Chapter Ninety-Three: The Robbery
“Your Majesty, the latest news!”
“Speak.”
“Yes! It is said that the treasure vaults of all fourth-tier arcane beasts in the Endless Forest have been robbed. They unanimously believe it was the work of humans.”
“So, on top of the previous ransom demand, they've tripled the price in their fury.”
“I believe the other noble families and sects are struggling with this issue as well.”
“How pitiable!”
“Ah? Your Majesty means...?”
“So many factions, yet all choose to mind their own affairs. If they could unite, even a mere fifth-tier, spirit-transforming arcane beast wouldn’t have them by the throat.”
“At this moment, I truly admire that great thief. Leaving aside everything else, just the insight and boldness required are far beyond ordinary.”
“Indeed. Fortunately, none of our Royal Zijin Court’s heirs were among those detained this time.”
“As long as the world remains divided, the strength of humanity will never be truly united!”
“Enough about that. Let them struggle as they wish for now.”
...
“Patriarch! News from Dragon Guard City—Cong’er has been captured as well. A large amount of supplies is required for his ransom. What are your orders?”
“Pay the ransom! The family’s future brilliance rests entirely on Cong’er. We must rescue him.”
“Elder Sun, arrange the supplies. We depart at once.”
“Understood. I’ll see to it immediately.”
...
“Sect Leader, Elder Niu, who went to Dragon Guard City earlier, has returned and brought back inner disciple Zheng Baijing.”
“According to Elder Niu, three of our other disciples are still being held captive.”
“Each will require a vast amount of resources for their release.”
“That Bear Demon King is outrageous! Who gave him such audacity?!”
“Sect Leader, could it be that someone high up within the Arcane Beast Forest is behind this?”
...
“Hmm? Let me think.”
...
“Clan Leader, what about our other disciples?”
“What else can we do?! It’s all that damned thief’s fault.”
“For now, prepare a generous gift and ransom Elder Gong’s disciple. As for the rest... alas! We must leave it to fate.”
“This... Very well, I’ll make the preparations.”
...
Scenes like these played out repeatedly in the neighboring Royal Zijin Court, Sacred Mountain Royal Court, and among many noble families and sects.
Countless people cursed the shamelessness of the Earth Demon Bear King.
Countless others railed against the great thief who had vanished without a trace.
But very few saw through humanity’s own weaknesses, or admired the great thief behind it all.
In the continent of Wind and Thunder, where human lives were as cheap as paper, the flaws of humanity were laid bare—especially among cultivators.
Yet, that was not the whole truth.
After all, there were those who would brave a mountain of blades for love, who would cross a sea of fire for righteousness, who would speak out and act for justice, and who, for the sake of the Way, would wander the mortal world without falling into the cycle of reincarnation.
...
At this moment, on the border between the Royal Zijin Court and the Sacred Mountain Royal Court, no fewer than four hundred thousand troops faced each other in tense standoff.
War was on the brink of erupting. If not for the recent events in the Endless Forest, battle would likely have already commenced.
Now, inside the main command tent on the Zijin Court border, more than thirty senior generals gathered around a sand table, strategizing and arranging their formations.
The commander, Zi Haochu, was the emperor’s own younger brother, having been stationed at the border for over twenty years.
At his side were thirty senior officers, all personally promoted by him and loyal for many years through countless campaigns.
“Commander, I believe we could detach twenty percent of our forces and launch a surprise attack along the cliffs at the edge of the Endless Forest bordering our lines. What do you think?”
“Excellent idea, Old Zhao! While our main forces are locked in confrontation, we could catch the enemy off guard from behind, disrupting their formations and morale.”
“Exactly. With a surprise attack, it shouldn’t be hard to cut down tens of thousands of them. Once we succeed, we’ll retreat back into the Endless Forest. Whether they pursue or not, they’ll be in a dilemma, ha ha ha!”
“I agree. At the initial stage of the standoff, neither side commits all their troops. Sending an elite force won’t affect our main battle line.”
“Especially now, with unrest deep within the Endless Forest, we only need to grease the palms of the tribes along the way and we’ll pass unimpeded. The enemy would never expect us to make such a move.”
“Well said, Zhao Qian! Who would have thought you’d come up with such insight today, ha ha!”
“Very well, it’s settled.”
“Zhao Qian, hear my command!”
“I am here!”
“You are to lead eighty thousand infantry, supported by ten thousand archers, and launch a surprise assault on the enemy’s rear from the edge of the Endless Forest.”
“If you succeed in this battle, you shall claim the highest merit! Go now!”
“Yes, sir!”
...
What the gathered officers, including Commander Zi Haochu, did not know was that after the meeting dispersed, a general with a ferocious knife scar on his face returned to his tent, produced a specially crafted jade slip, and sent a message directly.
...
Meanwhile, having finished counting up their stolen goods, Gu Xiaopang and Bai Ling’er set out once more.
Bai Ling’er, especially curious about the sheer number of storage pouches, wondered where Gu Xiaopang was keeping them all—he only carried a single pouch with spirit stones and basic supplies. Where were the rest?
The secret of the stone pendant was Gu Xiaopang’s greatest trump card, known only to himself. He crafted a plausible story, claiming he had accidentally locked onto a tiny, portable, and markable space with his spatial powers, where he stored all their loot.
Spatial powers were shrouded in mystery, so Bai Ling’er didn’t press further.
...
As the two drew within a hundred miles of the Venomtail Wasp territory, they were suddenly waylaid by a highway robber.
A small Earth Demon Bear, two meters tall with an innocent face, suddenly leapt down from a giant tree. Beating its chest and howling, its eyes gleamed as it blocked their path.
Its meaning was clear: “This is a robbery!”