628: Chapter 628 Ye Chen again?

The voice fell.

The tavern became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

The dozens of people from the Stealing Sect stood rooted to the spot, their eyes lighting up one by one.

Their Stealing Sect had a heritage spanning over a thousand years, and every Sect Master throughout history had been a renowned figure in the martial world.

But no matter how famous they were, they were still thieves.

Wherever they went, they were looked down upon and pointed at.

Even their disciples didn't dare to openly admit they were members of the Stealing Sect.

They could only live in the shadows, pass down their legacy in the shadows, grow old in the shadows, and die in the shadows.

But now, someone was telling them...

They didn't have to live in the shadows anymore.

You can become heroes.

You can bring honor to your ancestors.

Dao Ye's hands trembled slightly, and his eyes reddened.

Every Sect Master had taken it upon themselves to legitimize the sect; was it finally going to happen during his time?

Silence reigned for a long while.

Dao Ye took a deep breath.

"Kid, are you telling the truth?"

"Don't just be teasing this old man!"

Ye Chen looked at him and spoke calmly, "As the Chief Instructor of the Dragon Group, I keep my word."

Dao Ye stared into Ye Chen's eyes for a long time, as if trying to find any flaw in them.

But Ye Chen's eyes were as calm as water and as deep as an abyss.

He couldn't see through this young man, but he could feel...

This young man was telling the truth.

Dao Ye took a deep breath and stood up.

Then.

He took a step back, cupped his fists, and gave Ye Chen a deep bow.

"Shi Qian, the thirty-seventh generation Sect Master of the Stealing Sect, along with all the disciples of the Stealing Sect, is willing to follow the Chief Instructor's orders!"

The dozens of Stealing Sect disciples behind him cupped their fists in unison and spoke out together.

"We are willing to follow the Chief Instructor's orders!"

Their voices echoed in the small tavern, making the windows buzz.

Ye Chen stood up, looked at Dao Ye, and nodded.

"Sect Master Shi, welcome to the Dragon Group."

"As for the specific organization and benefits, I will have the human resources department coordinate with you."

"The nature of your work is quite special, so you will need to undergo strict training and assessment."

"But there is one thing I can guarantee—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over every Stealing Sect disciple present.

"From today on, you are no longer thieves."

"You are officially commissioned agents of the Dragon Kingdom, warriors serving the nation."

"Your families can openly tell others that you work for the country."

"Your descendants can hold their heads high, no longer needing to bear the stigma of being 'descendants of thieves'."

The voice fell.

Among the Stealing Sect disciples, several older ones already had red eyes.

They had waited for this day for their entire lives.

Shi Xiaonian stood in the crowd, her small face filled with excitement, tears swirling in her eyes.

Dao Ye took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Ye Chen: "The Chief Instructor's great kindness will be remembered by everyone in the Stealing Sect!"

Ye Chen waved his hand.

"Don't bother with these formalities."

"Go back and prepare first. Someone will come to pick you up tomorrow morning."

"Remember, since you've joined the Dragon Group, you must follow the Dragon Group's rules."

"Those petty thieving things from before can't be done anymore."

Dao Ye nodded repeatedly: "Rest assured, Chief Instructor. From today on, the Stealing Sect will turn over a new leaf and start anew!"

He turned around and waved his hand.

"Let's go! Back to prepare!"

The dozens of people from the Stealing Sect followed Dao Ye out with a rustle.

Shi Xiaonian was at the very back, but when she reached the door, she turned back and ran up to Ye Chen.

"Chief Instructor, did I pass the test?"

Ye Chen looked at her and smiled.

"Even your master has joined; do you still need a test?"

Shi Xiaonian's eyes lit up instantly, and she was so excited she almost jumped.

"Thank you, Chief Instructor!"

"I will definitely work hard and not let you down!"

After she finished speaking, she ran out happily.

The tavern finally became quiet.

Bai Shanshan sat opposite him, looking at Ye Chen with an extremely complex expression.

"Are you actually serious?"

Ye Chen picked up his wine cup and took another sip.

"When have I ever not been serious?"

Bai Shanshan took a deep breath, leaned back against the chair, and looked at the ceiling. "Recruiting a bunch of thieves into the Dragon Group... this move is quite something."

Ye Chen smiled.

"All warfare is based on deception."

"The way of employing people is to be unconventional."

"Although they are thieves, their skills are something money can't buy."

"Instead of letting them commit petty crimes in society, it's better to bring them in and use them for the country."

Bai Shanshan thought about it and nodded.

"That makes sense."

"Like those great heroes in ancient times, many started as thieves."

"For example... Chu Liuxiang?"

Ye Chen's mouth twitched. "Chu Liuxiang was the Thief Marshal, not a common thief."

"What's the difference?"

"There's a huge difference."

"One steals to survive, the other steals to show off."

Bai Shanshan: "..."

Fine.

Whatever you say is right.

The two sat for a while longer.

