Hu Liena suddenly remembered Du Feng's reputation fifty years ago and cried out in shock.
If even a ruthless man like him had chosen to follow Chu Hao, what were they waiting for?
No wonder her teacher wanted to take him as a disciple. No wonder the Great Enshrined had paid such close attention to him and even sent Du Feng to protect him.
They had all been deluding themselves, thinking that having a little talent made them exceptional and entitled them to do whatever they pleased.
After all that, they were the real clowns.
"Nana, didn't something major happen today?"
"The Pope and the Great Enshrined nearly came to blows."
"They say there was a young boy in the Pope's arms."
"And that boy was the cause of it all."
"Do you think that boy could've been Chu Hao?"
Yan suddenly thought of the major incident that had happened that day and connected it to Chu Hao.
"Mm, it probably was him."
Hu Liena had thought of it too and nodded hesitantly.
"Hiss..."
"So everything Du Feng said was true."
"Otherwise, the Pope and the Great Enshrined wouldn't have nearly fought over him."
"Xie Yue, I think you should consider it."
"If you refuse to submit, your days in Spirit Hall won't be easy from now on."
"Given how much the Pope and the Great Enshrined favor Chu Hao, it'd be easy for him to make things difficult for you."
"Why not do what I did and compromise for now? When we get the chance, we can rise again!"
At first, Yan had been deeply unhappy about submitting to Chu Hao.
But now, he'd come around.
Chu Hao had the power to back it up.
If Yan had that kind of power, he'd probably be even more overbearing than Chu Hao.
He'd make people kneel and sing their submission, or even stomp on their faces to humiliate them.
"Yeah, brother. If you keep going against Chu Hao now, nothing good will come of it."
"We shouldn't take a loss when it's right in front of us. You should submit for now."
"There's an old saying: a gentleman's revenge may wait ten years. We've got plenty of time. There's no need to drive ourselves into a corner."
"Maybe Chu Hao can even teach us a few tricks."
"You saw it yourself. He can condense Soul Power into sword energy, sword beams, and sharp swords to fight, all without using his Martial Soul."
"If we can learn that move, we'll have hit the jackpot."
Hu Liena was gradually coming to terms with the grievance she'd suffered earlier.
Hadn't she joined Spirit Hall to grow stronger and become a powerful fighter?
If Chu Hao could help her, what did it matter if she submitted to him?
As long as she achieved her goal, that was enough.
Besides, she was pretty and had a good figure. If she got the chance to make Chu Hao fall for her, wouldn't that be even better?
Actually, Chu Hao was quite handsome, too. He was exceptionally talented, the most outstanding person she'd ever met. They were simply made for each other.
Wasn't the prince of her dreams supposed to be someone as exceptional as Chu Hao?
"Fine. For now, this is the only way."
"But one day, I'll defeat him and take back everything I've lost."
Xie Yue listened to their advice and thought it over for a moment before finally choosing to compromise.
But he wouldn't give in for the rest of his life. If he got the chance, he'd make Chu Hao taste what it was like to be forced to submit.
"Good! That's my brother!"
"A real man knows when to bend and when to stand tall."
Hearing Xie Yue's decision, Yan gave him a huge hug.
For some reason, he couldn't help feeling a little schadenfreude.
"Mm, brother, I believe in you!"
Hu Liena felt slightly relieved.
No matter what, Chu Hao probably wouldn't make things difficult for him anymore.
That was what she wanted most.
"Nana, next time you see Chu Hao, tell him that I've made up my mind."
"You know I can't bring myself to say it to his face."
Now that he'd made up his mind, Xie Yue had to face reality.
But submitting to someone face-to-face was just too humiliating.
If Hu Liena could speak for him, at least he'd be able to save a little face.
"Mm, okay. I'll go right now!"
Hu Liena nodded and ran out.
Before long, she found Chu Hao and Du Feng, who seemed a little lost and didn't know which way to go.
"Xiao Hao, wait!"
The moment Hu Liena saw Chu Hao, she hurried over.
For some reason, seeing Chu Hao always gave her a burst of joy she couldn't explain.
"What is it?"
Chu Hao turned and asked coldly.
"Xiao Hao, my brother Xie Yue has thought it over. He's decided to submit to you."
Looking at his cold expression, Hu Liena replied, a little dejectedly.
Why couldn't he ever give her a pleasant look? He was always so cold. Didn't he ever get tired of it?
"Tell him to come himself. Otherwise, it doesn't count."
Chu Hao replied coldly, then continued looking for a way out.
It couldn't be helped. The buildings in Spirit Hall all looked alike, with the same basic style and a maze of branching corridors. It was easy to get lost.
If he hadn't tried to memorize the way as he came, he'd have been completely turned around by now.
He'd originally wanted Du Feng to lead the way.
But it turned out Du Feng was a hopeless case, too.
He only knew the way to his own residence and a few important places. He had no idea about anywhere else.
"Okay... all right!"
Hu Liena answered dejectedly.
But she immediately noticed that Chu Hao seemed a little lost, so she quickly pointed him in the right direction and explained how to leave that area and find the main road leading to the Pope's Palace.
Once Chu Hao learned the correct route, he left without even greeting Hu Liena, his expression icy. She stamped her foot in anger.
Then she went back and relayed Chu Hao's words to Xie Yue.
With no other choice, Xie Yue had to go find Chu Hao himself. Right in front of him, he dropped to one knee and submitted.
Just as before, Chu Hao didn't give him a pleasant look. He merely nodded and walked away.
This left Xie Yue even more aggrieved and furious.
You made me come submit to you in person, so the least you could've done was acknowledge it. A smile would've been enough. What was the point of giving me a cold nod?
If I could beat you, I'd have attacked you on the spot.
"Brother, don't be mad. He's just like that."
Hu Liena had come along with him and hurried to comfort Xie Yue when she saw him brooding.
"Nana, I'm fine. I'll get used to it."
Hu Liena's concern was the best medicine for him. After ruffling her hair, he turned and left.
There was no point in getting angry. He had to take action, improve his strength quickly, and reach Soul King as soon as possible.
Now that Elder Ghost had taken him as a disciple, he had to train even harder and not let his expectations down.
"Brother..."
Hu Liena watched Xie Yue leave and called after him softly, guilt filling her voice.
She knew that, even if Xie Yue hadn't said anything, deep down he still resented what had happened and felt deeply wronged.
If she got the chance, she would make it up to her brother for all the love he'd shown her.
After making up her mind, she headed for the Pope's Palace.
Unbeknownst to her, Yue Guan was reporting the day's events to Bibi Dong.
"Yue Guan, you're saying Chu Hao forced Nana to submit to him?"
After hearing the whole story, Bibi Dong's brow furrowed slightly.
Chu Hao's behavior had been far too blatant and domineering. She couldn't help but take it seriously.
"Yes, Your Holiness. I suggest you keep your guard up around Chu Hao. I'm afraid he joined Spirit Hall with ulterior motives," Yue Guan advised.
"Mm, I'll consider your suggestion. You may leave."
Bibi Dong nodded to indicate that he could go.
"Yes!"
Yue Guan answered respectfully and turned to leave.
Just then, Hu Liena walked in, and she and Yue Guan exchanged glances.
"Teacher..."
Hu Liena ran over to Bibi Dong and called out, sounding a little aggrieved.
"Oh, it's Nana. Come here, quickly."
When Bibi Dong saw Hu Liena, she hurriedly beckoned her over.
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