Chapter 318: Ye Wuzong, the Saint of Thieves

Chapter 318: Thief Saint Ye Wuzong

Zhao Changhe was answering Tian Lingzi’s questions, but in truth, he was also shaking the man’s resolve, sowing seeds of frustration.

Xia Chichi, however, had no patience for such idle chatter. She was the one who acted.

“Clang!” As Zhao Changhe’s final words landed, Ice Soul pierced through the sword net Tian Lingzi had desperately thrown up, a sharp and murderous sword intent driving straight toward his spiritual platform.

Only then did Tian Lingzi realize that this woman was far stronger than Zhao Changhe. She was a secret vault-level expert, a ruthless fighter who could hold her own even in a fair duel against him.

He had been so fixated on Zhao Changhe’s reputation as “the foremost hidden dragon” that he assumed the man was the leader. He never imagined the woman was the true powerhouse!

Now, with sword energy churning inside him, poison burning through his meridians, and his condition in shambles, how could he face the razor-sharp fangs of the White Tiger?

In a single exchange, his sword path was shattered, unable to form any decent defense. He could only rely on his elusive footwork to dodge again, kicking a half-dead Money Gang thug toward Xia Chichi in a desperate attempt to buy time.

At the same time, he lunged toward the tunnel exit, ready to flee.

A flash of blood-red light erupted as Dragon Sparrow came howling through the air.

Zhao Changhe had already swung his blade in that direction the moment the two clashed, perfectly anticipating Tian Lingzi’s movement.

Tian Lingzi was so furious he could spit blood.

They say everyone in Kunlun is treacherous, but this pair of dogs and bitches was no different. How in the world did Zhao Changhe earn his reputation as a gallant hero? Throwing this bastard into Kunlun wouldn’t feel out of place at all!

But the one playing backup was no pushover either. Wounded and poisoned, Tian Lingzi couldn’t break through the blockade of that blade. Forced to parry with his sword, his nimble form came to an abrupt halt.

Behind him, Ice Soul struck like lightning, already aimed at his heart.

Tian Lingzi could only twist his body to avoid a fatal blow. Ice Soul grazed past his shoulder blade, nearly severing his arm.

In just a few exchanges, Tian Lingzi was already drenched in blood, leaning on his sword as he knelt on the ground, gasping for breath. His eyes, fixed on the two, burned with venomous hatred: “All that talk of disgust, all that talk of chivalry—you’re just here to snatch the treasure too.”

Zhao Changhe rested his blade against Tian Lingzi’s neck and said calmly, “That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t actually want what’s in that furnace. If I took it, I’d never leave here alive.”

Tian Lingzi was stunned.

Xia Chichi smiled faintly.

She had been about to remind Zhao Changhe of that. It seemed this young man’s fame across the land wasn’t just luck or empty praise—he was no less sharp than her.

Maybe she could afford to be a little duller from now on?

Zhao Changhe continued, “The Poison Spider has already managed to simulate and use the toxins here. Either she’s cracked the poison or taken some key item. Since she’s capable of all that, she could have opened the furnace herself. But she didn’t. It’s not like she was saving it for you to share, was she?”

Tian Lingzi: “...”

He had no idea the Poison Spider could use the toxins here.

Zhao Changhe said, “The only reason I can think of for her not opening it is that the process takes time. Before the poison here dissipated, she couldn’t stay long either, so she needed your poison scheme to play out first. That ink jade token wasn’t taken because she left it for you to touch. The one meant to ambush you was supposed to be her, but we ended up taking her place.”

Tian Lingzi: “...”

“Opening this furnace either requires immense force to break it open or a specific method, likely one only the Poison Spider, who holds the core item, knows.” Zhao Changhe sighed. “The Poison Spider was captured, but not by us. The senior who caught her and is waiting outside can watch us kill you, but won’t let me take the treasure safely. As long as I don’t touch the furnace, we have no conflict, and we can probably leave... Isn’t that right, Thief Saint?”

A ethereal voice came from beyond the passage: “You knew I was outside?”

“Someone caught the Poison Spider, so there had to be a follow-up. It’s not like they caught her for fun.”

“Then how did you know it was me?”

“Tian Lingzi was dealing in ancient vessels, and everyone suspected it might involve the Thief Sect, so they were cautious. You, senior, couldn’t have been unaware. I figured he might have even tried to drag you into the poison trap. But you showed no reaction at all, which didn’t add up. You must have been watching his little game in secret.” Zhao Changhe thought for a moment and added, “In fact, the so-called backer of the Money Gang leader is probably you. You likely authorized or at least allowed him to provoke Tian Lingzi.”

The voice began to laugh: “Not bad. Since you knew I was watching, why did you walk into this death trap? Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you all too?”

“Last night, I asked Tian Lingzi to pass a message to you—Zhao Changhe requests an audience. Whether he actually delivered it or not, since you were watching, you must have known. I wanted to see you anyway. What difference does it make where we meet?” Zhao Changhe said outright, “Zhao Changhe requests an audience with Thief Saint. Please show yourself.”

