Just after fleeing the Imperial City and reaching the safety of the street, Yan Qing called out to the two in front.
“Black Wolf, catch.” Yan Qing tossed a pouch toward Medicine Master Wen, while Shang Xinlei also handed a pouch to Ying Ru Shi.
Medicine Master Wen’s tone was unfriendly: “What, you want us to help carry your spoils of war?”
“They’re not our spoils of war—they're yours.” Yan Qing smiled. “Open it and see.”
Medicine Master Wen opened the pouch and found a pair of armguards glowing with a bluish hue. Her eyes immediately lit up: “Third-Stage Rare Token · Tiger Armguards!”
“After all, we went looting the Inner Treasury, while you completed the mission. A little compensation was in order.” Yan Qing said casually. “Looks like you’re satisfied?”
Before Medicine Master Wen could respond, she saw Ying Ru Shi pull a sword tassel from her pouch.
“Looks like a Second-Stage Rare Sword Tassel. Not sure what exact token it is, but I’m quite happy with it. Thank you, Red Snake.”
Medicine Master Wen raised an eyebrow, the corners of her lips slightly upturned, but she only said, “It’s fine. Average, really.” As she spoke, she equipped the Tiger Armguards. The heavy armguards adjusted to her build, perfectly fitting her slender arms. She’d long lacked a suitable token for her hands—these came at just the right time.
“As long as it’s useful.” Yan Qing didn’t mind expressing his gratitude. “Luckily we prepared in advance—otherwise, how could we live up to how much you all value us?” For him, the better the team’s atmosphere, the safer he felt. If the group were full of scheming or even survival-of-the-fittest types, he might as well ask Shang Xinlei to keep him as a companion.But upon hearing his words, Medicine Master Wen’s pretty face suddenly flushed. She felt awkward—this should’ve been a great chance to win hearts, yet all she could do was grunt in response: “Mm.”
“Did you get the Heaven-Reliant Sword?” Shang Xinlei asked at that moment. But truthfully, they had already seen the sword in Medicine Master Wen’s arms. Even when she’d dragged them out of the cavern, she had clung tightly to the mission item.
“Of course we did.” Ying Ru Shi looked to Yan Qing. “But we didn’t come across your insider. You might want to check if something went wrong.”
“No insider? Then how did you get the Heaven-Reliant Sword?”
“Obviously, we beat Shang Xuanwen down and snatched it from him.” At this, Medicine Master Wen brimmed with pride. She couldn’t help it—Shang Xuanwen was a seasoned Third-Stage veteran from the garrison. Beating him head-on was a feat. If she didn’t need to conceal her identity, just this one accomplishment would be enough for her father to grant her an official position in the Court.
Shang Xinlei said nothing, but Yan Qing naturally knew what was on her mind, so he asked, “What about Shang Xuanwen? Did you… kill him?”
“Almost.” Ying Ru Shi said with deep regret. “So close. But someone interfered, and reinforcements arrived just in time. Otherwise, we would’ve slain Great Liang’s Prime Minister right in Jiangnan City.” Her tone was as if she’d nearly completed two ultra-rare achievements—killing the Prime Minister of Great Liang was one, and doing it inside Jiangnan City was another. Not just killing, but delivering a psychological blow.
It wasn’t just Shang Xinlei—even Yan Qing let out a breath of relief. Fearing unexpected developments, he quickly said, “Since the mission’s done, let’s return to the Thieves’ House.”
No one objected. Medicine Master Wen gently stroked the armguards on her hands and replied coldly, “Mm.”
As the four thieves returned to the Upper and Lower Ninth Archway, a palace attendant hurried into Changle Palace. This was the residence of Hermit Yu Li. The Emperor’s quarters had been destroyed, and with assassins setting fires in the Imperial City, the Emperor had temporarily moved here to stay with his great grandaunt.
“Your Majesty, Hermit Yu Li, urgent news from outside.”
Hermit Yu Li said nothing. The Emperor asked, “Have the thieves been captured?”
“No news on the thieves yet.”
“Then speak.”
“Prime Minister Lord Xuanwen was attacked outside the city by Taohu Rebels and thieves. He has returned home to recover. Many warriors from the Ministry of Appointments were killed, and Lord Xuanwen’s guards were seriously injured.”
The Emperor fell silent for a long time. “Summon the Palace Attendant Jun Liyan to the palace.”
