“This inkstone’s origin might be somewhat familiar to you. Actually, its time in the palace isn’t particularly long. It was a tribute item from the Duanzhou region during the reign of the previous Emperor Wu. However, Emperor Wu spent his days indulging in frivolous amusements and had no interest in scholarly pursuits, so naturally, this inkstone served little purpose. Later, when the current Emperor ascended the throne, all the writing implements from Emperor Wu’s reign were stored away in the imperial collection. Three years ago, a fire broke out in the palace. Afterward, it was discovered that the treasure vault had been robbed. Among the missing items were a batch of porcelain, a chest of rare ancient texts, and this very inkstone.”
“At the time, this theft puzzled everyone greatly. Although this inkstone was stored in the same vault as the porcelain and books, it was actually located quite far from them. Even more peculiar was that many other famous inkstones were kept right next to it, some of which were far more valuable. A thief breaking into the palace would naturally be racing against time—once the loot was grabbed, they would flee immediately. Why would the thief go out of his way to take this particular inkstone, even at the cost of wasting precious time?”
“Actually, after the incident, the Embroidered Uniform Guard pursued the case and captured several accomplices, including one who had actually entered the vault. Surprisingly, none of them mentioned the inkstone among the stolen treasures. Even the thief who entered the vault could clearly recall the porcelain and rare books, but insisted he had not taken the inkstone.”
At this point, Master Liu lightly shook his head and said, “To be honest, at first I didn’t pay much attention to these details. After all, it was just an ordinary inkstone. Whatever oddities surrounded it, I assumed it was merely a coincidence. But then, at the beginning of this year, the inkstone suddenly reappeared, and those who came into contact with it began to die one after another. When it even involved you, I finally took notice. I retrieved the old records and reviewed them carefully, uncovering these unusual circumstances.”
“You might already know a bit about the origin of this inkstone. In fact, it hasn’t been in the palace for too long; it was a tribute from Duanzhou during the reign of the previous Emperor Wu. However, Emperor Wu was more indulged in leisure and had little interest in scholarly pursuits, so the inkstone naturally saw little use. Later, when the current emperor ascended the throne, all the scholarly tools used by Emperor Wu were stored away. Three years ago, a fire broke out in the palace, and it was discovered that the treasure vault had been robbed. Among the stolen items were a batch of porcelain, a chest of rare ancient books, and this very inkstone.”
“At the time, this incident was quite perplexing. Although the inkstone was stored in the same vault as the porcelain and books, it was actually quite far from them. What’s even more peculiar is that there were many other famous inkstones nearby, which were far more valuable than this one. When committing a theft in the palace, every second counts; the thief would surely grab the items and flee quickly. Why would the thief take the time to specifically steal this inkstone?”
“In fact, during the subsequent investigation by the Imperial Guards, several accomplices of the thief were captured, including one who had entered the vault to steal the treasures. Surprisingly, none of them admitted to stealing the inkstone. Even the one who entered the vault could clearly describe the porcelain and rare books but claimed to have no memory of taking the inkstone.”
At this point, Sixth Master gently shook his head and said, “To be honest, I didn’t pay much attention to these details at first. After all, it was just an ordinary inkstone, and no matter how strange it seemed, I thought it was just a coincidence. However, at the beginning of this year, this inkstone suddenly reappeared, and those who came into contact with it died one after another, including you. This caught my attention, and I reviewed the archives from that time, discovering these unusual details.”
“After retrieving the inkstone from the Shuntian Prefecture, I also examined it myself. To be honest, even with my cultivation, I couldn’t discern its true nature. There must be something extremely sinister within this inkstone. However, after repeated attempts, I found that it doesn’t seem to contain any sealed entity. Instead, it feels as if something is inherently part of the inkstone—as if the inkstone itself has cultivated into a spirit.”
“Those who previously came into contact with the inkstone died in madness, which suggests that whatever is inside has the ability to control minds and disrupt souls. Initially, I was quite worried about you, but given the circumstances at the time, I couldn’t explain it to you directly. I had to bring you into the Imperial Guards and have someone watch over you carefully. Fortunately, for some reason, you remained unharmed.”
