I Stepped on a Bug, and the System Says I Slayed a Dragon?

Chapter 281 - 280: Meng Tianxuan’s Invitation

"So, that’s how it is..."

High in the sky, Meng Tianxuan frowned in thought. After digesting this bombshell of information, he gradually recovered from his shock.

With Qin Yang’s identity revealed, everything that had happened before now made sense.

No wonder he had successfully stepped into the Venerable Realm at such a young age...

And so many Venerables from the Heaven-Blasting Gang were willing to go through fire and water for him. Even when they sacrificed themselves, they didn’t have the slightest complaint.

They even considered it an honor!

’This young man is truly remarkable.’

The more Meng Tianxuan thought about it, the clearer things became, and a sense of relief washed over him.

’Good thing I didn’t hurt him last time.’

’Otherwise, if I had injured the Young Master of the Heaven-Blasting Gang, the resulting war between my Venerable Alliance and the Heaven-Blasting Gang would have been a fight to the death!’

’The consequences would have been unimaginable!’

’After enduring that barrage of self-destruction from those madmen, I have no desire to experience it a second time!’

At this thought, Meng Tianxuan looked at Xiao Yan, coughed lightly twice, smoothed the hair at his temples, and said politely, "Since the Heaven-Blasting Gang Leader is unavailable, I, the Alliance Leader, won’t insist... I was just wondering if the two of you could introduce me to Qin Yang?"

As he spoke, he sighed. "I was rash before and caused much offense. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me."

"Hmph! So pretentious!"

Liu Wushuang crossed his arms and snorted. "Such a two-faced bastard."

Meng Tianxuan’s hypocritical act was making him sick.

"..."

The words reached Meng Tianxuan’s ears. A vein throbbed on his temple, and he felt a surge of anger, but he suppressed it. He looked at Xiao Yan, the true representative of the Heaven-Blasting Gang, and asked:

"Flame King, what is your opinion?"

"You can meet him."

Xiao Yan nodded and spoke in a low voice, but just as he was about to continue...

Before he could finish, Liu Wushuang couldn’t hold back and interrupted, "Senior, Meng Tianxuan’s invitation comes with ill intent. Letting Qin Yang go is probably not a good idea... What if he makes a move on the Young Master?"

"You don’t need to worry about it. I will handle the rest."

Xiao Yan waved his hand reassuringly, then turned back to Meng Tianxuan. "I can agree to your request, but it will ultimately depend on our Young Master’s wishes. I can relay your message, but whether he comes or not is entirely up to him! If he doesn’t, there’s nothing I can do."

"That’s only natural."

Hearing this, Meng Tianxuan breathed a sigh of relief.

He could finally relax.

’Thankfully, the Flame King didn’t listen to what Liu Wushuang just said.’

’As long as the message can be relayed, there’s a chance to de-escalate the situation. Based on what I’ve heard about Qin Yang’s personality, although he likes to slack off, he ultimately cares about the common people.’

’An important matter like the Blood Spirit Array will definitely catch his attention!’

「Meanwhile.」

Across from him, Xiao Yan was also scheming.

’This meeting isn’t just about getting the secret from Meng Tianxuan. More importantly, I wonder if I can trigger the system’s reward again.’

’If I get seriously injured again, maybe it could trigger an even bigger reward!’

At the thought of this, Qin Yang called out to the system in his mind a few times.

But...

There was no response...

’Nothing? Or is it just not time for it to trigger yet?’

At this, Xiao Yan frowned in thought for a moment before giving up. He looked at Meng Tianxuan and returned to the topic at hand:

"Name a time and place.

I will return and inform the Young Master. Just be there and wait for him."

"Alright, three days!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Tianxuan held up three fingers and said slowly, "In three days, we will meet at the borderline southeast of the apartment complex, just outside Jianghai City, to avoid any eavesdroppers."

"Fine."

Xiao Yan nodded. "I will relay this message to the Young Master."

Hearing this, Meng Tianxuan nodded in satisfaction. He approved of this outcome. As long as the message was delivered, there was a seventy to eighty percent chance Qin Yang would show up. All he had to do was wait patiently.

"Good, good."

Then Meng Tianxuan shifted his gaze to Liu Wushuang, his expression turning serious.

"Liu Wushuang, this time, for the Heaven-Blasting Gang’s sake, I will forgive your betrayal. I hope you will do more good deeds in the future. You must not join a cult and bring evil to the world...

Otherwise, when that day comes, I, the Alliance Leader, will be the first to eliminate you! To rid the world of a menace for the people!"

"?"

As these words echoed in his mind, a question mark slowly formed over Liu Wushuang’s head.

He was instantly speechless.

’He makes it sound so righteous.’

’As if joining the Heaven-Blasting Gang is the same as joining a cult.’

’And he’s going to "personally eliminate" me?!’

’Pinning this on me is just absurd!’

’Have you no shame!?’

’I’ve never seen such a shameless person!’

"Pah! A hypocritical, despicable villain like you dares to lecture me, the Arrow God?"

Liu Wushuang spat, looking Meng Tianxuan up and down with contempt. "Are you even worthy?"

Every word struck a nerve. Before Liu Wushuang had even finished, Meng Tianxuan’s face turned red with anger and embarrassment.

"Liu Wushuang! Don’t be so outrageous!"

"For better or worse, I was once your Alliance Leader. That attitude of yours... you’d best go home and work on it."

