The moment Chu Feng spoke those words, it struck like a bolt of lightning.
"What? That's…"
Every member of the Shura Department who heard those words was stunned. Not in a million years would they have imagined that in such a dire moment, Chu Feng would tell them to leave the Shura Department — choosing to bear this burden entirely on his own.
"Rest assured, everyone. It's not that the Shura Department no longer wants you. I simply don't want my personal grudges to drag you all into this."
"If you still trust me, Chu Feng, after you leave the Shura Department, don't join any other branch. Wait for my command."
"There will come a day when the Shura Department recruits again, and when that time comes, every one of you here will be able to return without needing to go through any examination." Chu Feng spoke once more.
At that moment, the entire plaza fell silent. Many people had originally been ready to withdraw from the Shura Department, but after hearing Chu Feng's words, they found themselves unable to utter such a request.
Some could even be heard weeping at that moment — not just women, but men as well, and more of the latter.
They had each joined the Shura Department with their own motives. Simply put, they had been clinging to Chu Feng's coattails.
But by now, they all knew full well that they had followed the right person. Chu Feng was a leader who lived up to his name.
And yet, for the sake of their own interests, they now had to leave this extraordinary leader.
The reluctance in their hearts, the guilt — it tormented them endlessly.
"Everyone, remove your armbands and disperse. This is no joke — it is an order. You have no choice in the matter." Chu Feng spoke again, his tone heavy and resolute this time. He was no longer persuading — he was driving them away, and his determination was absolute.
In an instant, someone dropped to their knees. And after that, nearly every person in the plaza followed suit, kneeling before Chu Feng in a grand gesture of respect.
Chu Feng was genuinely taken aback by this scene. Though they said little, their actions spoke volumes. Regardless of whether they left, at the very least they felt profound gratitude toward him — and deep regret.
Though such prostration was something that should never exist among fellow disciples, doing so relieved these Shura Department members of their guilt, at least easing the weight on their hearts.
Chu Feng understood exactly what they were thinking. He did not stop them. Instead, he let them kneel before him.
After expressing their remorse with this deep bow of respect, some disciples began removing their armbands. They rose and departed, vanishing quickly from Chu Feng's territory.
Where one left, another followed. In the blink of an eye, the crowd in the plaza scattered like a flock of startled birds, taking flight in every direction and rushing away. Within moments, more than half were gone.
By the end, out of nearly ten thousand Shura Department members, fewer than two hundred remained.
These two hundred showed not a trace of hesitation on their faces. Though the tension and fear were plain to see, their minds were made up — they would follow Chu Feng to the death and face whatever calamity lay ahead, together.
This time, Chu Feng did not drive them away. Instead, he smiled with a sense of relief. He studied each of the remaining members carefully.
One hundred and eighty-seven in total.
Among these one hundred and eighty-seven, there were not only the Shura Department's veterans but also a number of newcomers. Whether veteran or newcomer, Chu Feng memorized every one of their faces — he would never forget them for as long as he lived.
"I understand what's in your hearts. I won't waste words on empty sentiments."
"All I ask is this: in the coming battle, listen to my commands. Do not act recklessly. Just stand behind me." Chu Feng said. He still didn't want to drag anyone else into this conflict.
"Share fortune and misfortune alike. Share glory and disgrace alike."
"Share fortune and misfortune alike. Share glory and disgrace alike."
"Share fortune and misfortune alike. Share glory and disgrace alike."