Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1032: A thief’s secret weapon

"B-Boss! Sorry for speaking out of turn... b-but how can we trust those sly fo~eh~snake-like thieves?!", Kwon Qianhong dashed after Wu Long, his voice blending apology with desperate plea, only to catch a sharper, more pressing warning stare from Zhao Xieren at the finish.

"Didn't you use their Dao in that 'advance loot' method?", Wu Long lifted an eyebrow toward him.

"Tha-that's not the same! It's merely about efficiently gathering loot from foes you're beating in the moment, or slightly ahead. Pure time management!", Kwon Qianhong protested, his face twisted in grievance.

"Heh, and what if I said that anything he steals while working for us becomes ours?", Wu Long laughed lightly, causing Kwon Qianhong to stiffen in place like he'd been hit by thunder, as Wu Long strode onward without him.

"Is it wise to offer him that decision right now, Valley Master?", Zhao Xieren raised his doubts from the side this time, "You just hinted that allying with you brings advantages. You haven't truly revealed how incredibly fortunate he is for this chance. 'Opportunity of a lifetime,' as you put it, is a huge, almost criminal understatement!"

"Heh, would a guy who joins us purely for the rare perks I offer stay loyal when tough times hit?", Wu Long chuckled, "Sure, most human ties, especially work ones, stem from weighing risks against gains. Nothing wrong with profiting from employment—that's the core of business and jobs. Yet I'm forging a Sect bound for a grueling, perilous journey, where shallow bonds based solely on rewards could spell disaster."

"I see your point, but...", Zhao Xieren paused briefly.

"Speak your mind freely. I've always said I cherish every view, even those clashing with mine. Actually, I push you to voice concerns whenever they arise."

"I feel he could build that bond eventually, but might miss the shot entirely for not spotting the potential."

"Then fate had other plans," Wu Long shrugged, "We'll seek another. The world keeps turning without him."

Zhao Xieren abruptly grasped his own fortune in being Wu Long's sole choice when their partnership kicked off.

"It's a subtle character trial too. I dropped a clue about perks from serving me, but held back details, revealing if he'll gamble on an unclear prospect or opt for safer ground by passing it up," Wu Long explained, then eased the elder's fretting by adding, "Plus, I've already glimpsed my nature to him by letting him live and offering the choice. If he fails to see how exceptional that is in this cultivation realm, he's probably too dim, and we'll dodge a disaster by skipping such a fool."

"Ah~, got it... that's spot on. Hehe... Valley Master always outsmarts me."

"Didn't you beat me at that chess match?"

"... just 'cause Lady Fen Baihu kept tampering with the pieces and throwing you off..."

"You still claimed victory, right?"

"Does that really count as winning?"

Their banter faded down the corridor until...

"B-Boss!!! Epiphany hit me! True enlightenment! You've unveiled the reality to me! Forget choices—let's force him to join! No, better yet! Why not enlist more?! Heck, grab all the captives we've nabbed too? They may suck now, but we can mold them, yeah? Imagine a thief legion! Boss! Old Man Zhao! Hold up! Bo~ss!!!"

—

Qian Ying and Qian Lei faced each other quietly once their squabble over a white fox's existence wore them out.

"You considering his proposal?", Qian Lei murmured softly, guilt washing over him as his bold front crumbled, exhaustion killing any urge to dodge the issue with fake cheer.

"I... have no clue... Can't figure why he'd even offer us a choice to begin with," Qian Ying let out a deep sigh, his features etched with deep thought.

"Could be a trick to make you take that task? No telling if he'll switch it up for a different pick..."

"What’s the point of him doing that? Simply to toy with us? He could easily seize you as a hostage and compel me to carry out that mission—I’d have no way to turn it down. I truly can’t spot any sensible motive for his deceit. Even through these world-weary eyes of mine, he came across as genuine... no, he’s plainly extending us a true option..."

"Well... he was obviously offering you an option. I don’t feel I even qualify to decide on it in the first place. Though I’m the one who landed us in this trouble..."

"Heh, brat... don’t hang your head just yet. We’re still kicking... and... perhaps even touched by a bit of fortune", Qian Ying’s gaze and voice softened noticeably.

"Bit of fortune?", Qian Lei lifted his eyes, gaze filled with doubt.

"Hmm, ever wonder what a thief’s ultimate secret tool is?"

"..."

"Intuition, kid"

"...intuition?"

"A gut instinct, a hunch... call it what you will"

"How’s that even a secret tool?", Qian Lei’s brow arched upward.

"Heh, a mighty one at that", Qian Ying let out a chuckle, "Picture yourself trapped in a nail-biting, life-or-death crisis. All your prepped safeguards have run dry, walls squeezing tighter. Despair looms real. The fog’s thick—not just missing intel, but senses dulled, mind fogged by pressure, thoughts frozen..."

"So... something like our current bind?"

"Hehehe, quite possibly, kid. Even in lopsided spots like this one..." Qian Ying nodded, a wry smile tugging his lips, "When backed into such a corner, intuition becomes your sole anchor. The final lifeline. Like a beacon piercing the dark, revealing escape where none seemed possible. That’s why every thief aiming for longevity must cultivate it fiercely—refine it, cherish it, train the ear to catch its whisper, sync the spirit to heed it clearly. It’s pulled your old grandfather through perils beyond count across my years"

"So what’s your intuition whispering right now?"

"That a massive chance might lie ahead"

"Chance? The one that guy mentioned? Urging you to believe him?"

"Hehe, nothing so straightforward, kid"

"Heh, what a secret tool..."

"You cheeky one, craving a neat little answer? Expecting a blazing signpost in the sky blaring ‘safety this way’ or ‘right path here’?", the grandfather burst into laughter, head shaking, "Nope~... that’s not how it rolls. Intuition just nudges: take notice, something’s afoot, you’re missing a piece, depths hide beyond the surface... Yet it leaves the choices to you. The heavy lifting of reasoning stays yours alone"

Qian Lei let out a sigh, dropping his gaze once more.

In that manner, the bound grandfather and grandson remained seated, facing each other across the chairs.