Above the Galaxy
Chapter 200 - 145, Misunderstanding!

Chapter 200: Chapter 145, Misunderstanding!

Phoenix Palace.

When Phoenix arrived at his father’s residence with Sheng Xinhua, Zhong Daolong was drinking with Zhong Tianque and Zhong Tianyi.

Yu Huoshui was also there. His assessment period had been extremely short; he hadn’t even truly entered the last two challenges, Yama Canyon, and Kunlun Snow Realm. At the entrance of Yama Canyon, Tang Fei had sent him out with a single strike...

Therefore, thanks to his misfortune, he expended very little Yin Yang Qi and recovered completely shortly after coming out, not even needing a Recovery Cabin, which was incredibly lucky.

Undoubtedly, he had no gratitude towards Tang Fei.

Seeing Phoenix arrive, Zhong Daolong immediately put down his wine cup and asked with concern, "Have you woken up? Is your body alright? Have you had the doctor examine you carefully?"

"I’m fine. I made Dad worry," Phoenix said in thanks.

He also said to Zhong Tianque, Zhong Tianyi, and Yu Huoshui, "Thank you for the concern from the three brothers as well."

"It’s good that you’re ok," Zhong Tianque nodded.

"Your complexion is rosy; it seems you’ve recovered quite well," Zhong Tianyi said cheerfully.

Yu Huoshui glanced at Phoenix, lowered his head to drink, and remained silent.

Clearly, he still held unspoken grievances.

His quick arrival at Phoenix Palace also likely involved sharing his grievances and reluctance in front of the Zhong family father and son.

"Father, did you need to see me for something?" Phoenix asked Zhong Daolong.

"It’s nothing serious, just worried about your health, so I spoke to Xin Huai and asked you to come after you woke up..." Zhong Daolong said laughingly.

He pointed to the sofa opposite him, "Have a seat."

He then said to Sheng Xinhua, "Xin Huai, take a seat too. I hear you can hold your drink. Let’s have a good one tonight."

"With the King present, where do I have the right to sit?" Sheng Xinhua stood behind Phoenix, unwilling to take a seat.

"Sit down, sit down. You and Tian Yi, Phoenix, are all friends, and your father and I have been old friends for many years. Tonight, it’s a family gathering, there is only the elder, no King..."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhong. Then I won’t stand on ceremony," Sheng Xinhua finally sat down next to Phoenix and said, "I know Uncle Zhong has only the best wine here. I’ve been wanting to come and ask for a drink for a long time."

"That’s how you should be," Zhong Daolong laughed heartily, seemingly fond of Sheng Xinhua’s forthright manner. "There are two bottles of wine that I can hardly bring myself to drink. Tonight, let’s open them together and try something fresh... Chen Fenglei, bring out those two bottles of my treasured Pyramid to open."

"King, that old wine needs to breathe for a couple of hours to taste its best," Chen Fenglei reminded from the side. "It might be too late to start now."

"Breathe what? The most important thing about drinking wine is the mood. Once the mood is right, any wine is enjoyable. Go fetch them, no more dawdling. Otherwise, Xin Huai might think we are being petty."

"Yes, King," Chen Fenglei hurried off to the wine cellar.

Zhong Tianyi looked at this radiant woman, Sheng Xinhua, and proactively poured her a glass of red wine, saying, "Mr. Sheng, we meet again."

"Yes, I’ve met the Second Prince," Sheng Xinhua said with a smile as she greeted Zhong Tianyi.

"Just call me Tian Yi."

"That I dare not do."

Zhong Tianyi smiled and said no more.

He knew that Sheng Xinhua had always been deeply cautious and guarded against him, fearing any association with him.

Could it be that my reputation is so bad? But hers isn’t much better.

Stinky fish matched with rotten shrimp, isn’t that just perfect?

Zhong Daolong looked at Phoenix, asking, "Phoenix wants to enter White Crane Academy? Why didn’t you discuss this with dad first? Although it’s hard to get into White Crane Academy, dad has some connections with Xuanyuan Mingjing. If I say hello to him... he should be willing to give dad face."

"Thank you, dad," Phoenix thanked again, then added, "Actually, I don’t really want to enter White Crane Academy."

"Oh? If you don’t want to enter White Crane Academy, why did you participate in the exam?" Zhong Daolong assessed Phoenix across from him, asking aloud.

"There are actually two reasons," Phoenix explained, "First, I’m really interested in the annual exam content of White Crane Academy. After hearing about it last time, I just wanted to try it myself... to see if I could pass through the trials with my own strength."

Phoenix said with a bitter smile, "As you all saw, not only did I not pass through successfully, I also led so many candidates into danger, making it impossible for them to perform their true abilities. I’m still feeling terribly guilty about it."

Zhong Daolong laughed and waved his hand, reassuring, "Don’t feel bad, this has nothing to do with you... Being alert to unknown dangers is part of the assessment. They were summoned by you to the foot of the snowy peak, yet they failed to carefully observe their surroundings, not even knowing the risks involved..."

"Such candidates are better off failing. White Crane Academy wouldn’t accept them either... Consider it as you helping White Crane Academy to filter out those who couldn’t pass the test..."

"Exactly," Sheng Xinhua chimed in from the side, "I was comforting her just like that. Those candidates are foolish, not observing the surrounding environment and terrain, lacking the ability to cope with unknown dangers... Such students shouldn’t pass the exam anyway. Uncle Zhong, you agree, don’t you?"

"Indeed. Xin Huai is right," Zhong Daolong glanced at Sheng Xinhua, raising his glass to her.

"As for the second reason, well, you should know it even without me saying..." Phoenix looked at Zhong Daolong, explaining, "Tang Fei is my life-saving benefactor. He saved me several times in Old Land, and I’ve always been thinking of how to repay him..."

"Though I’ve asked dad to move him and his brother to New Star, got them a house and schools, and even transferred money... I always felt that these couldn’t repay the life-saving debt..."

"After hearing he was taking part in this White Crane Academy’s recruitment exam, I thought I might be able to help him somehow..."

"Even though I wasn’t much help, he managed to get to the last round on his own. At that point, I was already severely injured, and he could have finished me off at any time, taking the true Death God’s heart for himself... But at least then, I wouldn’t feel that sense of indebtedness."

"I’m not someone who likes to owe others, I want to repay my debts immediately. After this exam, we’re even."

Zhong Daolong picked up his glass to drink, giving no judgement on Phoenix’s words.

The others remained silent as well, knowing it wasn’t their place to speak.

Whether to believe or not, Zhong Daolong had his own judgement.

What business was it of theirs to be restless?

After a while, Zhong Daolong looked up at Phoenix, smiling and said, "How come I heard that you and Tang Fei are close, like a couple?"

"Who told you that?" Phoenix asked.

"Hahaha, does it matter who? You just need to answer yes or no..."

"No," Phoenix said decisively, "I admit we’re close, but it’s definitely not the type of couple relationship you heard about, dad..."

He hasn’t even confessed to me.

"Is that so?" Zhong Daolong’s smile was gentle, his true thoughts inscrutable.

"Uncle Zhong, you are mistaken," Sheng Xinhua spoke up.

"Oh? What have I mistaken?" Zhong Daolong asked, looking at Sheng Xinhua.

"Phoenix and Tang Fei are not in the kind of relationship you mentioned..."

Sheng Xinhua, with a shy expression, said, "Actually, my relationship with Tang Fei is somewhat closer..."