Chapter 148: Chapter 120: You Can Repay Me Slowly

At this moment, the narrator of the Thief’s House announced an explosive news:

"Due to the insufficient completion of this mission, you cannot hide your criminal acts; your deeds will be widely spread. The Divine Marquis Mansion discovered that during the warrant period, you committed another crime and decided to increase the bounty on you and extend the warrant period to fifty days. If you commit another crime during the warrant period, the Mansion will send one Silver Badge Chief Constable and three Copper Seal Constables to hunt you down."

"The next mission will be released at noon in fifteen days, at which time you will be forcibly transmitted to the Thief’s House, please be prepared."

After a brief pause, a grand voice sounded in everyone’s ears:

"Divine Marquis Mansion announcement: Four notorious criminals of the Thief’s House committed another crime, successfully stealing the Legendary Relic - Heaven-Swaying Sword in Jiangnan. The Mansion has updated the warrant for the thieves and will capture them during their next criminal act."

The announcement rang out three times, but unlike last time, everyone now knows what this announcement means. Especially since it’s nighttime outside... The announcement of the Divine Marquis Mansion is practically dragging people out of bed, banging a loud gong thrice.

Moreover, more importantly, the announcement mentioned a rather ominous piece of information.

"Silver Badge Chief Constable, Copper Seal Constables..." Ying Rushi murmured, "Could it be demons from the Mansion’s Secret Realm?"

"I remember the Mansion is a Third-Turn Secret Realm..." Shang Xinlei’s voice was somewhat bitter, "which means at least Third-Turn Demon Fiends, and the Silver Badge Chief Constable is likely an elite fiend."

"They want to capture us?" Pharmacist’s Wish still laughed, "Let’s see who wins."

"Will the demons of the Divine Marquis Mansion expose our identities?" Ying Rushi asked worriedly.

"It shouldn’t," Yan Qing said, "but if we reveal our true selves before them, that’s hard to say."

Yan Qing really didn’t understand the pursuit system. He was only casually suggesting in the plan to increase the pursuit segment to pressure players. Unexpectedly, the company not only implemented it but also linked it with other scenarios. However, he was sure that the pursuit system would not directly expose players’ identities, as the core fun of Thief’s House lies in ’appearing proper while secretly committing crimes’. Exposing players’ identities would ruin the significance of this scenario—unless players choose to self-expose for fame.

Everyone made guesses but ultimately couldn’t figure it out, as no one had ever entered the Mansion’s Secret Realm. They could leave now, after a one-hour disturbance in Jiangnan City, everyone was tired and bid goodbyes to return to their rooms to log off.

Yan Qing was too tired, removed his clothes, and lay directly on the bed, even skipping his shower. However, shortly after lying down, a knock sounded at the door.

I swear I will never provoke women again, Yan Qing thought.

Even knowing who it was, Yan Qing still dressed, put on his mask, and opened the door. He looked at Shang Xinlei outside and spoke very coldly, "Don’t think—"

"Here you go."

Yan Qing caught what Shang Xinlei tossed to him, shedding much of his drowsiness because what he held felt very warm, and he could faintly sense its pulse, as if it was not a dead thing, but a living flame.

Red Furnace Fire Essence, a thing Shang Xinlei spent 55 Thief Points to bid for, was just casually thrown to him.

"Your Bingzi Pepper Forest is only First-Turn, right? Using this to promote can upgrade it to Second-Turn."

"Why give it to me?"

"Because I have Third-Turn Legendary Flying Ring, the next upgrade would be Fourth-Turn. I can’t use the Fourth-Turn Token. But waiting until I reach Foundation Establishment to use the Red Furnace Fire Essence for promotion, the opportunity would be long gone." Shang Xinlei shrugged, "But if I give it to you, you can instantly improve your combat power."

