Volume Two: Life as a Bandit - Chapter 32: Internal Strife

2—32

Golden radiance enveloped the entire God Realm. In a quiet valley eight hundred miles northwest of Ironflower City, thick smoke billowed into the sky, while one agonized roar after another rang out from within. Yet each cry was exceedingly brief, cut off almost the instant it began.

A moment later, dozens of figures suddenly appeared at the valley entrance. The man at their head glanced around with a grin.

“Maple Leaf Valley has been destroyed, and we’ve completed the Alliance Leader’s assignment. I wonder whether those fellows under Peaceful Heaven have finished theirs.”

A tall figure behind him laughed and answered, “These are nothing but minor characters. There was no need for the Alliance Leader to act; we dealt with them easily. Peaceful Heaven God King and the others will naturally have completed their task just as easily.”

The first man nodded, a smug smile spreading across his face.

“Since the mission is complete, we should head to the rendezvous point designated by the Alliance Leader. Once today is over, Ironflower City will belong entirely to us.”

Everyone behind him burst into laughter and hurried toward Ironflower City.

Standing outside the city with his hands clasped behind his back, Qin Si showed not the slightest excitement at the victory that was about to arrive. For the Purple Profound Alliance, seizing Ironflower City and battling the forty-eight factions within it were merely the first trials on the path to greatness. Qin Si’s thoughts had already drifted far away, toward other matters. After the endless miracles and shocks Qin Si and Qin Shuang had brought them, the members of the Purple Profound Alliance had long since grown accustomed to such effortless victories.

“Big Brother, they’ve all returned. Of the sixty-four factions, sixteen have either been absorbed or destroyed by us. Only the factions gathered at Paulownia Stronghold remain.”

Qin Shuang approached and spoke to Qin Si in a low voice.

“The election at Paulownia Stronghold should be nearly over. It’s time to make our move.”

Qin Si nodded. A mischievous smile appeared on his resolute face.

“What do you think Lu Qingshan will do once he discovers that the title of Alliance Leader he struggled so hard to obtain is nothing but an empty shell?”

Qin Shuang rolled his eyes. What else could he do? He would certainly be shocked—and hate every member of the Purple Profound Alliance to the bone. Was there really any need to ask?

Still, this was indeed a ruthless move: drawing the firewood from beneath the cauldron. No one would have expected that the Purple Profound Alliance had already bought over some of the people within those factions. Even less would they have imagined that, because of those very people, their grand alliance had become the greatest joke of all.

Behind the brothers stood Peaceful Heaven, Zhao Yongkui, and a host of God Kings, all bowing respectfully. Relaxed smiles adorned every face. When Qin Si had first proposed taking control of the Purple Profound Alliance, no one would have believed that these two young men possessed such ability. But now, none of the people behind them harbored the slightest doubt. They needed only to follow whatever these two young Alliance Leaders said.

Qin Si had exhausted every means to bring these people under his banner—threatening them, enticing them, and employing every method at his disposal until they were thoroughly subdued. At last, on the eve of the assault on Ironflower City, his efforts had borne fruit. From that moment onward, every member of the Purple Profound Alliance was completely convinced by Qin Si and Qin Shuang, following the brothers with absolute loyalty. The Purple Profound Alliance had finally begun to take shape.

At Paulownia Stronghold, Lu Qingshan and the others had not noticed that the Purple Profound Alliance’s army had already reached their gates. Watching the leaders of the various factions step forward to swear their oaths, Lu Qingshan’s heart surged with excitement and the blood in his chest ran hot. After so many ages of effort, he had finally reaped his reward and become the Alliance Leader of the overwhelming majority of the factions.

He firmly believed that, after this event, Paulownia Stronghold would become the greatest power in the vicinity of Ironflower City. Once he destroyed the Purple Profound Alliance, every other faction would surrender at the first sign of danger and become part of Paulownia Stronghold.

“Come to think of it, I really ought to thank the Purple Profound Alliance.”

Looking at the assembled gods below the platform, Lu Qingshan revealed a smug smile. If the Purple Profound Alliance had not come on so aggressively, frightening all the factions, how could he have taken advantage of the situation to achieve such a feat?

Purple Profound Alliance, Purple Profound Alliance… You were far too impatient. You two fools—how could an outside power make such a conspicuous bid for Ironflower City without arousing the vigilance and resentment of these people?

Lu Qingshan was delighted. The two Alliance Leaders of the Purple Profound Alliance were far too inexperienced. Their actions had driven all the factions to join together, while he had effortlessly plucked the fruit they had cultivated.

“Once I destroy the Purple Profound Alliance, I’ll be sure to repay you properly for this favor.”

Unable to contain his satisfaction any longer, Lu Qingshan chuckled softly.

“I swear that the Soul-Raising Sect will devote itself fully to the campaign against the Purple Profound Alliance and obey only the Alliance Leader’s commands…”

A God King stepped forward and slowly recited his oath. He was none other than the sect master of the Soul-Raising Sect, Azureleaf God King.

