Volume Two: The Life of a Bandit Chapter Twenty: Mockery

“Oh? Zhao Wu, Lord Zhao Wu, is that you?” Qin Si continued to drink quietly without looking up, completely ignoring Zhao Wu’s attempt to befriend him, as if he didn’t even consider him worth his attention.

Zhao Wu furrowed his brow slightly, clearly displeased with Qin Si’s reaction. Feeling the astonished gazes of the surrounding Celestial Gods, his aged face darkened instantly. Yet, upon noticing Qin Shuang’s similar demeanor, he hesitated. Qin Shuang had already reached the Divine King realm, a level beyond Zhao Wu’s own Upper Celestial God cultivation, making it impossible for him to see through her true strength. This gave him pause.

After a brief moment of thought, Zhao Wu forced a smile and said with a polite chuckle, “I am Zhao Wu. Thanks to my friends’ generosity, I am respectfully called Lord Wu. My father is Zhao Yongkui, the Master of the Mysterious Valley. May I inquire how you two gentlemen are called?”

“Mysterious Valley?” Qin Si blinked in slight surprise, a playful smile curling at the corner of his lips as he raised his wine cup and gave Zhao Wu a meaningful smile. “One of the greatest powers in Ironflower City? Indeed, you come from a noble lineage.”

Zhao Wu chuckled proudly, glancing arrogantly at the others nearby. The Celestial Gods present immediately lowered their heads and fell silent, as if frozen in fear. Zhao Wu then smiled lightly, “It’s only by relying on my father’s influence. Otherwise, someone like me, a mere Upper Celestial God, wouldn’t even be worth a slap.”

Qin Shuang curled her lips, casting a smile towards Qin Si, as if saying: “See, someone like you, an Upper Celestial God, isn’t even worth their notice.”

Qin Si’s expression darkened, sneering coldly, “Lord Zhao Wu, may I ask what business you have with the two of us? We are merely passing through Ironflower City, resting and drinking. Surely, we have not offended Mysterious Valley in any way?”

Zhao Wu took a seat beside them, poured himself some wine, and said while drinking, “If I’m not mistaken, this brother here has reached the Divine King realm, correct? Even with my cultivation as an Upper Celestial God, I can’t see through your true level. You must have broken past the Upper Celestial God threshold and attained the Divine King realm.”

Qin Shuang frowned and coldly took a sip of her wine. “Speak plainly. I do not like beating around the bush.”

Her straightforwardness didn’t offend Zhao Wu; rather, it made him value her even more. Though Mysterious Valley was one of the top powers in Ironflower City, boasting four Divine Kings, their ambition grew with their strength. As the son of the valley master, Zhao Wu seized every chance to recruit formidable talents.

Upon first seeing Qin Shuang and Qin Si, he sensed their profound and unfathomable cultivation. Qin Si was no concern—an Upper Celestial God—and Zhao Wu believed that with his superior Celestial artifact, he could hold his own. But Qin Shuang’s true power was beyond his insight, compelling him to make a great effort to forge an alliance. He thought that if he invited them to join Mysterious Valley, with its influence, these wandering Celestial Gods would surely submit. Then, he could control them at will.

With this in mind, a bright smile spread across Zhao Wu’s face. “You two have not joined any other power, correct? If I, Zhao Wu, invite you to join Mysterious Valley, would you honor us with your presence? We are one of the greatest forces in Ironflower City, with four Divine Kings alone.”

Qin Si and Qin Shuang exchanged glances, both detecting the smile in the other’s eyes. They had come to Ironflower City seeking conflict, searching for a foothold to enter the circle of power openly. Their visit to drink was a cover to learn about the city’s power distribution. Unexpectedly, the scion of one of Ironflower City’s greatest powers had approached them first—a stroke of luck beyond effort.

Casting a faint glance at Zhao Wu, Qin Si shook his head and gestured with one hand as if to see him off. “We have no intention of joining any faction. We only wish to rely on our own strength to cultivate to higher realms. We appreciate your kind offer, Lord Zhao Wu. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself—I am Qin Si, and this is my younger brother Qin Shuang. Lord Zhao Wu, please!”

Zhao Wu stared at them in bewilderment, standing up with a puzzled expression. “You two really won’t reconsider? You should know Mysterious Valley is a true powerhouse with solid strength. Joining us would greatly benefit your cultivation.”

Qin Shuang frowned, sneering coldly, “I tell you to leave, you leave. Why so much nonsense? Why should we be dependent on others? Can’t we carve out a world of our own with our own cultivation?”

Hearing Qin Shuang’s words, Qin Si nearly applauded. Such words were impressive, resembling a newcomer who, though naive, had unwavering confidence in his own strength and dedication to hard training. Especially Qin Shuang’s tone lent credibility to his words.

