LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 242: Perhaps This is Genius
Qin Bei’s resolute voice left Qin Zhengji utterly perplexed.
“My dear grandson, what do you mean you don’t want anything? What do you mean?”
Qin Zhengji inquired cautiously.
He was worried that what Qin Bei was hinting at was exactly what he had dreaded in his heart.
“I mean I don’t want to sacrifice my soul power anymore.”
Qin Bei turned his head, looking surprisingly a bit proud.
This left Qin Zhengji feeling terribly frustrated.
This little rascal seemed to be trying to gain the upper hand over him right from the get-go.
“No, didn’t we agree on this? If possible, you’ll help me dispel the demonic energy’s corrosion?”
At this moment, Qin Zhengji’s tone softened considerably.
It had been steeped in dark demonic energy before, but now he was completely past that.
Perhaps it was because the last bit of his eroded soul had already been interred, or maybe because Qin Bei could actually help him now, he figured a gentler approach might do the trick.
But even though his attitude was good, it didn’t make much of a difference in front of Qin Bei.
“When did I ever agree to that with you?”
Qin Bei blinked his innocent big eyes, asking.
Qin Zhengji: …..
“Does that not count? After all, I am your great-great-great-grandfather!”
Qin Zhengji asked in frustration.
“Of course it counts! I’m helping you now, aren’t I? Just look, at least the time you lost because of me is completely made up for now, right? And there’s even a little extra.”
Qin Bei replied matter-of-factly.
“Fine, fine, I see now! After I told you my story and shared so much, you’re not moved at all.”
“Not at all! I was really touched after hearing the love story of my great-great-great-grandfather. Such a breathtakingly moving tale, it made me envious! However, I’ve always positioned myself as a businessman. Merchants never take losses in business. Even brothers must settle accounts clearly, don’t you think, Great-great-grandfather?”
At this moment, Qin Bei finally spilled his little secret.
He was really just trying to squeeze some benefits out of Qin Zhengji.
After all, this was the third generation of Emperor Xia; even in death, he surely left behind a treasure trove.
Qin Bei didn’t need much, just a little something for himself.
“Oh~ I…”
Qin Zhengji was about to yell, but when he saw Qin Bei’s smiling face, all the words of reproach got swallowed back down.
“My lovely grandson, why didn’t you say so earlier? You just want an opportunity, right? I’ve got plenty of those! Don’t worry; when the time comes, pick whatever you like! Soul beads! Don’t you want soul beads? I have loads of them, just take them!”
With that, Qin Zhengji pulled out dozens of soul beads from a certain space.
Each soul bead was genuine, brimming with pure soul power.
Maybe they wouldn’t mean much to a mighty cultivator like Qin Zhengji, but for Qin Bei? They were worth their weight in gold.
Moreover, Qin Bei could feel that one of these soul beads equaled hundreds or even thousands of those obtained from the outside world.
Absolute treasures.
…….
In the imperial palace.
When Emperor Xia saw that Qin Bei could actually assist Qin Zhengji, he was both surprised and relieved at the same time.
Initially, Emperor Xia had thought that if the day came when Qin Zhengji really couldn’t handle it, he’d have to step in personally.
He wouldn’t mind losing something along the way.
Because he had indeed faced the same plight as Qin Zhengji.
While Qin Zhengji might not know his situation yet, if it got out of hand, Emperor Xia would definitely inform him and learn from his experiences.
Now that Qin Bei was able to help Qin Zhengji, Emperor Xia felt a lot more at ease.
He wouldn’t have to worry about exposing himself, nor delay in making his breakthrough.
Yet, seeing Qin Bei leverage the opportunity to snag benefits from Qin Zhengji, Emperor Xia couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation.
He had thought Qin Bei was just a rebellious brat.
A silent protest against him in everyday matters.
Yet now, having seen this situation unfold, Emperor Xia realized.
His rebellious son simply hated losing out, and he genuinely upheld the principle of clear accounts between brothers.
If he ever needed Qin Bei’s help again in the future, he’d probably find himself getting a hefty bill.
“Hurry up and take the soul beads!”
“Don’t take them! Don’t take them!”
Just when Emperor Xia was wrapped up in these thoughts, two urgent voices caught his attention.
The speakers were none other than the Grand Elder of the Sword Sect and the Ninth Prince.
At this moment, they could also see Qin Bei’s antics.
When they saw Qin Zhengji pulling out so many soul beads, both became incredibly agitated.
One was afraid Qin Bei would take the lot for himself, while the other worried he wouldn’t take them at all.
Just as they held their breath nervously, Qin Bei’s nonchalant remark nearly knocked the Grand Elder of the Sword Sect off his feet.
…….
“What’s a few dozen soul beads? Leave them there; I’m not particularly fond of soul beads.”
Qin Bei’s casual voice made it sound like he held no interest in the soul beads at all.
Of course, the reality was far from that.
Qin Bei was actually very eager for those soul beads.
But given the situation, it was obvious his ancestor had even better treasures.
It would be too embarrassing if he simply settled for those soul beads.
So, even while putting on a show, Qin Bei had to act a bit more sophisticated. Only by doing so could he get more of the good stuff.
Though Qin Bei secretly thought such behavior was slightly shameless.
But so what?
Shamelessness is for others; the benefits are for himself.
“What do you like then? Tell me, is it divine skills? I have those!”
Qin Zhengji, while aware that Qin Bei was trying to extort him, found it hard to consider it true extortion coming from his junior.
“I’m not really into that either. I already have a lot of divine abilities, and I can’t learn any more. Besides, I’m not into fighting; what do I need so many divine abilities for?”
Qin Bei continued to deny it.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xia was fuming.
Indeed, he didn’t like fighting! Then why on earth did he go ahead and learn so many divine skills?
And he was always going around eliminating people who provoked him?
If this was considered not loving to fight, then it seemed there was no one in the royal family who loved to fight.
Emperor Xia found it all a bit strange.
Qin Bei, like the Ninth Prince, claimed he didn’t like fighting, just wanted to eat and have fun.
Yet the gap between them was vast.
The Ninth Prince was genuinely lost in food, drink, and frivolity, uninterested in everything else.
Even with talent for cultivation, he just couldn’t seem to make any progress.
All the conflicts were handled by the strong members of the royal family.
And what about Qin Bei?
Though he too said he disliked fighting and preferred relaxation, he was different.
Not only did his cultivation strength keep growing, but his divine abilities were becoming more powerful one after another.
In battle, he could easily defeat his peers.
Yet, the curious thing was that Qin Bei only projected an image of enjoying life while sticking in a bit of trickery.
Cultivation? It truly didn’t seem like he was very invested in it.
Yet, despite the results, he continued to dominate the rankings.
Reflecting on all this, Emperor Xia could only conclude with one word.
Perhaps this is genius!
……