Chapter 32: The Flower Thief Who Left a Note in Advance

"My lord!"

At this moment, Si Nan and Shi Sheng, who were also on horseback, approached.

"Move out!"

With a wave of his hand, the group spurred their horses and headed toward the city gates. Now that he had become a commander of a hundred men, the number of cases requiring his attention had also increased. This time, the location was outside the imperial city, and it was unlikely they would make it back by nightfall.

...

"Is that really what he said?"

Within the Jiaofang Division, Yan Shuzhu, who had been waiting for some time, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow upon hearing Lu Lan’s report.

"Young Master, you..."

Worried that Yan Shuzhu might be angered by this, Lu Lan was just about to offer some words of persuasion. To her surprise, Yan Shuzhu suddenly struck the table in excitement and cheered aloud.

"I had thought that the Brocade Guards were filled only with those who occupied positions without performing their duties, but I never expected to find such a great talent among them."

Although he had only heard the message relayed by Lu Lan, Yan Shuzhu couldn't help but feel a sense of burning excitement. This was the kind of true talent he needed. Integrity—how wonderful! That was exactly the kind of integrity he desired. Just as Ye Liuyun had surmised, far from being displeased by such a display, Yan Shuzhu was filled with immense appreciation.

"Lu Lan!"

"This subordinate is here!"

Lu Lan, who had been momentarily stunned, quickly responded upon hearing Yan Shuzhu’s call.

"It doesn't matter if you couldn't invite him this time. Keep an eye out and see when Ye Liuyun is free. It will be fine to invite him again later."

If someone was truly talented, what did it matter if he had been rebuffed? He could just invite him a few more times. His master was the Son of Heaven, after all. Although the situation felt a bit awkward, considering that Ye Liuyun did not know his master's true identity, combined with the man's display of integrity, Lu Lan hesitated for a moment before earnestly agreeing.

"Yes!"

It was evident that even though he hadn't managed to invite Ye Liuyun tonight, Yan Shuzhu was in a remarkably good mood. There wasn't a hint of annoyance to be found.

...

Ye Liuyun’s group did not arrive at their destination until late in the evening. The location for this case was a small town not far from the imperial city. The jurisdiction of the Brocade Guards covered the entire territory of the Great Qian Dynasty. Fundamentally, the Brocade Guards had the authority to intervene in any case within the dynasty.

"My lords, please, come in quickly."

Upon arrival, the host hurried over to welcome them. The case this time was not particularly complex; Master Wang of this town had received a letter left in advance by a notorious lecherous thief, which was why he had sought the assistance of the Brocade Guards.

Ye Liuyun first ordered his men to see to the horses, then led the rest inside Master Wang’s estate. The residence was quite large and clearly belonged to a wealthy man; the courtyard alone was more spacious than Ye Liuyun’s own mansion. However, it was, after all, just a small town far from the imperial capital.

"My lords have traveled such a long way; why not rest your feet first? I have already had wine and food prepared. Shall we discuss the other matters after you have dined?"

Master Wang was indeed a man of business. He was very adept at dealing with government officials and appeared quite composed.

"Since it is a kind gesture from Master Wang, we shall not stand on ceremony!"

Ye Liuyun was not the type to mistreat himself; since everything had already been arranged, why should he refuse?

"My lords, please, inside!"

The fact that they didn't stand on ceremony was exactly what he wanted. Master Wang’s face brightened, and he hurriedly ushered Ye Liuyun and the others into the depths of the mansion.

...

During the meal, Master Wang kept signaling the maidservants to pour wine. Ye Liuyun took the opportunity to ask him to bring over the letter left by the thief.

"I have heard that your newly wedded concubine is a beauty of peerless grace, a sight I have long yearned for. I shall come at the hour of the Rat tonight to savor her charms. I hope you will grant me this favor."

The thief had even signed his name at the bottom: Hua Wenxuan!

The text was brief, but it nearly made Ye Liuyun laugh out loud. This thief was quite polite, announcing his intentions before taking action. Ye Liuyun handed the letter to Si Nan.

"Have you heard of this Hua Wenxuan?"

"Hua Wenxuan?" Si Nan pondered for a moment before responding as soon as he recalled the name. "I have heard a little. He is a famous lecherous thief in the martial arts world. Although his cultivation is only of the second-rate, his lightness skills are truly remarkable. He comes and goes without a trace, and few can catch him."

That made sense. For someone to be a successful thief of this nature, if his lightness skills weren't exceptional, he would have been hunted down and cut down long ago.

...

"I trouble you, my lords!"

Just as Ye Liuyun was contemplating, Master Wang spoke up from the side.

"I have just turned sixty and am in the prime of my life. I had hoped to take a young concubine to add to my household, and I never expected to be targeted by such scum. You must help me catch this thief!"

Just turned sixty and in the prime of his life? That was quite a niche way to describe oneself. However, watching the stack of silver banknotes that Master Wang quietly slid from under his sleeve, Ye Liuyun immediately said with a straight face, "In this life, I despise lecherous thieves the most. To use one's martial arts only to bully women is a disgrace to all martial artists in the world. Master Wang, rest assured. With us Brocade Guards here, as long as this thief enters this estate, we will capture him the very first moment he appears!"

"Good, good, good!"

Hearing Ye Liuyun say this, Master Wang nodded in gratitude. In truth, in this era, the status of a concubine was very low, barely higher than that of a maidservant; some men even took pleasure in gifting their concubines to others. The only reason he was acting so serious was not out of affection for his concubine, but purely a matter of face. If word got out that his newly wedded concubine had been compromised by a thief, he would never be able to hold his head up in this town again.

...

That night, before the sky had turned completely dark, Ye Liuyun sent men to scout the surrounding area for information. Once night fell, he had a dozen Brocade Guards stand watch around the courtyard of Master Wang’s concubine, guarding it until it was impenetrable. As for Ye Liuyun himself, he took Si Nan and Shi Sheng to a different courtyard.

"My lord, I still don't understand. Isn't that thief Hua Wenxuan targeting Master Wang's concubine? Why have we come to the courtyard of Master Wang’s daughter?"

This courtyard belonged to Master Wang’s daughter. Although they hadn't seen what she looked like, according to the Brocade Guards who had scouted the town earlier, Master Wang’s youngest daughter was of exquisite beauty, renowned far and wide as a great beauty.

Seeing Shi Sheng’s confused expression, Ye Liuyun shook his head and said, "According to the intelligence received, this Hua Wenxuan has only left letters before targeting a woman a few times; most of the time, he acts secretly, terrified of being discovered."

A lecherous thief didn't have a good reputation. Unless one were brain-damaged, no one would send a letter to the victim before taking action.

"Those to whom he leaves letters are those who have no ability to resist. Do you understand now?"