Chapter 34: How to Rob an Auction House

Shin Kaede was reconsidering all of her life choices.

Just yesterday, she was struggling to buy a low-grade Qi Refining Pill. Now?

She was standing next to a criminal mastermind orphan, about to rob the biggest auction house in the city.

And the worst part?

She wasn't even surprised anymore.

She sighed. "Asher. Please tell me you have a plan."

Asher grinned. "Of course I have a plan."

"…Is it a good plan?"

He shrugged. "Depends on your definition of 'good.'"

Kaede groaned.

The Ironcrest Auction House.

A massive stone building in the city center, guarded by Foundation Establishment cultivators. The place where nobles, sect members, and rich merchants flaunted their wealth.

Inside? Techniques, spirit weapons, rare cultivation pills—all for sale.

Asher wanted them all.

Not just because they were valuable. But because he needed them.

If he wanted to grow stronger, he couldn't rely on trash-tier techniques forever.

And waiting for opportunities?

Not his style.

Which is why, instead of paying for anything like a normal person, Asher was currently sneaking through the back alleys toward the auction house with a smirk on his face.

Kaede followed, looking like she was about to have a heart attack.

"I cannot believe I'm doing this," she muttered.

"Relax," Asher whispered. "It's not like we're breaking in."

Kaede frowned. "We're literally breaking in."

"No," Asher corrected. "We're walking in. With style."

"…I hate you."

Step One: The Disguise.

Asher strolled through the front entrance, dressed in stolen noble robes.

Kaede followed, her hair tied back in an elegant style, looking like a young lady from a wealthy family.

Nobody questioned them.

Why?

Because rich people don't get questioned.

While guards harassed poor visitors outside, Asher and Kaede walked straight through the main doors.

The auction house was massive.

Golden chandeliers. Rows of private booths. Dozens of cultivators in expensive robes, all waiting for the event to start.

Asher smirked. "See? Easy."

Kaede exhaled. "Okay. Now what?"

"Now," Asher said, "we steal everything."

Step Two: Find the Vault.

While nobles sat in their VIP seats, Asher and Kaede slipped through the side halls, blending in like they belonged.

Kaede whispered, "Where are we going?"

"The auction vault," Asher said. "The real treasures aren't on display. They're kept in a secured chamber before they're sold."

"And you know where that is… how?"

"I don't."

Kaede stopped walking. "…WHAT?"

Asher grinned. "I'll figure it out."

Before she could yell at him, a guard passed by. Asher casually tripped him.

THUD!

The guard groaned. "Ugh… damn it…"

Asher immediately bent down, pretending to help.

"Brother, are you alright?" he asked, patting the man's back.

At the same time, his other hand slipped into the guard's robe—and pulled out a key.

The guard waved him off. "Yeah, yeah. Just watch where you're going, brat."

Asher smiled.

"Oh, of course. My apologies."

As he walked away, he twirled the stolen key in his fingers.

Kaede gaped at him. "You—You just—"

Asher tossed the key in the air. "See? Figured it out."

"…I'm going to die tonight."

Step Three: Get In, Steal, Get Out.

The auction vault was deep underground, protected by layers of security.

But Asher had two advantages.

1. Silent Steps Technique – He could move without a sound.

2. Shadow Veil Technique – He could disappear from sight.

Which is why, when two guards stood in front of the vault doors, they had no idea Asher was already behind them.

Kaede whispered, "How do we get past them?"

Asher smirked. "Like this."

He snapped his fingers.

The shadows beneath the guards MOVED.

A dark hand stretched out of the ground—grabbing one of the guards by the ankle.

"…What the—?!"

Before he could react, the shadow YANKED him downward.

"AHHHH—"

He disappeared into the darkness.

The second guard panicked. "What the hell?!"

Asher appeared behind him.

And chopped the back of his neck.

THUD.

The guard collapsed, unconscious.

Kaede stared at the scene.

She slowly turned to Asher.

"…What the hell was THAT?"

Asher flexed his fingers, his own shadow twitching beneath him.

"My power's growing."

Kaede's eye twitched. "You can just… summon shadow monsters to DRAG PEOPLE INTO THE VOID?!"

Asher shrugged. "Apparently."

She took a deep breath. "You are terrifying."

Asher grinned. "Thanks."

Kaede facepalmed.

Inside the vault.

Rows of treasures. Jade boxes filled with rare pills. Shelves of cultivation manuals. Weapons infused with spiritual energy.

Kaede whistled. "Jackpot."

Asher cracked his knuckles. "Alright. Let's loot this place."

They moved fast.

Kaede grabbed storage rings, stuffing them with rare pills and manuals.

Asher went for the highest-quality weapons.

Then—his eyes landed on a black scroll.

Something felt different about it.

The moment he touched it—

His shadow trembled.

A whisper echoed in his mind.

"The Path of the Abyss."

He smirked.

This one's mine.

The Alarm.

Just as they were about to leave—

BANG!

The vault door exploded inward.

Smoke filled the room as a new figure stepped in.

A man in golden robes, exuding powerful Qi.

His eyes locked onto Asher.

"You." His voice was calm. Too calm. "You're the rat causing trouble."

Kaede froze.

"…Asher." She whispered. "That's—"

"A Foundation Establishment cultivator."

The man stepped forward. "I don't know who you are, but you've made a very, very stupid mistake."

Asher cracked his neck.

He had been waiting for a real fight.

His shadow twitched beneath him, already expanding.

He grinned.

"Finally."

"Someone worth punching."