The Conflict Between the Two Brothers

When Qiao Wei awoke, it was already noon the next day. She opened her eyes to find herself lying inside a tent. Rubbing her sore arm, she strained to recall what had happened yesterday, but all she could remember was that after being controlled a second time, everything went blank. The thought made her anxious—had she hurt Luo Chen again? Worried, she hurried out of the tent.

As she stepped outside, she saw Luo Chen sitting by the riverbank not far off; it seemed he had already led her down the mountain. Seeing that Luo Chen was safe and sound, she finally felt her heart settle. Approaching him, she patted his shoulder and asked, “Are you alright?”

Luo Chen turned to look at her, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. “Mm. Yesterday you passed out. I brought you down the mountain and got the key.” As he spoke, he showed her the key he’d been clutching in his palm.

Qiao Wei smiled with relief, but a trace of guilt crept into her voice. “I’m sorry, I was too careless yesterday… I even hurt you…”

Luo Chen waved his hand, signaling her not to worry, then turned and walked back into the tent. Qiao Wei watched his lonely silhouette and a flicker of confusion rose in her heart.

After a short rest, Luo Chen packed up and set off westward with Qiao Wei toward Mirror City. Throughout the journey, Luo Chen seemed deeply troubled, his handsome face never breaking into a smile. Qiao Wei trailed behind him, idly kicking a stone, eager to know what weighed on his mind, though she knew he would never tell her.

Suddenly, Luo Chen stopped. Lost in thought, Qiao Wei walked straight into his back. At such close distance, she caught a faint scent of mint—she had always thought vampires would only smell of blood, but Luo Chen did not. She wondered why he had stopped so abruptly, and was just about to see what lay ahead when a voice called out to Luo Chen: “Got the key? Heh, do you remember what I told you last time? This time, I won’t let her escape again!”

It was Luo Xuan. Even from a distance, Qiao Wei could smell the metallic tang of blood that he exuded. Luo Chen shielded her behind him and replied to Luo Xuan, “That depends on whether you’re capable.”

No sooner had Luo Chen finished speaking than Luo Xuan shot forward like lightning. Luo Chen struck Luo Xuan’s face with his fist, drawing blood that trickled down the latter’s mouth, but Luo Xuan silently drew a small dagger and plunged it into Luo Chen’s shoulder. Luo Chen collapsed in pain, calling out to Qiao Wei, “Girl, use the pendant’s power to protect yourself!”

Qiao Wei, seeing Luo Chen fall, wanted to help him up, but his words made her pause. She focused her mind, and the pendant around her neck burst forth with a vivid red light, repelling Luo Xuan just as he was about to reach her.

Luo Xuan glared at Qiao Wei, unwilling to give up, then strode over to Luo Chen. His crimson eyes fixed fiercely on Luo Chen as he muttered, just loud enough for the two of them to hear, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. If I told Qiao Wei the truth right now, do you think she would still go with you to find the Secret Casket?”

Luo Chen’s expression shifted, a suppressed rage trembling in his voice. “Isn’t it the curse you want lifted? I can make it vanish forever—doesn’t that suit you?”

Luo Xuan gave a low chuckle. “Yes, no matter what’s happened before, you’re still my brother. I want you to live well. Ha! Then I wish you success.” With that, he yanked the dagger from Luo Chen’s shoulder, cast Qiao Wei a meaningful glance, and disappeared.

As soon as Luo Xuan left, Qiao Wei rushed to Luo Chen’s side, anxiously inspecting his wound. Thankfully, it was not serious and healed quickly. After a moment’s hesitation, Qiao Wei asked, “Luo Chen, why do you hate your brother so much?”