Chapter 8

Gazing at Ren Tianxing's dust-kicking figure as he rode off, Dongfang Long punched the massive stone pillar, which let out a loud crack and shattered.

At this moment, Dongfang Long was enveloped in fierce flame aura, resembling a massive burning flame. Even his eyes were brimming with rage.

He had failed to save his son, and could only watch helplessly as the thief rode away. This feeling was like a knife twisting in his heart.

Although Dongfang Long's fierce flame aura had the characteristics of "great destructive power and strong explosive force," it lacked endurance and consumed more energy than other types of aura. As a result, after a prolonged chase, he gradually fell behind Ren Tianxing, the King of Thieves!

After successfully escaping from the General's Mansion, Ren Tianxing did not dare to pause for a moment. He ran wildly, not through the city gates, but directly over the dozens of meters high city wall. Then he ran for dozens of miles before stopping to catch his breath by a river.

Sweat had soaked his clothes, and the shock and fear had also greatly depleted his aura. Most importantly, he was injured, and it was only his mental fortitude that allowed him to persist in running so far!

"Indeed, Dongfang Long lives up to his reputation. If he hadn't considered the baby in my hands, I might have really met my end at the General's Mansion!"

Ren Tianxing, somewhat fearful, placed the swaddled baby to one side.

All this was for this little guy, who almost cost him his life and nearly tarnished the "King of Thieves" reputation left by his master!

Knowing that the pursuers couldn't catch up so quickly, Ren Tianxing, seeing no one around, took off his mask to breathe. However, he didn't notice the flash of light in the baby's eyes.

Then, Ren Tianxing twisted his limbs, and after a series of "cracking" sounds, his body grew over a foot taller.

This was actually his true form and appearance.

It was hard to believe that the "King of Thieves" Ren Tianxing, with so many rumors surrounding him, was not much older, probably only around twenty years old. He had a delicate face, a straight nose, and a rather handsome appearance. If he walked down the street, no one would associate him with the "King of Thieves."

Ren Tianxing felt lucky today, managing to escape from so many people. More importantly, he wasn't torn apart by the enraged Dongfang Long, thus not disgracing the skills passed down to him by his master.

However, today's incident made Ren Tianxing realize his shortcomings. If his master had been the one to act, he wouldn't have been so狼狈. He decided to go into seclusion and practice after this turmoil.

With this decision, his mood lightened. His gaze fell on the swaddled baby, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Indeed, there is nothing the 'King of Thieves' cannot steal. The son of the 'Iron-Faced General' Dongfang Long is now in my hands."

Mentioning the baby, Ren Tianxing couldn't help but recall his encounter in the room. The feeling of being in a sword array still made him shudder.

"It seems I really need to learn more from my master. I should also ask him what that technique was!"

Recollecting his thoughts, he glanced at the baby, who was staring at him with big eyes. Ren Tianxing felt a bit at a loss. What should he do with this child?

Although Ren Tianxing wasn't a righteous person, he wasn't a completely evil one either. He didn't want to sell the baby for money.

He had stolen the child because he was hired, but more so because he was provoked. He wasn't the type to need money!

"You're quite well-behaved, little guy. I carried you for such a long distance, and you didn't cry once!" Ren Tianxing sat down in front of the baby. "Do you know how valuable your life is? Someone was willing to pay nearly a million gold coins to have me steal you, and you're lying here so peacefully!"

Sighing, Ren Tianxing continued, "Though I stole you, I don't want to hand you over to be dealt with. If my master found out, he would surely expel me from the sect!"

"When your father's men catch up, you can go home safely!"

After much deliberation, Ren Tianxing decided to leave the baby here.

Calculating the time, the pursuers should be arriving soon. Ren Tianxing put on his mask again, transforming back into his lean form. Just as he was about to leave, a vague voice suddenly sounded.

"Are you just going to leave like this?" The voice was childish.

"Who? Who's speaking?"

There was no one around, and everything was silent. This made Ren Tianxing even more nervous.

