Chapter 44: My Question Is Your Honor; A Perfect Suppression

Inside the Star Picking Pavilion, the atmosphere grew heavy and suffocating.

Silence reigned. No one dared to utter a word, while cold sweat trickled down their spines.

Although Gu Changge was only questioning Chu Xuan, the crushing pressure radiated outward, affecting everyone present.

Even Lin Qiuhan, who had been conversing happily with Gu Changge moments before, felt a terrifying weight settle upon her heart.

Don’t be fooled by Young Master Gu’s usual jade-like warmth, she realized with a start. Deep down, he is a god looking down from the heavens. This majesty… this dominance… this is his true face!

However, curiosity bubbled beneath her fear. Who exactly is this ‘Ye Chen’? She rarely paid attention to rumors and was oblivious to the recent events in the Eastern Wilderness.

At that moment, Su Qingge spoke up. Her voice was cool and melodious, tinged with a hint of apology.

“Young Master, the Central State is vast and boundless. If a person intends to hide, finding them is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. I fear it might be too difficult even for Brother Chu…”

Hearing her speak, the crowd finally dared to look directly at the legendary Number One Beauty of the Eastern Wilderness.

Previously, she had stood silently behind Gu Changge like a shadow—quiet, serene, and as beautiful as a flower reflected in water. They hadn’t dared to stare, fearing Gu Changge’s displeasure.

Now, they saw that her reputation was well-deserved.

A light veil covered her face, and her white robes were purer than snow. She appeared spotless, ethereal, and flawless, exuding a transcendent aura like a fairy banished from the Ninth Heaven.

Even the proud, heaven-favored daughters of the Central State paled in comparison. Standing before her, they realized they lacked the qualifications to even compete.

She looks like a calamity capable of toppling cities and ruining states… a pity her heart is so vicious.

Jin Yang cursed inwardly, harboring zero goodwill toward Su Qingge.

However, the crowd was shocked. Under such terrifying pressure, Su Qingge actually dared to intervene and persuade Gu Changge?

How much courage does she possess?

Chu Xuan cast her a look of immense gratitude.

“Since even Qingge says so, let the matter rest for now,” Gu Changge said, his voice flat and unreadable. “Chu Xuan, do not disappoint me.”

“Yes, yes! Young Master, rest assured! I will definitely find Ye Chen’s trail!”

Chu Xuan felt a mountain lift from his shoulders. He patted his chest in assurance, his robes drenched in cold sweat.

Truly, accompanying a sovereign is like accompanying a tiger.

The scene sent another wave of shock through the room. The Tai Xuan Saintess is this favored? She can actually sway the Young Lord’s decisions?

Their gazes toward Su Qingge shifted. Before, they viewed her as a peer; now, their eyes held a hint of reverence.

“Thank you, Young Master.” Su Qingge flashed a radiant smile, appearing genuinely happy.

Of course, she knew exactly what was happening. Gu Changge was merely posturing to scare Chu Xuan. As for his true motive? She couldn’t guess. After all, Gu Changge had intentionally allowed Ye Chen to escape; he knew exactly where the rat was hiding.

She was simply playing along, giving him a graceful step down.

Gu Changge kept his expression impassive, but internally, he praised her sharp wit.

A woman this smart, who understands my intentions without a word… truly likable.

His earlier probe had been a test. When he mentioned “Ye Chen,” no one in the crowd below had flinched. Their composure was commendable.

But Gu Changge wasn’t in a hurry. He was amused. He wanted to see how long the rat’s friend could hold his breath.

The tension in the room remained palpable.

Some quick-witted geniuses began whispering to Chu Xuan, asking about Ye Chen’s background and how he had offended the Young Lord.

Chu Xuan obliged, describing Ye Chen’s arrogance and his suicidal courting of death.

As the details spilled out, the expressions of several geniuses shifted.

“Why does this sound so familiar…?”

From the Eastern Wilderness… No significant background… Early twenties… Transcendent Realm cultivation… Monstrous talent…

Didn’t this perfectly match the “Little Brother” that the Jialou Holy Son, Jin Yang, had been bragging about earlier? The same one whose name Jin Yang refused to reveal?

