Chapter 1: The Pavilion of Stopping Clouds

Another tea guest laughed and said, "Could it be that the esteemed master of the divine capture had a bit too much to drink that day, causing his hands to be somewhat unsteady?"

One sentence piqued their interest again, and the tea guests urged him on, while the storyteller shook his head and said: "Do you all know who the most formidable thief in the current martial world is"

With a heavy clap of his hands, the storyteller said solemnly: "Do not underestimate this thief; there are no weaklings on the martial arts ranking. Guiyan Luojia, Huangquan Yin, a master craftsman with dual old hands, and the Nine Halberds Pursuing the Soul, Yusuan Ni, and the Asura Swallow capturing the Pure Green Face. Among these four lines, the top ten or so individuals mentioned in the martial arts world each have their own strengths."

When it comes to treasures, the storyteller speaks incessantly, with great enthusiasm, and the audience in the hall listens with keen interest

At the time of the founding of this dynasty, there was already the designation of the Three Dukes of the Nation, referring specifically to Duke Jing'an, Duke Weining, and Duke Zhaoping. All three were military dukes, having risen to prominence through military achievements, and their titles were hereditary. Among them, Duke Weining was stationed in Jinling, while Duke Zhaoping was stripped of his title due to misfortune. Only Duke Jing'an was able to lead troops to defend the borders. This left duke was renowned for his military prowess, known for his decisive and ruthless tactics, earning him the title of "Left Heavenly Wolf." He once defeated an army of 60,000 barbarian troops with just 3,000 soldiers, causing the barbarians to bleed and retreat in disarray, and for over a decade, they dared not raid or plunder, leaving the border populace immensely grateful.

The tea guests exchanged glances, yet none uttered a word in response

In Taiyuan, Liu Zhongchi's family possesses wealth exceeding ten thousand, making them the richest in the world. They have nurtured countless skilled individuals, yet they could not withstand the empty-handed flying bandits with their divine skills, resulting in the painful loss of the beloved Nanhai coral tree, which left Liu Zhongchi in a fit of rage. Furthermore, there are the gold-embroidered fire fox fur coat of Lady Jie from Xiangyang, the treasured green jade bird from the Chen family in Tongzhou, and the recently stolen green qin from the Zhao family in Yunyang, all of which are rare treasures. Old Master Zhao personally visited to invite the renowned detective Yan Guihong, who indeed proved to be extraordinary.

The tea guests were engaged in animated discussions, and a young person, not fully understanding the situation, asked: "Eldest son? The Jing'an Marquis's residence currently has only one young master and one young lady, so why is there another one?"

The storyteller, pleased, stroked his beard and said: "This secret is a long story, and it is no wonder that you all are unaware of the details"

In the midst of the tea patrons, someone shouted: "Fei Kou Er!"

The storyteller, filled with spirit, tilted his head back and drained the remaining tea in one gulp, and began to recount the legendary deeds of the divine constable

Among the tea guests, someone shook his head and said: "Lord Zuo, a hero throughout his life, how could he pass on his title to a weakling?"

This place has always been a top destination for sightseeing in Jinling, and since its completion, it has been bustling with guests and continuous music. Today, the waterside pavilion remains lively and cheerful as usual, with the thin storyteller setting up his wooden platform, reaching the height of his excitement.

The tea drinker below exclaimed: "Not bad, I have heard that Lord Hou has beheaded over a thousand people, causing the people of Luomu to flee for a thousand miles"

The storyteller scoffed, saying, "Even if there are occasional extraordinary individuals, how can they be compared to a sacred place like Fangwaigu? If it were not truly hard to find, it would have long been overcrowded with nobles seeking medical treatment."

There are also opposing views, stating that "one can still recover from blood tuberculosis; this person is indeed fortunate. If he cannot fight, what is he worth? The Jing'an Marquisate has been hereditary, and there have been several generations without a general until the emergence of the Left Marquis, which can be considered truly deserving of the title."

Another person retorted, "The child is merely a bastard, and has been missing for many years; who knows what their character is like? Princess Anhua is the Emperor's own sister, of such noble status. If she insists on allowing her stepson to inherit the title, it is likely that even Lord Hou may not be able to oppose it.

