On the street, a plump figure was stealthily weaving through the crowd.
Occasionally, he would stop to shout a couple of sentences, signaling the surrounding crowd to disperse and make way for the Young Master Ao.
At first glance, one might think he was a kind-hearted fat man, urging the nearby cultivators to avoid getting injuredâof course, it could not be ruled out that he was an Ao Family toady, creating momentum for the family.
But as Li Xiaobai watched, he found something amiss.
The fat manâs movements were too agile, constantly shuttling through the crowd, provoking conflicts between the cultivators and that Young Master Ao with his words, and diverting their attention towards the young master.
After that, he deliberately brushed past the cultivators at his side, once again disappearing into the sea of people.
Initially, Li Xiaobai did not understand what the other was doing, but after watching for a while, he suddenly realized that the rings on the fingers of every cultivator the fat man had brushed past were all gone without a trace and the victims had not noticed at first.
By the time they recovered their senses and shifted their gaze from the three Sea Dragon Horses, it was already too late. The Space Rings were missing, and the thief was long gone.
âThief!â
âMy Space Ring has been stolen!â
âMine too, and it contained the gift I carefully selected for Lady Long!â
âWhoever the hell did this, if I find them, Iâll make sure they regret it!â
âDamn, there was this fat guy constantly rubbing against me just now, I thought he was just clumsy, but it mustâve been that damn fatso!â
ââ¦â
Following the commotion caused by the Young Master Aoâs three Sea Dragon Horses, another disturbance ensued. The Space Rings of a small portion of the cultivators in the crowd had all vanished, and many of them immediately thought of that fat manâwho else but a thief could linger so forgetfully at their sides while everyoneâs attention was distracted by the Sea Dragon Horses?
At this moment, in a hidden corner that no one noticed, the plump figure smoothly removed his black robe and changed into white clothes, instantly transforming into a portly noble son.
Then, with anger, he burst into the crowd, joining the clamor, seeking justice.
Having witnessed all this, Li Xiaobai pondered thoughtfully. This manner of acting, along with the textbook style of committing the crime, was quite similar to his sixth senior brother, Liu Jinshui!
Previously in the Western Desert, he had had a run-in with the man, and his second senior sister had mentioned that Liu Jinshui was being hunted and had fled to the Eastern Seaâs Aolai Country. The time and place also matched up.
Although the appearances were different, this fat man was most likely his sixth senior brother, Liu Jinshui.
Disguise Technique was nothing difficult for his sixth senior brother, let alone since his eldest senior sister had already summoned several brothers and sisters to the Eastern Sea. With his second senior sister there, pulling off a flawless
At this thought, Li Xiaobai felt an involuntary shiver. The letter his second senior sister had given him was lying in his Space Ring at this very moment. His sixth senior brother had already spoken harshly about dealing with him; perhaps he was already being targeted.
Within the crowd, the white-clothed fat manâs cries were vehement.
âThink about it, everyone. As soon as Young Master Ao arrived, he was so ostentatious, drawing all of our attention to him, and then our Space Rings were snatched away. The timing is too coincidental, and that fatso was clearly no ordinary man.â
âTo silently steal so many cultivatorsâ rings, one must be a top-notch expert. A common thief doesnât have the skill for this. This is clearly a premeditated theft targeting us Loose Cultivators!â
The man in white robes roared angrily, as if his own father had died. If Li Xiaobai hadnât witnessed the entire process with his own eyes, he might have been moved by the manâs performance and felt sympathy for him.
The fat manâs acting was flawless!
The nearby cultivators were reminded by his outburst and paused, lost in thought. Indeed, the incident happened too coincidentally. No one would have known that Young Master Ao of the Ao Family would suddenly ride three Sea Dragon Horses into the city, nor would anyone have thought to use the opportunity to make wealth in such a short time.
There was only one possibility: the thief must have been in collusion with Young Master Ao.
One was responsible for creating a spectacle and attracting the crowdâs attention, while the other quietly went about filching every cultivatorâs Space Ring.
âWhat a viciously cunning scheme. So this is the true face of the Beast Taming Family, scoundrels, a disgrace!â
Immediately, cultivators in the crowd echoed the sentiment with angry shouts. Li Xiaobai observed carefully and could see a familiar shadow in their silhouettes.
âActually, earlier, the little girl here had a skirmish with that fattie. I was captivated watching the Sea Dragon Horses, not expecting the fat man to suddenly lunge at me. He was so fast, but I reacted, slapping him with the back of my hand, thinking he was a pervert, only to find out this man is actually a master thief. It still sends shivers down my spine!â
A female cultivator also spoke up, agreeing with the man in white robes and appearing quite shaken.
Li Xiaobai squinted and scrutinized her. This female cultivator had a plain appearance, but the indifference and confidence that shone in her eyes did not match her demeanor; she looked somewhat like his second senior sister!
That fat man was certainly his sixth senior brother, no doubt about it; the rest of his senior brothers and sisters must have arrived as well and were now shilling for Liu Jinshui.
Anyone familiar rallying the crowd could be seen to have a familiar air about them, undoubtedly his own senior brothers and sisters.
âDamn, theyâre actually in cahoots. Young Master Ao doesnât seem too bright on ordinary days, but this is so underhanded!â
âUnexpected, indeed. Our family has frequent business dealings with the Ao Family, and weâve always treated them with great respect. Arenât you afraid of us reporting this to the Punishment Hall with such actions?â
âStop talking, the Ao Family just thinks weâre not from a major family and easy to bully. If you donât give us an explanation today, you wonât get away with this!â
âThatâs right, there are hundreds of us here. If you canât provide an explanation, weâll take turns on the fighting platform until we wear you down!â
Stirred up by the man in white robes and the others, the crowd of cultivators became enraged and began to denounce Young Master Ao on the carriage, encircling him tightly.
Atop the Sea Dragon Horse, Young Master Ao was completely flustered. He had only wanted to show off and intimidate the pride of various families. How did he suddenly become an accomplice to a thief?
As he watched the crowd around him speaking ill of him, he became increasingly angry.
âEveryone shut up. Itâs clear that you lack the ability to even guard your Space Rings, and now you have the nerve to turn the blame on me, how laughable!â
âI am a direct lineage disciple of the Beast Taming Family, the Ao Family. Do you really think I would covet the little resources you possess?â
âCease your reckless gabbing, or else donât blame me for being rude!â
Young Master Aoâs face turned ferocious as he spoke in a low voice, berating them. What a joke, he, a son of the Ao Family, coveting these foolsâ treasures?
It was a ludicrous thought.
But at that moment, Li Xiaobai clearly saw the corners of the white-robed fat manâs mouth turn up in a slight smirk.