https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-518-Healing-the-Night-Emperor-Combined-/12981929/
Chapter 517: I Want to See the Night Emperor (Combined)
Chapter 517: I Want to See the Night Emperor (Combined)
Fang Che laughed, "Old sir, don't scare me. I'm a bit of a coward. If I get scared to death here, it would be quite a hassle."
The old man glared, instantly speechless.
Thinking of the warning from the Lingxue Jian, he deflated like a punctured balloon.
I really can't afford to provoke him.
His imposing aura dissipated completely.
He then asked weakly, "Why do you, this killer, insist on having a drink with this old man?"
"Because I like you. I really, really like you," Fang Che said.
"Go to hell!"
The old man bristled, "If you say that again, I'll throw you out. Don't be so damn smiling!"
Fang Che hurriedly smiled, "I'm sorry, how about this wine? And this dish, and this... take a look."
He casually broke the clay seal, and the fragrance of the wine wafted out.
The old man's throat bobbed.
His tone softened, and he sighed, "I just don't understand why someone like you would appear among the Guardians."
"What's wrong with someone like me?" Fang Che smiled and poured himself a cup of wine.
"Too shameless, too unreasonable, too... whoosh!"
He downed a cup of wine, not leaving a drop, and the old man exhaled contentedly, "This is what wine should be. Those so-called spirit wines, are they even wine?!"
Fang Che also picked up a cup and took a sip, saying, "Don't you think, as you said, the Guardians and Protectors lack someone like me?"
"Just as you said, I can be shameless, I can be unreasonable, but I have my principles. That's enough."
"For example, if any of the others you mentioned came to you today, they might come ten thousand times and still leave empty-handed. But I can sit down and have a drink and chat with you, achieving my goal."
"Even if you're not very willing, we're still drinking and chatting. I can seize this opportunity, but they can't."
The old man rolled his eyes and sighed helplessly, looking quite melancholic.
Fang Che's behavior indeed made him melancholic, but he had no choice.
As Fang Che said, if it weren't for his persistent nagging, even if Ninth Lord had already given instructions, he could have ignored it.
I'm not one of your Protectors.
If your people can't impress me, why should I chase after them? That makes no sense.
But Fang Che...
Sigh, just thinking about his name makes me depressed.
The old man tore off a chicken leg and bit into it, crunching through the bone.
He looked at Fang Che with a sinister glint in his eyes, as if he were chewing on Fang Che's bones.
They started drinking, but neither spoke, silently taking turns, as if in a drinking contest.
Before long, the dishes Fang Che brought were in a mess, most of them having ended up in the old man's stomach.
"Only these few?" the old man asked, dissatisfied.
Fang Che then took out more dishes, all delicious and fragrant, quickly filling the table again.
The old man was delighted and picked up his chopsticks again.
After a few bites, he sighed contentedly, slapped the table, "This is what life is all about! This is life!"
Fang Che chuckled and continued to sit silently.
The old man glared at him after a few bites, wondering why this kid had gone through so much trouble to follow him here but wasn't saying a word.
"Why aren't you talking? If you don't, you'll miss your chance," the old man warned.
"Nothing to worry about."
Fang Che smiled, "I know where your shop is, and I know where you live. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
The old man suddenly felt that the Iron Blood Terrace, which he had frequented for two hundred years, wasn't as appealing anymore.
He found it hard to swallow.
He glared for a long time before collapsing, exasperated, "How many more times do you plan to come before you ask me what you want?"
Fang Che said, "If you're willing to talk now, I'm all ears."
The old man said hopelessly, "I've been had by you, kid. What do you want?"
Finally, he had pushed this old man to his limits.
Fang Che felt a surge of joy, "What is your esteemed name, sir?"
"Sikuang Dou!"
"I've heard of your great name, it's as thunderous as a clap of lightning. It's an honor to meet you today."
The old man's eyes rolled so far back that the black part was completely hidden. He knew this brat had never heard of him.
But it was understandable; he had been in seclusion in Donghu Zhou for over two thousand years. What would this young punk know?
He felt very displeased, as if he had been belittled.
Sikuang Dou grumbled, "Over two thousand years ago, I was known as the continent's greatest thief!"
"Forgive me, I didn't know."
Fang Che said, "A thief can be called 'the greatest'?"
"Get out!"
"I'll come back tomorrow!"
"..."
Fang Che laughed, "Just kidding, I really admire and respect you. Living a carefree life, doing as you please, hidden among the common people, unmatched by anyone. You're the best in your field, both in the past and the present!"
"You might not know."
Fang Che sighed, "My greatest hope is that, after many years, I can let go of everything and live like you, carefree and unrestrained, but unknown to anyone. Living such a life."
