Chapter 122: It turns out to be you

Hearing Zhao Zhengping say that Xiao Bai was the great contributor this time, Chen Mu's eyes turned red.

However, before he could speak, the disciples spoke up one after another.

What's wrong, Senior Brother Chen?

Right, weren't Senior Brother Chen and Xiao Bai together when they went? How come they came back separated?

Did something happen on the way?

Only then did the disciples realize that Chen Mu had also gone to Blacksmith Valley.

But why was he in such a sorry state?

Hearing the disciples' discussion, Chen Mu gripped his sword tightly and glared angrily.

Cut the nonsense, beast. Dare you come out and fight me? If I can't kill you, I'm not Chen Mu.

Junior Brother, calm down and explain what happened clearly.

There's nothing more to say. Today, either it's here without me, or I'm here without it.

But Xiao Bai is Junior Brother Zhangqing's mount.

I..................

Finally, under Zhao Zhengping's persuasion, Chen Mu finally revealed the whole story.

Nothing happened on the way there, but on the return, when they reached Yanmushan, for some reason a Heavenly Demon Realm great demon suddenly went berserk.

Chen Mu's first reaction was to flee; although he was the number one Inner Door Disciple of Divine Sword Peak, his cultivation was only at the perfected Nascent Soul Realm, so he was naturally no match for a Heavenly Demon Realm great demon.

Saying this, Chen Mu looked at Xiao Bai with bloodshot eyes, gnashing his teeth.

Who would have thought this beast would use me as bait to exchange for its own escape? Fortunately I met Junior Brother Wang, and the two of us joined forces, which allowed us to barely escape back.

The Junior Brother Wang that Chen Mu spoke of is the person who came with him, also an Inner Door Disciple of Divine Sword Peak, but he had previously gone out for life-and-death training and was not in the sect.

This time, after meeting Chen Mu and hearing that Divine Sword Peak had already garrisoned Jinhai Yingdi, he came along as well.

Seeing Chen Mu look at him gratefully, Junior Brother Wang gave an unnatural smile.

However, Chen Mu, still angry, didn't notice these things; he kept glaring at Xiao Bai with a furious expression.

Upon learning the details, the disciples all fell into silence.

Although Divine Sword Peak usually employs any means necessary, abandoning one's fellow brothers is absolutely a major taboo, especially when facing external enemies.

For a moment, the disciples' gazes toward Xiao Bai turned hostile as well, and even Ye Zhangqing showed a look of blame.

Among our own, we can roughhouse however we like, but when facing external enemies, how can we abandon our companions and selfishly survive alone?

Facing everyone's gaze, Xiao Bai anxiously cried out repeatedly, flapping its wings, as if trying to explain something.

But this creature cannot yet do Kǒutù Rényán, so no one knows what it is saying.

Xiao Bai, this time.................

Stepping forward, he glared sternly at Xiao Bai, about to say something, when suddenly a fluctuation came from outside the Formation.

Someone is attacking the Formation.

This startling change instantly drew the disciples' attention, especially since this direction was not the East Sea but came from Dongzhou.

Who is attacking the Formation? Could it be those demon beasts of Huling again?

Not daring to delay, the disciples quickly rushed to the Formation's entrance, only to see two azure giant birds frantically attacking the Formation.

Azure Feather Phoenix?

Zhao Zhengping instantly recognized these two demon beasts, collectively called Azure Feather Phoenix; the male is called Azure Feather Feng, the female Azure Feather Huang, and they possess a hint of phoenix bloodline.

Normally, Azure Feather Phoenix appear as a male-female pair, and it is rare to see them alone.

But why are these Azure Feather Phoenix attacking the great Formation?

Everyone looked at the Azure Feather Phoenix frantically attacking the Formation outside, feeling doubtful.

It's him, this great demon has been chasing me and Junior Brother Wang all the way.

At this moment, Chen Mu shouted loudly and instantly recognized that Azure Feather Feng.

