"Jiang Hao, what do you think you're doing?" Xu Yiyi scolded sharply.
"Jiang Hao, stop this nonsense. Step back." At the same time, Elder Ning Shuang let out a cold command.
Back then, at the base of Cloud Crane Mountain, when Jiang Hao had made things difficult for Chu Feng in every way imaginable, both Xu Yiyi and Elder Ning Shuang had been present.
So when Jiang Hao stepped forward now, both of them grew worried, fearing he was about to cause trouble for Chu Feng once more.
After all, things were different now. The relationship between Luoxia Valley and Chu Feng had become extremely good.
Even though they knew that Jiang Hao was no match for Chu Feng whatsoever, he was still a member of Luoxia Valley.
Both Xu Yiyi and Elder Ning Shuang were terrified that Jiang Hao might say something offensive, souring Chu Feng's impression of Luoxia Valley.
"This…?"
But upon closer inspection, the expressions on Xu Yiyi and Elder Ning Shuang's faces shifted once more.
They were astonished to discover that Jiang Hao's demeanor was not aggressive at all — instead, he looked entirely meek and vulnerable.
No matter how you looked at it, this did not seem like the bearing of someone looking to give Chu Feng a hard time.
"Could Jiang Hao actually be about to apologize to Chu Feng?"
"But that can't be right."
Doubts swirled in Xu Yiyi's mind. With an ordinary person, she might have been able to conclude that an apology was forthcoming.
But she knew Jiang Hao to some degree. The man was proud and arrogant. In all the time she had known him, she had never once seen him apologize to anyone.
"Chu Feng, I…?" Suddenly, Jiang Hao spoke up.
"Jiang Hao, I have important matters to attend to today. Let's catch up another time." But before Jiang Hao could finish, Chu Feng smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
Jiang Hao's expression froze at this gesture, momentarily thrown off by what was happening.
However, in the very next instant, he received a secret voice transmission from Chu Feng.
"Jiang Hao, I know what you want to say. What's in the past is in the past. I, Chu Feng, will not hold it against you."
Hearing those words, Jiang Hao felt his very soul tremble. Chu Feng had not only guessed that he was about to apologize — he had already forgiven him.
And to spare his dignity, Chu Feng had deliberately cut him off before he could utter the apology, delivering his forgiveness through a voice transmission instead.
Regret. In this moment, Jiang Hao felt even more remorseful than before. He regretted how immature he had been, how he had made things so difficult for Chu Feng.
Jiang Hao stood frozen in shock and self-reproach for a long while. By the time he snapped back to his senses, he realized that Chu Feng had already left with Wang Qiang and Zhao Hong.
"Senior Brother Jiang Hao, I had no idea you and Chu Feng were friends! Wow, I admire you so much!"
"Senior Brother Jiang Hao, you're practically my idol!"
By now, the disciples of Luoxia Valley and the Three Star Hall had crowded around Jiang Hao, and the gazes they directed at him were genuinely filled with admiration and respect.
In that moment, something stirred in Jiang Hao's heart once more, because he understood that the reason these disciples admired him was entirely because of Chu Feng. They had mistakenly assumed that Chu Feng was his friend, and that was why they looked up to him.
Jiang Hao couldn't help but glance over at Xu Yiyi and Elder Ning Shuang.
Both of them returned his look with a faint smile.
In that moment, Jiang Hao's heart finally found its peace.
He was no longer consumed by regret, because he had made a decision. Though all he could contribute was a small measure, starting today, he would stand in support of Chu Feng.
Whether Chu Feng knew about it or not, he would never again allow anyone to speak a single word against Chu Feng in his presence.