Chapter 1097: Known in the Jianghu as Master Thief

Niu Youdao had followed the road questioning one household after another. From where he stood by the railing, Ao Feng took one look and knew exactly what Niu Youdao was doing.

When Niu Youdao finally reached his quarters, Ao Feng was called down, and the two met in the middle of the road.

Once Qin Guan, Ke Dingjie, and the two men keeping watch had withdrawn, Ao Feng recalled how the earlier questioning had been handled and knew Niu Youdao had already created a safe environment for conversation. Lowering his voice, he said, "You actually came. Niu Youdao, I have to hand it to you. I've seen bold men, but never anyone as bold as you. You simply barged into Wuliang Garden like this. You're really something. If the disciples of the Nine Saints knew, I suspect they'd admire you enough to prostrate themselves in utter submission."

Niu Youdao said, "I had no choice. Our previous meeting was too short. There were still many things I hadn't clarified, so I had to find a way to meet Mr. Ao again."

Ao Feng said, "What I can't understand is this: when you do things like this, aren't you afraid at all?"

"Fear doesn't help. With anything, once you've done enough of it, you get used to it. Once you're used to it, it's simply a matter that needs doing. Handle it cautiously and that's enough. There's nothing much to be afraid of."

"Sounds like you've done plenty of things bold enough to pierce Heaven."

"Are you praising me or insulting me? Mr. Ao, getting in here wasn't easy. Let's use the time and discuss the serious matter."

Ao Feng said, "I've thought this over again and again. Even if you can deal with the Crow Generals, so what? There is absolutely no possibility of success. Let's stop here."

Niu Youdao said, "Once the objective is set, we move toward it. When we encounter a problem, we solve the problem, one at a time. We haven't even tried yet. How do you already know there is no possibility of success?"

Ao Feng said, "Forget everything else. You've seen the nine watchtowers surrounding the target. Each of the nine sides keeps three people in its tower watching around the clock. There are always people from all nine sides staring at the place. Anyone with improper intentions has no way to approach without being seen.

"Whether you steal it or seize it by force, even if you somehow get the fruit, there is no way to break out through the defensive formation. And even if you did break out, you'd face a pursuit you could never shake off. Niu Youdao, give it up. If obtaining the Wuliang Fruit were really that easy, there are plenty of people in Sacred Realm more capable than either of us. The opportunity would never have fallen to you and me."

Niu Youdao said, "Relax. As long as the Crow General problem is solved, the people are not a problem at all. I've already planned for them."

Ao Feng looked doubtful. "Easy for you to say. What have you planned?"

"I'll help you draw the guards away and create an opportunity for you to act."

Ao Feng stared at him. "Create an opportunity for me? What do you mean? You want me to steal it?"

"You're inside Wuliang Garden. An inside job is the best method. If you don't steal it, who will?"

"Are you joking? I'm timid. Don't scare me!"

"Relax. You won't be fighting alone. I'll personally come and coordinate with you. The next time I enter Wuliang Garden will be when you make your move."

"You're coming in again?" Ao Feng froze, then immediately caught something wrong. "Wait. If you're coming in again anyway, why don't you steal it yourself? Why insist that I do it?"

Niu Youdao asked in return, "Can you draw every guard near the fruit tree away?"

Ao Feng was speechless for a moment before finally saying, "No. They would never listen to me, and they won't listen to you either."

"That isn't necessarily true. I have my own method. Since I have a way to draw them away, naturally I'll handle that part while you handle taking the fruit. We can't let too many people know about this. When the time comes, only the two of us will act together.

"Ah, that expression of yours... Mr. Ao, I, Niu, won't force a friend to do something impossible. I'll make sure everything is properly considered for you. When I come in again, I'll definitely create an environment where you can act boldly without worry. If you're confident, do it. If you aren't, don't. How does that sound?"

Ao Feng said, "Why does everything you're saying sound like a dream?"

"Whether it's a dream or not, the facts will prove it. Fine. We already have ways to deal with the Crow Generals and the nearby guards. The remaining problem is how to get the item out. That's also one of the main reasons I came this time."

Ao Feng said, "Before you worry about how to get the item out, answer me this. After I make the move, how do I leave? Am I supposed to stay here waiting to die? The defensive formation seals both Heaven and earth. Touch it in the slightest and people will know immediately. What am I supposed to do?"

"I told you. When there's a problem, we solve the problem. We'll handle them one by one. Let me ask you first: do you ever have an opportunity to leave Wuliang Garden? Surely anyone who enters isn't forbidden from ever going out again."

"It's not quite that bad, but there are basically no opportunities to leave. Everyone in Wuliang Garden gets one month of leave each year and is allowed to go outside for that month. Of course, if you don't want to leave, you can stay here.

"For many people, they'd rather not go out. When you return, the inspection is extremely strict and troublesome. The slightest problem can get you killed. They'd rather kill the wrong person than let the guilty one slip through. If you don't use your leave, it doesn't accumulate. It's simply treated as forfeited."

"Is the time each person goes out fixed?"

"No. There's a little freedom according to need. You can request leave yourself, but only once a year."