"This is my greatest hope in life!"
Fang Che spoke with utmost sincerity.
Even those who detested him the most could hear the earnestness in his words.
He was genuinely envious!
Sikuang Dou naturally sensed Fang Che's sincerity and couldn't help but fall silent for a moment, saying, "You're so young, yet you have such deep thoughts..."
"Living is too exhausting, carrying too much, bearing too heavy, the road ahead too far, but I'm too young... I can't see what's ahead, and I can't catch up with what's behind..."
Fang Che smiled bitterly, picked up his wine cup, and drained it in one gulp, "Senior, are these reasons... enough?"
"Enough! More than enough!"
Sikuang Dou couldn't help but laugh bitterly as well, "Life is helpless."
"That's why, in my view, even what you do for profit isn't really for profit, but just a game in life. In other words, you actually play every day, without any worries, doing whatever you want."
Fang Che said, "That's precisely what I envy the most."
Sikuang Dou finally squinted and smiled, "Not bad, kid."
He finally gave a compliment.
Because only Fang Che saw that he was playing.
Even Lingxue Jian thought he had a mental illness: stealing to sell, selling to steal back, it was just a few coins, what kind of mental illness was that? But how could he know the loneliness and joy of an old man! Was it really for the sake of a few silver coins? You must be underestimating the continent's first Master thief's value!
"I'm rich enough to rival a nation!"
"Then you know, though old man acts carefree, it's also helpless, just acceptance of fate?"
Sikuang Dou asked.
"Of course, because since ancient times, no divine thief has ever reached the peak of the martial path, due to talent restrictions."
F ang Che laughed and said, "If you want to be the best in a single aspect, you must inevitably give up other aspects."
"Though not enough, it's already enough."
Sikuang Dou sighed.
He picked up his wine cup and drank, his voice filled with sighs, "If Severblade and Lingxue Jian had the chance to become the continent's first master thief, they would also give up without hesitation. Because this is a road with a clear end, while the martial path is a road without an end."
"Indeed," Fang Che agreed, "But there's also the matter of talent. To become the continent's first master thief, there must be a reason of talent. And such talent, from birth, is destined to not reach the peak of the martial path."
"Hahaha..."
Sikuang Dou laughed loudly, "That makes sense, too much sense!"
He then said, "Let's talk about the real matter. Going around and around, aren't you tired?"
Tired?
Fang Che was already exhausted.
Facing such an old fox, he couldn't show his true intentions, nor could he offend him too much, nor provoke him too harshly. He had to measure every word carefully, and Fang Che felt he was about to run out of things to say.
"Senior, how do you determine that I have a real matter?"
Fang Che asked.
"Hehe... You have connections with those above, they told you about my identity long ago, and they know what I do. Now that you've come, if there's nothing, are you just here to tease me?"
Sikuang Dou said bluntly.
He was still indignant that he had been caught by Lingxue Jian and felt a ripple of surprise. Because, the way he found this old man was not as he said.
However, Sikuang Dou didn't plan to dispel this misunderstanding.
Sikuang Dou was rather displeased, "You still say you can't use me for three or three years... Fraud! All guardians are frauds! Your Ninth Elder is the biggest fraud!"
He muttered angrily.
FangCheFang Che just drank calmly.
After a while, the old man didn't move a response,, "I "I say longer " "" " speak to see, "You the emperor to Night Emperor to see, speak, to.
,
I.'s.,,,,
, "I want to know to..'t to go,,. to,0 to,. want, you,,,,, you you, you to hear you a time, to,!. you., for you to meet the Night Emperor."
't long."
"I don't know you about about the Night Emperor."
he the only person I met?"
about him, and only way he's to matter you know about the Night Emperor though with you truly trust you."
about the Night Emperor."
Fang Che said calmly, "I'm longer to meet the I know about about you, to happen, ago the Night Emperor trusts me, such a ridiculous decision?"
?"
I know nothing about the past, but I know that when the Night Emperor acted, years ago, he was already near death."
"Based on the poison in should be calculated, the to suppress the, of know about the poison in not enough to suppress the toxins anymore."
suppressed him."
the to save the Night Emperor's life. on the line to suppress the toxins anymore."
Fang Che said,lessly, save him, "At least I can try!"
"
Sikuang Dou frowned and thought, "Why can you tell I know the Night Emperor, and that the Night Emperor trusts me to make such a ridiculous decision?"
"I don't know what happened back then, and I know nothing about your past."
F about Che,, he he said, "But I know that the Night Emperor's last action was two thousand years ago. if my guess isn't wrong, then, Senior, you've been in seclusion here in Donghu Zhou for two thousand years!"
