Chapter One: Where Do You Think You’re Going, Thief?

Ornate carriages vied to halt upon the Heavenly Avenue, fine steeds raced along the imperial road, golden ornaments dazzling in the sunlight, silks and brocades wafting with fragrance…

In the eastern city of the divine capital, the main thoroughfares teemed with ceaseless traffic. Crowds thronged the sidewalks on both sides, bustling and lively, weaving an unbroken flow of humanity.

Amidst the noisy, hurried crowd, a young man suddenly shouted, “You cur, stop right there!”

Startled by the outburst, those around him turned to look, but before they could react, someone barreled into them from behind, shoving people aside with force; several nearly stumbled to the ground.

“Out of my way, move it! All of you, get out of my way!” The man’s face showed panic and ferocity as he waved a gleaming paper-cutter, plowing recklessly through the throng. The onlookers, terrified, quickly parted to either side.

But this was not the end of it. The skulking little thief, having stumbled through the crowd, was followed by another furious shout: “You little rascal, you wretch—how dare you pickpocket your Grandpa Shi?”

Shi Yi, his expression dark, slowed his pace, pushing aside those in his way without apology and shouting at the dense crowd ahead, “Step aside! Whoever blocks my way is getting thrashed!”

With his strong, muscular arms, Shi Yi shoved aside all who stood before him, sending them and those nearby tumbling to the sides of the road like puppets, powerless to resist.

Cries of pain broke out. Seeing his menacing demeanor, those behind quickly made way, clearing a path for him.

Unimpeded now, Shi Yi quickened his pace, covering three steps in one, and in no time vanished from sight.

Moments later, a group of household servants, faces flushed and gasping for breath, came running after him, calling out, “Master Yi, please slow down! Wait for us!”

Once they had all gone, the street returned to its former lively state.

Curious passersby inquired, “Whose son is that? How dare he behave so brazenly beneath the emperor’s very gaze?”

A companion quickly replied, “Hush, that’s the heir of the Marquis of Loyal Rectitude. You’ve just arrived in the capital and haven’t heard of his notorious reputation. Just remember—if you see him, go around him.”

The man still looked indignant, but his companion pulled him away before he could say more.

…

Shi Yi pressed after the little thief, weaving through the crowd.

He had just made it past the throng when, about a dozen yards ahead, he saw the thief slip cunningly into a narrow side street.

This alley was even narrower, packed with people and lined with various merchant stalls on either side.

“That little scoundrel’s got a brain after all,” Shi Yi muttered through gritted teeth, but he did not slow his pace, striding after him with long, determined steps.

“Careful! Take it easy! These are all tribute treasures—if you damage anything, you’ll answer for it!” A rosy-cheeked eunuch minced along the alley, fingers held in a delicate pose, leading a long procession of palace guards carrying gilded chests filled with exotic tributes from the West, making their way toward the corner of the side street.

Just then, as Shi Yi reached the corner, an oddly familiar, high-pitched voice rang out, causing him to frown and pause for an instant.

But then he remembered he’d chased the thief for a whole street and still hadn’t caught him, which irritated him further. The lost silver was of little consequence—the missing jade pendant was what truly mattered.

Frustrated, Shi Yi’s urgency grew. He punched the brick wall, leaving a dent, took a few deep breaths, and strode forward without further thought, turning straight into the alley.

Without hesitation, he shoved aside the leader of the procession, barking impatiently, “Didn’t I say not to block my way?”

With that, he leapt onto a chest being carried by two guards, pushed off hard with his right foot, vaulted into the air, and landed nimbly on one guard’s shoulder with his left foot before flipping over and landing steadily on the ground.

A heavy crash resounded as the two guards, unable to bear the weight, staggered and fell on their backsides, the chest full of treasures slamming to the ground with a puff of dust.

The entire scene transpired in the span of a few breaths. Before anyone could react, Shi Yi had already vanished.

“Ow, that nearly killed me!” wailed the leading eunuch, sprawled helplessly on the ground.

“Sir!” “Eunuch Zhou, are you all right?” The junior eunuchs rushed forward to help him up.

“Out of my way!” Eunuch Zhou rose, face dark with fury, shaking off their hands. He commanded his guards in a shrill tone, “Seize him! Don’t let that brat escape!”

