Chapter 24: Righteousness and Sin Collide

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A Clash of Ideals

Under the pale moonlight, three figures stood in the ruined courtyard—Lucian Valcrest, Selene Nightshade, and Xian Mu, the Holy Saint.

The wind carried the smell of ancient stone and damp earth, as if the heavens themselves held their breath.

Xian Mu's golden eyes burned with divine light as he glared at Lucian.

"I do not know what trickery you have used to deceive Lady Selene," he said coldly. "But I will not allow a villain like you to remain unchallenged."

Lucian merely smiled, his hands behind his back, exuding an aura of control.

"Deception?" he chuckled. "I merely spoke. If words alone could shake her heart, then what does that say about your so-called 'truth'?"

Selene's expression tightened as Xian Mu took a step forward. The air around him trembled—his righteous Qi surging like a tidal wave.

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The Saint's Judgment

"Lucian Valcrest, you are the son of a corrupt family. In the past, your hands were stained with innocent blood, and now, you walk a path of deceit once more."

His divine aura flared, illuminating the night like the first light of dawn.

Lucian's smirk widened.

The righteous always loved their speeches.

"You claim to serve justice," Lucian said lazily. "And yet, here you stand, in secret, like a thief in the night. If I am truly a villain, why not cut me down here and now?"

Xian Mu's eyes darkened.

He couldn't.

Lucian knew it.

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The Law of the Heavens

The world was bound by a celestial law—Heaven's Chosen could only kill those who had truly fallen.

Lucian's righteous reputation was still intact in the eyes of the world. If Xian Mu attacked him without proof, he would suffer divine retribution.

Lucian took a slow step forward.

"You were sent to kill the successor of the Devil's Body," he murmured. "And yet, here I stand."

Xian Mu's fists clenched.

The rumors were already spreading—that the Devil's Body successor had emerged elsewhere.

Lucian had carefully orchestrated this deception.

He had shifted the suspicion away from himself and onto another Chosen One.

Xian Mu's sword remained sheathed.

He couldn't attack without proof.

And now, he hesitated.

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The System's Reward

[Mission Completed: Manipulate a Chosen Hero into Hesitation]

+300 Villain Points

New Reward: Celestial Chaos Seal (Divine Ability – Temporarily Reverses Cause and Effect in Combat)

Lucian's body surged with power, but he kept his face neutral.

This ability… was beyond heaven-defying.

It would allow him to reverse attacks, break formations, and control fate itself—for a short time.

He now had a divine counter to the Chosen Ones' heavenly blessings.

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A Warning Left Unspoken

Xian Mu exhaled deeply, then turned to Selene.

"Lady Selene, do not be fooled," he said firmly. "Villains like him never change."

Selene's eyes flickered with unreadable emotions.

Lucian watched carefully.

Did she still doubt him?

Or was she beginning to see the truth—that he was no longer the man she hated?

Xian Mu narrowed his gaze at Lucian once more.

"This is not over."

Then, without another word, he vanished into the night.

Lucian exhaled slowly, watching as Selene stood frozen in place, lost in thought.

The battle hadn't been fought with blades, but Lucian had already won.

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