Chapter 27: A Windfall

The dust settled, and the street grew quiet.

"Hoo... hoo..."

Ye Jingtang breathed heavily like an ox. After sheathing his blade, he turned to look at Luo Ning. She was clutching her left shoulder, her lips slightly parted, staring at him in utter disbelief.

"How is your injury?"

Ye Jingtang strode over and supported her left arm to inspect it.

Luo Ning twisted her waist slightly to avoid his touch. Ignoring her own injury, she asked in astonishment, "What kind of swordsmanship was that? Why was it so powerful?"

"Did I ever say I was weak?"

"But you've never studied martial arts, have you?"

"Didn't you see me practicing in the courtyard these past few days?"

"You've only been practicing for a few days..."

Luo Ning’s mouth hung open, then she paused. She realized that for this shameless little thief, it wasn't entirely impossible to grasp a peerless blade technique in a few days. She pushed aside her shock, covered her left shoulder, and said calmly, "It’s the 'Tendon-Piercing Powder,' a unique poison of the Wingless Owl. I’ve sealed my own acupoints; it’s nothing serious."

Seeing this, Ye Jingtang breathed a sigh of relief. He took out the "Jade Dragon Ointment" he had swiped from Sanniang earlier and handed it to Luo Ning, then began rummaging through the headless corpse.

"In the future, don't try to block hidden weapons for me. You can't even stop them..."

"?"

Hearing these heartless words, Luo Ning’s eyes flashed with annoyance. "I wanted to! Is that any of your business? Do you think everyone in the martial arts world is like you—watching from the sidelines when unable to help, indifferent to the safety of their companions?"

Ye Jingtang didn't retort; he was actually quite moved that she had risked injury for him, but he simply continued searching the body quickly.

He didn't find the antidote, but he did discover something golden on the corpse’s chest. Ye Jingtang pulled out the gold leaf and examined it. He knew it was a miraculous, invulnerable treasure, though he didn't know its specific nature, so he tucked it away and continued searching.

Luo Ning stepped up behind him. She had intended to say something, but when her peripheral vision caught the gold leaf, her entire body trembled slightly.

Ye Jingtang, head buried in his task, sensed her breath hitch. He turned around and looked at the gold leaf again. "Do you know what this is?"

Luo Ning’s pale complexion masked her inner agitation, but she was clearly panicking. She knew exactly what this gold leaf was; the Master of the Pingtian Sect was also searching for the *Dragon’s Cry Map*, and already possessed one piece.

According to the Sect Master, the *Dragon’s Cry Map* consisted of nine miraculous secret arts. Mastering even one would far surpass ordinary men. Whether learning them all would lead to ascension, Luo Ning wasn't sure, but she was certain it could "preserve one's youth forever."

Ever since she first met the Sect Master, the only change had been a maturation of temperament; the face remained exactly as it was back then. She herself had benefited from learning a few scraps of the technique, remaining as fresh and youthful as Yun Li.

Even without the miraculous power of becoming an immortal, the mere prospect of rejuvenation and eternal youth was enough to drive countless martial arts masters in their twilight years into a frenzy.

When the previous dynasty fell, masters from all factions had stormed the capital in the chaos. To seize the *Dragon’s Cry Map*, stories of brothers betraying brothers and masters killing disciples were common, and the resulting human tragedies were countless.

It could be said that this object was a curse. Whoever held it would essentially have to silence everyone who knew of its existence to prevent word from leaking out and inviting a hunt by the martial arts world.

If she told Ye Jingtang, and this little thief grew greedy for the treasure, he might just...

Given this little thief's character, he shouldn't be that kind of person...

Luo Ning hesitated, then said tactfully, "Keep this safe. It’s very important. Don't let anyone else see it... otherwise, it will bring a fatal disaster upon you."

Ye Jingtang blinked, then looked at the "Dragon Roaring Through Three Mountains" diagram on the gold leaf. He mused, "Could this be the *Dragon’s Cry Map*?"

"..."

Luo Ning didn't speak. She took a few steps back, watching Ye Jingtang with guarded eyes.

Seeing her change in demeanor, Ye Jingtang guessed her worries. He shook his head and continued searching for the medicine bottle. "You just risked your life to block a weapon for me, and now you're guarding against me? Are you schizophrenic?"

Luo Ning also felt her behavior was inconsistent. She said in a low voice, "I only told you because I don't see you as a sinister person. If you truly lacked any sense of morality, you would have died the very first day we met."

Ye Jingtang ignored her stubborn words and continued his search. He discovered this thief had quite a collection—not just the gold leaf, but a jade pendant at his waist and a small booklet.

The booklet was ordinary, even somewhat worn. He took a glance at the contents—it was like a diary, filled with scattered insights and realizations. Though the strokes were forceful and vigorous, clearly the work of a master, it was almost certainly the rumored martial arts notes of Lu Jieyun.

Luo Ning stood behind him, her gaze fixed on a small wooden box he had tossed aside. It was exquisite and had been opened while he was searching for medicine; inside lay a verdant jade pendant.