The tea guests sighed for a moment, and the conversation dwindled. The storyteller naturally would not allow the atmosphere to cool down, and with a clap of his hands, he initiated a new topic: "If we talk about recent happenings in the martial arts world, there is indeed an interesting story."

The storyteller chuckled and said: "Let me ask, where does this thief come from? Who is his master? What are his skills like? Is he old or young? Has he ever failed in his endeavors over the years?"

Among the tea guests, someone jeered: "This thief is only famous for his ability to steal; in terms of skill, how can he compare to other heroes"

The storyteller is well-acquainted with these martial arts figures, speaking of them with great familiarity. "The Ghost Eye Luo Jia has departed for the Eastern Seas, and the Yellow Springs have not appeared in the martial world for several years. Aside from these two notorious names, the remaining figures such as the Twin Elders of Heaven and Earth, the Asura Blade, the Jade Lion, the Nine-Patterned Halberd, the Soul-Chasing Qin, and the Fair-Handed Green Face, are all renowned in their own right. Among the Three Absolute Hands, the elusive Flying Bandit is unmatched; aside from the Swallow God Catcher, who else could possibly catch even a glimpse of him?"

Below, someone burst into laughter: "The divine constable has been pursuing the flying thief for several years, yet the thief remains at large. Even if Old Master Zhao invites him out, what use would it be?"

Among the tea guests, someone laughed out loud, "So what? Now the lord's biological child has suddenly appeared, and the stepson is feeling quite awkward."

The storyteller, with a peculiar smile, remarked: "Is it not true that the princess later had no offspring, so she selected a suitable heir from her clan to adopt? After all, it would not do to let the Zuo family line die out. The adopted young man was also quite respectful, diligently honing his martial skills and excelling in archery and horsemanship. His conduct was proper, earning him considerable praise from the gentry. Several years ago, the princess fell ill and became unable to walk; he would visit her daily to inquire about her well-being, serving her as if she were his own mother, truly living up to this fortunate turn of events."

The tea guests sighed in unison, for it is said that the medical arts of Fangwai Valley are extraordinary, with masters gathering there who can bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bones. However, this place is hidden among the mountains, and the fees are exorbitantly high. Not to mention that ordinary people cannot afford the consultation, even if high-ranking officials and nobles are willing to pay a fortune to extend their lives, it is still difficult to find a way in.

The shopkeeper, idly chatting, noticed the curtain flutter and suddenly realized it was time to have the boatman take the guests ashore. He rushed out but saw no one; only the lake water shimmered faintly, and the sound of cicadas near the shore was continuous, everything appeared perfectly normal.

Among the tea guests, there were older individuals who had heard some rumors, while the younger ones were mostly hearing about it for the first time. They gasped and said, "Who is so bold as to dare to abduct the only heir of the Marquis? I have heard that the Marquis and his wife are not on good terms; could it be that this has caused a rift? The one who was adopted seems to have struck it lucky."

"It was so easy to catch him, yet he still managed to escape," a tea patron lamented, shaking his head in disappointment

The storyteller raised his voice to suppress the noise: "It is only to blame that the thief is too cunning, appearing each time with a different appearance. There are thick stacks of drawings and images from various places, yet not a single one is the same. This thief is exceptionally skilled in disguise and operates with utmost secrecy. If it were not for his excessive arrogance, he would not have left a knot at the crime scene, leading many victims to suspect an insider thief. Ordinary constables cannot even catch a glimpse of the flying thief, yet this time, Detective Yan managed to injure him in Yunyang, being only a hair's breadth away from capturing him."

At that time, Lord Hou unexpectedly encountered a beautiful woman and had a son at the border. A few years later, the old Lord Hou passed away, and the Emperor issued a decree to inherit the title and arranged a marriage with Princess Anhua. Lord Hou was deeply affectionate and welcomed the beautiful woman, who had accompanied him for many years, into his residence. Unfortunately, the beauty had a tragic fate and soon died during childbirth. The storyteller sighed with regret, saying, 'The young lady left behind by her passed away was later sent to the palace for education, while the eldest son, perhaps due to his misfortune, was frail and suffered from tuberculosis, coughing up blood. The princess went to great lengths to invite renowned doctors, but one night, he was unexpectedly abducted. At that time, Lord Zuo was fighting at the border and had no time to return. The Jingzhao Prefecture searched for several years but could not find him, and the case remains unresolved to this day.

