Chapter 42: The Disobedient Photo Stone
It’s common knowledge that videos can’t be edited.
The images from the recording stone still lingered in the air, and the scene outside the Qingyun Secret Realm had already erupted into chaos.
“Holy… the Luo Clan’s Young Master is that kind of person?”
“So petty—just because their clan head didn’t give him face, he’d kill?”
“I actually admired him? Turns out he’s nothing special.”
“Tch, heart smaller than a needle.”
Su Huaizhang’s face had darkened completely. He slowly raised his head to look at Luo Chen, his voice eerily calm: “Young Master Luo, is this your so-called ‘honor’? Anything else to say?”
Luo Chen froze, sweat beading on his forehead, his voice weaker: “No, it’s not true! I was controlled by Luo Jiutian’s illusion! Those words weren’t mine—he forced me to say them! He’s skilled in mind-bending techniques—don’t be fooled!”
He could say what he wanted, but deep down, he knew the clear footage left little room for excuses.
As he stood there, rigid, unsure how to proceed—
“I have a question.”
Luo Changqing’s voice cut through.
His gaze locked onto Luo Jiutian, then shifted to Luo Chen, low and steady: “If my son truly set a trap for the Su Clan, why, in the footage, was he targeting you too? Is there more to this story?”
Luo Chen jolted, as if awakened.
Right—he hadn’t done what Luo Jiutian accused him of. His earlier panicked denials only made him look guilty.
Now, thinking clearly, if he explained the full context, wouldn’t the truth be obvious?
He took a deep breath, his face regaining composure, and spoke evenly: “Everyone, I, Luo Chen, am no saint. I have my temper, my emotions, but I act with a clear conscience.”
The crowd turned to him.
Luo Chen’s gaze swept the surroundings, continuing: “I’m not denying the recording stone’s footage, but consider this: does it only show a snippet that paints me in a bad light?
You saw the moment I spoke those words, but what happened before? Why were we in that chamber? Why did I say those things? Not a single word of context was shown.”
He paused, giving the crowd time to process, then softened his tone: “I admit, I panicked earlier. Being labeled the mastermind threw me off.
But I beg you all—give me a chance to explain the full story.”
Su Huaizhang’s face remained grim, but he nodded slowly, granting permission.
The onlookers watched Luo Chen, waiting for his account.
Seeing this, he continued: “I entered the chamber with Brother Su and the others not to trap the Su Clan, but to apprehend Luo Jiutian.”
He paused, his gaze hardening: “Because he… betrayed the Luo Clan.”
The crowd fell silent, then erupted in shocked whispers.
“What? A twist?”
“Luo Jiutian’s a traitor?”
“Don’t ask me, I’m lost too.”
Luo Changqing raised a hand, silencing the crowd.
He looked at Luo Chen, voice steady: “Chen’er, go on.”
Luo Chen nodded, his expression graver: “Everyone, I understand your doubts, but the truth is—
In the secret realm, Luo Jiutian disregarded clan loyalty, hoarding resources and refusing to share.
We tried reasoning with him, to no avail. Then we discovered he’d joined the Li Clan’s team for protection, even allowing Li Daming to ambush our Luo Clan disciples, leading to four deaths!
I couldn’t stand it. I swore to capture this traitor, but he refused to repent, evading us. In his resistance, he caused the Su Clan’s losses.
Thirteen lives, all because of him—Luo Jiutian is the true culprit!”
The crowd was stunned by his words.
“So who’s the bad guy now?”
“No idea, but Luo Chen’s story… kinda makes sense?”
“My head hurts—I feel like I’m growing a brain.”
Whispers spread, faces filled with confusion.
Luo Changqing and Xiao Qiankun exchanged a glance, then both looked at Su Huaizhang.
Their eyes met, expressions varied, but all turned to Li Yunzheng.
“Old Li, what’s your take?”
Li Yunzheng’s face changed.
He hadn’t expected the Li Clan to be dragged into this!
Could… Li Daming and his team have slipped up?
He’d warned Li Daming repeatedly to leave no trace, but now, even without hard evidence, Luo Chen’s words put the Li Clan under scrutiny.
But then—
“Objection!!!”
A clear, forceful voice cut through the noise.
Everyone turned to its source.
Luo Jiutian.
Pointing at Luo Chen, he said bluntly: “You rambled on, but where’s your proof?”
The crowd snapped awake.
Right—even if Luo Chen’s story sounded compelling, without evidence, it was just words.
Su Wan’er stepped forward, hands on hips: “Exactly! Nine Heavens Brother showed real evidence. You? Just empty talk to smear him? With his skill—one sword could send you eating dirt—why would he need to join anyone? Think we’re all idiots?”
Luo Chen’s face darkened at her words.
She knew nothing, wasn’t even there, yet sided with Luo Jiutian without hesitation.
Why?
Why did someone like Luo Jiutian have such a beauty so devoted to him?!
His thoughts churned, but before he could speak, Xiao Yan stepped out.
Spreading his hands, Xiao Yan said: “Look, I’m no good with big speeches, but you know a person’s character after dealing with them. Nine Heavens Brother’s quality—well, you all know.”
Luo Chen nearly cursed aloud.
That’s as good as saying nothing!
Before he could recover, Li Zhongjie, beside Xiao Yan, nodded wildly: “Yeah, yeah! Luo Jiutian good, Luo Chen bad.”
Luo Chen: “…”
Why’s this idiot with the Xiao Clan now?!
The next moment, Li Daming yanked Li Zhongjie back into the Li Clan group.
The scene quieted, some stifling laughter, others turning away to hide their amusement.
Luo Chen’s face was blacker than coal—so dark he’d blend into a coal pile.
But just as everyone thought he’d explode—
He laughed.
“Good, very good. With a few snide remarks and a cherry-picked recording stone, you brand me the villain?”
Smiling, he slowly pulled a glowing recording stone from his robe, his gaze darkening: “Too bad I don’t rely on empty words.”
“You want evidence?”
He looked at Luo Jiutian, raising his voice, tone sharp: “Then open your eyes and see clearly—”
Luo Jiutian’s expression shifted, brows rising, eyes showing three parts surprise, three parts confusion, four parts disbelief: “Could it… really be…?”
“Exactly what you’re thinking,” Luo Chen said smugly.
“Unlike you, playing cheap tricks. Today, everyone will see—did you, Luo Jiutian, join the Li Clan or not!”
He prepared to infuse spiritual energy into the stone.
The crowd held its breath, even the wind seeming to pause.
But as his energy flowed—
Crack!
A crisp snap rang out.
The perfectly intact recording stone split down the middle, then shattered into pieces, falling to the ground.
Luo Chen: ?