Zhao Wu was about to turn and leave, but upon hearing Qin Shuang’s defiant words, a dark aura flickered behind his back. He spun around with a ferocious grin. “You want me to leave? Ha! Since I was born, no one has dared speak to me this way. I never expected that you two fledgling Celestial Gods would be so arrogant. You came to Ironflower City boasting of building your own power? That’s not up to you. Since you’ve arrived, don’t think you can leave.”

With a cold smile, he waved his hand, and dozens of people around him stood up—two Upper Celestial Gods and the rest Middle Celestial Gods. Mysterious Valley’s strength was indeed formidable.

“Hmm? Begging failed, so you resort to force?” Qin Si sized up the crowd with a smile, looking relaxed and confident. “I advise you not to try to deal with us, or you’ll regret it—deeply regret it!”

Qin Si emphasized the last four words with intensity, eyes blazing with combat spirit, eager to leap up and fight.

But Qin Shuang’s gaze halted him. Her growing sharpness made Qin Si increasingly reliant on and trusting of her. After all, between brothers, he trusted her completely.

Zhao Wu glared fiercely at Qin Si, then glanced at Qin Shuang with some hesitation, seemingly unwilling to quarrel outright. “If you two cease resisting and come back to Mysterious Valley with me to meet my father, we can call it even for today. I can even secure you fine positions... Honestly, Mysterious Valley is preparing for a major campaign soon. Joining now would be a perfect chance to demonstrate your strength. You might even be rewarded with top-grade Celestial artifacts!”

Qin Si looked at Zhao Wu curiously. “Top-grade Celestial artifacts? You Mysterious Valley sure don’t hold back. Those are precious treasures. I’ve been searching for one for years, but only have a mediocre Celestial artifact to use.”

He flipped his palm, revealing a top-grade artifact resting there. His face lit with excitement as he gazed at it. “I’ve used this treasure for over thirty thousand years—a hard-won find!”

Qin Shuang broke out in a sweat, watching Qin Si’s insincere show. She thought bitterly, “Big brother’s act is so fake it gives me goosebumps.”

Qin Si remained oblivious, mocking the crowd with a curious look. “If I join your Mysterious Valley, will I really get a top-grade Celestial artifact?”

“Heh, absolutely. You just heard their talk—the Purple Profound Alliance has countless treasures. Their leader is only an Upper Celestial God, comparable to me. My father sent people to spy on them the day before yesterday; they should have reported back by now. Once confirmed, we’ll...” Zhao Wu waved his hand, setting up a soundproof formation and lowered his voice into a sinister chuckle. “If we can eliminate the Purple Profound Alliance, won’t all their treasures become ours? Then giving each of you a top-grade Celestial artifact would be no problem.”

“You plan to attack the Purple Profound Alliance?” Qin Si shuddered, hatred rising within him. If they hadn’t arrived early in Ironflower City, they wouldn’t have known that some powers were already eyeing them. It seemed their recent attention-grabbing had not invited a siege but had aroused envy and scrutiny.

“Shh... keep your voice down. Though the Purple Profound Alliance isn’t very strong, this information can’t be leaked easily. Since you know this secret now, consider yourselves part of Mysterious Valley,” Zhao Wu said with a sinister grin, his gaze lingering on the two.

Qin Si chuckled and met Zhao Wu’s eyes, his expression suddenly cold. “Hmph! Planning to attack us while fearing we find out—shameless.”

Zhao Wu was startled, looking between Qin Si and the amused Qin Shuang before realization dawned. “You’re from the Purple Profound Alliance?”

“What do you think?” Qin Si retorted coldly. Suddenly, his spear appeared before Zhao Wu, and a black vortex enveloped him. The surrounding space collapsed, trapping Zhao Wu firmly inside.

The onlookers, hearing their conversation, had assumed Qin Si and Qin Shuang would submit to Mysterious Valley and were shocked by this sudden attack. Feeling an overwhelming pressure spreading from their bodies, the Celestial Gods quickly drew their treasured weapons. The surrounding space energy became chaotic as spatial rifts formed in their hands.

---

P.S.: Finally finished handling some official business. I’m about to receive my first payment—small, but enough for a month’s living expenses. From tomorrow, I’ll resume two updates per day, and if time permits, I’ll strive for three. Sorry for the recent delays, and thanks again to all the brothers and sisters who have supported me!

Also, I recommend a new novel by an elder brother: “Photographer Xia Dade Transmigrates to Another World, Becoming the Dragon-Slaying Hero Through a Randomly Altered Photo.”

In this wonderful new world, what can he do?

“Mon Chong 2009’s Most Anticipated Bestseller ‘I Want to Slay Dragons’ is now hot off the press, available soon in major Xinhua bookstores, with an exclusive early electronic edition on Qidian Chinese Network. Stay tuned for the latest chapters!”