bdsm-fiction Chapter 21 Suspicion Arises
Chapter 21 Suspicion Arises
At that age, a time of youthful rebellion and naivety, Jie disregarded our earnest advice and, with a resolute spirit, joined Sun Changlin's team.
Imitating the code of brotherhood among江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world), they even went so far as to form a sworn brotherhood, calling themselves "Nine Dragons and One Phoenix." This matter was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layers of unpleasant ripples in the hearts of Hong Liguo and his companions, which lingered for a long time.
Hong Liguo knew perfectly well that Jie's actions were largely for Zhang Qiaoyun's sake. Jie's affection for Zhang Qiaoyun was like a pearl hidden deep in his heart, carefully treasured and never revealed to anyone except Hong Liguo. Hong Liguo had solemnly made Jie swear an oath never to tell anyone else this secret. Therefore, even though Hong Liguo knew the key reason why Jie joined Sun Changlin's team, he could only helplessly keep quiet, unable to offer any explanation to anyone else.
When Jun heard the news, he instantly flew into a rage, like a powder keg about to explode. His eyes widened, veins bulging on his forehead, and he pointed at Jie, shouting, "Jie, this is utter betrayal! You're a complete traitor! You actually betrayed us, do you think you've done right by the days we spent 'playing' together?" His voice was so loud it seemed to shake the sky, echoing in the surrounding air for a long time.
Fa Zi and Yan Bin, who are usually mild-mannered and easygoing, couldn't help but gather around and give Jie a good scolding.
Fa Zi's face flushed red, his finger almost poking at Jie's face as he said urgently, "Jie, what you're doing is so dishonest! We play together, we get into trouble together. Last time you were cornered, I was the one who found someone to help you out. How can you suddenly run off to join someone else's side? Isn't that blatant disloyalty to our little group? You're a traitor, there's nothing more to say!"
Yanbin frowned and echoed with a serious expression, "That's right, Jie, what you did is really disheartening. We agreed to be the 'Six Musketeers' together, and now you've abandoned everyone. It's really unacceptable."
Hong Bo's words were even more sharp. He stared at Jie and sneered with disdain, "Jie, you must have knelt down and begged for mercy from Sun Changlin outside the wall that day, right? Otherwise, given Sun Changlin's ruthless and vindictive nature, how could he have let you off so easily and even called you brother? You must have surrendered to him by betraying us, can you deny it?" His words were like sharp knives, piercing straight at Jie, making Jie's face even more unsightly.
Jay was relentlessly accused by the group, tears welling in his eyes, threatening to spill over. He bit his lip, struggling to control his emotions; his lips turned white, and his voice trembled noticeably, yet he still insisted on explaining, "I truly didn't betray you all, much less use betrayal to beg for surrender from Sun Changlin. I have my own reasons and difficulties in doing this. Whether you believe me or not, my decision will not change. Even if you no longer consider me your brother, I will always treat you as brothers. As long as you need me, I will always be one of the Six Swordsmen, and I will never break my promise!"
Upon hearing Jie's words, Jun spat in disgust and said fiercely, "Forget it. With your current behavior, our little temple can't accommodate a Buddha like you. You go your way, we'll go ours, and we'll have nothing to do with each other from now on!"
Jay could no longer hold back his tears; they streamed down his cheeks, dripping onto his clothes and leaving a small wet patch. His appearance was heartbreaking to see.
Seeing the situation turning sour, Hong Liguo quickly stepped forward to stop their verbal sparring, saying, "Alright, alright, stop making things difficult for him! He may have his own reasons for joining Sun Changlin's group. Let's not keep calling him a traitor and a betrayer; it's too hurtful. Everyone, calm down. We haven't suffered any losses because he joined Sun Changlin's group. After all, everyone has their own ambitions! In the future, if anyone has a better path, they can choose freely. We haven't sworn an oath or made any blood oaths; there's no need to force everyone to stick together forever."
Jun turned his head and glared fiercely at Hong Liguo, his eyes filled with suspicion and anger. He loudly questioned, "What? From what you're saying, you also want to switch jobs, don't you? Do you have some ulterior motive? Hmph, let me tell you, the world will keep turning no matter who leaves. Even if you all leave, I, Jun, will still be the legendary Jin Yong Six Swordsmen, and no one should look down on me!" After saying that, he angrily straddled his bicycle, gripped the handlebars tightly, and pedaled hard as if his feet were springs. The bicycle shot off like an arrow, leaving behind a trail of dust that made people cough.
Seeing this, Hongbo quickly shouted loudly at Jun Ge's back, "Jun Ge, wait for me! I, Yu Hongbo, am not the kind of person who changes sides with the wind. I will always be one of the Six Swordsmen. Let whoever wants to leave go, let whoever wants to fly fly. My original intention is like the stone on Mount Tai, unwavering!" After shouting, he also nimbly got on his bicycle, pushed off with his feet, and chased after Jun Ge. The bicycle chain made a "click-clack" sound.
Yanbin, usually quiet and reserved, raised his head slightly, gazing firmly into the distance, and slowly said, "The sky is high enough for birds to fly, and the sea is wide enough for fish to leap. Everyone has their own choices. But I will always be me, and I will not be easily changed by external factors." After saying that, he quickened his pace, pedaling his bicycle in the direction Jun Ge and the others had left, gradually disappearing from Hong Liguo and Jie's sight.
Fa Zi glanced at Hong Liguo, then at Jie, his eyes filled with complex emotions—reluctance and helplessness. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Jie, although you've joined Sun Changlin's team, our brotherhood from growing up together over the years remains. If you ever need my help in the future, just ask, and I, Fa Zi, will definitely help you." With that, he turned and rode off without looking back, pedaling lightly and quickly disappearing into the distance.
Standing there, Hong Liguo felt like he was at a crossroads, unable to move forward or backward. He thought to himself: "If I did what they did and abandoned Jie, he would be heartbroken. The thought of being abandoned by his brothers is unbearable. But if I don't chase after them, will they see me as a 'traitor' along with Jie?" This dilemma left him completely unsure what to do.
Just as Hong Liguo was torn and caught in a dilemma, Jie suddenly raised his hand, forcefully wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand, and, suppressing his grief, said to him in a slightly hoarse voice, "Xiaoguo, go after them! Don't let my actions damage our friendship. I'm fine, don't worry about it."
Looking at Jie's tear-streaked face, Hong Liguo's eyes also welled up with tears. Moved by his feelings, he quickly said, "It's alright, Jie. Don't worry. I know you must have your reasons for joining Sun Changlin and his group; it's definitely not to betray us. I also believe you would never kneel down and beg for mercy from Sun Changlin. You must have your reasons for doing so. No matter what, we will still be good brothers from now on, and that will never change."
Upon hearing Hong Liguo's words, Jie could no longer suppress his emotions, and tears streamed down his face like a burst dam. He choked back sobs, his voice broken as he said, "I know my own limitations, and I have no ulterior motives, much less hope that she would ever fancy me. I just wanted to spend more time with her, to see her a few more times, and that would be enough for me. I really didn't mean anything by it, I just... I just like her so much."