With his abilities, he should have known if someone was nearby. If this person wanted to harm him, he would be...

Looking around, he found no clues. There wasn't even a wild animal. It was truly bizarre.

"Didn't expect you to have such skills at your age. Your future is boundless, but it's a pity to be a thief. Since you have a good heart, I'll give you a chance. Do you want to work for me?" The childish voice spoke again.

This time, Ren Tianxing paid extra attention and was surprised to find the voice coming from the swaddled baby.

His mind went blank, and he stared in disbelief.

However, what happened next was even more shocking. The baby stood up straight, defying gravity, and looked at him with a serious expression, as if waiting for his response!

Ren Tianxing was speechless, unable to say a word.

"Don't be so surprised. Do you think I, a baby, can harm you?"

The baby spoke again, and Ren Tianxing was certain it was the little prince he had stolen.

To be honest, Ren Tianxing was really scared at this moment!

"I admire your talent. No army can confine you. Follow me, and I'll let you use your talent to the fullest. What do you think? Consider it?" The baby spoke in a tone similar to a human trafficker.

Ren Tianxing still didn't speak, but took a few steps back. He couldn't find the right words to describe his shock.

He never imagined that the baby he stole from the General's Mansion was such a little monster, not even fully grown, yet able to negotiate. This was too ridiculous!

The sound of the pursuers was already heard in the distance, but Ren Tianxing was frozen in place.

Finally, the baby reminded him!

"The pursuers are here. You should run. I believe we will meet again!"

With these words, a puff of white smoke appeared, and the baby who had just spoken turned into a petal and floated down from the air.

This was too incredible!

At this moment, Ren Tianxing realized he was too inexperienced!

In a secluded wooden house deep in the mountains, Ye Xingshou stood by the window, lost in thought as he looked outside.

"Ren Tianxing hasn't returned for several days. I hope nothing has happened to him." Deep wrinkles of worry creased his face.

Thinking of his only disciple, Ye Xingshou sighed deeply.

His disciple, though talented and quick-witted, was arrogant. He thought that with just a little training from him, there was nothing he couldn't steal.

"Sigh, he's still too inexperienced. He doesn't know that there are always better people out there!"

"When will he learn to change this attitude?"

Sometimes, Ye Xingshou wished his disciple would fail once, to learn a lesson, preferably a scary but safe one.

As he was lost in thought, a figure darted through the trees, heading towards the wooden house.

"Hmm, his 'Meteor Chasing Moon Step' is already at a third of my level. It seems he has improved!" Ye Xingshou stroked his beard and slowly walked out.

"Master!" Ren Tianxing looked shaken.

He had run back as fast as possible, breaking his own speed record.

The two entered the house, and Ren Tianxing recounted his experience in detail.

He described it without exaggeration, but it still left Ye Xingshou shocked.

Mental attack?

A talking baby?

A baby turning into a petal?

What was this all about? Even Ye Xingshou, who had seen many strange things, was confused.

"Nonsense! Don't you know your limits? How dare you cause trouble at the General's Mansion? Do you really think you're invincible?"

"Disciple knows he was wrong!"

Ren Tianxing spoke from the heart. If there was any gain from this experience, it was the deep realization of his shortcomings!

Seeing Ren Tianxing's disheveled state, Ye Xingshou thought: This is good. With this lesson, he should learn to be more cautious in the future.

"Master, what was that baby all about?" Ren Tianxing couldn't let go of this question.

"What do you mean? I think you're making it up to get away with it. No way!" Ye Xingshou coldly snorted. "Copy the 'Thief's Code' three hundred times."

"Master, I'm telling the truth! I didn't lie this time!" Ren Tianxing looked aggrieved.

"In all my years, I've never heard of a baby talking at birth, let alone negotiating. It's clearly a demon! Do you think I'll believe you?"

"Demon? Yes, that baby must be a demon!" Ren Tianxing became agitated.

"Still lying? Copy the 'Thief's Code' five hundred times!"

"Master, I'm telling the truth!"

"Add two hundred more!"

"Master..."

"Thousand times..."

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