Emperor’s Domination

A while later, the two fools climbed up again. This time, Li Qiye spared them and asked with a smile: “Returning so fast already? Saw any treasure?”

“No.” One responded.

“Yep, none.” The other didn’t disagree this time.

“You two must have not looked closely enough. Go again.” Li Qiye slapped the two down again, prompting them to yell.

After a while, they got up and waited at the wall, staring at Li Qiye.

“See it this time?” He looked down and yelled.

“Yes.” The first nodded.

“No.” The second disagreed this time.

“I saw it.” The first said.

“I didn’t, there’s no treasure.” The second said.

“It’s there.” The first insisted.

“No treasure, no, nothing.” The second raised his voice and stretched out his words.

“There isn’t shit.” Alch-deer jumped out of the well and shouted at them: “You bastards, how dare you push me down?”

The two stared at each other innocently. 

“Did you push him?” One asked.

“You did.” The second said.

“I didn’t.” The first denied.

“It was you.” The second said.

“I did not.” The first said.

“You did, you did, you did!” The second yelled.

“I didn’t, I didn’t, I didn’t!” The first matched the volume.

“Okay, okay, shut up!” Alch-deer couldn’t help shouting too.

“I didn’t push you.” One said.

“I didn’t either.” The second shook his head.

Alch-deer felt his scalp tingling while staring at the two. How were they able to push him down?

“How many have you two pushed down?” He asked.

Since an emperor couldn’t avoid it, it was safe to say there were other victims. If he had somehow died at the bottom, that would be a tragic end to his life. His reputation and prestige would vanish into this air.

“Did you see a treasure?” One of them changed the topic.

“Did you?” The second inquired curiously.

“Damn you, you two know better than anyone. This is a sinister trap.” Alch-deer cursed.

“Is this a trap?” The first asked.

“No.” The second said.

“Of course not.” The first answered.

“You’re still alive, so we didn’t do anything to you.” Both stared at him.

“Shit!” Alch-deer cursed again.

“You got the treasure.” One of them accused him.

“Yes, you got our treasure!” The other chimed in.

“Fuck you!” These two had the audacity to accuse him after pushing him down. Their brazen nonsense made him feel dumb as well.

“Where did your well come from?” Li Qiye smiled and interrupted them.

The two exchanged glances before answering in unison: “We don’t know, it’s always been here.”

“Are you sure?” Li Qiye smirked.

“Yes, always here.” One of them nodded instantly.

“That’s right, always.” The other followed.

“I see, then it doesn’t have an owner. I should push the two down and seal it forever. No one will know.” Li Qiye said.

The two shuddered and jumped out of the well.

“Want to run? You don’t want this well anymore? I suppose I will take it then.” Li Qiye patted the well.

“No!” The two yelled.

“You two said it has always been here. Given the desolate state of this place, it doesn’t have a new owner. Now, since I’ve come across it, it is mine.” Li Qiye said.

“No way.” One shook his head.

“Absolutely not.” The other joined in.

“Then tell me, where did it come from? Otherwise, I’ll take it with me.” Li Qiye stroked his chin.

The two took their time pondering.

“You tell him.” The first said.

“You tell him.” The second repeated.

“You go first, I go after.” The first said.

“I go after, you go first.” The second refused.

“I have a solution for all of this. Whoever speaks, I will spare. The other will be thrown into the well, how about it?” Li Qiye suggested.

“No, that sounds terrible!” The two exchanged glances before shaking their head.

“Then let’s get started, who will start first? The other will be sealed forever under this well.” Li Qiye said with a smile, scaring both.

“This is our boss’ well.” One of them said. [1]

“No, our clan’s well.” The other corrected.

“Not quite either, it is ours.” The first said.

“Right, right, the boss isn’t here so it is ours.” The second agreed with this logic.

“Where is your boss then?” Alch-deer became curious.

“Dead?” One said.

“Don’t think so.” The second said.