The laughter drew closer. Before Zhao Changhe’s eyes, an old man appeared in the room, holding the shriveled Poison Spider.

Zhao Changhe and Xia Chichi both stared wide-eyed.

Wasn’t this the old man selling wontons last night?

The great Thief Saint, personally selling wontons!

Of course—that was on the street near the Jade Kun Gang. From start to finish, everything the Jade Kun Gang did was under the Thief Saint’s watch, including Zhao Changhe buying the gourd last night. The Thief Saint saw it all clearly.

Ye Wuzong smiled faintly: “You wanted to see me—haven’t you already seen me?”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Tian Lingzi, who had been silent, suddenly struggled: “Master, Master, save me! I never schemed against you. When I left the sect, you said I couldn’t claim to be from the Thief Sect, but I could borrow its name for intimidation. I didn’t go against your wishes...”

So this guy really was from the Thief Sect?

Ye Wuzong’s gaze fell on him, still smiling: “Even if you had schemed against me, it wouldn’t matter. When you left, I said that a thief who leaves the sect relies on his own skills.”

“Yes, yes.” Tian Lingzi beamed. “Xiang Simeng stole from you, and you didn’t hold it against her!”

Ye Wuzong’s smile remained: “But since it’s all about skill, why should I save you?”

The joy froze on Tian Lingzi’s face.

Ye Wuzong reached out and gently tousled Tian Lingzi’s hair, speaking softly like a loving father: “If you had truly fooled me, like Sisi did, that would be your skill. I’d only be pleased. But when an outsider openly sends word to see me, possibly to discuss important sect matters, and you hide it from me? Since you don’t consider yourself part of the Thief Sect, then never be a part of it.”

Tian Lingzi was horrified: “Master, spare—”

Before he could finish, Ye Wuzong’s hidden force had already struck. Tian Lingzi’s crown shattered, and he fell dead, eyes filled with regret.

Zhao Changhe withdrew his blade from Tian Lingzi’s neck and, along with Xia Chichi, tucked their hands into their sleeves, saying nothing.

The Thief Sect was clearly a heretical path, and it was ruthless indeed. The reason for killing was bizarre—deceiving or harming him was fine, but failing to report an outsider’s request was a grave crime. Killing a disciple without blinking. Forget about expecting this to be a kindly old wonton seller.

But Ye Wuzong’s gaze fell on them, and there was even a hint of kindness: “What do you want with me?”

“Uh, actually, I came to see you not about any major sect matters...” Zhao Changhe scratched his head. “But since we’re on the topic, I think the Thief Sect and the Four Symbols Sect could discuss some cooperation?”

Xia Chichi picked up the thread: “Yes, the Four Symbols Sect has long wanted to talk with the Thief Sect, but we could never find anyone.”

“Hmph...” Ye Wuzong said leisurely, “The Four Symbols Sect today is too entangled in worldly affairs, which goes against the Thief Sect’s principles. There’s nothing to cooperate on in major matters. But of course, we’re all no saints—all on Tang Wanzhuang’s wanted list. On certain levels, we can still watch each other’s backs.”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Ye Wuzong said, “Such cooperation isn’t worth us discussing in person. I’m more interested in why Zhao Changhe wanted to see me.”

Xia Chichi said no more and turned to look at Zhao Changhe.

Zhao Changhe sighed: “I wanted to ask for a technique for grasping or retrieving objects... I thought if I helped you kill Tian Lingzi, that might count as a favor to trade. But now it seems everything was already under your control, so my favor feels redundant, and I can’t even bring myself to mention it.”

“A grasping technique...” A smile crept back onto Ye Wuzong’s face. “For using a storage ring?”

Zhao Changhe was embarrassed: “You know that too...”

“Of course I know. I also know the yellow mud on your face is my own secret formula.”

Zhao Changhe suddenly realized he was still disguised as Wang Daozhong. He broke out in a cold sweat. Damn it—had he just stolen the Thief Sect’s core technique?

But Ye Wuzong sighed: “What nonsense is this? Smearing mud all over your face and calling it disguise? Didn’t Sisi tell you that the core of disguise is acting?”

Zhao Changhe quickly glanced at Xia Chichi. Seeing she didn’t seem to know what “Sisi” referred to, he breathed a silent sigh of relief and said quickly, “I think I acted pretty well...”

“Well my ass!” Ye Wuzong roared. “Carrying a broadsword on your back and calling yourself Wang Daozhong—who but a pig-headed fool would fall for that? You don’t even have a storage ring, the essential tool for changing your appearance and hiding props at any time. What kind of disguise are you even learning? You’re ruining my reputation!”

Zhao Changhe: “?”

Ye Wuzong casually tossed out a booklet: “This is the Crane Control Art. Next time I see you in disguise still carrying that damn broadsword, I’ll personally strip your disguise off myself. Disguise my ass!”