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhangqing frowned slightly, glanced at Xiao Bai, who was still by his side continuously crying out, striving to explain, as if he had realized something.

Chen Mu Shī xiōng, you said earlier that the demon chasing you was only one, right?

That's correct.

But Azure Feather Phoenix are known to always come in pairs; since the Azure Feather Feng is chasing you, where is the Azure Feather Huang? It should have appeared.

This.................

Chen Mu also felt strange; seeing this, Ye Zhangqing turned his head to look at Xiao Bai.

So you're saying the Azure Feather Huang was lured away by you?

Hearing this, Xiao Bai nodded repeatedly, with an expression that said, "You finally get it, it's not me."

The truth came to light: Xiao Bai did not abandon Chen Mu to flee alone, but went to lure away the Azure Feather Huang.

Feeling ashamed, Chen Mu glanced at Xiao Bai sheepishly and apologized.

Xiao Bai, I.................

Now it was Xiao Bai's turn to be displeased; he turned his head away, not looking at Chen Mu, and let out two dissatisfied "ge-ge" cries.

Naturally, Chen Mu had no temper; who let him misunderstand Xiao Bai?

Just then, the Azure Feather Feng outside the Formation spoke angrily.

Vile humans, you stole my treasure hoard; if you have the ability, never come out again.

Upon hearing this, the disciples were stunned, then all said they were completely bewildered.

Treasure hoard? What treasure hoard?

I don't know; it seems someone stole their treasure hoard, so they've been chasing us all the way here.

These stupid birds, they lost something—how could they chase all the way to Jinhai Yingdi? I don't know; our Divine Sword Peak garrison at Jinhai Yingdi hasn't left recently.

That's it, and they don't even bother to think.

The treasure vault was looted—how could they have found their Jinhai Yingdi?

Everyone was discussing, only Junior Brother Wang had a strange look; Chen Mu also seemed to realize something, turned his head to look at Junior Brother Wang, and with a 'gentle' smile on his face, he said.

Junior Brother Wang, the person that wicked beast mentioned couldn't be you, right?

Hearing this, Junior Brother Wang gave an embarrassed smile and spoke without confidence.

How...... how could it be, Senior Brother?

Oh, really not? Junior Brother, think it over before you speak; Senior Brother is really angry right now.

At some point, a long sword had already been placed at his neck, its blade icy cold; combined with Chen Mu's 'gentle' smile, Junior Brother Wang swallowed hard before stammering.

That...... that...... I didn't mean it; when I saw Senior Brother's fury blazing, I, as the junior brother, didn't dare to speak.

Hearing Junior Brother Wang's explanation, Chen Mu's smile grew even more 'gentle'.

He just said, this is utterly baffling—why did that Azure-feathered Phoenix suddenly fly into a rage and attack me and Xiao Bai for no reason at all?

Turns out it's all your fault, you brat.

Later, upon encountering him, this brat remained silent, leaving Chen Mu feeling grateful and believing that Junior Brother Wang had saved him—if not for him, the two of them joining forces might not necessarily have been able to escape.

As it turns out, it's all because of you, brat.

The sword's edge drew near again, already pressed against Junior Brother Wang's neck; the icy touch made him shudder, and he hurriedly spoke.

Senior Brother, stay calm; I, Junior Brother, really didn't intentionally hide it—it's just that your state back then was such that I didn't dare to speak.

Then does that mean it's still my fault?

No, no, no, it's my fault, my fault.

Junior Brother, you say, I went alone to Blacksmith Valley to forge a precious sword—was it tough?

It was tough, tough.

The hardship would have been tolerable, but on the way back I was inexplicably hunted by a Heavenly Demon Realm great demon—was that unjust?

Unjust, unjust.

All the way fleeing, the culprit was right beside me, and I kept feeling grateful toward him—do you think he deserves to die?

He deserves to die, that........ no, no, no, Senior Brother, I really didn't mean it.