The discord among the Three Palaces was something Chu Feng had heard about long ago. Between the Heavenly Dao Palace and the Hell Palace in particular, the grudge seemed to run especially deep.
Seeing it today, he could confirm it was true. Otherwise, he couldn't fathom why three grown men would watch a child face death without lifting a finger, and even stand by to mock him.
The three of them didn't have to save the boy, but Chu Feng absolutely could not stand by and do nothing. There was far too much injustice in the world, yet there were three types of people Chu Feng refused to see bullied.
The powerless, women, and lastly, children.
Seeing the little boy in dire straits, Chu Feng casually reached out and snapped a branch from a nearby tree. With a flick of his palm, the branch broke into ten segments, and then he struck. In a flash, ten streaks of cold light shot through the air. The next instant, ten arcs of blood spray burst outward.
The ten Fierce Beasts swarming the little boy collapsed to the ground simultaneously. Though their fangs and claws still bared and their eyes still glared with vicious intent, not a single breath remained in them.
"Hah…"
The little boy collapsed onto the ground in a drenched, panting heap. He had been certain he was doomed, when suddenly all ten savage beasts toppled over around him. For a moment, he simply couldn't process what had just happened.
"What busybody dares interfere? Step forward!"
It was the three Heavenly Dao Palace disciples who recovered first. They cast their displeased gazes toward the direction Chu Feng stood.
"Busybody? Since when does saving someone's life count as being a busybody? Is that some Heavenly Dao Palace rule?" Chu Feng emerged from the woods at an easy pace. Looking at the three before him, he remarked with sarcasm:
"How noble — the Heavenly Dao Palace, devoted to upholding the Heavenly Dao and helping others. I've certainly broadened my horizons today."
"You dare slander our Heavenly Dao Palace? You must have a death wish!" Two of them flew into a rage and drew their Royal Weapons, ready to attack Chu Feng.
"Stand down." The one in the middle stopped the other two with a sharp gesture. Then he turned to Chu Feng with a smile: "Brother, I believe there's been a misunderstanding. How could we possibly watch someone die? We were simply trying to temper this young brother. If he had truly been in danger, we would have intervened."
"Heh." Chu Feng let out a soft laugh. He couldn't be bothered to engage with this kind of self-serving drivel.
"Brother, it seems you have a rather deep misunderstanding of us. Very well, then — we'll take our leave." The man showed no anger at Chu Feng's attitude. He grabbed the other two by the arms and turned to walk away.
"Was it you who saved me?" The little boy stood up.
"What do you think?" Chu Feng asked with a grin.
"I think it was you." The boy chuckled. "Thank you for saving me. My name is Zhao Tuo, but you can call me Little Radish. Everyone does."
"Little Radish? Why Little Radish?" Chu Feng asked.
"Because they all say my head looks like a radish." Little Radish pointed to his own head.
At that, Chu Feng couldn't help but laugh. Before, he hadn't paid much attention, but now that the boy mentioned it and he took a closer look, the kid's head really did resemble a little radish.
"So tell me, Little Radish — this place is dangerous. Why did you run in here alone?"
"Embarrassing, really. I didn't listen to my brother and tried to cross the jungle on my own, and well… here I am, in trouble again. I'm going to get an earful." Little Radish looked genuinely frightened.
Chu Feng could see it plainly — the boy wasn't afraid of the Fierce Beasts. He was afraid of being scolded by his brother.
"Tell you what — I'll see this through. I'll take you across, and once you're through, when your brother catches up, you can tell him you made it on your own."
"Really?" The boy's face lit up with delight.
"Really." Chu Feng nodded with a smile.
"That's wonderful! Thank you so much! What's your name, benefactor? I'll definitely repay you someday!" the little boy said.