Seeing the people of the Xiang Family, the Chu Family crowd looked as if they had swallowed flies, their expressions extremely ugly.
They immediately glared at Chu Jingzhuo, eyes full of resentment.
—How could he bring people from the Xiang Family here?!
Chu Jingzhuo wore an expression of pure innocence, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
As for airing the family's dirty laundry in public, what did that have to do with him?
Though his surname was Chu, it's only because his father was named Chu Tianling, it had nothing to do with the Chu Family.
"So lively… huh! Iron-Eating Beast?!"
The Xiang Family head, Xiang Donghao, at first glance saw the black-and-white Iron-Eating Beast lying on the ground eating bamboo, and was directly scared into hastily retreating several steps.
Good grief, since when did the Chu Family have an Iron-Eating Beast?!
"Black Abyss Falcon?!"
The people who came along with him also saw the Black Abyss Falcon in the tree and were likewise greatly startled.
The Xiang Family members looked at one another, had the Chu Family struck it rich?
But very soon, someone noticed something was off.
—Those people of the Chu Family were likewise standing far away from the two spirit beasts, faces full of vigilance and wariness.
By contrast, Chu Jingzhuo was relatively close to the two spirit beasts.
Xiang Donghao also knew Chu Jingzhuo.
Although many years had passed, and Chu Jingzhuo was much more mature than before, his features had not changed much.
He had a deep impression of Chu Jingzhuo. After all, there weren't many geniuses who established Foundation in their teens.
And such a genius had been personally ruined by the Chu Family!
Every time he thought of Chu Jingzhuo, Xiang Donghao felt complicated.
He regretted the fall of a genius, yet also felt fortunate that the Chu Family had acted foolishly.
If not for that blunder by Chu Tianbai, the Xiang Family would've already been left far behind, how could they still be this evenly matched?
For a clan to develop, the most important thing is, of course, young blood.
A fine youth like Chu Jingzhuo had been harmed until he bled, who else would dare stick their head up?
As a result, over these past few years, the Chu Family had grown more and more sluggish.
Which happened to suit the Xiang Family just fine.
"Ah, it's Jingzhuo." Xiang Donghao gathered up all his thoughts, smiled, and greeted Chu Jingzhuo. "Long time no see!"
"Uncle Xiang, long time no see," Chu Jingzhuo also greeted him.
Although the two families were rivals, Chu Jingzhuo felt more goodwill toward the Xiang Family—at the very least, the Xiang Family had never tried to kill him.
Although Chu Tianbai always said that Chu Tianling had been killed by the Xiang Family, Chu Jingzhuo remained skeptical.
"It's been so long, you're even more handsome than before!" Xiang Donghao walked up to Chu Jingzhuo and laughed heartily.
"Uncle Xiang remains as elegant as ever."
Hearing the two of them exchanging courtesies, Chu Tianbai's face grew even uglier, as if he had been fiercely slapped!
Since when were these two so familiar with each other?!
"Chu Jingzhuo!" Chu Jinglin couldn't hold back, face dark as he barked, "Do you still remember what your surname is?!"
"I remember." Chu Jingzhuo nodded. "I also remember why I came today."
He lifted his chin slightly and looked toward the man holding the token, "Since you don't want to resolve this, I can only find someone else to help…"
"Who said we don't want to resolve it?!" Chu Tianbai cut him off through gritted teeth, face dark. "This is our family's own affair, there's no need to trouble outsiders!"
"Ah, how could I be an outsider?" Xiang Donghao smiled like Maitreya, kindly and genial. "Jingzhuo is also my junior of the same clan generation…"
"None of your damn business!" Chu Tianbai cut him off coldly, face like ice. "This is our Chu Family's affair, there's no need for the Xiang Family to meddle!"
Chu Tianbai said in a cold voice, "Someone, see them out! We have matters to handle!"
