122 Longing for Silver

Qu Buping sighed and said, "If someone gave me ten thousand taels of silver, I wouldn't want to do anything else. I wouldn't even care about being the leader of the martial arts world. I would be perfectly content just living a carefree life here."

Xiao Yu laughed. "I never imagined Young Master Qu was so easily satisfied. A mere ten thousand taels of silver could strip you of all your ambition and courage to strive for greatness."

"What’s so strange about that?" Qu Buping replied. "An ancient poet once wrote, 'With a hundred thousand strings of cash at my waist, I ride a crane down to Yangzhou.' It’s clear that Yangzhou is the most delightful place in the world. If I had fine wine to drink, beautiful women by my side, and silver to spend every day, all this talk of martial arts supremacy and power struggles could go to hell."

Xiao Yu chuckled. "The problem isn't what we would do with the money, but how much we actually have! Or rather, how we are going to earn any in the future."

Qu Buping patted his pocket and said, "I didn't have much silver when I left, and today is no different." He fixed his gaze on Xiao Yun and teased, "Our Young Master Yun used to be the little sweetheart of the Ninth Young Lady; he surely can't be short on funds. He must have some private savings tucked away. He won't let us down today, will he?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yun’s face clouded over with a miserable expression. Xiao Yu said, "Heaven forbid, Young Master Yun, please don't tell us your pockets are as empty as ours."

Xiao Yun pulled a long face and replied, "Brother Chu, you guessed right. My pockets are just as flat as yours."

Qu Buping complained, "Hey! Brother Yun, you spend all your time chasing beauties, why couldn't you have been a bit more calculating? You could have saved up a fortune."

Seeing the gloomy looks on their faces, Xiao Yun laughed. "Don't be so upset, brothers. Since we don't have money to wine and dine beauties, we can at least feast our eyes on them. It’s a treat in itself to see so many beautiful women."

Seeing their skeptical expressions, he added, "What? Do you have an objection to my words?"

Qu Buping interjected, "Young Master Yun, we have no objection, but our poor stomachs might!"

Xiao Yun sighed, "You are truly never satisfied. You’ve had your fill of beauties, and now you want to fill your bellies too."

Chu Xiaoyu laughed, "Young Master Yun, staring at beauties won't get us anywhere. I think we’d better figure out how to take care of our precious stomachs first."

Qu Buping nodded. "Our stomachs aren't as disciplined as our eyes. The eyes don't complain if they aren't full, but if the stomach isn't fed, it starts making a ruckus that’s hard to ignore. I’m sure you two feel the same."

The three of them chatted as they walked, soon arriving at the entrance of an inn. Gazing at the fragrant roast chicken and fine wine wafting from within, they all instinctively licked their lips.

Ever since leaving Ruyi Restaurant, Xiao Yun hadn't had a proper meal. Seeing the patrons inside feasting heartily, he couldn't help but swallow his saliva, suddenly missing the comforts of being by the Ninth Young Lady's side. *Sigh!* When at home, he had always longed to travel, but now that he was wandering in a strange land, he couldn't help but miss the comforts of home.

Xiao Yun nudged Xiao Yu and asked, "Can we go in and have a meal?"

Xiao Yu laughed, "Of course, provided we have enough silver."

Qu Buping interjected, "And if we eat and drink but have no money to pay, what then?"

Xiao Yu chuckled, "I don't know how ruthless the staff at this inn are toward those who eat and run. But if they’re anything like the staff at our last inn, we’d at least get to enjoy three months of 'leisure' lying in bed recovering."

Qu Buping scoffed, "It wouldn't be that bad, would it? I believe if I ate their food, I’d be back on my feet in three days at most."

Xiao Yun, with a wild idea, suggested, "Then that settles it! Since Brother Qu boasts about having the toughest body, we’ll eat our fill, and then we'll ask the waiters to add the beating meant for Xiao Yu and me onto Brother Qu’s tab. If Brother Qu only needs three days to recover from one beating, then three beatings will only keep him down for nine days—far better than the hundred-plus days the two of us would need combined!"

Qu Buping retorted with a laugh, "You little brat, you think you’re so clever! Do you take everyone else for a fool?"

Xiao Yu suppressed a laugh. "Master Qu, you always brag about being a man of many methods. Now is the time to show us what you're made of."

Qu Buping boasted again, "Getting ten thousand taels is hard, but finding a dozen taels to fill our stomachs? I’m confident I can manage that."

Seeing his mischievous look, Xiao Yu couldn't help but say, "Our Master Qu is planning a bit of 'light-fingered' business, I see."

Qu Buping laughed, "Exactly! That’s why I only like talking to smart people like you—you understand my thoughts without me having to spell them out."

Xiao Yun chimed in, "That’s wonderful! I’ve been wanting to witness your legendary 'light-fingered' skills for a long time."

Qu Buping replied, "Who said I was going to do it? Actually, Xiao Yu is better suited for the job. He’s a master thief—not only can he steal goods, he can even steal a woman's heart."

Xiao Yu scolded, "Don't talk nonsense. When it comes to stealing hearts, none of us can compare to Young Master Yun. Even though he’s young, his ability to steal a woman's heart is far beyond ours."

Xiao Yun became nervous at once. "I can't do it! I’ve never stolen silver before; I’d surely fail."

Qu Buping interrupted, "Alright, no need to argue. Let’s find a target first, then we can decide who does the job, how about that?"

Xiao Yu and Xiao Yun both nodded in agreement. The three of them began strolling through the streets, searching for a target. The streets were bustling with crowds and many wealthy young masters, but for a while, the three dared not make a move.

They couldn't bring themselves to target ordinary citizens or street vendors, as they knew those people were just making a meager, hard-earned living. For a long time, they couldn't find a suitable target.

Finally, Xiao Yu said, "It seems targeting wealthy young masters isn't easy. How about we try targeting some wealthy young ladies instead? What do you think?"

Qu Buping laughed, "Yes, yes! Women are always easier to deal with than men. Besides, staring at women is much more pleasant than staring at men."

Xiao Yun couldn't help but laugh and scold, "For two men who look so respectable, you’re both just bullies who pick on the weak."

Qu Buping chuckled, "Except for true heroes, only fools don't know how to pick their battles. Since we aren't great heroes yet, and we certainly aren't fools, that’s why we do it."

Xiao Yu added, "Actually, this isn't bullying the weak; it’s being adaptable. Who said women are necessarily gentler or easier to deal with than men?"

Qu Buping nodded repeatedly. "True, true. I’ve heard that the 'White-Clad Enchantress' is far more formidable than most men!"

Xiao Yun asked, "Then why do you still insist on targeting women?"

Qu Buping laughed, "Targeting women is far more interesting. Even if I don't manage to steal any silver, it wouldn't be so bad to get a touch of a beauty. Besides, a handsome and dashing youth like me is sure to leave them mesmerized. Even if she caught me, she’d likely pretend she hadn't noticed!"

Xiao Yun scolded, "Don't be so self-absorbed. You’re truly shameless."