“Later, you unintentionally began your path of cultivation, and the subsequent events need not be elaborated. A few days ago, I heard that you fainted in the vault, but I didn’t think much of it, assuming it was due to the restrictions on your golden core. However, after seeing you today and examining the inkstone, I suspect there’s more to it. Although there’s still a faint aura of evil in the inkstone, it’s no longer as potent as before. If I’m not mistaken, did you enter the vault intending to take the inkstone, and did something unexpected happen that broke the restrictions? Could your ability to sense the invisible thief in the vault today also be related to this inkstone?”
Mei Qing couldn’t help but admire Sixth Master’s insight. Although Sixth Master hadn’t witnessed the events firsthand, his speculations were not far from the truth. However, even with his intelligence, Sixth Master probably couldn’t fathom the true nature of the inkstone.
After a moment of contemplation, Mei Qing slowly said, “Sixth Master, your guess is correct. This inkstone does indeed have some strange properties. However, I’m not entirely sure what exactly is going on.”
He then recounted his experiences since coming into contact with the inkstone. While Sixth Master was aware of many of these events, Mei Qing’s personal sensations and physical changes were beyond his knowledge.
Of course, Mei Qing didn’t reveal everything. He kept his cultivation secrets and the scenes he witnessed within the inkstone to himself.
Mei Qing now had a vague understanding—the strange occurrences in his body might be connected to the inkstone. However, with his current level of cultivation, he couldn’t fully comprehend the details. This matter was too important, and unless it involved Bi Zhen, he wouldn’t trust anyone else or reveal the truth.
To uncover the secrets, Mei Qing needed Sixth Master’s assistance, so he spoke ambiguously. He mentioned that after the evil aura entered his body, it clashed with the restrictions, resulting in mutual destruction and disappearance. This allowed him to sense the residual aura of the inkstone, enabling him to detect its presence. Later, when the inkstone was stolen and its aura vanished, Mei Qing noticed something was amiss and luckily discovered the thief’s location.
Sixth Master listened without comment, pondering for a moment before asking, “Mei Qing, what are your thoughts on the thief’s motive for stealing the inkstone?”
Mei Qing frowned and said, “I can’t figure it out either. The thief clearly came prepared, targeting this inkstone specifically. Even within our inner circle, few know where this inkstone is stored. How did the thief find out? Moreover, what makes this inkstone so important that someone would go to such lengths to steal it? Additionally, who is this thief, and how could he move invisibly within the vault, unaffected by the restrictions?”
These three questions had been lingering in Mei Qing’s mind, and now that Sixth Master brought them up, he voiced them all, looking at Sixth Master with hope for answers.
Sixth Master seemed to read his thoughts and chuckled, “You, kid, are quite bold. You didn’t explain your own situation clearly, yet you’re not shy about seeking answers from me.”
Mei Qing laughed along, showing no sign of embarrassment. He knew that Sixth Master, being shrewd, had noticed his omissions. However, since Sixth Master didn’t express any dissatisfaction, Mei Qing was content to play along.
Sixth Master didn’t say more but rang a copper bell on his desk. Soon, Wu Bing entered with a file, placed it on the desk, and respectfully left.
Sixth Master picked up the file, flipped through it, and then tossed it back on the desk, saying to Mei Qing, “This thief has quite a background. Take a look for yourself.”
Mei Qing stepped forward, took the file, and carefully read through it.
It turned out that after being captured, the thief remained stubbornly silent. However, the Imperial Guards had their ways and quickly identified him as the notorious thief known as “Divine Monkey.”
According to the file, the thief’s real name was Hou Shen, the last disciple of the former leader of the “Thief Sect,” Tie Jia, also known as “Three-Inch Nail.” Although Hou Shen hadn’t been active for long, he had already committed several major thefts, earning the nickname “Divine Monkey.”
Mei Qing closed the file, puzzled, “If Hou Shen isn’t a cultivator, how could he bypass the vault’s restrictions and move freely? Moreover, as a member of the Thief Sect, he wouldn’t steal this inkstone without a reason. Who could have instructed him?”
