Courtesy Before Force

"Nothing's different. That girl is right. We're just a bunch of cowardly cowards, unwilling to be the kind of good people who always get taken advantage of, and unwilling to be the kind of villains who kill and set fires. We're stuck in the middle, looked down upon by everyone... Her summary is spot on, and her description is accurate. Perhaps she should be rewarded with a little red flower. In short, we should do what we did before, and ignore her. As thieves, we must abide by the way of life of thieves. If you go to meet her challenge, you'll only be playing into her hands."

"... I understand, Master." The young man slowly loosened his fist, revealing a dejected look.

The old man patted the young man on the shoulder. "If you can't let go of this pointless pride, then don't come into our line of work. Remember, we are utterly undignified, self-degrading thieves. Now, it's time to get to work."

"Yes."

The young man responded listlessly, then stood up dejectedly.

Seeing this, the old man shook his head helplessly and said, "If you really can't stand it, you might as well spread the word and let everyone in the carriages know about this. There are other fellow travelers on the train, and someone will inevitably take it out and teach that girl a lesson, especially young people like you. You've learned a little skill and think you're very capable. You need to be taught a lesson to understand what it means to be proper."

Although he was somewhat disappointed that he couldn't personally teach the girl a lesson, he knew that with his master around, he would never be allowed to cause trouble.

Being able to instigate others to take the lead and use someone else to do the dirty work is already a pretty good result, especially since this is one of the things they are best at. Now that they have a spirit, they are full of energy.

"I understand, Master. I guarantee I'll earn at least three thousand this trip."

"Don't set goals for yourself. In our line of work, it's all about fate. If you meet someone you're destined to meet, then work that connection out. If you don't, then don't force it. Just wait for the next cycle."

The old man spoke with profound understanding, like a highly enlightened monk.

Chapter 108: First Courtesy, Then Force

"Did I go a little too far?"

After the initial excitement subsided, Murong Qing quickly regained her composure and transformed back into a well-rounded student and a model youth, reflecting on her provocative behavior. She would never have done something so outrageous before.

Although Si Ming really wanted to say, "You young people, stop thinking about making a big news all the time," he changed his mind as soon as he said it.

"Actually, it's nothing. Just as you said, these thieves are nothing but a bunch of cowardly rats. The Liu School isn't the Chi School. The worst outcome is that they steal some valuables, but they won't take lives. The more professional the thief, the more they know how to follow the rules. It's usually the newbies who cause deaths."

Since it was rare for Murong Qing to do something out of line, Si Ming felt that she should be encouraged to prevent her from becoming a second Murong Zhe. A lively girl is more adorable.

Murong Qing thought for a moment. Since the words had already been spoken, there was no going back; regret was useless. She would face whatever came her way. As the side of justice, how could she possibly bow down to evil forces?

She clenched her fist, her fighting spirit high, and said, "Alright, let's give them a good fight!"

Si Ming poured cold water on the idea, saying, "Actually, there's a good chance nothing will happen. After all, it's the Liu School; they might just swallow their anger and pretend they didn't hear anything. The key to theft is catching the enemy off guard. You've made your preparations clearly, just waiting for them to come to you. That's like having the perfect timing and the right people, making it the most difficult situation to strike."

The same applies in real life; thieves only target those who are off guard. Once the homeowner is on alert, it's very difficult for them to succeed.

Those who openly steal are called robbers, those who openly steal are called phantom thieves, and thieves are creatures that cannot be seen in the light, hiding out of the sight of others.

"We can't be careless. My Dragon Diagram Time Wheel Meter came from my hometown. My father said it was a royal artifact, priceless. The name 'Dragon-Diagram' refers to the Grand Secretary of the Dragon-Diagram Pavilion. I said it was worth six thousand just now because I was afraid that revealing the real price would scare them away."

Murong Qing touched the Time Wheel Meter in her arms with a look of tenderness.

