Chapter 26: King of Thieves
Li Qingqiu still agreed to Zhang Yu’s temporary price increase.
He planned to first observe Zhang Yu’s teaching.
If the lessons were unsatisfactory, he would simply drive the man away.
That evening at dinner, Li Qingqiu announced that beginning the next day, all disciples would start reading and attend Zhang Yu’s classes.
The lessons would take place on the newly cleared ground beneath the mountain gate, and no one was allowed to skip.
The following morning, after practice ended, everyone except Li Qingqiu went to attend the class.
Even Yang Jueding was curious about whether this scholar possessed real skill.
In his opinion, Zhang Yu’s fee was far too high!
Since becoming the Elder of Martial Transmission, Yang Jueding had begun to consider matters from the Clear Sky Sect’s perspective.
By noon, Li Qingqiu returned to the courtyard and listened to his junior brothers and sisters’ opinions.
Their evaluation of Zhang Yu was unexpectedly high—they found his lessons both interesting and insightful.
Even Yang Jueding admitted that Zhang Yu “had some ink in his belly.”
Hearing this, Li Qingqiu felt relieved.
However, no matter how engaging a teacher might be, students eventually grew tired of lessons.
A month later.
Li Qingqiu brought Xu Ning up the mountain.
That day, they had gone to the Subterranean Spiritual Lake, where Xu Ning successfully reached the Second Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
Her little face glowed with energy, her joy impossible to hide.
When they reached the clearing below the mountain gate, Li Qingqiu saw Zhang Yu instructing five disciples.
“I’m pleased with your eagerness to learn. But you mustn’t follow that brat Li Sifeng’s example—he’s bound to suffer for his temperament sooner or later.”
When Zhang Yu mentioned Li Sifeng, his tone was full of indignation.
From afar, Li Qingqiu immediately guessed that Li Sifeng must have played another prank on Zhang Yu that day.
Ever since they became familiar, Li Sifeng often teased Zhang Yu, bullying him for not practicing martial arts.
Indeed, Zhang Yu did not practice martial arts.
He claimed it was a rule set by his Master, the Old Man of Nine Meridians—anyone who learned the Art of Stealing Heaven must never train in martial ways.
He had always abided by this rule.
Li Qingqiu cast a glance at Xu Ning.
Understanding his intent, she followed as both lowered their steps and quietly slipped behind Zhang Yu.
Catching a glimpse of them from the corner of his eye, Zhang Yu’s expression froze, his eyes widening.
He quickly waved and called out, “Sect Master! I have something to discuss with you!”
Li Qingqiu pretended not to hear and hurried up the steps, Xu Ning close behind.
Master and disciple entered the mountain gate one after another.
Zhang Yu let his hand drop in frustration.
In front of the disciples, he had to maintain his dignity as a teacher—he could not utter vulgar words.
Elsewhere.
Li Qingqiu walked into the courtyard and saw Li Dongyue sitting under a tree, holding Yuan Li in her arms, while Yuan Qi stood beside her, playing with the child.
In another corner of the courtyard, two female disciples were weaving clothes.
Seeing Li Qingqiu enter, they quickly rose and saluted him—the etiquette Zhang Yu had taught them.
Zhang Yu believed that the Clear Sky Sect’s rules were too vague.
Though formalities might seem superficial, they reinforced hierarchy.
If juniors never saluted their elders, they would grow lax and disrespectful over time.
Li Qingqiu didn’t fully agree with this, but since Zhang Yuchun, Jiang Zhaoxia, and Yang Jueding all supported the practice, he let Zhang Yu continue teaching such courtesies.
After nodding to the two female disciples, Li Qingqiu was about to approach Li Dongyue when Zhang Yuchun emerged from a nearby room and quickly stepped forward.
“Senior Brother, I want to borrow someone!” Zhang Yuchun said solemnly, grabbing Li Qingqiu’s arm.
“Borrow who?” asked Li Qingqiu.
“Third Junior Brother. I failed to recruit anyone on my last trip down the mountain, but I finally met a martial expert. He said that if anyone could defeat him, he’d grant that person one request—even serve as a slave for life. I want Third Junior Brother to go, but he refuses, fearing that the Seven Peaks Alliance or the Azure Sect might attack.”
Zhang Yuchun looked helpless.
He didn’t believe any trouble would come to the Clear Sky Sect in the next six months—and even if it did, Jiang Zhaoxia could handle it.
Li Qingqiu asked, “You’re sure he’s an expert?”
“Mm. He’s been living in a forest at the edge of the Ancient Great Mountain Range for several years. His ways are strange. I met him recently—he’s indeed capable. I couldn’t defeat him, so I hurried back to ask Third Junior Brother for help.
I’m afraid he might leave or someone else might get to him first.”
Zhang Yuchun’s tone grew urgent.
He was genuinely anxious about recruiting disciples for the sect.
Outside the nearby villages, no one wanted to join.
Once people heard the name Clear Sky Sect, they dismissed it as hopeless.
Moreover, Zhang Yuchun was too young, making him seem unreliable.
The Clear Sky Sect had many tasks ahead, but its disciples were too young—labor was scarce.
He had to find ways to recruit strong hands.
Li Qingqiu pondered.
Since Zhang Yuchun had challenged the man and returned alive, that meant the man wasn’t bloodthirsty.
Sending Jiang Zhaoxia to try wouldn’t hurt.
Zhang Yuchun had worked tirelessly these days—he deserved a chance to succeed.