Sixth Master snorted, “Precisely because he’s not a cultivator, he could enter the vault. His invisibility technique must not rely on true essence, so the restrictions couldn’t affect him. Whether it’s a unique skill of the Thief Sect or his innate ability, it allowed him to move freely and invisibly within the vault. I must admit, I overlooked this, and the vault’s security needs improvement. Even the leather pouch containing the inkstone seems to be an extraordinary item, as it completely concealed the inkstone’s aura.”
Mei Qing nodded, impressed by Sixth Master’s reasoning, which seemed to be the only plausible explanation.
“As for who instructed him…” Sixth Master pondered, “Two points are clear. First, there must be a mole within our inner circle. Otherwise, how would the thief know where the inkstone was stored and the details of our vault’s restrictions? Second, the person who knew about the inkstone’s significance must have learned about it recently. The inkstone has been stored for some time, so why wait until now to steal it? If I’m not mistaken, it was after you fainted while holding the inkstone that someone took notice and instructed Hou Shen to steal it.”
Mei Qing could only nod, realizing that Sixth Master’s insight was far beyond his own. However, only a few people knew about his fainting incident, including Qian San and Zhao Da, and a handful of others in their circle. Identifying the mole would require further investigation.
“One thing I still don’t understand is why this inkstone is so important that someone would take such a risk to steal it from our vault. Although I’m not well-versed in the affairs of the martial world, I imagine that hiring someone like Hou Shen would come at a high cost,” Mei Qing added.
“I’m also puzzled by this. This inkstone has been shrouded in mystery since its appearance. However, the person who instructed the theft must know its secrets. Moreover, I can’t help but feel that this matter is somehow connected to you,” Sixth Master said, noticing Mei Qing’s questioning look, and waved his hand, “I have no evidence, but I can’t shake this feeling. You should be careful in the coming days.”
Mei Qing was speechless. He felt that Sixth Master’s explanation was incomplete. Although Sixth Master had always shown protective intentions, his excessive caution towards Mei Qing suggested that he knew someone was targeting him. There must be more to this story that Mei Qing wasn’t aware of. When Sixth Master mentioned the connection between the inkstone and Mei Qing, his tone seemed to imply something deeper.
After some thought, Mei Qing tentatively asked, “Since Hou Shen is in our custody, can’t we extract some information from him?”
Sixth Master shook his head, “You don’t understand the rules of the Thief Sect. Especially since this kid dared to target our inner circle, ordinary interrogation methods won’t work. Moreover, his status is not low, and—although the Thief Sect and we are on opposite sides, there are some unspoken rules. We can’t go too far with him.”
Mei Qing was surprised. He hadn’t expected that even the Imperial Guards would have reservations when dealing with members of the Thief Sect.
Sixth Master, seemingly aware of Mei Qing’s doubts, chuckled, “There are many intricacies here. I have some connections with Hou Shen’s master, Tie Three-Inch, and sometimes we need their assistance. Since Hou Shen was caught red-handed, a light punishment is acceptable, but applying severe torture for interrogation would be inappropriate. We don’t want to strain our relationship over a minor incident. Of course, if you have other methods to make him talk, feel free to try.”
Mei Qing thought for a moment and smiled, “In that case, I humbly request permission to handle this matter myself.”
“All the previous individuals who touched this inkstone died in madness. Therefore, whatever resides within must possess the ability to control minds and disrupt souls. At first, I was quite concerned for you, but at the time, I couldn’t reveal the truth directly. I had no choice but to bring you into the Embroidered Uniform Guard, arranging for someone to observe and protect you daily. Fortunately, for reasons unknown, you remained unharmed.”
“You might already know a bit about the origins of this inkstone. In truth, it hasn’t been in the palace for too long; it was a tribute from the Duanzhou region during the reign of the previous Emperor Wu. However, Emperor Wu was more indulged in leisure and less in scholarly pursuits, so this inkstone naturally saw little use. Later, when the current emperor ascended the throne, all the scholarly tools used by Emperor Wu were stored away. Three years ago, a fire broke out in the palace, and it was discovered that the treasury had been robbed. Among the items stolen were a batch of porcelain, a chest of rare ancient books, and this very inkstone.”
“At the time, this incident was quite perplexing. Although the inkstone was stored in the same treasury as the porcelain and books, it was actually quite far from them. What was even more peculiar was that there were many other famous inkstones nearby, which were far more valuable than this one. Thieves breaking into the palace would be in a race against time, grabbing items and fleeing swiftly. Why would the thief go out of their way to take this particular inkstone?”
