Chapter 177: Chapter 178: This Farmer is Quite Interesting!

Qu Wei snorted again.

“You really don’t understand your big brother, my dear sister. I’ll tell you, Zhao Xiyan may be great, both in the literary and martial arts, unparalleled in the world, but your big brother is not too shabby either. Given a wise ruler, I am fully capable of showcasing my talents and fulfilling my life’s ambitions.”

His earnest expression made Qi Yue unable to suppress her laughter.

“And here I thought you wanted to become the Emperor. Turns out, it’s just a case of unappreciated genius!”

Hearing this, Qu Wei spoke seriously, “I know what I’m capable of. I know I can’t be the Emperor.”

Seeing that he was serious, Qi Yue nodded and gave him a thumbs up.

“That’s impressive. It’s rare to find someone who has self-awareness. I wouldn’t have expected you to have this side to you, big brother.”

At her praise, Qu Wei immediately lifted his head proudly.

“Of course. Just take your time to discover more, little sister. Who knows, you might fall for me.”

Qi Yue made a retching sound and teased him with a laugh.

“Keep dreaming—that would be slightly better.”

The two continued bantering while eating a simple meal on the road, then set off again.

Indeed, within just a few days, Qi Yue’s understanding of Qu Wei had deepened.

Deep down, this usually loud and boisterous man was actually quite tender-hearted.

He had never forgotten his mother.

The woman who had been slaughtered by men of the Grand Tutor Lin.

He said that his mother wanted him to live upright and honorably.

He almost died in the past without a chance, but now things were different.

Since he had survived, he should live honorably and stand tall between heaven and earth.

These words moved Qi Yue, and she too began to ponder what path she should take in the future.

It was certain that the world would be in great turmoil.

Nanyue, Western Chu, Donggao, and various other tribes around had been coveting Beiyuan’s rich land for a long time.

If the Beiyuan Court continued like this, it wouldn’t be more than two years before the country would collapse, dismembered and devoured by others.

By then, should she take action?

If all goes as expected, she would undoubtedly end up with the National Treasure.

Should she do as Huang Zai’an suggested, to support the Beiyuan royal family and save the people from disaster?

No, no, no, she had no intention of supporting that corrupt imperial court!

With the effort that would take, wasn’t it better to make more medicine and earn more silver?

That day, as they just started up a small mountain trail, a group of bandits thumped down, blocking the road.

“Hey, I collect tolls here on behalf of the Mountain God. Leave your silver, or none of you get past!”

Qi Yue, bored from the journey, stopped her horse and looked on with interest when she heard this.

Just like the robbers they had encountered before, these men were in tattered clothes, their faces honest but trying to look fierce.

The leader was burly and had rough skin, obviously a farmer.

Seeing that they were all ordinary folk, she couldn’t be bothered to take action.

“Big brother, please go and deal with them. I’m afraid I might accidentally hurt someone.”

Qu Wei rolled his eyes at her.

“Have you seen how many of them there are? How can you not be worried about your big brother getting roughed up?”

Qi Yue rolled her eyes back at him unapologetically.

“Who told you to solve it with force? They just want some road money, right? Can’t you play the generous benefactor for once?”

Qu Wei, irritated, secured his fan to his belt and thought about just riding off.

“We still have a long way to go. If I give them silver, will you cover the rest of the expenses on this journey?”

“…..”

As the two were arguing, they heard the lead bandit speak again.

“What are you two whispering about? Hurry up and hand over the silver, or the Mountain God will get angry. I can’t persuade him then, and you’ll be dead meat!”

As soon as his words fell, a chorus of henchmen blindly joined the commotion.

“That’s right, if you don’t want to die, then quickly leave your silver behind!”

“Leave the silver! Otherwise, my big brother will let the Mountain God sort you out!”

“….”

The leader slapped one of the shouting followers on the head and scolded, “Idiot, the Mountain God will get angry on his own. Do I need to come forward?”

“Yes, yes, big brother, I was wrong,” the follower replied.

Qi Yue found the whole scene laughable.

Intimidating and deceiving people in the name of some deity was not unusual in her past life, but in this place where most commoners fear the deities, someone was actually using the name of the Mountain God to rob people?

This person was either a fool or extremely shrewd, understanding how to exploit people’s hearts.

Based on his recent reactions, he was clearly the latter.

Speaking through the mouth of the Mountain God, he avoided attracting trouble to himself, pushing it all onto the invisible, intangible Mountain God, resembling the leader of some heretical cult.

She was suddenly reminded of historical lessons from her past life about the Yellow Turban Rebellion, White Lotus Sect, Five Pecks of Rice Sect, Heaven and Earth Society, etc.

Man, this guy is a genius!

Qi Yue was amused.

She immediately dismounted and walked towards the group of bandits.

As expected, they were pushovers. As soon as they saw her approaching, they all retreated continuously, all except for the leader, who still stood firm, but his mouth didn’t stop shouting.

“Don’t come any closer! The Mountain God is here; do you dare to lay a hand? If you don’t leave some passing silver, even if you get past this point, the Mountain God will surely punish you heavily! You won’t reach your destination or meet the people you want to see!”

Wow, this guy really knows how to attack the mind!

Impressive!

Qi Yue lightly smiled, drew the twin blades from her waist, and struck two times at the rocks nearby.

“Boom….”

A two-person tall boulder immediately fell to the ground, split neatly into four pieces.

The cut surfaces were as smooth as mirrors, as if they’d been polished.

“What do you think, can my blade kill your Mountain God?” she asked.

The chief bandit “thump” fell to his knees, knocking his forehead against the ground with a bang.

“Heavenly God above, it’s my fault for being shortsighted, please forgive me!”

“That’s enough,” Qi Yue stopped his kowtowing, helped him up, and said, “Cut it out with all this God nonsense. Do you even believe your own words?”

Upon hearing this, the chief bandit’s face showed difficulty, and he hesitated before saying, “I naturally don’t believe there’s a Mountain God… but…”

“But what?” Qi Yue said, as she tested the edge of her blade.

The blades showed not even the slightest damage after such a cut, truly a pair of divine weapons.

“I’ve said it, Heavenly God, please spare my life,” the bandit leader said and then attempted to kneel again, but Qi Yue quickly stopped him.

“I won’t kill you. Just speak,” she said.

The chief bandit glanced at the blade in Qi Yue’s hand, a look of fear on his face, and finally licked his lips and began to speak.

“Previously I used knives and clubs to scare travelers, but not only did I not get any riches, I almost got beaten to death. Then I had this idea. Without resorting to weapons, they obediently give up their silver.”

“In my heart, I am both confused and pleased. Although there is no Mountain God, I but ate well by borrowing the Mountain God’s name. So, I also wonder if I should believe in a Mountain God.”

Listen to that—isn’t this the same eternal question as whether God exists or not?

This farmer is quite intriguing!

Qi Yue felt increasingly that he was no ordinary farmer, hence she asked, “What is your name? Have you ever been educated? Why have you fallen to this state?”