"What?!
"Make Chu Feng the person in charge of the Colorful Bamboo Forest?"
"This… this… this… how can this be?!"
The moment
None of them had ever imagined that Hong Qiang would hand over such an important position to a mere disciple — let alone one who had been in the Falling Leaf Bamboo Forest for only a handful of days and held only an honorary title at that. It was simply too outrageous.
In an instant, all eyes turned toward Chu Feng. In those gazes there was undisguised envy, and equally undisguised jealousy. But there was also a faint undercurrent of hostility — and, naturally, a barely concealed simmering of anger.
Right now, the ones who felt the most unwilling were the four stewards of Gold, Silver, Copper, and Iron, as well as several senior elders of the Colorful Bamboo Forest.
They were the most qualified candidates for the position of Colorful Bamboo Forest overseer, and at the same time, the ones who wanted it the most.
Yet now, this position — second only to Hong Qiang himself, lord over tens of thousands — had been snatched away by an honorary disciple like Chu Feng. How could they possibly accept that? How could they ever be content?
But no matter how unwilling they were, not a single word of complaint escaped their lips. It wasn't that they didn't want to object — they simply didn't dare.
In truth, it wasn't only the others who were shocked. Even Chu Feng himself was taken aback. He had come to the Falling Leaf Bamboo Forest solely to meet Hong Qiang, and even his status as a disciple was only honorary.
Now that he had met Hong Qiang, Chu Feng could have simply shed his honorary title and regained his freedom.
But instead, Hong Qiang was asking him to become the overseer of the Colorful Bamboo Forest — a role Chu Feng found it very hard to accept. After all, he intended to return to the Greenwood Mountain eventually.
Thinking it over, Chu Feng finally spoke: "
"That's right, Sect Master. Chu Feng speaks truly. Though his talent is exceptional, he is still very young. If he were to take up the position of Colorful Bamboo Forest overseer, I fear he would struggle to earn the respect of the crowd."
Seeing that Chu Feng had actually refused, several of the stewards secretly rejoiced and quickly seized the opportunity to voice their own concerns, hoping to have Chu Feng removed from consideration for the role.
"Earn their respect? I'd very much like to see who dares not respect him!" Hong Qiang's sharp brows shot upward the instant he heard this, and he let out a thunderous shout that shook the air in every direction.
In that moment, the stewards were struck speechless, and not a single person present dared utter another word — all of them hung their heads in silence, thoroughly intimidated by Hong Qiang's fury.
Hong Qiang was powerful enough to annihilate every last one of them. Who would dare say they didn't respect Chu Feng?
Even if their hearts harbored resentment, as long as Hong Qiang stood behind Chu Feng, none of them would dare voice a single word of dissent.
"Chu Feng, go ahead and serve as the Colorful Bamboo Forest overseer for now. If in the future you truly don't want the position anymore, then simply step down." Hong Qiang addressed Chu Feng in a remarkably gentle tone, as though he were making a suggestion between equals.
When the people of the Falling Leaf Bamboo Forest heard this, their shock only deepened. Such an attitude was enough to make anyone seethe with envy.
To grant the position of Colorful Bamboo Forest overseer to a disciple was one thing — but to say he could serve only if he felt like it, and walk away whenever he pleased? That treatment was far too extraordinary. Hong Qiang's indulgence toward Chu Feng was beyond excessive.
But what could they do about it? Apart from stewing in their jealousy and resentment, they had no recourse. After all, who else enjoyed such a close relationship with Hong Qiang?
"Since Senior has put it that way, then Chu Feng will temporarily serve as the Colorful Bamboo Forest overseer. If Senior Hong Qiang finds a more suitable candidate in the future, I will gladly hand over the position." Hong Qiang had already said as much as he could, and Chu Feng found it impossible to refuse any further. All he could do was accept — for the time being.