“In fact, when the Imperial Guards investigated the matter, they captured several accomplices of the thief, including one who had actually entered the treasury. Surprisingly, none of these individuals confessed to stealing the inkstone, even the one who had entered the treasury could clearly describe the porcelain and rare books but claimed to have no recollection of specifically taking the inkstone.”
At this point, Sixth Master gently shook his head and said, “To be honest, I didn’t pay much attention to these details initially. After all, it was just an ordinary inkstone, and whatever strange occurrences were associated with it, I dismissed them as mere coincidences. However, earlier this year, this inkstone suddenly reappeared, and those who came into contact with it died one after another, including you. This caught my attention, and I revisited the archives from that time, carefully reviewing them and uncovering these unusual details.”
“After retrieving the inkstone from the Shuntian Prefecture, I also examined it myself. To be honest, even with my cultivation, I couldn’t discern its true nature. There must be something extremely sinister within this inkstone. However, after repeated attempts, I found no signs of any sealed entity within it. Instead, it seemed as if something was inherently part of the inkstone—as if the inkstone itself had cultivated into a spirit.”
“Those who previously came into contact with the inkstone died in madness, indicating that whatever is inside it has the ability to control minds and disrupt souls. Initially, I was quite worried about you, but given the circumstances, I couldn’t explain it to you directly. I had to bring you into the Imperial Guards and have someone watch over you carefully every day. Fortunately, for some reason, you remained unharmed.”
“Later, you unintentionally began your path of cultivation, and the subsequent events need not be detailed further. A few days ago, I heard that you fainted in the treasury, but I didn’t think much of it at the time, assuming it was due to the restrictions on your golden core. Seeing you today and examining the inkstone again, I suspect there’s more to it. Although there’s still a faint trace of malevolence in the inkstone, it’s no longer as potent as before. If I’m not mistaken, did you enter the treasury intending to take the inkstone, and something unexpected happened, thus breaking the restrictions? Could your ability to sense the invisible thief in the treasury today also be related to this inkstone?”
Mei Qing couldn’t help but admire Sixth Master’s insight. Although Sixth Master hadn’t witnessed the events firsthand, his speculations were remarkably close to the truth. However, even with his intelligence, Sixth Master probably couldn’t fathom the true nature of the inkstone.
After a moment of contemplation, Mei Qing slowly said, “Sixth Master, your guess is correct. This inkstone indeed has some bizarre aspects. However, I’m not entirely clear on what exactly is going on.”
He then recounted his experiences since coming into contact with the inkstone. Many of these events were known to Sixth Master, but the sensations Mei Qing felt upon touching the inkstone and the changes in his body were beyond Sixth Master’s knowledge.
Of course, Mei Qing didn’t reveal everything. He kept his cultivation secrets and the scenes he witnessed within the inkstone to himself.
Mei Qing now had a vague understanding—the strange occurrences in his body might be connected to the inkstone. However, with his current level of cultivation, he couldn’t fully comprehend the details. Given the importance of the matter, unless it involved Bi Zhen, he wouldn’t trust anyone else or reveal the truth.
To uncover the secrets, Mei Qing needed Sixth Master’s assistance, so he spoke ambiguously. Regarding his connection to the inkstone, he mentioned that after the malevolent energy entered his body, it clashed with the restrictions, resulting in mutual destruction and disappearance. Consequently, he could sense the residual energy of the inkstone, allowing him to detect its presence. Later, when the inkstone was stolen and its energy vanished, Mei Qing noticed something was amiss and luckily discovered the thief’s location.
Sixth Master listened without commenting, then after a moment of thought, asked, “Mei Qing, what are your thoughts on the thief’s motive for stealing the inkstone?”
Mei Qing frowned and said, “I can’t figure it out either. The thief clearly came prepared, targeting this specific inkstone. The location of the inkstone’s storage is known to very few, even within our inner circle. How did the thief know? Moreover, what is so important about this inkstone that someone would go to such lengths to steal it? Additionally, who is this thief, and how could he move invisibly within the treasury, unaffected by the restrictive formations?”
