hhnovel Chapter 205: A Tense Standoff
Chapter 205: A Tense Standoff
With raised eyebrows, Jiang Chen shot Fang Yuan a questioning look. "What? You want to join the battle?"
Before Fang Yuan could say a word, Jiang Chen shook his head firmly. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan, absolutely not! Your spiritual root hasn’t fully healed yet—you can’t just rush into a fight like this!"
He paused, his face turning grave. "Besides," he added in a lower voice, "if you step into the battle, you might reveal the presence of Senior Nangong Wan and Senior Shangguan Ning."
Hearing that last remark, Fang Yuan’s blood boiled. He shot Jiang Chen a fierce glare. "Humph! When I fought for the Holy Son position, in all those battles, neither the Holy Lord nor the Supreme Elders sensed Senior Nangong Wan or Senior Shangguan Ning! Yet, I still succeeded!" His voice was sharp, every word laced with defiance.
But the mention of the Holy Son battle twisted his heart. Old wounds, long buried, began to resurface, the pain of past failures clawing at him like a relentless ghost. Despite the ache gnawing at his spirit, Fang Yuan clenched his teeth and forced himself to push forward.
Jiang Chen sighed in frustration. "Come on, Junior Brother Fang Yuan. You can’t use that as an excuse. That was just a friendly competition—your life was never truly in danger. Back then, Senior Nangong Wan and Senior Shangguan Ning had no reason to fear for their lives."
He stepped closer, his tone growing more serious. "But this is different. We’re heading into an uncharted world, where the dangers are unpredictable. If you face a deadly demonic beast, do you really think Senior Nangong Wan and Senior Shangguan Ning would just stand by?"
"Of course not," Jiang Chen continued firmly. "They would step in, and the moment they do, their presence will be exposed. The risk is far too great!"
He fixed Fang Yuan with a hard stare. "Can you guarantee that none of the powerhouses in the Holy Land harbor ill intentions? Or that there isn’t a high-ranking demon in the shadows, controlling this tide of beasts, watching and waiting for the right moment?"
Jiang Chen’s gaze grew even sharper. "If they’re discovered, they’ll be in serious danger. What do you have, Fang Yuan, to protect them in that moment? What could you possibly do against the hidden masters of the Demon Race?"
Faced with Jiang Chen’s barrage of grim scenarios, Fang Yuan’s face flushed red with anger. He pointed at Jiang Chen, his voice booming like thunder. "You! Of course, I wouldn’t throw myself into danger recklessly! And I’d never let Seniors Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning be exposed! Don’t you dare belittle me!"
Jiang Chen sighed and shook his head, his expression patient. "This isn’t about belittling you," he said calmly. "I’m just saying that entering the battle right now isn’t the smartest move."
He went on, offering what he believed to be a more reasonable path. "If I were you, I’d choose seclusion. Heal in peace, then cultivate under the guidance of the two seniors. With their mentorship, reaching new heights in your cultivation is inevitable. Why risk everything now when a better future is right in front of you?"
But Fang Yuan’s patience had reached its breaking point. His eyes hardened as Jiang Chen’s words, which felt condescending, grated against his pride. Cold fury spilled over as he snapped, "That’s just your opinion!" His teeth clenched, and his fists tightened so hard that veins bulged beneath his skin.
’This isn’t just about cultivation anymore,’ Fang Yuan thought with fierce determination. ’It’s about surpassing Jiang Chen! Only then will I reclaim my honor.’
After all, it was Jiang Chen who had nearly cost Fang Yuan everything.
At that moment, Shangguan Ning’s calm voice echoed from within the Soul Embodying Ring. "Fang Yuan, Jiang Chen’s proposal does make sense. If you’re set on going out to fight, then stay with Jiang Chen."
"I agree," Nangong Wan’s voice followed, firm and unwavering. "It’s the safest choice for both you and us."
They had been listening closely to the entire conversation and saw Jiang Chen’s plan as the best way to protect Fang Yuan—and themselves—from unnecessary danger. To them, Fang Yuan’s desire to venture out seemed driven more by pride than by real growth.
"Senior Nangong! Senior Shangguan!" Fang Yuan exclaimed in disbelief, his heart sinking.
Hearing both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning agree with Jiang Chen felt like a deep betrayal. It was as if the people closest to him had turned against him, striking him where it hurt the most. His mind spun, overwhelmed by both the pain in his body and the shock of their words. His lips moved, but no words came out.
’How could they?’ Fang Yuan’s thoughts swirled with confusion and anger. ’Do they not trust me?’ The doubt he had once felt toward Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning grew stronger, tightening like a knot in his heart.
"Fang Yuan! Safety must come first. We can’t afford any mistakes. One wrong move, and we could lose everything!" Nangong Wan’s voice was sharp and cold, her frustration with Fang Yuan’s stubbornness clear.
Fang Yuan’s body shook under the weight of her words. He stood there for a moment, struggling with his emotions, fighting the inner conflict that had been brewing since the conversation began. But the truth was clear—he was outnumbered, and the trust he once had in Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning felt broken.
At last, he let out a deep breath, his resolve crumbling under the pressure. "Very well," he said quietly, though the fire of resentment still burned within him. "I’ll go with Jiang Chen..."
As the words left his mouth, a new realization struck him. Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning—those he had once believed would always be by his side—were now, at least in part, aligned with Jiang Chen. It was a devastating blow, stirring a deep sense of helplessness within him. He felt completely alone, cut off even from those who had promised to guide him.
His thoughts spun in confusion. ’Had they lost faith in me? Or had they been swayed by Jiang Chen’s cleverness?’ These questions only widened the emptiness in his heart, leaving him more lost than ever.
[Ding! You have successfully weakened Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning’s trust in the protagonist, Fang Yuan, and disturbed Fang Yuan’s mental state. Fang Yuan’s Heavenly Fate Value has dropped by 400 points!]
[Ding! You have earned 800 points of Villain Value!]
The system’s notifications echoed in Jiang Chen’s mind, filling him with a quiet sense of victory. However, outwardly, he remained calm, offering only a slight nod to Fang Yuan. "Now that we’ve come to an agreement, let’s move forward," he said smoothly.
With that, he turned, deactivating the formation with a swift motion. The door creaked open behind him as he stepped out.
Fang Yuan followed in silence, his heart heavy as he trailed in Jiang Chen’s shadow.