Her words held truth: Even though the Foundation Establishment Token is indeed far superior to Third-Turn Tokens, most of the time she couldn’t drive the Foundation Establishment Token even if possessed one, let alone fulfilling its equipment conditions as flat out usage would be difficult. Higher rarity is favored, but not always higher turn suitability; Tokens aligning with one’s realm are most practical.

"You know that’s not what I’m asking," Yan Qing looked at her, "This is your item, why give it to me?"

"Though we ventured out together, it was ultimately you who saved me." Shang Xinlei scratched her cheek and turned aside, "As the saying goes, a life-saving grace should be repaid... I’m repaying your kindness."

Her face slightly flushed upon mentioning this. After discovering Yan Qing had a Return Order in the Secret Vault, she’d impulsively said many thoughtless things spurred by excitement because she believed they’d henceforth be bound in action, letting her guard down. Who would’ve guessed Yan Qing could acquire keys from the outside world, returning to a relationship reliant on meeting through Thief’s House... Recalling agreeing to future roles as Female and Male Thieves, Shang Xinlei harbors slight shame.

Yan Qing blinked, thinking she made sense, "Alright, I’ll accept it, you may return now."

"Just like that?" Shang Xinlei stared at him, "Nothing... more to say?"

Yan Qing realized something, pointing at her Green Grass Bracelet, "You haven’t returned that to me yet."

"I won’t return it!" Shang Xinlei guarded the bracelet, "Besides, you gave it to me; how can you shamelessly ask it back?"

"I never said I gifted it, just a temporary loan."

"I don’t care; it’s already mine!" Shang Xinlei exclaimed with irritation, "Don’t you have anything else to say?"

Yan Qing pondered, "Sure, you can repay the rest gradually; no hurry."

"Huh?"

"Didn’t you say repayment is impossible? A mere Red Furnace Fire Essence wouldn’t suffice, clearly. But you can repay over time, just remember your debt, and please cease disturbing my rest."

As Yan Qing spoke, readying to close the door, Shang Xinlei abruptly thrust her plump leg against the gap, the margin between shorts and socks revealing ample skin seemingly bouncing the door back; devoid of defense gear. Yan Qing paused, recalling her defense token had exploded.

Although masked, Shang Xinlei’s eyes showed bemusement, "I thought our relationship was rather good—a bit of open interaction like you invite me in for a chat—when you solely know my information; very unfair!"

Shang Xinlei acknowledged, thinking, this guy isn’t a dog, but rather an algorithm; normal folk see my overtures and engage more, connect emotionally, maybe not for lust but to establish influence in Thief’s House. Moreover, your eyes were wide on my thigh moments ago, who believes you’re indifferent?

Am I genuinely scary?

But Fourth Miss Shang wouldn’t let him off; during the auction it seemed Black Wolf and White Fox were adversaries but she perceived admirable mutual respect, coupled with their victory over Shang Xuanwen, making Shang Xinlei recognize Thief’s House split into two—Wolf Fox and Snake Dog alliances.

If failing to unite with Yellow Dog, next mission may be dominated by Wolf Fox.

Also, seeing Yan Qing unaffectedly returning suggests a slight grievance in Shang Xinlei’s mind. Had Yan Qing exploited life-saving gratitude for gain, she would’ve regarded him less, but his retreat invokes an intrigue as to why he evades.

"Sorry, those are non-tradeables; no amount offered. Plus, I haven’t researched your info, those exposures were voluntary."

"Okay okay, let’s say I owe you, would bringing pastries tomorrow work? Cream buns, leek dumplings, beef balls?"

Yan Qing swallowed, considering since Mouse Monk’s first day in Jiangnan City, few opportunities presented for food, but he resolutely declined temptation: "No thanks, farewell—"

"Do you prefer large shrimp dumplings or bite-sized ones?"

Yan Qing considered: "Small shrimp dumplings."

"Alright then." Shang Xinlei waved goodbye and left, "See you tomorrow."

Yan Qing hesitated, finally closing the door, undressed, and re-lay in bed. But not long before he rose to seek some food in the room.

"She made me hungry, better have a midnight snack..."