Chapter 42: The Disobedient Memory Stone

It was a well-known fact—video footage couldn’t be edited or faked.

The image within the Memory Stone hadn’t faded, yet the scene was already in utter chaos.

“What the heck… The Young Master of the Luo family is actually this kind of person?”

“That’s way too petty, murdering people just because their family head didn’t give face?”

“I even admired him before… Turns out he’s nothing but a villain.”

“Tsk, his heart is smaller than a needle’s point.”

Su Huaizhang’s face had turned completely dark. Slowly, he lifted his head to look at Luo Chen, his voice chillingly calm:

“Young Master Luo, is this what you call upright and honorable behavior? Do you have anything else to say for yourself?”

Luo Chen’s body stiffened. Sweat formed on his forehead, and his voice grew feeble:

“N-No, that’s not true! At that time, I was being controlled by Luo Jiutian’s illusions! Those words weren’t my own—they were forcibly made me say them! He… specializes in heart-manipulating techniques. Everyone, don’t be deceived by him!”

Although the words came out, he knew deep down… The footage was right there in front of everyone’s eyes, crystal clear. No matter how much he tried to refute it, it would all be in vain.

He stood there, unsure of what to say next, when suddenly—

“I have a question.”

Luo Changqing’s voice broke the silence. His gaze landed directly on Luo Jiutian before shifting to Luo Chen. His voice was deep and steady:

“If it’s true your son plotted to frame the Su family, then why in the footage is he trying to kill you as well? Could there be more to this story?”

Upon hearing this, Luo Chen jolted, as if struck by lightning.

That’s right… From beginning to end, I never did any of the things Luo Jiutian accused me of. All my panicked defenses earlier only made me look more guilty.

Now that he thought about it carefully… All he had to do was explain the full sequence of events. Wouldn’t the truth become crystal clear to everyone?

He took a deep breath, his expression regaining composure, and spoke steadily:

“Everyone, I, Luo Chen, am not a saint. I naturally have emotions and temper, but I act without shame in my heart.”

At those words, all eyes turned toward him.

Luo Chen continued, his gaze sweeping the crowd:

“I’m not denying the footage in the Memory Stone. But I urge everyone to consider… Did that footage present the full picture, or only the part that made me look bad?

What you saw was only the moment I spoke those words. But before that—what did I do with Su brother and the others? Why did we enter that stone chamber in the first place? And why would I say such things…? Not a single word of that was shown.”

He paused briefly, giving everyone a moment to digest his words, before continuing in a softer tone:

“I admit that I was flustered… Being suddenly branded the mastermind left me at a loss for words… But I earnestly request all of you to grant me a chance to explain the full sequence of events.”

Su Huaizhang’s expression remained dark, but after a long moment, he slowly nodded, tacitly accepting.

The onlookers, curious spectators, stared at Luo Chen as if waiting for him to speak.

Seeing this, Luo Chen pressed on:

“The reason I entered that chamber with Su brother and the others wasn’t to set a trap for the Su family… It was to capture Luo Jiutian.”

He paused, his eyes darkening.

“Because he… has already betrayed the Luo family.”

The moment those words were spoken, the crowd fell utterly silent, soon followed by murmured disbelief.

“Huh? A twist?”

“Luo Jiutian is a traitor?”

“Don’t ask me, I have no clue.”

Luo Changqing raised his hand, signaling for silence. All turned to listen intently. He then spoke calmly:

“Chen’er, continue.”

Luo Chen nodded, his expression growing more serious.

“Everyone, I understand your doubts, but the facts are as follows—

Within the secret realm, Luo Jiutian, disregarding kinship, repeatedly hoarded resources obtained there, refusing to hand them over. Despite several attempts to persuade him, it led nowhere.

In the end, we discovered that he had turned his back on the Luo family, secretly joining the Li family’s team. He sought their protection, and even tacitly allowed Li Daming to ambush our Luo family disciples… Resulting in the tragic deaths of four of our brothers.

I could no longer hold back my anger, vowing to capture the traitor. But he refused to repent, evading capture at every turn.

During his resistance, several Su family members also perished. Thirteen lives… lost solely because of him.

