"Explain to me—what exactly is going on? Why would Luoxia Valley side with the Luyang Pavilion to deal with us?"
"Didn't you say that with your cousin there, Luoxia Valley wouldn't make a move?"
The president of the Red Butterfly Society radiated killing intent so intense it could drown a man. If Zhao Ruofan couldn't give her a satisfactory explanation, she would kill him on the spot without a moment's hesitation.
"This has to be a misunderstanding, Madam President. You sent me to negotiate with them—perhaps it really is just a misunderstanding." Zhao Ruofan's voice trembled as he spoke.
"Madam President, perhaps we should let him try. Otherwise… *sigh*…" An elder of the society let out a helpless sigh.
If Luoxia Valley truly intended to help the Luyang Pavilion crush them, then there would be no escape today. Perhaps their only slim chance of survival lay with Zhao Ruofan—after all, his cousin was an elder of Luoxia Valley.
**BOOM—**
At that very moment, the sky and earth shook. The Luyang Pavilion had begun their assault.
"Come with me." The president of the Red Butterfly Society seized Zhao Ruofan and shot into the air.
Seeing this, the other elders and elite members of the society followed close behind.
"Youth Chu, this matter has nothing to do with you. I'll find a way to get you out," Liu Chengkun said to Chu Feng.
"Senior Liu, I can't run. For all we know, the Luyang Pavilion may not have come for the Red Butterfly Society at all—they may be coming for me, Chu Feng." With that, Chu Feng launched himself into the sky and pursued the president and the others.
"Youth Chu, what are you—*sigh!!*" Liu Chengkun had wanted to stop him, but seeing Chu Feng's resolve, he could only let out a long sigh and follow.
Now Chu Feng and his companions, along with the elders and elite forces of the Red Butterfly Society, had all taken to the sky.
When they saw with their own eyes the numerous experts of Luoxia Valley alongside the vast army of the Luyang Pavilion, their hearts sank even further.
If this battle truly began, the Red Butterfly Society stood no chance of survival. Setting aside the Luyang Pavilion's forces, the experts of Luoxia Valley alone were more than they could handle.
"You've got some nerve, showing your faces after all this." Chu Luyang stood at the forefront of the Luyang Pavilion's army, his cold gaze sweeping over the members of the Red Butterfly Society. His eyes held both the hatred he had nursed for years and the smug confidence of a man who believed victory was already in his grasp.
"Hmm?" Suddenly, the hatred in Chu Luyang's eyes intensified.
He had spotted Chu Feng.
"You—could you be Chu Feng?" Chu Luyang pointed at Chu Feng and demanded.
Though he despised Chu Feng to the very marrow of his bones, this was the first time he had ever seen the young man face to face. His impression of Chu Feng had thus far been limited to a portrait drawn by someone who had actually met him, so he needed to confirm.
Seeing this, Chu Feng was about to admit it, but Liu Chengkun tugged hard at his arm, signaling him not to reveal his identity.
"It's me." Chu Feng admitted it anyway.
"Good. They say fame can't compare to the real thing." Despite Chu Luyang's best efforts to conceal his emotions, his killing intent leaked through regardless.
"Say something—now!" Seeing the situation deteriorate, the Red Butterfly Society's president shot Zhao Ruofan a sharp look while secretly gripping his vitals. If he tried to flee, she would kill him instantly.
"This must be a misunderstanding—there has to be some kind of misunderstanding!" With his life on the line, Zhao Ruofan hurried to speak.
"Who do you think you are, to even address me?" Chu Luyang said with disdain. It was obvious to him that Zhao Ruofan was no leader of the Red Butterfly Society.
"Wait just a moment." At that instant, a gaunt, skeletal old man wearing the robes of Luoxia Valley stepped forward.
"Cousin! You're here! Thank heavens—please, tell them about our connection. What on earth is going on?" Upon seeing the old man, Zhao Ruofan was overcome with joy. That was his distant cousin.
Hearing Zhao Ruofan's words, the members of the Red Butterfly Society secretly rejoiced, as though a glimmer of hope had appeared. The very person Zhao Ruofan relied on was standing right before them. With him here, any misunderstanding could surely be cleared up.
"My foolish little brother," the old man said with a chuckle, "have you still not figured out what's going on? Did you really think I would help your Red Butterfly Society?"