When Huang Rong and Lu Yu reached the shore, it was almost midnight.
“It’s so late, I’ll walk you back,”
While there was no curfew in this world, people still tried to avoid going out at night.
After all, it was common for martial artists to fight and kill at night, and ordinary people who encountered them would inevitably be unlucky.
“Okay.”
Facing Lu Yu’s kindness, Huang Rong naturally had no reason to refuse.
After spending the night with Lu Yu, she didn’t feel bored at all, instead, she felt a little reluctant to part ways.
This feeling was something she’d never experienced on Peach Blossom Island.
She really enjoyed it.
On the way, the two chatted as they walked, and before they knew it, they arrived at the Tongfu Inn.
“I won’t go in. Get some rest early, I’m going back to sleep too.”
Lu Yu said.
“Okay! I’ll come find you tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
Watching Huang Rong walk into the inn, Lu Yu smiled and turned to leave.
Inside the inn, Huang Rong discovered that everyone was gone, which made her feel a little strange.
Her ears twitched, and she heard some movement from the second floor.
She went upstairs and saw Tong Xiang Yu eavesdropping at the door of a guest room, seemingly listening to the conversation inside.
Seeing this, Huang Rong was very curious. Without saying anything, she walked over and eavesdropped together in silent agreement.
This eavesdropping revealed a big secret.
The next morning, Lu Yu got up on time to go fishing.
Although he didn't need to deliver fish today, he still had to maintain his practice.
However, Lu Yu had only been fishing for a short while when Huang Rong arrived.
“Lu Yu, Lu Yu! Big secret! Big secret!”
Huang Rong ran over excitedly and told him the big secret she had overheard with Tong the Boss and the others.
“Big Brother Bai is the Stealing Saint?”
Lu Yu was stunned, had Bai Zhantang already been exposed?
“Yes! You think it’s incredible, right? Who would have thought that he, so timid, is actually the legendary Stealing Saint Bai Yu Tang!
This world is so small, we actually met him.
If it weren’t for Miss Mu Rong Yan, who stayed at the inn yesterday, and discovered he was the Stealing Saint, we probably would never have known this secret.”
Huang Rong said excitedly.
After listening to Huang Rong’s account, Lu Yu suddenly remembered that the girl who had asked him for directions yesterday, was most likely Mu Rong Yan.
What a coincidence.
“Big Brother Bai must have asked you to keep it a secret, right?”
“Of course. He’s already retired from the world, so he definitely doesn’t want too many people knowing his real identity.
But it’s okay to tell you, I asked him before, and he said it’s fine.
Everyone at the inn already knows, so it’s not like you’re the only one.
Bai Zhantang said he believes you’ll keep it a secret.”
Huang Rong smiled.
Feeling Bai Zhantang’s trust, Lu Yu felt warm inside.
Thinking about it, he was the first person to know Bai Zhantang’s identity.
That Stealing Saint jade pendant had brought him quite a few benefits.
“So what are Big Brother Bai’s plans for the future? Will he continue to stay at the inn? What is everyone else’s reaction?”
Lu Yu casually asked.
“He should continue to stay here. Tong the Boss doesn’t seem to have any reaction, she’s still the same. But Miss Guo is very excited.
She’s a big fan of the Stealing Saint, and now she’s transferred that admiration to Bai Zhantang.
As for Lu Xiucai and Li Dazui, they seem to be quite scared.
After all, the Stealing Saint has a rather intimidating reputation in the martial arts world, so it’s normal for ordinary people like them to be afraid.
But based on my interactions with Bai Zhantang these past few days, he’s definitely not as scary as the rumors.”
Lu Yu nodded slightly, it was pretty much what he knew.
“What do you say, do you want to go back with me later, to the inn, and pay our respects to this Stealing Saint?”
“That’s a good idea.”
A hint of interest played on Lu Yu’s lips.
Tongfu Inn.
Bai Zhantang was feeling troubled at the moment.
He hadn’t expected his identity to be exposed so quickly.
Mu Rong Yan’s arrival was completely unexpected.
And she had immediately seen through his identity.
He had planned to tell a story to distract her and let her off, but the inn staff were all eavesdropping at the door.
Now everyone in the inn knew he was the Stealing Saint.
They even knew his first love was Zhan Hong Ling.
Sigh, it was his own fault.
He had been too relaxed in the last two years and had no sense of vigilance.
Back in his days as the Stealing Saint, how could he have failed to notice someone eavesdropping at the door?
He could see Guo Furong’s admiration, Xiucai and Dazui’s fear, which made him feel a little frustrated.
Tong Xiang Yu and Huang Rong, on the other hand, didn’t seem to have changed, which made him feel quite relieved.
“Big Brother Bai, good morning.”
Just as Bai Zhantang was feeling troubled, Lu Yu’s voice suddenly came from behind.
“Little Lu, ah.”
Bai Zhantang came to his senses and forced a smile.
“Troubled?”
Seeing Bai Zhantang’s troubled expression, Lu Yu couldn’t help but smile.
“You know?”
Bai Zhantang smiled helplessly and looked at Huang Rong.
He didn’t need to think about it, Huang Rong was definitely the one who had gone to Lu Yu early this morning to gossip.
“Yes, just found out. Who would have thought that a friend standing right next to us is the famous 侠盜 (xia dao, literally “righteous thief”) in the martial arts world. This world is truly full of surprises.”
Lu Yu laughed.
Seeing that Lu Yu was still the same as before, Bai Zhantang couldn’t help but smile.
“Don’t make fun of me. Those are just empty titles, I’m not that 厲害 (li hai, meaning “powerful” or “amazing”). Sigh, now I’m in trouble. Little Guo, Dazui, and Xiucai have become a bit abnormal after knowing about this, it’s making me worry to death.
If this continues, I might have to leave here.”
Bai Zhantang said helplessly.
“Miss Guo is a 江湖菜鸡 (jiang hu cai ji, literally “rookie in the martial arts world”), she’s oversimplifying things. As for Xiucai and Dazui, they don’t know your determination.
As long as you prove with your actions that you’re just Bai Zhantang, not the Stealing Saint from the rumors, they’ll naturally return to normal.”
Hearing this, Bai Zhantang pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
“That’s right! How could I have forgotten! Little Lu, you’re quick-witted. I’ll start planning immediately!”
Bai Zhantang was a little excited, but he soon thought of something else and said to Lu Yu, “Little Lu, you know my identity, are you not a little afraid?”
“We’re friends, why should I be afraid? I don’t know the Stealing Saint, but I know the inn’s runner, Bai Zhantang, very well.
He’s a friend who would never hurt me.”
Lu Yu smiled.
Bai Zhantang was overjoyed and patted Lu Yu on the shoulder, laughing, “Hahaha! Little Lu, I knew you weren’t an ordinary person.”
“Okay, you better get planning. If you need any help, just ask.”
“No problem!”
An hour later, Bai Zhantang found Guo Furong and began his plan.
He planned to use a real-life case of stealing to tell Guo Furong that the so-called “盗亦有道” (dao yi you dao, meaning “even thieves have their own code”) was just bullshit!
At the same time, he would also let Xiucai and Dazui understand his determination to retire from the world.
This plan once again plunged Qixia Town into chaos.
Stealing, in the well-ordered Qixia Town, was considered a major case.
邢捕头 (Xing bu tou, meaning “Captain Xing”), the local police captain, spent all his time investigating and questioning, making everyone anxious.
Even the Tongfu Inn had lost business.
This was a good thing for Huang Rong, she had nothing to do, so she came to play with Lu Yu every day.