Eternal Saber

Chapter 628: Chapter 49: The Mad Old Man

"How many people are there in the Desert Thieves?"

Chen Tang asked again.

"I can’t say for sure, but we’ve been growing rapidly lately."

The shopkeeper said: "After all, that mad old man has already been thrown into the Celestial Prison, so he definitely won’t bounce back this time. When the Eldest Master steps in, everyone responds to his call."

"Who is this mad old man?"

Chen Tang asked.

The shopkeeper said: "He was once the greatest thief in the world, later known as the Grandmaster with the title ’One Step to the Clouds.’ His surname is Feng, and we all call him the mad old man. When he goes mad, it’s truly frightening."

Chen Tang frowned slightly.

How did the fat old man end up in jail?

At this time, could it be related to the internal conflict in Wusun?

He is a grandmaster, unmatched in lightweight skills, who could hurt him?

Chen Tang asked, "Tell me what happened."

"The Desert Thieves was originally the largest force in Wusun Country, moving like the wind without a fixed place, and the Court’s attempts to eliminate them failed multiple times."

The shopkeeper said ambiguously: "Later on, for some unknown reason, the Desert Thieves angered the mad old man. He went crazy, chasing them down alone and killed several of their leaders."

"He also claimed our Desert Thieves’ name offended him, tainting the reputation of a great thief."

Chen Tang chuckled slightly.

The fat old man has his principles; even thieves have ethics.

Yet these three had no scruples, targeting him not only to rob him but also to take his life!

Back then, this group of Desert Thieves must have done something outrageous to make the fat old man take action.

The shopkeeper said: "Many Desert Thieves scattered and fled because of this, and the remaining people elected new leaders, but they were also killed by the mad old man."

"Later, whenever the Desert Thieves chose a leader, the mad old man would come and kill them all over again. After a few rounds of this, no one dared to take the position of leader, and everyone dispersed."

Chen Tang found it amusing to hear.

The fat old man usually appeared amicable and friendly, occasionally displaying a sharp side!

In the past, after Chen Tang killed Wu’an County’s Profound Celestial Temple’s Daoist Child, it was the fat old man who stepped in to settle the matter.

That Observatory Master was terrified afterward.

The shopkeeper continued: "Later, it was heard that the mad old man was thrown into the Celestial Prison. Only then did we, the once-hidden thieves, regroup and select a new leader."

"But the Desert Thieves are no longer what they once were."

"Back then, the Eldest Master of the Desert Thieves was at the Second Grade Innate Realm. Now, the current Eldest Master is just at the Third Grade Meridian Passage. Ah, what glory the Desert Thieves had, only to be brought down by that mad old man, leaving a talent gap."

Chen Tang asked: "He’s a grandmaster, how could he end up in the Celestial Prison?" ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

"That I don’t know."

The shopkeeper said: "We live in this border town, so we’re not exactly sure about affairs in the Capital City, but it seems to be related to the Barbarian Race."

"Hm?"

Chen Tang frowned.

How is this related to the Barbarian Race now?

He suddenly remembered Tie Falei had mentioned something about the Barbarian Race moving south, mobilizing troops, and such.

Back then, he didn’t pay attention, but now, in light of the information provided, could it be that the internal unrest in Wusun, the wanted status of Li Shuhu, and the downfall of the fat old man are all connected to this?

The situation had become somewhat complicated.

After all, the information was too limited, and Chen Tang couldn’t figure it out for the moment.

He asked some more questions about the Desert Thieves before reaching towards the waistband of the shopkeeper’s knife.

Noticing Chen Tang’s movement, the shopkeeper shivered in fear, pleading bitterly: "I’ve told you everything I can, please, young hero, give me a chance, spare my life."

Chen Tang’s gaze was cold as he said indifferently: "You intended to kill me, yet you hope I’ll spare your life? There’s no such easy way out."

Puff!

Chen Tang stepped forward and slit the man’s throat with a knife.

If it were merely robbery, Chen Tang might have let him live.

But if there’s intent to kill, then be prepared to be killed!

Chen Tang picked up the yellow token hanging from the man’s waist.

This was the Desert Robbery Order, a token of the Desert Thieves.

Since the fat old man scattered the Desert Thieves, the surviving bandits had been dispersed across Wusun Country, living in obscurity.

Whenever they gathered, they would carry the Desert Robbery Order, while wearing yellow face scarves.

Chen Tang searched the three men once again.

It’s an old habit that’s hard to change.

Even though he wasn’t short of money or cultivation techniques now, as long as the surroundings were relatively safe, he would still instinctively grab a handful.

Aside from some silver taels, there was only a martial arts manual named "Desert Storm Blade Technique."

Chen Tang skimmed through it briefly.

It contained only eight forms in total.

From Chen Tang’s current perspective, this sword technique was very ordinary, full of flaws, and without anything valuable.

He finally understood why Emperor Wu had so looked down on the first secret manual he revealed, "Quick Blade Thirteen Forms."

Indeed, it was unworthy of attention.

Chen Tang tossed it aside, summoned Thunder Leopard, and fed him some wine, making him quite happy.

Then, he covered his face with a yellow scarf, carried a long knife on his back, hung a Desert Robbery Order at his waist, transforming into a Desert Thief, and rode Thunder Leopard swiftly towards that village.

He had to rescue Li Shuhu first.

Perhaps he could learn more information from him.

Thunder Leopard was swift, and soon, he saw the village from afar.

Chen Tang dismounted and, as usual, let Thunder Leopard roam freely while he headed towards the village.

Upon entering the village, Chen Tang took a turn around and found no one.

But there were a lot of messy footprints and hoofprints on the ground, indicating there had been many people gathered earlier.

In some rooms, a few cups of warm tea were still placed, indicating that people had just left not too long ago.

Most likely, Li Shuhu realized his location was exposed and fled again, with the Desert Thieves continuing their pursuit.

Chen Tang followed the tracks on the ground as he ran.

Soon, he spotted a steep stone cliff ahead from afar.

Below were hundreds of people, roughly divided into several factions, clearly distinct.

One of the factions was the Desert Thieves, those with Desert Robbery Orders at their waists and yellow scarves covering their faces.

The other three factions included a group with high-headed horses, presumably the Flying Horse Alliance.

Another group, dressed in black with cold expressions, came from Black Stone Castle.

Additionally, one faction consisted of martial artists, each with specially designed arm guards on their forearms, bearing countless claw marks left by eagles.

These martial artists were from the Cangying Gang.

Li Shuhu’s position was locked down, and that was the doing of the Cangying Gang.

Chen Tang quickened his pace and caught up.

At the front of the crowd, a burly man was leaning against the rock face, holding a thick-backed saber, with multiple wounds on his body, blood soaking through his clothes, and panting slightly.

This man was Li Shuhu.

He looked completely exhausted, trapped at a dead end with no way out, but his tiger eyes were still bright and full of spirit!

"Brother, you’re late."

A Desert Thief at the back saw Chen Tang and greeted him in a low voice.

Chen Tang just nodded and observed the commotion ahead.

"There’s actually nothing much to see."

The Desert Thief curled his lip and said: "All four major forces brought Fourth Grade experts. Our second-in-command Sand Sculpture came, the Left Protector of the Flying Horse Alliance is up front, along with Black Stone Castle’s Hall Master Heiyan, and the Squad Leader Ying from Cangying Gang. This guy can’t escape."