Inside the most important palace of the Long Clan.
The Long Clan's Clan Chief was pacing back and forth, his face full of worry, the word "anxiety" practically etched into every line of his expression.
He already knew that the Shengguang Clan had come to claim the bride.
But both Shengguang Yunyue and Long Xiaoxiao had been taken away by Chu Feng. There was simply no one he could hand over.
In the past, when faced with such a situation, he would have immediately handed over evidence of Chu Feng's crimes, dumping the blame onto him and washing his hands of the matter.
But after witnessing Chu Feng's abilities firsthand, and seeing what he had done to Shengguang Yunyue, how could he dare openly betray Chu Feng?
He knew that if he pointed the finger at Chu Feng, Chu Feng would truly annihilate the entire Long Clan.
Yet the Shengguang Clan was equally not someone he could afford to offend.
He couldn't afford to offend either side — so what was he supposed to do?
"Damn that Chu Feng. Why did he have to meddle?"
In his frustration, the Long Clan Chief couldn't help but curse Chu Feng under his breath — though he didn't dare raise his voice, muttering it so quietly it was barely a whisper.
The sight was rather comical.
Although only the Clan Chief was inside the palace, a large crowd had gathered outside. They were all elders of the Long Clan, their status and strength representing the very pinnacle of the clan.
But at this moment, they were no different from the Clan Chief themselves — stripped of their usual dignity and composure. Each of them was pacing back and forth like ants on a hot plate, frantic and restless.
Ignorant of the truth, they had no idea why the Clan Chief was stalling so long before receiving the Shengguang delegation. They assumed the Clan Chief had secretly seen the state Shengguang Jiahao was in and couldn't bear to send Long Xiaoxiao off to marry such a man.
And so, one after another, they were urgently trying to persuade the Clan Chief.
"My Lord, we know you dote on Princess Xiaoxiao, but you must think of the bigger picture!"
"My Lord, since ancient times, those who would achieve great things must make sacrifices. The Shengguang Clan is not someone we can afford to offend!"
"All of you — shut up!"
From within the palace came the Clan Chief's furious roar.
Though the people outside were frightened into silence by his shout, the worry on the Clan Chief's face only deepened.
Did he not want to act in the best interests of the Long Clan? Of course he did. But he simply had no solution.
"Clan Chief of the Long Clan, why such a troubled expression?"
Suddenly, a voice rang out — from inside the palace itself.
Hearing that voice, a look of delight immediately appeared on the Clan Chief's face. From the voice alone, he knew who had arrived.
He turned to look, and sure enough, the newcomer was Chu Feng.
Alongside Chu Feng were Long Xiaoxiao and Long Xiaoxiao's mother.
Of course, Long Xiaoxiao's mother was currently disguised as Shengguang Yunyue, and the Clan Chief had no way of recognizing her.
But the Clan Chief's gaze was fixed entirely on Chu Feng, with no attention to spare for anyone else.
He knew that if the Long Clan was to be saved, Chu Feng was the only one who could do it.
"Young Hero Chu Feng, you've finally returned! My Long Clan is on the brink of disaster — you must save us!"
The Clan Chief looked like he had found his savior, his eagerness so great he looked ready to drop to his knees before Chu Feng.
"Don't panic. The wedding simply proceeds as planned," Chu Feng said.
"The wedding proceeds as planned?"
"Young Hero Chu Feng, are you saying you truly wish to have Xiaoxiao marry into the Shengguang Clan?"
"But Shengguang Jiahao is so hideous — wouldn't that be a terrible fate for Xiaoxiao?"
The Clan Chief feigned surprise, putting on the display of a loving father who was loath to part with his daughter.
"That's the only way to save your Long Clan, isn't it?"
"If you truly can't bear to part with Xiaoxiao, then I'll take her away right now — far from this place."