Published at 26th of September 2024 9:05 am

Chapter 23: Whispers of Betrayal

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The sun's light flickered through the mountain mist, casting long shadows as the group descended further from the ancient temple. Despite their recent victory, the weight of the fight against the dark cultivator and his war beasts hung heavy in the air. The orb, still pulsing faintly in Wei Long’s pack, felt like a living presence, urging him to use it more, to draw on its strength again. He resisted the temptation for now, knowing the cost of over-reliance on its power.

“We can’t rest for long,” Lin Mei said, her voice steady but her eyes scanning their surroundings. “The Jade Serpent Sect knows we’re a threat now. They’ll come at us harder next time.”

“Let them,” Lei Feng growled, his fists still clenched. “We’ve already taken down their beasts. We can handle whatever they throw at us.”

Wei Long remained silent, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. He could feel the truth in Lin Mei’s words. This was just the beginning. The Jade Serpent Sect had underestimated them, but that wouldn’t last long. Soon, they would send their strongest forces, and the next confrontation would be even more brutal.

As the group pressed onward, they came to a narrow ravine, where the rocky path forced them to walk single file. The air was tense, each of them hyper-aware of the danger that could strike at any moment. Wei Long walked at the front, his senses heightened, his connection to the orb still lingering in the back of his mind.

Suddenly, he heard a faint whisper on the wind. It wasn’t the sound of the mountains or the howling breeze—it was something else, something darker.

“Wei Long…”

He stopped in his tracks, his heart skipping a beat. The voice was familiar, too familiar. It sent a cold shiver down his spine.

“Wei Long… you cannot trust them…”

He glanced around, but no one else seemed to hear it. Lin Mei gave him a questioning look, but before he could respond, the whisper came again, more insistent this time.

“They are not your allies. They are your enemies.”

The voice was clear now, and Wei Long’s mind raced. It was the orb—he could feel its influence seeping into him, not just offering power, but trying to manipulate his thoughts.

“Wei Long?” Lin Mei’s voice broke through his trance. “What’s wrong?”

He blinked, shaking off the creeping sensation of doubt. “Nothing. Just… tired.”

But even as he said it, he knew it wasn’t the truth. The orb had spoken to him, and worse, it had tried to plant seeds of distrust. He couldn’t afford to let it cloud his judgment. Not now.

As they continued through the ravine, Wei Long’s mind turned over the orb’s words again and again. Could it be right? Was there someone in the group who couldn’t be trusted?

_______________________________________________________________

Nightfall found them at the edge of the mountain range, where they made camp in a secluded hollow. A small fire crackled between them, providing a brief respite from the harsh cold of the peaks. Wei Long sat a little apart from the others, his mind still troubled by the whispers he had heard.

Lin Mei approached him, her eyes sharp but softened with concern. “You’ve been distant since the fight. Are you sure everything’s okay?”

Wei Long hesitated. He had always trusted Lin Mei—she had been by his side through every trial, every battle. But the orb’s words haunted him. What if she was the one it had warned him about? What if she wasn’t as loyal as she seemed?

“I’m fine,” he replied, trying to sound convincing. “Just thinking about the battle, and what’s coming next.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she nodded. “We’re all feeling the pressure. But whatever happens, we have each other’s backs. We’ll get through this.”

He forced a smile. “Yeah, we will.”

As Lin Mei walked back to join the others, Wei Long’s thoughts continued to churn. Could it be Lei Feng? He was always eager to fight, sometimes reckless in battle. Or perhaps it was one of the newer members of their group, those who had joined after they’d formed the alliance. The orb’s power might be making him paranoid, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

Just as he was about to dismiss the thought, he noticed Lei Feng standing apart from the others, talking in low tones to one of the newer recruits, a man named Gao Ren. Their conversation seemed heated, their expressions tight. Wei Long narrowed his eyes.

What were they talking about?

_______________________________________________________________

That night, as the others slept, Wei Long kept watch. He couldn’t rest, not with the orb’s whispers gnawing at his mind. The night was still, the only sound the soft crackling of the fire and the occasional rustle of wind through the trees.

Suddenly, movement caught his eye. Lei Feng was slipping away from the camp, moving quietly but purposefully. Wei Long’s suspicions flared to life, and without a word, he followed.

Keeping his distance, Wei Long trailed Lei Feng through the trees, his heart pounding. What was he up to?

After several minutes, Lei Feng came to a stop near a cluster of boulders, where Gao Ren was waiting for him. Wei Long crouched behind a rock, listening intently.

“Are we sure about this?” Gao Ren’s voice was low, filled with doubt.

Lei Feng’s response was cold and direct. “The time will come. When it does, we act. You know what’s at stake.”

Wei Long’s blood ran cold. What were they planning?

Gao Ren hesitated, but then nodded. “I just hope it’s worth it. Betraying him won’t be easy.”

Betraying who? Wei Long’s mind raced. Were they talking about him? Was this the betrayal the orb had warned him about?

Suddenly, Lei Feng stiffened, his hand going to the hilt of his sword. “We’re not alone.”

Wei Long cursed under his breath. He had been too focused on their conversation and hadn’t noticed Lei Feng’s sharp instincts picking up his presence.

Before he could react, Lei Feng spun around, his sword flashing in the moonlight. Wei Long barely had time to raise his own weapon before Lei Feng was upon him, their blades clashing in a burst of sparks.

“Spying on us, Wei Long?” Lei Feng growled, his eyes cold and calculating.

“What are you planning?” Wei Long demanded, blocking another strike.

Lei Feng’s expression darkened. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Wei Long pressed harder, his strikes fierce. “Try me.”

But Lei Feng’s response was swift and brutal. With a quick, unexpected move, he disarmed Wei Long, sending his sword clattering to the ground. Before Wei Long could recover, Lei Feng had him pinned against the boulder, his sword at Wei Long’s throat.

“You’re too trusting, Wei Long,” Lei Feng said, his voice almost sad. “That’s why you’ll never win this war.”

For a moment, Wei Long thought it was over. But then, in the distance, the sound of footsteps and shouts reached them. The others had noticed their absence and were on their way.

Lei Feng cursed, releasing Wei Long and stepping back. “This isn’t over,” he hissed, before disappearing into the shadows with Gao Ren.

Wei Long collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. The orb had been right. There was betrayal in their ranks, and now he knew the faces behind it.

But the question remained: what would he do next?

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