The storyteller's momentum suddenly increased severalfold as he raised his head and said: "As the saying goes, knowing oneself and knowing the enemy leads to victory. This thief is so mysterious, having committed countless crimes, yet has suffered setbacks at the hands of the divine captor. This shows that the devil is one foot high, while the way is ten feet high"

The scene below is chaotic with people engaged in heated discussions; some support the stepson while others back the biological son of the marquis. Each side presents compelling arguments, leading to flushed faces and raised voices. The storyteller, composed and confident, sips tea, waiting for the debate to subside before speaking again. "This indeed presents a dilemma. The princess cherishes the stepson she has raised since childhood, while the marquis undoubtedly values his own bloodline more. It is said that the eldest son was taken away by a reclusive expert for treatment and has now returned, as if a lost treasure has been found, how could there be no joy? Unfortunately, this son has not trained in martial arts; having grown up, he is delicate and refined, lacking the marquis's valiant spirit."

The tea guests were greatly excited, clamoring for a detailed account, as coins clinked and fell onto the table like rain. The storyteller kept them in suspense before finally beginning to narrate from the start

In his early years, when General Zuo had not yet inherited his title, he encountered an attack by the Luomuren at the border. The two armies clashed at Night Cry Mountain, where the odds were heavily against us. General Zuo sustained serious injuries and was caught in a sandstorm, losing his way in the wilderness, leading everyone to believe he had perished. However, to everyone's surprise, the General was blessed with great fortune and, with the remnants of his troops, lay in ambush in the Gobi Desert. Months later, he launched a surprise attack and decisively defeated the Luomuren. This incident, I believe, you all have heard of.

In August in Jinling, the heat has yet to dissipate, and the sound of cicadas is resounding

An inconspicuous boy in gray stood up, silently tossed a few coins into the tea tray, and pushed aside the draped curtain to exit the tea house

There are also some tea guests who are more practical, "I wonder which divine doctor is so skilled as to cure tuberculosis; they might not be inferior to the master of Fangwaigu. If this young man can summon a divine doctor to cure the princess of her chronic illness, it is possible that the princess, in her joy, will secure a noble title."

The storyteller exclaimed, "What was said from the audience is indeed correct. The flying thief comes without a trace and leaves without a shadow, moving like a ghost through walls and roofs, truly the foremost on the recent wanted list. In the home of Lord Zhao of Hedong, there is a night pearl that glimmers even from a hundred paces away, cherished like a treasure, often played with. One day, after admiring it with a friend, it mysteriously vanished, leading to suspicions against a close friend that nearly resulted in a falling out. It was only upon discovering a fallen ink silk plate in the corner of the room that he suddenly realized it was the work of the flying thief. In Bianzhou, Qian Kaitai, the leader of the Golden Knife Sect, purchased a white jade Guanyin statue with a hefty sum to celebrate the birthday of the governor of Huainan. The Guanyin's cheeks were subtly tinted with jade color, appearing lifelike, indeed a priceless treasure, yet it mysteriously disappeared two days before the offering. The treasure vault remains securely locked as before, and the governor of Huainan has sealed the city gates, searching for over ten days, with a substantial reward still unclaimed."

Upon hearing this, the tea patrons found it quite reasonable and began to echo in agreement, gathering in small groups.

On the long street, people come and go, while the shade by Xuanwu Lake is deep and lush. A few zhang away from the lake shore stands the most renowned Tingyun Pavilion in Jinling. This pavilion is exquisitely constructed, with its bracket sets and flying eaves resting on several giant trees deeply rooted in the lake. It sits in the lake yet rises above the water, relying entirely on small boats to welcome guests back and forth. From a distance, it appears to be nestled among the clouds and water, capturing the beauty of the lake and its reflections, with an endless elegance throughout the four seasons.

The name of Duke Jing'an has long been associated with bravery and valor, earning him great respect both in the court and among the people. The storyteller narrates with a resonant voice, captivating the tea drinkers who listen with rapt attention. Suddenly, as he twirls his mustache, his tone shifts: "However, what I am about to share today is indeed a novel matter; the eldest son of Duke Jing'an, who has been missing for many years, has suddenly returned"