One of the guards hesitated, bowing, “But… that fellow who ran into you is already gone. We barely saw his face—it may be difficult to find him.”

“Did he sprout wings and fly?” Eunuch Zhou frowned, then ordered, “Leave some men to investigate.” He had to get the tribute delivered to the palace without delay.

“Yes, sir.” As several armed guards departed, a junior eunuch approached and whispered, “Eunuch Zhou, one of the chests was damaged.”

“What did you say!” Zhou’s face changed. He shoved the junior eunuch aside and hurried to check the goods.

Meanwhile, on the canal approaching the capital, an official ship sailed slowly under full sails.

Inside the cabin, a young girl gazed dreamily at the muddy, flowing river and the flocks of migratory birds flying south together.

Her brows were arched like mist, her eyes glistening with tears, as if sorrowful and dewy. At moments, her sadness would rise and she would break into coughing fits, arousing deep pity.

The door creaked open. A maid entered and announced, “Miss, the dock is just ahead—we’ve reached the capital. The nursemaids say someone is waiting for us on shore.”

“I understand,” the girl replied softly, tears welling in her beautiful eyes.

She continued to gaze, entranced, at the birds outside the window until they disappeared into the clouds.

Behind the official barge, a small boat followed in its wake…

…

Back to Shi Yi.

He pursued the little thief relentlessly, chasing him through the side street, out the East Gate, and all the way to the Grand Pier at Datong Bridge on the outer edge of the city.

The place was crowded with people—porters hauling loads, laborers, and peddlers hawking their wares among the bustling masses.

The scoundrel, nearly run to exhaustion by Shi Yi, finally collapsed against a stone balustrade on the riverbank, all strength spent.

Face flushed, gasping for breath, he wheezed, “It’s just a worthless piece of jade—was it worth chasing me through three whole streets?” With that, he threw the pouch containing the jade pendant back at Shi Yi.

Shi Yi caught it easily, withdrew the pendant, and inspected it. Intact. He breathed a hidden sigh of relief.

He grinned, “Little thief, you’re no match for your Grandpa Shi when it comes to stamina. You’d be better off selling sweet potatoes at home!” His face radiated smug derision.

Surprisingly, the thief was not angered. Instead, he threw back his head and laughed, cupping his hands in salute. “You’re a true man. In all of the capital, you are the first whom I, Zhao San, genuinely admire.”

“Heh.” Shi Yi took no satisfaction from the praise—being complimented by a thief was hardly something to boast of.

He frowned in disdain and waved his hand. “If you don’t want to end up in the Shuntian Prefecture jail, get lost!” With that, he turned to leave.

He was exhausted now, his legs weak from the chase, and had no energy or mind to teach the rascal a lesson. Truth be told, the little thief had proven surprisingly capable.

“You’re just letting me go like that?” Zhao San was stunned, incredulous.

Shi Yi gave no reply, striding away without looking back.

Only when Shi Yi’s figure faded from view did Zhao San believe his good fortune. He shouted after him, “Good sir, I, Zhao San, will remember your kindness today!”

But Shi Yi did not respond, and Zhao San, after a moment’s thought, also melted into the crowd.

…

“Waiter, wine!”

“Yes, sir, just a moment.”

Dragging his weary body, Shi Yi went straight to a tavern by the bustling pier, found an empty seat, and sat down to rest.

No sooner had he settled than a servant at the next table whispered to the handsome young master beside him, “Second Master Lian, isn’t that Master Yi?”

“Yi?” Jia Lian started, pausing with his wine cup at his lips. He turned to look at the elegant young man at the neighboring table.

His face lit up with delight. He got up and strode over, clapping Shi Yi on the shoulder out of habit. “Bold as ever!”

But before he could finish, his hand was seized and twisted behind his back, the joints of his fingers cracking audibly.

“Ow, ow, ow, that hurts!”

“Second Master Lian!” The servant, Xing’er, cried out in alarm, rushing to help but finding himself unable to budge Shi Yi’s grip. Panicking, he knelt before Shi Yi and pleaded, “Master Yi, you must have made a mistake! This really is Second Master Lian!”

“Which Second Master Lian?” Shi Yi’s face darkened as he hesitated, relaxing his grip slightly and turning to look in confusion.