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Ascension of the Divine Farmer (Web Novel) - Chapter 24: Seeds of Deception
Chapter 24: Seeds of Deception
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
The next morning, the camp stirred as the sun peeked over the horizon, casting golden rays over the mountain’s edge. Wei Long hadn’t slept. His mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts, the memory of Lei Feng’s betrayal gnawing at him. He glanced around the camp, the familiar faces of his companions now colored with suspicion. Could he trust anyone?Lei Feng sat casually by the fire, his expression unreadable. To any other observer, he appeared relaxed, as if nothing unusual had occurred the night before. Wei Long, however, knew better. The brief confrontation they’d had weighed heavy in the air, like a secret ready to explode.
Lin Mei noticed Wei Long’s unease, her keen eyes catching every subtle twitch of his face. She approached him, her brow furrowed with concern. “Something’s wrong. I can feel it. Did something happen last night?”
Wei Long hesitated. The orb’s warnings echoed in his mind, but there was something deeper at play now. If he revealed Lei Feng’s betrayal too early, it could fracture the group, and that was a risk they couldn’t afford. But if he kept quiet, it would give Lei Feng the time he needed to strike again, possibly with fatal consequences.
“No,” Wei Long said after a long pause, his voice steady but tinged with tension. “Just a lot on my mind.”
Lin Mei didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press further. “We’ll need to move soon. We’re getting closer to the Jade Serpent Sect’s territory, and the scouts could be on us at any time.”
Wei Long nodded, keeping his eyes on Lei Feng. The traitor’s calm demeanor infuriated him. He had to find out more about his motives before making a move. For now, he’d watch and wait.
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As they traveled further down the mountain, the terrain began to level out, transitioning from jagged rocks to dense forests. The path became narrow and winding, shrouded in thick trees that blocked out much of the sunlight. The group moved cautiously, their senses alert for any sign of danger.
Wei Long’s mind, however, was elsewhere. Every step he took, he felt the pull of the orb at his side, like a low hum in the background. It had warned him of Lei Feng’s betrayal, but at what cost? He didn’t trust the orb, not fully, and he could feel its dark energy creeping into his thoughts more and more. The line between friend and foe blurred as the whispers continued to haunt him.
As they crossed a narrow stream, Lei Feng moved ahead of the group, scouting the path ahead. Lin Mei signaled for a quick rest by the water, and the others gladly took the opportunity to replenish their strength. Wei Long stood by the edge of the stream, gazing into the clear waters, his reflection staring back at him with eyes that seemed older, more weary.
“You look lost in thought.”
He turned to see Lin Mei standing beside him, her sharp gaze softened with concern. “What’s on your mind, really?”
Wei Long sighed, knowing he couldn’t keep the truth hidden forever. “I overheard something last night,” he began, keeping his voice low. “Lei Feng… and Gao Ren. They’re planning something. Something against us.”
Lin Mei’s eyes widened, but she didn’t interrupt.
“They talked about betrayal. I don’t know the full extent of it, but Lei Feng said something about waiting for the right moment to act. I think they’re planning to turn on us.”
Lin Mei was silent for a moment, her face a mix of disbelief and anger. “Lei Feng? But he’s fought with us for so long… Why would he betray us now?”
Wei Long shook his head. “I don’t know, but I can’t ignore what I heard. We need to be careful. We can’t let him know we’re onto him until we figure out the full scope of what’s happening.”
Lin Mei’s expression hardened. “We should confront him. Now, before he has a chance to make his move.”
“No,” Wei Long said quickly, glancing over at the rest of the group. “We can’t let this tear us apart. If we accuse him now without proof, it could cause more damage than we’re ready for. We need to gather evidence, watch his every move. When the time is right, we’ll act.”
Lin Mei’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded reluctantly. “Fine. But if he puts anyone in danger, I won’t hesitate.”
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As the day wore on, the tension between Wei Long and Lei Feng grew thicker, though neither man showed it openly. The group continued through the forest, but the undercurrent of distrust gnawed at Wei Long, making every small movement from Lei Feng feel like a threat.
By the time the sun began to set, the group found a clearing where they could set up camp for the night. It was a quiet spot, hidden from the main roads and shielded by tall trees that provided cover from prying eyes. Wei Long, however, felt no sense of peace.
After dinner, while the others were preparing to rest, Gao Ren approached Wei Long with an easy smile. “How’s your arm, Wei Long? You’ve been looking a bit stiff since our last battle.”
Wei Long kept his voice neutral. “I’m fine. Just need some rest.”
“Good, good. We’re all going to need our strength soon,” Gao Ren said, his tone casual but laced with something Wei Long couldn’t quite place.
As Gao Ren walked away, Wei Long’s suspicion deepened. He was sure now—both Lei Feng and Gao Ren were in on whatever plot was brewing. But he still didn’t know how or when they planned to strike.
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Late that night, Wei Long sat on the edge of the camp, keeping watch. The forest around them was eerily quiet, with only the faint rustle of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl breaking the silence. His hand rested on the orb in his pack, its pulse faint but constant, like a heartbeat.
As he sat there, the whispers returned.
“You are in danger…”
Wei Long’s grip tightened on the orb. He could feel its power pushing against the boundaries of his will, urging him to act, to confront, to destroy the threats around him.
“Trust no one…”
He clenched his teeth, resisting the dark allure of the orb’s influence. He knew it wanted him to give in, to draw on its power fully. But once he did, would he still be in control? Or would it consume him, just as the dark cultivator had warned?
Suddenly, he heard movement behind him. He turned quickly, his hand on his sword, only to see Lin Mei stepping out of the shadows.
“You’re not resting either,” she said quietly, taking a seat beside him.
“No,” he replied, relaxing slightly. “I can’t shake the feeling that something’s about to happen.”
Lin Mei looked out into the forest, her eyes thoughtful. “We’ve been through a lot, Wei Long. Betrayals, battles, enemies we never thought we’d face. But this… it feels different, doesn’t it?”
Wei Long nodded. “It does. We’re closer to the Jade Serpent Sect’s heart now. The real fight is about to begin, and we’re not just dealing with enemies from outside.”
Lin Mei glanced over at him, her eyes searching his face. “Do you trust me?”
The question caught him off guard. After everything, after the orb’s whispers and Lei Feng’s betrayal, he realized how much he had begun to doubt those around him. But as he looked into Lin Mei’s eyes, he found no deception there. Only loyalty.
“I do,” he said finally, his voice firm. “I trust you.”
She smiled faintly. “Good. Because we’re going to need each other more than ever now.”
As the night wore on, the two sat in silence, their shared understanding unspoken. In the distance, the forest remained still, but Wei Long knew that the storm of conflict was closer than ever. The seeds of deception had been planted, and soon, the truth would be revealed—one way or another.
