Volume One: First Entering the Path Chapter Ninety-Four: The Heaven-Stealing Band

The leader at the front advanced at an unhurried pace toward Qi Yi and Wen Yu. The distance between them had never been great to begin with, and before long the group had reached the two of them.

When the man stopped a few steps away, he abruptly raised a hand to signal the others behind him. At once, the rest halted and stood silently at his back.

Then the man made several more gestures, conveying something in a language only they understood. The men watching those signals immediately fanned out, and from a distance it looked as though they were subtly encircling Qi Yi and Wen Yu.

Seeing this, Qi Yi’s expression grew grave. He lowered his voice and said to Wen Yu beside him, "They may have come with ill intent. Be careful, Yu. If anything happens later, use everything you have and run."

Though Wen Yu seemed careless at times, she was a girl after all, and in moments like this her keen instincts made her understand the seriousness of what he had said.

She nodded and replied just as quietly, "I understand, Brother Qi."

"Good. Then let’s see what they want," Qi Yi said softly.

When the man saw that his men had formed their position, he looked at Qi Yi and said, "I take it the two of you must be members of the Qi family?"

Qi Yi was puzzled by how these people knew who they were. Judging by the situation, it was obvious that they had come prepared, and any attempt to hide it now seemed futile.

After a moment’s thought, he looked at the man and said generously, "Indeed we are. May I ask who you are?"

The man waved a hand. "Since that is the case, I’ll say it plainly. We are the Sky Thief Gang. As for me, I am Situ Hong, leader of the gang. These men behind me are my brothers."

"What?" Qi Yi was startled. "So they are the Sky Thief Gang? But we have no dealings with them at all. How did they set their sights on us?"

Hearing this, Wen Yu tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Brother Qi, is this the gang that does nothing but evil?"

Qi Yi gave a slight nod and murmured, "Looks that way."

"Then what do we do..." Wen Yu’s worry deepened, and she reached for his hand.

Feeling her fear, Qi Yi tightened his grip and comforted her. "It’s all right. Let me see what they want first. If things go wrong, I’ll hold them off while you escape as fast and as far as you can."

"All right," Wen Yu said, worry still clear on her face, but she agreed nonetheless.

Qi Yi patted her hand lightly, then looked at Situ Hong and cupped his fists. "So you are Leader Situ. I have long admired your reputation."

At that, Situ Hong suddenly burst into laughter and said, "This young man from the Qi family is rather interesting. Admired my reputation? I suspect you mean my infamous reputation."

Before Qi Yi could reply, Situ Hong went on, "From the looks of it, you’ve all heard of our Sky Thief Gang. In that case, there’s no need for me to beat around the bush."

"What do you mean, Leader Situ? We rarely concern ourselves with the outside world. If we have somehow offended you, please make it clear," Qi Yi said, still polite.

"Boy, I can see you’re clever, so spare me the useless talk. You haven’t offended me, and neither has your Qi family. But who doesn’t know the Qi family is a famous noble house, drowning in wealth? I imagine the two precious heirs of the Qi family are worth quite a lot as well?" Situ Hong laughed again before adding, "Wouldn’t you agree, brothers?"

"Yes!"
"Leader is right!"

The men around them echoed his words one after another.

Only then did Qi Yi understand their purpose. Yet he did not panic. Instead, calm settled over his face, and a thoughtful light appeared in his eyes.

"So Leader Situ has taken a liking to my family’s wealth. You could have said so earlier. Why go through all this trouble?"

"Oh? So you’re quick on the uptake. Then I won’t waste words." Situ Hong’s expression remained unchanged, his tone full of confidence. "Will you come quietly, or do you want to suffer a beating first and then be tied up by me?"

Qi Yi clenched his fists, but he kept his composure, his expression steady as he said again, "Leader Situ cannot be a man who acts without reason. I have a suggestion. I wonder what you think of it."

Situ Hong’s eyes took on a mocking look. Certain that Qi Yi and the others would not dare play any tricks, he said confidently, "Oh? Let’s hear it."

"Since your goal is merely money, why not let us brother and sister return home to fetch it and then bring it to you? Of course, such words alone would hardly earn your trust, so I can sign and seal a written guarantee in my own name. If you still do not feel at ease, you may follow the two of us back to our home, and I promise you will receive everything you deserve," Qi Yi said slowly.

Situ Hong thought for a moment, then laughed without mercy. His face changed, and his voice turned thick with anger. "Boy, are you trying to make a fool of me?"

"Why would Leader Situ say that?" Qi Yi responded immediately.

"Your little scheme is quite clever, but do you really take me for an idiot?" Situ Hong said, his gaze teasing as he glanced at Qi Yi. "Right now, everything here is under my control. If I were foolish enough to follow you back to the Qi family, no matter how nicely you speak now, once we got there things might not be so simple."

Qi Yi knew his intentions had been seen through, but he still continued, "Leader Situ misunderstands me. I, Qi Yi, may not have much ability, but I do keep my word. How about this instead: leave me here as a hostage and let my younger sister return home to retrieve the money."

