Volume Two: Life as a Bandit, Chapter Thirty-Three: Playing Along with the Scheme

Gu Tai, his face flushed with anger, pointed a finger at a Divine King standing behind Wang Sheng and demanded, "Zhong Man, surely you aren't going to act like Wang Sheng, are you?"

"This..." Zhong Man hesitated, his face reddening slightly as he replied, "Currently, our common enemy is the Purple Profound Alliance. Leader Lu's intention is for us to unite against them. I believe we should take a stand here to pledge our utmost support to Leader Lu. As for everything else, we can address it once the Purple Profound Alliance has been destroyed."

"Hmph, preposterous!" Gu Tai, a man of straightforward nature who never beat around the bush, pointed directly at Lu Qingtian and said with a sinister tone, "Chief Lu, or should I say, Alliance Leader Lu, tell us—what kind of benefits did you promise them?"

Lu Qingtian was also growing annoyed. He hadn't offered these people anything; if they were willing to defect, what did that have to do with him? With a clear conscience, his tone hardened. "Fang Tao, Gu Tai, and Sister Shui, I, Lu Qingtian, have always acted with integrity. If your subordinates are willing to pledge their loyalty to me, you should ask them for the reasons yourself, rather than coming here to cast aspersions on my character."

"Hmph." Shui Ruoyun, who had remained seated, let out a cold snort. "Alliance Leader Lu, you and I have been Divine Kings for quite some time now. Think back on what you just said—do you really think that holds any water?"

"This..." Lu Qingtian was momentarily struck dumb. Shui Ruoyun was right. To abandon one's original leader without any reason and willingly pledge loyalty to another faction—such a thing was unlikely even for common God-men or Heavenly Gods, let alone Divine Kings.

"Something is wrong..." Sweat suddenly beaded on Lu Qingtian's forehead. "There is something suspicious about this."

"No kidding, of course it's suspicious." Fang Tao stood up abruptly. "I'm done with this ridiculous meeting. I am taking my leave. When the time comes to attack the Purple Profound Alliance, I, Fang Tao, will certainly fulfill my oath and give it my all. Wang Sheng... what do you intend to do? Will you stay here, or... will you come back with me?" Fang Tao narrowed his eyes. Although a smile lingered on his lips, everyone present could sense the killing intent radiating from him.

"I am leaving too..." Shui Ruoyun stood up as well and said to Fang Tao, "Brother Fang, I intend to visit the Ten Directions Pool for a few days. How does that sound to you?"

"Haha, of course I would welcome you, though I fear my humble place might be beneath you, sister," Fang Tao chuckled.

"You..." A flicker of malice flashed in Lu Qingtian's eyes. "Don't forget, our common enemy is the Purple Profound Alliance. Your names are still on their bounty list. Once you step outside Tongmu Stronghold, watch your lives."

"Many thanks for your concern, Alliance Leader Lu." Gu Tai had already reached Fang Tao and Shui Ruoyun, and he said with a mocking tone, "With the three of us together, we have no fear of sneak attacks. As for the Purple Profound Alliance, we will find a way to deal with them. I truly do not believe they can do anything to us."

"You..." Lu Qingtian was choked with anger, but to act now would mean forcing the three of them away. He suppressed his rage and sent a divine message to Fang Tao, Shui Ruoyun, and Gu Tai simultaneously. "The three of you, don't you find this matter suspicious? I truly haven't given them any benefits, yet they chose this moment to openly betray you and pledge loyalty to me. Don't you realize something is wrong here?"

The other Divine Kings could not perceive their telepathic exchange. Upon hearing Lu Qingtian's defense, Shui Ruoyun furrowed her brows. "Are you saying someone is deliberately trying to divide us?"

"Exactly. Divide us, make us suspicious of one another, and shatter our internal unity. Who would benefit the most from that?" Lu Qingtian continued.

"The Purple Profound Alliance?" Fang Tao suddenly realized. "By causing internal division and then buying off a few Divine Kings, it would be child's play for them to break our alliance."

Gu Tai was silent for a moment before saying, "The Purple Profound Alliance certainly has the wealth to bribe the Divine Kings under our command..."

"Precisely. I had been wondering who could kill a Divine King so easily," Lu Qingtian said viciously. "If it were other Divine Kings within the alliance, they would naturally have the opportunity to strike with a single blow through a sneak attack."

The three of them exchanged glances. Fang Tao said, "Perhaps we were indeed careless." As he spoke, he turned as if to head back.

"Wait, Brother Fang," Lu Qingtian urged. "Since the Purple Profound Alliance wants to split us, why don't we play along? If they want to divide us, we will put on a show of division. When the time comes, we can launch a pincer attack from the inside and out, and then..."

