I Stepped on a Bug, and the System Says I Slayed a Dragon?

“You want to join the Heaven-Blasting Gang?”

In the courtyard, Qin Yang took a deep breath and rubbed his temples, still trying to process what he’d just heard.

’What’s the deal with this Liu Wushuang? Out of nowhere… he’s giving up a high-ranking position in the Venerable Alliance to become a rank-and-file member of the Heaven-Blasting Gang?!’

“I recall you holding a very high position in the Venerable Alliance, right?”

Stroking his chin, Qin Yang took a step back and looked Liu Wushuang up and down.

“Are you really willing to give that up?”

“It’s alright. Just a little bit of status.”

Liu Wushuang pinched his index finger and thumb together in a gesture.

“I’m just the Vice Alliance Leader. If something happened to Meng Tianxuan, there’s a high probability I’d be the candidate for the next Venerable Alliance Leader… no surprises there.”

“?”

Qin Yang’s face was a mask of confusion. “You call that ’a little bit’?? Vice Alliance Leader of the Venerable Alliance… a position that high, and you’re really willing to part with it?”

The Venerable Alliance Leader is revered by countless people. If Liu Wushuang had stayed, it wouldn’t have been long before he reached the very top.

But now, instead of staying on the path to becoming the Venerable Alliance Leader, he wanted to come to the Heaven-Blasting Gang and start over as a common member?

“…”

Qin Yang fell silent. ’I don’t believe it!’ His guard shot up completely in an instant.

“This isn’t some spy ploy by your Alliance Leader, is it?”

“Sigh… don’t mention it. That was the past. Things are different now.”

Seemingly sensing Qin Yang’s wariness, Liu Wushuang sighed heavily and explained with melancholy,

“When I first joined the Venerable Alliance, I was just an ignorant kid in the Innate Realm, nurtured with all sorts of rare treasures… Back then, Meng Tianxuan treated me like his own flesh and blood. I truly respected him as an older brother, until later…”

Liu Wushuang looked at Qin Yang and said dejectedly,

“I met you, Qin, and the Venerables of the Heaven-Blasting Gang. I finally saw Meng Tianxuan’s true colors. He’s so sanctimonious… but it turns out he’s just a petty coward who’s afraid of dying.”

Hearing this, Qin Yang understood.

’Well, I’ll be! The Heaven-Blasting Gang’s bombardment yesterday didn’t just shatter Qi Qingshan’s Dao Heart; it also managed to sway Liu Wushuang. This is a truly unexpected gain.’

“Let me think.”

Qin Yang folded his arms, weighing the pros and cons.

’Letting Liu Wushuang join isn’t out of the question. The Heaven-Blasting Gang is just something I made up anyway, so it doesn’t matter if I string him along. More importantly, Liu Wushuang is a top-tier expert who will live for another five hundred years. His potential is immense!’

’If I let him stay in the Heaven-Blasting Gang… the addition of a Venerable Realm expert would be a significant boost to my combat power. And! More importantly, I might be able to trigger that damn system again and get a massive wave of rewards! No matter how I look at it, there’s no downside…’

With this in mind, Qin Yang no longer hesitated. He nodded lightly and agreed,

“Fine. Since you’re so sincere, you can join… but there’s one condition.”

He stroked his chin, his gaze falling on the Venerable Order hanging from Liu Wushuang’s waist. “For now, you’ll be an Apprentice Disciple under observation,” he added. “The Heaven-Blasting Gang can kick you out at any time. Only after we see how you perform can you be promoted to an Official Disciple.”

“How does that sound?”

“No problem! I will abide by your arrangements… Wait…”

Liu Wushuang nodded excitedly, overjoyed, but then his brow furrowed as he felt something wasn’t quite right.

’He just agreed? That seems a bit too fast, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t there be more of a process? Like seeking approval from the Gang Leader or signing some kind of pledge to join? But Qin let me in just on his say-so?!’

