Kong Qiuci finally approached Chu Feng.
The onlookers held their breath.
But to everyone's surprise, she did not attack Chu Feng.
Instead, with a look of deep guilt, she bowed deeply to Chu Feng and spoke two words.
"I'm sorry."
Those two words left not only the bystanders stunned, but Chu Feng himself frozen in disbelief.
He had killed Kong Qiuci's son. She had been utterly heartbroken, tears streaming down her face, and should have been consumed by fury. Yet rather than striking at Chu Feng, she was apologizing to him?
However, while the others were baffled, the expressions in the eyes of Kong Xianglian and Kong Moyu grew complicated.
The onlookers didn't understand why Kong Qiuci would say she was sorry, but the two of them did.
They couldn't help but think to themselves: "Qiuci is still Qiuci — her fundamental nature is kind. What a pity."
After uttering those words, Kong Qiuci picked up the body of Kong Ruozeng and departed.
She knew that today's events were entirely of their own doing. No one else was to blame. Even though her son had been killed, they had brought it upon themselves.
Once Kong Qiuci and Kong Yao had carried Kong Ruozeng's body away, the onlookers gradually dispersed as well.
But the thought that Chu Feng had actually killed a prodigy of the Kong Heavenly Clan, right within the Kong Heavenly Clan itself, left their hearts unsettled for a long time.
Today's events were bound to spread, and when they did, they would undoubtedly send shockwaves throughout the Hundred Refinements Upper Realm.
After all, killing someone of the Kong Heavenly Clan while a guest within their own territory — that was something virtually no one had ever dared to do.
Now, within the palace hall, only Chu Feng, Wang Qiang, and Kong Xianglian remained.
"Senior, you witnessed everything today. Though you have treated my brother and me kindly, the other members of the Kong Heavenly Clan still harbor deep hostility toward us."
"Today, it was only Kong Ruozeng who came. But what if tomorrow it is no longer a junior who targets us — what if it is someone we cannot contend with? What then?"
"Therefore, Senior, my brother and I truly wish to stay here no longer," Chu Feng said to Kong Xianglian.
What Chu Feng feared was not retaliation for killing Kong Ruozeng. He didn't believe the Kong Heavenly Clan was foolish enough to exact revenge within their own clan over something like that.
His concern was that the matter of the Sorrowful Misfortune Mountain Range might be exposed.
For that reason, the Kong Heavenly Clan was essentially a tiger's den for Chu Feng and Wang Qiang. Remaining inside it was far too dangerous, and Chu Feng naturally wanted to extricate himself immediately.
"To tell you the truth, young friend Chu Feng, something has happened within our Kong Heavenly Clan. At this moment… not only are guests forbidden from leaving, but even clan members are not permitted to depart. If you two wish to go, I will not stop you. However, I would ask that you remain a few days longer. Once this matter has been dealt with, you may leave," Kong Xianglian said.
"In that case, we will follow your advice, Senior." Chu Feng felt a twinge of helplessness but could only nod in agreement.
After all, Chu Feng was feeling guilty at this moment. He had no idea how much the Kong Heavenly Clan actually knew about the Sorrowful Misfortune Mountain Range.
They had already made this request, and if he insisted on leaving in a hurry, it would only draw suspicion toward himself. He had no choice but to comply.
"Young friends, I…"
Suddenly, Kong Xianglian's expression grew complicated. He seemed as though he wanted to say something but didn't know where to begin. In the end, he cupped his fists toward Wang Qiang and Chu Feng and said, "Alas… today's affairs are my fault. I have failed you both."
Having said that, Kong Xianglian soared into the air and departed — without even giving Chu Feng and Wang Qiang a chance to respond.
In truth, he had much he wanted to say. But he felt he had no right to say it. He didn't even feel he had the dignity to linger in front of Chu Feng and Wang Qiang any longer.
"Brother, look at that… Looks like you succeeded," Wang Qiang said, stepping forward after Kong Xianglian had gone.
"I did succeed, but it's still brought us some trouble. I think I've already given myself away — they've grown suspicious of me."
"From the looks of it, Kong Ruozeng's provocation this time wasn't his own idea. It was the will of the Kong Heavenly Clan," Chu Feng said.