36: Chapter 36 Clean House

Windwalker was imprisoned in a secret chamber within the [Dawn] guild, guarded by specialists; he could not escape even if he had wings.

This secret chamber was located beneath the guild headquarters and was usually used to store important supplies and documents, with very few people entering or leaving. The surrounding walls were built from thick bluestone and had excellent soundproofing; even if a massive commotion occurred inside, not a sound could be heard outside. The door to the chamber was a heavy door forged from refined iron, covered in defensive runes; unless one had the special key, it was impossible to open.

Windwalker was tied to a special chair, his hands and feet firmly locked with black iron chains, and his internal Dou Qi was sealed, making it impossible to mobilize. He lowered his head, his long hair covering his face, making it impossible to see his expression, but from his slightly trembling shoulders, it was clear that his heart was far from calm.

Two elite members of the [Dawn] guild stood in the corner of the secret chamber, holding longswords and staring vigilantly at Windwalker, not daring to relax for a moment. They knew that although the person before them looked disheveled, he was, after all, the younger brother of the [Dark Night] guild leader, and his strength was not to be underestimated; the slightest carelessness could allow him to escape.

A faint sound of footsteps came from outside the door, and the two guards immediately straightened their backs, their expressions becoming even more serious.

"Guild Leader." They called out in unison, simultaneously making way.

Ye Liuli walked into the secret chamber alone; her face was calm, but her eyes held a trace of undisguisable exhaustion. She waved her hand, signaling for the two guards to leave.

"Guild Leader, this…" One of the guards hesitated, "According to the regulations, we should…"

"Leave." Ye Liuli's voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.

The two guards exchanged glances, not daring to say anything more, and bowed as they retreated, gently closing the heavy iron door.

Only Ye Liuli and Windwalker remained in the secret chamber.

Ye Liuli walked up to Windwalker and watched him quietly. The dim oil lamp cast flickering light and shadows on her face, making her expression appear even more complex.

"Why?" She finally spoke, her voice echoing in the empty secret chamber, carrying a trace of pain and exhaustion.

She had thought about these three words for a long time, yet she never found an answer.

Three months, three whole months.

She had treated Windwalker as her most trusted brother, handed over the guild's important affairs for him to handle, and even gave him the position of Vice Guild Leader. She thought they were partners who could fight side by side, comrades who could entrust their backs to each other.

However, she was wrong.

Windwalker slowly raised his head to look at Ye Liuli. Moonlight shone through the cracks in the window, reflecting his complex expression. There was no fear or guilt on his face, only an indescribable calm.

"Ye Liuli," he said softly, "you are a good person."

"I asked you why." Ye Liuli's voice did not fluctuate in the slightest, but she clenched her fists.

Windwalker was silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his words. The secret chamber was terrifyingly quiet, with only the "crackle" of the burning oil lamp echoing in the air.

"Not thin?" He finally spoke with a bitter smile, "Indeed, you treated me very well. For these past three months, you treated me as a brother, handing over the guild's important affairs to me. You trusted me, valued me, and even gave me the position of Vice Guild Leader."

He paused, his gaze becoming somewhat distant, as if recalling every little detail from these past three months.

"I remember when I first joined [Dawn], the guild only had a dozen or so people. Back then, we were struggling to survive every day, being bullied by other guilds and hunted by monsters. It was you who led us forward step by step."

"I remember one time when we encountered a powerful BOSS in a dungeon, and the team was almost wiped out. It was you who used your own body to block the BOSS's attack, giving us a chance to retreat. At that time, I truly regarded you as a brother to whom I could entrust my life."

Ye Liuli listened quietly, without interrupting him.

"But…" Windwalker's voice became somewhat low, a flash of pain passing through his eyes, "but I am a person of [Dark Night], and have been from the very beginning. I approached you and joined [Dawn] solely for this very moment."

"Just because of this?" Ye Liuli's voice turned cold.

"And also because… of my brother." Windwalker's voice became even lower, almost like murmuring to himself, "The Guild Leader of [Dark Night], 'Night King.' He saved my life; this life of mine belongs to him. Whatever he tells me to do, I must do."

