Chapter 17: The Sky-Shocking Demonic Thieves and a Heaven-Sent Opportunity

Beneath the shade of a tree, five figures huddled in a circle, whispering amongst themselves.

“Boss, is that incredibly beautiful girl the one from the portrait?”

“Tsk… not quite.”

“Perhaps she wasn’t this beautiful before?”

“No, I don’t think it’s her at all.”

“Stop guessing. The artist was simply incompetent.”

The one addressed as Boss leaned against the tree, his head turned, monitoring Zhang Liang and his companions.

They were the Sky-Shocking Demonic Thieves, a notorious gang hired by Fan Sha.

In the realm of thievery, they held the top rank, considered the pinnacle of their industry.

Not only were their operations skilled, but their service was also top-notch.

As long as a client expressed interest, they would provide their services, no matter the location.

They even boasted a resounding slogan: there was nothing their clients desired that they couldn’t steal.

This particular commission involved stealing a letter, and the client had offered the exorbitant sum of fifty gold coins as a reward.

They had initially anticipated a difficult task, yet their target was now walking casually down the street, completely unguarded.

Just as they prepared to make their move, a man’s booming voice suddenly echoed.

“No passage beyond this point!”

The situation had shifted, and the Boss gestured, immediately halting their plan.

“Implement Plan B.”

The Sky-Shocking Demonic Thieves had earned their reputation in the industry precisely because their leader was exceptionally astute and decisive.

For every mission, he formulated three contingency plans, always prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

Plan B, as it was called, was akin to the oriole lurking behind the mantis, ready to seize its opportunity.

They would wait for the others to engage in battle, then exploit the opening.

With that said, the five figures vanished into shadows, observing the scene from all directions, awaiting the opportune moment to strike.

****

At that very moment, Zhang Liang and his companions found their path blocked by twenty men.

“Are you new students heading to enroll at Sacred Spirit?”

A burly man, arms crossed over his chest, stepped in front of Zhang Liang, scanning him with a dismissive gaze before speaking brusquely.

This man, Xiong Gui, was also a new student enrolling at Sacred Spirit Academy.

The Sacred Spirit Academy earned its name because the Saint Domain expert, Bai Huo, resided there.

Simply gaining admission and graduating successfully from Sacred Spirit meant one would never worry about living expenses, potentially even securing a government position upon graduation, bringing glory to their ancestors and elevating their standing.

Consequently, to boost enrollment and reduce competition, eliminating rivals was the most effective strategy.

“And what if we are? And what if we aren’t?” Zhang Liang retorted, his arms crossed as he glared back.

Zhang Liang’s short temper immediately flared.

Anyone who dared block his path would either get lost on their own or be made to.

Moreover, being scrutinized from head to toe by a burly man made Zhang Liang feel utterly uncomfortable, an unsettling prickle running down his spine, instinctively clenching his buttocks.

“This doesn’t concern you, beggar. Get out of the way.” Xiong Gui roughly shoved Zhang Liang aside, then addressed Lin Na and the others.

“Yo, these girls aren’t bad at all. How about you join me? I guarantee you’ll graduate.”

Seeing Zhang Liang pushed away, Ying grew somewhat indignant.

“How can you be so rude? We will not join you.”

Hearing Ying’s celestial voice, the group grew even more excited, determined to win over this girl no matter what.

Instantly, the twenty men encircled Ying, Lin Na, and Heng Naixin, while Zhang Liang was left out, displaying a look of profound wisdom.

‘What the hell! What are you people trying to do? Poach them right in front of me?’

‘Seriously, how could he tolerate this?’

Just as Zhang Liang rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

Flowing white hair, cherry-red eyes, and that untouchable, noble aristocratic aura—Zhang Liang could not be mistaken.

It was her! It was Feng Aotian! Xi Lan!

Suddenly, a palpable killing intent, emanating from Zhang Liang, spread outwards, so dense it seemed to pollute the very air.

Xiong Gui and the others trembled all over, terrified by this vast surge of malice.

Even the rigorously trained Sky-Shocking Demonic Thieves broke out in a cold sweat.

They couldn’t comprehend how someone utterly devoid of an aura could emit such terrifying killing intent.

‘This person is definitely not someone to trifle with.’

Zhang Liang had never imagined he would encounter Feng Aotian so soon.

Recalling the brutal beating she had inflicted upon him just days prior, his blood boiled with rage, and he yearned to rush forward and tear her limb from limb.

However, Zhang Liang had no intention of doing so.

To act now would be letting her off too lightly.

