Chapter 203: Dongfang Ji Is an Idiot

“Hmph.” Dongfang Ji lifted his exquisitely beautiful face slightly in Xun Min’s direction, looking a bit smug as he said, “It wasn’t an accident—I followed you here on purpose. You sneaked out of Mercenary City with that playboy Wen Lang in tow. I thought you were up to something shady. If I caught you in the act, I’d have something to report to my dad. Let’s see if he’d still dote on you so much then.”

“Sneaked out? I left openly on an official mission, personally approved by Lord Dulong himself. Dongfang Ji, you’re way too paranoid. As long as you do your job as Young City Lord and stop being so arrogant and unruly, making the City Lord angry, no one can take your place. Or do you really have so little confidence in yourself? Are you afraid you’ll lose to me?”

Xun Min narrowed his eyes, his expression full of anger and provocation on the surface, though in his heart he was cursing Dongfang Ji for being an idiot.

Dongfang Ji was indeed powerful—an S-rank ability user at just twenty-eight, firmly holding the top spot on the mercenary rankings. But he was a brainless, naïve fool, always trying to win his father’s favor and acting like a little tyrant because of his status. If it weren’t for the old guard in Mercenary City protecting him, did he really think he could so easily and openly become Young City Lord?

After all, while Dulong did have some feelings for Dongfang Yuan, that woman was long dead, and the son she left behind was fathered by another man. How could Dulong feel any real affection for him? If anything, he probably wished he could erase this stain from his life.

As for why Dongfang Ji was still alive and holding onto his position, it wasn’t because Dulong was tolerant—it was because Dongfang Ji had an SSS-rank old man backing him up, keeping him safe. Dulong didn’t dare make a move. Otherwise, hmph, Xun Min would have taken that position long ago.

So, Xun Min absolutely hated Dongfang Ji, who disgusted him and stole his rightful place.

Dongfang Ji, for his part, couldn’t stand Xun Min either. Even though Dongfang Ji had the status of Dulong’s son, Dulong was cold to him and instead showered Xun Min with affection.

Of course, Xun Min knew the reason: he was Dulong’s real son, born to a woman Dulong had married years ago. When that woman was dying and couldn’t raise him, she entrusted him to Dulong, and he acknowledged his biological father. But for various reasons, their relationship remained a secret; publicly, he was just the City Lord’s favorite junior.

After Xun Min awakened the same ability as Dulong, Dulong only doted on him more.

Naturally, with all this history, Xun Min and Dongfang Ji became rivals. Dongfang Ji resented the affection Xun Min received, while Xun Min was angry that Dongfang Ji had stolen his identity.

Whenever they met, sparks would fly. To outsiders, it always looked like Dongfang Ji was the arrogant bully, throwing his weight around as Young City Lord.

Back in Mercenary City, Xun Min would always play along, letting Dongfang Ji have his way and using his own grievances to highlight Dongfang Ji’s bad behavior.

But here in the chaotic city, Xun Min had fewer scruples.

Besides, Dongfang Ji, that naïve idiot, was destined to die here. When that happened, Xun Min could step into the Young City Lord’s role without any obstacles. Why bother pretending anymore?

Thinking this, a sinister smile crept onto Xun Min’s lips.

Dongfang Ji, provoked by that smile, stomped his foot in anger, his fair, delicate face flushing red. “Who—who’s afraid of losing to you? What are you so smug about? I’ll trample you underfoot and show my dad what a fool you are, and how you don’t deserve his favor!”

“Heh, then let’s compete.” Xun Min, having already thought of a way to kill Dongfang Ji without arousing suspicion, flashed a dark look in his eyes and issued a challenge. “The Forest Marsh Hunt is in two days. Let’s see who can hunt the most. Do you dare?”

Dongfang Ji, thoroughly provoked, took a step forward and agreed without hesitation. “Of course I dare! Why wouldn’t I? Just don’t go crying for help when you can’t keep up with me.”

Having achieved his goal, a glint of excitement and cunning flashed in Xun Min’s sinister eyes as he suppressed his emotions and said, “Good, it’s settled then. But I’m acting on Lord Dulong’s orders and have taken a commission to assist Bloodbane. I’ll be heading out with their team, but my hunting count will be tallied individually.”

Dongfang Ji glared at him with those beautiful eyes, full of suspicion. “Are you really going to play fair? Who knows if you’ll get others to help you cheat?”

Xun Min didn’t get angry. After all, Dongfang Ji wouldn’t live much longer anyway, so he even kindly offered a suggestion. “You can join a team too. Red Lotus and Longteng are both on par with Bloodbane. If you can get them to give you their prey, I’ll count it as yours and won’t call it cheating.”

With Dongfang Ji’s pride, of course he’d never do such a thing—Xun Min knew this all too well.

Besides, his goal wasn’t to win, but to see Dongfang Ji dead. As long as Dongfang Ji died, winning or losing didn’t matter.

As for Longteng and Red Lotus, Lin Qiu had already discussed things with him. Lin Qiu and his people were planning to use the Forest Marsh Hunt as an opportunity to deal with those two troublesome factions, and if Dongfang Ji died in the process, all the blame could be pinned on Bloodbane.

When the old man in Mercenary City found out Dongfang Ji was dead, he’d only have Bloodbane to blame. In his rage, he’d take Bloodbane down with him, and Xun Min’s side could take over the chaotic city in the aftermath.

A bloodthirsty gleam flickered in Xun Min’s eyes as he mentally calculated his plans.

But little did he know, someone else had the same idea.

Following behind Dongfang Ji, Tang Liangjun’s gentle, bashful face lit up with excitement. Could this be the breakthrough foretold by the divination—a golden opportunity to get rid of Xun Min?

He lowered his eyes and thought for a few minutes, deciding to discuss with his friends that night and come up with a plan to kill Xun Min.

After all, Wen Lang, the playboy at Xun Min’s side, and the City Lord’s trusted blacksmith were both tough opponents.

In the end, both sides, each with their own schemes, agreed on the hunting competition and began bidding for supplies.

Since both had already decided to kill the other, there was no way they’d let the other side get their hands on something as valuable as the Red Potion, which could turn the tide in a crisis. If the other side got it and made a comeback, their plans would be ruined.

So, whether it was the murderous Xun Min or the proud, never-say-die Dongfang Ji, neither was willing to let the last batch of Red Potion slip away.

As a result, after a brief lull, the auction price began to soar again.

It wasn’t until the price hit a million that things finally slowed down, ending only when Xun Min ran out of energy credits and, face dark with frustration, could no longer make a bid."