Chapter Forty-Four: Treason

After the Xiangxi incident came to a close, Luo Longyu did not choose to continue his flight. Instead, he followed Kong Yuxuan to the Xuan Yi Center. As the third captain of Xuan Yi, Kong Yuxuan was fully aware of the intense division within the Pavilion regarding Luo Longyu’s fate.

Luo Longyu’s life and death not only sparked fierce disputes within the Pavilion, but even led to significant controversy at the central level. The central leaders had originally planned to meet Luo Longyu, but canceled the meeting due to his subsequent outburst.

Kong Yuxuan kept nothing from Luo Longyu, telling him all these circumstances, believing this was not the best time for Luo Longyu to return to the Pavilion.

However, Luo Longyu, contrary to his usual nature, insisted on going back.

Kong Yuxuan said nothing more, but connected to the Xuan Yi Center, speaking: “Third Squad calling Black Hole. We have found Luo Longyu in Xiangxi and are currently escorting him. Prepare to receive, over.”

“Black Hole received, preparations complete. Ensure safety, over.” Soon, the Xuan Yi Center responded.

On the helicopter, Kong Yuxuan watched Luo Longyu, who sat alone in a corner of the cabin. She wondered what Luo Longyu had discovered underground to make him so uncharacteristically determined; he had always deeply disliked the Pavilion, evading capture at every turn, but now he was insisting on returning, and with such resolve.

Luo Mengxuan, seated beside Kong Yuxuan, also looked at Luo Longyu in bewilderment.

Yet Luo Longyu remained silent. Since boarding the helicopter, he had closed his eyes and ignored everyone, even Luo Mengxuan’s attempts at conversation.

Late at night, the helicopter landed on a platform deep in the mountains. Kong Yuxuan led Luo Longyu out, where the platform was already filled with armed soldiers. The first and fourth squads of Xuan Yi Pavilion were present; the second squad of Ju Feng was absent, nearly wiped out by Luo Longyu in the Himalayas.

Watching Luo Longyu descend from the helicopter, Long Shaoxian took a deep breath, frowning quietly, while Tong Wushao scratched his head; during Luo Longyu’s escape, the first squad had already tracked his movements but hadn’t reported them, further complicating the Pavilion’s internal disputes over his fate.

The recovered Baili Zhuihun and Zuo Baixing stood silently among the crowd.

The fourth squad’s captain, Zhan Wushuang, gave a signal, and his members stepped forward to restrain Luo Longyu. Luo Longyu frowned, shook off their grip, and said coldly, “Get lost. I can walk myself.”

Solonga, a fourth squad member, his body built like an iron tower, stepped up and pressed down on Luo Longyu’s shoulder, growling, “Behave.”

Luo Longyu stared back, unafraid, meeting Solonga’s gaze with equal intensity.

“Luo Longyu, I know you have the Blood-Eyed Corpse Wheel. If you use it on me, go ahead and try.” Solonga’s hand remained firm, speaking unhurriedly.

Luo Longyu said nothing further, allowing Solonga to place heavy shackles and cuffs on him. Though they were meaningless to him—he could break them instantly—their symbolic weight mattered more, marking him as a prisoner.

Escorted by the others, Luo Longyu was locked in a sealed chamber with one-way glass walls. Complex runes etched beneath his feet formed a confinement field, connected to external instruments, allowing the Pavilion to control the power of the runes—a fusion of mystical and technological civilization.

Interrogation followed: whether Luo Longyu had colluded with foreign powers or Void Spirits, why he slaughtered the second squad. Luo Longyu replied only, “I want to speak with Elder Ge and Elder Xuan.”

On the other side of the glass, Wu Yifeng stood with Elder Xuan.

“Old Wu, let me in,” said Elder Xuan.

“No, Luo Longyu is unpredictable now. We have no idea what he intends. It’s unwise for you to go in,” Wu Yifeng shook his head.

Elder Xuan chuckled, “It’s fine. Though I look frail, Luo Longyu at this stage can’t harm me yet.” He motioned to the operator to open the safety door and walked in alone.

Hearing the door, Luo Longyu opened his eyes, emotionless, watching Elder Xuan take a seat opposite him, saying nothing.

Elder Xuan looked Luo Longyu up and down. “It’s true what they say, three days apart and you must see someone anew. In such a short time, you’ve grown from an eighteen-year-old boy into someone none of us can read.”

Luo Longyu, expressionless, got straight to the point: “Where’s Elder Ge?”

“You know you were brought to the Pavilion by Wangshan, so he must recuse himself from this investigation. Tell me, why have you returned voluntarily? What do you want?” Elder Xuan asked directly.

Luo Longyu paused. “To reclaim what’s mine.”

