Ahhh

"Fourth, how's the injury?"

In a secluded courtyard at Dasheng Pass, Zhu Bo found Feng Si. Seeing his pale face and incessant coughing, Zhu Bo took out some medicine and handed it over.

"It's nothing, I won't die."

Feng Si took the medicine and grumbled, "Boss, Second Master has really screwed me over this time. That kid's cultivation is exquisite; I'm no match for him at all."

The intelligence came from Zhu Bo, so Feng Si didn't dare to criticize his boss. He shifted the blame to Zhu Kui.

It wasn't a misdirected blame. Zhu Kui was the primary source of information, and if there was any mistake, it was his fault.

Zhu Bo felt awkward and asked with doubt, "Although Second Brother is usually unreliable, he's been in business for years and has a good eye. Is that kid really as powerful as you say? Or did you not go all out and just messing around, accidentally falling?"

"Boss, do I look like I was messing around?"

Feng Si gave a wry smile. "That kid practices military saber techniques with profound mastery, and he has a solid foundation of powerful blood qi. He knocked me to the ground with just one strike. He didn't want to escalate things, so he did Second Master a favor and gave me some pills. He didn't make things too difficult for me."

Zhu Bo nodded. The way the other party handled the situation was impeccable; he was quite a character.

In that case, having Zhu Kui bring some gifts to apologize and becoming friends wouldn't be a bad idea. It could even be a good story.

"Boss, please remember to tell Second Master to be more discerning in the future. This kid is not of ordinary cultivation."

Feng Si was still upset and added, "If I'm not mistaken, just the realm of that single saber strike means his cultivation is no less than yours, Boss."

"I understand."

Zhu Bo nodded, becoming even more convinced of his idea to make friends.

"There's one more thing..."

Feng Si chuckled sheepishly, lowering his head. "Boss, please don't lose your temper when you hear it."

"Fourth, with the way you're talking now, it's hard for me not to lose my temper."

"My Qiankun Bag was snatched by that kid. Besides a few rare items, the token was in there too."

"..."

Zhu Bo's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He couldn't utter a word for a long time.

The Ascension Gate Sect had a bad reputation. While not universally reviled, they had very few friends.

The main reason...

Once ancestral graves were involved, it was hard for anyone to sit down and talk calmly. It was a very practical issue: who knew if the Ascension Gate Sect, passed down through generations, wouldn't desecrate their own graves a hundred years from now.

Furthermore, an entire profession of grave robbing could form factions and alliances. Did they have any shame?

People in the cultivation world might appear calm and detached on the surface, but they were all cursing behind each other's backs. Then, they would quickly call their friends and rush to excavate hidden ruins before the Ascension Gate Sect could.

This was how Immortality Cultivation worked.

Of course, Zhu Bo's grim expression wasn't solely due to Feng Si's identity being exposed. There was another, more important reason.

The Prefect of Dongqi Commandery, Zhu Ting, and the manager of Dasheng Pass for the Huangji Sect, Lin Boxian, both had private dealings with the Ascension Gate Sect.

Every time Zhu Bo went out to "work," he would sort the unearthed items by grade. Ordinary items were dealt with directly or through his own merchant guild. High-level goods were passed through Zhu Ting, who then transferred them to Lin Boxian for handling.

Everyone made money, everyone practiced cultivation techniques, and everyone shared magical treasures. The cooperation had been very pleasant until now.

Now, it was no longer pleasant.

If this matter got out, their reputations would be ruined.

It would affect their careers!

"This is truly bizarre..."

Zhu Bo cursed inwardly. Last time, Zhu Kui mistook Lu Bei for a spy and ended up losing money to curry favor. This time, it was his turn, and while the previous incident was minor, this one was far more damaging.

Ever since they encountered Lu Bei, the brothers hadn't had anything good happen to them.

What made Zhu Bo feel most wronged was that he had never met Lu Bei before and had never even seen his face. Why should he be the one to suffer misfortune?

"Big Brother, the Qiankun Bag is in that kid's hands. I suspect he's already seen the token. This matter... you decide. I'll listen to whatever you say."

