The thundering voice made Bubai look up.

  Seems the big man finally can’t stand it any longer.

  Creek—Crank. Crack.

  The binding chains snapped apart as if unseen hands twisted them.

  A wincing brute clenched his jaws and swallowed his cry when his dislocated arm roughly popped back into place.

  Divine intervention. Game’s over.

  “Pity…” Bubai sighed and peeked back into the storage pouch in his hand.

  There was still so much wealth waving back at him. Too bad.

  A casual toss sent the pouch back to its stumbling owner who barely struggled up to his feet.

  “Kek-” Jia Liang caught the light pouch, but his bushy face was still as ugly as a bruised apple. “You rat, give my stuff back!”

  Yo Merlin, ya hearing this? Will, he, Fang Bubai, ever spit back out what he already ate?

  A fox-like grin was born on Bubai’s face, and he politely fist-saluted toward the heavens as though addressing the unseen council of reason.

  “Oh, a wise man once said… anything brought on stage, prepare to lose. I, Mo Bubai, believe it’s only right that we wholly honor such profound wisdom! Don’t you agree?”

  “Nonsense!” Jia Liang snarled like a cornered beast that was about to lunge.

  “Don’t play word games with me! If you don’t hand over everything you stole and compensation for everything… I’ll make you regret it! Just wait and see!”

  “Hey, hey, so unreasonable…”

  Bubai merely chuckled, his eyes sparkling with a devil-may-care glint.

  The barking of a loser, who cares?

  But Bubai still knew some matters must be made clear, lest problems arises later.

  “Hey, I understand that loot disputes is always a cause for concern. Since we can’t come to a peaceful resolution, let’s seek the wisdom of the esteemed elders to fairly resolve what’s rightfully ours.”

  Painting himself as a picture of piety, Bubai reverently bowed and saluted to the real people in-charge above.

  “Junior Mo Bubai humbly seeks the esteemed elder’s judgment on this matter and is willing to abide by esteemed elders’ instructions!”

  “Kek, idiot.” Jia Liang’s scowl stretched wide, as if he has already won.

  His overconfidence wasn’t out of Bubai’s expectations.

  After all, if certain elders intervene in this squabble between juniors, it wasn’t hard to guess who they’ll favor!

  Still, Bubai chose to take this route because he knew it was best to prune some problems at its root while there’s still an advantage.

  What’s his advantage? That wide sea of audience.

  He’s banking that the strong weren’t shameless enough to eat their own words in front of the entire sect!

  On the off chance those elders really dared to do him dirty…

  Sadly, there’s nothing he could do about it. But… he can still go to the granny to sue them later!

  Sah… what is their decision?

  “It’s just a little change, not something our Jia Clan can’t afford.”

  Yep, the dice had rolled, and the outcome had landed squarely in his favor.

  But those words were like thunder to Jia Liang’s ears, and his head snapped up in disbelief. “What?! Great-grand—”

  His protest abruptly died in his throat and his face blanched like someone beaten by the reality of society.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  After all his confidence were smeared away like ink, the quivering brute grit his teeth and bowed his head.

  “Y-Yes, Liang’er will heed Great-Granduncle’s instructions.”

  Seems what needs to be said has been said. Divine transmission was so convenient.

  Bubai suppressed his cheeky grin, and let reverence polish his face. Another salute was directed upstairs.

  “Junior Mo Bubai is awestruck by the elder’s boundless magnanimity! My gratefulness can’t be put into words!”

  Grand Elder Jia let out a rumbling snort. “Huh! That’s it. This round. Jia Liang versus Mo Bubai, Mo Bubai wins. Now, clear the field!”

  After another bow, Bubai turned back to the completely-defeated gambler.

  There was no reason to not be friendly with this Jia Liang since this loser was literally Santa bringing him a Christmas present!

  So, Bubai gave him a “welcome to come again~” smile.

  “Junior Brother Liang, if there’s been any offense, Bubai is here to pay his sincerest apologies. Let’s not let today’s events harm the harmony between us.”

  “Humph!” The indignant bull stomped off without a second glance back.

  Bubai rolled his eyes and his gaze landed on the battlefield. Burning balm and weapons littered all around.

  That was all money—his money!

  Bubai blinked and bowed towards the heaven again.

  “Esteemed elders, may this junior have the honor of cleaning the field for the next contestants?”

  His answer was a strong gust of wind, swirling across the field and sweeping all the scattered mess away in one stroke.

  Bubai’s eyes lit up and greased his feet to chase over to the spot where it all piled up.

  On the sun disc above.

