Wei Liao's words were perfectly clear. His central point was this: even if he really was a flower thief, he was a gentleman thief with limits.
He had never lingered around Gushe Cottage, which showed that he had never intended to use force. Given his abilities and Gushe Cottage's defenses, that would actually have been the quickest method available to him. Thus, his target was Hou Niao, not the White Immortal. This had to be made clear, because many men cared little about their enemies but cared deeply about their women.
He was gambling that a cultivator of such strength would not mind having another enemy. This was the pride of many powerful cultivators, and history abounded with tales that had endured through the ages because of it. Of course, he knew there could be no mutual appreciation between them, but as long as there was no determination to kill him, getting through today's crisis would be enough.
"Everything I have said is true. I can swear it before the Heavenly Dao. If I have concealed anything, let heaven strike me with lightning!"
Guan Ruyu really had not lied. At the very least, his actions matched his present account. In his so-called nine parts truth and one part falsehood, the nine parts truth concerned the facts, while the one part falsehood concerned his thoughts. But in this cultivation world, no one could convict someone for what they had thought. If that were truly possible, every cultivator deserved death.
Hou Niao remained unmoved. "Run. Once you're a hundred zhang away, I'll unleash one sword strike. Escape, and we turn this page. Fail, and there's nothing more to discuss."
Something stirred in Guan Ruyu's mind. Of course he understood that no one could truly remain indifferent after learning that someone harbored sinister