His eyes swept across the assembled gods below, pausing briefly when they reached Wan Peng. After giving the slightest imperceptible nod, he continued, “Anyone who dares offend the Alliance Leader will be regarded by the Soul-Raising Sect as our greatest enemy!”

Before he could finish, Wan Peng suddenly rose and angrily interrupted him.

“Azureleaf, what do you mean by that? The Alliance Leader—which Alliance Leader? Make yourself clear. The head of the Purple Profound Alliance is also an Alliance Leader. Since you’re swearing an oath, you should let everyone know which Alliance Leader you are pledging allegiance to. Otherwise, heh heh, being misunderstood would hardly be a good thing.”

Wan Peng’s interruption left everyone stunned. He was being completely unreasonable. Which Alliance Leader could there be? Naturally, it was Lu Qingshan, the master of Paulownia Stronghold, standing on the platform.

Lu Qingshan’s brows drew together slightly as he stared impassively at Wan Peng. What was he doing? Such a solemn oath had been completely thrown into chaos by a single sentence.

Wan Peng paid no attention to the uproar around him. He walked straight to the iron-faced Azureleaf God King.

“Since you’re swearing an oath, then say it clearly. You pledge allegiance to Alliance Leader Lu, not to some other Alliance Leader.”

“The Soul-Raising Sect will obey the arrangements of the Alliance Leader here. Whoever the Alliance Leader may be, we will devote ourselves fully to helping him destroy the Purple Profound Alliance.”

Azureleaf God King glared hatefully at Wan Peng.

“Brother Wan, do not cause trouble. The oaths sworn by many factions speak only of assisting the Alliance Leader without specifying his identity. I hope you will exercise caution before quibbling over such wording.”

Wan Peng gave a sinister little laugh.

“If you are assisting the Alliance Leader, then naturally you mean Alliance Leader Lu. But why do none of your oaths state precisely which Alliance Leader you mean? Could it be that you think Alliance Leader Lu is unworthy of being our leader?”

His words immediately provoked public outrage. The commotion below the platform grew louder by the moment. Fang Tao and the other two were furious to see him flattering Lu Qingshan so shamelessly. Yet, since his argument did contain a twisted semblance of logic—and this was not the time to act—they could only stare at him with livid expressions as he carried on making a scene.

As for Lu Qingshan, the frown that had creased his brow vanished at once after hearing Wan Peng’s words. He secretly decided that, once he had gained complete control over these people, he would reward Wan Peng handsomely. This was a fine subordinate indeed.

“Support Alliance Leader Lu!”

Taking advantage of the disturbance Wan Peng had caused, the gods belonging to Paulownia Stronghold below the platform naturally found an excuse to speak out, and they began shouting one after another.

Several figures came to stand beside Wan Peng. When Fang Tao and the other two saw them, their expressions changed dramatically. These four were God Kings belonging to the factions under their command, including Ten Directions Pool.

“God King Wan Peng is right,” one of the four declared, turning toward Lu Qingshan. “Since everyone has elected Alliance Leader Lu as our leader, we should work together to support him in his war against the Purple Profound Alliance, rather than speak insincerely and hide behind vague wording.”

He then raised his voice.

“Alliance Leader Lu, although I serve under Fang Tao God King of Ten Directions Pool, I fully support you. From this day forward, the four of us swear that we will submit unconditionally to Alliance Leader Lu’s leadership.”

“Wang Sheng, you have some nerve!”

Fang Tao shouted furiously. His figure flashed, and he appeared before the man, raising his hand to strike him across the face.

A streak of light blocked his attack. Lu Qingshan had seized his wrist and was smiling faintly.

“Brother Fang, treating your own subordinate this way—doesn’t that chill the hearts of others?”

Fang Tao flung Lu Qingshan’s hand away. His face had turned livid with rage as he glared at Wang Sheng, wishing he could tear the man apart with his bare hands. He could not understand it. He had always treated Wang Sheng with kindness. Why had this fellow suddenly chosen to submit to Lu Qingshan?

Could it be that Lu Qingshan had already planted spies among his subordinates?

Fang Tao turned around with an ugly expression, only to find that Shui Ruoyun and Gu Tai were both staring grimly at two of the people standing beside Wan Peng. Those two were their subordinates.

The three men exchanged glances and immediately understood what the others were thinking. They cast furious looks toward Lu Qingshan. Fang Tao sneered and demanded, “Master Lu, why are my subordinates showing such support for you? I’d appreciate an explanation.”

Lu Qingshan smiled and replied, “What do you mean, Brother Fang? Your subordinate’s support for me is his own decision. What does it have to do with me? Is there really any need for an explanation?”

“Bullshit!”

A furious roar rang out. It was Gu Tai stepping forward.

To be continued.