Chapter 8: SHADOWS OF BETRAYAL
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Inside the Sacred Room—
Meizu Xuan stood with Qing Tian and Hei Meng.
"So… this is the plan," Meizu Xuan said in a low voice, whispering to them.
Qing Tian frowned.
"No… I can't do it."
Hei Meng shook his head.
"Me too… I can't."
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Meizu Xuan's eyes turned cold.
"It's up to you both… but I will do it."
He clenched his fists.
"I can't live happily while that trash dog is still around."
"I'll go all out… even if I have to do it alone."
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Silence.
Then—
Hei Meng slowly nodded.
"Hm… you have a point."
"I've decided."
"I'll do what you say."
"I'll go all out."
"I can't be happy either while that trash is alive."
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Qing Tian lowered his head… then nodded.
"Since childhood… we've hated him."
"We even became friends because of that damn guy."
He looked up, eyes filled with hatred.
"I'll go all out too."
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The three of them laughed—
Cold.
Dark.
Like demons.
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Inside his mind, Meizu Xuan sneered:
"Enjoy your days… trash Chen."
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Meanwhile—
Hao Chen arrived home.
The Wang Clan was already waiting for him.
The place was decorated…
Food filled the tables.
A warm atmosphere.
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Hao Chen stepped forward.
"Elder Gui… where is Father?"
Elder Wang Gui smiled.
"He's inside his room."
Hao Chen nodded.
"Thank you."
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Inside the room—
Wang Shun (his father) and Mei Lin (his mother) were speaking with other clan elders.
Hao Chen entered.
"Father. Mother."
He bowed respectfully.
"Happy birthday, Father."
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Wang Shun laughed.
"Get up, you silly child. No need to kneel."
Hao Chen stood—
Then hugged his father.
Mei Lin smiled warmly.
The elders chuckled.
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One elder spoke:
"We'll leave you for now, Clan Leader Shun."
Wang Shun nodded.
They all left the room.
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Wang Shun placed a hand on Hao Chen's shoulder.
"I'm proud of you, son. Always have been."
Hao Chen smiled.
"Thank you, Father… Mother."
Mei Lin laughed softly.
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"Let's go," she said.
Hao Chen nodded.
"Yes… let's celebrate."
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Outside—
The celebration began.
All clan members were seated.
Only Wang Shun stood.
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"Happy birthday, Clan Leader Shun!" they all greeted.
"Thank you, everyone," he replied.
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Then—
Silence fell.
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Wang Shun spoke:
"Our former Clan Leader, Wang Shi… died 23 years ago."
"He sacrificed himself to protect us from the World Devourer Clan."
"Many of our people died that day…"
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His voice grew heavy.
"But before he died… he told us—"
"Never lose hope."
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He looked at everyone.
"And today… we are still standing."
"We are still fighting."
"And we will never surrender."
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Then—
He turned to Hao Chen.
"And you… Hao Chen…"
"Thank you."
"You lifted this clan from nothing."
"We were poor… sometimes we didn't even have enough food."
"But now—"
"Because of you… we stand strong."
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All eyes turned toward Hao Chen.
Filled with gratitude.
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Hao Chen smiled gently.
Calm as always.
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Wang Shun raised his hand.
"Tonight—let's celebrate!"
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Cheers erupted.
The clan laughed, ate, and enjoyed the night.
For once—
They were truly happy.
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Night fell.
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At the Meizu Clan—
Meizu Xuan arrived.
He walked toward Meizu Sha—
A Nirvana Shatter Stage expert.
Peak.
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"I have an order," Meizu Xuan said coldly.
"Sneak into Elder Tianli's office."
"Take the most valuable items…"
"And place them in Hao Chen's room."
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Meizu Sha frowned.
"That's not as easy as you think."
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Meizu Xuan stepped closer—
His voice lowered to a whisper.
"I'll tell you where their rooms are… and what they look like."
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He leaned in slightly.
"Elder Tianli's office is in the east wing… second floor."
"not heavily guarded at night."
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He paused.
"Inside, you'll find countless treasures."
"Take only the most valuable ones."
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Then he continued:
"Hao Chen's room is in the disciple quarters… third floor ."
"Simple. Clean. You won't mistake it."
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A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"Hide everything under his bed."
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Meizu Sha narrowed his eyes.
"Understood."
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Suddenly—
A powerful presence descended.
Meizu Hai.
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"Do it."
His voice was absolute.
"Destroy that boy's life."
"What my son wants… is my will."
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Meizu Sha lowered his head.
"Understood, Patriarch."
"I'll go now."
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As he left—
Meizu Xuan smirked.
Inside his mind:
"Hao Chen… your happy days are coming to an end."
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Moments later—
He moved.
"Perfect timing… Tianli is with the Sect Founder house right now."
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His body faded—
Invisible.
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He teleported toward Tianli's office.
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Inside—
Treasures filled the room.
Rare weapons.
Precious armor.
Countless riches.
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Meizu Sha smirked.
Using his vision—
He scanned everything.
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"I'll take this…"
A golden sword—gifted by the Sect Founder.
"And this…"
A full golden battle suit—used by Tianli in a life-and-death battle.
"And all of this…"
Gold. Wealth. Treasures.
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Then—
He vanished again.
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Moments later—
He arrived at Hao Chen's room.
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"So… this is his room."
"Simple… just like its trash owner."
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He crouched down.
"I'll put everything here… under the bed."
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Then—
He took out one final item.
A forbidden demonic scroll.
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"If this opens… thousands of demons will be summoned…"
"And countless lives will be possessed."
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He placed it carefully.
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Then—
He disappeared.
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As he fled—
He laughed silently.
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Inside his mind:
"Hao Chen…"
"This time…"
"You're finished."