Chapter 6: The Drowned Dog

"Many thanks, young hero, many thanks, young hero." The wealthy merchant crawled out from under the table, expressing his gratitude repeatedly: "That man has a grudge against me; I don't know how he found out where I was, but he has been hunting me down all the way here. If not for your help, hero, I would have met my end here today."

Yu Liancheng said indifferently: "I simply didn't want anyone to waste a table of food and wine."

"Regardless, you saved my life, young hero. Please, do me the honor of accepting this small token." The wealthy merchant took five banknotes from his robe; they were each for a thousand taels, an extremely lavish gesture.

The wealthy merchant exchanged pleasantries for a while longer, then found an excuse to leave.

"Stop!" Yu Liancheng suddenly reached out, grabbing the merchant's wrist with the speed of lightning.

"I wonder what else you need, young hero?" the wealthy merchant asked in surprise.

"Sikong Zhaixing, your skin is itching again, daring to steal my things." Yu Liancheng sneered.

The wealthy merchant looked full of confusion: "Sikong Zhaixing? That 'King of Thieves' famous throughout the world—young hero, have you mistaken me for someone else?"

Yu Liancheng said: "You are a bit smarter this time, knowing that people always tend to trust those who have done them a favor. You thought that since you helped him, he wouldn't turn around to harm you, but you forgot that the story of the farmer and the snake is a common occurrence. However, this scheme of yours has at least two flaws; it really lacks standard."

The wealthy merchant still looked full of confusion: "Young hero, I really don't understand what you are saying."

Yu Liancheng spoke to himself: "First, the one-eyed man you hired was a bit too stupid; he kept glancing at me the moment he entered the inn. I am not blind, how could I not see it? Second, you are playing the role of a wealthy merchant who started from scratch. Such a person understands the hardship of earning money best and would never be so generous. Only those who come by money easily would throw away a thousand gold pieces, like a spoiled brat, or like a thief such as yourself."

The wealthy merchant was silent for a moment, then finally could not help but say: "Well played, Yu Liancheng, you are as cunning as a ghost; I didn't manage to trick you this time."

Yu Liancheng said: "The trick has been exposed. Return the jade tablet to me, and perhaps I will deal with you leniently."

The wealthy merchant's wrist suddenly shrank and slipped, actually pulling free from Yu Liancheng's palm. With a flash of his figure, he had already appeared at the inn's entrance.

He raised the jade tablet in his hand and laughed: "Little Ghost Yu, although you exposed me, you didn't catch me, and this tablet is still in my hands."

It turned out that this wealthy merchant was the "King of Thieves" Sikong Zhaixing in disguise.

And the jade tablet in his hand was the legendary "Rakshasa Tablet."

This jade tablet was not only worth a fortune, but it was also the treasure of the Western Demon Cult. When the disciples of the Demon Sect scattered throughout the world saw this jade tablet, it was as if they were seeing the Sect Leader himself.

During the time Yu Liancheng was traveling and fighting across a thousand miles, he had occasionally revealed this tablet, and Sikong Zhaixing had caught a glimpse of it.

Although Sikong Zhaixing did not know the great significance the Rakshasa Tablet represented, he could tell it was of immense value. He was tempted by greed and tried to steal it. Unfortunately, he was seen through by Yu Liancheng on the spot and fled in a sorry state. Yet, his thieving heart remained, and he wanted to steal it a second time.

Sikong Zhaixing laughed craftily: "Your sword technique is very powerful; even Lu Xiaofeng's Lingxi Finger cannot catch it, but fortunately, I have a way to deal with you."

This fellow had previously seen the sword strike Yu Liancheng aimed at Lu Xiaofeng, and his assessment of Yu Liancheng was already that of a peerless swordsman comparable to Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng. In terms of martial arts alone, he was by no means his opponent.

Yu Liancheng was not in a hurry: "Oh? What way?"

"Grease the soles of my feet and slip away."

Amidst the sound of clothes fluttering in the wind, Sikong Zhaixing's figure had already moved far away.

If one were to ask what the most practical martial art in the Edo is, it is undoubtedly light-body technique.

It is fine if one's fist and sword techniques are a bit weak, but if one's light-body technique is too poor, one generally does not live long.

And among the famous experts of the current age, all possess superb light-body techniques.

As for who is the number one light-body expert of the current age, opinions vary, and there is no unified consensus.

Some say it is the "White Cloud City Lord" Ye Gucheng; his move, Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens, requires a brilliant light-body technique to execute.

Others say it is Lu Xiaofeng; after all, this fellow has meddled in many affairs, yet he is still alive, so clearly his ability to escape is absolutely not poor.

But more people believe it is Sikong Zhaixing. Every thief is nimble-footed, and as the "King of Thieves," if his light-body technique were not good, his legs would have been broken by others long ago.

In fact, Sikong Zhaixing's light-body technique is indeed brilliant. As he leaped, the surrounding scenery retreated rapidly, becoming mere silhouettes. His movements were so swift that even birds would be left in the dust.

In a short while, he had already covered a distance of over a hundred zhang.

Just as he wanted to stop and catch his breath, he heard a voice behind him: "Sikong Zhaixing, I just don't know if your light-body technique can pluck stars and grasp the moon. If not, I fear that today you will not be able to escape even with wings."

Sikong Zhaixing naturally recognized this as Yu Liancheng's voice.

Yu Liancheng had actually been following behind him the whole time, at a distance of no more than one or two zhang, and could catch up in a single breath.

This Jade-Faced Divine Sword, famous for his sword technique, had a light-body technique far more brilliant than anyone imagined. His movements were elegant and agile, graceful and carefree; the whole person seemed like an immortal descending to the world, and his speed was unimaginably fast.

Yu Liancheng's sword technique was too high; ordinary people didn't even have a chance to escape from his hands, so he rarely used his light-body technique, giving people the impression that it was perhaps not that great.

But in reality, his attainments in light-body technique were also at the pinnacle of the current age.

The light-body technique Yu Liancheng used was called "Ethereal Immortal-Ascending Steps," originating from the Rakshasa Cult's "Great Brightness Canon," and was one of the world's top light-body techniques, balancing speed and elegance.

Sikong Zhaixing was greatly shocked and exerted his full strength, but no matter where he fled, he could not shake off Yu Liancheng; the other party hung behind him like a shadow.

Ahead, the water rippled; he had arrived before a pond.

Yu Liancheng suddenly said: "Even if you jump into the water and turn into a fish, or a loach, I will still catch you; you cannot run away."

Sikong Zhaixing had not intended to jump into the water, but upon hearing Yu Liancheng's words, he performed an "Osprey Enters Water Style" and leaped into the lake. Often, the more a person fears something, the more they will emphasize it.

If Yu Liancheng were not afraid of him jumping into the water, he would not have said that; Sikong Zhaixing understood this principle very well.

Sure enough, as soon as he jumped into the water, there was no movement above.

This fellow did not know how to swim.

Sikong Zhaixing felt he had discovered a secret, and he chuckled to himself underwater.

He waited for a long time before daring to poke his head out to catch his breath, only to immediately find Yu Liancheng sitting on a blue stone by the pond, having produced a wine pot and cup from somewhere, drinking by himself.

The faint moonlight spilled onto Yu Liancheng, giving him an indescribable air of leisure and detachment.

"When will the bright moon appear? I hold my wine to catch the thief. Sikong chooses no path, and becomes a dog in the water."