Chapter 5764: Showing All Cards
Just as the two tablets were about to collide, they seemed to lose momentum midair and fell to the ground with a dull clatter.
A collective sigh of relief spread through the crowd. Whether from the Bi family or the Luo family, everyone had been on edge.
Luo Zichuan’s overwhelming power had shaken the Bi family’s confidence, while Bi Yingxiong’s oppressive presence had long cast a shadow over the Luo family. The Luo family Elders feared losing Luo Zichuan, their newfound pillar of hope. If that flame was extinguished, how could they continue the fight?
“Is there a need for youngsters to be so temperamental? Must every dispute be settled with weapons? Furthermore, I am still alive. Can’t you give me some face?” the race leader asked, his tone calm but firm.
It was he who had stopped the challenge. As the race leader, he couldn’t allow such reckless escalation, especially not in these dire times.
“Race leader, apologies. Zichuan was impetuous,” Luo Zichuan admitted, bowing slightly.
“With your grandson in danger, it’s only natural for you to become emotional,” replied the race leader lightly.
“You…!”
Bi Yingxiong’s face twisted in fury. Was this not a tacit confirmation of Long Chen’s accusation—that he had truly tried to attack? But he had done no such thing!
“Race leader, you’re being unfair! He—” Bi Yingxiong started, his frustration boiling over.Shaking his head, the race leader interjected, “What I saw might not be the truth. But still, I can only trust these old eyes of mine. Are you telling me you cannot endure a single instance of being wrongly accused? Do you know how much the Luo family has endured without complaint over the years?”
The crowd shuddered. It was clear now—the race leader was aware of the long-standing oppression the Luo family had suffered. They had swallowed their losses in silence, while the Bi family grew ever more arrogant.
Now, Long Chen had turned the tables, slapping Bi Yingxiong in front of everyone. And the race leader… was siding with the Luo family.
“If this is your ruling, race leader, I refuse to accept it!” Bi Yingxiong bellowed, his rage barely contained.
The race leader turned to him, his ever-present smile fading. For the first time, an air of icy authority appeared around him.
A chill ran through the gathered crowd. They had never seen the race leader so serious.
Staring coldly at Bi Yingxiong, the race leader intoned, “As the head of your family, you should understand that prosperity is always followed by decline. The violet blood race faces a grave crisis, yet you remain blind to it. If you continue down this path, you will lead your family to ruin.”
Then, just as abruptly, he smiled again. “Alright, this matter is settled. Disperse!”
The sudden shift in demeanor left many stunned. One moment he had been an awe-inspiring force, the next he was his usual amicable self.
“Luo Zichuan, just you wait!” Bi Yingxiong exclaimed. After that, he gloomily walked off.
Before Luo Zichuan could reply, Long Chen poked his head out and grinned, “Alright, we’ll wait. I’ve already slapped your left cheek—make sure to turn the other one next time.”
“You…!”
Bi Yingxiong almost exploded right there and then. This little fellow’s tongue was truly lethal. The handprint on Bi Yingxiong’s face had barely faded, and Long Chen had gone out of his way to remind him of it.
Only after the urgent persuasion of the Bi family’s elders did Bi Yingxiong finally leave. The other Elders could see it—the Luo family was truly rising.
They had Luo Zichuan as their main pillar, and amongst the Luo family’s disciples, Luo Yanfeng’s group was particularly impressive. The Luo disciples had reaped countless rewards, growing stronger with each victory.
If this trend continued, the gap between the Luo family’s disciples and the Bi family’s disciples would only widen. And given that all the potential Heaven Saints had already ascended, those below them would have little time to catch up.
As the other families grew anxious, the race leader still looked composed, his smile unwavering. But those who knew him well understood—he was never careless when it came to important matters. The conflict between the violet blood race and the devil race was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. If things went awry, the entire race could face annihilation.
…
Upon returning to the Luo family, Luo Yingchen gathered the higher-ups—including Long Chen—for a strategy meeting to go against the hostile Bi family.
Long Chen waved off their concerns. “No need to worry. Leave it to me.”
With that, he simply took Luo Zichuan and left.
Once alone, Long Chen took out a Heavenly Dao Fruit.
“This thing cannot see the light of day,” Luo Zichuan said gravely. Though shocked, he had already anticipated something like this.
Luo Zichuan remembered how Long Chen had helped Luo Bing, Luo Ning, and other Luo disciples in the past. He knew these fruits had a heaven-defying power. But to still be effective at their current realm? It was almost unbelievable.
After a long silence, Luo Zichuan murmured, “I will speak with the race leader, see if I can arrange a backdoor. If I can’t…”
“What if he refuses?” Long Chen asked.
Luo Zichuan took a deep breath and replied, “Then I will take the entire Luo family and leave this domain.”
His duty extended only to his kin. The rest of the violet blood race was not his concern. He didn’t feel any ties to them, nor did he feel any responsibility to help them.
Long Chen nodded. “If they refuse, just stall for time. I’ll gather more of these fruits.”
Luo Zichuan’s heart shook as he suddenly realized something. They exchanged a long look, neither speaking. Then, with a firm nod, Luo Zichuan patted Long Chen’s shoulder and departed.
As Long Chen watched Luo Zichuan leave, he couldn’t shake his unease. This secret was far too dangerous.
But since Luo Zichuan had already made up his mind, Long Chen chose not to say anything more. Instead, he went to find Luo Yanfeng and the others.
…
In a hidden chamber, Luo Zichuan stood solemnly before the race leader.
The race leader studied him before asking, “Does the violet blood race permit its disciples to keep secrets?”
Luo Zichuan remained silent.
The race leader continued, “If it is your secret, I will allow it. I trust your loyalty to our race.”
“Many thanks, race leader,” Luo Zichuan said, relieved.
He hadn’t misjudged. The race leader’s intellect really wasn’t something an average person could reach.
The race leader continued, “Don’t be in a rush to thank me. If it is Long Chen’s secret, then I do have some objections.”
“Why?” Luo Zichuan was taken aback.
“This grandson of yours is filled with an insatiable thirst for killing. I feel uneasy around him. He is dangerous.”
“I swear upon my life that Long Chen—” Luo Zichuan began, but then fell silent.
“Yes, he is loyal,” the race leader acknowledged. “But to whom? The violet blood race? Or just the Luo family? Long Chen’s loyalty is selective. He protects only those he cares for. If provoked, he will not hesitate to kill—even within our own ranks.”
Luo Zichuan had no words. He had never considered it in this way before. If they treated Long Chen well, he’d treat them well. But that was it.
Long Chen was not loyal to the entire race, only to his own people: his parents, brothers, and wives. If offended, Long Chen would not hesitate to unleash his butcher’s blade toward all the violet blade race.
“This decision is beyond us,” the race leader concluded. “The ancestors will decide.”
“You mean to…”
The race leader smiled slightly. “You’ll know soon enough.”