Chapter 9: The Heist Begins
Chapter 9: The Heist Begins
The night air was crisp and carried the scent of damp earth as Feng Rui and Lan Ruo crouched in the shadows outside the Bai Clan's massive estate. The moonlight barely touched the high stone walls, lined with sharp spikes and patrolled by armored guards. From their position, they could see the main courtyard bustling with figures—guests arriving in luxurious carriages, warriors standing in formation, and servants scurrying about, preparing for the grand auction.
Lan Ruo, her fox-like ears twitching slightly, gave a low whistle. "Tighter security than I expected. The Bai Clan must really value this divine beast cub."
Feng Rui didn't look away from the entrance, his sharp golden eyes analyzing every movement. "They know how rare it is. If word got out that they were selling a divine beast, even Spirit Hall and the Star Dou Forest's overlords would get involved."
Lan Ruo smirked. "And yet, here we are."
Feng Rui exhaled, his mind running through the plan he had spent the last three days preparing. Stealth, speed, precision. They weren't here to slaughter their way in—not yet. If they could pull this off cleanly, the Bai Clan wouldn't even know what hit them.
He glanced at Lan Ruo. "We stick to the plan. No unnecessary fights."
Lan Ruo flicked her tail behind her, a playful glint in her eyes. "Of course, strategist."
With that, they moved.
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Infiltration
Navigating the outskirts of the Bai Clan estate was easy for them. Lan Ruo's agility and beastly instincts allowed her to detect hidden traps, while Feng Rui's precise movements kept them out of sight. The estate was surrounded by a high stone wall, but Feng Rui had already scouted an unsecured section—a small maintenance passage where servants carried supplies in and out.
They waited for the right moment. As a servant exited, Feng Rui silently slipped behind him, disabling him with a quick strike to the neck. He caught the falling body before it could make a sound and dragged it into the bushes.
Lan Ruo chuckled. "Efficient."
"Stay focused," Feng Rui whispered. "We're just getting started."
They slipped through the passage undetected, emerging into the estate's inner courtyard. From here, the underground auction hall was just beyond a series of guarded corridors.
Feng Rui crouched, scanning the area. He counted six guards patrolling the entrance to the underground tunnel. They weren't just ordinary warriors—each one carried spirit power, their auras flickering like dim flames in the darkness.
Lan Ruo studied them, her eyes gleaming. "Too many to take head-on."
Feng Rui nodded. "We create a diversion."
With a flick of his wrist, he pulled a small smoke pellet from his belt—a gift from one of the rogue merchants he had bribed earlier. He threw it toward the far end of the courtyard.
A sudden burst of smoke erupted, filling the air with thick, choking fog. The guards reacted immediately, shouting and moving toward the disturbance.
Feng Rui and Lan Ruo wasted no time. They moved swiftly, slipping past the distracted guards and down the hidden staircase leading to the underground auction hall.
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The Auction Begins
The underground chamber was vast, its walls lined with golden torches casting flickering light across the room. Nobles, warriors, and merchants sat in tiered seating, their eyes locked on the central auction stage.
Feng Rui's gaze immediately found their target.
A small, golden-furred cub lay in an enchanted cage at the center of the stage. Its tiny body trembled slightly, and its divine aura pulsed faintly—restrained by powerful sealing inscriptions.
Feng Rui's jaw tightened. This isn't just a crime. It's an insult to the natural order.
Lan Ruo, standing beside him, had a dark look in her eyes. "Disgusting," she muttered.
The auctioneer, a slick-looking man in embroidered robes, stepped forward and raised his hands. "Ladies and gentlemen, we now present tonight's grandest prize—a divine beast cub captured from the depths of the Star Dou Forest!"
Excited murmurs spread through the room.
A man in noble robes leaned forward. "What's the starting bid?"
"500,000 gold coins," the auctioneer declared.
A rotund merchant immediately raised his hand. "600,000!"
"800,000," another countered.
Feng Rui watched in silence. These greedy fools thought they could put a price on life itself.
Lan Ruo leaned closer. "We need to act now. Once the sale is finalized, getting the cub out will be even harder."
Feng Rui smirked. "Then let's steal the show."
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The Heist
Feng Rui took a deep breath, activating his soul power. A faint golden glow spread around him as he extended his senses. He pinpointed weaknesses in the security formations, the patterns of the guards, and the blind spots in the room.
Then, he moved.
With precise steps, he made his way toward the stage, blending with the movement of the crowd. He was like a shadow, unnoticed and unremarkable.
As he reached the side of the stage, he subtly tossed another smoke pellet into the air.
Boom!
A sudden cloud of thick smoke erupted, sending the room into chaos.
"What's happening?!" a noble shouted.
"Guards!" the auctioneer bellowed.
Feng Rui moved instantly, drawing his blade and slashing through the enchanted cage's seals in one smooth motion. The inscriptions flickered and shattered, and the divine beast cub let out a weak cry as its power surged back into its body.
Lan Ruo was already at his side, her claws glowing with spirit energy as she knocked out two nearby guards.
Feng Rui scooped up the cub and turned to escape.
But before he could move—
A powerful aura erupted from the far side of the hall.
A tall figure stepped forward, clad in golden robes embroidered with the Bai Clan's insignia. His aura was oppressive, radiating Spirit King-level power.
"So," the man drawled, his sharp eyes locking onto Feng Rui, "some rats think they can steal from the Bai Clan?"
Feng Rui met his gaze without fear. "Correction. I'm not stealing. I'm reclaiming what was never yours to begin with."
The Bai Clan elder's expression darkened. "You'll regret this."
The final battle of the heist had begun.