Chapter 17: The Secret That Must Be Told Between Luo Jie and the Beautiful Female Prisoner

In the cell, candlelight flickered, casting mottled shadows on the damp walls.

Luo Jie stood tall before the prison bar, arms crossed, his gaze piercing the captive female leader.

Though a prisoner, she still could not hide her grace.

Her ink-black hair streamed freely down her back, a few strands falling against her snow-white cheeks, accentuating skin so fine it seemed to break at a touch.

Her eyes were like a deep, still pool, cold and proud—even in confinement, she refused to bow.

“Prison Fengyun : The Secret That Must Be Told Between Luo Jie and the Beautiful Female Prisoner.”

Filming begins!

“What is your name, and where are Itachi from?”

Luo Jie broke the silence first, his voice echoing in the cramped cell.

The woman snorted coldly; though imprisoned, she showed no fear, straightening her back and saying, “I am Fu Minyi, leader of the Yang Tian Division of Lingjiao Palace.”

“Release me at once, or when my master acts, not a single soul in the Wuliang Sword Sect will escape unscathed!”

Luo Jie raised an eyebrow slightly.

Still playing the noble prisoner?

Do Itachi really think this is your Lingjiao Palace?

If it weren’t for more pressing matters, I’d make Itachi experience the “Luo Family Interrogation 108 Techniques.”

I’d have Itachi willingly opening your mouth and confessing everything.

So Luo Jie let out a cold chuckle: “Oh? Bold words.”

“But I’m curious—how do Itachi know about the Northern Darkness Divine Art?”

Fu Minyi replied, “Where did Itachi get this Northern Darkness Divine Art?”

Luo Jie tilted his head slightly.

Finally, the real question comes—time to start making things up.

Luo Jie’s expression remained calm as he said, “I obtained this divine art by accident in the Langhuan Blessed Land.”

Upon hearing this, Fu Minyi’s spirit trembled violently, a flicker of uncontainable delight flashing in her eyes.

Lingjiao Palace had dispatched the Shennong Gang to seize Jianhugong, aiming to investigate the Wuliang Jade Wall and locate the Langhuan Blessed Land where Wuyangs had once secluded himself.

She never expected the location of this place would be so casually revealed by the man before her.

Luo Jie fixed his gaze on Fu Minyi’s eyes and asked, “Itachi know of the Northern Darkness Divine Art—could Itachi be from the Xiaoyao Sect?”

Fu Minyi hesitated for an instant, then finally spoke: “Since Itachi know of the Xiaoyao Sect, I’ll tell Itachi—our sect indeed has ancient ties to it.”

Luo Jie suddenly sneered: “The elder who left behind those scrolls was a member of the Xiaoyao Sect—but was murdered by his own disciple.”

“He left a final wish: that I exterminate every Xiaoyao Sect disciple to avenge him!”

Upon hearing this, Fu Minyi’s face turned instantly pale, her body trembling slightly.

“Itachi… the elder Itachi speak of may very well be my master’s younger brother!”

“My master sent us to Wuliang Mountain to track his whereabouts—never imagining he had already passed away…”

“This matter must be reported to my master immediately—to avenge him!”

Luo Jie’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile.

She believed it!

Hahaha, she bought every word.

Luo Jie nearly broke character.

At this moment, Fu Minyi seemed hesitant.

She looked at Luo Jie, her expression softer now, less defiant, more pleading: “Please release us.”

Now she’s begging me?

Didn’t she just sound so tough?

But Luo Jie wasn’t a cruel man.

He smiled and said, “So we’re family.”

“Since I inherited the legacy of that elder, I must fulfill his wish.”

“If I can avenge him, what harm is there in releasing Itachi?”

“In a few days, I will personally ascend Tian Shan to meet your master.”

If Wuyangs were alive in the afterlife and heard this, he’d surely haunt Luo Jie’s dreams to clarify his lineage.

Wuyangs never took Luo Jie as a disciple.

Oh, Wuyangs isn’t dead yet?

Then never mind.

Just keep pretending to be dead in your cave.

As for Luo Jie’s fake disciple status—let it stand for now.

As for the revenge matter…

Just hand over your lifetime of cultivation.

Upon hearing this, Fu Minyi’s pride faded somewhat, her eyes filled with complex emotion.

She bowed slightly and said, “Thank Itachi.”

Luo Jie nodded slightly, then asked, “Is the Shennong Gang under your command?”

Fu Minyi’s expression was indifferent, as if the fate of the Shennong Gang meant nothing to her: “Do with them as Itachi please—they have nothing to do with Lingjiao Palace.”

Luo Jie silently scoffed inside.

Indeed, the Shennong Gang was merely a disposable tool—Lingjiao Palace used them and then discarded them.

Not even a backup—purely single-use.

…

After Fu Minyi and her released subordinates departed, Luo Jie exhaled deeply.

He turned slowly, gazing at the distant rolling mountains, his brow slightly furrowed, eyes heavy with thought.

Though Luo Jie, through his own efforts, now possessed some strength,

he knew well that compared to the famed Tian Shan Tonglao of Lingjiao Palace, he was still vastly inferior.

He was still just a fledgling eagle with unripe wings.

Recalling how, upon sensing the inevitable conflict between Wuliang Sword Sect and Shennong Gang, he had long begun planning, secretly preparing for direct contact with Lingjiao Palace.

Pretending to be Wuyangs’ heir had been his key move in this carefully laid scheme.

Without this cover identity, openly clashing with Lingjiao Palace would have been sheer suicide, impossible to resolve.

But Lingjiao Palace lay atop Tian Shan’s Piaomiao Peak, far from Wuliang Mountain in Dali, separated by treacherous mountains and rivers.

Fu Minyi’s round trip would take many days.

Luo Jie narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curling at his lips.

He mused silently: Soon, Tian Shan Tonglao would reach the critical moment of her rejuvenation.

At that time, her strength would vanish, her power greatly diminished—much easier to handle.

And perhaps, during this period, a powerful ally would arrive at the Gray Mist Hall.

…

Several days later, in Jianhugong’s council chamber, the atmosphere was solemn.

Sunlight streamed through carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows.

Zuo Zimu regarded Luo Jie with clear admiration.

“Cousin Luo, your martial arts are truly formidable. With your talent and strength, Itachi will surely restore Wuliang Sword Sect to its former glory!”

Luo Jie internally scoffed.

Former glory? Wuliang Sword Sect had zero former glory.

Uncle Zuo’s flattery was top-tier—no wonder he was the Eastern Sect leader.

I still have much to learn.

Unaware of Luo Jie’s thoughts, Zuo Zimu continued: “After much deliberation, I’ve formed a plan.”

He paced slowly, his tone tinged with nostalgia: “Since its founding, Wuliang Sword Sect has been divided into Eastern, Northern, and Western Sects.”

“Thirty-five years ago, the Northern Sect relocated to Shanxi and vanished from record. Now, though Eastern and Western Sects both reside on Wuliang Mountain, we remain fractured.”

He stopped pacing, fixing Luo Jie with a determined gaze.

“I intend to lead the Eastern Sect in recognizing the Western Sect as superior, uniting both into one. What do Itachi think, cousin?”

Luo Jie finally perked up.

He’d thought this was going to be another long, tedious recitation of the “Annals of Wuliang Sword Sect,” playing emotional cards.

Turns out he just wanted to surrender gracefully—wanted to merge the sects.

Say that, and I’m wide awake.

Merge quickly—I’ll be the absentee boss.

(End of Chapter)