Chapter 282: Great Performance

“Fifth Brother, we made our arguments. All of us understand the implications behind what action we will be taking. As long as we choose to serve under the Changfeng City, our problems will be solved. They will release Third Brother immediately too. What’s stopping us now?” The second in command spoke, and his tone was shockingly gentle. However, there seemed to be no room for discussion when he made his statement.

Uncle Cen growled, “Second Brother, if we do that, we’ll betray the Tongyou Institution. No one will believe a group of traitors anyway. Even if we enter the service of the Changfeng City, they’ll use us like how we’ve been used by the institution!”

The bald expert snorted in response, “As you said, we’re also being used right now. No matter which side we stand on, they’re only using us to do their dirty work. Why don’t we choose the stronger backer anyway? Fifth Brother, don’t forget, we’re a bunch of bandits!”

“I told you before that the Changfeng City isn’t just working with the Ji Continent. They’re colluding with the members of the Azure Spiritual World! You’re right, we’re bandits and we’re a bunch of criminals. However, we’re members of the You Continent at the end of the day! If we choose to work with the Changfeng City, we won’t be betraying the institution, we’ll be betraying our identity as members of the You Continent!” Uncle Cen snapped.

All of them fell silent as soon as the words left his lips.

Only after some time did their second in command speak up. “When the Eighteen Horsemen was first formed slightly more than ten years ago, the Tongyou Institution managed to establish themselves as the only power guarding the entrance to the battlefield between the two worlds.”

No one knew why their second in command was bringing their history up, and everyone turned to look at him.

“In the years that passed, we have always maintained the number of experts in our group. There were many who gave up, died, and were replaced. Some of them were called back to the institution, and some of them disappeared completely. How many times have our members changed since then?”

Their leader frowned and asked, “Second Brother, what are you implying?”

The man didn’t answer his question immediately. He swept his gaze across the other horsemen before sighing, “In the years that passed, we were the weapon of the institution. We risked our lives countless times. We have already paid for our crimes.” Pausing for a moment, he continued, “In other words, we don’t owe the institution anymore! Have you ever thought about it? None of those who have ever been called back to the institution were rewarded! Have you heard of any of those who left being rewarded with advancement formulas to break through?”

When he saw the looks on the other’s faces, he increased his volume accordingly. “That’s right! None of them were rewarded! To put it bluntly, none of us sinners are trusted by the institution anymore! Even if we return to the institution in the future, we wouldn’t be able to take a step further in our cultivation!”

He turned to look at their leader and continued, “Boss, you have already reached the grand completion stage of the Martial Intent Realm. You’re not even fifty years old this year! You’re more than capable of stepping into the Martial Extermination Realm in the future! Are you willing to return to the institution only to be abandoned?”

.

The leader of the group grunted softly, and his expression fell. However, he didn’t say a word in response.

Their second in command then turned to Uncle Cen. “Fifth Brother, the city lord has already made me a promise. The moment we agree to serve them, he’ll do everything in his power to assist us to break through to the Martial Extermination Realm…”

…

On the hill, Mister Bu snorted softly, “Nonsense. He’s just lying to them at this point. Yang Hu doesn’t even have a rank four advancement formula. He can’t help them break through.”

Shang Xia nodded subconsciously.

“However… Yang Hu chose to work with the White Deer Paradise. He might have requested for a rank four advancement formula in return! Even so, the herbs required to make a portion of advancement medicine aren’t something he can gather easily. Does he think they’re cabbages that grow at the side of the road? Even if he has some herbs, why would he give them to outsiders like the Eighteen Horsemen?” Mister Bu continued his deduction.

“?” Shang Xia wanted to say something, but Mister Bu’s expression changed slightly and he stopped Shang Xia with a single gesture.

In a low voice, Mister Bu whispered, “Wait, someone is coming.”

Shang Xia wanted to use his divine sense to inspect his surroundings when Mister Bu stopped him yet again. “It’s the people from the Changfeng City. Fuck, they actually surrounded them so precisely. Looks like someone among the Eighteen Horsemen is a traitor.”

Shang Xia caught sight of the threat closing in and he frowned. “Should we warn them?”

“Relax. There’s nothing to worry about. No Martial Extermination Realm expert came along. We’ll decide our next course of action after seeing what happens.” Mister Bu smiled.

Shang Xia finally recalled that the expert squatting beside him was a true blue Martial Extermination Realm expert. Due to their interaction earlier, Shang Xia almost forgot that he was speaking to the expert the Tongyou City hid in the Changfeng City.

As long as Mister Bu decided to protect the Eighteen Horsemen, it didn’t matter how many people the Changfeng City sent. Unless Yang Hu came personally, everyone else would be buried in the sand once Mister Bu made up his mind to attack.

However, the expert seemed more interested in rooting out the traitor who sold the others out to the Changfeng City.

Patting Shang Xia’s shoulders, Mister Bu indicated that it was time for them to change locations. The two of them used the cover of the tall weeds to run out of the encirclement, but they remained close enough to observe the huge battle that was sure to take place.

…

“Second Brother, don’t tell me you believe that bullshit! Also, when did you meet Yang Hu to hear his conditions? Aren’t you afraid that the Tongyou Institution will deal with you in the future?” Uncle Cen growled.

Before the second in command could reply, a voice rang through the air.

“A wise man submits to his circumstances. If Brother Liu can try to persuade you, my father will definitely do as he promised. As for the institution, they can’t even deal with their own troubles at the moment. Why would they care about you guys?”

