Chapter 34: Since You're Here Anyway! Leaving Like This Is Just Rude

When the hot wine and snacks were served, Shi Sheng picked one up and began to eat.

"As expected of the wealthy, these snacks are quite delicious."

Si Nan, standing nearby, took the opportunity to pick up the wine flagon and pour a cup for Ye Liuyun.

"If you have any orders, my lord, please do not hesitate to tell us."

The maid who had delivered the snacks kept her head low and spoke softly. Ye Liuyun merely waved his hand to signal that she could return. He glanced toward a woman in the room who was watching them through the window; he presumed that must be Master Wang’s youngest daughter.

A clever one, indeed. Sending these things over at this hour, she must have realized something.

Ye Liuyun smiled calmly and raised his glass in a toast. No one here was a fool; those who treat others as fools are the true fools themselves. This gesture stirred a sense of curiosity in Wang Mu'er. Given her status, she had seen Imperial Guards before, but someone like Ye Liuyun was a first.

***

In this weather, the night breeze felt truly chilling. Fortunately, Ye Liuyun and his men were martial artists with robust vitality.

"My lord, could it be that the flower-stealing thief isn't coming after all?"

Much time had passed, the wine was finished, and the hour had long since passed midnight, yet there was not a trace of the thief. Could he have learned that Imperial Guards were present and decided not to show his face?

Ye Liuyun did not answer. He sat with his arms crossed and eyes closed, appearing as if he were dozing. Si Nan dared not disturb him further.

A moment later, as if sensing something, Ye Liuyun slowly opened his eyes.

"He's here!"

Once a cultivator reaches the Xiantian realm, they possess an incredibly keen perception of internal energy fluctuations within a certain radius.

"Huh?"

Shi Sheng and Si Nan were startled, but they immediately became alert. Since Ye Liuyun said he was there, he was certainly there.

***

"What Imperial Guards? They're nothing but fools being led around by me!"

Under the cover of moonlight, a lean figure entered Master Wang’s estate soundlessly.

This person was the flower-stealing thief, Hua Wenxuan. His light-foot skills were truly remarkable; not even the slightest sound was made as his feet stepped across the roof tiles.

"What’s so great about a concubine? It’s these untouched young ladies that are truly fun to play with!"

As he spoke, the already rat-faced Hua Wenxuan wore an even more lecherous expression. Just as Ye Liuyun had suspected, Hua Wenxuan’s target from the very beginning was not the concubine, but Master Wang’s youngest daughter, Wang Mu'er. He had heard rumors about her beauty and gentle nature, and the moment he learned of her, his heart, obsessed with thieving flowers and stealing jade, could no longer restrain itself.

However, he knew that Master Wang was wealthy and that his daughter would certainly be guarded. She was clearly different from the girls he had toyed with before. That was why Hua Wenxuan had devised this scheme: write letters to focus everyone’s attention on the concubine. Once that was done, with no one guarding Wang Mu'er, he could do whatever he pleased.

Thinking of this, Hua Wenxuan’s expression grew even more smug. Without further delay, he leaped a few times and reached the courtyard of Wang Mu'er. He had already investigated the layout of the estate before making his move.

"Little beauty, I'm here!"

With a somersault, he landed silently in the courtyard. He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly froze.

Because, as he turned his head, he saw three men dressed as Imperial Guards sitting in the courtyard, watching him with great interest. The man in the center, in particular, looked at him in a way that made Hua Wenxuan feel a chill run down his spine.

"Target: Hua Wenxuan! Cultivation: Second-rate martial artist! Talent Traits: Treading Snow Without a Trace (Purple), Lustful as Life (Blue), Strong as a Dragon and Tiger (Blue), Recognizing Women by Scent (Blue)."

"Treading Snow Without a Trace (Purple): Naturally light-bodied, possessing a unique, heaven-sent talent for light-foot techniques."

"Lustful as Life (Blue): Easily considers beauty more important than anything else."

"Strong as a Dragon and Tiger (Blue): Vigorous yang energy; capable of handling ten women in one night."

Good grief, he had thought this was just an ordinary thief. He hadn't expected three blue traits and one purple. But, aside from the light-foot skill, all the other traits were related to women. No wonder he became a flower-stealing thief.

***

Silence descended upon the area. A drop of cold sweat slowly rolled down Hua Wenxuan’s forehead. What was going on? Why was it different from what he had imagined? Shouldn’t these Imperial Guards be guarding the concubine? Why were they here?

"You didn't really think you were the only clever person in the world, did you?" Ye Liuyun laughed as he looked at Hua Wenxuan.

"A-actually, I was just passing by!" Hua Wenxuan forced a smile. "Goodbye!"

Without a second of hesitation, he turned to leave, intending to use his light-foot skills to escape. But Si Nan and Shi Sheng were on high alert. The moment Hua Wenxuan turned, Si Nan unleashed a flurry of hidden weapons. As Hua Wenxuan waved his robes to deflect them, Shi Sheng surged forward, his fists punching through the fabric and slamming into Hua Wenxuan’s body.

"Bang!"

His frail frame was smashed violently against the wall. The noise shattered the silence of the estate, and lights began to flicker on throughout the grounds.

"A... a first-rate martial artist!" Hua Wenxuan looked at Shi Sheng in disbelief. He had never expected the Imperial Guards to include a first-rate martial artist. Though he wasn't a skilled combatant, he was still a second-rate fighter; only a first-rate martial artist could strike him like that.

"Since you know your grandfather's strength, kneel down obediently. I hate thieves like you the most—men who can't keep their bird under control. Once I bring you back to the Zhao Prison, I'll have someone pluck it off for you."

"That's only if you can catch me first!" Hua Wenxuan wasn't one to surrender easily. He threw his robe to block Shi Sheng's line of sight and leaped toward the roof. Even if there was a first-rate martial artist, with his speed, even a post-natal stage martial artist couldn't catch him.

"You've already come all this way; it would be rude to leave so soon." Seeing Shi Sheng and Si Nan move to pursue, Ye Liuyun raised a hand to stop them and drew the blade at his waist.

His scorching internal energy merged with his movement, forming a flame-like blade aura that flew toward Hua Wenxuan.