Chapter 2980: Chapter 2980
However, the Shou Xing Bandit Group on the planet ahead also wielded considerable influence, boasting over five thousand members. The leaders of both bandit groups were at the fifth level of the Gui Yi realm, making their strength fairly evenly matched.
Having just arrived, they were still unfamiliar with the local dynamics. Liu Yun wasn’t keen on clashing head-on with the established forces too soon.
During their journey, Liu Yun and his companions noticed several scouts tailing them, though it was impossible to tell which bandit group they belonged to. Fortunately, the scouts didn’t dare to make a move, allowing them to enter the planet smoothly and head straight for a nearby city.
Once there, they quickly secured an inn, renting out an entire courtyard to settle in. Meanwhile, Liu Yun’s doppelganger immediately donned an invisibility cloak and slipped out to gather intel on the local situation.
Not long after they settled in, an elderly man dressed as a merchant, accompanied by two guards, arrived at their doorstep. The man was at the fourth level of the Gui Yi realm.
"Master Ye, I am Pang Muxi, a steward of the local Shou Xing Merchant Association. Forgive the intrusion," the old man greeted politely. "Has Pang Lei of the Shou Xing Bandit Group sought you out before?"
"Steward Pang, please come in," Liu Yun replied courteously. "Pang Lei did approach me, but..."
Seeing Liu Yun’s friendly demeanor, Pang Muxi didn’t hesitate and followed him inside. As they walked, he pressed, "But what?"
Liu Yun sighed regretfully. "I witnessed him being killed by members of the Long Tou Bandit Group."
Pang Muxi seemed pleased that Liu Yun didn’t conceal the truth from him. Instead of pressing further, he took a seat and began a leisurely conversation.
Inside the room, Tang Xinyao and Tang Hao stood behind Liu Yun, lending him silent support.
Liu Yun then recounted everything from their encounter with Wang Mang up until their arrival at the inn—though he carefully tailored the story to reveal only what he wanted them to know.
But he spoke with such conviction that Pang Muxi found it quite believable.
"Could Mr. Ye recall what the remaining five martial cultivators from Hu Fei’s group looked like?" Pang Muxi inquired.
"I remember one of them—a man with a knife scar on his chin. He glanced at us before leaving. The others, I have a rough impression of, but I wouldn’t swear to it," Ye Liuyun replied with an air of seriousness.
Pang Muxi nodded and didn’t press further. Instead, he shifted the conversation to the matter of their deal.
"We know Hu Fei has already offered a price of a thousand Origin Essences. We’ll match that—how about selling the item to us instead?"
Ye Liuyun agreed without hesitation. "The price is fine. That thing is nothing but trouble in our hands, and we know we can’t hold onto it anyway. But, Elder Pang, could you keep this transaction discreet? You understand—we’re newcomers here, just trying to scrape together some resources. If word gets out, we’ll have a target on our backs, and life won’t be easy for us after this."
He figured such a request was only natural. In fact, *not* asking for secrecy would have seemed suspicious.
At first, Pang Muxi was slightly taken aback by Ye Liuyun’s immediate agreement. But upon hearing his reasoning, he quickly understood—Ye Liuyun genuinely feared keeping the item and wanted to offload it as soon as possible to avoid drawing the bandits’ attention again.
Pang Muxi let out a hearty laugh and nodded repeatedly.
"Well, since Mr. Ye is being so straightforward, I’ll do you a favor in return. We’ll publicly claim you simply *gave* the item to us. But whether anyone believes that... I can’t guarantee."
His meaning was clear—given how ruthless and cunning the bandits here were, even if they announced that Ye Liuyun had handed it over freely, none would take it at face value.
Ye Liuyun understood this as well, so he didn’t press the matter further. Instead, he repeatedly thanked Pang Muxi. "We’re already deeply grateful for Manager Pang’s consideration!"
With that, he promptly produced the triangular metal piece, eager to complete the trade—as if he couldn’t bear to keep it a moment longer.
Pang Muxi took it, examining it briefly while stealing a glance at their expressions. Ye Liuyun’s face carried a look of relief, as if a weight had been lifted. But Tang Xinyao and Tang Hao clearly wore expressions of confusion and reluctance.
Pang Muxi finally smiled and put the item away.
He noticed that when he stowed it, Ye Liuyun seemed slightly tense, as if worried he wouldn’t pay. Tang Xinyao and Tang Hao also frowned simultaneously.
This convinced him even further. He immediately took out a Interspatial Ring and handed it over, reassuring Ye Liuyun, "Rest assured, Mr. Ye. Our First Star Bandit Group keeps our word on this planet—our business dealings are fair to all, young or old!"
Ye Liuyun quickly scanned the Interspatial Ring with his divine sense before breaking into a smile, repeatedly thanking Pang Muxi.
He made a good impression on Pang Muxi, who felt that Ye Liuyun not only told the truth but also knew how to read the situation.
So when Pang Muxi returned, he genuinely ordered his subordinates to keep it a secret, publicly claiming that Ye Liuyun had handed over the item voluntarily.
Meanwhile, Ye Liuyun’s doppelgänger had already taken control of a martial artist with his soul power, sending him to the tavern to gather information. He then quickly withdrew to the estate to avoid detection by any powerful figures in the area.
While scouting earlier, he had sensed several unusual auras—three of them particularly formidable, likely experts at the fifth or sixth level of the Unity Realm. There were also a few others whose presence was deliberately concealed, likely stronger cultivators hiding their true strength.
Uncertain of their backgrounds, he dared not act too boldly or probe them recklessly. He’d have to proceed cautiously.
After Pang Muxi left, Tang Xinyao couldn’t help but ask Ye Liuyun curiously, "You really just sold that thing so easily? Don’t you even want to know what it’s for?"
Ye Liuyun feigned indifference. "It was something I got for free—why should I care? The resources in my hands are the only real ones."
With that, he handed the thousand units of origin energy he’d earned to Wu Qingcheng, instructing her to divide it equally among Tang Xinyao and the others.
"Fine. I won’t overthink it then!" Seeing Ye Liuyun’s nonchalant attitude, Tang Xinyao finally relaxed.
When the doppelgänger returned, Ye Liuyun took Tang Xinyao and Tang Hao out to stroll the streets, familiarizing themselves with the surroundings and gauging the locals’ reactions to them.
They soon noticed that most people in the city didn’t pay much attention to outsiders. Public order was decent—though fights weren’t prohibited, they didn’t witness any outright brawls.
However, those near the city gates were clearly keeping a close eye on anyone trying to leave.
"Looks like getting out of the city won’t be easy," Tang Xinyao observed.
Ye Liuyun nodded in agreement, finding it perfectly reasonable.
Even if bandits ruled this place, they wouldn’t want to scare off potential visitors—after all, long-term profits mattered. But outside the city? That was beyond their control. They wouldn’t waste manpower on unprofitable ventures.
