Chapter 40: Jealousy?

Words : 1101 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 40: Jealousy? "There you go!" Hei Long clapped his hands together with a grin as he watched Ji Yao land the finishing blow on the monster: "Nice kill." The monster—a tusked, thick-skinned brute of a forest dweller—collapsed with a final thud, sending dust and loose leaves scattering into the air. Hei Long strolled over, hands slipping behind his back as he looked down at the slain monster, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Not bad at all," he muttered, nodding with faint approval. "Clean strike. Straight through the neck." Ji Yao, breathing steadily but not winded, crouched beside the carcass and slid her hand across the monster’s hide. The flesh parted, slick and wet, and a faint glimmer of energy pulsed beneath the surface—just before she reached in and extracted a modest, dimly glowing core. She held it up between two fingers and let out a quiet sigh, her tone flat and unbothered: "It’s just a regular one. Looks like I’ll have to settle for this." Ji Yao gave a small shrug, neither disappointed nor particularly surprised. It was clear she hadn’t expected anything special to begin with. Hei Long watched her for a moment, then exhaled through his nose and crossed his arms: "Well, you were unlucky. No rare types left in the area. All the strong ones either fled or went into hiding by now." He glanced toward the treeline, where the forest had gone strangely quiet—an eerie stillness replacing the chaotic rustling and roars from earlier. "They’re not as dumb as people think," Hei Long added, tilting his head: "Monsters may not have human intelligence, but they’ve got instinct. They know when they’re being hunted... and when it’s smarter to stay low until the threat passes." Ji Yao stood up from her crouched position, wiping her hand clean. Her blonde hair caught the light as she turned to face Hei Long. "I’m ready," Ji Yao said simply. Hei Long gave her a nod and looked up at the sky. The sun had already drifted westward, sinking low behind the mountaintops. Its golden light filtered through the forest canopy in long, dappled shafts. "Time’s about up anyway," Hei Long replied: "The elders will be calling everyone back soon." . . . Heading back— As Hei Long and Ji Yao were walking, the sounds of shouting and clashing steel echoed from a little away. The sight that greeted them? A group of disciples—at least a dozen—were still deep in chaos, not against monsters, but each other. Bruised and battered, they grappled and fought, some dragging others down, some trying to steal cores right out of someone’s hands. The forest floor was littered with discarded weapons, cracked stones, and torn robes. Blood stained more than a few sleeves, and none of it looked like it had come from monsters. Hei Long slowed to a stop, hands slipping behind his back as he surveyed the mayhem with an amused smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. ’Perfect,’ he thought. He shot a quick glance at Ji Yao, who stood beside him in her usual quiet disinterest, her expression unreadable. Then Hei Long cleared his throat, rolled his shoulders dramatically, and straightened his posture: ’Time to put on a show...’ With sudden gusto, he clapped his hands together—loudly. The sharp crack of skin meeting skin rang out across the clearing like a thunderclap, cutting through the noise and turning several heads. Then more. In moments, nearly all eyes were on Hei Long. "STOP!" He bellowed, raising his voice to carry over the din: "EVERYONE—STOP FIGHTING!" The last few disciples still scuffling hesitated, confused. One punch was halfway thrown, then slowly lowered. Taking his cue, Hei Long stepped forward, pressing both hands dramatically over his chest as though in heartbreak. His voice, suddenly rich with faux-emotion, boomed across the stunned silence. "Why... why are we fighting among ourselves?" Hei Long asked, eyes wide with mock anguish: "We are brothers and sisters of the same sect! We walk the same path, wear the same robes, follow the same teachings!" He walked slowly among them now, weaving theatrically through the stunned disciples, many of whom were still catching their breath or nursing minor wounds. He stopped before a female disciple who had fallen on one knee, her lip bloodied, her core pouch nearly stolen moments earlier. "Here..." Hei Long said gently, offering his hand to her. She blinked up at him, stunned—and then took it. He helped her to her feet with exaggerated care. She blushed furiously, brushing back her hair, barely able to meet his gaze. Hei Long turned back to the crowd, lifting a hand high above his head. "We are not like them!" Hei Long cried, voice growing more passionate by the second: "We are not like the unorthodox sects—those who rely on deception, backstabbing, or greed! No!" He pointed dramatically toward the distant mountain peak, where the silhouette of the elders still hovered like silent statues in the sky, watching everything unfold. "We... we are members of the Reliance Sect—righteous, disciplined, united! We should be lifting each other up, not dragging each other down!" Some disciples shifted guiltily. Others glanced away in shame. A few looked inspired. Hei Long lowered his voice now, softer, more persuasive. "I know things got heated. I know the competition brought out your pride. But look at yourselves..." He spread his arms: "Bloodied, exhausted, fighting over scraps when the true purpose of this test is to temper our hearts. The real test isn’t slaying monsters. It’s becoming worthy of the title ’disciple.’" Hei Long let those words hang for a moment, before giving a firm nod and stepping back. "Come," he finished, calmer now. "Let’s return to the mountain together. With dignity." There was a long beat of silence... and then one of the younger disciples quietly nodded and began to move. Another followed. Then a few more. Ji Yao, who had remained silent throughout the entire performance, raised an eyebrow but said nothing. As the crowd dispersed and began limping or walking back toward the mountain, she stepped up beside Hei Long. "You really are a good person," Ji Yao said. Hei Long’s smirk returned, subtle but unmistakable: "What can I say? As the Saint— It’s my duty. Besides..." He glanced over his shoulder at the blushing girl still staring after him: "I think I may have earned myself a fan." Ji Yao glanced at the girl—and for some reason, an unfamiliar feeling stirred within her. It twisted quietly in her chest, something she couldn’t quite name at first... but it felt suspiciously like jealousy.

Chapter 40: Jealousy?

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