"The 'Dragon Pool Jasper,' the heirloom of the Zhou family of the Water Cloud Sword Pool... I heard the Wingless Owl had been to the Water Cloud Sword Pool, but the Zhou family made no move. So, he had stolen this."

Ye Jingtang wrapped the priceless booklet carefully to keep it from getting wet in the rain and asked, "Is this jade pendant very valuable?"

"It's just an ordinary jade pendant their ancestors found, which the Zhou family worships as an heirloom. To lose it is a slap in the face for the Water Cloud Sword Pool. No wonder they kept quiet about it."

Ye Jingtang wasn't interested in these trifling matters and didn't respond. He searched the corpse's waist thoroughly for a long time, but aside from a few sundries, he found nothing else.

"It seems there is no antidote."

"To make their escape, most thieves hide the antidote elsewhere, forcing the poisoned pursuers to retrieve it, giving them a chance to flee. You killed him too quickly; you forgot to ask."

"Uh..."

Ye Jingtang’s expression stiffened. He stood up and looked at Luo Ning, whose complexion was worsening. "Then what should we do?"

Luo Ning wasn't overly worried. "It won't kill me. I've sealed the acupoints; I just need to draw the poison out. Hurry and clean up the scene, then take me back to Shuanggui Alley."

Ye Jingtang wasn't a bandit; he couldn't just leave a body on the street. After collecting the loot, just as he was about to hide the headless corpse, the sound of rapid hoofbeats echoed from the street.

*Clip-clop, clip-clop...*

The commotion had been too great; it was obvious bandits had been causing trouble in the capital. It was no surprise that the authorities were rushing over.

Seeing this, Ye Jingtang hurriedly told Luo Ning to hide while he waited on the street. Moments later, a dozen riders in black-green robes arrived at full gallop—they were constables from the Black Yamen.

Afraid of a misunderstanding, Ye Jingtang took out the arrest warrant issued by the Black Yamen while still at a distance and called out, "Ye Jingtang of Tianshui Bridge, acting on the Black Yamen's orders to capture the thief."

The arriving constables dismounted. The leader, a Chief Banner, took the warrant from Ye Jingtang to inspect it. Confirming the seal was genuine, he put away his bow and crossbow and cupped his hands. "Impressive skill, Master Ye! Are you the young hero who sparred with Magistrate She a few days ago?"

"That is correct."

Hearing this, the Chief Banner’s expression turned respectful. He cupped his hands again. "Many thanks for your assistance, Young Hero Ye. Is this definitely the Wingless Owl?"

According to the rules, "Bounty Hunters" who helped capture dangerous criminals were entitled to everything except the stolen goods specifically requested by the imperial court.

Ye Jingtang naturally wasn't foolish enough to hand over the martial arts notes or the *Dragon’s Cry Map* for confiscation. He simply tossed the jade pendant to the constable. "This seems to be the 'Dragon Pool Jasper.' I hope you gentlemen can take the body and the items back to the Yamen to report. I just finished a fight and need to rest for a moment, so I won't be accompanying you."

The Black Yamen constables saw the broken walls and ruins and knew the fight had been fierce, but they were relieved to see that Master Ye had no visible injuries. The Chief Banner ordered his men to carry away the body and the head, and handed Ye Jingtang a token.

"Old Physician Wang at Wende Bridge is a divine doctor in the capital. Anyone injured in the line of duty for the Black Yamen can seek his help. If Master Ye has any injuries, just take this token and go straight to him."

"Many thanks."

Ye Jingtang told the constables where he had found the Wingless Owl so they could handle the aftermath, then took his leave.

Once he was out of sight of the constables, Ye Jingtang circled back and, following the bird's guidance, arrived at a dark alley.

Luo Ning was waiting there, her face pale. Seeing him return, she hurriedly said, "Let's go quickly... eh?"

Before she could finish, Ye Jingtang reached her and hoisted her onto his back.

Luo Ning clutched her shoulder, pressed against his back, her legs dangling as he held her thighs. Her eyes flashed with annoyance. "My arm is injured, not my legs. Why are you carrying me?"

"Stop talking nonsense. I just got a token; I'm taking you to the physician to treat your wounds."

"Physician?"

Luo Ning had investigated the Black Yamen for a long time and knew who he meant. She sighed helplessly, "I am a thief. Old Physician Wang in the capital deals with the six types of evildoers all day; his eyes are sharp. Do you want me to walk straight into a trap?"

Ye Jingtang paused, thought for a moment, and turned to head toward the West Market.

Seeing him so earnest, Luo Ning felt a bit uncomfortable. She hadn't really resisted being carried, but she soon realized he was heading in the wrong direction. "Where are you going? This isn't the way to Dyehouse Street..."

"To an inn. Shuanggui Alley is half a city away; you'd be cold by the time I ran there. Can't you purge the poison at an inn?"

"...?"

Luo Ning didn't know why, but her attitude was very firm. "I'm not going to an inn! Put me down, I'll go back to Shuanggui Alley myself. Little thief! Did you hear me? ...Say something..."