“Qin, aren’t you going to ask for approval from the elders in your gang?”

Liu Wushuang looked at Qin Yang, scratching his head in confusion. “Agreeing just like that seems a bit hasty, doesn’t it? I’m not short on time. You can go find the Heaven-Blasting Gang Leader and the others…”

“No need.”

Qin Yang waved his hand, having anticipated this question. He began his bluff with practiced ease.

“Since things have come to this, I won’t hide it from you anymore…

I am, in fact, the Young Master of the Heaven-Blasting Gang, the heir to the future Gang Leader!”

As his words fell.

BOOM!

“The Young Master of the Heaven-Blasting Gang!?”

Liu Wushuang’s pupils shrank abruptly. He stared intently at Qin Yang, so shocked he began to stutter, “Y-Y-You… you’re actually the Young Master?”

“What, I don’t look the part?”

Qin Yang’s eyebrow twitched at his words. He folded his arms and retorted, “If you don’t believe me, then forget it. Go home and wait for news. I’ll find time to report this to the Gang Leader, but he’s currently in seclusion.”

As he spoke, Qin Yang glanced at Liu Wushuang and added offhandedly, “I’m not sure when he’ll emerge, though. It could be half a year, ten years… maybe even a century. Are you sure you want to wait that long?”

“I… I believe you…”

Liu Wushuang stammered, “There’s no need to wait.”

’I finally managed to join the Heaven-Blasting Gang. There’s no way I’m letting this opportunity slip away!’

’Besides! I already had my suspicions about Qin’s identity back when Meng Tianxuan attacked. Setting aside everything else, the fact that so many Venerables from the Heaven-Blasting Gang would protect him to the death, sacrificing themselves without hesitation, is enough to prove his extraordinary talent. To casually command Venerable Realm experts, ordering them about like servants… such a grand display is beyond imagination. It’s clear what his status in the Heaven-Blasting Gang must be.’

’As expected of the future Gang Leader! That presence is truly incredible!’

With this thought, Liu Wushuang no longer hesitated. With a THUD, he dropped to one knee. His tone became far more respectful as he declared,

“Your subordinate, Liu Wushuang, greets the Young Master!”

“Alright, no need to be so formal. Get up.”

Qin Yang shook his head. “The Heaven-Blasting Gang doesn’t bother with so much red tape. Just be yourself from now on. No need to kneel again. That whole routine from your Venerable Alliance doesn’t fly here.”

As his words fell.

“Yes…”

Liu Wushuang nodded lightly and rose from the ground, his expression growing even more deferential.

“From now on, if the Heaven-Blasting Gang has any orders, please just come to me, Young Master. I will be at your beck and call!”

“Alright. Seeing as you’re so sincere.”

Qin Yang pondered for a moment, his eyes sweeping over the Profound Bow on Liu Wushuang’s back, and said nonchalantly,

“Now that you’ve joined our Heaven-Blasting Gang, you should sever ties with your past in the Venerable Alliance and start a new life.”

“Hm?”

Liu Wushuang was thoroughly confused. “Young Master, what do you mean…? How should I sever my past with the Venerable Alliance? Just say the word, and I will obey!”

“It’s not that complicated. You just need a new title.”

Qin Yang mused for a moment, gazing at the silver disk of the bright moon, and slowly began to speak.

“The Heaven-Blasting Gang is built on legacies, inherited from antiquity and destined to enlighten all ages. Every one of our arts is cultivated to the peak of the Emperor Level. For instance, my Senior Uncle Ye Fan’s Sky-Covering Palm and my Junior Uncle Lin Dong’s Heaven-Caging Finger… all come with corresponding titles.”

“And since you’ve joined the Heaven-Blasting Gang, you naturally can’t be an exception.”

