Chapter 944: Chapter 335: But Fate…
Qing Chi let out a muffled groan, feeling as if a piece had been gouged out of her chest, leaving a painful emptiness. Scalding tears surged forth without warning, instantly blurring her vision, and dropped one by one.
Her heart was filled with regret, but upon seeing Ning Zhuo struggling in the branch of the river, her gaze became resolute once more.
“Little Ma, childhood isn’t the most important thing. Don’t blame me, I have to pay this price!”
However, after the bait was thrown in, it failed to catch even a fraction of Ning Zhuo.
Luo Si’s expression changed: “Could it be that the bait isn’t enough?”
The brilliance of the Buddha Heart Demon Seal had built a dam for Ning Zhuo’s soul.
The waters of the River of Oblivion constantly battered and clashed, causing the Treasure Seal to slightly tremble within Ning Zhuo’s Divine Sea.
Under the guidance of Sun Lingtong, Ning Zhuo learned the skill of theft.
He would sneak in secretly and place the stolen money into the homes of the poor.
After climbing over the wall and landing on the ground, little Ning Zhuo was startled to see Sun Lingtong standing before him, arms crossed, tapping her toes, leisurely watching him.
Ning Zhuo immediately displayed an expression of being caught and embarrassed: “Boss…”
Sun Lingtong: “What did you do?”
Ning Zhuo lowered his head: “I, I felt sorry for those people during the day and wanted to help them.”
Sun Lingtong snorted: “How many families did you help?”
Ning Zhuo answered truthfully.
Sun Lingtong snorted again: “You helped quite a few, huh. Didn’t I tell you, we’re thieves.”
Ning Zhuo: “But, but my mother told me before she passed away to be kind and help others as much as possible. She wanted me to be a good person…”
Although little Ning Zhuo’s voice was weak, it carried a trace of determination.
Sun Lingtong, however, revealed a playful smile: “Then let’s just wait and see the show.”
A while later.
The poor families “aided” by Ning Zhuo began to prosper quietly, living more comfortable lives.
Ning Zhuo secretly observed, seeing their happy smiles and their worries over hardships disappear, felt very pleased.
But the good times did not last long; conflicts quickly arose within these families.
Some families fought over the suddenly acquired huge sums, shattering the harmony between brothers and fathers and sons. Some family heads indulged excessively, wasting money, frequenting gambling dens and brothels. Some families flaunted their wealth and were targeted by ill-intentioned people, falling from riches back into poverty whether by flattery or extortion.
Even cultivators from the City Lord’s Mansion followed the clues, almost discovering Ning Zhuo, the little thief.
In the end, a frightened Ning Zhuo apologized to Sun Lingtong: “Boss, thanks to you! Otherwise, I would have been discovered and thrown into prison.”
Sun Lingtong snorted pridefully and tiptoed, patting Ning Zhuo’s large head: “Now you know you did something foolish, right?”
“It’s not so easy to be a hero.”
“Sudden wealth is something most people cannot handle and only brings disaster.”
Ning Zhuo, wise beyond his years, immediately nodded. Only a very few families remained silent, planning their usage, and slowly improved. The vast majority of poor families ended up worse than before. Some even cursed at the air at home, demanding why money no longer magically appeared.
Sun Lingtong pointed to herself: “The real change in life starts with oneself, not with an unexpected sum of money!”
“There are reasons why they are poor and suffer.”
“Some deserve wealth, and some deserve poverty. Those who can truly change don’t need your money to become better; they just need more time.”
Ning Zhuo nodded: “I understand, Boss.”
Yet Sun Lingtong revealed a serious expression: “No, you don’t understand.”
“We all live in this world together, some are poor, some are rich, some are heroes, and some, like us, are thieves.”
“Snakes have their paths, and mice have theirs. Since these identities exist in reality, they have their significance and deserve to live.”
“We are thieves, young brother.”
“This is our way of survival!”
“If we don’t become thieves, if we don’t hide ourselves, our lives would be truly unbearable. What do you think your uncle and aunt would do to you if they knew your abilities?”
