Chapter 2978: Chapter 2978
"This place is truly lawless—even bandit groups dare to flaunt their banners openly! And this is just a small squad?"
Ye Liuyun was somewhat taken aback by Peng Lei’s words, realizing the other party must have considerable strength.
However, Peng Lei spoke politely and didn’t appear particularly rough, so Ye Liuyun responded courteously, "Captain Peng Lei, since Wang Mang has nothing to do with you, why come asking us about him?"
His golden pupils and divine sense remained alert to the other group nearby, wary that they might be allies who could suddenly attack.
Peng Lei replied with equal politeness, "We only made a deal with Wang Mang. But before they could deliver the goods, you killed them!"
"Then why seek me out?" Ye Liuyun asked warily.
Peng Lei chuckled. "Haha, don’t misunderstand, Mr. Ye. Since the item is now in your hands, our deal can still proceed. Our First Star Bandit Group is the largest in the neighboring planet, operating businesses like merchant guilds, taverns, and more. We uphold our reputation—no cheating, even with children or elders."
He continued, "Our initial offer to Wang Mang was five hundred units of complete world origin energy. If you hand over the item, we’ll pay you immediately."
Ye Liuyun was stunned. He couldn’t imagine what resource in Wang Mang’s possession could be so valuable.
"Trading isn’t a problem," he said, "but I don’t recall Wang Mang’s group having anything that precious. Could you tell me directly what it is?"
Seeing his expression, Peng Lei realized Ye Liuyun hadn’t paid much attention to the item and likely didn’t know its purpose.
So he answered plainly, "It’s a black, triangular piece of metal. Not a treasure—just an ordinary ornament."
Only then did Ye Liuyun recall the triangular metal and immediately asked Lan Xin to retrieve it.
Tang Xinyao suddenly sent him a mental message: *That thing looks like a vault key.*
Ye Liuyun also felt it resembled a key. But regardless, anything worth that much couldn’t possibly be just a simple ornament.
"HAHAHA!"
A burst of raucous laughter erupted from another group of people.
This new group strode toward Ye Liuyun, while Peng Lei’s crew glared back, gripping their weapons tightly. It was clear the two factions were anything but allies.
"Peng Lei, that’s some wild exaggeration you’ve got there! Five hundred Origin Essences for a plain trinket? Does the First Star Bandit Brigade have so much money they don’t know what to do with it?" The leader of the opposing group mocked openly.
"Hu Fei, you want to stick your nose in this too?" Peng Lei shot back, his tone laced with menace.
Hu Fei merely scoffed dismissively. "The Dragon Head Bandit Brigade doesn’t fear the likes of you!"
Then, raising his voice, he bellowed at Ye Liuyun, "Kid, I’ll give you a thousand Origin Essences for that metal piece. Don’t even ask what it’s for. You outsiders—holding onto it will only bring you trouble. Sell it to us, and you might live a few days longer!"
Hu Fei’s words were rough, but to Ye Liuyun, they sounded more straightforward.
Still, without knowing the true purpose of the object, he wasn’t about to sell it so easily.
By now, Lan Xin had already retrieved the black triangular piece. Ye Liuyun quietly instructed her to have Tong Xin and Qiong Qi make a replica and study its function.
Meanwhile, he played the hesitant negotiator with the two factions, sighing dramatically. "Captains, your bidding only makes this harder for me. It’s not about the price anymore—it’s whether I can even walk away alive with those Origin Essences!"
Peng Lei and Hu Fei quickly grasped his meaning. The issue wasn’t just their competing offers—Ye Liuyun feared that selling to one side would provoke retaliation from the other, leaving him no chance to escape even with payment.
Now, their gazes locked onto each other, tension thickening between the two groups.
Both leaders hesitated. If they resorted to force, the other side would undoubtedly interfere. They had already spotted each other earlier, which was why neither had dared to snatch the item outright—neither wanted to give the other an opening.
A direct fight between them would be a deadlock, with neither side emerging unscathed.
After a moment of sizing each other up, both sides averted their gazes.
Hu Fei reacted swiftly, immediately turning to Ye Liuyun and saying, "Hand over the goods to us, and we’ll guarantee your safety—we’ll escort you out of here. Don’t worry about these people; they wouldn’t dare make a move against us!"
Peng Lei let out a cold snort. "Hmph! Hu Fei, this is our territory. Whether you can even walk out of here is still up for debate!"
Playing the part of the hesitant newcomer, Ye Liuyun sighed. "Captains, I’ve only just arrived and don’t fully grasp the situation here. I’m not familiar with either of your strengths..."
Both Peng Lei and Hu Fei frowned at his words.
They were at an impasse. Even if Ye Liuyun did understand the circumstances, the two factions were evenly matched—neither could decisively overpower the other.
So, without delay, each of them took out a communication talisman to report the situation to their superiors, seeking instructions on how to proceed.
After a brief pause, Peng Lei proposed to Hu Fei, "Why not have them sell the goods to the Merchant Guild? Then we can bid against each other—highest offer takes it. Fair enough?"
Hu Fei curled his lip in disdain. "You think we’re fools? Everyone knows the Merchant Guild is under your family’s control! Once it’s in their hands, do you really think we’d get a share?"
"Then what do you suggest?" Peng Lei shot back.
Hu Fei shrugged. "There’s no other way. Let’s settle this with a fight between the two of us—winner takes all. Better we duke it out than have our men bleed for nothing."
Peng Lei considered it for a moment and had to admit it was the cleanest solution.
"Fine," he conceded reluctantly.
Seeing his agreement, Hu Fei grinned. "Heh! I’ve been itching to beat you down for ages. Finally got my chance!"
Peng Lei merely snorted, refusing to engage in the taunting. Instead, he drew a longsword and steadied himself, ready for battle.
The bandits behind the two men had already retreated to a safe distance, wary of getting caught in the crossfire.
Ye Liuyun and his companions also took a few steps back, ready to enjoy the spectacle.
At that moment, Qiong Qi and Tongxin informed Ye Liuyun that the object in question resembled something like a treasure vault key—though it looked far too ordinary for them to be certain.
They could easily craft a replica, but just in case the original truly was a key, they planned to make subtle alterations to the engraved trident design. That way, the fake wouldn’t function even if it looked identical.
The materials they intended to use would also differ from the original—only appearing the same at a glance.
"Good!" Ye Liuyun praised their thoroughness and immediately instructed them to proceed with the plan.
