"Why can't I have the surname Chu?" Chu Feng countered.
"That's not your real surname, is it?" Chu Xuanlang asked.
"Whether it is or isn't — what does it matter?" Chu Feng replied.
"If it isn't, I'd like to know which clan you truly belong to."
"If it is, I'd like to know who your parents are," Chu Xuanlang said.
At that moment, Chu Feng's heart tightened. This Chu Xuanlang had indeed come to him with a purpose, and that purpose concerned Chu Feng's origins.
Chu Feng couldn't tell whether the other party's intentions were good or malicious, but he wasn't ready to reveal the fact that he was a member of the Chu Heavenly Clan — not yet.
Because even though Chu Xuanlang had saved Wang Qiang and Zhao Hong and was therefore technically his benefactor, Chu Feng still didn't trust him.
"Senior, if I don't confess the truth about this, will you resort to torture to force it out of me?" Chu Feng asked in a joking tone.
"Of course not. I'm merely curious. If you don't wish to tell me, I won't pressure you." Chu Xuanlang paused, then continued, "In truth, my reason for getting to know you was simply to be your friend."
"Be my friend? Would someone of Senior's standing truly want to associate with someone like me?" Chu Feng asked with a smile.
"What my status is doesn't matter. What matters is who you are," Chu Xuanlang said.
"What do you mean, Senior?" Chu Feng asked.
"I've heard about what you've done, and I greatly admire your style. A young man should have courage, boldness, and — most importantly — a clear sense of gratitude and grudges, loyalty and righteousness. In this day and age, people like you are rare enough. Young people like you are rarer still," Chu Xuanlang said.
"But no matter what you say, I killed members of your Chu Heavenly Clan," Chu Feng said.
"You mean Chu Luyang? That kind of person only brings shame to our Chu Heavenly Clan by staying alive. I'd have thanked anyone who killed him," Chu Xuanlang said.
"If that's the case, then you shouldn't have saved Chu Luxuan," Chu Feng said.
"Luxuan?" Chu Xuanlang chuckled, understanding what Chu Feng meant. "Luxuan is indeed very similar to his brother in many ways, but there is one difference — his talent is superior."
"Although Luxuan's talent can't be considered the most outstanding among the juniors of our clan, it's at least in the upper tier."
"So... even if his character leaves much to be desired, our clan still needs to cultivate him. After all... he is a future fighting force for our clan," Chu Xuanlang said.
"I see. Well then, it would be an honor for a junior like me to befriend Senior. I'm willing to call you brother," Chu Feng said.
"You've agreed? Why the sudden change of heart?" Chu Xuanlang asked.
"Chu Luxuan calls you uncle. If I call you brother, doesn't that mean he'd have to call me uncle? I very much look forward to seeing his expression when that happens," Chu Feng said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Ha ha! You really are an amusing one, little brother. But... I like that about you," Chu Xuanlang laughed heartily. He genuinely seemed to enjoy Chu Feng's company.
"Then should I call you Brother Xuanlang?" Chu Feng asked.
"Only natural," Chu Xuanlang said.
"Then, Brother Xuanlang, can you truly not heal Wang Qiang's injuries?" Chu Feng asked.
"I cannot. Within the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm, there is only one person capable of healing Wang Qiang's injuries — True Immortal Jinhe," Chu Xuanlang said.
"Who exactly is True Immortal Jinhe?" Chu Feng asked.
"I can only tell you this: True Immortal Jinhe is someone even I wouldn't dare provoke," Chu Xuanlang said.
"Even you wouldn't dare?" Chu Feng was genuinely surprised. He had long known that True Immortal Jinhe was no ordinary figure, but he hadn't expected the man to be this formidable.
Setting aside whatever backing True Immortal Jinhe might have, Chu Xuanlang's own strength was clearly extraordinary. If even he didn't dare provoke True Immortal Jinhe, that meant True Immortal Jinhe's power surpassed even his.
"Someone like that — why wouldn't they stay in the Upper Realm? Why come to the Ordinary Realm?" Chu Feng asked.
"Presumably for some purpose. As to what that purpose is, who can say?" Chu Xuanlang said with a faint smile — a smile laden with meaning.
Chu Feng chose not to press further, but he now knew for certain that True Immortal Jinhe's presence in the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm was deliberate.
"People like us generally don't involve ourselves in the feuds and entanglements of the Ordinary Realm. So even for you, persuading True Immortal Jinhe to act will be extraordinarily difficult. Be mentally prepared," Chu Xuanlang said.
"I'm prepared," Chu Feng said.
"Good. From here on, you'll have to rely on yourself."