Realization dawned on them. Strange, knowing smiles appeared on their faces.

They naturally had no qualms about betraying their casual friendship with the Jialou Holy Son. Not when the reward was curry favor with Gu Changge!

“My Lord,” the Yuanchu Holy Son stepped forward, beating everyone to the punch. “I believe the Jialou Holy Son might know of Ye Chen’s whereabouts…”

He proceeded to recount everything Jin Yang had said in the pavilion earlier.

“Not good… That damned Yuanchu Holy Son…”

Jin Yang’s face drained of color. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He bitterly regretted his loose tongue.

“Oh?” Gu Changge blew gently on his tea, the steam curling around his fingers. He asked slowly, “Holy Son Jin Yang… do you happen to know Ye Chen?”

Everything is proceeding exactly as scripted.

His gaze shifted, landing on the young man whose hair seemed to burn like golden fire.

Hum!

The terrifying, majestic pressure from before descended once again—heavier, colder, suffocating.

The young geniuses of the Central State turned pale, their souls trembling in horror.

Just how terrifying is this Young Lord’s strength?

Even our Holy Lords and Imperial Monarchs don’t exude such pressure!

Is he… is he in the Conferred Lord Realm? But he looks younger than us!

“As expected of Young Master Gu… his strength far surpasses Father’s,” Lin Qiuhan thought, her eyes shining with admiration.

“So this was the Young Master’s goal? To flush out Ye Chen’s accomplices?” Su Qingge realized. But she was baffled—how did he know someone here was connected to Ye Chen? Gu Changge seemed more unfathomable by the second.

“My Lord… I do indeed know Brother Ye Chen…”

Jin Yang spoke through gritted teeth. Under the crushing pressure, his face turned ashen, and breathing became a struggle.

He was horrified. They were both members of the younger generation, yet the gap between them was an abyss. It wasn’t just heaven and earth; it was god and mortal.

Denial was impossible now. He had already revealed too much to the others.

“Oh. Knowing him is good,” Gu Changge said lightly, his expression unchanged. “Where is Ye Chen now?”

“I apologize, My Lord. I cannot reveal Brother Ye Chen’s whereabouts.”

Jin Yang’s voice trembled, but he held his ground. Cold sweat soaked his back.

He finally understood why Ye Chen had fled. This Young Lord was a monster. Just his aura was unbearable.

But Jin Yang had his pride. He refused to betray a sworn brother because of a slip of the tongue. His conscience wouldn’t allow it.

“Foolish.”

Gu Changge’s expression finally turned cold. His eyes deepened into abysses, exuding a divine, unquestionable majesty.

“I will ask you one more time. Where is Ye Chen?”

“My Lord! Ye Chen is my sworn brother! I know his character well! Surely there is some misunderstanding between you…”

Jin Yang’s body shook violently. The pressure was forcing his knees to buckle, urging him to prostrate. But his backbone—his arrogance as a Holy Son—kept him upright. He tried to argue, to defend his friend.

“My question is your honor.”

Gu Changge looked down at him as one would look at an insect. His tone was devoid of emotion, cold and absolute.

“What qualifications do you have to question me?”

As the last word fell, the pressure crashed down like a collapsing sky.

“Wah!”

Jin Yang spat a mouthful of blood and slammed into the floor. He lay prostrate, his face pressed against the ground, pale as gold paper.

He couldn’t even offer a struggle.

“The Holy Son is foolish! He has offended the Lord! I beg for the Lord’s forgiveness!”

Thud!

Jin Yang’s hidden protector, terrified out of his wits, materialized from the shadows and dropped to his knees, begging for mercy.

He never expected things to escalate to this point.

How could the Holy Son be so stupid?! Does he want to bring calamity upon the entire Jialou Holy Land?!

Dead silence filled the Star Picking Pavilion. The crowd was as quiet as cicadas in winter, paralyzed by the fear of heavenly wrath.

[Ding! Random Task “Suppress the Sworn Brother of the Son of Providence” completed.] [Task Rating: Perfect.] [Destiny Points Bonus: 40%. Final Reward: 700 Destiny Points.]

The System prompt rang pleasantly in Gu Changge’s mind.