Chapter 409: Gathering and Parting Depend on People

For a moment, the three people who had received such immense benefits were at a loss for words. They couldn't politely decline what they had been given, nor did they feel a simple thank you would suffice; that would be too ungrateful, especially with the way everyone else was looking at them.

“This incense is truly precious. I advise you not to reveal it easily unless absolutely necessary. Giving it to your sect now, or waiting until the next Divine Fire Domain opens two or three centuries later, will ultimately make no difference to your sect’s overall gains.

The biggest difference between giving it now or later might be to yourselves. If, by any chance, someone in your sect finds your rising prominence too threatening and decides to act against you, and you find yourselves unable to cope, this item might just buy you the opportunity to turn things around. If you empty your resources now, I'm afraid…”

Upon hearing this, everyone understood the Big Boss’s meaning: without leverage, they could be discarded once their usefulness ran out.

“Of course, I might be overthinking, but I still advise you to be cautious. Even if you can’t bear to hide it from your sects, I suggest you test their intentions. After you leave, if your sect truly finds you and wants you to return, you might consider telling them you didn't absorb any Divine Fire at all, and see how they react.

Rest assured, any disciples who know you absorbed Divine Fire have either been dealt with by me, or they have ulterior motives and won't easily spread the news, at least not for now. This buffer period should be enough for you to deal with your sects when they come looking.

What if—and I mean, just what if—they find out you absorbed no Divine Fire and no longer wish for you to return to the sect? Then, you truly need to consider carefully whether to immediately hand over this Divine Fire Incense.”

At the cave entrance, Wu Jinliang looked up at the stars, his mouth stretched into a grin from ear to ear, though he didn't laugh aloud this time. There were some things he already knew, and now he finally understood the full meaning of this entire play. The Big Boss was, indeed, still the Big Boss.

Upon hearing this, Tong Mingshan remained calm, as he had already cut ties with his sect before entering. An Wuzhi and Zhu Xiangxin, however, were truly startled by the words.

An Wuzhi quickly composed himself and said, “Big Boss, you overstate it. We’ve been discarded like old shoes; how could we possibly go back?” Although the Big Boss seemed genuinely willing to let them return to their sects, An Wuzhi absolutely dared not show any intention of parting ways at this moment. For no other reason than that they hadn't left yet, and it wasn't safe. As a former leading disciple at the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Conference, he possessed this much cunning.

Zhu Xiangxin, who had also recovered, promptly echoed, “Brother An is right, Big Boss…”

“Hey!” Shi Chun raised a hand to stop them. “I’m not being insincere with you, nor do I play games with my own brothers. If you can go back, then go back. More complete cultivation techniques benefit not only you; when you achieve success and fame in the future, it will also benefit us.

You also don’t need to worry about the Divine Fire Incense in your possession being leaked. Once we’re out, I’ll find a way to provide a satisfactory explanation to the various sects regarding the secret of finding the Divine Fire ritual, and it won't implicate you.

Alright, this matter is settled. Once you’re out, you can decide for yourselves. I won’t force you. Now, stop being so indecisive; it’s pointless.”

His attitude was resolute, and with that, he sent the group out.

Only then did An Wuzhi and Zhu Xiangxin realize that the Big Boss truly intended to let them go. All three, including Tong Mingshan, discovered that despite coming from the land of exile, the Big Boss was in fact a man of great magnanimity. While ruthless to outsiders, he was deeply loyal and kind to his own.

After exiting the cave, the three, deep in thought, instinctively gravitated towards each other.

After a period of silent glances in a secluded corner, An Wuzhi suddenly sighed. “Leaving everything else aside, just based on the Big Boss’s actions, our calls of 'Big Boss' all this time were not in vain. The time we spent together has truly been worth it.”

Zhu Xiangxin, genuinely touched, nodded slightly in agreement. Gazing at the incense stick in his hand, he said, “It’s like he’s helped us onto our horses and sent us off on our way. No wonder the old saying goes: 'Valor often comes from the dog-butchers, while ingratitude often comes from scholars.' If I, Zhu, ever have my day, I will certainly not let him down…”

He then suddenly realized that his last sentence seemed to reveal his intention to return to his sect, so he quickly changed his words and asked the two beside him, “What if our sects really come looking for us later?”

An Wuzhi shook his head, repeating the same evasive words he had used with Shi Chun: “We’ve been discarded like old shoes; there’s no returning just because we say so.” Since it was a feigned answer, he didn't completely shut the door on the possibility.

Tong Mingshan, however, was different. He stated solemnly, “Before I came in, the Hundred Refinements Sect had already sought me out, asking me to return. I’ve already explicitly cut ties with them face-to-face and made my stance absolutely clear. They shouldn’t come looking for me again.”

At these words, both An and Zhu were stunned into silence, realizing that all these sects were, in essence, cut from the same cloth.

Inside the cave, Chu Jingting and others, still somewhat bewildered, returned to Shi Chun after seeing off Tong Mingshan and the other two. They had nothing else to say, merely voicing the questions they had been holding back.

Chu, the Bearded, was the first to grumble, “Big Boss, let them go if they want to go. We haven’t treated them unfairly. We fought tooth and nail, and all the Divine Fire went to them. That’s already an immense benefit we’ve given them. For the sake of our brotherhood, we accept that. But do we really have to give them the shirts off our backs too? Isn’t that a bit excessive?”

