I have to admit, this thief's technique is quite sophisticated.
The mark he left, even a Seventh Grade Martial Sovereign, let alone an ordinary one, would find it hard to detect.
It's just that today, he was unlucky enough to run into Chu Xinghe and his two companions.
If an ordinary person were targeted by a thief, they'd probably be a bit worried, right...
At this moment, Chu Xinghe was indeed worried... What if the thief only marked him and didn't show up?
What would he do if the thief didn't come? It's said that thieves often watch their prey after marking them, so Chu Xinghe's approach was... to show off!
Instead of heading straight to the Grand Sky Sect's Ice City branch, Chu Xinghe took Ma Liang and An Lan to find out the most expensive place in Ice City.
He had to show off to this thief, to demonstrate how wealthy his prey was. If the thief succeeded this time, whether he was a new thief or an old one, he could retire on the spot.
They made their way to a place called Qingzan Tower in Ice City, and coincidentally, Qingzan Tower was hosting a Courtesan Queen selection event.
When Senior Brother Xinghe expressed his desire to see the Courtesan Queen, Ma Liang immediately agreed.Back in Yu City, if it weren't for the Courtesan Queen incident, would I, Ma Liang, have become Senior Brother Xinghe's right-hand man?
So, to commemorate the events in Yu City, isn't it perfectly reasonable for me, Ma Liang, to have a chat with two Courtesan Queens tonight?
Besides, times have changed. The Ma Liang of the past was timid, but now, if any Huang family shows up, Ma Liang will show them what a heavy punch looks like.
Qingzan Tower was bustling with activity, as Ice City had recently attracted talented young people from all over the world.
The girls at Qingzan Tower were performing with all their might, as this was their chance. After all, these young talents might become extraordinary figures in the future, and if they could catch the eye of one, it could be a life-changing opportunity.
Chu Xinghe didn't choose the most luxurious private room in Qingzan Tower; instead, he sat with Ma Liang and An Lan in the main hall.
The reason for choosing the main hall was mainly to consider the thief.
Think about it, aren't private rooms more private... isn't it harder to make a move there?
Seeing Chu Xinghe's generous spending, a group of girls almost threw themselves at him.
But who is Chu Xinghe?
Forget about these ordinary girls, even the Courtesan Queen here was just so-so.
Didn't you see even Ma Liang was uninterested, suggesting they needed to talk to Deacon Yang about improving the quality of the Courtesan Queens in Ice City?
Chu Xinghe completely ignored the flirtatious glances around him. Did he have time for that?
His mind was full of thoughts about the thief... When would he make a move? He had already taken off his Space Ring and placed it on the table... Why hadn't the thief made a move yet?
Was it because of Ma Liang?
Chu Xinghe gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, sending Ma Liang and An Lan to watch the Courtesan Queen, giving the thief a better opportunity.
But he waited and waited... Chu Xinghe was almost in tears. During this time, a girl even came up and said, "Sir, please keep your belongings safe. Things often go missing here, so be careful."
Do I need your reminder?
Did I come here to see the Courtesan Queen?
Damn it, I came here to lose something!
And you say things often go missing here... Damn it, my Space Ring is sitting on the table gathering dust, and you tell me why it hasn't been stolen yet?
Chu Xinghe even found an excuse to visit the restroom, but when he returned, the Space Ring was still on the table.
What happened to things often going missing here?
My Space Ring is practically in your face... Are the thieves in Ice City blind?
You've already marked me, and you don't make a move to steal it? Can you be more professional?
Just as Chu Xinghe was at a loss, a commotion erupted at the entrance of Qingzan Tower. In the next second, the guards at the door were sent flying, spitting blood, by a group of black-clothed people.
A group of black-clothed people filed in through the entrance, and to Chu Xinghe's surprise, the middle-aged man leading them was a Seventh Grade Martial Saint.
You should know that in the Grand Sky Sect, there are plenty of Seventh Grade Martial Saints in every palace, but that's the Grand Sky Sect. Outside, a Seventh Grade Martial Saint is extremely rare, and many people might never see one in their lifetime.
But who would have thought that a small place like Qingzan Tower would have a Seventh Grade Martial Saint show up?
The sudden appearance of a Seventh Grade Martial Saint threw Qingzan Tower into chaos, and Chu Xinghe learned from the murmurs around him about the identity of this Seventh Grade Martial Saint.
This person was the leader of a medium-sized gang called the Hunter Alliance.
The Hunter Alliance claimed to be a gang, but from the whispers of the guests around, Chu Xinghe roughly understood.
This so-called Hunter Alliance was basically a group that committed all sorts of evil deeds.
The Seventh Grade Martial Saint was named Zhang Dongkui, and he was previously a Sixth Grade. With the recent revival of spiritual energy, Zhang Dongkui had a stroke of luck and broke through to the Seventh Grade.
After becoming a Seventh Grade Martial Saint, Zhang Dongkui aggressively expanded the Hunter Alliance, and in a short time, the Hunter Alliance became the dominant force in Ice City.