"Then isn't the problem solved? When the time comes, request leave and go out."

Ao Feng nearly stared his eyes out. He forced himself to keep his emotions under control. "Are you insane? Everyone entering or leaving is searched. How could I possibly carry the item out?"

"That's the next problem we need to solve: how to get the item outside. When I came in just now, I noticed the security at the entrance wasn't impossibly tight. There is still an opportunity. So long as we can get past the guards at the entrance, the item can get out.

"Do you have any way to get yourself assigned to gate duty? If not, tell me how the gate watch works and I'll help you think of a method."

Ao Feng almost smiled bitterly. "No need to think of one. I'm already guarding the gate."

"You? A grand-disciple of Sacred Venerable Du Wuxu reduced to gate duty?"

"You actually have the face to ask me that?" Ao Feng retorted. "Don't you know perfectly well why? After coming back from the Desolate Marsh Deadlands, did you think I'd still have comfortable days ahead of me? Now I'm nothing but an errand runner. Whenever it's Wuxu Sacred Land's turn to guard the entrance, I'm sent to stand watch.

"Don't get carried away. I only watch the gate and report when someone arrives. Opening and closing the formation isn't under my control, and other people handle the searches whenever someone enters or leaves."

"I only want to know one thing. When the formation entrance opens or closes, are you standing at the gate?"

"Yes, but there is still no way I can get out. Besides, I'm not the only person guarding the gate."

"How many?"

"Two."

"How often does your turn come around?"

"Once every several days, depending on the number of sides here. There are nine sides, so once every nine days."

"Nine days?" Niu Youdao murmured, then asked, "Is there any pattern to when the formation entrance opens?"

"What pattern could there be? People from the Sacred Lands may come to inspect at any time. Arrivals and departures follow no schedule. When things happen to bunch together, the gate may open several times in one day. Sometimes it won't open even once for ten days or half a month."

"After an incident like this, we have an opportunity. It should open more frequently for a while. If we truly can't catch the right moment, then we'll simply wait until one comes."

Ao Feng asked, "Wait for what opportunity?"

"First do one thing. I'll have the Demon Fox race send someone to find a way close to the entrance. When the formation gate opens, what you need to do is exchange a message once with the Demon Foxes."

Ao Feng was startled. "How could that possibly be done?"

"I've already memorized the entrance's location. The Demon Foxes will find a way to deliver a message near the gate and will leave a mark you can recognize. If you pay attention, you should notice it.

"As for how you receive the message and how you send one back outside, you'll have to judge the circumstances and find your own method. There's no point explaining too much else right now. I'll have the Demon Foxes deliver the next stage of the plan to you.

"If you want the operation to succeed, you must find a way to complete this exchange. Only after you've gone through the process once will you have confidence in what comes next. Just follow what I tell you to do. You'll understand naturally."

Ao Feng said, "Everything you're telling me feels awfully vague and unreal."

"How it feels isn't important. What matters is whether it can be done. I shouldn't speak with you for too long right now. You only need to know this: not only will I get the item out, I'll also get you out safely, and Wuliang Garden won't even realize the item is missing."

Ao Feng scoffed. "You make it sound prettier than a song. Impossible!"

Niu Youdao said, "Back in the jianghu, people called me Master Thief. Whether that name was undeserved, we'll only know after we try. Enough. We've spoken a little too long already. Remember what I've told you. I'll guide you through it one step at a time. Don't be afraid.

"If anyone asks, say I only questioned you about what happened when the incident occurred. That's what I've been asking everyone else too. Farewell."

Without waiting for Ao Feng's reaction, he turned and walked away, heading for the next residence.

After questioning several more households, he was in the middle of speaking with another person on the road when Ding Wei's party arrived.

Ding Wei walked up to him and asked flatly, "Are you planning to stay and continue questioning people, or are you leaving with me?"

Niu Youdao asked, "Mr. Ding is leaving already?"

Ding Wei neither confirmed nor denied it. "You have your duty. If you want to stay, I won't force you."

With that, he walked on.

Niu Youdao immediately told the man he was questioning that they would stop there, then hurriedly called Qin Guan and Ke Dingjie over and left with them.

He had come here to meet Ao Feng, not to investigate a case. Besides, he knew perfectly well that what had happened had nothing to do with anyone inside Wuliang Garden. Why would he waste more time here? Unless necessary, he had no intention of lingering.

On the way out, the white-haired old man suddenly asked, "Niu Youdao, did you discover any problem?"

The two had never met before, yet the old man could call him by name. Evidently he had already learned something about him from Ding Wei.

Niu Youdao answered with perfect seriousness, "Senior, it would be best if you didn't inquire. If I discover any problem, I will report it directly to the Sacred Venerable."

The white-haired old man's cheek twitched.

He looked as though he wanted to say something, then ultimately shut his mouth.

Ding Wei subconsciously glanced back at Niu Youdao.

A thought began turning in his mind.

Had this bastard truly discovered some problem inside Wuliang Garden?

If so, it might set off a violent storm.

Ding Wei wanted to ask as well, but after Niu Youdao had spoken that way, even he no longer dared question him further.

[End of Chapter 1097]