Stung by the remark, the petty thief pulled a sharp blade from his sleeve and began lunging at the crowd. Panic erupted, and the people scattered, screaming in terror.
By the time Xiaowen Xin noticed the commotion, Aran was already struggling to wrestle the knife from the thief's grip. Seizing the right moment, she struck a pressure point on the thief’s wrist. As his hand went numb and his grip faltered, Aran snatched the blade away. Fearing he might cause more trouble, she delivered a swift chop to his neck, knocking him unconscious.
The disturbance on the street quickly drew the attention of the city patrol. In the Capital, not even the smallest incident could escape their notice. After the onlookers provided their accounts to the guards, the thief was dragged away. In the shadow of the Emperor’s throne, not only had he attempted theft, but he had also brandished a weapon with intent to harm; it would be a miracle if he wasn't exiled to labor in the frozen north.
Chapter 116