Volume Two: The Emergence of the Nine Provinces Map, Joining the Spirit Void Sect Chapter 120: The Splintering of the Team

Everyone couldn't help but glance toward Zhu Gui. Although the four of them—Chen Yu and his companions—had claimed the spoils of war, leaving the others like Lü Jie feeling somewhat disgruntled and envious, no one else would have been so brazen as to point it out directly like Zhu Gui.

Wu Yi and the other two grew tense at his words.

"And just what would you like, Senior Brother?" Chen Yu asked calmly. Zhu Gui had provoked and harassed him time and again; even with the most patient temperament, he could no longer stand it.

"Hmph, what do I want?" Zhu Gui gritted his teeth, his voice filled with bitterness. "Shouldn't they be brought out and shared equally? We all contributed to this effort, so why should you take everything?"

To this question, Chen Yu merely let out a scornful scoff. "So, Senior Brother, are you really that destitute?"

He then tossed a bundle at Zhu Gui's feet and sneered, "This is everything I obtained. If you need it that badly, Senior Brother, then take it."

This naked insult shocked the Lingxu disciples. They stared at Chen Yu in disbelief, stunned that he would dare to provoke Zhu Gui so boldly.

"You bastard! What is that supposed to mean? Are you insulting us?" Feng Qing immediately jumped out, shouting in a rage.

"Insulting?" Chen Yu asked, feigning confusion. "Then what exactly do you mean? Do you want these spoils, or do you not?"

Feng Qing looked as if he had been struck by lightning. He pointed at the innocent-looking Chen Yu, too furious to speak. It was a lose-lose situation; he couldn't very well say he wanted the loot, nor could he say he didn't.

Zhu Gui stared fixedly at Chen Yu, his eyes bloodshot, the sound of his grinding teeth and the tension in his knuckles clearly audible.

The rest of the group, swayed by Chen Yu’s words, lost their appetite for demanding an equal share of the spoils.

"Very well. Since these spoils were obtained by Junior Brother Chen Yu and he played the leading role in annihilating the enemy, they shall belong to him and his companions," Princess Muyang said, offering Zhu Gui a graceful way out.

"As you wish, Princess," Chen Yu replied calmly.

Zhu Gui glared at Chen Yu with hatred, but in the end, he could only let out a cold snort and walk away.

Wu Yi and the others breathed a sigh of relief. For someone like Zhu Gui, they felt both fear and disdain.

Though Chen Yu and his group were relieved, seeds of enmity had been sown in the hearts of Zhu Gui and his cohorts.

"Senior Brother Zhu, we have plenty of opportunities. There is no need to fret over this moment," Feng Qing whispered.

Zhu Gui nodded silently, understanding Feng Qing's implication. He looked at Chen Yu with venom, thinking, *Kid, I’ll let you live a little longer.*

"Senior Brother Chen Yu, do not worry. With the Princess here, Zhu Gui won't dare to be too blatant or overstep his bounds," Wu Yi said, trying to comfort Chen Yu, who appeared troubled.

Chen Yu shook his head. "I am not worried about Zhu Gui, but about this road ahead."

"What do you mean, Senior Brother?" Wen Ye asked, puzzled.

"It has been too quiet along the way. It’s highly unusual," Chen Yu said in a low voice. "I fear we have already been surrounded."

Wu Yi and the others were stunned, but they quickly realized the validity of Chen Yu’s concern. Chen Yu then shared his suspicions with Hong Dong.

"It seems Junior Brother Chen Yu’s guess is correct," Princess Muyang said, her face clouded with worry.

"Hmph, even if that is true, so what? With us here, who dares to block our path? That Xuan Kong Sect?" Zhu Gui and his followers said dismissively.

Princess Muyang frowned, clearly displeased. At this moment, she realized that compared to Chen Yu, Zhu Gui was a complete fool. She wondered how he had even managed to reach the Yin-Yang Realm.

"Junior Brother Chen Yu, how do you suggest we handle this?"

"Muyang..." Zhu Gui tried to interject, but Princess Muyang cut him off sharply. She spoke to him with forced politeness: "Senior Brother Zhu, this concerns the lives of everyone here. Please, listen for a moment."

Seeing Zhu Gui’s cowardly look, Chen Yu scoffed inwardly. He laid out his plan earnestly: "We must move with speed and reach Demon Wind Ridge before the enemy can fully react."

"Demon Wind Ridge? Why go there?" Hong Dong, Princess Muyang, and the others were confused.

"To seize the initiative and minimize the danger," Chen Yu said, his voice filled with killing intent.

"Hahaha... What a joke! If we want to kill them, I alone am enough," Zhu Gui said, his arrogance blinding him to his own limitations.

Chen Yu ignored him and said sternly, "If the Princess trusts me, please hand over command to me."

The others looked at Chen Yu in shock, sensing a power grab.

"Haha... How about that? Has the fox finally shown its tail?" Zhu Gui sneered, waiting for Princess Muyang to give the order to seize Chen Yu.

Princess Muyang examined Chen Yu closely. Before agreeing, she consulted Hong Dong.

Hong Dong didn't hesitate: "This subordinate is willing to follow Mr. Chen's arrangements."

Princess Muyang, being decisive, said, "In that case, the rest is up to you, Junior Brother Chen Yu."

Chen Yu gave a slight nod, accepting the responsibility.

Princess Muyang then addressed her subordinates and the Lingxu disciples: "From now on, Junior Brother Chen Yu will lead us to the capital of the Daqing Kingdom. If anyone has objections, you may leave now. Of course, the reward for this mission will still be paid to you later. The choice is yours."

Zhu Gui was immediately indignant. "Muyang, why do you trust him?"

Princess Muyang’s face darkened. "Senior Brother Zhu, if you are unwilling to follow the plan, you may leave. I will not hold it against you."

Zhu Gui’s expression was sullen. If he left now, what image would he have left in front of the Princess?

Feng Qing leaned in and whispered, "Senior Brother, why worry? A mere First-Yuan Realm cultivator can’t compare to you. When they run into danger, we can descend like divine soldiers to save the Princess. Then, your standing in her heart will be restored. Why suffer this brat's insults now?"

Zhu Gui frowned, finding the logic sound. Yet, he worried that if Chen Yu actually succeeded in bringing everyone to the capital, his own image in the Princess's eyes would truly collapse.

"Don't worry! I have a plan," Feng Qing promised.

Seeing the cunning look in Feng Qing's eyes, Zhu Gui reluctantly agreed.

"Fine. Since Muyang insists, I shall not accompany you," Zhu Gui said, handing a talisman to the Princess. "If you truly find yourself in danger, activate this, and I will sense it."

"What about the rest of you? Does anyone else wish to leave with us?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Guo Ming stepped forward. "I wish to follow you, Senior Brother."

The others looked at each other, but ultimately decided to stay.