So Chu Feng turned to
"Oh, that's right, Leng Yue. You'd better hope I don't discover that anyone from the Heavenly Dao Manor is plotting to assassinate me. Otherwise, I'll make everything that happened today public. You know full well what the consequences of that would be."
"Of course, I can keep today's events a secret for now. But as for everyone else — well, I can't speak for them." When he said this, Chu Feng deliberately glanced back at Baili Xinghe.
"Chu Feng, you—!" Hearing those words, Baili Xinghe — already drenched in cold sweat — nearly fainted from sheer panic.
This was provocation. Absolutely provocation. Borrowing a knife to kill — Chu Feng was trying to use Leng Yue's hand to eliminate him.
At that moment, Leng Yue also realized what was happening, and she turned her frost-sharp gaze toward Baili Xinghe.
"Leng Yue, I, Baili Xinghe, swear upon the heavens that I will never speak of today's events to anyone!" In his desperation, Baili Xinghe hurried to explain.
"Why should I trust you?" Leng Yue stepped toward Baili Xinghe, one deliberate step at a time.
"Leng Yue, you have to believe me. I, Baili Xinghe, am the disciple of the Weapon Refining Immortal. I always keep my word — I have that much credibility at least."
By now, Baili Xinghe had realized that Leng Yue was genuinely contemplating killing him. He struggled with all his might to break free, but the force binding him was simply too powerful — he couldn't escape no matter how hard he tried.
Left with no other option, he invoked his master's name in hopes of saving his own life.
He was truly terrified — utterly, bone-deep terrified. After all, he was Baili Xinghe, the prized disciple of the Weapon Refining Immortal. He had talent, status, everything. His future was a bright, unbroken road ahead. How could he possibly be willing to die? How could he accept losing everything he currently possessed?
"All right. I'll believe you — reluctantly." Leng Yue had already closed the distance to Baili Xinghe, and the killing intent in her eyes diminished.
"Thank you." Only when the killing intent completely drained from Leng Yue's gaze did Baili Xinghe dare to breathe a sigh of relief.
*Pffft—*
But at that very moment, Baili Xinghe's face twisted violently in agony. He looked down — Leng Yue had driven her hand like a blade straight through his Dantian, and fresh blood poured forth.
Though Leng Yue had been grievously wounded by Chu Feng, dealing with someone of Baili Xinghe's caliber was still child's play.
"Leng Yue, you—!" Baili Xinghe's face was a mask of bitter defiance.
"Baili Xinghe, I believe you — but I still have to kill you. As for why... you and I both understand."
*Boom—* With those words, a flash of ruthlessness cut through Leng Yue's eyes. Her palm trembled violently, and Baili Xinghe was shaken to dust and scattered into nothingness.
"Chu Feng, this is for you. I hope you'll honor your promise. If I don't come after you, you stay silent." Leng Yue tossed Baili Xinghe's Universe Bag toward Chu Feng.
It was a hot potato, no question about it. Regardless of everything, Baili Xinghe had been the disciple of the Weapon Refining Immortal. But Chu Feng accepted the Universe Bag all the same — the treasures inside were simply too tempting to refuse.
Although Leng Yue had willingly handed over Baili Xinghe's Universe Bag to Chu Feng, he was by no means grateful. Instead, he removed the ring from his finger and said: "Leng Yue, the scene of you killing Baili Xinghe — I've recorded every bit of it right here."
With that, Chu Feng carefully stowed the ring away.
"Chu Feng, you're ruthless." In that instant, the full picture snapped into place in Leng Yue's mind. She had been played by Chu Feng yet again.
"Well, what can I say? When dealing with someone like you, I have no choice but to resort to a few tricks."
"Remember — don't say a single word to the elders of the Heavenly Dao Manor. Otherwise, I won't just ruin your reputation and leave you with nowhere to turn within the Manor. I'll also make the Weapon Refining Immortal hunt you down."
"If you lose the Heavenly Dao Manor's protection and gain the Weapon Refining Immortal as an enemy instead — you know exactly what that means." Chu Feng delivered these words with a smile, his manner as calm and breezy as a passing cloud.
But to Leng Yue's ears, those words were like ten thousand bladed weapons plunging into her body — and every last one of them was dipped in poison, burrowing deep and setting her very soul aflame with anguish.