The Appraiser's Ascendance: Extracting Divine Powers
Chapter 45

News Leaks, Experts Gather

1,380 words5 min read12 views
7mo ago

The room was lit by firelight.

Qin Shuang spoke, revealing the last great secret.

When the words "Grand Tomb" left her lips, Shen Bai's interest was piqued.

"Tell me more."

Thinking it over, the Fox Girl Bizarre Item could harm people by stealing things. If that traitor from the Stealing Sect used the Fox Girl, and with the Grand Tomb now open, they could steal items from the Grand Tomb simply by paying a price.

This entire process would be significantly simplified.

Qin Shuang shrank his neck, "It's rumored that the Grand Tomb is where a Daoist ascended, and that Daoist left many treasures in the tomb. The Bizarre Item is a pair of boots, crucial for opening the Grand Tomb."

"A Daoist?"

Shen Bai stroked his chin, "So, you're planning to take advantage of the Grand Tomb opening to make a fortune?"

As for clearing the Stealing Sect's reputation, that was a story fit for ghosts.

Shen Bai was more inclined to believe Qin Shuang wanted to get rich from the Grand Tomb.

Qin Shuang raised her head, "And, uh, also to clear the Stealing Sect's reputation."

Her body might have been honest, but her mouth was still stubborn.

Shen Bai said, "Are you skilled in the various aspects of tomb raiding?"

Qin Shuang nodded, "As a disciple of the Stealing Sect, of course I'm proficient in various tomb raiding techniques."

Shen Bai then asked, "Are there any Bizarre Items in the tomb?"

Qin Shuang thought for a moment, then said, "That Daoist master was also incredibly renowned when he was alive, so there should be many Bizarre Items."

She was a bit confused because Shen Bai's questions were starting to stray from the topic.

Shen Bai lowered his hand and said, "You can't leave the Pawnshop for now. When the Grand Tomb opens, I'll go with you."

Qin Shuang's eyes widened.

Well, isn't that something.

So this hidden master in Ascending Cloud County also plans to raid the tomb.

I've completely walked into a trap.

Shen Bai paid no attention to Qin Shuang's expression, instead pondering the feasibility of the situation.

Firstly, there were Bizarre Items in the tomb, which was what Shen Bai needed most.

Secondly, Zhou Qing would likely get involved in this matter, and given the complexity, Shen Bai couldn't just let Zhou Qing lose his life for nothing.

Lastly, Shen Bai was very interested in the Bizarre Item taken by the Upper Evil Gate.

It was said that Bizarre Item was speed-type, which was Shen Bai's current weakness, and it would greatly enhance him.

Considering these factors, Shen Bai felt he probably had to go on this trip.

Qin Shuang nervously said, "How about... I leave first, and then come back to find you when the Grand Tomb opens?"

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

Shen Bai chuckled, "If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for coming to provoke me. Don't worry, you won't go into this tomb for nothing. We'll split whatever we get inside fifty-fifty."

"Really?"

A glimmer of light appeared in Qin Shuang's eyes, "You're not tricking me?"

"Don't play dumb."

Shen Bai slapped Qin Shuang lightly on the head, "You're probably thinking of escaping right now. If I focused on watching you, you wouldn't get away, but I don't have the time for that. Let me tell you something important; you can analyze it yourself."

Qin Shuang said nothing, staring directly at Shen Bai.

Shen Bai pondered for a moment, then said, "You know I have connections in the yamen. When the Grand Tomb opens, I'll definitely know about it, and I can be found at any time."

"But you're different. You're alone, with no help. It's uncertain whether you can even enter the tomb, not to mention there's a traitor."

"If you go with me, your chances of successfully raiding the tomb will be much higher."

Qin Shuang said, "But I don't know if you're being sincere or not."

Shen Bai pointed to the door, "You don't have a choice."

"You have two options now: trust me and get rich together."

"Don't trust me, and you can leave whenever you want."

Qin Shuang followed Shen Bai's hand, looking towards the door, and cautiously shuffled half a step.

Shen Bai returned his hand to the longsword at his waist, watching with interest.

Though he said that, Qin Shuang actually only had one choice.

If Qin Shuang intended to walk out that door, her head would likely roll.

This wasn't because Shen Bai was cruel; that's just how the martial world was. If you walked into a trap and weren't strong enough, you were at the mercy of others.

If Shen Bai had been weak tonight, what would Qin Shuang have done? Who could say?

Qin Shuang didn't see Shen Bai's movement. After a few more steps, she turned and said, "Let's cooperate. I hope you keep your word."

In those few steps, Qin Shuang had been making a decision.

After her deliberation, she still chose the first method.

Just as Shen Bai said, she couldn't stand alone; this was a high-stakes gamble.

Shen Bai smiled and said, "In that case, let's stay at the Pawnshop."

Qin Shuang nodded, saying nothing more.

It was late, so Shen Bai arranged for Qin Shuang to stay in his room.

Sharing a room made it easier to supervise.

As for the distinction between men and women, a woman of the martial world didn't care about such details, and Shen Bai had no romantic intentions towards her.

The night was long, and Shen Bai began practicing the Vajra Demon-Subduing Fist again.

The next day.

When the morning light shone in, Shen Bai retracted his fists, let out a long breath, and consumed a Qi-Blood Medicine.

Vajra Demon-Subduing Fist +300

"It's at 1600 points now; not far from level four."

After taking the Qi-Blood Medicine, Shen Bai's gaze rested on the doorway.

Outside the door, Qin Shuang stood there, looking at Shen Bai with surprise.

Qin Shuang knew that Shen Bai had practiced martial arts all night.

In Qin Shuang's mind, he was already strong and yet so diligent, but he remained in a small county. She couldn't quite understand why.

"Let's go out for breakfast," Shen Bai said.

Shen Bai had already grown accustomed to this disciplined daily routine.

Qin Shuang softly hummed in agreement, saying nothing more.

After quickly tidying themselves up, the two left for a breakfast stall.

"It seems Ascending Cloud County has more people lately."

At the breakfast stall, Shen Bai frowned, watching the unfamiliar faces constantly passing by.

These people were dressed like martial artists; normally, Ascending Cloud County didn't have so many martial artists staying here.

"Something's not right."

Qin Shuang took small sips of her porridge and leaned closer to Shen Bai, saying, "Such a small county shouldn't have so many people lingering."

Shen Bai caught a scent and retreated slightly, falling into thought.

It was currently the time when the Daoist Grand Tomb was opening, and with so many martial artists appearing, it was hard not to connect the two.

As the two communicated in low voices, several martial artists sat at a nearby table.

Scattered conversations gradually drifted over.

"Heh, there are really a lot of people here. It seems the news about the Grand Tomb has spread far and wide."

"The Grand Tomb of a Daoist master is about to appear. I heard that many forces in Maple Forest Province have secretly gone there, and even people from the Green Cloud Daoist Temple in Maple Forest Province have come."

"Green Cloud Daoist Temple? Really? That's the biggest Daoist temple in Maple Forest Province."

"Why would I lie to you? It's said that a master from the younger generation of the temple has come, already at the peak of the Three Treasures Realm. This time, it's going to be lively."

Listening to the conversation, Shen Bai understood the cause of the situation.

"The news has been leaked, most likely related to the person who controls the Fox Girl from the Upper Evil Gate. What is he trying to achieve?" Qin Shuang asked.

Shen Bai put down his chopsticks and said calmly, "The murkier the water, the easier it is for him to fish."

End of Chapter
Novel
How was this translation?

Explore the wiki