While Chu Feng and the others were being stopped, an entirely different scene was unfolding inside the main hall of the four branches of the Chu Heavenly Clan.
There were people present here — three of them were the branch masters of the Guard Corps Hall, the Spirit World Hall, and the Treasure Hall, respectively.
The fourth was the vice branch master of the Punishment Hall, Chu Xuanchengfa.
However, at this moment, the domineering presence Chu Xuanchengfa had always projected was completely gone. He was... actually kneeling on the floor of this main hall.
The person he knelt before was an elder.
Although called an elder, his appearance resembled that of a middle-aged man.
The reason he was referred to as an elder was because he had a head of snow-white hair.
That white hair was so long that when it fell loose, it even touched the ground.
Yet the strands were spotlessly clean.
In addition to his white hair, the elder wore a long white robe, as pure as snow. It was clear that this was a man who kept himself extremely clean.
But the most astonishing thing about this elder was not his attire or his youthful face.
It was that overwhelming aura of a sovereign — the kind that made anyone who laid eyes on him feel an instinctive sense of reverence.
This man was none other than the second strongest member of the current Chu Heavenly Clan, Chu Hanpeng.
"Chu Xuanchengfa, do you admit your fault?" Chu Hanpeng asked calmly, his mere presence carrying an authority that needed no anger to be felt.
"Supreme Elder, this junior was indeed disrespectful toward an elder, and that is a fault."
"However, I do not believe there was anything wrong with my request for Chu Feng to return to the Chu Heavenly Clan," Chu Xuanchengfa said.
"A worthless cripple, and you want to bring him back into the clan — and you still dare say you are not at fault?"
"Chu Xuanchengfa, you truly are audacious beyond measure. Do you not even hold the Supreme Elder in your eyes?"
"If your wings were any stronger, would you have used your oppressive aura against the Supreme Elder today as well?"
The moment Chu Xuanchengfa spoke, the three branch masters immediately launched into harsh rebukes.
It seemed that the time Chu Xuanchengfa had used his oppressive aura to suppress them had truly left a deep grudge in their hearts.
Now that they had found their chance, they wished they could condemn Chu Xuanchengfa to death on the spot.
But at that moment, Chu Hanpeng suddenly raised his hand. He said nothing, yet the gesture was a clear signal for the three branch masters to shut their mouths.
Chu Hanpeng was the patron of these three branch masters, and they naturally did not dare to disobey his wishes. Though unwilling, they quickly held their tongues and said no more.
"Chu Xuanchengfa, explain to me — why do you believe that calling a worthless cripple back to the clan is not wrong?"
"If you can give me a reasonable explanation, then let it be. Otherwise, what awaits you today will be far more than simply kneeling." Chu Hanpeng said.
"Supreme Elder, first of all, when Chu Xuanyuan committed his great transgression back then, Chu Feng was still a child. That matter had nothing to do with him — he should not have been implicated because of it," Chu Xuanchengfa said.
"Nothing to do with him? If not for him, would Chu Xuanyuan have committed such an error? Would he have done such a thing?" the Guard Corps Hall master interjected.
"That was Chu Xuanyuan's own decision, not Chu Feng's will. How can it have anything to do with him?"
"If someone killed on your behalf, would you also be punished alongside the murderer?" Chu Xuanchengfa asked.
"You..." Upon hearing this, the Guard Corps Hall master's face contorted with an ugly expression. He actually did not know how to refute Chu Xuanchengfa.