Sikuang Dou was furious, "You're still talking about how those above didn't tell you anything! specific! You even know the exact year,,, yet you still guess.
.
."
))
Fang Che still didn't refute, saying, "With your skills, you've been the number one in the world for so many years without defeat, because not only are your skills exceptional, but you also have a clear understanding. You've never touched what shouldn't be touched, and you've never provoked those who can't be provoked."
"So, Senior, you're safe and sound."
"Since that's the case, the number one thief in the continent, with no powerful enemies chasing him, would willingly hide himself at the peak of his power in Donghu Zhou for two thousand years without moving. There must be a reason."
Si Kong Dou's face turned ashen.
"And since the timing is so coincidental, I dare to guess that it's because of the Night Emperor."
"In the entire world, there aren't many forces that can help stabilize the Night Emperor's injuries. The Protectors, the Only Righteous Sect, the Celestial Palace, and the Underworld, aside from these four, the otherworldly mountain sects may not be able to do so."
"But in the entire world, there are only two people who can stabilize the Night Emperor's injuries with their own strength, without relying on any organization. One is Fengyun Qi, and the other is you."
"Let's not talk about Fengyun Qi for now, but with your skills as the number one thief on the continent, the resources you've accumulated over the years can stabilize the Night Emperor's injuries and slow down the spread of the poison."
"So, it's because of you that the Night Emperor has managed to survive for two thousand years until now."
Fang Che said, "That's why I came to find you."
Si Kong Dou, with a stern face, asked, "Then how did you find out?"
"The last time I came here, I smelled the Night Emperor's scent in your store." Fang Che continued, "And that piece of broken silver you kept separately in your drawer."
"Can't the Night Emperor come to my bookstore to buy books?" Si Kong Dou asked.
"Of course he can. In fact, he came to buy books, and that piece of silver was for the book. Since he couldn't just take the book and leave without paying, it would raise suspicions. You wouldn't want any such trouble."
"So, every time the Night Emperor comes to you, he buys a book. And that piece of silver in your drawer might be the one he just left behind before we arrived."
Fang Che said, "So, I suspect there's a connection between you and the Night Emperor."
"Far-fetched!" Si Kong Dou exclaimed angrily.
"It is a bit far-fetched, but this is the only clue I have, so I must grasp it. Aside from this, there's no other path, so I can only turn to you."
Fang Che was very honest, "Moreover, I've seen your bookstore, and while there are many books, there aren't any that would benefit high-level martial artists. Although the Night Emperor was tempted by 'The Sovereign Over All Under Heaven,' he bought a different book because one piece of silver couldn't afford it."
Si Kong Dou was truly stunned. "How do you know the Night Emperor was tempted by 'The Sovereign Over All Under Heaven'?"
"Because he once stood in front of that bookshelf and looked at the books for a while. I mean, he just looked at the books on the shelf without taking one out."
Fang Che explained.
"How do you know?" Si Kong Dou widened his eyes.
"Because there's a spot on that bookshelf where the Night Emperor's scent lingers, as if someone stood there and leaned against the shelf. The height is about this high."
Fang Che stood up and raised his hand to demonstrate.
The height he indicated was slightly below the shoulder.
"As you know, the Night Emperor's scent is very strong, and that poison is unique. Although he tried to conceal it with his essence energy, preventing anyone from smelling it, he still touched the bookshelf."
Si Kong Dou stared, momentarily speechless.
After a long while, he said incredulously, "Your nose... is it a dog's nose? No, not even a dog's nose is as sensitive as yours."
Fang Che smiled, "In that case, Senior, you admit that what I say is true."
"Whether it's true or not, I need to know how you can be so sure that you can save his life?" Si Kong Dou asked.
"His poison has been in his body for two thousand years."
"Because that day, he slashed my brother with his blade, naturally carrying the residual poison into his internal organs!" Fang Che explained calmly.
"Note that it entered his internal organs. And I was the one who neutralized the poison. Now, my brother has fully recovered, and he was one of the four who came to buy books that day."
He slowly said, "I'm not certain if it's possible... but at least, there's a chance to try. Or to put it another way, I have the qualifications to attempt it. What do you think?"
Si Kong Dou furrowed his brows, deep in thought, his expression constantly changing.
After a long pause, he slowly nodded, "Indeed, you have the qualifications to attempt it."
Only then did Fang Che's heart truly settle, completely relaxed. He couldn't help but pick up the wine cup and drain it.
He sighed in relief, "I know the Night Emperor doesn't trust anyone, so I don't expect to gain his trust. I also understand that he doesn't want to rely on or join any faction, so I won't make such a request."
"Nor will I ask him to abandon his principles."
