C17 A Dog Thief Who Killed Thousands of People

In the Qian family's deserted hall, tempers flared.

"You insolent child, how dare you falsely accuse me!" Qian Songren erupted in anger, jabbing a finger at Shen Feixue's nose as he hurled insults. He was incensed by the accusation that he had killed numerous Wandering Tigers, a baseless claim in his eyes.

He had always honored his agreements, paying the Wandering Tigers the agreed-upon reward without skimping a penny. In fact, he generously added an extra tael to each payment as a gesture of goodwill. What possible gain could there be for him in their deaths?

The more Qian Songren dwelled on it, the more his rage boiled over, fueling his vitriolic outburst.

Unfazed, Shen Feixue scoffed at Qian Songren's audacity. She deftly produced an object from her clothing and tossed it at him. "You'd better start telling the truth."

"If you think you can exploit the Qian family for further gains, you're sorely mistaken!" Qian Songren retorted, catching the thrown object reflexively. A mere glimpse was enough to send a jolt through him, causing him to stumble backward as the item tumbled from his grasp.

Crash!

The four-colored jade card lay in fragments on the floor. This was the very card Shen Feixue had discovered on the bandit leader the previous night.

As he steadied himself against a pillar, Qian Songren's frame shook, and he stammered, "You... are you also with the Evil Moon Sect?"

"You still have an opportunity to explain yourself," Shen Feixue stated coolly.

Years ago, the Evil Moon Sect emerged within the sixteen provinces of the Zhaoyong Dynasty, practicing unorthodox methods and even exploiting children for their dark arts. Their malevolence led to a united front of sects against them, with the Imperial Court stepping in to quash their influence, leading to their disappearance for decades.

Now, the sudden appearance of their insignia on a bandit leader raised red flags for Shen Feixue. It was peculiar enough that the Qian family had financed a campaign against the bandits, but for those very outlaws to bear the badges of the Evil Moon Sect—and for Qian Songren to recognize them—was no mere coincidence.

Shen Feixue was convinced there was more at play. Whatever the Qian family's motives, they had no right to use the Wandering Tigers as pawns in their schemes.

Seeing Qian Songren still in a state of panic, Shen Feixue offered a calm smile and pressed on, "Are you ready to tell the truth now?"

Qian Songren's arrogance had diminished, but as a seasoned businessman, he quickly composed himself and met Shen Feixue's gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't intentionally harm them."

"If you're not willing to talk, then there's nothing I can do," Shen Feixue replied. "Given your reaction earlier, you're clearly aware of the kind of actions the Evil Moon Sect is capable of."

"What are you implying?"

"Nothing much. It's just that not everyone in town is aware of your generous contribution to funding the bandit extermination. Those guys will spread the word for you later." With that, Shen Feixue turned and headed back to the main hall.

A chill ran through Qian Songren. As a businessman, his philosophy was to cultivate wealth through amicable relations, not just with the townsfolk but also with the bandits beyond the town's borders.

He had long-standing ties with the bandit leader, dutifully paying a 'protection fee' each month to guarantee the safe passage of the Qian family's caravans.

By chance, he had discovered the bandit leader's true identity and learned of his real intentions, prompting him to rally the Wandering Tiger to take down the bandits. The capture of his son was merely a pretext, a respectable excuse to enlist the Wandering Tiger's aid in eliminating the bandit leader, all while maintaining a facade of legitimacy.

But these plans were carried out by his trusted lieutenants, with the aim of keeping the Qian family's involvement under wraps to avoid retribution from the Evil Moon Sect later on.

As it turned out, his lieutenants were quite adept. They had selected a relay station outside of town as the gathering point for the Wandering Tiger, and aside from their members, no one knew that Qian Songren was the mastermind.

Even if the Wandering Tiger found out, it wouldn't matter, because according to his plan, they were all to be silenced in the end—none would leave the stronghold alive.

Upon learning that the Wandering Tiger had returned with the bandit leader's head last night, Qian Songren had spent the entire night wrestling with the situation.

He wasn't certain whether the Wandering Tigers had uncovered the bandit leader's true identity. Hoping for the best, he dispatched an envoy to the station at the crack of dawn with a generous reward.

The intent was to hasten the Wandering Tigers' departure, for assassins lay in wait along their path.

Whether they had made the discovery or not, they were marked for death!

This was Qian Songren's resolute decision.

However, upon learning that it was Shen Feixue alone who had captured the red flower, and upon meeting him, Qian Songren's resolve began to falter.

The adversary was merely an eighteen-year-old youth, likely unaware of the Evil Moon Sect's notoriety from decades past.

Regrettably, he had underestimated Shen Feixue.

Not only was the youth aware of the Evil Moon Sect, but he also wielded this knowledge as leverage.

Qian Songren's hired killers were positioned outside Tianxi Town, but within its limits, could his men eliminate the nine Wandering Tigers?

Certainly not!

Qian Songren was sure of the answer.

After considering the situation, Qian Songren called out to the departing Shen Feixue.

"Here are one thousand taels," he said, producing a banknote.

Shen Feixue paused, turned, and coolly accepted the note.

As expected, he was motivated by money!

If that was the case, there were ample ways to ensure his silence.

He was worth no more than one thousand taels! Qian Songren's spirits lifted, relieved that Shen Feixue hadn't demanded an exorbitant sum.