Bai Shanshan pulled a few bills from her pocket and placed them on the counter.

"Boss, the check."

The tavern owner hurriedly came out from behind the counter, grabbed the bills, and forced them back into Bai Shanshan's hand.

"I can't! I can't!"

"I cannot take this money from you two!"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

The tavern owner's voice choked up.

"You two don't know the half of it!"

"That group from the Stealing Sect has been running up a tab in my little tavern for three years, drinking for free for three years!"

"I called the police, it was useless!"

"I hired thugs, it was even more useless!"

"I was almost driven to bankruptcy by their drinking!"

"You came today and took them all away; you've saved my life!"

"How could I possibly take your money?"

"If you give it to me, that would be slapping my face, it would be an insult!"

Ye Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Boss, it's not that serious, is it?"

"It is! It absolutely is!"

The tavern owner had a serious face.

"You don't know, my wife has been fighting with me for three years over this, we almost got divorced!"

"My daughter was dating someone, but as soon as they heard we own a tavern where thieves drink on credit every day, they left immediately!"

"I... I..."

As he spoke, he choked up and couldn't continue.

Bai Shanshan stood to the side, watching the tavern owner's agonized expression, her mouth twitching several times.

Good grief.

Just how badly did the Stealing Sect people torment this man?

For other taverns, the fragrance of wine isn't afraid of deep alleys, but for this tavern, the fragrance of wine was afraid of being targeted by thieves.

Ye Chen also sighed and told Bai Shanshan to take back the cash.

"Alright then, we won't pay."

"Boss, run your business well. Something like this shouldn't happen again."

The tavern owner nodded repeatedly, wiped away a tear, turned around, and pulled an unopened jar of rice wine from under the counter, forcing it into Ye Chen's hands.

"Sir, take this jar of wine with you to drink on the road!"

"I brewed it myself and aged it for five years. It's much better than the one you just drank!"

Ye Chen looked at the jar of wine in his arms, then at the owner's sincere face, and shook his head while laughing helplessly.

"Alright, I'll take it."

The tavern owner finally showed a smile and said repeatedly, "Take care, you two! Come back often! From now on, your drinks will be free for life!"

Ye Chen waved his hand and walked out of the tavern holding the wine jar.

Bai Shanshan followed behind him, glanced back at the tavern owner who was standing at the door with teary eyes still waving goodbye, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Why do I feel like we just rescued a Middle-aged Man in distress?"

Ye Chen: "..."

...

Early the next morning.

Beijing, Bai Family Villa.

Dressed in silk pajamas, Bai Chi walked down from the second floor, his eyes sleepy and his mind not yet fully awake.

He yawned and habitually walked toward the dining room.

But after two steps, his pace came to a sudden halt.

Because...

The dining room was completely empty.

There was nothing on the table.

Bai Chi was stunned.

Having lived in the Bai family for over twenty years since he was a child, he had never encountered such a situation.

The Bai family's servants were strictly trained; breakfast was served at seven o'clock sharp every day, without fail.

What was going on today?

He frowned and turned toward the living room.

Then, he saw his father.

Bai Sanlong was sitting on the sofa, also wearing pajamas, holding a tablet computer with his eyes fixed on the screen.

His expression was extremely solemn, as if the sky were about to fall.

"Dad?"

Bai Chi walked over and plopped down on the sofa. "What's wrong? What happened?"

Bai Sanlong didn't speak, but simply handed over the tablet.

Bai Chi froze for a moment, took the tablet, and looked down.

On the screen was a report.

The title of the report was written in large characters...

[Report on the Failure of the Kunlun Ruins Bai Family Operation]

Bai Chi's pupils constricted suddenly, and his fingers swiped rapidly across the screen, reading line by line.

"One hundred and eight Hidden Guards, completely wiped out."

"Hidden Guard Commander Bai Zhantang, killed in action."

"Thirty-seven direct lineage guards of the Bai family, all killed."

"The Nan Family has defected and severed ties with the Bai family."

"Target individual Bai Shanshan has been rescued."

"Reason for failure: Ye Chen."

At that moment, Bai Chi's brain completely stalled.

"Ye Chen?"

"Damn it!"

He slammed the tablet onto the sofa, his face flushed bright red.

"Ye Chen again! It's him again! How is he everywhere?!"

Last time.

He had chased Yan Qingwu all the way to Xiamen City's Imperial View Court, only to be slapped in the face on the spot by that bastard Ye Chen.

In a fit of rage, he went to find his aunt Bai Wanqing, hoping she would stand up for him.

And the result?

Not only did his aunt not help him, she even told him to look out for himself!

Unwilling to give up, he called a bunch of people to go find trouble, only to get his face slapped once more!

He never expected...

That before he even had a chance to go looking for trouble, that bastard Ye Chen had ruined the Bai family's plans again!

Bai Chi clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles cracking loudly.

"Dad, what did the Kunlun Ruins side say?"