"Something's off—way off."
Flender couldn't shake the nagging doubt in his mind. The imposter had no reason to slander Yu Xiaogang, yet his expression seemed triumphant.
"He exposed my secrets, some of Erlong's, and even Yu Xiaogang's…"
"Could it be…"
A terrifying possibility crept into Flender's mind: the person in front of him might actually be Yu Xiaogang!
Perhaps Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul had undergone another change, rendering the three of them unable to perform their Trinity Martial Soul Fusion any longer.
"Release your Martial Soul."
Flender's voice was calm and emotionless.
Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment before summoning his Martial Soul.
"Come out, Luo Sanpao!"
Releasing a Martial Soul didn't require spirit power, so even without it, Yu Xiaogang could summon Luo Sanpao. Sustaining Luo Sanpao, however, did require spirit power.
The moment Luo Sanpao appeared, Flender's pupils contracted. He found the truth hard to accept.
The man before him… was truly Yu Xiaogang.
Which meant all those things he had just said were true.
Flender clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked. His molars ground against each other as he fought to suppress his anger.
He had always thought of Yu Xiaogang as the brain of their Golden Iron Triangle, never resenting his dominant role. He and Liu Erlong had readily acknowledged Yu Xiaogang's intelligence and accepted his leadership.
But for Yu Xiaogang to manipulate them this way just to cement his position—why?
His fists trembled, and his vision blurred with rage. Yet after a long moment, he unclenched his hands.
This… this could also be an opportunity.
Yu Xiaogang, now stripped of his spirit power, couldn't maintain Luo Sanpao for long. Soon, the Martial Soul disappeared back into his body.
Flender studied him again, his eyes blazing with fury.
"So, you're Yu Xiaogang, huh? You deceived me and Erlong for your own ambitions?"
Flender's face darkened. Betraying me, Flender, is one thing. Betraying Liu Erlong? Unforgivable.
With bloodshot eyes, Flender stormed out, leaving Yu Xiaogang convinced he had guessed correctly.
Sure enough, these imposters were after information about the real Flender and Liu Erlong.
Relieved for a moment, Yu Xiaogang's thoughts turned grim. If these imposters uncovered everything, would they silence him permanently?
A chill ran down his spine. He wasn't ready to die—not before achieving his dreams.
"What do I do? Even if I promise them something, they could go back on their word. But if I stay silent, they'll just keep beating me. What now?"
Yu Xiaogang was utterly conflicted. There seemed to be no way out.
Meanwhile, Flender marched straight to Liu Erlong's quarters without hesitation.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Who is it?"
Liu Erlong's voice came from inside, weary and tinged with frustration. Before Flender could answer, she opened the door herself.
She had been mulling over the situation with "Yu Xiaogang" and couldn't sleep. Hearing the knock, she responded immediately.
"Erlong, I…"
"Flender, do you have news about Xiaogang?"
Liu Erlong's eyes lit up with hope. Why else would Flender come to her now?
Hearing her words, Flender sighed heavily.
Xiaogang, Xiaogang… do you even realize that Yu Xiaogang has been scheming against you all along?
That man should be dead. Without him, Liu Erlong wouldn't have ended up like this.
"Erlong, what I'm about to tell you is the absolute truth. You need to prepare yourself."
Flender's tone was somber, though deep down, a part of him rejoiced. If Liu Erlong learned the truth about Yu Xiaogang's deceit, would he finally have a chance with her?
The thought filled him with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.
From the moment he discovered Yu Xiaogang's betrayal, Flender had decided to sever their friendship. To him, Yu Xiaogang was no longer a brother.
Liu Erlong stepped back instinctively, her face pale. She could sense that whatever Flender was about to say would be deeply significant.
Flender opened his mouth to expose Yu Xiaogang's true nature but hesitated. Would Liu Erlong even believe him? It might be better to let Yu Xiaogang reveal himself.
"Erlong, come with me. I want you to listen from outside."
Though puzzled, Liu Erlong nodded. This must have something to do with Yu Xiaogang.
Soon, the two arrived at the secret room. Liu Erlong stayed outside as instructed, while Flender entered.
"When are you going to let me out? If you don't release me, I won't say anything more."
Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth. He had resolved to withhold further information unless they promised to release him.
Flender remained expressionless. "I don't need new information. Just repeat what you told me earlier—I didn't catch all the details."
Though confused, Yu Xiaogang began recounting his earlier statements.
Unbeknownst to him, Liu Erlong stood outside the door, her fists clenched tightly as she listened.
"This can't be true… this man cannot be Xiaogang. He's lying!"
Liu Erlong wanted to deny it, but deep down, she felt the truth in his words.
"Come out, Luo Sanpao!"
As Luo Sanpao appeared, Liu Erlong couldn't hold back any longer. She burst into the room, tears streaming down her face.
"Luo Sanpao…"
Appearance could be disguised, and cultivation could be faked. But Luo Sanpao? Such a unique Martial Soul was impossible to replicate.
Only Yu Xiaogang was known to possess this detached beast Martial Soul. How could anyone fake it?
"Erlong, now do you believe me?"
Flender's voice was filled with both bitterness and concern as he watched her break down.
"It's all fake… it's all fake!"
"Luo Sanpao is fake. Yu Xiaogang is fake. And the feelings we shared… they're fake too!"
Liu Erlong staggered, utterly shattered. Twenty years—no, twenty-one years—of waiting had led to this crushing revelation. She couldn't bear it.
"Pfft…"
A mouthful of blood spurted from her lips, and she collapsed unconscious.
Flender: "???"
"Erlong!"
Flender rushed to catch her, glaring at Yu Xiaogang with fury blazing in his eyes.
"Yu Xiaogang, you deserve to die! If you manage to leave here unharmed, I'll cut off my own head and give it to you as a ball to kick!"
With that, Flender carried Liu Erlong out of the room.
Yu Xiaogang: "???"
He froze, completely stunned.
Something was seriously wrong. These two imposters were far too convincing—so much so that they seemed real.
If they seem real… doesn't that mean they are real?
The realization hit him like a thunderbolt.
They were the real Flender and Liu Erlong!
As the truth dawned on him, Yu Xiaogang's entire body went numb.
What have I done? What have I said?!
(End of Chapter)