Chaotic World Book
Chapter 342 - 335 The Final Phase of the Journey to Kunlun

Chapter 342: Chapter 335 The Final Phase of the Journey to Kunlun

Looking for Ye Wuzong had become quite simple.

Although he was no longer selling wontons, there were still his disciples and grand-disciples in the Yukun Gang, like the little Taoist apprentice, Heavenly Spirit.

When the Chaotic World Book reported the death of Heavenly Spirit, the Yukun Gang, like the Money Gang, plunged into chaos, but ultimately it was Heavenly Spirit’s apprentice who took over the leadership of the Gang, and their goods weren’t sold for a mere copper coin, but remained perfectly intact.

No matter what, everyone knew that behind him was the face of the Thief Sect, and it wasn’t impossible for Ye Wuzong to come out and support his apprentice when he was in a good mood. Who knows how this old man’s temper changes?

Thus, Zhao Changhe, accompanied by Xia Chichi, went straight to the Yukun Gang and said with a smile, "Is our reserved gourd still here?"

The little Taoist was scared out of his wits and ran off to find his mentor.

When Ye Wuzong arrived at the Yukun Gang, he saw the young couple huddled together, inspecting the gourd, flipping it over and over with delight, clearly very much in love with it.

Ye Wuzong couldn’t help but be speechless, "Are you two so happy because you won the sword pills, or because you saw the gourd?"

"The gourd," the couple said in unison, "This was our original intention for finding Heavenly Spirit, but who knew things would get so complicated, and we almost forgot our main purpose."

So, the main purpose is just a broken gourd, huh? Ye Wuzong was both amused and baffled. What is buying the casket and returning the pearl? This was it.

But this was also exactly why he liked the young couple. He had been profit-driven his whole life, and as his mindset began to change in his later years, he was truly fed up with seeing others around him who were only interested in profit. This type of sentiment was hard to come by... especially in Kunlun.

Actually, Ye Wuzong had no idea what Sisi and Zhao Changhe had to do with each other. By intentionally telling Xia Chichi about Sisi, he was not only gambling on a reaction, but he also really had a bit of mischief in mind, wanting to see if they would easily turn on each other upon provocation.

And indeed, there was no hindrance.

Ye Wuzong had no idea that the two of them hadn’t managed to bring up the matter of Sisi yet; the "Fire Element female master who entered the Secret Realm with Zhao Changhe" was still a fresh issue, and they had just stopped arguing about it. As for who Sisi was, Xia Chichi had completely forgotten...

Although he was fond of the young couple in his heart, he didn’t show it on his face and still spoke sternly, "The sword pills were not your original goal, just an unexpected gain, right? So, will you give them to me?"

Zhao Changhe then stood up, bowed deeply to the floor, paying a great tribute, "Earlier, when Chichi lured away the elder and we faced no trouble, we were sincerely grateful. Therefore, if the elder truly needs the sword pills, we are willing to offer them to the elder."

Xia Chichi’s cheeks were flushed, and she stealthily observed Zhao Changhe’s actions, pouting her lips.

Ye Wuzong was somewhat astonished and, stroking his beard, said, "You really are willing to give them to me? Then you don’t want to practice with this little girl’s Flying Sword?"

Zhao Changhe replied, "As previously stated, it was an accidental gain, not something we were entitled to. Now that we have a direction, we can certainly try to get something similar."

"Forget about it," Ye Wuzong said with a chuckle. "I doubt you are just trying to flatter me so that it’s hard for me to refuse."

Zhao Changhe was very serious, "No such intention. How can external possessions compare to the importance of even a single hair from Chichi?"

The more Zhao Changhe demurred, the more Ye Wuzong felt it was dispiriting, "This item is of no use to me to begin with, and its value as a collectible is less interesting than the experience of wanting to steal something but not managing to. I’ve obtained what I wanted, and it’s pointless to belabor it."

Saying this, he took out the Moyu Token and tossed it directly to Zhao Changhe, "This was the wager, and it is what you rightfully deserve. As for the Poison Scripture, if the Four Symbols Sect wishes to make copies, they can send someone to do so. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving. I don’t have the time to watch you kids be lovey-dovey."

"Please wait, elder," Xia Chichi said. "Previously, I mentioned the possibility of cooperation between sects to the elder, and you thought there was no room for collaboration at the Sect level. Upon further thought, I believe there is."

"Oh?" Ye Wuzong said with a chuckle. "Let’s hear it."

"I was thinking that beside the fact that the elder’s mindset has transcended the mundane by taking refuge in Kunlun, there must also be some other reasons... after all, the elder still has disciples active in the Central Plains."

"That’s natural," Ye Wuzong said. "Could it be that the people of the Thief Sect just hide in a corner of Kunlun stealing trinkets? How much could they possibly steal?"

"As for the elder, disinterested in the profits of theft and seeking only the pleasure of the process, that’s not something common disciples possess. They need to make a profit, and they also need a channel to fence their goods. My Four Symbols Sect can provide such cooperation."

Ye Wuzong laughed, "Our number of disciples is small, and when we have items, we get rid of them simply. However, since you’ve mentioned it, there is indeed some merit to it. Some items are indeed problematic to handle... You want to fence for us, what do you intend to gain? Surely you’re not just after a cut of the profits?"

"The opportunity to establish a close relationship with the Thief Sect, that’s what we gain," Xia Chichi said with a slight smile. "As the elder said, sometimes it’s the process itself that matters."

