Li Hao's words were like a stone creating a thousand ripples, stirring up turmoil in Chen Haotian's heart, though he managed to maintain a calm exterior. In Li Hao's eyes, he saw a complex mix of helplessness and deep anguish. This emotion seemed like the release of a heavy, long-suppressed pressure.
"Li Hao," Chen Haotian said, his voice low and clear, "whose side are you really on? Are you and them truly in this together?"
Li Hao glanced at Tang Hao, then back at Chen Haotian, a flash of hesitation crossing his eyes. He seemed overwhelmed and helpless in the face of the current situation. Finally, he let out a deep sigh, his voice dropping low: "Haotian, some things are not as simple as you imagine. You may never understand why people like us make these choices."
Standing to one side, Tang Hao grew impatient seeing Li Hao remain silent. He said coldly, "Stop wasting time, Li Hao. Give him a moment to explain, we still have other things to take care of later."
Ignoring Tang Hao, Li Hao fixed his gaze once more on Chen Haotian, as if searching his eyes for some answers. His voice grew even lower: "Do you remember our days in university? Back then, we were both full of dreams and aspirations, striving hard with hearts brimming with hope and vision. You and I used to be the best of friends."
A pang of bitterness twisted Chen Haotian's heart. He certainly remembered those university years. Back then, Li Hao had been a brilliant and ambitious young man, his eyes always gleaming with a hunger for the future and a pursuit of ideals. The two of them had pulled all-nighters studying in the library together, discussed future plans side by side, and even encouraged one another through difficult times, shoulder to shoulder.
"How could I not remember?" Chen Haotian's voice was low. "But why are you standing with these people now? You know full well that what they do behind the scenes is illegal. Why do you still stay by their side?"
A hazy look crept into Li Hao's eyes, as though he were reminiscing about the past. He spoke slowly: "You know my family wasn't well-off. After graduating, I faced many choices, and back then, the Qingyun Society offered me an opportunity. At first, I didn't know their true nature. It was just a high-paying, seemingly legitimate job that allowed me to quickly improve my living conditions. Initially, I thought I was just handling ordinary business projects, making some money, and that sooner or later I'd be able to leave this circle."
Chen Haotian stared intently at Li Hao, his emotions tangled and complex. He knew Li Hao was not a man of malicious intent, yet he could understand how a person's choices might become blurred under the pressure of reality.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Chen Haotian asked, a hint of reproach in his tone. "Why didn't you tell me you'd gotten mixed up in this? Don't you think I had a right to know the truth?"
Li Hao lowered his head, his gaze dimming: "I wanted to tell you, Haotian, I really did. But some things I cannot say. And some traps are beyond my control. I just hope you can understand that I didn't choose to betray; it's just that..."
His voice suddenly trailed off, as if something was caught in his throat, choking off the words. Chen Haotian looked at him, a complex surge of emotion rising in his chest before he finally sighed: "Since you've already walked down this path, don't let me see you looking so conflicted anymore. The affairs of the Qingyun Society aren't something you alone can decide. If you truly want to change things, you need to have courage."
Tang Hao finally chimed in. Watching the interaction between Li Hao and Chen Haotian, a look of disdain crossed his face. "You two are dragging this melodrama out way too long. Li Hao, stop wasting time and go take care of business."
Lifting his head, Li Hao showed a trace of reluctance and struggle in his eyes, but ultimately he nodded and walked over to Tang Hao's side. He glanced back at Chen Haotian, his gaze carrying a measure of apology and helplessness: "Haotian, there are many things you may never understand. I can no longer turn back."
Chen Haotian said nothing more. Watching Li Hao's retreating figure, a heavy ache settled in his heart. A former friend, a former brother, had actually stepped onto such an irreversible path. In this moment, Chen Haotian's feelings were extraordinarily complicated.
Seeing Li Hao approach, Tang Hao nodded, then turned back to Chen Haotian, his tone turning frigid: "Since Li Hao has made things so clear, I won't waste any more time either. Haotian, are you going to cooperate? Give me a definitive answer."
Chen Haotian's gaze sharpened. He calculated inwardly—although the present situation was extremely tricky, he would never allow himself to be easily intimidated. He shook his head slightly: "I have no interest in the affairs of your Qingyun Society. Since you refuse to let this rest, you can prepare yourselves to face the consequences."
Tang Hao's expression instantly darkened, clearly not expecting Chen Haotian to be so resolute. He remained silent for a moment before suddenly laughing: "You think you can fight against us? Right now, you're nothing more than an unarmed ordinary person. You'd better keep a low profile while you still can."
Chen Haotian smiled faintly: "You can threaten me, but I won't submit."
Seeing this, Tang Hao narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice: "Fine. Since you don't know how to make the right choice, let's see how long you can hold out."
With that, he turned and signaled for Li Hao and his subordinates to prepare to leave. Li Hao cast one last look at Chen Haotian, his expression complicated, as if he had a thousand words he wanted to say, which ultimately dissolved into silence.
The bar door closed once more. Chen Haotian stood right where he was, his heart churning like a stormy sea, emotions refusing to settle.
He had never imagined that he would become entangled in the secrets of the Qingyun Society, and that even Li Hao would be so deeply sucked into it. Moreover, Tang Hao's threats were no empty words; the power of the Qingyun Society far exceeded his imagination. This stirred a strong sense of unease in Chen Haotian's chest, yet he also knew that if he did not face the Qingyun Society head-on, this impasse could never be resolved.
"What should I do?" Chen Haotian muttered to himself, a thread of determination gradually taking shape in his mind.
He knew the road ahead would be even more difficult. The power of the Qingyun Society was unfathomable, and relying solely on his current strength made it impossible to contend with them. But he had no intention of submitting; instead, he prepared to use the cultivation techniques he had learned, along with the power of spiritual qi, to break through his current predicament.
"Li Hao, if you truly are my friend, perhaps I would choose to show mercy. But now, as for the Qingyun Society, I suppose it is time to face you head-on."
A flash of resolute light crossed Chen Haotian's eyes. He had made his decision—in this struggle against the Qingyun Society, whether for himself or for his former friend, he would not take a single step back.