Chapter 190 A One-Man Raid

After the excitement subsided, the night thieves calmed down and hurriedly asked Lord Rat, what exactly was the mission?

After all, if the mission was too difficult, they wouldn't be able to complete it, which would effectively block them at the threshold.

However, when Lord Rat slowly revealed the mission details, everyone was a bit stunned.

"What? We just need to capture the Grand Elder of the Dayang Prefecture alive? Is it that simple?"

"That Dayang Merchant Guild... isn't it just a low-tier guild in the Heavenly Merchant Alliance? What kind of strength could their Grand Elder possibly have?"

Everyone was filled with bewilderment.

Lord Rat didn't hide anything, stating directly, "Don't underestimate this person. Although I don't know why he's holed up in the Dayang Merchant Guild as a mere Grand Elder instead of going out to make a name for himself, his skills are genuinely impressive. I estimate he should be at the early stage of the Ren-level (Human Realm)!"

Ren-level?!

The night thieves' expressions changed slightly.

Reaching the Ren-level meant becoming a hero among men, extraordinary and one in ten thousand!

Despite the various rumors of Yu-level (Rain Realm) appearances and Yun-level (Cloud Realm) passing by, in reality, throughout the entire Daqing Kingdom, Ren-level experts were the backbone and foundation of the nation!

A nation's strength depended not only on the number of top experts but also on the number of middle-level elites!

The Ren-level was the most standard middle-level elite.

Above that, the Yun-level was unattainable, and the Yu-level was like a legend, rarely seen.

Below, the Xiantian (Innate) Realm had a huge gap, and the Houtian (Acquired) Realm was like ants, unable to form the foundation of a nation.

The Ren-level was stuck—unable to go up, unable to go down—but its strength was the most stable, and its numbers were the greatest.

Most of the various schools and methods of cultivation had ways to obtain Ren-level techniques.

Even those who took unconventional paths or followed heretical practices had a chance to reach the Ren-level.

But techniques above the Ren-level were extremely rare and difficult to find, almost extinct.

Many experts were stuck at the Ren-level for various reasons, the biggest being the inability to find Yun-level techniques.

With no other choice, they would join sects, the government, or serve other powerful figures.

That's how top-tier power flowed into the hands of various forces. Finding a free and unfettered cultivator with a lineage was as unlikely as winning the lottery.

Therefore, in [Chu Nuan City], where even Yun-level experts were absent, the Ren-level was the pinnacle of strength.

A Ren-level early stage expert was an extremely troublesome existence.

"How could a small Dayang Merchant Guild afford such an expert?"

"What else could it be? They probably used a beauty trap. I remember the Dayang Merchant Guild's young miss is quite beautiful..."

"Hmph! Once they're tired of playing, they'll just throw her away. Would a Ren-level expert stop for a woman?"

The crowd felt a bit disgruntled. The Ren-level was something most of them could only dream of.

Subconsciously, everyone's eyes focused on the top ten.

The top ten on the [Thief Rankings] were all Ren-level!

"It seems those five slots will be generated from among the top ten brothers."

"Congratulations to the ten brothers in advance."

Everyone offered their blessings on the surface, but their true thoughts were unknown.

The ten accepted the flattery but didn't get carried away.

They knew these five slots were related to their happiness for the rest of their lives!

The matter was of great importance, and no amount of attention was excessive.

Moreover, it wasn't like the others had no chance. If they fought the Grand Elder to the death, only to have someone else snatch the kill, they would lose face.

"Lord Rat, do you know where the Grand Elder of the Dayang Prefecture is now? If he's still at the Dayang Prefecture in [Chu Nuan City], we'll charge in tonight!"

To avoid any delays, the No.1 [Night Thief] leader didn't waste any time and planned to take advantage of the night to rush in, capture the man, and deliver him directly!

He was confident in his strength. With his Ren-level middle stage strength, crushing the Ren-level early stage Grand Elder wouldn't be a problem.

"His whereabouts?"

Lord Rat smiled playfully.

"That Ye Niuniu, because of his extreme actions, killed members of the [Qing Si] and [Lan Shan], and is now wanted throughout the city. He has escaped from [Chu Nuan City]. According to the Phoenix Organization's latest intelligence, the direction he fled in was the direction of [Dongliu Mountain]—he's planning to come and seek refuge with you all!"

Everyone was stunned at first, then burst into laughter.

"We thought the mission arranged by Lord Rat would be difficult, but it turns out the other party is really a blockhead."

"Hahaha! Seeking refuge with us, indeed, he's wanted by the government. If he doesn't become a [Night Thief], where else in the world can he go?"

"What a pleasant surprise! Lord Rat has really taken care of us by assigning such an easy task."

"Don't worry, Lord Rat, when he arrives, we'll definitely treat him well, dose him with enough knockout drops, tie him up securely, and send him to you. I'm the best at dealing with these ignorant little guys."

At first, everyone thought they would have to face a Ren-level expert directly, so they naturally lacked confidence, and only the top ten experts on the [Thief Rankings] could compete for the five slots.

But now, the situation was different.

The target was actually a naive simpleton who had offended the official forces of [Chu Nuan City] and was reduced to a desperate thief seeking refuge with them. That made things much easier.

As long as they used enough drugs, even a Ren-level expert couldn't resist.

Moreover, someone as rash and bold as Ye Niuniu should be easy to fool.

Eyes narrowed, many people had their own little plans.

Scanning the people around them, who were just drinking and laughing together, they had now become potential rivals, fearing that they might secretly draw their knives.

In the strange, quiet atmosphere, Lord Rat cleared his throat.

"Everyone can compete, but don't forget that completing the mission is the top priority. This is just the first batch of slots I've secured for you. If you complete it outstandingly, I'll try my best to secure ten slots for the next batch! Over the long term, I guarantee that everyone who enters the top hundred of the Thief Rankings will have a chance to go legit again!"

Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"Nothing more to say, Lord Rat, you're a true brother!"

"Lord Rat, even if we put aside our identities, I'd still consider you a friend!"

"Lord Rat, if you ever need help in the future, just ask, I'll die without hesitation!"

The night thieves shouted their slogans loudly, but in reality, everyone knew that most of them were just saying it.

Without the motivation of profit, who would risk their lives for you?

Under the mask, Lord Rat sneered coldly.

Retire to the countryside? Go legit again? Without any value, do you still need to exist?

It was the right time to harvest a wave of night thieves’ wealth, as their assets have grown.

Small fish eat shrimp, big fish eat small fish, this is an eternal truth.

The night thieves harvested the leeks of the [Chu Nuan City] merchant guilds, and they, the Phoenix Organization, harvested the leeks of the night thieves. In the end, the night thieves were just high-level working thieves and were not valued by the Phoenix Organization.

"Report!!"

Just then, a flustered servant rushed in from outside in a hurry.

"Report! Someone is attacking [Dongliu Mountain] at night!!"

"What?! How many people are attacking?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment and stood up.

The servant was sweating profusely on his forehead, and said tremblingly: "O-One person!"

One person?!

Everyone was stunned.

One person dares to break into our night thief stronghold, [Dongliu Mountain]?

While everyone was stunned, Lord Rat had already come back to his senses and smiled mysteriously.

"It seems that the person we are looking for is not coming to seek refuge with us, but to destroy us."