"You're making it sound so mystical, as if you've secretly entered the Imperial Palace before."

Hearing the chubby old man's convincing words, Chen Tang couldn't help but feel a bit dubious.

What kind of place is the Imperial Palace? Could anyone just slip in so easily?

The chubby old man smirked, about to speak, when he saw Qingmu and Zhiwei return from outside, pushing the door open.

"Wow, Grandpa Chen, you're amazing."

Seeing the chubby old man hanging on the mud wall, Zhiwei found it both amusing and impressive, and couldn't help but praise.

The chubby old man was very satisfied, then looked at Qingmu, and said, "It's just right that you're back. Disciple, this kid doubts your master's methods. Tell him, what is the title of your master that resonates throughout Jianghu and shakes the court?"

The chubby old man thought that boasting about himself wasn't very effective, so it was better to have someone else speak for him to be more convincing.

"This..."

Qingmu hesitated for a moment, blinked, and asked, "Master, is this something we can talk about?"

"What's there that can't be said."

The chubby old man waved his chubby hand and said, "Just say it!"

Qingmu took a deep breath and said, "Master was once called the Number One Thief Under Heaven!"

Upon hearing this, the chubby old man's face turned dark, and he fell straight off the mud wall, landing in the snow.

"Grandpa Chen, are you okay?"

Zhiwei quickly went forward to help the chubby old man up.

The chubby old man extended his sleeve, casually brushed the snow off his face, and said with some resentment, "That was the title I had back when I roamed Jianghu in my youth, and I haven't used it in a long time."

"Number One Thief Under Heaven, impressive indeed."

Chen Tang said in praise.

No matter what, being called the best demonstrates one's abilities.

However, the chubby old man felt as if Chen Tang was mocking him.

Qingmu said, "Master was called the Number One Thief Under Heaven back then but only took one kind of wealth—ill-gotten wealth. Master would take the money but wouldn't keep it for himself, instead helping disaster-stricken people."

"And ill-gotten wealth often came from corrupt officials, noble families, and royal relatives. So, Master had a high reputation in Jianghu but was deeply hated by the nobility."

Chen Tang praised, "Robbing the rich to help the poor, even thieves have their code."

In this age where the court and Jianghu coexist, robbing the rich isn't difficult as long as you have the skills.

Even bandits who rob and kill claim they're robbing the rich to help the poor.

But while they're truly robbing the rich, they might not actually be helping the poor; most of the time, they're helping themselves.

Moreover, being wealthy doesn't necessarily mean being unjust.

Being able to only take ill-gotten wealth is what makes this Number One Thief Under Heaven remarkable.

The act of helping the poor takes much effort and spirit and is often thankless.

The chubby old man waved his hand, seeming a bit disenchanted as if recalling something, and said, "Those were the reckless things I did when I was young; now that I'm older, I have no desire to rob the rich or bother with helping the poor."

Qingmu said, "Later on, Master was called 'One Step to the Clouds' in Jianghu."

"Exactly!"

The chubby old man nodded slightly with his hands behind his back.

Zhiwei clapped and praised, "Number One Thief Under Heaven and then One Step to the Clouds, in terms of lightweight skill, Grandpa Chen must be the best in the world!"

The chubby old man was overjoyed but said, "Eh, it's not good to say it like that; it doesn't seem humble enough. One must know that there are always people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens; I could also be the second best."

The chubby old man glanced sideways at Chen Tang.

Hmph, look at how even a little girl is more perceptive than you.

The chubby old man said, "At the very least, in the Imperial Palace Inner Courtyard, I can come and go as I please, as if walking on flat ground!"

"Moreover, my greatest skill isn't stealing money, but stealing people!"

Chen Tang: "..."

Seeing the shock in Chen Tang's eyes, the chubby old man felt very proud. This time, he finally managed to show off successfully.

The chubby old man decided to add more fuel, continuing, "And I even went to the Imperial Palace to steal people! And did it twice!"

