Chapter 17: A Dagger Hidden Behind a Smile

Look closely—this man is called Luo Jitian.
He is here to attend the Qingyun Secret Realm expedition.

Originally, the atmosphere among the gathered disciples had been solemn. Each family’s members maintained their bearing, careful not to be rude.

But the moment this fellow appeared, bantering with the eldest young lady of the Su family, everything changed.

Especially when Su Wan’er openly said things like, “you were so gentle to me last night,” “husband, you’ve changed,” and “heartless man,” the scene practically exploded.

Most people couldn’t help but glance between Luo Jitian and Su Wan’er, their minds instantly conjuring a million-word romance novel.

Su Zimo’s mouth twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, pretending as though he had heard nothing.

Beside him, Su Xinyuan glared at Su Wan’er, inwardly cursing her for being so shameless.

Li Daming, on the other hand, turned his head away, doing his utmost to keep a straight face. His burly frame, coupled with his flushed, strained expression, made him look like some kind of mighty strongman barely containing himself.

The air grew strange; no one dared laugh, no one dared speak.

Just as the silence stretched thin, Xiao Yan stepped forward.
“As expected of Brother Jitian—so unconventional, yet full of character.”

Luo Jitian smiled faintly.
“Brother Yan, you flatter me. I’m simply used to being casual, without so many formalities.”

“To be able to act as one pleases is a skill in itself,” Xiao Yan nodded.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries—nothing of substance, yet it was enough to draw gazes.

Many had assumed Luo Jitian to be some arrogant, ruthless figure. But now, it seemed he was at least approachable, willing to talk, and not as overbearing as rumors suggested.

Soon after, more people came forward to greet him. Luo Jitian only responded casually, never showing much enthusiasm.

Just then, an overly enthusiastic shout erupted from the other side of the clearing:

“Luo Jitian! Luo Jitian! Like the Silver River falling from the Ninth Heaven!”

Li Zhongjie came sprinting in circles, hollering at the top of his lungs.

Before he could finish two laps, Li Daming dragged him back.
“What nonsense are you spouting? Have you no shame?”

Even as he scolded him, the fool was still grinning, muttering incoherently under his breath.

The little interlude didn’t dampen the mood. On the contrary, the cultivators gathered around Luo Jitian pressed on, eager to strike up conversation and get closer to him.

Not far away, Luo Chen watched his spotlight being stolen yet again. His teeth clenched, fists tightening inside his sleeves as he struggled to stay calm.

Calm down, calm down…
I can’t let anger cloud my judgment.

He had already laid his plans. Once inside the secret realm, he would surely avenge his humiliation.

[Ding! The Host has successfully made the Son of Providence, “Luo Chen,” lose his composure. Providence Value is now being converted…]
[Current Blue Star Return Countdown: 292 years and 6 months.]
[6 months deducted. Remaining time: 292 years.]

Luo Jitian: ?

Wait, how did he lose his composure?

He glanced at Luo Chen. The young man’s face was grim, but when their eyes met, Luo Chen quickly schooled his expression into calm.

Before Luo Jitian could dwell on it, a clear voice rang out:

“The Qingyun Secret Realm is about to open. All families, assemble your teams!”

The clearing immediately fell silent. Everyone returned to their formations.

Luo Jitian remained at the rear of the Luo family’s group. Su Wan’er, still in the Su family’s line, turned and waved at him.

Just then, Luo Chen stepped out of formation and approached him.

The two stood less than two steps apart.

Everyone’s eyes snapped to the Luo family. The feud between Luo Chen and Luo Jitian was no secret. Surely, another clash was about to erupt!

But instead—

Luo Chen simply smiled.
“Brother Jitian, I admit you are very strong.”

He paused, then raised his voice so all could hear.
“I was too arrogant in the past, too prejudiced against you. But from today onward, we enter the secret realm together.”

The crowd stirred. No one had expected this.

“What are you trying to say?” Luo Jitian asked lightly.

“What I mean is…” Luo Chen met his gaze.
“We are both of the Luo family. We should not continue to fight amongst ourselves.”

With that, he extended his right hand.
“I wish to bury the hatchet with you, Brother Jitian.”

The onlookers were stunned.

Gasps spread like wildfire.

“Is Young Master Luo… making peace?”
“No way, is this real?”
“His change of heart seems a bit too fast…”

No one had ever thought Luo Chen would back down so suddenly.

Su Wan’er frowned, watching him with open hostility, prepared to strike if he dared pull a trick.

Su Xinyuan, however, looked utterly uninterested, indifferent to the drama.

Li Daming, Su Zimo, and Xiao Yan also ignored it, instead focusing on their final preparations.

Luo Jitian glanced at Luo Chen, then at the offered hand.

The surroundings grew deathly quiet. Everyone waited for his response.

After a brief silence, Luo Jitian chuckled softly.
“Alright,” he said with a smile, grasping the hand. “Since we are all of the Luo family, we should naturally work together.”

The apparent “reconciliation” lightened the mood on the Luo family’s side.

But if one looked closer, they would notice—

Luo Yuanshan and Luo Yan, standing in the center of the formation, did not look pleased.

From beginning to end, they had remained silent, utterly out of step with the cheer around them.

Because—

They knew the truth.

Time rewound to earlier that day.
On the Luo family’s flying boat, en route to the Qingyun Secret Realm, in a hidden chamber—

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

“Young Master, forgive me, but I cannot obey this order.”

Luo Yuanshan’s expression was grave, his words steady.
“No matter what, Luo Jitian is a member of the Luo family. I cannot bring myself to harm my own kin.”

The room fell silent.

Moments ago, Luo Chen had told them his plan: once inside the secret realm, they would team up to eliminate Luo Jitian on the spot.

But to his surprise, not only had Luo Yuanshan refused, even the usually sharp-tongued Luo Yan shook his head.

Luo Chen narrowed his eyes.
“Brother Yuanshan has an upright character—he won’t stab someone in the back. That much I expected. But what about you?”

“What, you’ve got a problem with me?” Luo Yan folded his arms, a ghost of a smile tugging his lips.

“Back when Luo Jitian was still Young Master, you were the loudest against him. Everyone knows the two of you don’t get along.” Luo Chen’s tone darkened. “And now, when I ask you to make a move, you want to act the gentleman?”

Luo Yan sneered.
“You want to kill him, that’s your business. I won’t stop you. But don’t think you can use me as your blade.”

“The reason?” Luo Chen frowned. “At least tell me why.”

Luo Yan finally raised his eyes, meeting his gaze.
“On what basis do you think we can definitely defeat him? What if he has a trump card? What if he drags us down with him? Which of us could walk away unscathed?”

Luo Yuanshan nodded firmly.
“That’s right, Young Master. And the other families will be watching closely. There’s no need to bring needless trouble upon ourselves.”

Luo Chen’s face darkened further.

His fingers tapped against the table, each strike heavier than the last. His patience was wearing thin.

Two mere defeated subordinates dare question the Young Master’s order?

The room was silent, broken only by the dull, rhythmic tapping.

At last, Luo Chen rose to his feet.
“It seems… I was too tactful just now.”

His gaze swept over the two, icy and domineering.
“I am not asking for your opinions. I am giving an order.”

He stepped forward, spiritual pressure flaring.

“In my capacity as the Young Master of the Luo family…”

“I am giving you an order.”