Chapter 108: True and False Yanzi

In the evening, Li Ping'an pulled his cart to the entrance of Rui Fu Xiang. The shop hadn't closed yet, and through the window he could see Ping Le's profile, head bowed, embroidering. The light fell on her focused little face, bearing a hint of her mother's former charm.

Ping Le looked up, saw him, and immediately ran out holding the embroidered patch, "Look, master, today you taught me to embroider a peony!"

On the embroidered cloth, a red peony bud was about to bloom, its stitches fine and even. Li Ping'an sincerely praised, "Our Le'er truly has a natural talent for delicate work!"

Su Shifu, leaning on his cane, came out, a rare smile on his face: "Ping'an, your little sister is a fine seedling. Given time, she'll become a great talent."

Li Ping'an quickly bowed: "Thank you, master, for your cultivation. Ping Le's achievements today are entirely thanks to your proper guidance."

On the way home, Ping Le chattered nonstop, talking about how the master taught her color matching, how he taught her line division, and how the senior sisters of the same sect took good care of her.

"Brother, the master treats me so well; shouldn't we show our gratitude?" Ping Le suddenly asked.

Li Ping'an felt a stir inside: "You're right. Tomorrow I'll go buy some gifts and properly thank Su Shifu."

That night, after Ping Le fell asleep, Li Ping'an changed into his Night Cloak. Moonlight like water, he glided over the rooftops as silently as an owl, heading toward Front Gate Street.

Just as he was leaping from eaves to walls, he suddenly heard fighting sounds from the alley below. Looking down, he saw a robust man in black, also masked, being besieged by five or six people.

The strong man's skill was extraordinary, his fists and kicks swift as a tiger's wind. Li Ping'an squinted and observed that the man was at least an expert of the Dark Realm, handling those few thugs with ease.

Sure enough, after only a moment, the strong man knocked the crowd to the ground. He looked around, then loudly said, "Friend, after watching for so long, it's time to reveal yourself!"

Li Ping'an chuckled inwardly; this was clearly a ruse. He held his breath, focused, and remained motionless.

The strong man waited a while, saw no response, and then said, "I am Yanzi Li San of the Divine Thief Sect, here to investigate who is misusing my name. If you're a true hero, feel free to reveal yourself!"

Li Ping'an was startled by the words. A fake Li Kui meeting the real Li Kui! He thought briefly; since the other had declared his affiliation, he could no longer hide his identity.

He lightly landed, bowed, and said, "I've long admired the great name of Yanzi Li San; to see you today, indeed the fame is well deserved."

The two sized each other up under the moonlight. Li San was towering, his gaze sharp as an eagle's. Li Ping'an was compact, his aura restrained.

"Who are you, sir? Why are you misusing my name?" Li San asked, his tone tinged with annoyance.

Li Ping'an was about to answer when a police whistle sounded from afar, and chaotic footsteps approached.

"The police are coming!" Li San frowned, "It's not convenient to speak more today; we'll meet again later!"

Having said that, a hawk flipped, leapt onto the roof, and after a few hops disappeared into the night. Li Ping'an also employed Carefree Step, gliding over the ridge like a fresh breeze.

Back home, Li Ping'an couldn't fall asleep for a long time. He hadn't expected to encounter the real master tonight. Yanzi Li San's martial arts were indeed formidable; no wonder he has made such a huge name in the jianghu.

The next day, he deliberately went to Front Gate Street to buy fine West Lake Longjing Tea Tea tea and two bolts of Su silk, and took Ping Le to thank the master.

Su Shifu, seeing the gifts, waved his hands repeatedly: "That's too extravagant! Teaching a disciple is my duty; how can I accept such heavy gifts?"

Ping Le obediently offered the tea: "Master, please accept them." He said, "One day as a master, a lifetime as a mother; this is proper."

Su Shifu was deeply moved by the words and finally accepted the gifts. As she was leaving, she specifically said to Li Ping'an, "Ping'an, your little sister has exceptional talent; I will certainly pour my knowledge into her."

On the way home, Ping Le suddenly asked, "Brother, did you go out again last night?"

Li Ping'an was startled: "Why do you say that?"

I woke up at night and saw a dark shadow flash outside your window. Ping Le said worriedly, "Brother, you must be careful. The streets are full of people catching others now."

Li Ping'an patted her head: "Don't worry, brother knows what's going on."

For the next several days, Li Ping'an halted his night activities. During the day while pulling his cart, he paid extra attention to the street's sounds. Indeed, police checks became stricter, and a new wanted poster was posted, bearing Yanzi Li San's portrait.

That evening, while resting at a teahouse, he heard a few people at the neighboring table, dressed in jianghu style, discussing.

"Did you hear? The real Yanzi Li San has appeared! Wasn't he said to be in Baoding? How did he come back to Beiping? They say he's here to catch impostors! This promises a good show!"

Li Ping'an thought to himself, "Li San is indeed a man of steel, knowing the mountain has tigers yet still heading into the tiger's den."

At night, he again donned his Night Cloak. Since the real Li San had arrived, he wanted to meet this jianghu‑famous divine thief.

He weaved across rooftops, deliberately heading toward those grand mansions. Sure enough, on the roof of a wealthy residence, he saw that familiar figure again.

"Friend, we meet again." Li San clearly had also spotted him.

The two stood several yards apart. In the moonlight, Li San spoke first: "Who exactly are you? Why are you misusing my name?"

Li Ping'an gave a slight smile: "I am merely someone who cannot stand injustice. As for the name, I just borrowed it for use."

Li San snorted coldly: "Do you know this name was earned with my life? Now the whole city's police are after me; how shall this debt be settled?"

"I was thoughtless in my consideration." Li Ping'an bowed, "However, the loot I steal is ill‑gotten wealth; I distribute all the proceeds to the common folk."

Li San was startled by the words, his tone softening slightly: "Are you serious?"

If any false word is spoken, heaven will strike with thunder.

The two were silent for a moment. Li San suddenly asked: "The day I saw your skill, it was not beneath me. Why do you act as a gentleman on the beam?"

Li Ping'an looked at the distant lights: "There are too many injustices in the world; someone has to intervene."

From afar came the sound of a night watchman beating the drum. Li San sighed: "Fine. Since you are also a good man, borrowing the name is fine. It's just…"

Before he could finish, a sudden police whistle blared. Countless torches surged from all directions, encircling the house tightly. Over a dozen police brandished rifles, their muzzles all pointing at the roof.

"Got trapped!" Li San's face changed; "This is a trap!"

Li Ping'an looked around and saw Deputy Director Dai personally leading a team, sneering at them: "Both Yanzi have been caught in the net; a single net to finish them all!"

The dark gun barrels glimmered coldly in the moonlight, all aimed at the two on the roof.

Li Ping'an and Li San stood back‑to‑back. Li San whispered, "Brother, it seems we must fight side by side today."

Li Ping'an smiled lightly: "To stand shoulder to shoulder with Yanzi Li San is my honor."

The night wind howled, torches crackled. A fierce battle was about to begin.