The three stopped upon hearing this. "That plan is indeed sound," Gu Tai said. "However, Chief Lu, don't take this the wrong way, but I still want to know: after the Purple Profound Alliance is destroyed, how will we position ourselves? A consolidation of power is inevitable, but I wish to know your intentions, Chief Lu."

*This Gu Tai is always looking to stir up trouble,* Lu Qingtian cursed inwardly. Still, he needed to provide them with some reassurance. "That will depend on the outcome of the battle against the Purple Profound Alliance. If enough Divine Kings survive, I would still prefer that we remain independent and maintain an alliance. We four should remain the central axis of this alliance. After all, I have no desire to attract the attention of those major powers."

Fang Tao frowned. "And if few Divine Kings survive?"

"If few survive, we will at least preserve our four factions. Of course, we will maintain an alliance, which will lay the foundation for future development without making us too conspicuous."

"Very well!" Shui Ruoyun said. "We will follow Alliance Leader Lu this time, but we will not be taking any more oaths."

"That is only natural," Lu Qingtian replied. He felt no issue with this, though he was beginning to harbor suspicions about Wang Sheng and the others.

Lu Qingtian's eyes darted around. "The three of you, we should put on a play for the Purple Profound Alliance; otherwise, they won't believe it."

Fang Tao just smiled and said, "Wang Sheng, are you coming with me, or staying here to serve Alliance Leader Lu?"

Wang Sheng looked conflicted. "Boss Fang, I've just sworn my oath. You see..."

"Hmph!" Fang Tao snorted. "You spineless wretch."

Shui Ruoyun and Gu Tai were more detached; they didn't even bother asking their own subordinates and prepared to leave with Fang Tao.

"Hold it." Lu Qingtian shouted, his face darkening. "Fang Tao, Shui Ruoyun, Gu Tai, it seems you haven't taken this meeting seriously at all. I will tell you clearly: with the war against the Purple Profound Alliance imminent, I do not want any slip-ups. Before the Purple Profound Alliance is wiped out, the three of you must remain in Tongmu Stronghold."

Shui Ruoyun looked at Lu Qingtian and smiled. "Chief Lu, do you really think we three lack the ability to escape?"

"Heh, the three of you, I am acting for the greater good. I hope you understand." Lu Qingtian glanced left and right. "Guards! Seize them!"

Lu Qingtian had an ulterior motive; in such a situation, the Divine Kings who were most eager to stand out were the most likely to have been turned.

"I'll do it!" No sooner had Lu Qingtian spoken than Wan Peng stepped forward. "Everyone, with a great battle at hand, internal strife is the greatest taboo. However, Pavilion Master Fang, Pavilion Master Shui, and Tower Master Gu have truly gone too far today. They have opposed everything time and again, nearly ruining the greater cause."

Lu Qingtian frowned. He never expected Wan Peng to be the first to step forward. He was unwilling to believe that Wan Peng had been turned, assuming instead that Wan Peng was truly trying to help him realize his dream of unification.

When Fang Tao saw Wan Peng, he laughed. "Haha, Wan Peng, don't tell me you think you can defeat the three of us all by yourself?"

Wan Peng looked around, but seeing that no one else was responding to his lead, his face reddened. "Uh, I mean... is there anyone willing to lend me a hand in stopping these three leaders from leaving Tongmu Stronghold?"

"Pah, ignorant fool. We are leaving now," Gu Tai said as he strode toward the exit. The space had been sealed, making instant travel impossible, but Gu Tai’s speed was still immense. In just two or three strides, he had reached the entrance.

"Whoosh—" Like a whirlwind, Divine King Yuancheng flew to the gates of Tongmu Stronghold. He cupped his hands and said, "Tower Master Gu, please stay. We are at a critical stage in dealing with the Purple Profound Alliance; I ask that the three of you stay and assist us." His voice sounded somber. He had not been turned; rather, his hatred for the Purple Profound Alliance was absolute because they had killed his subordinates.

Fang Tao reached the entrance as well. "Divine King Yuancheng, I, Fang Tao, have given my oath, so I will certainly do my part. It is just that Alliance Leader Lu’s conduct is disheartening, and I have no desire to participate in these kinds of discussions."

"Regardless of that, we must proceed with caution. The most important thing now is not to leak any information to the Purple Profound Alliance. The moment anyone steps out of Tongmu Stronghold, there is a possibility they might tip them off," another Divine King added as he flew over.

Lu Qingtian felt stifled. He had trusted Yuancheng and Wan Peng implicitly, hoping their actions would reveal some clues, but now, the situation had descended into complete chaos.