"Yeah, if the real price were two zeros added to the end, they probably wouldn't steal it anymore, they'd just become robbers instead," Si Ming joked, then reassured him, "Don't worry, those who are provoked into taking action are usually the less skilled ones. The real threat are those who don't make a move."

In his view, neither those who give up because they feel incapable, nor those who come to challenge him because they feel capable, are truly frightening. What is truly frightening are those who, despite having the ability to steal, refrain from taking the risk, swallow their pride, and always adhere to the rules of thievery, never engaging in petty squabbles.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Si Ming and Murong Qing exchanged a glance. The latter immediately became more vigilant, while the former was somewhat surprised. If the other party really wanted to accept the challenge and steal Murong Qing's Time Wheel Meter, then the best time would be twelve hours later, at night, when they were drowsy. Alternatively, when they were about to arrive at their destination, their guard would be at its lowest, which would also be a good opportunity to strike.

Whichever option is chosen, the timing will definitely be better than now, because Murong Qing has only recently made his declaration, and that's precisely when people are most vigilant.

Si Ming thought to himself, "Maybe I'm overthinking it. It might just be a flight attendant. Besides, if I'm going to make a move, knocking on the door directly is a really bad approach."

Murong Qing up, indicating that she would open the door herself, and handed the Time Wheel Meter to Si Ming for safekeeping, in case it was forcibly taken when the door was opened.

When the door to the private room was opened, a hunchbacked old man and a young, beautiful woman appeared in the doorway.

Leaving the woman aside, this hunchbacked old man had a lewd and wicked look on his face, practically screaming "I'm a bad guy."

The old man said, "I apologize for my unauthorized visit, but since it was you, young lady, who extended the invitation first, I have come to accept it."

Murong Qing his inner True Qi, cautiously asking, "Are you a thief, or a disciple of the Liu School?"

The old man chuckled and countered, "In your eyes, what's the difference between the two?"

"There's no difference, so what's the purpose of these two people coming to visit so openly? Are they going to try politely first, or are they planning to rob us outright?"

The old man coughed twice and said, "Didn't the young lady say that we are a bunch of cowards? Fighting and killing are not suitable for us. It's best to avoid bloodshed if possible, and peace is the most important thing. However, you have already made your statement. If we continue to play the coward, we will be laughed at by our fellow comrades. So, I have a suggestion: how about you two get off at the next stop?"

"Get off?"

After a moment's thought, Murong Qing understood the other party's intention.

She had just issued the challenge when she hurriedly got out of the car, not giving her opponent a chance to challenge her. To onlookers, there were only two conclusions: either she was joking, or she was cowardly and running away.

More people probably believe the latter, and either way, the reputation of these thieves has been preserved.

The old man continued, "After you get off, you only need to wait a few tens of minutes to transfer to another bus. Of course, we can pay for the tickets. We can all live in peace and turn hostility into friendship. We won't become a laughing stock, and neither of you will lose any valuables. Why not?"

"Excellent suggestion, but unfortunately, I decline!"

Without hesitation, Murong Qing made a decisive decision. "To turn hostility into friendship, hostility must first exist. We haven't even fought yet, so why rush to offer peace?"

The beautiful woman next to the old man threatened, "Even a rat will bite when cornered, and its teeth are very sharp. It might even carry the plague, which could potentially cause a death."

Murong Qing retorted, "Illiteracy isn't scary; what's scary is an illiterate person who thinks they're cultured. The plague isn't spread this way. Being bitten by a rat will cause two diseases: hemorrhagic fever and rabies. It has nothing to do with the plague."

The woman paused, opened her mouth as if to ask why being bitten by a rat could cause rabies, and what it had to do with dogs. But fearing that asking would reveal her ignorance, she simply snorted and remained silent.

The old man coughed twice, visibly embarrassed, and said in a deep voice, "So, there's nothing to discuss then? What about the young man in the back?"

Si Ming shrugged, saying nothing, but that was enough to show his attitude.