Qin Yang’s expression was calm as his gaze swept over the Profound Bow on Liu Wushuang’s back. “I’ve been thinking,” he said evenly. “Since you are a master of the bow, why don’t you take the place of my youngest junior uncle…”

…and inherit his title of ’Arrow God’!”

As his words fell.

“Arrow God…?!”

Liu Wushuang was utterly astonished. For a moment, he thought he’d misheard, his mind reeling with a violent BUZZ.

’The title of Arrow God? I just joined the Heaven-Blasting Gang, and the Young Master is already bestowing the title of Arrow God upon me? This is absurd! The previous Arrow God’s body is barely cold in its grave!’

“No, I can’t! Young Master, that’s too great an honor!”

Liu Wushuang bowed his head low, waving his hands in refusal. “The Arrow God died because of me,” he said, ashamed. “How could I possibly inherit his title? It would be a grave dishonor. Please, give me a different title. I can accept anything else.”

“Tsk…”

Seeing this, Qin Yang clicked his tongue. He walked to Liu Wushuang’s side, placing a hand on his trembling shoulder to steady him. “What are you panicking about?!”

“The dead are the root of the living. Inheriting titles is a tradition in the Heaven-Blasting Gang. If you feel guilty, then take up the title of Arrow God, do more good deeds in the future, and live up to his name. Of course, you can also choose not to accept…”

He paused, his eyes turning cold. “…But if you do, there will be no place for you in the Heaven-Blasting Gang from this day forward.”

As he spoke, a faint killing intent filled the air. The bleak, cool wind of the late autumn night swept through, adding a distinct chill to the courtyard.

“…”

Liu Wushuang’s expression was dazed. His eyes lost focus as he became lost in a difficult internal struggle.

’Accept, or not? To wear the crown, one must first bear its weight. Am I really worthy of succeeding the Arrow God?!’

After a moment of difficult internal debate, Liu Wushuang finally made his decision.

THUD!

The next moment, he knelt again. With one knee on the ground, he bowed his head before Qin Yang, his voice now even more devout and respectful as he declared loudly,

“Arrow God Liu Wushuang! Greets the Young Master!!”

As he spoke those words, a heavy sense of mission welled up within Liu Wushuang’s heart.

“Mm, not bad. Keep up the good work from now on.”

Qin Yang nodded in satisfaction.

’This ’Arrow God’ title… it’s called a legacy, but in reality, it’s a shackle…’

’I’ve had him wrapped around my finger from the very beginning.’

Having secured his new subordinate, Qin Yang had Liu Wushuang rise and proceeded to ask some questions about the Venerable Alliance.

According to what Liu Wushuang revealed, after being injured in the explosion, Meng Tianxuan had vanished as if from the face of the earth. He hadn’t contacted any of the Venerables in the Alliance, instead crossing the city outskirts directly.

He slipped past everyone’s notice.

From then on, he ventured deep into the Da Li Mountain Range and vanished without a trace…

“Young Master.”

“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to command me.”

Liu Wushuang stood beside Qin Yang and asked in a low voice, “Your subordinate is still in the Venerable Alliance. I can act as an inside man for the Heaven-Blasting Gang.

If that guy Meng Tianxuan returns, I can inform you at once!”

“An inside man?”

Qin Yang went along with the suggestion, nodding happily.

“That could work… However, the incident at the apartment yesterday caused too much of a stir, and the online fallout is still growing. For now, just lay low here in Jianghai and be ready for my orders. Understood?”

“Yes! Rest assured, Young Master. I, Liu Wushuang, am no coward who clings to life and fears death.”

Liu Wushuang slapped his chest heavily, his spirits soaring!

“Now that I have joined the Heaven-Blasting Gang, I am prepared to go through hell and high water for it! Just give the order, Young Master, and I am willing to self-detonate for you and the other seniors of the gang!”

As he spoke, the Star Force around his body began to surge chaotically.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

A terrifying aura spread out as faint cracks began to appear on his skin.

Qin Yang: “…”