“Who?!” The leader of the Eighteen Horseman, Boss Sha, roared before turning his head to the source of the voice. Countless rays of blade intent filled their surroundings, tearing everything to shreds.

A figure tore through the air before a huge fist made from heaven and earth qi tore a path into the blade qi in the air. The figure drifted slowly back down after he was done.

“I’ve long since heard of Leader Sha of the Eighteen Horsemen. With your Manifestation Collapse martial intent, not many opponents in the Martial Intent Realm can match up to you. Your reputation is well deserved indeed. I am Yang Zhenbiao of the Changfeng City and I greet the Eighteen Horsemen!”

Yang Zhenbiao stood opposite the sixteen experts with an expressionless face.

After he spoke, dozens of experts from the Changfeng City revealed themselves behind him. They formed a tight encirclement around their target.

The horses that belonged to the members of the Eighteen Horsemen present neighed loudly all of a sudden, and they collapsed on the ground in unison. It was clear they had been drugged earlier.

The members of the Eighteen Horsemen present reacted differently. Boss Sha, Uncle Cen, and a few others got ready for battle. However, their second in command, Brother Liu, walked towards Yang Zhenbiao with his fists cupped together. “Young City Lord, please treat them well!”

Uncle Cen roared with rage, “Second Brother, did you leak our position? How dare you betray us and work with the Changfeng City?”

“Shut up! I didn’t betray us! I gave all of us a way out of this!” Brother Liu turned around and snapped.

Uncle Cen sneered coldly in response. “Bullshit! How do you explain this? If we don’t accept your suggestion today, will we be walking out of here alive/”

Brother Liu sank into silence. However, the awkward situation was broken with a laugh from Yang Zhenbiao. “Everyone, please don’t misunderstand. Brother Liu really gave you a chance. If he really wishes to betray all of you, he can rally everyone here to mount a rescue operation on your third brother in the city. When that happens, all he has to do is to tell us your plan and we’ll capture all of you anyway. The only reason we’re taking such a reasonable approach is because he convinced my father that he will be able to convince you guys.”

Turning to look at Brother Liu, Yang Zhenbiao continued, “From the looks of it, his goodwill is going to go up in smoke. I guess it’s still up to me to clean up the mess today.”

Brother Liu gave Yang Zhenbiao a deep bow and sighed, “I hope Young City Lord can show them some mercy. Capture those who are unwilling to serve City Lord Yang, and I believe they will see the light in the future. There’s no need to kill anyone. In the future, we will be part of the Changfeng City’s strength.”

Glancing at Brother Liu from the corner of his eye, Yang Zhenbiao looked at the members of the Eighteen Horsemen they surrounded before sighing, “Naturally. How can I say no to Brother Liu’s request? Please.”

Brother Liu took a step forward and yelled, “Fourth Brother, Seventh Brother, Eighth Brother, what are you waiting for?”

Those he called out looked at each other before leaving the group. There were a few others who followed to stand behind Brother Liu.

The only person who hadn’t moved was the bald expert. Brother Liu glared at him and snapped, “Fourth Brother Zeng, what are you waiting for?!”

The bald expert who was supposed to be a part of them chose to remain in the group at that moment. His expression turned complicated but he shook his head resolutely, “Second Brother, we can always fight among each other due to our differences. Even if we have to part ways eventually, I believe all of us won’t blame the other party. However, you didn’t ask any of us before making the decision for us as a whole. You shouldn’t have colluded with outsiders against your brothers.”

“Fourth Brother, you agreed with me previously. Are you regretting your decision now?” Brother Liu growled.

With a resolute look in his eyes, Brother Zeng raised his bald head and glared at Brother Liu. “If we don’t agree, it looks like none of us will be walking out of here today, right?”

“Fourth Brother…”

“Since that’s the case, there’s no need for more discussion. I won’t be leaving with you today!” Brother Zeng roared.

“Hehehe…” Chuckling in amusement, Yang Zhenbiao waved his hand. The cultivators who came from the Changfeng City got ready to attack.

Brother Liu yelled, “What are the rest of you waiting for? Boss, Are you going to let the others…”

“Sigh…” A soft sigh interrupted him. Under the shocked gazes of those present, Boss Sha stepped out and cupped his fists towards Yang Zhenbiao. “Are you really willing to give us a rank four advancement formula?”

Raising his hand to top the experts of the Changfeng City, Yang Zhenbiao muttered, “Of course! However, we’re still locating some of the herbs required to make the advancement medicine. I hope Boss Sha can wait for two more years.”

“I have the time. I hope City Lord Yang doesn’t forget his promise today.” Boss Sha muttered.

After he spoke, he stood beside Brother Liu with his eyes closed.

Despite his actions, Brother Liu tossed over a glance full of doubt. Regardless, it didn’t matter. Seeing as their leader had already chosen to submit, two others emerged from the group to stand beside Brother Liu.

At that moment, only seven of the original sixteen members of the Eighteen Horsemen remained in the middle of the encirclement. They were the bald expert, Brother Zeng, Uncle Cen, Sixth Sister Gu, Ninth Brother Huang, Tenth Brother Zhao, Seventeenth Sister Yuan, and Eighteenth Brother Mao.

Seeing as they were basically done, Yang Zhenbiao’s gaze turned chilly. “Take them down. If they resist, kill them!”

Brother Liu hesitated for a second and he wanted to say something. However, he was stopped by Yang Zhenbiao.

Boss Sha remained expressionless as though the fate of his fellow Eighteen Horsemen had nothing to do with him.

Dozens of feet away, Shang Xia sighed softly, “This is a great performance indeed.”