“Yes. Also… there’s another report. A sudden appearance of a Celestial Trade Order on the Trading Board. An Immortal is exchanging five Heartguard Mirrors for ordinary items owned by mortals.”
“Celestial Trade Order? Heartguard Mirrors?” The Emperor perked up. “What does the Immortal want in return this time?”
“All seemingly insignificant trinkets. Things like a scholar’s brush, a tailor’s needle, a dancer’s shoes, a gambler’s dice…”
“What!?” The Emperor hadn’t reacted yet when Hermit Yu Li’s expression changed dramatically.
The next second, the pressure of a Foundation Messenger burst out from Changle Palace. A storm of wind engulfed the entire Imperial City. The thieves had already left this bustling city, but the consequences of their crimes were only just beginning to show.
……
…
Thieves' House.
The four were no longer fledglings. Upon return, they quietly sat down in their chairs. The sand table on the stone table had long since disappeared. The longsword in Medicine Master Wen’s arms floated into the air above the stone table, slowly shedding its ancient scabbard, revealing a blade that hadn’t dulled in three centuries.
《Heaven-Reliant Sword》！
Countless radiant streams surged from the blade, transforming into a series of light-formed images—fragments of the great moments it once witnessed. The four of them watched the fleeting pictures, piecing together a rough story: A young man carrying the Heaven-Reliant Sword aspired to serve his country. He rose to prominence, yet ultimately fell before other peerless heroes of his era. Despite defeat, he was still trusted and honored, eventually achieving immortal merit beyond the empire.
When the lights faded and brilliance vanished, the Heaven-Reliant Sword was no longer plain and ancient. Its sharp edge and noble aura were fully revealed. Even the scabbard had changed—one side carved with mountains, rivers, and flora; the other with sun, moon, and stars.
Clang!
The moment the Heaven-Reliant Sword returned to its sheath, it was as if a deity struck an anvil with a mighty hammer, sending out countless orange sparks that nearly drowned the entire Thieves' House—bestowing upon the Heaven-Reliant Sword a coronation three centuries overdue!
As the lights dimmed, they opened their eyes to find orange flames igniting a poetic inscription on the scabbard. Just by reading the verse, it was as if they could hear the song of a passionate youth echo in their ears:
『How I wish to wield the Heaven-Reliant Sword and cross the seas to slay the giant whale!』
The Thieves' House projected the Heaven-Reliant Sword’s details above the stone table, immediately igniting their burning gazes:
「Heaven-Reliant Sword」
「Grade: Second-Stage Legendary」
「Durability: 100/100」
「Base Attack Power: 30~40 Points」
「Equip Requirement: 15 Vital Energy and Blood, 10 Spirit Meter」
「Equip Requirement: Advanced Sword Technique MAX」
「Weight: 1 Jin 13 Liang」
「Length: 2 Chi 7 Cun」
「Effect · Era of Peace: ‘Only by not contending can one be without rivals.’ When the Heaven-Reliant Sword is sheathed, a Heaven-Reliant Domain forms within ten steps of the wielder. All within gain increasing Vital Energy and Blood, Spirit Meter, and Dexterity. Effects begin after one hour and peak at ten hours, increasing by up to 10 points. The effect lingers for 30 days after leaving the domain.」
「Effect · Era of Chaos: ‘If Heaven-Reliant remains hidden, who dares compete?’ Consecutive strikes against the same enemy deal +25 bonus damage, stacking with each hit. The effect decays layer by layer every 10 seconds. Drawing the sword disables the Era of Peace effect.」
「Effect · Tyranny: 『Rather let me betray the world than let the world betray me!』
Consume all current Spirit Meter to activate Tyranny. All recipients (regardless of range) lose their Era of Peace buffs, and suffer -5 to Vital Energy and Blood, Spirit Meter, and Dexterity for 30 minutes.
You instantly recover from all injuries and unleash a shockwave that repels enemies and projectiles.
During Tyranny, the Chaos effect does not decay.
During Tyranny, all Era of Peace bonuses taken from others are added to the wielder, up to +100 for each stat.
Base duration is 10 seconds. Each lost max Era of Peace buff extends the duration by 1 second.
Before Tyranny ends, the wielder enters ‘Heaven-Reliant Overlord Body’ state, making them nearly immune to displacement, stun, or interruption effects. All damage taken is reduced by 30% and absorbed by the Overlord Body. However, the accumulated damage will erupt once Tyranny ends.」
「Evaluation: A Tyrant in Chaos, a Capable Minister in Peace.」