Chapter 20

"What task did they give you?" Chu Tianhe's expression darkened as he turned around, his gaze slowly settling on Liu Hongyue.

Liu Hongyue knelt on one knee, her taut cheongsam accentuating her flawless figure. Her slightly damp, jet-black hair hung loosely over her shoulders, and her slender, alabaster legs appeared and disappeared beneath the fabric. At this moment, she bowed her head, an exquisite face showing a hint of hesitation.

"Hongyue, you need not worry. Whatever it is, speak freely; I will not hold it against you," Chu Tianhe said, noticing the troubled look in her eyes and offering reassurance.

"Master, they sent me to warn you, to remind you not to forget the matter of the Battle of the Seven Kings," Liu Hongyue spoke cautiously. Although she knew Chu Tianhe would not blame her for delivering the message, mentioning those four words made her exceedingly nervous, for they were the deepest taboo in Chu Tianhe's heart.

As expected, the moment Liu Hongyue uttered the words "Battle of the Seven Kings," murderous intent erupted uncontrollably from Chu Tianhe.

The Battle of the Seven Kings had taken place twenty years ago.

Back then, the master of the Hall of the Gods was Chu Tianhe's father, Chu Yunlong, known as the Overlord Chu. At the time, the Hall of the Gods stood as the foremost among the seven halls, its power unmatched. Had it continued to grow unchecked, it would have inevitably shattered the delicate balance between the halls.

Thus, the Hall of the Gods became a thorn in the side of the other six halls, who joined forces to pressure Chu Yunlong to disband the Hall.

The mighty Chu Yunlong would never sit idly by and await his doom. Without the slightest hesitation or compromise, he declared war. Together with his beloved wife, Long Ruoxue, he led the Hall of the Gods and, with the strength of a single hall, battled against the other six. The slaughter lasted three full months; over a million experts from the seven halls perished or were wounded. Rivers of blood flowed for dozens of miles, corpses littered the land, and the vast mountains and rivers seemed clad in crimson.

In the end, Chu Yunlong fell in battle, Long Ruoxue disappeared with her fate unknown, and five hall masters died by Chu Yunlong's hand. Only the master of the Galaxy Hall escaped with grievous wounds.

The Battle of the Seven Kings exacted a terrible price from the Chu family. Such blood-deep enmity remained etched in Chu Tianhe's heart, the most untouchable taboo of all.

"Continue," Chu Tianhe pressed, suppressing his murderous rage. His voice was cold: "Since the six halls dare to bring up old matters before me, surely it isn't so simple?"

"Are they not afraid I might stir up another storm, reenacting the Battle of the Seven Kings?"

"They are afraid!" Liu Hongyue, still kneeling, hurriedly replied. "That's why they dare not act rashly against you, Master!"

As she spoke, a complex emotion flashed through Liu Hongyue's eyes. Her beautiful gaze flickered as she looked up at Chu Tianhe and said, "Master, forgive me for my impudence, but I must ask you a question."

"Ask," Chu Tianhe answered, knowing this was not her question, but one from the masters of the six halls.

"Master, have you decided to conceal your identity, retire to Jiangzhou, and care for the Young Mistress?" Liu Hongyue hesitated, but finally voiced their concern.

"And if I have?" Chu Tianhe's brow furrowed as he replied somberly.

Liu Hongyue's expression changed abruptly, her body trembling slightly. "Master, you know the six halls have watched your movements for years. Now, you've suddenly returned to Jiangzhou, vanished from their surveillance. Naturally, they're alarmed and will take action!"

"What action?"

"Please look, Master." With that, Liu Hongyue produced a photograph of a little girl, handing it to Chu Tianhe. "This is the task they assigned me."

"They want to target my daughter?!" Seeing his daughter's photograph, Chu Tianhe's pupils contracted sharply. A surge of murderous intent exploded skyward, so intense that Liu Hongyue, kneeling before him, felt chills race up her spine. Cold sweat instantly drenched her forehead.