Ah Ah Ah

"Fourth, how are your injuries?"

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

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

Feng Si accepted the medicine and complained, "Big Brother, I really got dragged through the mud by Second Master this time. That brat's cultivation is superb—I'm nowhere near his match."

The information had come from Zhu Bo. Feng Si didn't dare say anything bad about his own big brother, so he pinned the blame on Zhu Kui.

And he hadn't pinned it wrong. Zhu Kui was the source of the firsthand intelligence; if anything went wrong, it was all his fault.

Zhu Bo knew the situation was awkward. Half-believing and half-doubting, he said, "Although Second Brother is usually unreliable when handling matters, he's been in business for many years. His eye for people should still be sound. Is that brat really as formidable as you say? Or did you hold back and treat it like a game, only to trip over yourself?"

"Big Brother, looking at me like this, do I seem like I merely tripped?"

Feng Si gave a bitter smile. "That brat practices military saber techniques and has attained profound mastery. On top of that, he has robust blood vitality supporting him. He knocked me flat with a single slash. He didn't want to make too much trouble, so he gave Second Master some face. He even gave me pills to take and didn't make things too difficult for me."

Zhu Bo nodded. The other party had handled the matter with excellent judgment and restraint. He was a man of substance.

Since that was the case, having Zhu Kui bring some gifts to apologize and make friends with him would not be a bad story to tell.

"Big Brother, you must remember this. From now on, make sure Second Master judges people more accurately. That brat's cultivation is absolutely not ordinary."

Feng Si remained deeply troubled by it and added, "If I didn't misjudge, based on the realm displayed in that single slash alone, his cultivation is no lower than yours, Big Brother."

"I understand."

Zhu Bo nodded, becoming even more certain that making friends was the right choice.

"There's one more thing..."

Feng Si gave an awkward smile and lowered his head. "Big Brother, please don't lose your temper when you hear this."

"Fourth, with the way you're speaking now, it'll be hard for me not to."

"That brat snatched my Qiankun Bag. Apart from a few rare items, the token was in there too."

"..."

Zhu Bo's face turned black as the bottom of a pot, and he couldn't utter a word for quite some time.

The Ascension Gate Sect had a poor reputation. It wasn't quite hated by everyone, but it was certainly the kind of sect with very few friends.

The main reason...

Once ancestral graves became involved, it was difficult for anyone to sit down calmly and reason things out. It was a very realistic problem. Who knew whether, after the Ascension Gate Sect had passed down through generation after generation, it might dig up their own graves a hundred years later?

What was more, an occupation devoted to digging up graves and tombs had actually managed to form factions and establish an alliance. Did they have no shame?

People in the Cultivation World appeared calm and detached on the surface, but cursed behind closed doors. Then they hurriedly called friends and gathered companions, racing to excavate every hidden ruin before the Ascension Gate Sect could get there.

That was just how cultivating immortality worked.

Of course, Zhu Bo's ugly expression wasn't only because Feng Si's identity had been exposed. There was another, more important reason.

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

Whenever Zhu Bo went underground to conduct business, he sorted the items he had unearthed into three, six, and nine grades. Ordinary items were dealt with directly or passed to his family's businesses, while high-grade goods went through Zhu Ting and were handed over to Lin Boxian for disposal.

Everyone made money, everyone practiced the techniques, and everyone divided the magical treasures. Their cooperation had been quite pleasant until now.

Now it was no longer pleasant.

If this matter got out, neither of their reputations would survive.

It would affect their careers!

"This is truly bizarre..."

Zhu Bo cursed incessantly under his breath. Last time, Zhu Kui had mistaken Lu Bei for a spy and exposed himself by paying out of pocket to curry favor. This time, it was his turn. He hadn't bothered with petty mischief and had exposed something far more serious.

Ever since the brothers had encountered Lu Bei, nothing good had happened to them.

What made Zhu Bo feel the most wronged was that he and Lu Bei had never met before—not even face-to-face. Why should he be the one to suffer?

"Big Brother, the Qiankun Bag is in that brat's hands. I figure he's already seen the token. What should we do...? I'll follow your decision."

"..."

"Big Brother, say something!"

"What the hell is there to say? I'm going home to get money."

Wei Manor, Backyard.