Qingmu: "Uh..."

Chen Tang was so surprised his jaw almost fell to the ground.

Is it that thrilling?

No wonder Mountain Guest said that in some aspects, very few people can surpass the chubby old man.

Could he be referring to this?

Only Zhiwei didn't realize and merely found it interesting, looking at the chubby old man with anticipation, waiting for more.

Chen Tang cleared his throat and asked, "Old man, is this something that can be talked about?"

The chubby old man glanced at Qingmu, hesitated for a moment, and pondered, "This matter is indeed somewhat secretive."

Chen Tang was speechless.

Isn't that private!

Though he thought so, he couldn't resist his curiosity.

Gossip, after all, is humanity's most basic instinct.

But then Chen Tang thought again, even if the chubby old man ignores etiquette and doesn't behave properly, it wouldn't be to this extent of absurdity.

Chen Tang blinked and asked again, "Is this 'stealing people' you mentioned a proper one? Should we let Zhiwei and her friend step out first, so we two can talk privately at night?"

The chubby old man then realized and jumped up high, saying, "What are you thinking, of course, it's a proper kidnapping!"

"Oh."

Chen Tang was a bit disappointed.

Not exciting at all.

He thought he was about to hear some scandalous and thrilling palace secrets, but it turned out to be proper kidnapping.

"Someone's coming."

At this moment, the chubby old man suddenly said, turned his head to enter the house, and advised Chen Tang, "Practice this lightweight skill well."

A moment later, there was a knock on the door.

"Brother Chen, it's me."

It was the voice of Meng Liangyu.

Entering the courtyard, Meng Liangyu took out a stack of silver notes from his bosom, handed them to Chen Tang, and whispered, "Just extorted three thousand taels of silver from the Evil Wolf Gang, went to exchange them for some silver notes, and here's fifteen hundred taels, half for each of us."

Today's act by Meng Liangyu had been agreed upon by the two last night, so Chen Tang was not surprised.

"Where's your half?"

Chen Tang asked.

Meng Liangyu said, "Just used it to make some arrangements, planning to meet with the Black Water Gang and Evil Wolf Gang."

"It's right to spend a bit; taking half is enough for me."

Chen Tang took out seven hundred and fifty taels and returned the other half to Meng Liangyu, saying, "You should reward those brothers in the government office; otherwise, who will risk their lives for you?"

Chen Tang indeed needed money.

With four people in the family, expenses were constant, and the ten or so taels of silver Mei Yingxue left was almost spent. He couldn't keep spending Mei Yingxue's money.

Meng Liangyu hesitated for a moment but still accepted the seven hundred and fifty taels.

Some things indeed required the help of some brothers in the government office.

Meng Liangyu said, "The time for the two gangs to meet hasn't been set yet, came to consult with you about when would be appropriate."

Chen Tang pondered in silence.

He needed more time to cultivate to the ninth grade extreme realm.

There's one more month until the year-end.

Fifteen days after the year-end is the Lantern Festival.

And every year in Wu'an County, the martial artists' evaluation is held on that day.

Chen Tang said, "Set it for the night before the Lantern Festival."

"Alright!"

Meng Liangyu said, "I'll make arrangements."

Thinking for a moment, he asked, "What about the three at your home? Should I send a few people to protect them? That night, it'll probably be chaotic, and can your elder handle it on his own?"

In truth, Chen Tang wasn't worried about the safety of the three.

With the chubby old man and Qingmu around, no one in Changze County could harm them.

However, if they stayed in Changze County, there might be other troubles in the future.

Chen Tang said, "A few days before the Lantern Festival, I'll take them to Wu'an County to celebrate there."

"Good."

Meng Liangyu said, "That way, you won't be in Changze County, and no one will suspect you. If there's enough time, you could just get evaluated in Wu'an County, and being an entry-level martial artist acknowledged by the court will save you a lot of hassle."

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