Chapter 185: Masters of Snark and Sarcasm

Yun Qimu raised an eyebrow, her gentle eyes slightly furrowing. “Well? Hurry up and open the ship. I need to get inside and organize the supplies.”

[Beep. Ship access requires authentication from Yun Qimu’s man. Both parties must confirm their identities before entry is granted.]

The group of nosy, pig-faced men who had followed her over immediately perked up at this, their eyes lighting up with excitement. One after another, they eagerly raised their hands, volunteering themselves.

“Miss Yun, pick me! I can pretend to be your man. I’ll only ask for a big apple as payment~”

“That’s nothing. Watch me.” A tattooed man with a flower sleeve shoved the others aside and shouted at the top of his lungs, “Miss Yun, choose me! I’ll even pay you—a whole bottle of mid-grade nutrient solution!”

Yun Qimu was a little tempted.

But the people behind him were stunned by his bold offer. “Bro, are you nuts? You haven’t even taken advantage of the situation and you’re already giving things away!”

Another chimed in, “Yeah, listen to me, man. With your looks, even if you pay to get close to Miss Yun, you’re not going to get any special treatment. More likely, you’ll just be used as a tool and sent on your way. You’ll lose everything, so think it over.”

But there were always a few with... unique logic. One person argued, “I actually think Flower Sleeve here might be onto something. Once the ship’s open, there are several cabins inside, each with their own access controls. What if one of them is specifically for Miss Yun’s man?”

His conclusion: paying for a fake identity might seem like a loss, but there’s a chance for a huge payoff.

Surprisingly, this reasoning won a lot of support.

In no time, the high-risk, high-reward mentality became the mainstream among the men, and a chorus of excited bidding began.

“Miss Yun, I’ll pay 300 energy coins for the fake identity!”

“I’ll pay 400!”

“I’ll pay 500...”

Even Pei Yu, who was standing next to Yun Qimu, was tempted. His eyebrows danced as he considered joining the bidding war for a shot at high risk, high reward.

But Yun Qimu was faster.

She was already playing the role of auctioneer, complete with flair.

“All right, this gentleman with the dark circles has offered 1,000 energy coins. Anyone higher?”

Wu Xingyu glanced at her, lips pressed thin, and said quietly, “The Yun family is a major noble house in Kimberley. I’m sure the supplies they sent are substantial.”

The people nearby pricked up their ears.

The bidding frenzy intensified.

“2,000!”

“3,000!”

“I’ll pay 100,000!”

That last bid was like a bombshell, leaving everyone gasping and making way for the wealthy newcomer.

It was none other than Lin Qiu of Bloodbane.

Lin Qiu smiled elegantly, the very picture of a refined scoundrel, as he strode through the crowd, his eyes narrowing with predatory intent as he looked at Yun Qimu.

Yun Qimu’s brows knit in displeasure, her smile fading, lips flattening into a cold line.

“Lin Qiu.”

“Didn’t expect Miss Yun to know me,” Lin Qiu said with a smile, stepping forward to offer a noble’s salute. “They say seeing is believing—Miss Yun is even more beautiful than the rumors claim. It would be my honor to be your companion.”

“Tch. Boss Lin, you’re old enough to be her grandfather, yet you still dream of marrying a swan. Shameless,” sneered a man with a pale, androgynous yet strikingly attractive face, who was being helped out of the crowd. His face was ghostly but wore a mocking smile.

His narrow, fox-like eyes glinted with open disdain.

Who else could it be but Yi Beiming of Red Lotus Camp?

Lin Qiu’s smile froze, a crack appearing in his refined facade.

He turned, face cold, and glared at Yi Beiming, gritting his teeth. “Chief Yi, that’s not fair. I’m an S-class ability user with a thousand-year lifespan. Unlike you, I’m just coming of age by my people’s standards.”

Lin Qiu was a master of snark and subtle digs.

His words highlighted his own youth and strength, while stabbing right at Yi Beiming’s sore spot.

Everyone knew Yi Beiming had risen to power in Red Lotus Camp thanks to mysterious Han Dynasty sorcery—gu techniques. But that didn’t change the fact that he wasn’t an ability user and would only live to 150, just an ordinary human.

In a few years, when he aged and lost his control over the gu worms, all that awaited him was death.

And without Yi Beiming, would Red Lotus Camp even be Red Lotus Camp anymore? Hmph!

The Red Lotus bruisers immediately bristled, but Yi Beiming raised a hand to stop them.

His pale, beautiful face darkened, a red gleam flashing in his eyes.

He said coldly, “Don’t get too happy, Boss Lin. A long lifespan doesn’t mean much. Plenty of high-level ability users die young. For all you know, you might not live as long as an ordinary man.”

Now it was Bloodbane’s turn to get angry.

Just as tensions were about to explode, with Zhong Teng and the Dragon Soar gang eyeing the situation hungrily, and a three-way showdown about to erupt, Yun Qimu cut through the tension with a single word: “Stop.”

“If you want to fight, do it later. Let me open my ship first.”

“She’s right!” Lin Qiu’s follower, Fei Jie, immediately echoed loudly.

His eyes sparkled as he leaned in to persuade Lin Qiu, “Boss, the supplies are more important. After the hunt in Senmuze in three days, everyone will know who really runs things in this city.”

His words were smooth and flattering.

Lin Qiu gave him an approving look.

“Fine. For Miss Yun’s sake, I’ll let Chief Yi’s rudeness slide this time.”

With that, the tense atmosphere dissipated.

Yi Beiming clicked his tongue but didn’t press the issue, signaling his men to stand down and watch the show.

Yun Qimu, who had originally planned to take Lin Qiu’s 100,000 energy coins for a quick profit, suddenly changed her mind.

Especially after seeing Fei Jie.

She had a deep impression of this man.

Back when she first arrived on the exile star, Fei Jie had been on the same ramshackle ship. He’d pretended to be a gentleman, repeatedly trying to invite her to travel together—clearly up to no good.

And when Haru later confessed that Fei Jie had sent him to bring the star pirates, Yun Qimu’s suspicions were confirmed.

Now this guy was mixed up with Lin Qiu, actively pushing him forward.

There was definitely something fishy going on."