"Who are you? How dare you interfere with my young master's affairs?"
Before Chu Xia could speak, his servant, Chu Xiao'er, stepped forward, his face filled with displeasure and coldness as he glared at Gu Changge and shouted sternly.
As a lackey, he naturally couldn't let his young master lose face at this moment.
"Do you have a death wish?"
Seeing this, Zi Yunchuan, who had initially wanted to ask Gu Changge a question, also turned cold. His gaze swept toward Chu Xiao'er as he took a step forward.
A terrifying aura emanated from him, and his slightly demonic eyes seemed to flicker with sword light, oppressive and domineering. Chu Xiao'er paled and couldn't help but take a few steps back, visibly frightened.
"Since when does a mere servant dare to act so arrogantly?"
Zhao Tianfan, Mingyang Daoist, and the others also frowned, their expressions turning displeased.
In the Prime-Origin Civilization, no disciple from any force dared to disrespect or slight them so openly.
Although Chu Xia's background was extraordinary, none of them were simple figures either.
Anyone with eyes could see that even they were accompanying Gu Changge with respect.
How dare this lowly servant speak to their esteemed guest in such a manner?
Nearby, the followers of Zi Yunchuan and the others also appeared, gathering around with hostile expressions as they stared at Chu Xiao'er and Chu Xia.
The guests in Riverside Pavilion were all shocked, their faces changing dramatically.
No one had expected the situation to escalate so quickly.
Zi Yunchuan, Zhao Tianfan, and the others represented the face of Purple Mist Mountain and Divine Ascension Cavern in this era.
In the Prime-Origin Civilization, who wouldn't tremble at the sight of them? Who would dare to defy or provoke them?
Moreover, the white-robed young man who could casually produce a piece of Dao Source Immortal Jade must have an even more terrifying background.
"It seems there's going to be quite a show tonight. These individuals are not to be trifled with."
"That man in luxurious robes, who knows what his background is? Does he not know the identities of these people?"
Many couldn't help but whisper, their voices filled with shock as they watched the scene unfold.
Madam Liu's face also turned pale, her forehead covered in cold sweat.
She had never imagined that a matter involving a mere entertainer would lead to such trouble.
"Gentlemen, you have quite the temper, but there's no need to vent your anger on a servant," Chu Xia said with a forced smile, pretending to be calm as he stepped forward.
However, this young lady was the one I took a liking to first. For you to suddenly intervene like this—isn't that a bit unreasonable?"
Fairy Caiyun, though reluctant to get involved, naturally stood on Gu Changge's side. She frowned and said, "Riverside Pavilion has never had a rule forcing entertainers to comply. There's no such thing as 'first come, first served.'"
With Chu Xia backing him, Chu Xiao'er gained some courage and stared directly at Fairy Caiyun and the others. "My young master was merely offering her a drink. If she didn't want to, that's fine, but spilling the wine—what does that mean?"
"Moreover, my young master never forced her. As you all saw, those words earlier didn't come from him."
After saying this, he sneered, glancing at Madam Liu, who was now drenched in cold sweat, as if he had the upper hand.
At this moment, Madam Liu felt the Phoenix Heart Sacred Stone in her arms burning hot, filled with regret.
Gu Changge ignored Chu Xia and Chu Xiao'er, treating them as if they were air.
He simply glanced at the white-robed girl beside him, who still kept her head lowered, seemingly growing more nervous.
In truth, she could only be called a young girl.
She didn't look very old, perhaps around seventeen or so. Of course, in Riverside Pavilion, even ordinary people had some level of cultivation, so her true age couldn't be determined by appearance alone.
"What's your name?"
His voice was gentle and warm.
The girl in white timidly glanced at him, then quickly lowered her head again, whispering, "They call me Yiyi."
She hadn't expected that her situation would cause such a commotion in Riverside Pavilion, leaving her feeling anxious and uneasy.
"Was it you playing the zither earlier?" Gu Changge nodded and asked again.
He had actually been considering how to find a suitable and reasonable excuse to deal with Chu Xia.
The appearance of this white-robed girl was perfectly timed, saving Gu Changge a lot of thought and effort.
"Yes," the girl replied, somewhat confused by Gu Changge's question but still nodding honestly.
"I quite liked the piece you played," Gu Changge added.
"Th-thank you..."
The girl was slightly stunned by his words, then reacted with a hint of shyness, softly expressing her gratitude.
"Do you want to leave this place?" Gu Changge smiled and asked again.
Hearing this, the girl's eyes immediately filled with longing. Naturally, she didn't want to stay in Riverside Pavilion, a place where she would eventually lose her purity.
However, thinking of something, her expression dimmed.
"But I can't leave," she shook her head.
She still owed her sister a large amount of spirit stones, and she also owed Madam Liu a significant sum. She needed to repay her debts.
She knew that Gu Changge could likely help her escape this place.
But how could she, someone of no merit, accept such kindness from a stranger?
The fact that Gu Changge had stepped forward to help her up was already more than enough for her to be grateful for.
"Why can't you leave? Are they forcing you?" Gu Changge asked casually.
The girl opened her mouth but didn't know how to explain, so she could only lower her head meekly.
"How many spirit stones did you spend to buy her? I'll give you a hundred times, or a thousand times that amount."
Gu Changge seemed to understand what the girl was thinking. He smiled faintly and turned to Madam Liu.
Madam Liu, hearing this, shuddered and hurriedly replied, "Young master, if you wish to take Yiyi away, please do so. How could I dare to ask for spirit stones from you?"
Gu Changge raised an eyebrow, still speaking casually. "I won't take your people for free."
Madam Liu's face was now filled with bitterness as she waved her hands repeatedly. "Yiyi isn't worth much, young master. Please, just take her."
She had already taken the Phoenix Heart Sacred Stone from her bosom, intending to return it to Chu Xia, not wanting to wade deeper into this mess.
In her eyes, Yiyi was nothing but trouble, always bringing her unnecessary complications.
"Brother, isn't what you're doing a bit inappropriate?"
"Everything should follow the principle of first come, first served. I was the one who chose Miss Yiyi first. Isn't your behavior a bit too overbearing?"
Chu Xia hadn't expected Gu Changge to completely ignore him from start to finish, treating him as if he were air.
Now, Gu Changge was even planning to directly buy out the girl named Yiyi.
The forced smile on Chu Xia's face finally fell, and he frowned, his tone no longer polite.
At this moment, Gu Changge seemed to finally notice him and glanced at him.
However, he quickly looked away, turning back to the white-robed girl and speaking in the same unhurried tone. "From tonight onward, you are a free person. You may leave this place at any time."
Hearing this, the girl was completely stunned.
She hadn't expected that, with just a few words from Gu Changge, she would regain her freedom.
Could she really leave this place and be free?
"Th-thank you, young master..."
The girl was about to express her gratitude when Chu Xia, not far away, suddenly let out a cold snort.
His eyes flashed with a dark light as he said, "Brother, you've truly gone too far in looking down on me. No one has ever dared to take a woman I've set my eyes on."