Friendship between thieves

Knowing that Li Nian mostly uses the name "Master Thief" when she is asking questions, Lin Yu still used Li Nian's real name.

Because...

Lin Yu was quite certain that Qin Siyu definitely knew Li Nian's real name.

Although he didn't know the exact nature of the relationship between Qin Siyu and Li Nian, or how deep their friendship was, Lin Yu could deduce this from just the one time Li Nian mentioned Qin Siyu...

Li Nian and Qin Siyu should at least be very good friends.

At the same time, since Li Nian knows Qin Siyu's name, and based on Lin Yu's understanding of Li Nian, this guy is very likely to tell Qin Siyu his name for reasons such as "fairness".

Therefore... given that Qin Siyu knew "Li Nian's " real name, suddenly bringing up Li Nian's name was itself a further test.

As expected, Qin Siyu was quite surprised after hearing Lin Yu's words. "You... how do you know her True Name?"

"Are you... trying to trick me?"

Lin Yu said helplessly, "That's the True Name of the 'Master Thief' —why would I lie to you!"

"As for why I know her name... we're from the same world. Finding her True Name is much easier for me than it is for you."

Hearing Lin Yu say this, Qin Siyu nodded, clearly agreeing with Lin Yu's statement.

"But your relationship with her... is still very close, right?"

Lin Yu denied this claim. "We're not close at all... but you're not entirely wrong, we do have someone we're close to in common."

Qin Siyu blinked immediately. "I see... So that's why you're so concerned about the relationship between her and me?"

Lin Yu shook his head. "That's not quite it. It's more out of curiosity than concern."

"Because according to what I heard from others," Lin Yu said, pretending to recall, "Li Nian said that you two met because you two had a falling out, fought fiercely, and eventually became friends."

"But after you attacked me just now, I realized... with your strength, if you and Li Nian were to fight, she would have no chance of being alive and breathing after half an incense stick's time."

That's why I was curious and asked that question.

As Lin Yu spoke, Qin Siyu seemed lost in thought.

"Inextricably linked?"

Then, as if remembering something, she exclaimed, "Oh, oh... I see. Li Nian was right, we were indeed 'indistinguishable,' but it was more like a 'fight' than a 'battle.'"

Qin Siyu spoke.

"Fight?"

Lin Yu asked, puzzled.

A rare, genuine joy appeared on Qin Siyu's face. "Yes, 'Fight'... I told you before, I'm a 'thief' too."

"There are many kinds of thieves: some are burglars who scale walls and break into homes at night; some are street Thief who Neighborhood Sleight of Hand at stealing; and some are ruthless bandits who kill and rob..."

"And Li Nian and I both happen to follow the path of Thief —except that she's a bit more pure-hearted than me."

"In short, back when I was in Sand Hell Talin Town, I infiltrated the branch of the Stone King Sect in Talin Town to steal Stone King Sect newly acquired 'Twelve-Story Moon Liuli Night Pearl'... I bribed the manager there, disguised myself as a servant, and infiltrated the sect for half a month to find out the personnel structure and internal organization of the Stone King Sect's Talin branch."

"But the night before I was to take action, when I went to scout the location, I discovered... that someone in the same industry had the same idea as me."

"The best 'scouting' location that I identified after my previous exploration has already been claimed by someone else!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu also realized what was happening. "So... that person is 'Master Thief' Li Nian?"

Qin Siyu nodded and said, "That's right, but at the time I didn't know her name or identity—anyway, because she was obviously also quick-witted, so at the same time I noticed her, she also noticed me—and she instantly realized that I was also in the same profession."

Lin Yu asked, "Are you so sure that the other party isn't a bodyguard hired by this Stone King Sect?"

"Of course I can be sure, because you can tell at a glance from the aura of a 'colleague'," Qin Siyu shrugged and said. "And after I confirmed that there was a colleague, I was originally planning to give up, because I didn't really want that 'Twelve-Story Moon Liuli Night Pearl' that much."

"But... she attacked me first—after we passed each other, I returned to my temporary lodgings, only to find that my jade pendant was gone."

Just as Lin Yu Village Head about to exclaim, "As expected of Li Nian," and give the little girl a little scolding, he heard Qin Siyu speak up again.

"Of course, I didn't lose out either, because I stole one of her nimble, thin knives."

"And after this incident, a silent contest and competition began, testing who had the better culinary skills and who had the more solid fundamentals between us."

