C6 A Thief

"The Myriad Sect Mansion has just released breaking news: yesterday's bounty of one million taels for the 'Thief Cultivator' has been claimed by one of our own in Dazhi City. His execution is scheduled for two hours from now. Don't miss it—come and watch!"

"A million-tael bounty for a 'Thief Cultivator'? Can that be real?"

"The Myriad Sect Mansion's reports are so reliable that even the royal family endorses them. Can you believe you're doubting it?"

"Hey, watch what you say. I never mentioned doubting the Myriad Sect Mansion—I just don't trust you."

"Believe it or not, it's your choice. I'm not forcing you to go."

Yu Yin, who had just rushed over from the garden, panting, paused and looked on as the noisy crowd converged. Thief Cultivators were notorious across the continent for their misdeeds, exploiting their powers to commit crimes and earning the disdain of the people. The Four Seas Association, an organization of cultivators, would offer bounties for their capture. Once apprehended, the Thief Cultivators would be handed over to the authorities, who would then mete out punishment in proportion to their crimes.

Dazhi, on the other hand, were those who made a living by capturing Thief Cultivators for the bounties, and they were all formidable individuals.

The terms 'Thief Cultivator' and 'Dazhi' had been etched into Yu Yin's memory since childhood. His fascination with the sealing technique and his ambition to become a cultivator were sparked by witnessing a Dazhi with sealing abilities apprehend a Thief Cultivator.

"I've heard that the Myriad Sect Mansion was established five hundred years ago by a coalition of incredibly powerful cultivators. Recognized by nations far and wide, could there really be a Thief Cultivator with a bounty of a million copper coins facing execution?" Yu Yin's eyes sparkled at the thought.

The higher the bounty on a Thief Cultivator, the more heinous their crimes. And for Yu Yin, there was a distinct pleasure in seeing such villains meet their end.

The heart of Xuan Long City's hustle and bustle was a vast square. Now, a large platform at the center was slowly being encircled by a growing crowd, with soldiers standing in a ring atop it.

Cheng Feng, a thirty-six-year-old cultivator, began his journey at the tender age of ten. By fifteen, he had graduated from the prestigious Nine Orchid Academy of Wrathful Incantation in Xibei Country. He returned to his hometown of Changfeng Town, but the following year, a heated argument led him to kill six individuals, forcing him to flee.

During his time as a fugitive, Cheng Feng clashed repeatedly with the authorities, resulting in the deaths of twenty-three soldiers and fifty-seven civilians. The Four Seas Guild soon placed a bounty on his head. Over the next few years, he brutally murdered dozens of young girls and thirty-six civilians across various small towns in Xibei Country, always managing to evade capture.

It wasn't until a year ago that he found himself in my country of Heavenly Strange, pursued by our nation's elite Dashiflying Pets. After a relentless three-day chase, he was finally apprehended.

"Cheng Feng, are you aware of your crimes?" demanded a middle-aged man in a white robe adorned with a flying tiger pattern, his gaze icy as he addressed the disheveled man kneeling before him.

Cheng Feng's appearance was a sorry sight; his hair unkempt, his expression one of distress. The black robe he wore, marked with the sword insignia of a wrathful incantation cultivator, was stained with blood and tattered.

"If I had the audacity to commit these acts, I knew this day would come. Do with me as you will," Cheng Feng replied indifferently.

"The cosmic law is unyielding; good and evil will always find their balance. The City Lord has entrusted me with full authority over this matter. Cherish your final moments," the middle-aged man declared before retreating to his seat to survey the onlookers.

Beneath the platform, Yu Yin watched Cheng Feng intently, his thoughts inscrutable.

"Sir, typically we extradite criminals to their home country for prosecution. Why make an exception now?" a soldier whispered to the man in the white robe.

"Because the Cultivators Academy begins registration tomorrow," the man responded, his face devoid of emotion.

The soldier paused, realization dawning on him. "I see," he said, taken aback.

The man in the white robe turned away, reflecting inwardly, "What good is justice if the nobility remains unchecked and inequality persists? Without fairness, there can be no true peace or eradication of evil."

Everyone understood the concept, but who would be responsible for its implementation? He was acutely aware that the nobility was akin to the heavens, and that power and wealth elevated them above the rest. Peace in such a world was a challenging prospect.