Mei Qing had been pondering these three questions for a while, and now that Sixth Master asked, he brought them up, looking at Sixth Master with hope for answers.
Sixth Master seemed to understand Mei Qing’s thoughts and chuckled, “You, kid, are quite bold in seeking answers from me without being entirely forthcoming about your own affairs.”
Mei Qing also chuckled, showing no sign of embarrassment. He knew that Sixth Master, being shrewd, could tell that he had glossed over some details. Seeing that Sixth Master didn’t seem displeased, Mei Qing was content to play along.
Sixth Master didn’t say more but rang a bell on his desk. Soon, Wu Bing entered with a file, placed it on the desk, and respectfully left.
Sixth Master picked up the file, flipped through it, snorted, and tossed it back on the desk, saying to Mei Qing, “This thief has quite a background. Take a look for yourself.”
Mei Qing stepped forward, took the file, and carefully read through it.
It turned out that after being captured, the thief remained stubbornly silent. However, the Imperial Guards had their ways and quickly identified him as the notorious thief known as “Divine Monkey” in the martial world.
According to the file, the thief’s real name was Hou Shen, the last disciple of the former leader of the “Thief Sect,” Tie Jia, also known as “Three-Inch Nail.” Although Hou Shen hadn’t been active for long, he had already committed several major crimes, earning him the nickname “Divine Monkey.”
Mei Qing closed the file and asked, “Since Hou Shen isn’t a cultivator, how could he bypass the treasury’s restrictive formations and move freely? Moreover, as a member of the Thief Sect, he wouldn’t steal the inkstone without a reason. Who instructed him to do so?”
Sixth Master snorted and said, “Precisely because he isn’t a cultivator, he could enter the treasury. His invisibility technique must not rely on true essence, hence the restrictive formations couldn’t affect him. Whether it’s a unique skill of the Thief Sect or an innate ability, it allowed him to move invisibly within the treasury. I must admit, I overlooked this, and the treasury’s security needs improvement. Even the leather pouch containing the inkstone seems to be a peculiar object, as it completely concealed the inkstone’s aura, indicating its unusual nature.”
Mei Qing nodded, acknowledging Sixth Master’s reasoning as the only plausible explanation.
“As for who instructed him…” Sixth Master pondered, “Two points are clear. First, there must be a mole within our inner circle. Otherwise, how would the thief know the inkstone’s location and the treasury’s restrictive formations? Second, the person who knew about the inkstone’s significance didn’t know for long. The inkstone had been stored for some time, so why wait until now to steal it? If I’m not mistaken, it was after you fainted while holding the inkstone that someone took notice and instructed Hou Shen to steal it.”
Mei Qing could only nod, impressed by Sixth Master’s insight, which far surpassed his own. However, only a few people knew about his fainting while holding the inkstone, including Qian San and Zhao Da, and a few others in their circle. Identifying the mole would require further investigation.
“One thing I still don’t understand is, what is so important about this inkstone that someone would take such a risk to steal it from our inner circle’s treasury? Although I’m not well-versed in martial world affairs, I imagine the cost of hiring someone like Hou Shen must be substantial,” Mei Qing added.
“I’m also puzzled. This inkstone has been shrouded in mystery since its appearance. However, the person who instructed the theft must know its secrets. Moreover, I can’t help but feel that this matter is somehow connected to you,” Sixth Master said, seeing Mei Qing’s questioning look, and waved his hand, “I have no evidence, but I can’t shake this feeling. You should be extra cautious in the coming days.”
Mei Qing was silent, sensing that Sixth Master wasn’t being entirely forthcoming. Although Sixth Master had always shown protective intentions, his excessive caution towards Mei Qing suggested that he knew someone had their eyes on him. There must be more to this story that Mei Qing wasn’t aware of. When Sixth Master mentioned the connection between the inkstone and Mei Qing, there seemed to be an underlying implication.
After some thought, Mei Qing tentatively asked, “Since Hou Shen is in our custody, can’t we extract some information from him?”
Sixth Master shook his head, “You don’t understand the Thief Sect’s rules. Especially since this kid dared to target our inner circle, ordinary interrogation won’t make him talk. Moreover, his status is significant, and—although the Thief Sect and we are on opposite sides, there are some unspoken rules, and we can’t go too far.”