At that moment, the advisor standing beside Situ Hong stepped forward and whispered into his ear, "Boss, that boy is slick-tongued and keeps going in circles. I don’t know what he’s plotting. To be safe, we should strike first."

Situ Hong nodded and waved a hand. "Boy, since you’re smart, I won’t waste any more time talking. Move."

At his command, the people around them raised their weapons and pressed forward, closing the distance to Qi Yi and Wen Yu.

Qi Yi’s eyes turned cold. In a chilling voice, he said, "So Leader Situ is determined to make an enemy of my Qi family? I wonder whether the Sky Thief Gang has enough strength to endure our family’s wrath afterward."

As he spoke, he gave Wen Yu a subtle glance, and releasing her hand, he sent her a silent message through thought: Run. I’ll hold them off.

Wen Yu wanted to stay, but she knew that if she remained, she would only be a burden. So she nodded and slowly backed away.

"What if we do make an enemy of the Qi family? What can you do to the Sky Thief Gang?" Situ Hong said carelessly. Then he added, "Boy, I advise you to be sensible and stop trying any tricks. Otherwise, once we start, none of my brothers here are the sort to show mercy. It would be a shame if your young masters and young miss ended up with a few extra wounds."

While Situ Hong was speaking, Qi Yi kept urging Wen Yu to leave faster. After retreating a few steps, she turned and fled with all the strength she had, sprinting away into the distance.

The advisor noticed her escape first and shouted at once, "Stop her! All of you, catch her and don’t let her get away!"

At once, several of the men broke off to pursue Wen Yu.

Seeing this, Situ Hong roared in anger. "Boy, you’re still trying to play games with me? Then don’t blame me for being ruthless later."

"If Leader Situ insists on taking us no matter what, then I have no choice but to fight with everything I’ve got. Come at me," Qi Yi said, his voice full of resolve.

Situ Hong laughed in exasperation. "Good, good. Since you’re determined to walk straight into death, don’t blame me."

With that, he said, "I’ll show you exactly how wide the gap between us is."

As soon as the words fell, Situ Hong shot forward.

Qi Yi met him head-on, his eyes resolute.

Yet even though he had prepared himself for the worst, he still underestimated the enormous difference in strength between them.

After all, Situ Hong was a genuine Core Formation expert, while Qi Yi was only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.

As a result, before the two had even exchanged more than a few moves, Qi Yi was already defeated and sent crashing to the ground.

Situ Hong clapped his hands and looked down at Qi Yi sprawled on the earth, mocking him with open contempt. "Boy, do you understand now just how big the difference between us is? A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator dares challenge me. Your courage is admirable, at least."

Qi Yi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, spat, and said, "Old fool, you’ve only cultivated a few years longer than I have. What is there to be proud of? Since I’ve fallen into your hands, I have nothing to say. But one day, I will repay today’s humiliation tenfold."

Situ Hong shook his head and sneered. "Young people are always full of fire. Your tone is certainly bold, but whether you’ll ever have another chance to say such things is another matter."

"Boss, the other girl has already been caught," the advisor said as he stepped forward.

"Good," Situ Hong said with satisfaction.

"Brother Qi!" Wen Yu’s voice suddenly rang out.

"Brother Qi! What happened to you?" Seeing Qi Yi lying on the ground, Wen Yu rushed to him at once, her voice trembling with tears.

Qi Yi gently rubbed her hair and comforted her. "I’m fine. Don’t worry."

Wen Yu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and cried, "Brother Qi, I’m sorry. There were too many of them, and I was too slow."

"It’s all right. As long as you’re safe. They didn’t do anything to you, did they?" Qi Yi wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and asked with concern.

Wen Yu shook her head.

"Good. Don’t worry. If their aim is to kidnap us and extort money from our families, they won’t do anything to us," Qi Yi said, still trying to reassure her.

"But..." Wen Yu said, still choked with tears.

"It’s fine," Qi Yi said, understanding what she wanted to say. He took her hand and spoke gently.

Seeing this, Situ Hong sneered. "What touching sibling affection. I’m almost moved to tears. Enough nonsense. Hurry up and tie them both up."

"Yes."

The men immediately moved in and bound the two of them.

Situ Hong nodded in satisfaction and ordered, "Let’s go. Once this job is done, every brother here will be rewarded."

With that, he turned and headed first toward the airship.

The others brightened at once, their spirits high, and hurried after him.

"Go? A mere Core Formation cultivator like you isn’t worthy."

A familiar voice suddenly drifted through the air.

"Ah, Brother Junze!" Wen Yu cried in delight.

"Senior?" Qi Yi said at the same time.

Indeed, it was Ye Junze’s voice.

Hearing it, Situ Hong halted at once and said, "Whoever you are, since you’re here, why not show yourself? There’s no need to play ghost and mystery."

Ye Junze’s voice came again from the air. "Very well. As you wish."