Chapter 9

"Chuyue, this..."

Chengfeng was at a loss for words.

"This, what this? This isn't from me, it's this year's family subsidy." Chuyue said, pushing the spirit grass into Chengfeng's hand.

"If that's the case, I can't accept it. Have you forgotten that I still owe you two spirit grasses?" Chengfeng pushed the spirit grass back, and as he spoke, he took another spirit grass from his pocket.

"Brother Chengfeng, you haven't refined this spirit grass?" Seeing the intact spirit grass in Chengfeng's hand, Chuyue was sure it was the one she had given him.

"Yes, I've already broken through, so I don't need it for now. I might as well return it to you."

"No, I can't accept your spirit grass. These are all yours. Put them away quickly."

"Chuyue, I said I would return two spirit grasses, and I will. Didn't you agree back then? Your actions now make me very uncomfortable."

"But, you didn't even use the spirit grass I gave you, and instead, you're giving me your own. Isn't that just taking advantage of me?"

"Chuyue, I appreciate your kindness. In the entire Chu family, besides my father and elder brother, you've been the best to me. Consider this as a token of respect from your younger brother, okay?"

Chengfeng spoke from the heart. When everyone in the Chu family shunned him, Chuyue treated him so well, and he was genuinely moved.

Seeing Chengfeng's determination, Chuyue's face turned red with shame, and she said softly,

"Brother Chengfeng, your actions really make me feel ashamed. Actually... this spirit grass wasn't from me, but from Elder Brother Guyu, who asked me to give it to you."

"My elder brother?" Chengfeng was taken aback.

Chu Guyu was Chu Yuan's biological son and Chengfeng's elder brother. He was currently cultivating in the top sect of Qingzhou, the Lingyun Sect. At just seventeen, he had already reached the Sixth Level of Spirit Martial, making him the best among the young generation of the Chu family.

Chu Guyu, though aware that Chengfeng was not Chu Yuan's biological son, treated him like a real younger brother and was one of the people Chengfeng most respected.

"He was afraid you would feel burdened, so he told me not to say it was from him. But now, I must tell the truth." Chuyue's face was red, showing how ashamed she felt.

"Chuyue, even so, I still thank you. Whether the spirit grass is yours or not, your feelings for me over the years are genuine. I'll still consider these two spirit grasses as a token of respect from your younger brother."

"Besides, you're about to reach the Fifth Level of Spirit Martial. This spirit grass is more important to you. Don't refuse it." Chengfeng firmly pushed the spirit grass into Chuyue's hand.

"In that case, I'll consider borrowing the spirit grass from you, but only one, because I can only afford to return one." Seeing Chengfeng's determination, Chuyue bit her lip and only took one spirit grass.

Indeed, as Chengfeng said, Chuyue was about to reach the Fifth Level of Spirit Martial, and this was a critical period. The spirit grass was indeed very important to her.

"Alright." Chengfeng smiled.

"By the way, Brother Chengfeng, Elder Brother Guyu also has a letter for you." Chuyue took out a letter from her waist.

Taking the letter, Chengfeng felt a surge of emotion. He hadn't returned to the Chu family for five years and hadn't seen his elder brother and father for five years because he felt ashamed to face them.

But during these five years, his elder brother and father had almost sent him a letter every month, showing how much they missed Chengfeng.

"Alright, keep the letter and read it later. Come with me inside; today is a good day." Chuyue grabbed Chengfeng's arm and pulled him into the mansion.

But before they could get close, Chengfeng's brows furrowed. He heard many familiar voices from inside the mansion, all of whom he disliked.

Sure enough, when the mansion gates opened, there were thirty-two figures in the hall, most of whom were familiar faces. Almost all the Chu family members who were cultivating in the Qinglong Sect were present.

As for the few strangers, Chengfeng could guess their origins; they must be members of the Chu Alliance.

"Everyone, look who's here." Chuyue called out happily.

However, when everyone turned their gazes to him, Chengfeng could feel disdain and hatred.

"Hey, who's this? Isn't this the hero of our Chu family?" A young man walked towards Chengfeng.

His name was Chu Cheng, the elder brother of Chu Zhen, and he had also joined the Qinglong Sect, reaching the Fourth Level of Spirit Martial.

"Chengfeng, you've done a great deed, did you know that?" Chu Cheng pointed at Chengfeng, his eyes filled with malice.

"Chu Cheng, what are you saying? Today is a joyous occasion; don't speak rashly." Chuyue quickly intervened.

"What's wrong, Chuyue? He did a great deed, so why can't I say it?" Chu Cheng glanced at Chuyue and then looked at Chengfeng: "Chengfeng, you've done a great deed, don't you know? You've done a huge favor for us."

"Spending five years as an outer sect disciple in the Qinglong Sect, you've disgraced our Chu family. Now you have the nerve to attend the Chu Alliance gathering. How thick is your skin?"

"Chu Cheng, shut up." Chuyue was angry, but before she could say more, Chengfeng grabbed her.

Chengfeng's expression remained unchanged, and he smiled lightly, saying, "You're overthinking it. I have no interest in your gathering. Today, I'm here to settle accounts."

"Settle accounts? What accounts?" Chu Cheng's face changed upon hearing this.

"How funny, a person adopted by our Chu family dares to come and settle accounts with us. Don't you know who has been providing you with food and clothing all these years?"

"Exactly, how shameless." The other Chu family members also began to criticize Chengfeng.

However, Chengfeng ignored their words and said as he walked into the hall,

"A few days ago, someone bet with me that I couldn't pass the inner sect examination. He said if he lost, he would give me this year's family subsidy of spirit grass."

"Chu Zhen, you haven't forgotten this, have you?" Chengfeng stopped in front of Chu Zhen.

Chu Zhen was sitting in a chair, chewing on a fruit, but his mouth twitched, and his face turned pale.

Chu Zhen certainly hadn't forgotten that day. He had stayed here precisely because he was afraid Chengfeng would bring it up. Otherwise, with his personality, he would have confronted Chengfeng long ago.

"Chengfeng, you need evidence when you speak." At this moment, a young man beside Chu Zhen spoke up.

Everyone present, regardless of gender, was the same age as Chengfeng, but this person was the only one who looked like a young man. He was Chu Wei.

"Brother Chu Wei is right. If you say Chu Zhen bet with you, you need to provide evidence. Otherwise, you're just spreading lies." As Chu Zhen's elder brother, Chu Cheng was the first to shout.

"Exactly, provide evidence, or you won't leave here standing today." After Chu Cheng, almost all the Chu family members in the hall started to shout.

Even the members of the Chu Alliance joined in, though they weren't part of the Chu family, they could see that Chengfeng's status in the Chu family was low, and since his own family looked down on him, they naturally did the same.

"I can vouch for Brother Chengfeng." But at this moment, Chuyue, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.