As Meng Tianxuan spoke, his voice grew quieter and more suppressed. Rage surged in his chest, but he forced himself to endure it.

There was nothing he could do.

’The message hasn’t been delivered yet. I just have to stomach this anger and not say anything, lest I provoke the Heaven-Blasting Gang.’

In the end, Meng Tianxuan swallowed his frustration. After being perfunctorily dismissed by Xiao Yan and Liu Wushuang, he left the Martial Arts Academy, seething with resentment.

"Thank you for saving my life, Flame King."

After he left, Liu Wushuang cupped his hands and thanked Xiao Yan. "If you hadn’t intervened to save me, I’m afraid the Alliance Leader would have already taken me away..."

"It’s nothing."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly. "Don’t worry about it. Since you’ve joined the Heaven-Blasting Gang and taken the initiative to work for the Young Master, it’s only natural that we look out for and support each other."

"Mm,"

Hearing this, a warmth spread through Liu Wushuang’s heart. This kind of support was exactly why he had joined the Heaven-Blasting Gang.

’The seniors of the Heaven-Blasting Gang have stable Dao Hearts. They aren’t hypocrites like Meng Tianxuan. Joining the Heaven-Blasting Gang was definitely the right choice!’

At this thought, Liu Wushuang nodded lightly.

"It is my honor to inherit the title of Arrow God and to sacrifice myself for the Heaven-Blasting Gang. In the future, if you ever need someone to self-destruct to boost morale, Wushuang is at your beck and call!"

The words had barely left his lips.

"Self-destruct?"

Xiao Yan shook his head, then waved his hand and said:

"That won’t be necessary. From now on, unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t always be thinking about self-destructing, Liu Wushuang. If you can prioritize your own safety, then run. Don’t try to tough it out.

After all, it wasn’t easy for you to reach the Venerable Realm through cultivation. You should cherish it... Besides, the Heaven-Blasting Gang isn’t short on the self-destruction of one Earth Venerable."

In truth, a part of this was due to Qin Yang’s own selfish motives.

’After all, Liu Wushuang is a top-tier expert who lives for another five hundred years. There’s no telling when he might trigger a system reward again. If he just self-destructed like this, it would be a huge loss!’

"Senior, thank you for your kind intentions."

Hearing this, Liu Wushuang’s tone became even more respectful. He cupped his hands humbly and said, "But isn’t self-destruction our Heaven-Blasting Gang’s tradition? Now that I’ve joined, I must naturally uphold it!"

Xiao Yan: "..."

......

「That night.」

The moonlight was gentle, blanketing the quiet and peaceful Fuhai District.

In the villa’s kitchen, Xiaobai, wearing a light blue checkered apron, bustled in front of the stove, frantically making soup and other dishes. The rich aroma of the broth was already wafting into the living room.

"Master, are you really going to accept the Venerable Alliance’s invitation?"

Xiaobai turned down the heat, returned to the sofa, picked up her phone, and resumed the game-boosting match she hadn’t finished. "I feel like it’s definitely a trap. Are you sure it’s a good idea to just walk right into it like that...?"

"I’m going. Why wouldn’t I?"

Qin Yang opened his eyes, exiting the Enlightenment Space, and looked at Xiaobai. "I’ll be sending a clone anyway to test the waters and see what he’s really up to. If there’s a problem, worst case scenario, I’ll just self-destruct, right?"

"Oh, right..."

Hearing this, Xiaobai flicked her fox tail, and her ears suddenly perked up. Her petite body sidled up closer to Qin Yang.

"Your clone ability is so useful, Master! When are you going to teach your servant...? How can I, the great Lord Fox Immortal, the number one Fox Immortal of the Heaven-Blasting Gang, not even know how to make a clone? If this goes on..."

Before she could finish, just then...

KNOCK KNOCK!

A knock came from the door.

"Senior Brother, it’s me!"

"Come on in, Junior Sister. No need to be so formal."

Qin Yang called out.

As his voice fell...

SWOOSH!

The sound of rustling robes came from outside.

A moment later, Li Zixuan walked into the living room, her pretty brows knitted together, a cloud of anxiety hanging over her.

"Why the long face, Junior Sister?"

Qin Yang looked at her and asked, "Is there a problem with the Law again?"

"No, Senior Brother... It’s about Meng Tianxuan."

Li Zixuan sat on the sofa, staring into Qin Yang’s eyes with concern. "Senior Brother, are you really going to the meeting? Could Meng Tianxuan be deliberately trying to trap you? Do you need me to go with you?"

Three questions in a row.

Li Zixuan’s mind was in turmoil.

"It’s fine, Junior Sister. I have my own plans for this. You don’t need to get involved."

Qin Yang sighed and said reassuringly, "I’m actually curious to see what kind of tricks he’s planning to pull."

’The memory of Meng Tianxuan swallowing his pride is still fresh. He was even willing to lose face and give up on the traitor, Liu Wushuang, just for a chance to talk.’

’Just thinking about the secret behind it is enough to pique my curiosity.’

’Besides, I’m sending a clone anyway. Even if there’s a trap, I can escape in time!’

’It’s perfectly safe!’

"But..."

Li Zixuan didn’t know what Qin Yang was thinking, and his words only made her more worried. "Senior Brother, what if that Venerable Alliance Leader has a conspiracy?"