Mei Qing was somewhat surprised, not expecting that even the Imperial Guards would have reservations when dealing with a member of the Thief Sect.
Sixth Master, seemingly aware of Mei Qing’s doubts, chuckled, “There’s a lot of nuance here. I have some acquaintance with his master, Tie Three-Inch, and sometimes we need their assistance. This kid acted recklessly and got caught, so a light punishment is acceptable, but applying severe torture for interrogation would be inappropriate. We don’t want to sour relations over a minor incident. Of course, if you have other methods to make him talk, feel free to try.”
Mei Qing thought for a moment, then chuckled, “In that case, I boldly request permission to handle this matter myself.”
As Mei Qing listened, he couldn’t help but admire Master Liu’s insight. Although Master Liu had not witnessed the events firsthand, his guesses were astonishingly close to the truth. Yet, no matter how clever Master Liu was, he could hardly have imagined the true nature of what lay within the inkstone.
Mei Qing hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, “Master Liu’s guess is quite accurate. This inkstone indeed has some strange qualities. However, I myself do not fully understand what exactly is going on.”
With that, he recounted his experiences from the moment he first touched the inkstone. Many of these events were already known to Master Liu. But the sensations Mei Qing experienced upon contact, and the changes in his body, were things Master Liu could not possibly know.
Of course, Mei Qing did not reveal everything. He carefully avoided mentioning the secrets of his cultivation or the figures and scenes he had seen within the inkstone.
At this point, a realization was slowly forming in Mei Qing’s mind—perhaps the answer to the strange occurrences within his body lay within this inkstone. However, with his current level of cultivation, he still could not fully grasp its mysteries. This was a matter of utmost importance, and unless it was with Bi Zhen, he would not trust anyone else with the truth.
Yet, to unlock the inkstone’s secrets, he would need Master Liu’s help. Therefore, Mei Qing chose his words carefully. He explained that when the evil force entered his body, it had clashed with the seal, leaving both weakened and the evil force seemingly vanished. As a result, he had developed a sensitivity to the inkstone’s residual energy, which allowed him to sense its presence. Later, when the inkstone was stolen and its energy disappeared, Mei Qing had sensed the anomaly and, by sheer luck, discovered the thief.
After listening, Master Liu remained silent for a moment before finally asking, “Mei Qing, what are your thoughts on this thief attempting to steal the inkstone?”
Mei Qing frowned and replied, “I can’t quite figure it out either. The thief clearly came prepared, with the inkstone as his sole target. Even within our own unit, very few people would know where it was stored. How could the thief have known? Furthermore, what is so important about this inkstone that someone would go to such great lengths to steal it? And finally, who exactly is this thief? How could he hide and move freely within the storeroom, unaffected by the protective formations?”
These three questions had long troubled Mei Qing. Now that Master Liu had asked, he brought them all up, watching Master Liu with hopeful eyes, hoping for some answers.
Master Liu seemed to read his thoughts and chuckled, saying, “You young rascal—your account of your own experiences was vague and incomplete, yet you’re not the least bit shy about trying to extract answers from me.”
Mei Qing smiled as well, though his expression remained completely unembarrassed. He knew that Master Liu, a shrewd old fox, had surely noticed the gaps in his story. But since Master Liu had merely hinted at this without showing any displeasure, Mei Qing was quite content to play dumb.
Master Liu said nothing further but simply shook a copper bell on his desk. Moments later, footsteps were heard outside, and Wu Bing entered briskly, holding a scroll. He placed it respectfully on the desk before Master Liu and then withdrew just as respectfully.
Master Liu picked up the scroll, flipped through it, grunted, and then tossed it back onto the desk, saying to Mei Qing, “This little thief actually has quite a background. You can read it yourself.”
Mei Qing stepped forward and carefully read through the file.
It turned out that after the thief was captured, he had remained stubbornly silent. However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had their own methods and quickly uncovered his identity. He was none other than the infamous “Monkey God,” a notorious master thief.
