98: Rebuilding the Guild

“That’s not important. Quick, tell me what happened next?” Xiaobai quickly interjected.

“Later, on a dark and stormy night, it was so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. I’d never seen a night so black.

I stole the keys from the jailers and, taking advantage of the Nuzhen Tribe’s Army being out on a campaign, I secretly escaped under the cover of night. That’s how I regained my freedom!” Li Ke said with a laugh, a look of lingering fear on his face.

“That’s amazing, brother! I’ll open a beer for you to celebrate your freedom!” Xiaobai retrieved two bottles of beer and handed one to Li Ke.

Li Ke waved his hand and said seriously, “I don’t drink alcohol. Drinking affects my judgment. I believe only idle men drink. I need to stay clear-headed at all times.”

Xiaobai held the bottle, a bit at a loss, unsure whether he should drink his beer or not.

“Drink it. You don’t always drink. Give your brother some face,” Xiaobai urged, suppressing his disgust.

Everyone knew Li Ke was the heaviest drinker in the dorm. Now, with a girl present, he didn’t know how to act.

“Alright, since you put it that way, I’ll reluctantly drink one bottle. But this is an exception,” Li Ke said, swallowing.

“Bottoms up!” Li Ke said with a laugh, then clinked bottles with Xiaobai and chugged the entire bottle in one go!

Xiaobai watched, swallowing hard, a bit flustered, and secretly put his own beer bottle aside.

“I have a question,” Yao Siyu suddenly asked, raising her small hand.

“Go ahead,” Li Ke said with a smile.

“You said it was a dark and stormy night, so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. So how did you escape under the moonlight?” Yao Siyu asked.

“Little sister, you misheard. It was the night, not the moonlight,” Xiaobai quickly explained.

“Right, right, it was the night, not the moonlight!” Li Ke nodded frantically.

“Alright, then have you thought about what you’re going to do next?” Yao Siyu asked.

“Yeah, brother, Si Yu and I are waiting for you to lead the way!” Xiaobai said with a laugh. Seeing that Yao Siyu was no longer fixated on the small details, he also breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s not a problem. After I escaped, I met an uncle. He’s very strong, enough to take us wandering the world!” Li Ke said with a smile.

“Uncle?” Xiaobai asked curiously.

“Yes, his dream is to wander the world. Coincidentally, Liaodong Commandery is no longer suitable for our development. We can roam the world and be a wandering hero.”

“That sounds good!” Yao Siyu nodded in agreement, appearing quite convinced!

“What about your Azure Dragon Gang?” Xiaobai asked.

“Most of the Azure Dragon Gang joined the Jurchen. After the guild’s dismissal process, I was voted out,” Li Ke said with some dejection. The Azure Dragon Gang had cost him countless efforts, and he never expected to end up Li Ke this.

“Game guilds have that kind of mechanism?” Xiaobai asked.

“Mhm, I only found out during the vote,” Li Ke nodded. “It seems one still has to rely on oneself for everything. Improving one’s strength is the most important thing.”

“Oh, by the way, have you heard? Someone in the forum opened a lucky small treasure chest and got a Legendary General recruitment order!” Xiaobai said.

“Legendary General?” Li Ke asked.

“Yes, do you know who it is?” Xiaobai said mysteriously.

“Who?”

“Lu Bu!”

“Lu Bu, as in ‘Red Hare among horses’?” Li Ke asked in disbelief.

“Yes! Blessed by the European Emperor!” Xiaobai said enviously. “It’s said that person held an auction on the forum, and the final transaction price is unknown, but it’s rumored to be no less than fifty million!”

Li Ke and Xiaobai’s eyes were filled with envy. That’s instant financial freedom!

“I think I still have a lucky small treasure chest. I wonder if I can open anything good from it,” Li Ke said.

“Is that small treasure chest hard to get?” Yao Siyu asked.

“Not really. It used to be five hundred dragon coins each, but recently, after that person opened Lu Bu, it rose to fifteen hundred dragon coins,” Xiaobai said.

“Then I’ll buy a hundred for you two. Just open the boxes and see if you can get some good stuff,” Yao Siyu said with a smile.

“What?” Li Ke exclaimed in shock.

“What’s wrong? It’s not even as expensive as one of my bags,” Yao Siyu said, not understanding why he reacted so strongly.

It wasn’t until he confirmed it repeatedly with Xiaobai that Li Ke accepted the reality. Was he now attached to a rich girl?

“Let’s form another guild. The position of first vice-guild leader will be yours,” Li Ke suggested to Yao Siyu.

“Anything is fine. Wherever my cousin goes, I go,” Yao Siyu smiled, not caring.

“Then what should the guild be called?” Li Ke asked.

“How about White Tiger Gang!” Xiaobai suggested.

“No, it’s too tacky,” Li Ke shook his head.

“Was your Azure Dragon Gang not tacky?” Xiaobai asked anxiously.

“That was then, this is now,” Li Ke said.

“What do you mean?” Xiaobai asked.

“Think about it. This gang has me, handsome and unyielding, as its leader.

It has Si Yu, resourceful and wealthy, beautiful and kind-hearted, as its vice-leader.

It has an incredibly strong uncle as its Protector Elder.

And it has you, wise and resourceful, calm and collected, as its strategist. Can it have such a tacky name?”

Li Ke asked, squinting at him.

“That’s true,” Xiaobai nodded, thinking about what name would be worthy of himself.

“I think Li Ke is right,” Yao Siyu also agreed wholeheartedly.

“How about Immortal Maiden Alliance?” Yao Siyu suggested.

“No!” Both of them shook their heads simultaneously.

“Then what should it be called?” Yao Siyu pouted, a little displeased that her suggestion was rejected.

“As I see it, this name must make people think it’s awesome the moment they hear it! It must be loud and make people want to join!

Most importantly, it must be imposing and attract heroes from all walks of life to join.

After all, we will be the number one power in the future! A hastily chosen name won’t do,” Li Ke said.

“Are there names Li Ke that, as you described?” Yao Siyu asked. The requirements were too many.

“Profound Heaven Sect? Longevity Palace? Crouching Dragon Guild?” Xiaobai listed them one by one, but Li Ke still shook his head, unsatisfied.

“Flying Immortal Guild!” Yao Siyu said.

“These are all old names from forty or fifty years ago. They lack presence,” Li Ke said.

“I know!” Xiaobai suddenly shouted. “A super sect whose influence spreads across all the heavens and myriad realms!”

“What’s the name?” Li Ke’s eyes were filled with hope!

“Joyful Union Sect!” Xiaobai said excitedly!

Upon hearing that name, the light in Li Ke’s eyes instantly dimmed.

“Go to hell!” Yao Siyu cursed him, then walked towards the door. “I’m going home. Tell me when you’ve decided.”

“Wait!” Li Ke suddenly stood up. “I’ve thought of a suitable name!”

“What name?” Xiaobai and Yao Siyu asked simultaneously.

“Exploding Heaven Gang!”

As the words fell, thunder suddenly rumbled from the sky!

“Boom!”