Ch. 21Long Xingyu's Cuckoldry Delusion
Chapter Summary
Key plot points and events
- After arguing with Long Xingyu, Long Haochen pretends to reflect on his mistakes, deciding that temporarily yielding is wiser than worsening their relationship.
- Outside, Long Xingyu becomes consumed by jealousy and suspicion. He convinces himself that Long Haochen may actually be Feng Xiu’s son, based on the boy’s appearance, blue eyes, exceptional spiritual power, affinity for demons, and the timing of Bai Yue’s abduction.
- Driven by rage and thoughts of revenge, Long Xingyu decides to raise Long Haochen well so that the boy can eventually kill Feng Xiu.
- After three hours, Haochen apologizes. Long Xingyu remains cold but provides dinner and gives him two bamboo swords.
- Long Xingyu takes Haochen to a Natural Owl Ant nest and drops him inside, declaring it to be that night’s training.
- Trapped in darkness and surrounded by swarms of ants, Haochen uses his spiritual energy and swordsmanship to defend himself. When his energy runs out, he continues fighting with physical strength alone.
- Haochen endures the attack for roughly ninety minutes, suffering pain but maintaining his composure and determination.
- Long Xingyu initially observes without intervening, but eventually feels guilty for subjecting a nine-year-old to such brutal training. When Haochen nears collapse, he removes the boulder and pulls him from the nest.
Character developments
- Long Haochen: Demonstrates emotional maturity by choosing compromise over confrontation. His training under Feng Xiu has made him resilient, disciplined, calm under pressure, and highly capable in combat. He continues to regard Long Xingyu’s cruelty as a possible test rather than suspecting the deeper motive behind it.
- Long Xingyu: His anger develops into an irrational “cuckoldry” delusion and a desire for revenge against Feng Xiu. Although he treats Haochen harshly, his conscience eventually resurfaces, revealing an internal conflict between hatred, duty, and paternal concern.
- Feng Xiu: Though absent, he strongly influences the chapter through the lessons he taught Haochen and Long Xingyu’s jealousy toward him.
Significant themes
- Restraint versus aggression: Haochen’s decision to retreat strategically contrasts with Long Xingyu’s uncontrolled emotions.
- Jealousy and irrational suspicion: Long Xingyu interprets coincidences and similarities as proof of betrayal, allowing resentment to override reason.
- Endurance and discipline: Haochen’s ability to withstand the Owl Ants reflects the value of long-term training and mental strength.
- Moral conflict: Long Xingyu recognizes that his punishment is cruel and struggles with the contradiction between his role as a righteous knight and his desire for revenge.
- Nature versus nurture: Long Xingyu plans to shape Haochen into a weapon against Feng Xiu, raising questions about whether the boy’s loyalties can be controlled.
Character interactions
- Haochen and Long Xingyu begin with tension after their argument, but Haochen attempts to preserve their relationship through submission and an apology.
- During dinner and training, Long Xingyu acts cold and severe while Haochen remains obedient and trusting.
- The Owl Ant trial becomes an indirect confrontation between them: Haochen proves his strength, while Long Xingyu tests—and ultimately questions—the limits of his own harshness.