According to the file, the thief’s real name was Hou Shen. He was the final disciple of Tie Jia, the former leader of the Thieves’ Sect, known as the “Three-Inch Nail.” Although Hou Shen had only recently entered the criminal underworld, he had already pulled off several high-profile heists, earning him the nickname “Monkey God.”
After finishing the file, Mei Qing looked up with some confusion and asked, “If Hou Shen is not a cultivator, how could he have bypassed the protective formations in the storeroom and moved freely within? Moreover, if he is indeed a member of the Thieves’ Sect, then he wouldn’t have targeted this inkstone without reason. Who was it that sent him?”
Master Liu snorted and said, “Precisely because he is not a cultivator, he was able to enter the storeroom. His invisibility technique must not rely on cultivation or the use of true energy, which is why the formations couldn’t stop him. Either it’s a unique skill exclusive to the Thieves’ Sect, or he possesses some innate supernatural ability. That’s why he could move freely and remain hidden within the storeroom. I must admit, I overlooked this point. The storeroom defenses need to be improved. Even the leather pouch used to carry the inkstone must be an unusual object. When the inkstone was placed inside, not a single trace of its energy could be detected—clearly, it’s no ordinary item.”
Mei Qing nodded in agreement. Indeed, experience often brought wisdom. Master Liu’s reasoning was likely the only plausible explanation.
“As for who sent him…” Master Liu mused, “This indicates two things. First, there must be a traitor within our unit. Otherwise, how could anyone know where the inkstone was kept or understand the details of the formations within our storeroom? Second, the person who ordered this theft must have learned about the inkstone’s significance only recently. After all, the inkstone has been there for some time—why wait until now to steal it? If I’m not mistaken, someone must have learned about the incident when you fainted and realized the inkstone’s importance, prompting them to send this monkey to steal it.”
Mei Qing could only nod again. Master Liu’s insight was truly something he, as a novice, could not match. Yet he knew that only a few people—Qian San, Zhao Dayou, and perhaps a few others close to them—had knowledge of his fainting episode while holding the inkstone. The identity of the traitor would require further investigation.
“There’s just one thing I still don’t understand,” Mei Qing said. “What’s so important about this inkstone that someone would risk breaking into our storeroom to steal it? Although I’m not well-versed in underworld affairs, I know that whoever sent Hou Shen must have paid a high price to secure his services.”
Master Liu shook his head. “That’s exactly what puzzles me as well. From the moment this inkstone reappeared, it has been surrounded by strange and mysterious occurrences. Whoever orchestrated this theft must know its secrets. Moreover, I can’t help but feel that this matter is somehow connected to you.”
Seeing the questioning look in Mei Qing’s eyes, Master Liu waved his hand and added, “I have no evidence, but I can’t help suspecting such a connection. In any case, you should be extra cautious these days.”
Mei Qing was momentarily speechless. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Master Liu was holding something back. Although Master Liu had always seemed protective of him, his concern felt oddly excessive, as if he had known all along that someone would target Mei Qing. There must be some hidden secret behind it all. Now, with the mention of the inkstone’s connection to him, Master Liu’s tone seemed to carry an unspoken implication.
After thinking for a while, Mei Qing cautiously asked, “Since Hou Shen has already been captured, can’t we extract some information from him?”
Master Liu shook his head again. “You don’t understand the rules of the Thieves’ Sect. Considering that this young man dared to break into our unit, ordinary interrogation methods won’t work on him. Besides, he’s no ordinary thief—moreover, although the Thieves’ Sect and we are on opposite sides of the law, there are still certain understandings between us. We can’t go too far with our methods.”
Mei Qing was somewhat surprised to hear this. He hadn’t expected that even the mighty Embroidered Uniform Guard would have to tread carefully with captured members of the Thieves’ Sect.
As if sensing Mei Qing’s thoughts, Master Liu chuckled and said, “There are many subtleties involved. I even have a certain acquaintance with the young man’s master, Tie San Cun. Sometimes, we even rely on their help. This boy’s reckless attempt and subsequent capture can be lightly punished, but it would be difficult to subject him to severe interrogation. We can’t afford to strain relations over a single incident. Of course, if you have another way to make this young man talk, feel free to try.”
After thinking for a moment, Mei Qing grinned and said, “In that case, with all due respect, may I request permission to handle this matter myself?”
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