This Instant

Jiang Wang walked forward to the end of the street, turned right as naturally as could be, continued on, then turned left and quickly slipped into a narrow alley.

He knew his way around Wenxi County town, coming and going with practiced ease, as if he had lived here for years. He had no dealings with any of the passersby.

He climbed over a wall into a courtyard. When he appeared again, he wore a hood and a black robe, his appearance changed.

Before leaving, he had deliberately made some noise.

It wasn't long before a fat man with his clothes hanging open and his belly exposed came running out from the inner room, a Steel Saber in hand and fury in his eyes. He looked around the courtyard, then burst into curses. "You son of a bitch! Where's the robe I left out to dry?"

A skinny man squeezed out beside him. "Hey! Who did this? The hood I hung outside's been swiped too!"

"You son of a bitch!" The fat man looked around, cursing under his breath. "How dare anyone steal from me, Zheng Third!"

"Third Brother, look!" The skinny man suddenly brightened and pointed ahead.

The fat man narrowed his eyes.

There was a stone table in the courtyard, and the clothesline where he'd hung his robe stood not far from it. The robe was gone, but a gleaming silver ingot now sat on the table. It was enough to buy who knew how many robes and bamboo hats.

"Grrr!" Zheng Third charged forward in a rage and brought his saber down. "You little thief, how dare you insult me!"

His voice was full of indignation. Clearly, his dignity and character had been deeply challenged.

The Steel Saber fell, splitting the ingot in two.

The blade struck