Chapter 42. Interfered by a Special Ability, The Missing Past!
The scene shifted once more.
After devouring Chu Xinghe, the Azure Demon Python’s aura surged dramatically, its strength becoming even more terrifying.
It turned around directly, its savage gaze locking onto Chu Feng, as if intending to swallow him as well.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, the Azure Demon Python lunged toward Chu Feng.
At that very moment, the image projected by the Heavenly Illumination Mirror began to blur again, as though something were interfering with it.
After a short while, the scene reconvened.
Now, the image showed Chu Feng forcefully slaying the Azure Demon Python.
Soon after, the radiance gradually faded until everything returned to calm.
Whoosh.
The fragment of the past had concluded. The Heavenly Illumination Mirror hummed softly before returning to the Chu Emperor’s hand.
Silence.
A deathly silence enveloped the entire hall.
The expressions of those present varied.
Chu Xinghe’s death was highly unusual. Although he had died in the jaws of a demonic beast—
Had Chu Feng not severely wounded him first, he would most likely not have perished.
Countless strange gazes fell upon Chu Feng.
What he had said was indeed true.
Chu Feng had not delivered the killing blow to Chu Xinghe.
He had merely gravely injured him.
Afterward, when the Azure Demon Python devoured Chu Xinghe, he had stood by and done nothing!
In the end, the fact that Chu Feng had forcefully slain the Azure Demon Python meant that, with his strength, he could have saved Chu Xinghe—yet he had chosen not to act.
The expressions of those present shifted repeatedly.
Their looks toward Chu Feng became increasingly peculiar.
Earlier, when Chu Feng claimed that Chu Xinghe had not been killed by his hand and acted as though the matter had nothing to do with him—
The Heavenly Illumination Mirror had clearly revealed that he was the direct cause of Chu Xinghe’s death!
Yet he remained calm and indifferent, as if it truly bore no relation to him.
Such composure was astonishing.
Many cast him a long, probing look.
At the same time, those who had some understanding of Chu Feng studied him more closely. He seemed entirely different from the wastrel Third Prince they remembered, who had carried a trace of cowardice.
At this moment—
Consort Yun’s body trembled violently.
Her mind replayed the pitiful, desperate expression on Chu Xinghe’s face before his death. He had been her own flesh and blood.
Her eyes became filled with venomous hatred.
“Why did you not save him?!”
Chu Feng responded leisurely, “Why should I have saved him?”
His tone was calm, without the slightest sense of impropriety. What of it if he had not saved him? He required no reason.
Not to mention Chu Xinghe—even Chu Mengyao had survived not because of Chu Feng’s benevolence, but because that Withered-Bone Fiend had sought its own death.
Chu Feng’s expression was composed, his bearing expansive and resolute—completely unlike his former self, as though he had been reborn.
“You little beast! It was you who caused my son’s death! If not for you, he would never have been devoured by that Azure Demon Python!”
Consort Yun’s eyes were bloodshot.
“You had already sensed the Azure Demon Python’s approach, had you not? You deliberately gravely wounded him, intending to watch with your own eyes as my son was swallowed alive! With such vicious intent, how can you remain in the position of a prince?!”
She immediately turned toward the Chu Emperor upon the Dragon Throne and enunciated each word clearly:
“Your Majesty, this child is insidious and cruel, ruthless and violent. He should be executed!”
Boom.
As her words fell, the entire hall was shaken.
Executed?
Chu Feng was, after all, a prince. To execute him was no trivial matter.
At this moment, the Chu Emperor slowly opened his eyes. There was no fluctuation of emotion within his clouded gaze, and no one could discern his thoughts.
Just then—
Prince Chenyuan, one of the four Imperial Princes, suddenly fixed a blazing gaze upon Chu Feng.
“Chu Feng, setting aside all else, I wish to know—how exactly did you defeat Chu Xinghe and slay that Azure Demon Python?”
“From your uncle’s understanding of you, your aptitude and talent over the years have been mediocre. You simply do not possess such strength!”
“Moreover, in my impression, although you were somewhat of a wastrel, your heart was kind. You would never have stood by and watched someone die, let alone deliberately lure the Azure Demon Python to harm Chu Xinghe. Such sinister schemes are not something my formerly benevolent nephew could have done!”
“So tell me—who are you?”
Prince Chenyuan stepped forward, and his aura grew increasingly terrifying as it rose steadily.
With these words, he placed himself squarely in the position of justice, interrogating Chu Feng and questioning his very identity.
Chu Feng’s expression remained calm.
Being stared down by a Mighty Expert who carried a trace of killing intent brought immense pressure—but fortunately, he could withstand it.
However, the accusation within Prince Chenyuan’s words struck Chu Feng as laughable.
Chu Feng’s gaze deepened. In the depths of his pupils, black-gold light flowed faintly.
In his eyes, there was a trace of greed within Prince Chenyuan’s gaze.
He was not truly questioning Chu Feng’s identity.
He was curious about the secret behind it!
Cloaked in righteousness, lamenting the death of Chu Xinghe—yet in truth, he was seizing this opportunity to judge Chu Feng and probe the mysteries hidden within him.
The other three Imperial Princes also had flickering gazes.
There was undoubtedly a heaven-shaking secret within Chu Feng—perhaps a treasure that countless powerful figures would covet.
To rise abruptly in such a short time and even crush Chu Xinghe—
Such power was impossible for that former wastrel.
It was exceedingly strange.
One must know that the Heavenly Illumination Mirror was capable of reflecting the past. Although it revealed only a fragment and not the entirety—
Once it began reflecting, it could not be interrupted.
Yet just moments ago, the projected scenes had become chaotic time and again.
It was as though they had been disturbed by a special force!
That peculiar power had startled even the four Imperial Princes.
It was undoubtedly extraordinary.
The Heavenly Illumination Mirror was already a national guardian sacred artifact of boundless grandeur.
What exactly did Chu Feng possess that could even influence it?
At this moment, the four Imperial Princes had already concluded that Chu Feng’s sudden rise likely had little to do with Consort Yu.
Even the family behind Consort Yu could not possibly have caused such a drastic transformation in him.
Chu Feng remained composed. Prince Chenyuan’s presence pressed upon him like an abyss, yet he knew he could not retreat at this moment.
Facing the predatory gazes of the four Imperial Princes, he understood that they were capable of perceiving everything.
They had likely already sensed that he carried a secret.
“He was simply inferior in skill,” Chu Feng said indifferently.
Prince Jiuxiao spoke slowly, “There must be something unusual about you. I suspect that defeating Chu Xinghe and slaying the Azure Demon Python was not achieved through your own strength. Show us what anomaly has caused your temperament to change and your power to surge so suddenly.”
Boom!
Prince Tianji also spoke, “From what I know, the former Chu Feng, though a wastrel, was not inherently wicked. How could he have stood by and watched Chu Xinghe die? Could it be that whatever anomaly you carry has influenced your mind?”
Prince Canghai’s expression was indifferent. A surging aura, like a tidal wave, bore down upon Chu Feng!
“Xinghe was a child I watched grow up. He was as dear to me as flesh and blood!”
Prince Canghai spoke with killing intent.
“You harbored vicious thoughts and laid a cruel scheme to kill Xinghe. What influence has corrupted you?”
“I fear that you are no longer Chu Feng—but some other monstrous entity wearing his skin!”