A stone table and stone stools beneath a tree, two pots of fine wine, and several plates of exquisite side dishes.

The Zhu brothers came bearing lavish gifts, and Lu Bei hosted them as the host. Wei Mao was not present. When Lu Bei saw the Ascension Gate token, he made a guess but did not show it. If he attended, Zhu Ting might very well mistake it for an opportunity to extort him.

That would be improper. It was not the way an official should conduct himself.

Lu Bei raised his cup with a smile. "Two elder brothers, my elder cousin has been an official for many years without managing to skim off any benefits, so our family is rather poor. If there's anything lacking in our hospitality, please forgive us for the sake of his incorruptible service. I'll drink a cup first as an apology."

The Zhu brothers did not look very happy. They raised their cups and drank together, both wearing gloomy expressions.

"Young Master Kui, why are you only drinking and not touching the food?"

"Young Master Bo, I've long admired your reputation. Let me toast you."

"..."

After three cups of wine, Lu Bei kept telling them to eat and drink their fill while never mentioning the token. Zhu Kui couldn't help glancing at his elder brother. Seeing that Zhu Bo remained silent, he was the first to speak.

"Brother Lu, today's fault lies with me. I've brought a modest gift, though I'm presumptuous to offer it. You're magnanimous, so please be sure to accept it."

Zhu Kui drank three cups in succession before bringing out the prepared food box. "The grudge between us was simply a misunderstanding. I, Zhu, am convinced now. I won't come looking for trouble again in the future."

"Brother Kui, what are you talking about? You've left out the beginning and the end, and now you've got me all confused."

Lu Bei accepted the food box and sent it straight into his Qiankun Bag without even looking at it. Then he asked in puzzlement, "What happened today? That little misunderstanding between us wasn't already settled at Bright Moon Tower?"

"Brother Lu, I've admitted defeat. Please stop teasing me." Zhu Kui shook his head repeatedly.

"Brother Kui, you've misunderstood. I was only taking money to do a job, and I've forgotten the whole thing completely."

Lu Bei replied with a smile. Under the astonished gazes of the Zhu brothers, he placed Feng Si's Qiankun Bag, which had been lost in the street, in front of them. "Speaking of something infuriating, a band of petty thieves robbed my carriage today. They were even using your name, Brother Kui, so I flew into a rage and gave them a thorough beating. I sternly berated them for trying to sow discord..."

Lu Bei spouted utter nonsense. The Zhu brothers didn't hear a single word of it. Zhu Kui cautiously reached out toward the Qiankun Bag.

Smack!

Lu Bei slapped the back of Zhu Kui's hand and said with dancing brows, "That's how it happened. I sent their leader, Feng Si, flying with a single palm. After he fled in disarray, I picked up this Qiankun Bag. Brother Kui, you're a businessman—help me see how much it's worth."

What was the meaning of this? Hadn't you just accepted payment? Why were you asking for more?

Zhu Kui's eyes widened. Going by his elder brother's words, this was the same as cursing someone by digging up their ancestors' graves. It was bullying taken too far.

Lu Bei gave him no chance to explode and spoke at lightning speed. "It's embarrassing to say, but my cultivation is shallow. I'm the sort of person everyone sees as easy prey. I picked up the Qiankun Bag but have no way to open it, so I'll have to trouble you, Brother Kui. We're brothers, after all. I'm sure you won't let me suffer a loss."

"Since we're brothers, of course I won't let you suffer a loss."

Zhu Bo, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. He picked up the Qiankun Bag and opened it, only to find it spotlessly clean inside. A single token stood out conspicuously, so obvious that it could be seen at a glance. The corner of his eye twitched, and he stuffed it into his robe.

"With Brother Bo saying that, I can rest easy."

Lu Bei raised his wine cup and cheerfully clinked it against Zhu Bo's. Beside them, Zhu Kui looked dispirited. He could figure out with his toes that he would be the one paying for the Qiankun Bag.

The three of them ate and drank, harmonious on the surface. Half an hour later, Zhu Bo suddenly spoke. "Brother Lu, you're a clever man. Let's speak frankly instead of hiding things from each other. I'm sure you've already seen it."

"Seen what?"

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

"Ah! Ah? Ah..."