Elder Xuan frowned. “Your belongings? What belongings?”

“Ancient artifact,” Luo Longyu said, enunciating each word.

Hearing this, not only Elder Xuan but even Wu Yifeng outside changed expression, their eyes dark and uncertain.

Elder Xuan hesitated, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “Smoke?”

Luo Longyu tilted his head, shook it. “No, thank you. Smoking’s a way to relieve anxiety. You’re unsettled—did my words surprise you?”

Elder Xuan paused, then lit a cigarette and exhaled a smoke ring. “The ancient artifact isn’t under our Pavilion’s control. We haven’t even found its location.”

“Lies,” Luo Longyu said quietly. “Your Pavilion has been around since liberation, encountering countless strange events and ancient ruins. Even the Xuanyuan Corpse Path is an open book to you. Now you claim you’ve found no trace of the ancient artifact—do you expect me to believe that?”

“Believe it or not, it’s your choice. In fact, we’re searching but have found nothing,” Elder Xuan replied, smoking.

“Is that so? Then I’ll have to look for it myself within your Pavilion.” Luo Longyu stood, an aura of killing intent beginning to seep out.

Elder Xuan looked up at him. “I never thought your hostility would become so great. Do you believe you have the power to overturn the Pavilion now?”

“How would I know if I don’t try?” With two crisp snaps, Luo Longyu broke his shackles.

The sudden turn inside the chamber sent the entire Pavilion into high alert. Wu Yifeng pressed the comms button, shouting, “Luo Longyu, do you realize what you’re doing?”

“Of course I do! Do you think creating a Pavilion lets you rule the world? I, Luo Longyu, Xuanyuan Corpse Path, stand for your ancestors and am here to teach you the meaning of life!” With that, Luo Longyu reached toward Elder Xuan.

Seeing Luo Longyu stray so far, Elder Xuan’s eyes showed a hint of regret. He sighed and suddenly struck, three copper pieces shooting through the air, hitting Luo Longyu’s forehead and chest, sending him flying. Luo Longyu brushed the pieces aside.

Meanwhile, alarms blared throughout the Pavilion. Wu Yifeng’s face darkened, his voice grim: “Close all passages. Today, Luo Longyu must die here!”

The Pavilion’s main forces—the first, third, and fourth squads—all mobilized.

Seeing the situation deteriorate, Luo Longyu glanced at Elder Xuan, punched the chamber wall to pieces, disrupting the rune field, and leaped out, scattering soldiers in his path and fleeing into a corridor.

“After him!” Long Shaoxian charged forward, while Zuo Baixing and Baili Zhuihun moved from another direction to cut him off.

Wu Yifeng entered the chamber, anxiously asking Elder Xuan, still seated and smoking, “Are you alright?”

Elder Xuan shook his head and sighed, “How did it come to this? Luo Longyu was rebellious and cold toward the Pavilion, but he was never like this. How could he have changed so much?”

Wu Yifeng was quiet for a moment. “People change, especially a child swept into such upheaval and treated unfairly. He’s only eighteen—a time when character is easily altered.”

Kong Yuxuan and Zhan Wushuang led their squads in pursuit, determined to capture Luo Longyu.

Luo Mengxuan followed Kong Yuxuan, shaking her head at the torn bodies of soldiers. “Impossible, impossible. Luo Longyu wouldn’t do this.” Xiao Guai on her shoulder echoed, “Impossible, impossible.”

Kong Yuxuan’s face was dark, silent, then said, “Mengxuan, go to the shelter.”

“No, I want to find Luo Longyu and ask him myself,” Luo Mengxuan shook her head stubbornly.

Long Shaoxian pursued Luo Longyu alone. Already three teams had been slaughtered in the corridors, with extreme brutality, fueling Long Shaoxian’s murderous intent.

Heavy security doors were smashed apart by Luo Longyu. Long Shaoxian crossed through, and in a straight corridor finally saw Luo Longyu’s back, charging forward like a rainbow.

Sensing the threat behind him, Luo Longyu turned and exchanged a punch with Long Shaoxian, using the recoil to retreat a hundred meters and put distance between them.

“Luo Longyu, you’re committing treason,” Long Shaoxian said, his Dragon Halberd materializing as he strode forward, exuding a powerful presence.

Luo Longyu sneered coldly, saying nothing, retreating slowly from Long Shaoxian’s advance. At last, he reached into the void and drew a dark alloy war blade, its edge gleaming with light, clearly not of Earthly origin.

At the same time, Zuo Baixing and Baili Zhuihun appeared behind Luo Longyu, while Kong Yuxuan and Zhan Wushuang led their teams in encircling him. The atmosphere was tense to the extreme.