Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior-Chapter 132 - 114: Flower-Picking Thief, Notorious Far and Wide

At noon, the snow had just cleared and the North Street's atmosphere seemed eerie; from afar, the brightly decorated red-lacquered courtyard showed no trace of joy. Passersby whispered as they hurried past, wrapping their cotton robes tightly around themselves.

"This is a Blessed Buddha Token I requested from Xia'an Temple. Please pass it to your young lady." The Charcoal Seller pulled out a wooden plaque from his patched cotton jacket, with the Bodhisattva's lowered eyes still smudged with charcoal dust.

"Alright, old man, I'll take it to the young lady."

"Thank you."

The Charcoal Seller watched as the Li Family servant walked away, his chapped hands repeatedly wiping on his trouser leg. Last year's heavy snowfall had trapped the mountains, and the bowl of congee Miss Li donated had saved his grandson's life. Sadly, this was all he could do.

The old man who used to run a wonton stall across the street had moved his business to the street corner a few days ago. He watched this scene in silence.

"Old man, give me a bowl of wontons, with extra scallions."

The Rice Hat Wanderer removed his conical hat, revealing a stern face. He was Su Mu from Qingyun County, masquerading as Li Feiyu.

As the wontons were served, Su Mu glanced towards the Li Mansion and inquired.

"Old man, did something happen at the Li Mansion?"

The old man's expression suddenly changed when he heard this, "Why do you ask?"

"I'm just curious. The Li Mansion's wedding seems rather quiet."

"Are you an outsider, sir?"

"I am."

The old man looked around and lowered his voice, "You don't know, but over a month ago, a Peony Dart from the Flower-Picking Thief was nailed on the Li Mansion's lintel. Being targeted by this thief, I'm afraid that Miss Li's fate is not promising... Alas, Miss Li is such a kind person, why would the heavens treat her so?"

"The Flower-Picking Thief?" Su Mu was moved, picking up a wonton with an onion and chewing it, "Why not report it to the authorities?"

Upon hearing this, the old man's hand paused, cutting scallions, and he remained silent for a long time before speaking again in a voice lower than the stove fire.

"The day after the Li Family discovered the dart, they reported it to the authorities, but the town's government office turned a blind eye... That Flower-Picking Thief is highly skilled in martial arts. The Li Family approached several martial arts halls and escort agencies, but none dared to accept. It's said that last time, a family in a neighboring town was targeted."

"That family managed to bring in a Seventh-Grade Instructor from the Iron Lion Martial Arts Hall in Canghe City..." At this point, the old man's voice tightened, gesturing a hand chopping motion,

"The next day, the instructor had lost an arm and then fell gravely ill, and nothing more was heard..."

The old man swallowed, as the copper spoon clashed harshly against the pot edge, seemingly afraid to say more, fearing it would bring disaster.

Su Mu listened silently, swiftly finished the bowl of wontons, and left copper coins before rising to leave.

After Su Mu left, the old man seemed to suddenly remember something, like talking to himself or praying, bowing to the image of the Kitchen God.

"Recently, there was some good news. It was said that a hero from the Demon Slayer Bureau accepted the red list. I wonder if that hero will show up... Hopefully, heaven can protect Miss Li, allowing her to get through this difficult time."

After speaking, the old man added a piece of firewood to the stove, the fiery red flames flickering in the cold wind, reflecting the figure of the Rice Hat Wanderer heading towards the Li Mansion.

In front of the Li Mansion, a Rice Hat Wanderer could suddenly be seen approaching, prompting a Li Mansion guard to step forward.

"Who are you?"

"Blade Catcher from the Cyan Cloud Demon Slayer Bureau."

Having said that, Su Mu took out a menacing Wolf Head Silver Order from his tunic. Upon seeing this sinister order, the Li Family guard, rather than being frightened, was overjoyed.

"Blade Catcher? Please come in quickly!" The guard immediately called for another person to escort Su Mu into the mansion, then turned and swiftly headed towards the depths of the Li Mansion.

Su Mu had just taken a seat in the outer courtyard of the Li Mansion when urgent footsteps could be heard approaching from outside. Accompanying the guard was a plump, kind-hearted middle-aged man of about forty, with a worried expression.

Upon seeing Su Mu, Landlord Li was initially pleased, but upon noticing the young face of Li Feiyu, the worry returned to his brow. Nevertheless, he greeted him warmly and respectfully, "How should I address the Knight from the Demon Slayer Bureau?"

"I am Li Feiyu."

"Li Feiyu..."

Upon hearing the name, Landlord Li looked towards the guard beside him, who gently shook his head, indicating he had never heard of such a person. This only deepened Landlord Li's concern.

He had heard that the Blade Catcher who accepted the red list from the Demon Slayer Bureau was from Qingyun County, not Canghe County. He had expected the arrival of a seasoned Silver Order Blade Catcher like the 'Flying Goose Saber.'

Unexpectedly, it was a young man who seemed just over twenty. It was doubtful he could be relied upon.

But Landlord Li still held a glimmer of hope. After all, Li Feiyu was the first to take on his family's bounty and a young person becoming a Silver Order Blade Catcher might have some real skills.

