Chapter 17: Smiling Face Hiding Dagger

Take a good look—this man’s Luo Jiutian.

He’s here for the Qingyun Secret Realm expedition.

The atmosphere had been serious, each clan’s disciples maintaining decorum, careful not to overstep.

But when this guy showed up, bickering with the Su family’s young lady, the whole vibe shifted.

Especially when Su Wan’er blurted out, “You were so gentle last night,” “Husband, you’ve changed,” and “Heartless cad,” the scene nearly exploded.

Most people instinctively glanced at Luo Jiutian, then Su Wan’er, their minds spinning a million-word romance novel.

Su Zimo’s lips twitched, but he quickly regained composure, as if he’d heard nothing.

Nearby, Su Xinyan glared at Su Wan’er, inwardly cursing her shamelessness.

Li Daming turned away, struggling to keep a straight face.

His burly frame and flushed expression gave him the look of a powerlifter gone red.

The atmosphere turned bizarre—no one dared laugh or speak.

As the silence spread, Xiao Yan stepped forward: “As expected of Brother Jiutian, so unrestrained, full of character.”

Luo Jiutian smiled faintly: “Brother Yan, you flatter me. I’m just casual, not big on formalities.”

“Living freely is a skill in itself,” Xiao Yan nodded.

Their polite exchange, though light on substance, drew attention.

Many had pegged Luo Jiutian as a ruthless brute, but he seemed approachable, not arrogantly aloof.

Soon, others stepped up to greet him.

Luo Jiutian responded casually, unbothered.

Then, a boisterous shout rang from the other side of the field:

“Luo Jiutian! Luo Jiutian! Like a galaxy falling from the heavens!”

Li Zhongjie was sprinting around, yelling at the top of his lungs.

Before he got two laps in, Li Daming yanked him back.

“What’re you shouting? Embarrassing us!”

Li Daming scolded, dragging him off, but the fool kept grinning, mumbling incoherently.

The interruption didn’t dampen the mood. Cultivators still flocked to Luo Jiutian, chatting and cozying up.

Not far off, Luo Chen watched his spotlight stolen, gritting his teeth, fists clenched in his sleeves, fighting to stay calm.

Stay cool, stay cool…

He couldn’t let anger cloud his mind.

He’d planned for this trip. In the secret realm, he’d redeem himself.

[Ding! Host has successfully rattled Child of Destiny ‘Luo Chen,’ converting destiny points…]

[Current Earth return countdown: 292 years, 6 months.]

[Six months deducted. Remaining time: 292 years.]

Luo Jiutian: ?

How’d he get rattled?

He glanced at Luo Chen.

The man’s face was dark, but when their eyes met, Luo Chen reverted to his usual expression.

Before Luo Jiutian could ponder, a clear shout rang out:

“The Qingyun Secret Realm is about to open! Each clan, form up!”

The field’s chatter quieted instantly.

Everyone organized, returning to their groups.

Luo Jiutian stood at the back of the Luo family’s line, while Su Wan’er waved from the Su family’s ranks.

Suddenly, Luo Chen stepped out, approaching him.

They stood less than two steps apart.

All eyes turned to the Luo family, drawn by the tension.

Their feud was no secret. Seeing this, everyone thought—

They’re about to clash again!

But, unexpectedly, the anticipated scene didn’t unfold.

Luo Chen smiled: “Brother Jiutian, I admit you’re strong.”

He paused, continuing: “I was too arrogant before and held biases against you. But starting today, we’ll enter the secret realm together.”

He raised his voice, ensuring all could hear.

The crowd exchanged glances, stunned by his words.

“What are you getting at?” Luo Jiutian asked calmly.

“What I mean is…” Luo Chen met his gaze, “as Luo clansmen, we shouldn’t fight internally.”

He extended his right hand, holding it midair.

“I’m willing to let bygones be bygones with you.”

The crowd froze.

Then, exclamations erupted.

“Is Young Master Luo… making peace?”

“No way, for real?”

“That’s a quick turnaround…”

No one expected Luo Chen to yield.

Su Wan’er frowned, glaring at him, ready to act if he tried anything.

Su Xinyan, in the Su family line, remained impassive, ignoring the commotion.

Li Daming, Su Zimo, and Xiao Yan paid no mind, focusing on final preparations.

Luo Jiutian glanced at Luo Chen, then his hand.

The silence was eerie, all waiting for his response.

After a moment, he chuckled.

“Alright.” He smiled, grasping the offered hand. “Since we’re both Luo clansmen, we should work together.”

After this sudden ‘reconciliation,’ the Luo family’s atmosphere oddly harmonized.

But a closer look revealed—

Luo Yuanshan and Luo Yan, in the middle of the group, looked grim.

From start to finish, they said nothing, out of place amid the lively mood.

Because—

They knew the truth.

…

Not long before, aboard the Luo family’s airship to the secret realm, in a secluded room.

Luo Yuanshan, Luo Yan, and Luo Chen sat around a table.

“Young Master, I can’t comply.”

Luo Yuanshan’s face was grave, his words blunt.

“No matter what, Luo Jiutian’s a Luo clansman. I can’t harm one of our own.”

His words plunged the room into brief silence.

Moments earlier, Luo Chen had proposed that in the secret realm, they team up to eliminate Luo Jiutian.

Unexpectedly, not only did Luo Yuanshan refuse, but even the prickly Luo Yan shook his head.

Luo Chen’s eyes narrowed, turning to Luo Yan: “Yuanshan’s upright, not one for backstabbing—I’m not surprised he refused. But you?”

“What, I can’t?” Luo Yan crossed his arms, smirking.

“When Luo Jiutian was Young Master, you were the loudest, most hostile—everyone knew you two clashed,” Luo Chen said coldly. “Now, when I ask you to act, you’re playing noble?”

Luo Yan didn’t answer directly, drawling: “You want him dead, that’s your business. I won’t help. But don’t use me as your blade.”

“Why?” Luo Chen frowned. “Give me a reason.”

Luo Yan met his gaze, cutting to the core: “What makes you think we can beat him? If he has a trump card and turns the tables, who among us escapes unscathed?”

Luo Yuanshan nodded: “Exactly, Young Master. With other clans watching, we don’t need extra trouble.”

Luo Chen’s face darkened.

His fingers tapped the table, each strike heavier, patience fading.

Two defeated lackeys daring to question the Young Master’s orders?

The room fell deathly quiet, save for the dull tapping.

After a long pause, he stood slowly: “Seems… I was too polite earlier.”

His gaze locked on them, icy: “I’m not asking for opinions. I’m giving orders.”

He stepped forward, his pressure surging.

“As the Luo family’s Young Master…”

“I issue a command.”