Chapter 1: Books Over Swindling Men

Kai Fanghua's POV-

Fluttering the embroidered fan against his face, Kai Fanghua observes the market place, eying the people in search of his next prey. The air was filled with the scent of wet mud, the floor still slightly wet from the heavy rainfall that occurred yesterday. Men and women alike were busily setting up their goods and wares for people to buy, shouting out their prices to passerbys. Fanghua smiles as a group of entertainers pass by, wearing ridiculous outfits and masks, hoping to humour the audience enough for a few Zheng.

Walking down the marketplace, various aromas fill the air consisting of dried fish, lentils and steaming potatoes. As he brushes down his exquisite beizi, an outfit he could only afford through swindling naive men through his looks, he hides a smile. Though he was concealing half his face with a fan, Fanghua receives many gazes directed at him. Some awed, some jealous but many lustful.

"Wow. Who is that stunning beauty?"

"If you can ask for her name, I will forever be indebted to you my dear sister."

"Just look at her petite figure. I wish my body looked like that."

Hearing the same lines over and over again he smirks behind his fan. Fools, if only you knew. Stunning beauty? Of course. Her? Most definitely not. Disguising as a woman sure had its benefits thought Fanghua, but oh Pangu is it a massive headache.

Who knew being a woman would be so hard? Having to keep a straight posture at all times as well as applying this sticky white substance on his face. Oh and one of the worst of all! Delicately painting his eyebrows as well as wearing these ghastly heavy head ornaments. How do women keep this up every day, he wondered as he adjusted a hair ornament. He scowls. However the most annoying of all to Fanghua was having to sustain a cute smile on his face as he fooled those perverted and corrupt men who tried to capture his heart.

Taking a vile out of his pocket, Fanghua quickly drinks a drop of his most favoured potion, the 'voice of a singing angel.' It was a very rare, and very expensive item he had come across in his journeys. Drinking it altered his masculine voice to match his very feminine face that was emphasised through the use of makeup.

Sighing, he glances around. In all honestly, Fanhua had a strict policy when stealing. Steal only from those who are both wealthy but corrupted. Those who earn or use their money to do evil deeds such as prostitution, slavery and other things he wish not to think. However it seemed today was the first time he would break that rule as he was desperately in need of some money and had no time to gain information on corrupted, higher class people.

Hearing a sudden burst of hushed murmurings, he glances up to notice the attention towards him was diverted. Diverted by a very handsome man that was. He was striding down the marketplace, swinging a bag of money. Even from afar, Fanghua could tell that the man's features were very striking. But did he care about that? Absolutely not. His gaze ventures down his money bag and then his attire. The finest silk consisting of the colours black and blue which causes him to smile gleefully. Finally, he had found someone worthy of stealing from.

"Oh Pangu," he begins to pray in a quiet murmur. "I am sorry for the sinful deed I am about to commit but please do not be angry. This will be the first and last time I steal from an innocent and I promise I will somehow pay him back if we are to meet again," He finishes, a determined look on his face.

He was wealthy, Fanghua deducted as he continued to observe from afar. Perhaps a wealthy tradesman or maybe even a nobleman or official? His gaze halters at his sword. It was not unusual to carry swords, many using it as a source of protection.

However, Fanghua assumed that based on his height and features, the man had amazing physique and started to worry that he may be a skilled fighter. He had to be careful, extremely careful and precise when stealing. He breathes in, gaining a surge of confidence. This will be an easy task for the mighty Kai Fanghua! Taking a deep breath, he begins to start his usual routine, that is, until a bookstall catches his eye.

***

Zhihuan Xie's POV-

The marketplace was already busy by the time he had arrived, many of the stalls already out and hustling with work. The last time he had escaped here was around two years ago when he was 16. Nothing much had changed since then, the loud chatter filling his ears as children run about and people sell their goods. He smiles, the sight warming his usual cold heart as he embraces the busy hustle of life that was rare in the palace.

As he walks, he notices many beautiful woman flutter their thickly painted eyelashes at him, smacking their friends for their attention before pointing at him. But did he acknowledge them? Certainly not. They knew nothing about him, only being attracted to his devilishly handsome looks and mysterious aura that oozed off of him. They were no different than Princess Changyin.

Zhihuan's eyes suddenly catch a book stall in the distance that piques his interest, quickly making his way there as he dodges around runaway chicken and carriages that were being strung along by donkeys. He gazes in amazement at all the wares the man had to offer, before noticing a customer next to him who had her hands on '7 Teachings of Menshou.'

He gapes in shock, thinking about what kind of woman had an interest in such difficult teachings. Zhihuan had personally read the book when he was younger but had found it incredibly challenging to understand at first. Yet here was a woman who unlike the others who were busy buying beautiful silk and jewelry, was instead enjoying herself by looking at these astounding books. How peculiar.

Pulling his eyes off the book she was holding, he suddenly notices some bamboo parchments consisting of the title 'Art of a Thousand Li.' To think his most beloved book which he had accidentally destroyed was here. He eagerly places his hands on the book, only to bump hands with a smaller and much more prettier hand which had also reached for the book.

Removing his gaze from her hand, he turns his head to see the owner, seeing the woman's face properly for the first time. He inhales deeply. She was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Lavish long back hair which framed a flawlessly white small face. She had big round eyes, a fiery red which shone like polished cinnabar along with a small dot beneath her eyes which made her look all the more beautiful. Her soft pink lips gave away an expression of surprise before it turned into a smile, slowly dipping her head into a bow as a form of greeting.