Of course... this "dominant force" refers to being the top among the unranked forces.
For an existence like the Grand Sky Sect, even if you gave Zhang Dongkui a hundred more guts, he wouldn't dare provoke them in the slightest.
What? You think a Seventh Grade Martial Saint is strong? Do you believe that if you provoke the Grand Sky Sect today, the Hunter Alliance will be wiped out tomorrow?
But top-tier forces like the Grand Sky Sect aren't something ordinary people can come into contact with.
So for ordinary people, the Hunter Alliance was already the overlord of Ice City.
Zhang Dongkui's appearance silenced the bustling Qingzan Tower, and the owner hurriedly ran out from the back.
"Leader Zhang, your visit today brings glory to Qingzan Tower. Quickly, quickly... why are you still standing there... hurry and accompany Leader Zhang."
The owner waved repeatedly at the Courtesan Queen who had been performing on stage, and she quickly put on a seductive smile and walked towards Zhang Dongkui.
But Zhang Dongkui didn't even spare her a glance. Instead, he scanned the guests in the hall and spoke coldly, "Thousand-Faced Fox, you have some nerve. You want to swallow all of the Wu family's resources? Aren't you afraid of choking?"
As soon as Zhang Dongkui spoke, the people around changed their expressions.
The Wu family Zhang Dongkui mentioned was a family in Ice City, but a few days ago, the Wu family was raided in the middle of the night, and over sixty members of the Wu family were poisoned to death in one night. The brutality of the act was shocking.
Afterward, all of the Wu family's resources disappeared without a trace. This incident caused a huge uproar in Ice City, and many people privately said that the Wu family was exterminated because they had been fighting with Zhang Dongkui for years. However, although the Hunter Alliance committed all sorts of crimes, poisoning wasn't Zhang Dongkui's style.
Upon hearing the name Thousand-Faced Fox, many people suddenly understood. The Thousand-Faced Fox was said to be a notorious thief known for his use of poison.
Over the years, he had committed many crimes across the land, and the poisoning of the entire Wu family was likely his doing.
Of course, it wasn't just the Thousand-Faced Fox; Zhang Dongkui was definitely involved too. Zhang Dongkui showing up here to find the Thousand-Faced Fox made it clear to the smart ones that this was a case of uneven distribution of spoils.
As a disciple of the Grand Sky Sect, Chu Xinghe naturally didn't usually come into contact with such dirty matters.
But that didn't mean Chu Xinghe was unaware of them.
This is a world where martial prowess reigns supreme, and having a strong fist is the law. Gangs like the Hunter Alliance exist in every city.
Committing crimes, killing, and arson are commonplace. Why do so many families desperately want to send their disciples to major sects?
Take the Wu family, for example. If they had a disciple in the Grand Sky Sect, even if you gave Zhang Dongkui another gut, he wouldn't dare to join forces with the Thousand-Faced Fox to poison the entire family.
What? You think the Grand Sky Sect wouldn't wipe out your entire family for poisoning the relatives of one of their disciples?
But the reality is harsh. Not every family has a backing, and incidents like the Wu family's extermination happen daily across the land.
Zhang Dongkui appeared here today because he and the Thousand-Faced Fox had exterminated the Wu family and couldn't agree on the division of spoils.
This dog-eat-dog situation was something Chu Xinghe was happy to watch.
But just as Chu Xinghe was about to pick up a melon from the table to enjoy the show, Zhang Dongkui and his group suddenly moved towards him, and in the next second, Chu Xinghe, who was holding the melon, went from being a spectator to being the target.
Before Chu Xinghe could figure out what was going on, Zhang Dongkui spoke, "Thousand-Faced Fox, do you think I can't recognize you just because you've changed your appearance? I've already marked you with the Hunter Alliance's mark. Even if you escape to the ends of the earth, it won't help. But you have some nerve to stay in Ice City!"
Chu Xinghe: "???"
Chu Xinghe was dumbfounded... Wait a minute... Brother, you've got the wrong person... I'm just a spectator here to watch the show, not to be part of it!
"Ahem... um... Zhang Dongkui, right? You've got the wrong person."
"That's bullshit! Thousand-Faced Fox, even if you turn to ashes, I'd recognize the mark on you!"
Chu Xinghe was utterly confused...
What the hell?
The mark on me is from the Hunter Alliance?
I thought the mark on me was left by a thief, and I've been waiting here all this time for the thief to come and steal from me. I've waited so long, and instead of the thief, I've been given the chance to take the blame?
I, Chu Xinghe, love taking the blame... but that's in the Grand Sky Sect... where I can be punished. What the hell is this Hunter Alliance mark?
So the person who put the mark on me wasn't trying to steal from me, but rather used some special method to put the Hunter Alliance's mark on me?
Chu Xinghe was so angry he was stunned.
I didn't get to see the thief today, and now I can't even peacefully be a spectator?