Lao Changtai immediately chimed in, “That’s right, Big Boss, this Divine Fire Incense could absolutely fetch an astronomical price.”

Chen Wuji added, “Exactly, Big Boss, it’s definitely enough for all of us for a hundred years of cultivation resources.”

Fang Zicheng smiled wryly, rubbing his forehead. “Big Boss, while it’s true we’ve acquired some things since coming in, we haven’t even left yet. Our good days haven’t even begun, and we’re already starting to squander it away? Isn’t that a bit unsuitable?”

What he really wanted to say was: “You’ve only just emerged from the land of exile, enjoyed a few good days, and you’re already squandering your wealth like this?” Others secretly grumbled that it was the behavior of the nouveau riche.

In short, everyone voiced their displeasure, all speaking at once. Those three could return to their sects and enjoy boundless prospects and infinite glory, but they themselves couldn't go back. For them, as long as they could get out alive, sticking together was still the best choice.

What if they didn’t stick together? They had already been expelled from their sects, and by following the Big Boss in the Divine Fire Domain, they had offended so many other factions. Moreover, they lacked any outstanding skills to attract new patronage. Going solo truly made them uneasy; they worried about being killed.

They were already on the “pirate ship,” had openly committed their “crimes” without masks. How could they possibly disembark now?

They were now the staunchest proponents of maintaining the Bright Mountain Sect. If anyone dared to disband the sect, they wouldn't agree. So what if the Bright Mountain Sect was a weapon-forging sect? So what if they themselves couldn't forge weapons?

Dividing assets always leads to disputes.

Just then, Tong Mingshan’s voice suddenly came from the cave entrance: “I’ve already cut ties with the Hundred Refinements Sect; I won’t be going back.”

Everyone turned to look, seeing Tong Mingshan stride into the cave. Wu Jinliang, who had been happily guarding the entrance, had surprisingly given no warning beforehand. This meant Tong Mingshan had overheard all their complaints, which immediately made them feel awkward.

They instinctively separated to either side, clearing a path.

Tong Mingshan stood before Shi Chun and handed back the Divine Fire Incense, saying, “I won’t return to the Hundred Refinements Sect, so I have no use for this.” After all, it was a secret method for finding Divine Fire; if he hadn’t absorbed so much of it himself, he wouldn't have been sure he could bear to return it.

Shi Chun didn’t take it, smiling faintly. “It’s fine; keep it. What if the Hundred Refinements Sect comes looking for you again after you leave? You can decide based on the situation then.”

The others’ eyes flickered, looking from one to the other. Faced with such a treasure, both individuals displayed such nobility that it made their own previous complaints seem petty in comparison.

Tong Mingshan insisted, “Big Boss, you know I’ve already cut all ties with the Hundred Refinements Sect.”

Shi Chun replied, “Keep it. If the Hundred Refinements Sect doesn’t come for you, then let it be a prized possession of the Bright Mountain Sect.”

With such resolute words, what more could Tong Mingshan say? He hesitated for a moment, then silently put the item away.

Then Shi Chun looked at the others and declared loudly, “We are all brothers who have faced life and death together. Stop talking about ‘yours’ and ‘mine.’ Forget about those three; even if any of you want to leave after we get out, I won’t stop you. As brothers, I will not be stingy with any wealth I can provide.”

With that, he raised a hand, dismissing them and ushering the group out. Whether satisfied with the explanation or not, the group quietly departed.

Once everyone had left and it was quiet, Wu Jinliang, who had been at the cave entrance, crept inside and whispered conspiratorially, “Are you letting them go, or not?”

Shi Chun pursed his lips, pondering softly, “They are capable individuals with clean backgrounds whom we painstakingly found and invested so much in. When I knew their sects were looking for them, I truly didn't want them to leave. At the time, I also didn't expect them to absorb so much Divine Fire.

Now it's different; whether we stay together or disband is irrelevant. If they choose to stay, I'll be happy. If they want to return to their original sects, that's also fine. A forced melon is never sweet. Those brothers from East Nine Plains, when we could no longer offer them benefits and they found new opportunities, didn’t they all disperse?

In my opinion, whether it's the directness of the Land of Exile or the veiled intentions outside the Living Prison, it’s all the same. Ultimately, it’s about benefits first, then respect. If we can’t produce anything now, whatever we say is useless. Once they see the power we command when we emerge, combined with their prior experiences, they will seriously consider whether to stay or leave.”

Wu Jinliang looked at him suspiciously. “Then why did you give them that ‘Divine Fire Incense’?”

Shi Chun shot him a sideways glance. “You can’t figure this out? What if they took the item and left? They wouldn’t dare speak carelessly once they’re gone. The destruction of their sects is just a word from us. We don’t need to worry or exert ourselves; their sects can simply pull them into position. Why wouldn’t I give it to them?”

Wu Jinliang waved a dismissive hand. “I know that. My point is, that crucial item won’t stand up to verification when the Divine Fire Domain opens next time. It’s bound to be exposed.”

Shi Chun scoffed. “Aren’t you thinking a bit too far ahead? Why worry about such trivialities? By then, if it’s useless, it will simply be because it’s been stored for too long. If they don’t believe us, that can only mean one thing: that we’ve achieved nothing in two or three hundred years, and we deserve whatever judgment comes our way.”

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