The path to justice was never-ending, and all he could do was protect what he had already stepped into.

As time passed, the crowd around the elevated platform swelled, their chatter enveloping the square.

"A million copper coins could buy a decent mansion in the Huaxi district. Wouldn't it be great to have that kind of money?" The crowd buzzed with conversation.

"Just a bunch of dreamers with empty pockets," remarked a young woman in luxurious silk, accompanied by two sturdy men in plain linen, as she shook her head and chuckled beside Yu Yin.

Yu Yin caught the sound of her soft laughter and turned to face her.

"Do you fancy striking it rich as well?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with a teasing smile.

Yu Yin remained silent, turning away. He found her condescending tone particularly irksome.

"People need to grasp reality and know their place. After all, for some, wealth is an elusive dream. Keep striving, young one," the woman said with a smile, her attention returning to the stage.

"Madam, this young man has a fine appearance. Isn't the young master looking for a personal servant? Perhaps we should inquire," suggested one of the burly men quietly.

The woman cast a dismissive glance at him, her eyes betraying a flicker of disdain.

"Who gave you permission to approach me?" she asked, her face devoid of emotion.

The man's face tensed, and he quickly stepped back at her words.

"Not just anyone can serve as my son's servant. Make sure you remember that," she said coolly, sparing Yu Yin a brief glance.

Yu Yin took a deep breath, fixing the woman with a cold stare. He was thoroughly displeased.

She ignored his fiery glare, simply shaking her head slightly.

"Such a presumptuous woman," Yu Yin muttered, seemingly to himself.

The woman's brow furrowed, and she turned back to him.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch it," she said.

Yu Yin offered her a chilly smile. "You should know, even if someone were to beat you to death right here, the authorities wouldn't dare touch me," the woman stated icily.

Without uttering a word, Yu Yin was poised to make a quick getaway. He was acutely aware that the country's laws were indifferent to the common man, and now that he was dealing with someone of wealth and nobility, he would ultimately be the one at a disadvantage.

"Madam!" The two imposing men glared at Yu Yin with malice in their eyes.

"Dealing with this loser will just sour my mood, but I don't want to lay eyes on him again," the woman declared.

"Yes, ma'am!"

The men were towering figures. Before Yu Yin could even process the situation, one of them hoisted him up with ease.

Yu Yin's cries were drowned out by the bustling crowd, and in that moment, he realized how powerless he was, no match for even one hand of the hulking man.

Outside a restaurant near the platform, Yu Yin lay gasping for air at the corner of the inn's staircase, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He had just been savagely beaten by the burly man, simply because he had made himself objectionable to the woman.

Passersby seemed oblivious to Yu Yin's huddled form, passing by with cold indifference.

Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Yu Yin struggled to his feet. Despite the torrent of curses in his mind, he knew that now was not the time for revenge.

"Take this money and get lost! Don't ruin my appetite," a voice called out as a silver coin clinked at his feet.

Looking up, Yu Yin saw a slender young man with a folding fan, flanked by two attendants, entering the restaurant.

Yu Yin stared at the silver coin at his feet, momentarily stunned.

"Hey, you dropped your money," he called out, picking up the coin and hurling it at the back of the man's head with a cold tone.

Thud!

The man stopped dead in his tracks and whirled around, revealing himself to be a meticulously groomed, dashing young noble.

"Are you looking for trouble?!" the noble snapped.

Yu Yin remained silent, his expression icy.

"Lan'er, come up here already. What's taking you so long?" a commanding voice with a magnetic timbre called from upstairs.

"I'm on my way, Dad," the young man replied, then turned his gaze back to Yu Yin. "On any other day, I'd make you pay with your life. But I'm busy today. Just pray we don't cross paths again."

"Your father is calling for you," Yu Yin said, his face devoid of emotion.

With a slight furrow in his brow, the man forcefully quelled the rage bubbling within him and turned to leave.

"Young Master, shall we intervene?" his two menacing companions murmured in hushed tones.

"I'm heading to the academy tomorrow for training, and Mom and Dad have specifically made time to see me off. Let's not stir up trouble today," he decided.

Watching the man enter the building, Yu Yin turned and walked away.