Landlord Li then stepped aside courteously, "Hero Li, this matter is of great importance. Please, let's discuss it in the inner hall."

"Alright."

As they passed through the front hall and a serene, ancient courtyard came into view, inside the hall, a woman in a pale yellow coat was anxiously pacing, holding her skirt hem with one hand.

Upon hearing footsteps outside, she immediately showed a joyful expression, quickly moving to greet the newcomers.

"Xiaohong just said that Father asked me to come to the hall. Could it be that Qingyun..."

The words came to an abrupt halt. Li Yu's beautiful eyes flickered, noticing an unfamiliar Rice Hat Wanderer beside her father, immediately realizing that this might be the Cyan Cloud Blade Catcher.

However, upon seeing Su Mu's young face, the joy in Li Yu's eyes stiffened, her fingers tightened around her skirt, and a fleeting sadness passed through her gaze.

If this is her fate as Li Yu, she would accept it, but she should not let this innocent young blade catcher be involved.

At that moment, Li Yu signaled to her father with her eyes, and Landlord Li understood the meaning in his daughter's eyes. Yet, as an old father, he couldn't easily comply.

"Yu'er, your kind heart is known to your father... but this matter must be tried. Please don't blame your father."

"Hero Li, please!"

Su Mu seemed completely oblivious to the subtle atmosphere on site. After taking his seat, he picked up the tea on the table and took a sip, "Good tea."

After Landlord Li and Miss Li sat down, they didn't touch the tea. Finally, Landlord Li spoke up.

"Hero Li, I wonder if you are familiar with the reward you accepted this time?"

"Bai Yi, the lewd thief, Seventh Grade, Second-Time Tendon Transformation," Su Mu put down the teacup in his hand and said blandly, "Nothing to it."

Upon hearing this, Landlord Li, who was worried about scaring Su Mu away with his words, looked surprised.

Miss Li, who was inwardly blaming her father for involving the innocent, trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes shining.

"Landlord Li, the only thing I am skilled at in life is killing... I have accepted Bai Yi's bounty and will definitely bring back his head. Please explain the situation in detail."

Upon hearing the phrase 'skilled at killing' from Su Mu, the Li Household, including a guard with an Eighth Grade Bone Forging, and the father-daughter pair, all turned pale, as Li Feiyu emanated a terrifying aura.

"This, what an intense aura from this man, how many people has he killed... No wonder he's the Demon Slayer Bureau's blade catcher."

The Li Family guard felt his scalp tingling, but instinctively stepped forward, blocking the father and daughter, his hand shaking as it touched the sword hilt, as if facing a formidable enemy.

The aura came and dissipated quickly. Within a breath, the three in the hall came to their senses, drenched in cold sweat.

Landlord Li swallowed hard, knowing the strength of the guard Zhang Lin, realizing with just one aura Zhang Lin was scared stiff, and understanding he had underestimated this powerhouse!

"Zhang Lin, retreat!" Landlord Li immediately ordered the guard to step back, "Hero Li, the situation is as follows..."

Su Mu nodded inwardly, satisfied. He disliked trouble, and showcasing his prowess was intended for the Li family to cooperate, not wanting to linger here longer than necessary.

Landlord Li then explained the situation thoroughly, starting from the Peony Dart sent by Bai Yi over a month ago. Su Mu listened quietly, discovering much information matched with the wonton stall owner and the Demon Slayer Bureau's secret letters, though some details were missing from the letters.

Landlord Li's words cleared Su Mu's doubts.

This Flower-Picking Thief Bai Yi has a peculiar habit of targeting brides on their joyful wedding days, each time announcing his move with a Peony Dart.

"This person most likely has psychological issues... aiming to attract the world's attention, gaining 'fame' to satisfy his twisted mind?"

According to Landlord Li, Bai Yi always picks families without strong backers, avoiding harm when warned by individuals like the wonton stall owner who hired Canghe City's Martial Arts Hall Instructor, showcasing discretion.

And possessing impressive Lightweight Skills and martial prowess, Bai Yi allegedly escaped a siege by three Yijin Martial Artists from the government office, heavily wounding one, an astounding achievement.

Bai Yi is smart, avoiding major power clashes, not threatening significant interests; without certainty of containing Bai Yi, even Canghe County's large forces don't easily provoke him.

"A true master of picking soft targets."

Su Mu thought to himself, having formed a judgment on Bai Yi.

After Landlord Li finished speaking, the three quietly swallowed, looking at Li Feiyu on site, awaiting his decision.

Su Mu pondered slightly, then asked a few questions.

"Bai Yi always strikes on the day of great joy?"

"That's correct, without exception."

Hearing this, Su Mu's eyes brightened; this could be exploited.

"Very well. May I ask when Miss Li's wedding day is?"

"Last year, my son-in-law had the master from Xia'an Temple calculate; ten days from now is a fortunate day."

"Ten days?"

Su Mu frowned, tapping lightly on the table, finding ten days too long; he wouldn't stay at the Li Mansion for that duration.

"How about this, Landlord Li could immediately announce my arrival extensively, the sooner the better."

"Then arrange a secluded courtyard for me at your manor, no disturbances over these days."