Chapter 58: The Crimson Betrayal
The Ji Clan palace loomed with an air of regal tension, its marble halls gleaming under the soft glow of afternoon sunlight streaming through arched windows, the air heavy with the rich scent of sandalwood incense and the undercurrent of whispered conspiracies. The polished floors echoed with the hurried steps of guards and advisors, the atmosphere thick with the weight of betrayal as news of Ji Weihai's defection to Ironfang spread like wildfire. Lin Xuan stood near a shadowed alcove, his crimson eyes narrowed with determination, the steady power of his 8th Layer Qi Transformation a quiet force amidst the chaos. The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed faintly, a silent guide as he prepared to act. "A traitor in our midst—time to hunt," he murmured to himself, his voice a low growl, his mind already tracing the threads of treachery.
The confirmation came through a intercepted message, its ink smudged but clear—Ji Weihai, once a trusted advisor, had leaked troop movements to Ironfang, his defection a dagger in the kingdom's heart. Lin Xuan used Crimson Vein Suppression, weaving a subtle qi trace that latched onto Weihai's residual energy, leading him to a clash with a Fangsteel Clan warrior at the 5th Layer Qi Transformation. The warrior, a burly figure in dark armor, lunged with a qi-infused blade, but Lin Xuan countered with a precise burst of energy, the impact sending the man staggering, blood trickling from a gash on his arm. "You're outmatched—stand down," Lin Xuan said, his tone cold, the warrior retreating with a snarl into the shadows.
Inside the palace, Liu Yue, her 5th Layer Qi Transformation qi flowing with Icy Skin mist, coordinated with Liu Yang, his 2nd Layer Qi Gathering qi steady, to secure the premises. "Seal the western wing—check every room," Liu Yue instructed, her moonlight eyes scanning for threats, her snowflake mark glowing softly as frost curled around her feet. Liu Yang nodded, his blood-forged glaive flashing as he patrolled, his young face set with focus. "No one's slipping past, Elder Sister," he said, his voice gruff but determined, the glaive's weight a reassurance in the tense silence.
In the throne room, Ji Yunjing, at the peak of the 3rd Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, ordered Weihai's arrest, his silk robes rustling as he paced, his voice resonant with authority. "Bring him back—justice will be served," he declared, his leadership tested as guards dispersed, the air thickening with the clink of armor. The betrayal stung deeply, his hands clenching as he muttered, "I trusted him," the weight of command pressing on his shoulders. Bai Ningxue, her 7th Layer Qi Transformation aura a calming presence, purified traitor qi with her Thousand Lotus Seal Art, her seals shimmering as she uncovered Wudu Clan plots woven into Weihai's actions. "There's more here—Wudu's been pulling strings," she said, her spirited laugh a brief respite as she brushed hair from her face.
Lin Xuan, seizing the opportunity, planted a sleeper agent—a loyal recruit disguised as a defector—within the palace's lower ranks, the qi trace subtly marking the agent for future contact. "This'll give us an edge," he said to Liu Yue, his tone thoughtful, the air still humming with the aftermath of the clash. Liu Yue nodded, her breath steady but her resolve firm. "We'll root them out, Senior Brother—together," she replied, her hand brushing his arm in quiet support. The palace halls echoed with the murmur of orders and the distant clatter of pursuit, the crimson betrayal a wound that demanded swift healing, the warfront looming ever closer.