  The young and old scarecrows exchanged a quick glance, and the younger Tai Yinsu smiled at the matriarch by his side.

  “Yoh, your Feng Clan’s Tide Calling Art is convenient as always. How about-”

  “Not for sale.”

  The smile got shut down, and Tai Yinsu cursed inwardly. “Obstinate woman.”

  The young had boredom written on his face once more, while the old Tai Yinjun cracked a smile toward the rest.

  “Aye, what does everyone think of the dollie downstairs?”

  The scowling Jia Gufan held his chin. “That kid’s strength isn’t bad. But man, he really sounds so much like those hypocrites.”

  Smelling the gunpowder in the air, Ma Pei stroked his beard and casually defended.

  “Hoho… the wilds where I picked him up did indeed lie within those hypocrites’ territory. Born there, it’s no surprise he’s picked up their ways. But give it time and it’ll mellow out.”

  The scarecrow Tai Yinjun tried stirring the pot again.

  “Aye, words cannot be said like that. Some bones are too tough for even us to chew through. Isn’t that one still being baptized in the Saintess’s tent?”

  Ma Pei waved dismissively.

  “Hoho, that one’s a totally different story. This cheap brat’s willpower doesn’t even come close to that level. I heard he can’t even resist the beauty tricks played by Duke Wunan’s junior.”

  A smile sparked in Grand Elder Jia’s eyes. “Oh? There is such a thing?”

  Pretend. Keep pretending! Ma Pei rolled his eyes. “Duke must be very busy lately.”

  Grand Elder Jia chuckled nonchalantly and stroked his braided beard.

  “The games of juniors, since when do we pay much attention. Speaking of games... the next game should be a junior of Elder Mo Badao’s, shouldn’t it?

  “Indeed.” Mo Badao shot a glance at the grand elder to transmit a message.

  Grand Elder Jia looked over. “Oh? Are you certain?”

  With a face showing nothing, Mo Badao nodded. “Yes. I’ve already discussed it with that junior of mine.”

  Grand Elder Jia’s squint narrowed into a fox-like glimmer. “Hoh? Interesting…”

  Below in the arena.

  Bubai finished packing up his pile of combat goodies and dusted off his hands with a happy face.

  What considerate elders! They earned Uncle Bubai’s approval!

  Straightening up, Bubai made his way to the exit with a half-smile, already thinking about his next challenger.

  “If I’m not wrong, next round should be someone from the Mo Clan?”

  By now, the investigation report should’ve been sent to where it should.

  Will the silly cat’s owner use this chance to do something?

  Just when Bubai stepped out of the battlegrounds, the announcement for the next challenge came down like a hammer striking an anvil.

  “Next round. Sun Snake List, fourth seat, Mo Guguai challenges… Inner Disciple Long Batian!”

  Nani?! Bubai’s steps paused for a split second before unhurriedly continuing on his way.

  The gears in his mind immediately went into overdrive, working out everything.

  The winner of this match is obvious. Why?

  Because one side will be a no-show for reasons that need not be mentioned.

  As for why this challenge went through?

  If he wasn’t wrong, that Long Batian had an official resource allocation quota under his name.

  Don’t underestimate this sect’s Inner Disciple allowance.

  This official quota was actually one of the main incentives used by elders to entice geniuses to come under their wings!

  Know that regular inner disciples without support only enjoys the basic perks of their status and a free manual from the Book Pavilion.

  But for everything else? They had to pay out from their own pockets.

  On the other hand, the official quota actually covers the inner courtyard rent, provides monthly rations alongside stipends, and even comes with a yearly free dao companion quota!

  It doesn’t sound like much, but the lives of foundation realm cultivators were long.

  Once years and decades pass, these little costs will rack up big time!

  Hence, this official quota was something that even lower-ranked inner disciples would fight for!

  But they’ll never get the chance now.

  A clever game was at play here.

  Thanks to an unnamed hero’s contribution, a quota had just opened up.

  This limited quota originally belongs to the Mo Clan, and now, it was neatly passed back to their own junior.

  Sect-style: Insider Trading at its finest.

  As expected, old gingers knows to play the game in a way that will let the water flow back into their own pockets.

  Well, do what they want. It’s got nothing to do with innocent little him, anyways!

  For Bubai, he’s just happy he gets a free bye round.

  Since that’s the case, Bubai chose not to loiter in the corridor, lest his behavior becomes an excuse for somebody else to complicate his day.

  “Back to the lounge, I go.”

  Hopefully, he’ll be able to sit tight there, staying safe and sound till the next round.

  “Uh… I’m not raising a flag, right?”