Chapter 1769: Chapter 1768: The Events of That Year
Xiao Bai and White Wolf, thrilled by Gu Qiaoqiao’s promise, ran outside and crouched by the door, ready to return with her to the Qin Family’s Courtyard.
Gu Qiaoqiao smiled; it seemed these two little ones were very fond of her family’s other two little ones.
However, she had more important things to attend to now.
Initially, she had wanted to avoid it, but Sima Xiaowen hoped for her presence.
After brewing tea for them, Gu Qiaoqiao sat quietly on the other side of the study, engrossed in her book.
Elder Sima, with a solemn expression, sipped his tea, deep in thought, waiting for one person—Chu Chengfeng.
Soon, Xiao Bai’s meowing and White Wolf’s low growls could be heard from outside, as Chu Chengfeng strode in swiftly.
At the moment Elder Sima saw Chu Chengfeng, his last trace of uncertainty vanished.
He hurried forward, clasping his hands in a ceremonial salute, "Sima greets Chief Mo Li."
Gu Qiaoqiao and Sima Xiaowen exchanged glances.
It seemed Chu Chengfeng’s new identity was confirmed; he truly was called Mo Li. But Sima Xiaowen wasn’t concerned about this matter now.
Just as she was about to speak, Chu Chengfeng quickly stepped forward, helping Elder Sima up, and sincerely said, "Elder Sima, you are my senior; even in the past, we were never this formal."
Elder Sima nodded in satisfaction.
He then introduced Gu Junbai, beside him, saying, "I believe you must know this is the benefactor of the Phoenix Clan. Without Mr. Gu, the Phoenix Clan would have been annihilated."
By now, Chief Mo Li had shed the arrogance and indifference of his bloodline awakening and had become more composed and reserved.
He understood the events of the past: without Gu Junbai’s intervention, the Phoenix Clan would indeed have perished.
He then saluted Gu Junbai, "Thank you, Mr. Gu, for saving the Phoenix Clan."
Gu Junbai, still as usual, even when faced with Mo Li who had Divine Clan blood, smiled slightly, "No need to thank me; the Phoenix Clan has also rewarded me generously. Please, Chief Mo Li, have a seat; no need for formality."
With his identity confirmed, Gu Junbai didn’t wish to get involved further, so he stood, hands clasped behind him, and said to Gu Qiaoqiao, "Qiaoqiao, accompany your uncle for a walk."
"Uncle..."
Sima Xiaowen called out, not wanting to stay in the room with Chu Chengfeng and her oblivious father.
But Gu Junbai didn’t look at her again and left the study, leaving the space to the three Phoenix Clan members.
Sima Xiaowen didn’t insist further but also didn’t want to delay, so she straightforwardly recounted the entire story between her and Chu Chengfeng to Elder Sima.
Elder Sima was stunned, having never imagined such an event.
His gaze fell upon the new Clan Leader, full of questions. Chu Chengfeng had no choice but to nod, "Xiaowen’s words are correct."
Elder Sima sat in his chair, his hands clenched into fists on the Eight Immortals table, pounding with a heavy frown, asking Sima Xiaowen, "Why didn’t you tell me last time I was here?"
If Sima Xiaowen had told him, he would have met this brat planning to marry his daughter, and everything would have been clear by now.
"You came and went so quickly, I didn’t have the time, and besides, I didn’t take it seriously."
Sima Xiaowen spoke honestly.
At the time, she truly thought so.
Otherwise, this matter would have been resolved long ago.
She regretted her inaction that had led to her current passive situation.
Now, Sima Xiaowen felt a bit of regret.
Elder Sima frowned, looking at Chu Chengfeng. The joy of meeting the new Clan Leader had vanished, but he couldn’t say anything.
"Where is Liu Ling now?"
"I’ve arranged for her to stay at one of my apartments. After Nirvana, she lost her memory and was taken in by a family, working since the age of fifteen. However, I’ve reverted her name and information."
Chu Chengfeng spoke calmly.
Then he turned to Elder Sima, "Elder, do you know Liu Ling?"
"Of course, I know." Elder Sima nodded, then frowned, saying, "You don’t need to remind me; I know she’s your fiancée. We thought you’d marry, but who could foresee such events in the Phoenix Clan leading to its fragmentation and near extinction..."
"Dad, what I want to ask is, what really happened back then?" pointing to Chu Chengfeng, "This man almost killed me when his memory returned, claiming the Phoenix Clan’s destruction was my fault because I brought an outsider into the Divine Land, but I don’t remember."
Elder Sima’s eyes were deep, pondering for a long time before looking at Chu Chengfeng, "Clan Leader, do you trust the words of Elder Sima?"
"I do."
Chu Chengfeng responded without hesitation.
Elder Sima was somewhat satisfied. Regardless of Chu Chengfeng’s current actions, his true nature remained intact, and his current cultivation was exceptionally high, beyond Sima’s comprehension.
Therefore, the Phoenix Clan might not achieve past glories, but retrieving the scattered bloodlines truly required someone like him.
Otherwise, the Phoenix Clan, with thousands of years of heritage, would indeed vanish.
Neither he nor the other three elders wanted to see this.
"...The incident happened so unexpectedly. From what I know, none of the elders or protectors I knew saw Xiaowen bringing that person into the Divine Land, and that person knew both Xiaowen and your fiancée Liu Ling. In fact, their relationship was closer than with Xiaowen."
Chu Chengfeng paused, his deep gaze fixed on Elder Sima, then swept to the scowling Sima Xiaowen, and asked Elder Sima, "Elder, can you tell me what you know?"
"What I told you just now is almost everything I know. At the time of the incident, my daughter happened to be in the Divine Land, but she was attacked and left unconscious."
"None of the elders know precisely what occurred in the Divine Land Hall, but there was a Little Phoenix Bird at the time who saw something, though severely injured, and shared fragments of what she witnessed."
"What did she say?" Chu Chengfeng asked anxiously.
"She said she saw Shui Liuzi, Liu Ling, and my daughter quarreling in the Divine Temple..."
Chu Chengfeng suddenly stood up, "Elder Sima, are you sure about this?"
Shui Liuzi was the outsider.
"I, Elder Sima, never lie." His voice was low but carried a hint of displeasure, as if Mo Li’s question suggested the need for further integration of memories...
