Chapter 43: The Thief Lord's Treasure Hunt

Chapter 43: The Thief Lord’s Treasure Hunt

Li Chaofeng’s extraordinary senses didn’t mean he didn’t need rest. While sleeping, he wouldn’t notice distant disturbances unless someone approached his tent. In this bustling camp, he couldn’t possibly maintain an all-encompassing vigilance. Thus, he remained unaware of Chu Liuxiang’s disappearance—or when it had even occurred.

The reason Li Chaofeng could detect the scents of Chu Liuxiang and Stone Guanyin but not their conversation was simple: scent relied on pheromones, while hearing depended on soundwaves. Though pheromones could react with one another, they were easy to distinguish unless deliberately mixed. As for soundwaves, the camp’s cacophony of snores at night drowned out everything. Even in an empty desert, sound traveled only so far. Li Chaofeng’s hearing, while exceptional, only extended to ultrasonic or subsonic frequencies beyond ordinary perception.

Still, he wasn’t overly concerned. At this moment, Stone Guanyin likely had no intention of killing Chu Liuxiang—perhaps only tormenting him briefly. With Chu Liuxiang’s cunning, escaping shouldn’t be too difficult. Probably.

——

Chu Liuxiang had indeed been captured.

Because the Queen of Kucha was Stone Guanyin.

No matter the era, Chu Liuxiang stood no chance against her. He couldn’t even last twenty moves. This Stone Guanyin remained an enigma—her secrets unexposed, her weaknesses unknown.

Last night, Chu Liuxiang had intended to locate the Paradise Star first, preparing for future contingencies. Though Black Pearl had left no clues, his role couldn’t be ignored forever. He needed more information—not just for treasure, but to save lives. The Paradise Star was now the only credible lead.

At first, everything went smoothly. His peerless lightness kung fu allowed him to slip unnoticed into the camp. But the moment he entered the Queen’s tent, she exposed his presence.

Yet Chu Liuxiang didn’t flee. Since the Queen hadn’t raised an alarm, they began conversing—discussing why a man would sneak into a woman’s quarters at night.

The Queen’s beauty was undeniable, and Chu Liuxiang’s flattery was never repetitive. Though Stone Guanyin wore the Queen’s human mask, she still savored his charm, savoring the allure of her own body. After all, no one could resist its seduction—not even the legendary Thief Lord, Chu Liuxiang.

But when she noticed him secretly retrieving the Paradise Star, he suddenly bowed politely, intending to leave gracefully.

She hesitated, then her expression darkened. Extending her hand, she struck.

In an instant, her fingertips paralyzed every vital point on his chest.

Chu Liuxiang hadn’t turned his back, yet even facing her directly, he was caught off guard. With a single hand, Stone Guanyin subdued the man renowned for unmatched agility.

She didn’t kill him. Instead, curiosity stayed her hand—how had he deduced the Paradise Star was with her?

Not her, but the Queen of Kucha. Chu Liuxiang had targeted the Queen, not Stone Guanyin. No one else should have known the gem was hidden on her person. She had taken it unseen, undetected. The only person she feared was Jellyfish Yin Ji of the Divine Water Palace.

Dressed in nearly transparent gauze, she reclined on the bed, voice laced with feigned weakness.

“Why did you suspect the Paradise Star was with me?”

Chu Liuxiang wouldn’t betray Li Chaofeng’s secrets. Calmly, he offered his reasoning:

“The King of Kucha values the Paradise Star greatly, yet guards its location carelessly. Any fool would realize it’s either less important than believed or secretly moved by someone he trusts completely.”

"The so-called Guanyin theft was merely a ruse to make everyone think it vanished."

“In this camp, only his wife, daughter, or himself could earn such trust.”

“When the gem was stolen, the King never left his tent, and the Princess remained with me. The conclusion is obvious.”

His gaze locked onto Stone Guanyin. The Paradise Star could only be in the Queen’s possession.

She paused. His deduction was correct, but his reasoning flawed. The theft had been hers. The King truly was that careless. The only thing he’d guarded well was the secret itself.

Coincidence? Or had Chu Liuxiang concealed something?

Stone Guanyin smiled, her voice a breathy sigh. “Now that you’ve uncovered the King’s secret… don’t you fear dying here?”

Chu Liuxiang had faced death countless times. He thrived on danger, smiling even now.

“Dying for beauty is a ghost’s romance. To perish by the Queen’s hand would be Liu Xiang’s honor.”

His charm was lethal—most women would fall prey. But Stone Guanyin was a narcissist, enamored only with herself, repulsed by all others.

She struck—not once, but seven times in a single motion.

Chu Liuxiang couldn’t move, but his eyes widened. He’d seen martial masters faster than thought, yet none compared to this Queen. No—comparing them would insult her. Those famed for speed moved like old women sewing.

Her pale hand halted a hair’s breadth from his eyes.

He stared, then smiled again.

Survival meant another chance.

He studied the lines of her palm, inhaled her fragrance, and teased, “It seems the lady has no wish to kill me, madam.”

She hadn’t. Following Wuhua’s advice, she’d lured Chu Liuxiang here to unravel the Paradise Star’s secrets. His success exceeded expectations, derailing Wuhua’s plans.

But plans were meant to adapt.

Withdrawing her hand, she gazed at him, sighing.

“Chu Liuxiang… has anyone ever told you you’re fearless?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end