After Nangong Longjian's words fell, Nangong Beidou exchanged a glance with the two clan masters of the Eastern Imperial Clan and the Beitang Imperial Clan, then stepped through the air and walked over to Chu Feng. Together, they clasped their fists toward Chu Feng and said: "Young Friend Chu Feng, our clans did have faults in the past. We hope Young Friend Chu Feng will be forgiving."
The gesture was perfunctory, to be sure. But the apology was, nonetheless, genuine.
For people of their standing to do something like this—it was proof enough that they truly feared Chu Feng. And that, in turn, demonstrated their sincerity in seeking reconciliation.
"Let's not dwell on the past. I only hope that the three of you will stop making things difficult for me, Chu Feng, and for my friends in the future." Chu Feng smiled faintly, his words carrying a deeper meaning beneath their surface.
"Young Friend Chu Feng jests. From today onward, we and Young Friend Chu Feng shall be friends, not enemies."
"And Young Friend Chu Feng's friends are our friends as well." The three clan masters spoke in unison.
"I hope the three of you can match your words with your actions." Chu Feng smiled once more. Though reconciliation had been reached, he still harbored some reservations toward people who had once schemed with all their might to have him eliminated.
Facing such a Chu Feng, the three clan masters could only smile bitterly. After all, they knew the fault lay with them. One by one, they pledged: "Young Friend Chu Feng, we won't say much more. Just watch what we do from here on out."
"Three Clan Masters, there is one matter I wonder if you could tell me," Chu Feng suddenly transmitted privately.
"What matter might that?" All three replied in kind, their answers also delivered through secret transmission.
"Who was it that betrayed my Azure Wood Mountain?" Chu Feng asked.
"We don't know that. Only Ximen Baiyuan is aware of it." The three clan masters gave answers that were nearly identical in substance.
"Thank you." Though he had failed to learn the traitor's identity, Chu Feng still offered his thanks—because even this much was of considerable help to him.
Witnessing Chu Feng's reconciliation with the four great Imperial Clans with their own eyes, many who were present wore expressions of genuine joy. None of them had truly expected that a confrontation of this magnitude would end in such a manner.
After all, they were all of the human race—and harmony should always be the priority. This was, in truth, the outcome people had hoped for most. Seeing those who had been locked in fierce battle moments ago now smiling at one another, ready to let go of old grudges with a single laugh—it was a heartwarming sight.
Forget the participants themselves; even the onlookers felt a swell of happiness in their hearts.
However… the people of the Ximen Imperial Clan were feeling quite the opposite. The clan masters of the Nangong, Beitang, and Eastern clans had personally apologized to Chu Feng—only the Ximen Imperial Clan had not, for its clan master had already been slain by Chu Feng's hand.
"Won't the Ximen Imperial Clan say something?" Yet even so, Nangong Longjian clearly had no intention of letting the Ximen Imperial Clan off the hook so easily. He still wanted them to give Chu Feng an explanation.
At that, Ximen Baiyuan stowed his Imperial Armament and walked over to Chu Feng. Though he had come, he simply stood there—offering no bow, no apology. Not even a trace of remorse could be seen on his face. Clearly… he still could not bring himself to say the words.
"The matter is in the past, and I have no desire to pursue it further. All I need is for Senior Ximen to answer two questions, and the Ximen Imperial Clan need not apologize to me," Chu Feng said.
"What questions? Ask." Hearing this, Ximen Baiyuan's expression brightened considerably. Though he loathed Chu Feng with every fiber of his being, Chu Feng had genuinely given him a way to save face.
"First question—what exactly is the Dark Hall? Tell me the truth," Chu Feng asked.
"It was the Dark Hall that came to us, offering their help. The Imperial Armament that was put up as a bounty before was also provided by them—though they never actually handed it over. We never received it. It was merely a verbal promise, and looking at it now, they clearly never intended to provide us with an Imperial Armament at all. It was simply a ploy to win our trust."
"As for what the Dark Hall truly is—we genuinely don't know. Every time, they were the ones who initiated contact. We had no way of finding them. However, I can offer you one lead," Ximen Baiyuan said.