Volume Two: Life as a Bandit, Chapter Forty-Eight: Outside Water-Severing City

Duanshui City, located in the south of Tiehua City, is roughly the same size as its northern neighbor. Unlike Tiehua City, however, it lacks complex factional infighting. Because it possesses a portion of the God Stone mines, it has not been abandoned like Tiehua City.

"There are three major factions in Duanshui City: the Duanshui Sect, the Pengliu Sect, and the Santing Valley," Ping Tian whispered, his face drawn as he followed Qin Si toward the city gate. "In short, the Duanshui Sect is the most powerful. Originally, it was the only power here, and the city itself was named after the sect. However, the rise of the Pengliu Sect and Santing Valley in recent years has greatly curtailed the Duanshui Sect’s ability to dominate the region."

Ping Tian stole a glance at Zhou Fei'er, who was looking around with a mischievous smile. Seeing no reaction from her, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"The Duanshui Sect? How many God Kings do they have?" Just as Ping Tian was congratulating himself on her lack of interest, Zhou Fei'er, who was clinging to Qin Si’s arm, suddenly asked with excitement.

"Uh... well, Miss Zhou... or rather, Deputy Alliance Leader Zhou, the Duanshui Sect has nearly two hundred God Kings. That’s twice as many as our Zixuan Alliance..." Ping Tian’s heart, which had just settled, leaped back into his throat. This seemingly innocent young girl was, in essence, a true demon.

Speaking cautiously, Ping Tian silently railed against Qin Si, who had dragged him out under the guise of "gaining experience." If they wanted to go to war with Leifa City, so be it, but to leave behind a hostage—and why, of all people, this eccentric, capricious girl?

Thinking of this, Ping Tian wanted to weep. This girl—the one who forced him to call her Deputy Alliance Leader—had spent the last century doing countless bizarre and maddening things.

"Two hundred..." Zhou Fei'er tilted her small face to look at Qin Si’s expressionless features, lost in thought.

Ping Tian felt a glimmer of hope. "She didn't immediately suggest raiding them. It seems she realizes the strength of the Duanshui Sect."

He thought of the thirteen God Kings still being held captive in the Zixuan Alliance. Their miserable state made even their enemy, Ping Tian, feel a pang of pity. They hardly deserved the title of God King anymore. Just thinking about how these thirteen, their cultivation sealed, were forced to spend their days planting grass and flowers in Zhou Fei'er’s courtyard made him shudder. To have a high-and-mighty God King reduced to a servant—any proud God King would choose death. But one needed the chance to die; Zhou Fei'er had kidnapped their families and brought them to the Zixuan Alliance’s new headquarters, explicitly telling them that if anyone dared to commit suicide, their entire family would be wiped out. This was no innocent girl; this was a demon. Ping Tian thought this with bitter resentment, all while maintaining a respectful smile. He didn't want to be punished for offending the little witch.

"Wow!" Zhou Fei'er suddenly shrieked. Qin Si remained stoic, and Ping Tian looked as though he were long accustomed to it. She blinked her large, bright eyes at Ping Tian and exclaimed with delight, "With so many God Kings, if we snatch a few dozen, the Duanshui Sect wouldn't blame us, right?"

...Ping Tian suppressed the urge to vomit blood. Rolling his eyes, he forced a fawning smile. "Well, heh heh, Deputy Alliance Leader Zhou, if someone were to snatch a dozen God Kings from our Zixuan Alliance, what would you do?"

"Who would dare? I’d have my father wipe them out!" Before Ping Tian could finish, Zhou Fei'er’s face darkened, and she shouted angrily, "Even if the Heavenly Venerables from Leifa City dared to come and snatch people, I wouldn't spare them. I’d at least pull out all their beards!"

"That settles it, then. If we go and snatch God Kings from another faction, what do you think their reaction will be?" Ping Tian gave a bitter smile at Qin Si, but seeing him staring straight ahead with an "I hear nothing" expression, his heart trembled violently.

"Oh..." Zhou Fei'er realized, sticking out her little tongue. "They would definitely be angry. No one likes having their subordinates snatched and treated like servants."

Ping Tian shot her a look that said, "You finally realize?" and ignored her, rolling his eyes.

"Little Si-si..." Zhou Fei'er fell silent for a moment before suddenly shaking Qin Si’s arm, using a cooing, cloying tone that made one feel as though they had fallen into an ice cellar. "It took us a whole century to snatch only thirteen God Kings. Our influence is expanding too slowly..."

Qin Si shuddered, his face contorting with emotion. He glared at her. "Do not call me that, or I will truly lose my temper."