With this in mind, Qian Songren ventured, "Young Master Shen, you are young and accomplished. Have you ever considered..."

But he was cut off mid-sentence by Shen Feixue's gesturing hand.

"Include the others' share as well, I'll distribute it to them."

"Hmm?" Qian Songren was taken aback. The thousand taels were Shen Feixue's reward; the additional five hundred were clearly hush money.

But what did he mean by 'the others'?

Hadn't the reward already been given?

Could it be that he was under the impression that...

Indeed, that was exactly what Shen Feixue believed. "Isn't it one thousand taels each?"

Qian Songren was about to reflexively say no, but the look on Shen Feixue's face suggested she might just spread the news if he did, so he swallowed his words.

"First, let's deceive them into starting the journey!" Qian Songren resolved internally, then pulled nine silver notes from his pocket.

Shen Feixue accepted them, tucking them away, then extended her hand again. "And what about the forty-odd people who perished?"

"They can't speak anymore, don't be excessive!"

"Consider this: if we return with their ashes, won't their families ask questions? We'd be obliged to tell the truth..."

"I'm out of money," Qian Songren said, turning his head away.

Greed knows no bounds; the man before him had already pocketed ten thousand taels of silver and still wasn't satisfied.

"No problem. The Renxin Medicinal Herbal Store on East Street belongs to you, doesn't it? We can use some herbs as compensation."

Qian Songren remained silent. Certain herbs in the store were worth a fortune.

"I'll take the blame alone. Afterward, you can proclaim that I was the one who killed the bandit leader, and the Qian family will be in the clear."

"Is that true?" Qian Songren finally looked back. Although it still hurt, it was a better deal than handing over forty thousand taels of silver, especially considering Shen Feixue's inexperience. What valuable herbs could a spring chicken like him possibly recognize?

The most crucial point was that once he handed them over, the ordeal would be over, and he wouldn't have to worry about the Evil Moon Sect coming after him.

"When I, Shen Feixue, give my word, I mean it!" Shen Feixue declared. As for the Evil Moon Sect, he wasn't the least bit intimidated.

He had already decided on what to take. The last batch of herbs he had purchased were all from there, and to him, their value was well worth the risk.

Once the agreement was reached, Qian Songren personally escorted Shen Feixue and the group to the medicinal herb shop on East Street.

Lee Daniu and his eight companions were clearly confused. Weren't they supposed to be receiving a bonus? Why had they ended up at a herb shop instead?

To avoid further pain, Qian Songren stayed outside the shop, not following Shen Feixue inside.

Shen Feixue didn't hesitate to take what she needed. She meticulously compared the ingredients listed in the illustrated handbook with the materials she found, placing each one into the cloth bag she had prepared in advance.

"Where is the Invigorating Flower?"

"Right here." The shop assistant pulled open the drawer of the medicine cabinet, his curiosity about Shen Feixue's actions piqued, but he refrained from commenting. After all, it was his boss, Qian Songren, who had given the directive.

An hour later, Shen Feixue emerged from the medicinal herb shop, her cloth bag brimming with supplies.

"Old Master Qian, you can start spreading the word now," she said with a smile.

Qian Songren was indeed ready to spread the news. He had set things in motion before he even left his home. Within a mere six hours, everyone in Tianxi Town was aware that Shen Feixue had slain the bandit leader on the outskirts of town.

And it had nothing to do with the Qian family!

He couldn't help but admire Shen Feixue's audacity and her ingenious method of resolving the issue.

This way, they could save the hefty sum that would have gone to hiring an assassin.

And it would also completely deter the Evil Moon Sect from troubling them.

With the issue resolved, Qian Songren felt a touch of relief. Observing Shen Feixue's modest cloth bag, he instinctively offered more.

"Is that enough? Feel free to take more."

"It's plenty, I've already taken quite a bit," Shen Feixue assured him, patting the cloth bag before departing with her nine companions.

As Qian Songren watched Shen Feixue walk away, a sense of satisfaction crept over his face. Today's losses—ten thousand taels of silver and a small bag of herbs—seemed trivial compared to the treasure the Evil Moon Sect's bandit leader had been hoarding.

"Young people will always be young," he mused.

Just then, the shop assistant burst out of the store in a panic.

"Old Master Qian, we need to restock."

"What stock? That small bag couldn't have held much; it's a mere drop in the bucket."

The assistant produced a hastily scribbled list. "Here's the inventory I compiled. Please review it, Old Master Qian."

"Why so formal?" Qian Songren muttered, but as he glanced at the list, his expression contorted in shock. "Did she take everything?"

As the shop assistant nodded, Qian Songren's hand, clutching the paper, began to shake uncontrollably. He murmured under his breath, "500 Meridian Opening Flowers, 400 Spirit Gathering Grass, 400 Scarlet Sun Needles..."

The more he recited, the worse his tremors became, and his vision started to blur. These items were the crown jewels of the apothecary, not easily acquired with mere money. They symbolized the store's substantial wealth, accumulated through decades of painstaking effort.

And now, they had been wiped out in a single stroke.

Witnessing Qian Songren's state, the shop assistant grew increasingly anxious and inquired with genuine concern, "Old Master Qian, are you feeling okay?"

"He's a beast... a thieving cur!"

"Old Master Qian?"

"That damned scoundrel..."

"Someone help, quickly! Old Master Qian has collapsed!"