***

Kai Fanghua's POV-

Kai Fanghua heads over to the bookstall in a rush of excitement. It was rare to find book stalls in marketplaces like these. Perhaps it would have that book. Seducing the man completely out of his mind, Fanghua eagerly searches the parchments of bamboo. Surprised he grasps the '7 Teaching of Menshou." One of his most favourite books. He smiles and puts it back before recoiling in shock, not believing his eyes! It was here!

The book he had been searching for a very long time. The extremely rare 'Art of a Thousand Li." Perhaps he would not have to steal from that man? If he spent all his savings to attain this book, he could most definitely sell it to the right buyer after readings its valuable content and then make a massive profit.

His eyes sparkle with happiness as he reaches down to grab the book, only to notice a much larger hand reach down and try to claim the book for himself. What man! What man dares to try and steal his precious book. Eyes flashing, he looks up, only to show an expression of horror which he quickly conceals.

What a predicament! Never had he thought the person standing next to him would be him out of all people! Let alone touching hands on top of the book he most desired. Staring back at him with an extremely alluring gaze was none other than the handsome man he had planned to steal from! As he stares, Fanghua inwardly curses. He was much more devilishly handsome up close.

The man had astonishing golden brown eyes with flecks of red and green, something he imagined only a dragon to possess from the stories he has read. Stunning eyebrows frame his face which would put any woman to shame, along with a sharp straight nose. His long black hair furthermore complimented his extremely fierce and striking look. Oh pangu, what was he thinking, stealing this man's money? He was terrifying up close.

"Ah! I see you are both interested in that book? It is an extremely rare book which I went through many hardships to attain. I will sell it to the individual who pays the most, though I must say, it won't be cheap," the stallholder says with a toothy grin, rubbing his fingers eagerly. No! No, no, no. NO!

Kai Fanghua had initially planned to use this book as a means of escaping theft but this man will most definitely have more money than him. He scowls internally. He really wanted to get his hands on that book, but if he wanted any chance of stealing money from him, he wanted to show off an image of a sweet, kind-natured woman in order to fool him. He had no choice but to sacrifice the book to him. Gah! What an absolute waste! Taking the book into his hand, he plants his most fakest smile and offers it to him.

"Please my Lord, take the book. I was just merely looking," Kai Fanghua says softly, gritting his teeth." He watches the man tilt his head confused before smiling. Fanghua wanted nothing more than to punch his gorgeous face.

"Ahh are you sure? If you wish to earnestly read it then please take it," he says. It was the first time Kai Fanghua was hearing the man's voice, and he was take aback by how deep yet smooth it sounded. That was, before his anger settled in of course. Just take the damn book! Why make it all the more harder to give away.

"I have no interest in such a book. I mistook it for another book I had hoped to find here, so please take it," Fanghua lies with a smile. Fanghua had done many hard things in his life. From crossing the great snake valley, to infiltrating a high officials house. Even having to seduce a perverted old grandpa! Who was married nonetheless, and with 13 children too!! But out of all these things, giving this book away was undeniably the most hardest thing he had ever had to do. With a dazzling smile, the man slowly reaches out for the book in his hands."

"Ah, is that so? That's good to hear. I have been really wanting to get my hands on this book. But sadly, I don't think I have enough money," he says with a sad smile. Wait what? Kai Fanghua wondered confused, remembering when he first saw him, swirling his fat money bag around as he walked down the marketplace. It looked like it contained a good stash of money.

So why? Why was this man lying. Well nonetheless, that meant Kai Fanghua could buy it and therefore make a profit and get him out of this situation. Smiling, he eagerly waits for the man to give the book back to him. Yet that was not what happened! In fact something Fanghua never thought possible occured.

The man turns back towards the stallholder. " I am extremely sorry but it seems I did not bring enough money with me today however-." he says, before reaching in towards the stallholder and whispering something into his ear that Kai Fanghua could not make out. After he was done, the stallholder lets out a massive grin before shouting.

"Yes! Yes. Take it, take it! I will give this book to you," He cries, furiously shaking hands with the handsome man. Kai Fanghua was flabbergasted, his eyebrows raising ridiculously high. What on earth had just happened? Had this man just sold this heavenly book to this lying man who did not give a single zhang in return.

How..How...Ridiculous! No longer able to compose himself, Fanghua drops his mouth open in absolute shock, his hands turning into tight fists. Turning back to him, the handsome man gives him a dazzling wink before mouthing the words 'I have my ways.' It seemed that Kai Fanghua had forgotten his anger for a few seconds due to receiving that wink as he stares up in a daze.

"I am so glad you were not interested in this book. You see, this book is one of my favourite reads. I used to own a copy but unfortunately, I lost it in a pond. To think I would find another copy of this rare book here. I am in luck," he sighs, tucking the book away in the folds of his clothes. Kai Fanghua tries to process what he had just said, not believing what his own ears had just heard.

Wait a second. What...? What!? Did this imbecile of a man just say he has in fact already read the great 'Art of a Thousand Li,' and in fact lost it in a po.. A pond!?? He had in fact never even read its great content and yet this man here... This man has not only read it, but destroyed his own copy in a p-ond?! And now he is taking his dream book and his profit away from him! Fanghua's eyebrows twitch as he try to conceal the anger within him.

Do not worry, my dear book. "I promise we will one day be reunited. I shall pray to the gods that we will be," Kai Fanghua mutters in his head. Taking his eyes off the place the man had placed the book, Fanghua glances at the man's face, smiling up at him. A smile filled with poison. He did not know why the man lied or how he had managed to fool this shop holder into giving him that extremely rare book. But what Kai Fanhua did know was that he was set in revenge. He will most definitely take all that money he knew the man had. That he would make sure of.

....Little did Kai Fanghua know that the promise he had made to the gods would indeed come true. He would most definitely be reunited with that book, however, in a way he would never see coming and ever so regret in wishing for.