C9 Bet(2)
"Yes."
Chu Batian observed the trio and spoke deliberately.
"Thank you, Your Grace!"
"Thank you, Father!"
All three, brimming with excitement, offered their thanks in unison.
"Father, now that I've consented to their request, it's time to discuss mine."
At that moment, Chu Feng, who had been quietly observing, addressed Chu Batian.
"Oh? You have a request as well?"
Upon hearing Chu Feng's words, Chu Batian paused, a hint of confusion crossing his face.
Xiahou Yuan and the others, still kneeling, exchanged puzzled glances with Chu Feng, unsure of his intentions.
"I've just fulfilled their request, and now I have one of my own."
Chu Feng stated with confidence.
"Let's hear it."
Chu Batian's interest was piqued by Chu Feng's statement.
He was beginning to notice something unique about his son.
"The engagement can be dissolved, but it must be made clear to the world that I, Chu Feng, am the one who ended things with Xiahou Jiao."
"What?!"
"Chu Feng, what are you saying?!"
Xiahou Yuan and the others reacted with shock, quickly turning to anger.
"If we don't announce that I divorced Xiahou Jiao, how will our royal family save face?!"
Chu Feng declared emphatically.
"This... This..."
At a loss for words, Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Jiao could only stare at Chu Feng, overwhelmed by the gravity of his demand.
They were caught between admitting to the divorce and denying it, neither option appealing.
"Ridiculous! Chu Feng, if you claim to have divorced Jiaojiao, how can I possibly marry her afterward?! Are you trying to make a mockery of me?!"
Chu Lang burst out in anger.
"So, it's acceptable for you to harm my mother, but unacceptable for me to retaliate?"
Chu Feng countered sharply.
"This..."
Chu Lang found himself at a loss for words, while his gaze stealthily sought Chu Batian's reaction.
"Enough, enough. There's no need for you brothers to quarrel. What if you were to compromise?"
Chu Batian, frowning, interjected, not having anticipated such behavior from Chu Lang.
Despite Chu Batian's obvious favoritism toward the exceptionally gifted Prince Chu Lang, Chu Feng had a proposition.
"Here's the deal: if I win first place in the Initial Transcendent category at the Ralens Tournament two months from now, I will publicly declare that I, Chu Feng, have divorced Xiahou Jiao. If I don't win, then I'll have nothing more to say," Chu Feng stated calmly.
"Prince Chu Feng, don't push it too far!" Xiahou Jiao, standing to the side, gritted her teeth in anger. She couldn't believe the audacity of this man, who clearly didn't see her as a person.
"Fine!" Chu Lang, also present, quickly agreed. He had only activated his All-Seeing Eye three months prior at the age of sixteen and probably hadn't even fully opened his meridians yet. Did he really think he could claim the top spot in the Initial Transcendent category?
Chu Lang thought Chu Feng was being too presumptuous now that he had the All-Seeing Eye.
"Well, since you both agree, let's consider the matter settled. You may all leave now; I'm rather fatigued," Chu Batian interjected, visibly irritated by their bickering.
With that, Chu Feng and the others excused themselves.
"Interesting," Chu Batian mused, watching Chu Feng's retreating figure. For the first time, he found himself genuinely intrigued by his son, whom he had previously dismissed as worthless.
Chu Feng had yet to reveal his abilities, and while Chu Lang saw his brother's claims as delusional, Chu Batian sensed something different. In Chu Tian's eyes, there was a deep and unmistakable confidence.
