
Better to live a wretched life than die with honor.
Hearing the Grand Elder's words, Gao Feng's expression instantly stiffened, replaced by confusion.
This turn of events was not what he had expected. Why were they so easily willing to cooperate?
However, since someone was willing to talk, it saved him some trouble.
Gao Feng remained silent, his gaze fixed on the Grand Elder, awaiting his next words.
Su Xi, seeing this, did not intervene.
After all, this was a plot element added by the author to pad the word count. She dared not disturb it. If the author ran out of money, she would be forced into an abrupt conclusion.
Seeing Gao Feng's expectant look, the Grand Elder became even more certain of Gao Feng's identity as he had imagined. Therefore, he dared not slacken in the slightest and quickly said, "I didn't do any of this. They did it all. I'm not from Tianxin City; I was just passing by to watch the excitement."
After speaking, the Grand Elder glanced at Su Xi helplessly, seemingly blaming her with his eyes for implicating him.
He was merely a law-abiding citizen, completely blameless.
Su Xi was surprised by the Grand Elder's sudden defection, her expression quite dramatic. She had thought she had underestimated his lack of principles, but she hadn't realized how low he could sink.
This fellow could no longer be described as shameless.
Seeing the Grand Elder's sudden betrayal, Gao Feng's face broke into a smile, and his expression turned peculiar as he asked, "So you recognize me?"
He knew now that the Grand Elder was talking nonsense. He and Su Xi were clearly in league. This sudden change of heart could only mean the Grand Elder recognized his true identity.
Hearing Gao Feng's question, the Grand Elder nodded hastily.
He not only recognized Gao Feng as the fearsome Inspector of legend but also knew of his ruthless nature.
No one had ever left Gao Feng's hands alive. There were those who had sought revenge against Gao Feng, but they had all been reduced to mindless husks by Gao Feng's Thousand-Eye Divine Ability.
His plan was simply to survive. Therefore, when faced with a powerful opponent, he harbored no thought of resistance, only hoping to gain a sliver of hope through submission.
Hearing the Grand Elder's admission, Gao Feng beckoned him closer, "Come here and tell me carefully what happened."
Although he had mastered the secret art of soul-searching, that method often led to the loss of information. Therefore, he wanted to hear the Grand Elder's account first to get a more detailed understanding.
The Grand Elder dared not refuse Gao Feng's request and hastily recounted everything that had transpired.
After he finished, he looked at Gao Feng with a helpless expression and proactively tried to build a connection, "I was also a guest elder of the Yuan family, so we do have some connection. How about you let today's events slide, and I'll be on my way?"
The Grand Elder was truly terrified, especially when he thought of Gao Feng's methods, which sent shivers down his spine. Therefore, rather than passively accept his fate, he preferred to confess proactively, hoping for a chance to survive.
Seeing the scene unfold, Su Xi felt a sense of helplessness.
She couldn't stop someone from walking to their doom.
Gao Feng was clearly not a good person. Even if the Grand Elder was willing to comply, it would be to no avail.
Hearing the Grand Elder's request, Gao Feng nodded seriously and said, "I am very satisfied with what you've said, so I can let you go."
"Really?" The Grand Elder's face lit up with a smile, and he said excitedly, "Thank you. I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
With that, the Grand Elder made to leave.
He knew Gao Feng wouldn't let him go so easily, so he had to make his escape before Gao Feng could react.
Gao Feng hadn't expected the Grand Elder to be so dramatic. By the time he reacted, the Grand Elder had already reached the doorway, almost out of sight, on the verge of escape.
"Stop," Gao Feng's aura surged, blocking the Grand Elder and preventing his departure.
Allowing someone to escape from his sight was a mistake he had never made before.
"Sir, do you have any further instructions?" The Grand Elder sighed inwardly, feeling regret.
Why hadn't he run faster? Then he wouldn't have been caught.
Having apprehended the Grand Elder, Gao Feng commanded, "You deal with these two, and I will let you go."
Upon hearing Gao Feng's words, the Grand Elder looked at Su Xi and Ouyang Chu Ge opposite him, and swallowed hard.
He had just witnessed Su Xi in action, and her formidable combat power. If he went up against her, he would undoubtedly turn into dust.
A conflicted expression appeared on his face.
What should he do?
Seeing the Grand Elder remain silent, Gao Feng's expression darkened instantly, and he threatened, "What, are you unwilling?"
"No," the Grand Elder shook his head and looked at Gao Feng, saying, "Give me a moment. I have a question I need to ask first."
With that said, the Grand Elder ran directly to Su Xi and asked, "Are you sure you can defeat him?"
Although he was worried, he was acutely aware that they were now in a situation where there was no turning back. Moreover, given Gao Feng's character, he was unlikely to spare him.
Therefore, to ensure his own survival, he had to choose the best course of action.
Living was his greatest aspiration in life.
Su Xi was taken aback by the Grand Elder's question and was momentarily unsure if he was being serious or not.
Was this man's skin thicker than a city wall to ask such a brazen question?
Although she didn't want to deal with the Grand Elder, she also didn't want to make an enemy for no reason. Thus, she nodded, indicating that she had a way to deal with Gao Feng.
Hearing Su Xi and the others' conversation, Gao Feng rolled his eyes, expressing his utter speechlessness.
These low-level individuals were engaging in wishful thinking. Did they really think he couldn't hear them?
Could such preposterous words be spoken so casually?
Furthermore, he was a cultivator of the Nascent Soul stage, and Su Xi, a mere Nascent Soul cultivator, couldn't possibly defeat him. Yet, she was spouting such nonsense, it was truly laughable.
"Cough, cough, cough!" Gao Feng coughed a few times, attempting to bring the conversation back on track.
He was the protagonist of this episode, after all. How could these people ignore him? Couldn't they show him some respect?
Hearing Gao Feng's words, Su Xi and the others turned to look at him and said insincerely, "Sorry, we forgot about you."
Gao Feng: "..."
╮(╯▽╰)╭
Gao Feng suppressed his anger and decided not to dwell on it.
After all, the most important thing for him now was not to attract attention, but to eliminate everyone who knew his secrets.
Hearing Gao Feng's words, the Grand Elder smiled and nodded, "Don't worry. I've made my choice. I'll stick with them."
Seeing that the Grand Elder dared to toy with him, Gao Feng sneered and said, "Good, very good. You have quite the courage. Later, I will ensure you die a rhythmic death."
Hearing Gao Feng's threat, the Grand Elder looked at Su Xi and deliberately egged her on, "See? He's threatening me. Hurry up and attack him. Don't let him go."
After speaking, the Grand Elder quickly hid behind Su Xi.
He had made his bold statement, but he was acutely aware of his own strength. Facing Gao Feng now was impossible. His only option was to rely on Su Xi.
As long as Su Xi made a move, he would have a chance to survive.
Seeing the Grand Elder's disloyal behavior, Su Xi's expression instantly became rigid.
What was this guy doing?
Although she was internally complaining, she knew she couldn't refuse.
There was no possibility of reconciliation between her and Gao Feng.
Now that Gao Feng was about to attack, she couldn't afford to worry about the Grand Elder, because Gao Feng was already charging towards her.
Gao Feng's assault was fierce. If she couldn't defend herself in time, she would surely perish.
"Die."
Gao Feng roared and charged towards Su Xi.