Ping Tian held back his laughter, saying nothing. When he had first heard the nickname "Little Si-si" a century ago, he had nearly burst out laughing. However, out of fear of Qin Si’s authority, he had suppressed it, his face turning bright red.

Zhou Fei'er opened her wide, watery eyes, looking at Qin Si with an innocent, aggrieved expression. "But I like calling you that..."

Qin Si felt the urge to bite his tongue and end it all. His face twitched as he cursed the two bastards hiding in the Jiang Lan Realm for their seclusion. If he hadn't lost the drawing of lots, he wouldn't be suffering at the hands of this little witch.

Thinking of this, he turned around angrily, only to see Ping Tian trying to stifle his laughter. His rage flared, and he kicked Ping Tian flying, cursing, "It’s all because you bastards cheated, making me lose to those two. Hmph, for the next thousand years, don't even think about running away."

Ping Tian flew back with an innocent expression. Qin Si had pulled his punch, so he wasn't injured. He cried out in injustice, "Alliance Leader... you drew the lots yourself!"

"Hmph, you’re still talking? Go find a place to stay!" As he spoke, Qin Si’s face twitched again. This little witch seemed carefree, but she was incredibly picky about her lodging. Whenever they went out, she insisted on the most comfortable place. If she couldn't find one, she would force her way into the homes of God Kings, kidnap them, and seize their nests. Those thirteen God Kings were captured precisely because they refused to let Zhou Fei'er stay with them.

Hearing the order, Ping Tian ran off quickly. In his mind, the farther away he was from this little witch, the better. Even a deathmatch with the Duanshui Sect would be a hundred times better than staying here.

Zhou Fei'er looked at Qin Si pitifully. "Let’s go snatch the Duanshui Sect’s God Kings."

"You're insane!" Qin Si rejected her suggestion without hesitation. The Duanshui Sect’s power was more than twice that of the Zixuan Alliance, and their Sect Leader, God King Li Feng, had comprehended Time Stasis an epoch ago. Although Qin Si did not fear him, it was not wise to offend him lightly.

"I'm not insane. I am the Deputy Alliance Leader of the Zixuan Alliance. Revitalizing Zixuan is my duty. How can you treat a meritorious official of the Zixuan Alliance like this?" Zhou Fei'er looked as if she were about to cry. "I’ve told you so many secrets about Leifa City, how can you treat me this way..."

Qin Si, helpless, finally growled after a long moment, "What exactly do you want? I have had enough of your unreasonable behavior for the last century. If you continue like this, don't blame me for taking measures!"

Zhou Fei'er blinked her large eyes pitifully for a long time, looking aggrieved. "I didn't want anything. Why are you shouting at me? Father has never shouted at me. You, you, you are actually being so harsh to me."

Qin Si felt a surge of hot blood rush from his feet to his head, making him want to cough up blood. In his frustration, he threw a punch at the city wall.

Boom! A black space crack appeared instantly on the wall. The defensive formation clashed with Qin Si’s power for a moment, and with a thunderous roar, a three-meter-wide hole was blasted into the wall...

"Uh..." Zhou Fei'er stared at Qin Si, dumbfounded. She hadn't expected his casual punch to have such power. While astonished, she also felt a sliver of fear toward him. This Upper Heavenly God was terrifying.

Qin Si was equally depressed. Since he was old enough to know better, although he had been pampered, he had immense self-control. He had never lashed out due to an inability to control his emotions, yet today he had lost control because of this little witch. Not only had he lost control, but he had also accidentally unleashed a secret technique—usually reserved for use with his spear—using only his fist.

The loud crash drew the attention of many in Duanshui City. The gods who had enjoyed peace for countless epochs never imagined that, in front of the powerful Duanshui Sect, someone would have the courage to challenge their majesty—other than the largest factions in the Hongmeng Divine Realm or that heroic young man from several epochs ago who had nearly destroyed the sect. Surprised and shocked, gods and Heavenly Gods rushed toward the wall, wanting to see which expert could be so formidable.

Ping Tian, who had just booked rooms at the Hunbin Hotel, heard the explosion. He was stunned for a long time, cursed his luck, and rushed to the wall. Seeing the broken section, he was filled with admiration, but he couldn't help but frown.

"Who is so bold as to run wild in my Duanshui City? Get out here!" An angry shout erupted from the southeast of the city. Before the voice faded, a figure appeared before the crowd.

Qin Si looked up to see a man with a dignified appearance. His eyes swept across the surroundings with an air of distinction before landing on Qin Si. He sneered coldly, "Did you destroy the wall?"