"..."

"Big Brother, say something!"

"Say what? I'm going home to get money."

Wei Residence, backyard.

A stone table and stools under a tree, two pots of fine wine, and a few plates of exquisite snacks.

The Zhu brothers arrived with generous gifts. Lu Bei played host, entertaining the two. Wei Mao was not present. When he saw the Ascension Gate Sect token, he had some suspicions but didn't voice them. If he had been there, Zhu Ting might have mistakenly believed he was using the opportunity to extort them.

It was inappropriate and not the way of an official.

Lu Bei raised his wine cup and smiled. "My two elder brothers, my Eldest Cousin has been an official for many years without earning much, hence his family is poor. If there are any shortcomings in my hospitality, please forgive us on account of his incorruptible governance. I, your junior, will drink this cup as an apology."

The Zhu brothers' expressions were not good. They picked up their wine cups and drank, both looking dejected.

"Young Master Kui, why are you only drinking and not eating?"

"Young Master Bo, I've heard so much about you. Please, allow me to offer you a toast."

"..."

After three cups of wine, Lu Bei kept talking about eating well and drinking well, but he didn't mention the token. Zhu Kui couldn't help but glance at his elder brother. Seeing that he remained silent, Zhu Kui spoke first.

"Brother Lu, the fault for today's events lies with me. I have a small gift here, and I humbly ask that you accept it with your magnanimity."

Zhu Kui drank three cups in quick succession, then brought out the prepared food box. "The grievances between us were originally a misunderstanding. I, Zhu, have conceded defeat and will not cause trouble for you again."

"Brother Kui, what you're saying is out of the blue. You've confused me."

Lu Bei took the food box, put it directly into his Qiankun Bag without even looking, and then asked in confusion, "What happened today? Wasn't that little misunderstanding between us already settled at the Bright Moon Tower?"

"Brother Lu, I admit defeat. Please stop toying with me." Zhu Kui shook his head repeatedly.

"Brother Kui, you misunderstand. I was just doing my job for money, and I've completely forgotten about it."

Lu Bei replied with a smile. Under the astonished gaze of the Zhu brothers, he placed the Qiankun Bag that Feng Si had lost on the street in front of them. "It's infuriating, but a group of ruffians robbed my carriage today, even using your name, Brother Kui. I got angry and beat them up, sternly reprimanding them for their attempts to sow discord..."

Lu Bei was talking nonsense, and the Zhu brothers didn't hear a word. Zhu Kui cautiously reached out to touch the Qiankun Bag.

Slap!

Lu Bei slapped Zhu Kui's hand, saying gleefully, "Just like that! I sent their leader, Feng Si, flying with a palm strike. After he fled in disarray, I found this Qiankun Bag. Brother Kui, you're a businessman, can you help me see how much it's worth?"

What do you mean? Didn't you just get paid? Why do you want more?

Zhu Kui's eyes widened. According to his elder brother, this was like cursing someone's ancestors, an act of extreme provocation.

Lu Bei didn't give him a chance to explode. He spoke rapidly, "To my shame, my cultivation is shallow, and I'm the type of person everyone bullies. I found this Qiankun Bag but couldn't open it, so I had to trouble you, Brother Kui. We're like brothers, and I'm sure you won't let me suffer a loss."

"As brothers, of course, I won't let you suffer a loss."

Zhu Bo, who had been silent, spoke up. He picked up the Qiankun Bag and opened it. He found it empty except for a single, conspicuous token. With a twitch of his eye, he put it in his embrace.

"With Brother Bo's assurance, I am relieved."

Lu Bei raised his wine cup and clinked it with Zhu Bo with a smile. Zhu Kui next to him was listless. He knew with his toes that he would be the one paying for the Qiankun Bag.

The three of them ate and drank, maintaining an appearance of harmony. Half an hour later, Zhu Bo suddenly spoke, "Brother Lu, you're a smart man. Let's not beat around the bush. You've probably already figured it out."

"Figured out what?"

"My second brother, Zhu Kui, is from the Ascension Gate Sect."

"Ah! Ah? Ah..."