Her emergence from Sacred Spirit Academy signified that she was either a current student or a new enrollee this year.

This was a heaven-sent opportunity, providing ample time to approach her, corrupt her, and transform her into a great villain!

His fighting spirit ignited, Zhang Liang had no intention of dawdling any longer.

He needed to register quickly, then return to meticulously plan his next move.

Zhang Liang looked at Xiong Gui, a sudden idea sparking in his mind.

Being unfamiliar with this place, he realized he needed to expand his manpower to gather intelligence if he wanted to deal with Feng Aotian.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

‘Minions? Aren’t they right here?’

“Hey! I’m in a very bad mood right now. You have two choices: one, become my dogs; two, die.”

His sharp killing intent swept over Xiong Gui and the others, like razor-sharp blades, causing them to tremble uncontrollably.

Xiong Gui had grown up navigating the darker corners of society, encountering many murderers.

Their eyes all shared a common trait: a gaze that would send shivers down one’s spine.

Yet, the eyes of the man before him were more bloodthirsty than anyone he had ever seen.

‘He has undoubtedly killed many people; he’s a true murderer!’

Xiong Gui’s back was drenched in cold sweat, his body shaking uncontrollably.

“Become your dogs…”

Such a person was not to be provoked.

To survive, one had no choice but to comply.

Zhang Liang’s voice turned cold.

“What about the rest of you?”

They responded, their voices trembling.

“Become your dogs.”

Zhang Liang glanced around, then his voice boomed, amplified severalfold.

“What about the rest of you!?”

Hearing this, the Sky-Shocking Demonic Thieves instantly felt something was amiss.

‘Had he detected them? That’s impossible. When it came to concealing their presence, they were supremely confident, far superior to their peers.’

‘Detection is impossible.’

The Boss tapped the black bracelet on his wrist, signaling to the others, [Don’t move].

“I’ll count to three. Don’t make me act.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

Hearing Zhang Liang’s confident words, the Boss confirmed their presence had been exposed.

He immediately tapped his bracelet, forcibly initiated their plan, snatched the letter, and scattered.

In the next instant, five shadows suddenly assailed them from all directions, moving with such speed that only afterimages remained.

Lin Na was astonished by these figures; she hadn’t detected their presence at all until they appeared.

Regarding reconnaissance, Lin Na possessed a unique advantage, as her electrical energy could cover a vast area, yet she had sensed nothing.

Lin Na couldn’t fathom how Zhang Liang had discovered them.

In Lin Na’s mind, Zhang Liang was an absolute enigma.

His cultivation was extremely low, perhaps only at the Mortal Domain, yet he could emit such terrifying killing intent, and he had indeed defeated her once.

She had previously thought it might have been a mere coincidence.

However, after accepting Zhang Liang’s advice, Lin Na was certain that he harbored some secret to becoming stronger.

This secret, she mused, could even allow those with low cultivation to defeat those with high cultivation.

This man was profoundly unfathomable, far from an ordinary person; Ying was right, he was indeed worth befriending.

Meanwhile, Zhang Liang was utterly bewildered.

He had been ambushed so often in the past that whenever he had a dispute involving multiple people, he would bluff loudly with a few shouts like this.

If no one emerged, he would simply say, “Tsk, they’re fast runners,” to ease the awkwardness.

This was the first time his shouting had actually drawn people out.

“Heng Naixin! Draw your sword and attack the six o’clock direction.”

“Lin Na! The people at the four o’clock and two o’clock directions are yours.”

“Ying! Stay close to me; they’re targeting you.”

Facing five rapidly approaching individuals, even Lin Na could only brace herself in a defensive stance.

Yet, Zhang Liang instantly grasped the entire situation, directing others’ actions.

Receiving clear instructions, Heng Naixin and Lin Na immediately sprang into action.

Blades clashed, and the battle ended in the blink of an eye.

However, cold sweat was beading on Zhang Liang’s forehead.

Heng Naixin tilted her head, staring blankly at her sword, as if finding it incredibly unbelievable; she couldn’t understand why her physical capabilities had increased severalfold.

Back in the presidential suite, Zhang Liang had infused sword intent into Heng Naixin’s sword, then simply forgotten about it.

Fortunately, the opponents were agile enough to dissipate some of the force; otherwise, Heng Naixin would have become a murderer.

A close call, a very close call, Zhang Liang wiped the sweat from his forehead, assuming they were allied with Xiong Gui.

Without a second thought, he beat them up and recruited them as his minions.

Afterward, they all proceeded to register together.

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