Chapter 016: Xiao Bai

Wang Bo looked at the white-clad woman, who was full of vigilance, and said slowly, "Don't be too wary. I mean you no harm. Though you probably won't believe me, that's my honest truth. I just want to get to know you, nothing more."

As he spoke, he put on a sincere expression.

The white-clad woman glanced at the burning leaves around her and instinctively waved her hand, sending streams of cold air that froze the flames.

Wang Bo immediately reacted and withdrew his true qi.

The temperature in the air plummeted, but with his Nine Yang True Qi protecting him, Wang Bo didn't feel too cold.

Only then did the white-clad woman ask, "Who are you?"

Wang Bo said, "I'm just an ordinary person. Seeing you, a chivalrous lady, performing acts of justice earlier, I was filled with admiration and wanted to make your acquaintance. Please forgive my uninvited presence."

The white-clad woman saw Wang Bo's open and honest expression, couldn't help but turn her face away, leaving him with a beautiful profile. Her eyes darted around a few times before she said, "You've mistaken me. I'm no chivalrous lady."

Wang Bo said, "Then I'll just take you as no chivalrous lady."

From her instinctive act of extinguishing the fire, Wang Bo could tell that this woman either disliked fire or feared that the flames would ignite the forest and harm the innocent.

This gave Wang Bo a bit of goodwill toward the white-clad woman.

Of course, more importantly, her looks played a big part. After all, beautiful people always inspire fondness, and Wang Bo was no exception.

The white-clad woman gave Wang Bo a cold glance and said, "Don't follow me."

Wang Bo shook his head and said, "That won't do."

The white-clad woman furrowed her pretty brows impatiently, a hint of killing intent flashing in her eyes.

Before she could lose her temper, Wang Bo said softly, "Because my destination is the same as yours—Baoqing Workshop."

The white-clad woman immediately became alert, wanting to strike at Wang Bo but holding back, because if Wang Bo hadn't appeared on his own, she wouldn't have detected his presence at all.

Clearly, this man was no simpleton. Without understanding his background and strength, it was unwise to rashly clash with him and jeopardize her mission.

So she suppressed her discomfort and asked, "How do you know my destination is Baoqing Workshop?"

Wang Bo pointed at the hairpin on the white-clad woman's head and said, "Of course, because your hairpin has the characters 'Baoqing' on it."

The white-clad woman instinctively pulled out her hairpin, and indeed, the characters 'Baoqing' were written on it.

She hesitated for a moment, accepting this explanation, and then asked, "You're also looking for Baoqing Workshop? Do you know what kind of place Baoqing Workshop is?"

Wang Bo said, "I've heard it's a workshop for demons."

The white-clad woman recalled Wang Bo's blazing true qi and seemed to understand something, her vigilance growing. "You're a human going to a demon workshop. Don't tell me you intend to slay demons and vanquish evil?"

"Of course not," Wang Bo shook his head. As a modern person, he naturally wouldn't be like the Taoists and monks of this world, shouting about slaying demons and vanquishing evil at the sight of a demon.

"I don't have much prejudice against demons. As long as they don't eat people, I won't lay a hand on them."

The white-clad woman was startled, looking at Wang Bo with a mix of doubt and belief. "Are you telling the truth?"

"Of course," Wang Bo nodded frankly.

"You're clearly human, so why do you side with demons?" the white-clad woman asked, puzzled.

Wang Bo shook his head and said, "You're wrong there. I don't side with demons; I side with... well, let's say neutrality. Although I'm human, I know there are plenty of bad people among humans. And though I've never met a demon, I know there are many kind-hearted demons among them."

"So in my view, as long as a demon doesn't eat people, commit murder or arson, or is not a villain steeped in evil, I won't act against them. That's all."

The white-clad woman looked at Wang Bo a few times, confirming he wasn't lying, and couldn't help saying, "You're a special person."

Wang Bo didn't modestly deny it; he nodded and said, "For this era, I am indeed a special person."

After all, his mind was filled with twenty-first-century ideas—no divine right of kings, no male superiority, and certainly no concept of the ruler as the guide.

So he was well aware that he was out of step with this era and this world.

Fortunately, he had interacted with few people, and none had noticed.

Knowing that the white-clad woman was also heading to Baoqing Workshop, Wang Bo invited her to travel together.

The white-clad woman was silent for a moment, then did not refuse.

On the way, Wang Bo said, "By the way, my name is Wang Bo. What's yours?"

The white-clad woman hesitated before saying, "You can call me Xiao Bai."

"Xiao Bai?" Wang Bo was surprised. A young lady named Xiao Bai? That name was too casual. Judging by Xiao Bai's appearance, whether in clothing or demeanor, she was no ordinary girl.

Yet she had such a casual name.

Could she be fobbing him off with a fake name?

Wang Bo didn't want to think that way, but the name Xiao Bai really was too casual. Just because she wore white clothes, she was called Xiao Bai?

Wang Bo couldn't help asking, "If you're called Xiao Bai, what's your surname?"

Xiao Bai shook her head and said, "I have no surname. I'm just Xiao Bai."

Wang Bo: ...

That was too perfunctory. Wang Bo was now almost certain that this girl was brushing him off, which made him quite displeased, though he didn't show it.

After all, she was a young lady. In this era, it was only natural for a woman to be wary of a man and unwilling to reveal her real name. Wang Bo could understand that.

So Wang Bo casually changed the subject. "By the way, Miss Bai, may I ask what business you have at Baoqing Workshop this time?"

Xiao Bai instinctively touched her hairpin, lowered her head, and said, "A personal matter."

Seeing that she was reluctant to say more, Wang Bo didn't press further and changed the topic again. The two chatted as they walked and soon arrived at Baoqing Workshop.

Upon entering Baoqing Workshop, the first thing Wang Bo saw were boxes—all kinds of boxes piled up like small mountains, looking very messy.

A little girl dressed in red embroidered clothing, holding a tobacco pipe like an old smoker, was puffing out clouds of smoke. Seeing Wang Bo and Xiao Bai enter, she smiled slightly and said in a drawn-out tone, "Honored guests have arrived; I failed to welcome you from afar. Please don't take offense."

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, making one's ears tingle.

Wang Bo looked closely. The little girl appeared to be only about ten years old, with long, fox-like eyes and delicate features—a beauty in the making who would surely be stunning when she grew up.