"Disciples pay respects to Elder Chang, and to all the elders." Upon seeing this, Big Radish and Small Radish hastily bowed. As disciples of the Hell Palace, they found themselves quite nervous before such an assembly.
Small Radish in particular — he hadn't been afraid even when he saw Chu Feng, but the sight of these elders had him trembling uncontrollably.
"There is no need for such formality." The leading elder waved his hand, then looked toward Chu Feng with a smile and cupped his fists. "Young friend Chu Feng, I am Chang Ping. It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
"Elder Chang is too kind. Being able to meet all of you elders is my blessing." Chu Feng returned the courtesy with equal politeness. His impression of this Hell Palace elder was quite favorable — though they were members of the Hell Palace, their earlier actions had been more befitting of a righteous force.
"Elder Chang, you should know who I'm worried about. Although they are not as powerful as your Hell Palace, they do possess considerable strength in the Martial Sacred Land. Can you truly guarantee their safety?" Chu Feng pointed toward Big Radish and Small Radish.
"Young friend Chu Feng, you may rest assured on that account. If the Hell Palace did not even have that much capability, then we would not deserve our name."
"Although the three of them are merely ordinary disciples within our Hell Palace, no outsider shall be permitted to bully them."
"This time, our Hell Palace has brought quite a few experts along, though they are all stationed outside the fortress."
"Within this fortress, we cannot claim to be invincible in the world. But once we step beyond these walls, absolutely no one will be able to lay a finger on a single member of the Hell Palace." Elder Chang slapped his chest as he made his guarantee.
"The Hell Palace truly lives up to its reputation." Only then did Chu Feng break into a relieved smile. The Hell Palace possessed great influence, and he naturally believed they had the ability to protect Chili and the others.
However, having the ability to protect them did not necessarily mean they would. After all, as Elder Chang had said, the three of them were merely ordinary disciples.
But regardless of Elder Chang's status or rank, now that he had made such a public guarantee — and on behalf of the Hell Palace at that — the Hell Palace would absolutely not allow the Four Great Emperor Clans to lay hands on Chili and the other two. Otherwise, it would be their own reputation on the line.
"Young friend Chu Feng, today we truly have you to thank for stepping in and saving us. Otherwise, we would all likely be dead at Zhan Qiankun's hands."
"Elder Chang flatters me. Today's situation was not nearly so dire." Chu Feng said modestly.
"No, I am not being polite — it really was that serious. Young friend Chu Feng, there is no need for humility. Everyone here who is still alive today owes you a debt of gratitude."
"A great kindness does not need to be spoken of, so I will not pile on pleasantries. To express my gratitude, I would like to invite young friend Chu Feng for a drink." The elder smiled and waved his hand in invitation.
"I appreciate Elder Chang's kind offer."
"But it has been many days since I last parted ways with Brother Yan Xie. We finally have the chance to meet today, and there is much to discuss. Time is pressing, so I'm afraid I cannot stay for drinks today. Another time, should the opportunity arise, I will certainly share a cup with the elder until we are both thoroughly drunk." However, Chu Feng smiled as he declined the Hell Palace elder's invitation.
Hearing these words, Big Radish and Small Radish tensed up immediately, terrified.
Although this Elder Chang was considered a low-ranking elder within the Hell Palace as a whole, he was still an elder nonetheless. To disciples like them, he was not someone to be offended.
Moreover, Elder Chang happened to be the one in charge of Big Radish and the others. They knew his temperament well — he had a terrible temper, and almost none of the disciples among them dared to cross him.
Yet here was Chu Feng, rejecting Elder Chang's invitation right in front of everyone. In their eyes, Chu Feng had just landed himself in serious trouble.
"Haha, very well then. If the opportunity comes, we will gather again. I won't disturb you today."
However, far from becoming angry at Chu Feng's refusal, Elder Chang simply smiled and left.
Seeing how this normally overbearing elder was so magnanimous before Chu Feng, Big Radish and Small Radish seemed to finally understand the principle that strength commands respect.
It was not that Elder Chang was difficult to approach — they simply had not yet reached the standard required for his affability.
With sufficient strength, even this normally fearsome elder could be amiable and reasonable.