Xiang Donghao clicked his tongue and shook his head, "Old Bai, your attitude really wounds me too deeply."
"Someone!" Chu Tianbai raised his voice.
"Yes!"
Someone immediately stepped forward, eyes wary as he looked at them, "Everyone, please cooperate."
Xiang Donghao was just about to speak when he heard Chu Jingzhuo laugh and say, "Uncle Xiang, please wait outside for now. Once I settle this, I'll treat you to tea."
"Alright then!" Xiang Donghao froze for a moment, then laughed heartily. "Alright! I'll wait first!"
With that, he beckoned the people who had come with him and left, he was crisp and decisive.
Once the Xiang Family was gone, the atmosphere in the courtyard relaxed a little.
It's just that everyone's gaze toward Chu Jingzhuo wasn't very friendly.
Chu Jingzhuo acted as if he hadn't seen their resentment and hostility, and smiled toward Chu Tianbai, "Patriarch Chu, can we discuss this matter now?"
Chu Tianbai ground his teeth, "We can."
Chu Tianbai was about to explode.
But he knew that today he's bound to suffer!
He could deny that those three were sent by him, and Chu Jingzhuo could directly sell the token to Xiang Donghao!
He wanted to use force to suppress them, but that Iron-Eating Beast lying in the middle of the courtyard, legs crossed as it leisurely ate bamboo, and the Black Abyss Falcon standing in the tree glaring like a tiger watching its prey, together successfully forced him to swallow that thought back down.
Chu Jingzhuo had come prepared!
Too ruthless!
At this moment, Chu Tianbai very much regretted why he hadn't just eliminated the grass and pulled up the roots back then!
Otherwise, he wouldn't have such a headache now!
Although vexed in his heart, Chu Tianbai was still decisive.
He glanced at the three men and squeezed out a smile, "Although I don't know these three, since they have our Chu Family's token, I will, of course, take responsibility for what they have done!"
"Tsk, so you really are getting on in years? Weren't you just saying you didn't know them, and now you're saying you'll take responsibility?" Jiang Yunnuan said with cold ridicule.
Chu Tianbai's face twisted for a moment, he gave Jiang Yunnuan a gloomy look.
Of course, this carried no deterrent effect for her.
Chu Jingzhuo likewise acted as if he hadn't heard his third senior sister's mocking, and smiled toward Chu Tianbai, "Since Patriarch Chu says so, all the better."
Chu Tianbai had not yet relaxed when he heard him continue, "Then I'll state my compensation requests."
Compensation requests?
Chu Tianbai's heart instantly gave a thump, and a bad premonition surged up.
Then he heard Chu Jingzhuo say, "Didn't you tell my mother you found the Eight-Ginseng Wood that could repair spiritual roots? Then give it to me."
"In your dreams!"
Before Chu Tianbai could speak, Chu Jinglin had already shouted, "Don't even think about it!"
Eight-Ginseng Wood and Crystal Fish have roughly the same effect, both can repair damaged spiritual roots.
But Eight-Ginseng Wood's effect is even better than Crystal Fish.
Chu Jinglin had intended to take the Eight-Ginseng Wood after establishing his Foundation to temper his spiritual roots.
That way, his cultivation would be faster afterward!
According to the father and son's plan, he could become a Golden Core before thirty!
A Golden Core at thirty was also a famed genius.
But now, with just one sentence, Chu Jingzhuo wanted to take away the Eight-Ginseng Wood? On what grounds!
Chu Jingzhuo did not get angry but instead smiled at Chu Jinglin, lightly parting his lips, "Aside from the Eight-Ginseng Wood, I also want the spirit beast egg my father obtained back then."
"Spirit beast egg?!"
At this, everyone drew in a cold breath.
Even Tan Fangjun's gaze changed.
So the Chu Family actually still had a spirit beast egg?!
At this moment, Chu Tianbai's expression was exceedingly bleak and ugly.
How did Chu Jingzhuo know?!