Luo Jiutian is the true culprit!”

For a long moment, the entire crowd was dumbfounded by Luo Chen’s words.

“So now… who’s the one in the wrong?”

“Dunno, but after Luo Chen’s explanation, it kinda sounds plausible?”

“My head’s itching… Feels like it needs some brains.”

Many people whispered, their faces clouded with confusion.

Luo Changqing and Xiao Qiankun exchanged glances before both silently focusing their eyes on Su Huaizhang. The three of them locked eyes, their expressions distinct, yet all converging on Li Yunzheng.

“Old Li, what’s your opinion?”

Li Yunzheng’s face immediately turned pale. He never expected Luo Chen’s accusations to point toward the Li family.

Could it be… Li Daming and the others have been exposed?

He had repeatedly warned Li Daming not to show the slightest slip… Yet now, even without solid evidence, such words in front of everyone made it hard to walk away unscathed.

But just then—

“Objection!!!”

A crisp, powerful voice abruptly cut through the entire commotion.

Everyone was startled and turned toward the voice.

It was Luo Jiutian.

Pointing at Luo Chen, he said bluntly:

“You’ve babbled on with a bunch of nonsense—where’s your proof?”

This comment suddenly made everyone wake up to reason. Of course. Even if Luo Chen’s speech sounded impressive, without any evidence, it meant nothing.

Su Wan’er immediately stepped forward, hands on her hips:

“Exactly! Jiutian brother provided solid proof. And you? You’re trying to smear him with nothing but empty words? With Jiutian brother’s power, one sword could reduce you to dust. Why would he need to rely on anyone else? Do you think we’re all idiots?”

Upon hearing her, Luo Chen’s expression darkened drastically.

She knew absolutely nothing, had never been there… Yet she stood unwaveringly by Luo Jiutian’s side. Why? Why would Luo Jiutian deserve such blind loyalty from a beauty like her?

As his mind churned, preparing to speak again, Xiao Yan stepped forward too. Spreading his hands, he casually added:

“Sigh, I’m not good at lecturing or grand speeches. But whether someone is good or bad becomes obvious after interacting with them. How Jiutian brother is? I won’t say much, but I think everyone already knows in their hearts.”

Luo Chen almost cursed out loud. That was basically saying nothing at all.

Before he could recover, Li Zhongjie—standing beside Xiao Yan—nodded wildly:

“That’s right, that’s right! Luo Jiutian is good, Luo Chen is bad.”

Luo Chen: ……

Why did this idiot suddenly switch to the Xiao family’s side?!

The next moment, Li Zhongjie was yanked away by Li Daming, shoved into the Li family’s ranks.

Silence descended once more. Many people tried hard not to laugh, some unable to resist covering their mouths and stifling giggles.

Luo Chen’s face turned pitch black—so dark, he could easily be mistaken for a lump of coal.

Yet just when everyone expected him to explode in rage… He suddenly laughed.

“Fine, fine. Truly magnificent. Just a few snide remarks and a conveniently taken Memory Stone fragment, and you conclude I’m the mastermind?”

As he laughed, Luo Chen slowly pulled a glowing Memory Stone from his chest, his eyes growing darker.

“Too bad I’m not baseless in my words.”

“You want proof?”

He fixed his gaze sharply on Luo Jiutian, his tone rising with cruelty:

“Then open your eyes wide and watch carefully—”

Luo Jiutian’s expression changed subtly. Eyebrows raised, a mixture of surprise, confusion, and disbelief in his eyes:

“Then… could it be…”

“That’s right. Exactly what you think,” Luo Chen said smugly.

“I don’t use petty tricks like you. Today, everyone will see with their own eyes… Whether you, Luo Jiutian, did or did not collude with the Li family!”

He raised his hand, about to infuse the Memory Stone with spiritual energy. The entire scene held its breath, the air itself seeming to freeze.

But just as the spiritual energy began to flow—

Crack!

An extremely crisp shattering sound rang out.

The Memory Stone, which had been intact just a moment ago… Without any warning, split down the middle.

In the next instant, with a loud pop, it shattered into several pieces, falling to the ground.

Luo Chen: ?