Chapter 44: I had no choice before…
No one could have anticipated that the situation could twist and turn like this.
The scene erupted in an uproar.
“My goodness, another mastermind?”
“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.”
“Isn’t he a Luo Clan member too? How could he testify against his own Young Master in public?”
The crowd’s exclamations rose and fell, but Luo Yan’s expression remained calm, as if he had long prepared himself mentally.
He pulled a circular jade ring from his robes and said evenly, “Once activated, this item can sense the positions of others wearing it—the closer the distance, the stronger the reaction.”
With that, he tossed the jade ring toward Luo Chen.
All eyes followed instinctively. As the ring neared Luo Chen, it trembled violently, buzzing loudly.
“Before the secret realm opened, Young Master Luo personally gave one of these jade rings to every Luo Clan disciple except Luo Jiutian,” Luo Yan said, looking at Luo Chen, his tone steady. “The purpose was to let us rendezvous early in the realm to gang up on Luo Jiutian and settle a personal vendetta.”
He paused, then continued, “Not only that, he also gave these to the Su Clan members to gain their trust, ultimately leading them into a trap where they all perished.”
His words were like a stone dropped into a lake, stirring a thousand waves.
“Holy crap, a Luo Clan member just dropped a bombshell?”
“How can he talk his way out now? There’s evidence, and it all lines up…”
“No wonder Luo Chen was so desperate to explain—he’s genuinely guilty!”
“The Su Clan got screwed over so badly.”
The crowd’s discussions surged, the scene nearly spiraling out of control.
Those who had been skeptical now fell silent.
Luo Jiutian had first presented the recording stone, and now Luo Yan had testified publicly, backed by the jade ring.
The truth was undeniable.
[Ding! Host has successfully caused the Chosen One ‘Luo Chen’ to suffer a major loss of reputation, converting destiny points…]
[Current Blue Star return countdown: 275 years, 6 months.]
[6 years deducted, remaining: 269 years, 6 months.]
Su Huaizhang stared darkly at Luo Changqing. “Clan Head Luo, my Su Clan’s prodigies fell at your son’s hands. You owe us an explanation.”
Luo Changqing’s face was ashen, silent for a long moment.
With both witness and evidence present, defending Luo Chen was impossible.
Yet he still tried, voice strained: “This is a matter for the younger generation to resolve. If we elders interfere in everything, how can we maintain order in the future?”
Li Yunzheng stepped forward slowly. “Old Luo, I disagree,” he said, looking at Luo Changqing. “For years, the unspoken rule has been fair competition, life or death aside. But your son’s actions… how is that fair competition?”
Li Yunzheng’s face was stern, but inside, he was gleeful.
The messier, the better.
The Luo Clan had lost several prodigies, and their Young Master’s reputation was in tatters.
If Luo Changqing wanted to hush this up and protect his son, he’d likely have to empty his pockets.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
Xiao Qiankun, seeing no Xiao Clan involvement, led Xiao Yan and others to the sidelines to watch the drama unfold.
Meanwhile, Luo Yuanshan glared at Luo Yan, furious: “Skinny Ghost, why would you do this? Are you worthy of the Young Master?!”
Luo Yan didn’t back down, saying quietly, “I’m sorry… I had no choice before. Now, I just want to be a good person.”
He turned to Luo Chen, eyes sincere: “Young Master, just confess. It’s better for everyone. Dragging this out will only make it uglier.”
“Confess my ass!” Luo Yuanshan rolled up his sleeves, ready to charge. “You traitor, pretending to be righteous? I’ll clean house for the Young Master right now!”
Luo Chen raised a hand to stop him, shaking his head.
“Young Master…” Luo Yuanshan called softly, as if wanting to argue.
Luo Chen looked at his loyal, indignant expression, feeling an unexpected warmth.
True loyalty shines in adversity.
He hadn’t expected that, amidst the accusations and even his father’s struggle to defend him, Luo Yuanshan would still stand by him.
Thinking of his earlier doubts about him, Luo Chen felt a pang of shame.
Luo Jiutian, seeing Luo Chen’s expression, could guess his thoughts.
After all, he’d written the script himself.
Still, watching it play out, he found it a bit hard to keep a straight face.
But with his impeccable acting skills, he quickly steadied himself, his face shifting to one of deep pain and sorrow as he lamented: “Luo Chen, how foolish! Brother Zimo and the others weren’t just my fiancée’s clansmen—they were my closest friends! You didn’t have to let jealousy over my bond with Wan’er drive you to this, did you?”
Luo Chen’s forehead veins bulged.
This guy just spouts nonsense!
Closest friends? If he didn’t know the truth, he might’ve believed it.
But he couldn’t refute it.
Su Wan’er’s eyes lit up, excitedly asking, “Nine Heavens Brother, are you admitting I’m your fiancée?”
Her words nearly made Luo Chen black out.
Is that the point?!
Luo Jiutian ignored her, gently patting her head again. “Be good. Adults are talking—kids don’t interrupt.”
“Ugh!” Su Wan’er pouted, protesting.
Luo Jiutian met her eyes, softly saying, “Listen, okay?”
She huffed but said no more, nuzzling against him like an obedient kitten.
Luo Chen took it all in but didn’t break this time.
He was numb.
Others, however, weren’t letting him off.
“Luo Chen!” Li Daming suddenly spoke, his words sharp. “You slandered our Li Clan and got my brothers hurt. Without compensation, this isn’t over!”
With their leader speaking, the Li Clan chimed in: “Boss is right—our brothers got hurt bad. We can’t let this slide!”
“Compensation! We demand compensation!”
“They messed with us. If we let this go, where’s the Li Clan’s face?!”
The Li Clan was riled up, glaring at Luo Chen.
But he didn’t back down, retorting coldly: “You Li Clan took the Tempering Origin Persimmons and still demand compensation?”
His words silenced the crowd.
Even Luo Changqing and Li Yunzheng turned to him, eyes full of surprise.
Su Huaizhang gave a half-smile: “Are you saying… the Tempering Origin Persimmons appeared in the Qingyun Secret Realm?”
Luo Chen nodded expressionlessly. “Correct, and quite a few. They were split between the Li and Xiao Clans.”
At his words, Xiao Qiankun and Xiao Yan, spectating, froze and frowned.
Li Daming blinked, then pointed at Luo Chen, furious: “Nonsense! We Li Clan didn’t get any persimmons—it was Luo Jiutian—”
He stopped mid-sentence, realizing his mistake.
Oh no!
He’d slipped up.