“Go ahead. Tell Third Junior Brother I’ve agreed,” said Li Qingqiu.
Zhang Yuchun’s face lit up with joy.
He bowed deeply to Li Qingqiu, then turned and left.
Their brotherly bond was sincere.
If Zhang Yuchun said that Li Qingqiu had agreed, Jiang Zhaoxia would believe him.
Naturally, Zhang Yuchun would never lie—he would never invoke Li Qingqiu’s authority without permission.
Li Qingqiu then walked up to Li Dongyue and smiled.
“Dongyue, you must take good care of this little one. I feel he’ll become the pride of the Clear Sky Sect someday.”
Li Dongyue smiled gently.
“Even if he doesn’t stand out, I’ll still take good care of him.”
“Sect Master, if you truly think so, could you take my younger brother as your disciple?” Yuan Qi asked eagerly.
Since coming to the Clear Sky Sect, he had felt distant from Li Qingqiu.
He knew earning the Sect Master’s acknowledgment wasn’t easy.
His martial talent was mediocre, and some nights, he couldn’t help but feel dejected.
Li Qingqiu smiled.
“Very well. Once he’s grown enough to recognize words, I’ll take him as my disciple.”
Hearing that, Yuan Qi was overjoyed.
He immediately knelt and kowtowed in gratitude.
Li Dongyue noticed that Li Qingqiu didn’t stop him.
She was quietly surprised—could it be that Yuan Li truly possessed an extraordinary talent?
Xu Ning’s accomplishments had already proven Li Qingqiu’s keen eye.
Among all disciples of the Clear Sky Sect, he had never easily accepted anyone as a disciple, showing just how strict he was.
“Rise, Yuan Qi. Don’t always put your younger brother before yourself. You must also train diligently. Aptitude is one thing, but effort matters just as much,” Li Qingqiu said earnestly.
Yuan Qi straightened and nodded solemnly.
After a few more words with Li Dongyue, Li Qingqiu returned to his room.
He felt unusually weary—likely from overusing his Vital Energy while cultivating the Ghostly Immortal Needle of Rejuvenation.
Cultivators could go without sleep, but only if they hadn’t depleted their Vital Energy.
For Li Qingqiu, dreaming once in a while wasn’t so bad.
He slept deeply.
When he awoke to a noisy commotion, night had already fallen.
Puzzled, he wondered why no one had called him for dinner.
Rising from bed, he soon heard voices outside the courtyard—someone was begging for mercy, while others shouted angrily.
“Hmm? An intruder?”
Li Qingqiu stood and headed toward the door.
At the same time, near the main gate of the courtyard, more than a dozen disciples had gathered.
In their midst knelt a young man dressed in black, his face bruised and swollen, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Hands clasped together, he begged pitifully for mercy.
Xu Ning stood before him, her small face stern.
With Zhang Yuchun and Jiang Zhaoxia both away on their journey, no one had dispersed the crowd.
The group’s numbers made the scene all the noisier.
Yang Jueding vaulted over the courtyard wall and landed behind the disciples.
Looking closely, he exclaimed in shock.
“Cheng Canghai, why are you here?”
The black-clad man looked up at him—not with relief but with deep shame.
Lowering his head, he wished he could sink into the ground.
When Li Qingqiu emerged, Li Dongyue also arrived carrying Yuan Li.
They exchanged a look—she shook her head, showing she knew nothing.
“What’s all this noise about?”
Li Qingqiu strode forward, his voice firm.
At once, the disciples parted and saluted him.
Seeing this, Zhang Yu, standing at the edge, nodded in satisfaction.
Qin Ye spoke first.
“Master, this man snuck into our sect to steal things and was caught by Senior Sister.”
The “Senior Sister” he referred to was naturally Xu Ning—though younger, she had become Li Qingqiu’s disciple first and was far stronger in martial arts, earning his respect.
Stealing?
Li Qingqiu didn’t doubt it.
The Clear Sky Sect was no longer impoverished—it now had valuables worth stealing.
He walked up to Cheng Canghai and looked him over.
Cheng Canghai hurriedly said, “I was just hungry! I only wanted a bit of food…”
Xu Ning snapped, “A bit? You stole an entire roast chicken—and carried off two jars of wine! Both jars shattered on the ground. This matter won’t end easily!”
Hearing that, Li Qingqiu’s face darkened.
Though the sect was now wealthier, mouths to feed were many, and every expense had to be calculated carefully.
A roast chicken was a rare luxury—and this man dared to steal it!
“I’ll repay it! Just give me a chance. Within five days, I’ll bring money to compensate you!”
Cheng Canghai pleaded, then turned toward Yang Jueding.
“Dragon-Subduing Hero, you know what my word is worth! Please speak for me!”
Hearing that two jars of wine were gone, Yang Jueding’s nostrils flared in anger.
When Cheng Canghai begged for help, he snapped, “Speak for you? I’m ashamed to even know you! The mighty King of Thieves, instead of robbing corrupt nobles, came up this mountain to steal chicken and wine? And got caught by a child at that! Don’t you feel any shame?”
That only made Cheng Canghai burst into tears.
“Yang Jueding—‘a child’? She’s a demon child! Even you couldn’t beat her!”
Yang Jueding’s anger flared further.
How could he not be Xu Ning’s match?
He had watched Xu Ning join the sect himself! How long had it been since then? Could she already surpass his twenty years of hard training?
Yet, when his gaze unintentionally swept over Xu Ning’s profile, his heart suddenly trembled for reasons he couldn’t explain.