"I only hope that after the Night Emperor recovers, he can regain control of Donghu Zhou's underground world, or even the entire southeast, southwest, and southern underground worlds!"
"As for his other actions, I have no demands."
"As for revenge, gratitude, or any other matters, I won't interfere."
These requests should have been made by the Night Emperor or Sikong Dou.
But before the other party could make any requests, Fang Che preemptively provided the answers.
"Why?"
Sikong Dou furrowed his brows and asked, "There must be a reason for your actions."
"Only the Night Emperor can truly control the underground world."
Fang Che replied, "After my recent sweep, there might be a period of peace, but it will undoubtedly trigger an even fiercer backlash."
"In this world, scum can never be eradicated."
Fang Che continued, "But if that time comes, whether it's another action or another slaughter, it will already be a catastrophe for the commoners of Donghu."
"The lower-class people have suffered enough. And if that time comes, this new round of suffering will be because of my previous strike against the underground world!"
"I don't want to see that happen!"
Fang Che said, "So, I can only come to you, to the Night Emperor."
Sikong Dou frowned, "You understand the Night Emperor's temperament so well? How did you manage that?"
"I guessed."
Fang Che explained, "The Night Emperor's wound has remained unhealed for two thousand years. Whether he surrenders to the Only Righteous Sect or the Protectors, this poison should have been resolved long ago!"
"Logically, if you're poisoned by the Only Righteous Sect, you should seek help from the Protectors. That's the normal path. From then on, you'd be part of the Protectors' camp, which is a good thing. After all, you'd have a reliable backing."
"But the Night Emperor endured for two thousand years, preferring death over seeking help from the Protectors. This clearly shows that he doesn't want to join either the Only Righteous Sect or the Protectors!"
"The Night Emperor has his principles. It's obvious."
Hearing such a meticulous analysis, step by step revelation, Sikong Dou furrowed his brows and suddenly asked, "You came to me, is it really not at the behest of the upper ranks of the Protectors?"
This was the question he had been cursing Fang Che about before.
It was a question he had already been certain of.
But now, he raised it again.
And with a tone of doubt.
"No."
Fang Che calmly replied, "I figured it out myself."
This denial caused no emotional reaction from Sikong Dou. His face was filled with disbelief, "This fucking... It's too incredible..."
"When I first came to the store, I only guessed that the Night Emperor had bought books here. But when I truly suspected you, it was because you stole Feng Xiangdong's wallet. Senior knows how difficult it is to steal Feng Xiangdong's wallet; an ordinary master thief couldn't manage it."
"During this time, I learned about the Night Emperor's story. After entering this courtyard, Senior himself mentioned the two thousand years ago. It wasn't until then that I became seventy percent certain!"
Fang Che smiled, "But it's enough, isn't it?"
Sikong Dou's expression twisted with complexity.
He remembered what he had said earlier.
"Over two thousand years ago, I was hailed as the number one master thief on the continent!"
He never dreamed that such a casual boast would expose everything!
"Impressive!"
Sikong Dou sighed and expressed his admiration.
"This is the first time I've said this in my life."
Fang Che asked, "What do you think?"
"I'm very tempted."
Sikong Dou said, "But what if the Protectors use this as a favor in the future?"
"That's why I came alone today. This is my personal decision, unrelated to the Protectors. And I won't dare speak of this matter to others, including you two. You know the potential troubles it could bring."
Fang Che said, "I came alone, Senior, haven't you guessed why yet?"
Sikong Dou exhaled in relief and laughed, "It's me being foolish."
He stood up and said, "The soundproof barrier remains, I'm going out for a bit. You stay here and don't leave."
"Understood."
"My words don't count; it also depends on his intentions. Even if he's unwilling, it's useless no matter what."
"Understood."
Sikong Dou had already reached the courtyard gate, and he couldn't help but repeatedly instruct, "Don't leave! Don't leave!"
Only after saying this did he rush off in a hurry.
Before, he had desperately wanted to drive Fang Che away, but now, he was genuinely afraid that Fang Che would suddenly leave!
No matter what, he had to stay.
This change made Fang Che laugh, and he calmly poured himself a drink, unhurried.
Having convinced Sikong Dou, this matter was essentially a ten-fold success.
Fang Che absolutely believed: even if the Night Emperor disagreed, Sikong Dou would bring him, even if it meant tying him up!
The current Night Emperor is so weak; he's no match for Sikong Dou!
Others might not be able to find the Night Emperor, but for Sikong Dou, it's as easy as reaching into someone's pants and grabbing their bird.
In no time, two hours had passed.
Sikong Dou returned with a whoosh.
By his side stood a figure in a black robe, covered from head to toe.
(End of Chapter)
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