"For seven whole days—we competed for seven whole days, during which we had our wins and losses, and we practically changed all our personal items. Finally... I confirmed it."

"She is one of my few rivals in this world, in the art of thievery!"

"Finally, on the seventh day, we tacitly 'let go' and returned everything we had stolen from each other during this time."

"Then, we both launched an attack on our original goal: the 'Twelve-Story Moon Liuli Night Pearl'."

"The final result is..."

Before Qin Siyu could announce it, Lin Yu spoke up, "You must have won by a narrow margin, right?"

Qin Siyu looked at Lin Yu in surprise. "How did you know that?"

"Because if Li Nian wins, I should know about your match. I already know the details you just mentioned without you even having to tell me," Lin Yu said, pursing his lips. "Li Nian isn't the type to keep a low profile after winning."

Qin Siyu paused for a moment, then laughed, "That's true..."

"In short, after I stole the 'Twelve-Story Moon Liuli Night Pearl' and was on my way out of Talin Town, I thought this chance encounter was over. But then, miraculously, she emerged from under the seat of my carriage, praised my skills, and began to chat with me enthusiastically."

"We hit it off really well—from that day on, we became... well, definitely close friends."

Lin Yu wasn't surprised by Qin Siyu's words.

This story is very much in Li Nian's style; it really does seem like something Li Nian would do.

The Qin Siyu in front of him did not Deception him, nor did he conceal or mislead him.

This is reasonable, since Lin Yu knows that the matter he asked was not very important to Qin Siyu.

Although Qin Siyu is not a heartless or cold-hearted person, she is not a chivalrous person who prioritizes emotions and values loyalty above all else.

While Lin Yu temporarily suppressed the curse within Qin Siyu's body, he also took the opportunity to probe her desires using the method of "Desire"—this guy was different from Li Nian, who stole purely for hobbies, or even bordered on eccentricity or mental illness...

Qin Siyu truly loved wealth and luxury, and craved a life of extravagance and fine clothes.

Even if she might genuinely consider Li Nian a friend, she wouldn't pause or stop for Li Nian even for a moment.

His questions about Li Nian were not primarily aimed at finding Qin Siyu's weaknesses or vulnerabilities, nor were they intended to lower Qin Siyu's guard because of his relationship with Li Nian.

Lin Yu said all this because he wanted to use the relationship between this person and Li Nian, combined with his own understanding of Li Nian, to indirectly portray some of this person's mental outlook and personality traits.

The objective has now been achieved.

Therefore, Lin Yu did not continue to talk to her about Li Nian.

"Anyway, do you still have that 'Twelve-Story Moon Liuli Night Pearl' with you?"

Lin Yu asked casually, Qin Siyu shook her head.

"How could I possibly carry it with me? I have a treasure trove specifically for storing these things."

The two chatted casually, and Lin Yu's understanding of Qin Siyu was becoming increasingly profound.

The two then approached the pavilion.

"I hope Brother Jian has gained something from this..."

Lin Yu muttered to himself.

After all, although he was gaining a clearer understanding of Qin Siyu's personality traits, he was also becoming more and more certain that... Qin Siyu really didn't know much about the Yaomo here.

Although she wasn't as disheveled or weak as she initially appeared, Qin Siyu couldn't glean much of the truth from this Duxuan Sect —a "Yin Side" entity that the "Diviner" Leng Jing had likely prepared specifically for the "Feng Shui Master" Jian Cunyi within Truth Du Qin Siyu Great Demon and placed here.

Therefore, Lin Yu naturally placed his hopes on Jian Cunyi once again.

After all, he was a genuine top-tier "Tier 4" player, and also claimed to be the Player most skilled at targeting "Diviner".

If this is indeed a setup by a "Diviner," then with Jian Cunyi present, it might not necessarily be a bad thing.

However, Qin Siyu's reaction to Lin Yu's words was somewhat pessimistic.

"Although Daoist Master Xingyi is very powerful, the Yaomo here are not to be underestimated... I can't even be sure whether the being that caused all this is a Yaomo."

As Qin Siyu spoke, the two returned to the vicinity of the pavilion and saw Jian Cunyi.

Seemingly sensing the return of the two, Jian Cunyi, who had been keeping his eyes closed, slowly opened them and stood up from the stone bench.

"Brother Lin—I already know!"

Jian Cunyi excitedly exclaimed, "The Yaomo here... are mostly related to the ancient Yaomo 'Living Foot'!"