“Didn’t you also want to oppose the City Lord’s Mansion? Do you have the power? Do you dare to openly challenge them with swords and guns?”
“We are weak; to achieve our goals, what should we do?”
Ning Zhuo thought of his mother’s last words, dimming his gaze, but his tone became firm: “Follow the thief’s path.”
Sun Lingtong smiled: “Hehe, now that’s right!”
…
On the tower.
Zhu Xuanji instructed Ning Zhuo: “The path is forged by people!”
“Just like Li Leifeng… that’s why he is held in such high regard.”
“In fact, everyone constantly measures others and things. Those who proceed with burdens, warming others with their compassion, are the ones who shine brightly.”
“You have also been illuminated by this light! Li Leifeng has long shown you the way.”
Ning Zhuo remained silent, then looked into Zhu Xuanji’s eyes, unwavering.
“Lord Zhu, people are different.”
“And I am ultimately below the stage.”
“Do you know what it tastes like to secretly eat the leftovers of guests?”
“I am of the lower class; I have been since childhood.”
“Although my surname is Ning, I never consider myself noble.”
“I am despicable.”
“I am a thief!”
“I scavenge food from the garbage.”
“I am not afraid of dirt; I am only afraid of hunger.”
“No one can truly help me. People are solitary; they cannot fully understand each other.”
“Most of the time, I rely on myself.”
“The path I walk is my own choice!”
During the critical moment of the puppet show “Fang Qing’s Grievance,” Ning Zhuo was touched!
He understood Zhu Xuanji’s meaning.
Zhu Xuanji was advising him to surrender and walk the right path.
“Can I really walk this path?” Ning Zhuo asked himself. He indeed longed to be illuminated by flames.
But fate…
Haha, fate—always so compelling, forcing one to be helpless!
Qing Chi wept silently.
The fishing line remained taut, truthfully conveying the harsh weight of reality.
Ning Zhuo was still sinking. The previous bait was absolutely insufficient.
“Then what else from my memories can I sacrifice?” Qing Chi was in such pain that she could scarcely breathe, “Then it must be these.”
A summer night.
In the Yin Tide Black Swamp, rare moonlight spilled into the courtyard. The night wind gently swayed the branches and leaves of the old locust tree in the yard.
Qing Chi, however, lay on the desk, sighing at her homework, her face full of distress.
A breeze carried in the scent of locust flowers from the open window, along with the clean soap aroma from a young lad’s sleeves.
Qing Chi suddenly lifted her head, just in time to see Jiao Ma’s face peeking through the window.
The girl exclaimed with delight: “Little Ma!”
Jiao Ma was in a panic: “Keep it down, do you want me to be kicked out by your dad again?”
The girl hurriedly covered her mouth: “Little Ma, come quickly and help me, these lessons are driving me crazy.”
Jiao Ma showed a helpless, gentle smile: “I knew you couldn’t handle it on your own…”
A thousand-year-old Cold Pool.
In this adventure together, they were about to escape alive.
However, Jiao Ma was unfortunately struck by cold energy, almost completely frozen, his mana sluggish, and his consciousness quickly dimmed.
“Little Ma!” At the critical moment, Qing Chi, disregarding her own safety, turned back for the rescue.
She transferred the power that protected her own heart meridian to Jiao Ma. The latter’s body became shrouded in a weak azure flame.
Jiao Ma gained a moment to breathe and barely opened his eyes.
Despite her own perilous state, Qing Chi kept using Divine Sense Transmission: “Little Ma, wake up, don’t sleep!”
“Hurry up and wake up, you big dummy!”
“Listen! Don’t sleep! Hold on for me! If something happens to you, I, Qing Chi… will never live alone in this life!”
Jiao Ma was motivated, gritting his teeth and widening his eyes.
The two exerted all their strength together, resisting the bone-chilling cold water of the pool, swimming upward. The burning emotions in their hearts were like a tempered blade, cutting through past reservations and helping them break through the final barrier, emerging above the surface.