Chapter 1330 — Given to You
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
But as the Thief Sect grew and prospered, some among its ranks began to misbehave — the newcomers especially, who had grown restless and greedy. Yet cowed by the several big shots at the top of the Thief Sect, they dared not act too brazenly; they resorted to underhanded tricks in the dark, while open competition remained a matter of skill — whoever was most capable took the lion's share.
Of course, the petty pickpocket gangs in the cities had by and large ceased to belong to the Thief Sect, and knew nothing of the code of the underworld — which was exactly why Yu Xiaoke had been mobbed the other day.
"Want some eight-treasure congee?" Old Hei took out two cans and tossed them to Wei Zhao. "Relax, I'm not fool enough to poison you — with Master Hao here, you needn't fear. And whatever you said yesterday, true or false, I have no choice but to take it seriously."
"Not hungry." Wei Zhao caught the cans, set them straight down on the table in front of Yu Xiaoke, and said, "They're yours."
Yu Xiaoke didn't stand on ceremony; she accepted them at once. Not to mention congee that cost ten thousand yuan a can — she wouldn't have been willing to drink even the stuff sold for a few yuan. Now that someone else was picking up the bill, naturally she wouldn't be polite.
Old Hei shrugged and said nothing more.
The Couple Bandits were odd ones out; everyone had long since grown used to it.
After a while, Master Hao arrived at Old Hei's tent, flanked by several of his men. Seeing everyone already gathered, he didn't show the faintest trace of embarrassment: "Old Hei, shall we get moving?"
"Yes — today I go scout the tomb. Everyone pack up; we're going robbing." Old Hei nodded. "This time the profit belongs to all of us. I hope nobody holds anything back — bring out every skill you've got, or none of us gains a thing!"
"Naturally. We've teamed up more than once or twice," said Brother Keng, nodding in agreement.
"I may lack your experience, but my equipment is second to none," James said. "Whatever I'm needed for, I'll give it my all."
"Hmph. As long as my twenty percent isn't short, there's no problem," Wei Zhao said coldly.
"Good! Master Hao is here to witness it, so we have a deal." Old Hei was plainly a most cautious man; he had these matters settled over and over, afraid that something might go wrong. "Half an hour from now, we gather here and go scout the tomb together."
The others answered in assent and went off to prepare. Wei Zhao, Qiu Lingshan, and Chen Yuxuan, however, stayed where they were, sitting quietly as though they hadn't heard a word Old Hei said.
"Male Thief, aren't you going to get ready?" Old Hei asked.
"No need," Wei Zhao said lightly. "It's only a scouting trip. What's the point of hauling all that gear? Courting death?"
Old Hei shrugged and dropped the conversation. Talking to this fellow was simply asking for a snub — the man's temper was too strange. No wonder he wore a mask all day long; with a disposition like that, he must have no shortage of enemies. Let anyone learn what he looked like, and sooner or later he would be done for.
Yu Xiaoke hadn't left either. The sense of familiarity with this "Male Thief" was growing on her — a woman's intuition, or perhaps a thief's intuition. She kept feeling that she had seen Wei Zhao somewhere before.
Old Hei went off to pack his things, and Yu Xiaoke at last couldn't contain her curiosity; she raised her head and studied Wei Zhao.
"What are you looking at? Do you want to die?" Wei Zhao knew Yu Xiaoke was suspicious. Though he had deliberately altered his voice, she had likely still spotted the flaw — it was a kind of intuition.
Yu Xiaoke stuck out her tongue. Seeing Wei Zhao looking so fierce, she didn't press the matter further.
Half an hour later, everyone returned to the spot with their tools. Old Hei led the way, the others behind, and together they set off in the direction of the ancient tomb.