Ye Wuzong laughed heartily, "You two are here to sing my praises today... All right, it’s settled. In essence, it’s my disciples who need the Four Symbols Sect’s channel. I shall not be ignorant or ungrateful."

Zhao Changhe really couldn’t help saying, "Senior’s understanding and reasonableness make it very difficult for me to associate you with the ’evil demons’ spoken of by others."

Ye Wuzong glanced at him sidelong, "When you were gnawing on the Holy Daughter of the Four Symbols Sect, did you ever think that she was also one of the ’evil demons’ spoken of by others?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Xia Chichi: "..."

"Evil demons, it’s all about the ’path’. Different beliefs prevent joint endeavors, it has little to do with personal temperament," Ye Wuzong picked up his teacup, fiddled with the tea foam, and blew on it, "Also, I am not understanding and reasonable to just anyone, you seem to be somewhat mistaken."

Vermilion Bird, who was eavesdropping from a distance, finally nodded. Ye Wuzong’s behavior completely overturned her understanding of the "Thief Saint" title. Are you two even aware of how ruthless this old geezer was in his early years? Now he’s acting like a kind old grandpa, truly amazing.

Zhao Changhe also recalled that this old geezer was indeed quite eccentrically cold in the stone house... Being so nice to him and his little miss, it felt like it actually had something to do with them showing off their love at the wonton stand earlier, starting off with a not bad impression.

One could only say there’s a destined affinity between people.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Senior, would it be convenient to discuss the reasons for your reclusion in Kunlun?"

"What’s up?" Ye Wuzong asked with amusement, "If I were hiding in Kunlun because I offended some Central Plains powerhouse, are you thinking of bridging a fight for me?"

Zhao Changhe replied seriously, "It’s not as if I can’t try."

Ye Wuzong said indifferently, "Kunlun is very suitable for an ’evil demon’ like me because here, whether I steal or kill anyone, there’s nothing improper about it."

Zhao Changhe had a strange look on his face, so you mean you feel a moral burden when you steal from honest folks in Central Earth?

Have you really gotten old?

Seeing his expression, Ye Wuzong knew he was misunderstood and shook his head, "We’re not some Robin Hood thieves... But do you know what the first commandment of the Thief Sect is?"

Zhao Changhe said, "I would like to hear the details."

"Avoid greed. The Thief Sect can seek profit but must not be greedy. Whether it’s insatiable greed or an uncontrollable itch to steal, both are major enemies of the Thief Sect and a primary law to uphold. Because greed can cloud your judgment, lead you to make mistakes, possibly stir up an adversary you can’t afford, fall into a trap due to greed, or miss your chance to escape... Ultimately, all would be for naught."

Zhao Changhe and Xia Chichi exchanged glances, both finding it somewhat amusing. They had thought those from the Thief Sect would be the most greedy, yet greed turned out to be their main taboo, which made Ye Wuzong’s earlier behavior all the more sensible.

"The reason I secluded myself in Kunlun is that I realized if I kept lingering in Central Earth, I wouldn’t be able to resist the itch, reaching out to a person I absolutely should not touch." Ye Wuzong sipped his tea leisurely, "I don’t believe in his facade of weakness, but I have to admit, the weaker he seems, the itchier my hands get... Better to chop off the hand. Until I’m certain I can steal from him and not die, I’ll keep myself grounded, not venturing out of Kunlun."

The couple understood who he was referring to.

You don’t mean to think that stealing a country is also a form of theft, right? That’s not in line with the Thief Sect’s way... Is it something on Xia Longyuan you are after?

"How about it? Can you help me with this fight?" Ye Wuzong asked with a half-smile, "After I steal from him, can you stop him? Right, if there’s anyone in the world who could stop him, it might actually be you."

Zhao Changhe coughed dryly a couple of times. The real person who might be able to stop him was right beside him, Chichi was the real deal. Of course, Xia Longyuan might not truly be concerned about Chichi, and Ye Wuzong wasn’t seriously asking for help to stop Xia Longyuan, he was just joking.

That was a conversation that couldn’t continue, so Zhao Changhe could only say, "As for him, there’s nothing anyone can do."

"That’s it then, isn’t it? Even in Kunlun, I’m free to touch whoever I want. It’s actually quite liberating." Ye Wuzong clicked his tongue and then sighed, "Yet, I’ve come to find out in Kunlun that the old Taoist likely has some curious treasures in his possession... Can this world not get any better? Can’t they just let a man live in peace..."

It must be the Heavenly Book.

Ye Wuzong might not know about the existence of the Heavenly Book, but with the Thief Saint’s sharp sense for treasures, he probably had a vague awareness of such things... He knew Xia Longyuan had it, and so did the real person from Yuxu...

It was a bit strange, though. If the Heavenly Book was with the real person from Yuxu, it wouldn’t be something he could acquire; what was the point of the blind man guiding him here, to send him to his death?

"So..." Zhao Changhe tentatively asked, "Senior, do you know why the real person from Yuxu created this Land of Evil in Kunlun?"

Ye Wuzong did not answer and looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Did you seek me out today for the sake of Yuxu?"

Zhao Changhe didn’t hide anything, "I do have the intention of visiting the real person from Yuxu."

Ye Wuzong was quite indifferent, "If that’s the case, then just ask him yourself. I can pass a message for you... Whether he will see you or not, I don’t know, and if he does see you, whether he will kill you or not, I also don’t know. The old Taoist is even more temperamental than I am, so if you don’t care about life or death, feel free to try."