He raised his head and looked at Ye Liuli, his eyes filled with a complex emotion.

"Ten years ago, I was still a helpless orphan, wandering the streets, being bullied and beaten. It was the Night King who picked me up from a trash heap, gave me food to eat, clothes to wear, taught me cultivation, and allowed me to achieve what I have today."

"He said to me, 'From now on, you are my younger brother. As long as I am here, no one can bully you.'"

Windwalker's voice choked slightly, but he quickly controlled his emotions.

"Therefore, when he asked me to infiltrate [Dawn], I did not hesitate. Even though I knew that doing so would hurt you and hurt those brothers who trusted me, I still had to do it."

"Because I owe him my life."

Ye Liuli closed her eyes.

So that was it.

Loyalty, too, could be a reason for betrayal.

She could not blame Windwalker for his loyalty; that was something he was protecting with his life. But she also could not forgive his deception; that trust over the past three months, those countless times they fought side by side, had all just been a carefully designed act.

"Windwalker," she opened her eyes again, her voice returning to an icy cold, like the frost and snow of midwinter, "from today on, you are expelled from the [Dawn] guild. I will announce your actions to the entire server."

Windwalker's expression changed, but he quickly returned to normal. He had known for a long time that once his identity was exposed, this would be his fate.

"Suit yourself," he said indifferently, "the victor is king and the loser is the villain; I accept it."

Ye Liuli looked at him, a complex surge of emotions rising in her heart. Anger, disappointment, sadness, and a hint of an indescribable sense of regret.

"Take him away." She waved her hand and turned to leave.

She did not want to see this person again, nor did she want to hear his voice again. She was afraid that she might not be able to hold back, might lose her composure, and do something she would regret.

The heavy iron door closed behind her, emitting a dull sound.

Ye Liuli walked out of the secret chamber and took a deep breath. The night breeze blew in, carrying a hint of chill, which cleared her chaotic mind a little.

She looked up at the sky; the moon was obscured by dark clouds, and only a few sparse stars were twinkling.

"Guild Leader."

A familiar voice came from behind her.

Ye Liuli turned around and saw Chen Ergou, who had appeared behind her at some point, holding a cup of hot tea with a concerned expression on his face.

"Drink something hot." He handed the teacup over, "I bought this tea from the system shop; it's said to have calming effects."

Ye Liuli took the teacup, feeling the warmth in her palm, and a warm current welled up in her heart.

"Thank you," she said softly.

The two stood side by side in the courtyard of the guild headquarters, neither of them speaking.

Ye Liuli held the teacup, watching the steam rising from it, her thoughts a thousandfold.

"Chen Ergou," she suddenly spoke, her voice somewhat hoarse, "sometimes I wonder, if I hadn't met you back then, what would [Dawn] have become?"

Chen Ergou scratched his head and chuckled: "Probably already wiped out by [Dark Night]."

"But there are no 'ifs'," he put away his smile and said with a serious face, "you met me, and that is fate."

"Fate?" Ye Liuli raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, it was destined that I would appear in your life." Chen Ergou looked into her eyes, his tone serious as never before, "Perhaps this is Heaven's arrangement, letting me come to protect you."

Ye Liuli rolled her eyes at him: "Smooth talker."

But the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

Chen Ergou looked at her profile; the moonlight spilled onto her face, making her skin appear even fairer and more translucent. In those cold phoenix eyes, there was now a trace of exhaustion, but also a trace of warmth.

He secretly swore in his heart: no matter what challenges the future held, he would stay by her side, protect her, and support her.

This was his promise to himself, and also his promise to her.

"Let's go," Ye Liuli handed the teacup back to him, "there are still many things to deal with."

"Alright." Chen Ergou took the teacup, "I'll accompany you."

The two walked side by side toward the guild hall, the moonlight stretching their shadows long and far.

Behind them, the iron door of the secret chamber remained tightly shut, as if nothing had ever happened.

But everyone knew that starting from tonight, the [Dawn] guild would no longer be the [Dawn] of the past.