Chapter 27: A Teacher's Grace Is Like a Mountain

Given Xiao Bai's strength, attempting to assassinate Taiyin Zhenren was too much of a stretch.

Wang Bo waved his hand, the golden rays in the sky vanished, and Xiao Bai landed back on the ground. Wang Bo returned the hairpin to Xiao Bai. "The strength I just displayed was not much different from Taiyin Zhenren's disciple—maybe a little better, but not by much."

Xiao Bai was silent.

Wang Bo continued, "I just don't get it, Xiao Bai. With your strength, you can't even beat an enhanced disciple. Why did your master send you to assassinate Taiyin Zhenren?"

This was nothing short of suicide.

He didn't say the last sentence out loud, but the implication was clear. As long as Xiao Bai wasn't an idiot, she would understand what he meant.

And Wang Bo was certain that Xiao Bai was no idiot—she was quite clever.

After thinking it over, Xiao Bai said, "I lost to you, but that doesn't mean I can't assassinate Taiyin Zhenren."

Wang Bo was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Actually, that wasn't what Wang Bo wanted to say. What he wanted to say was, "Where do you get the confidence that you can kill Taiyin Zhenren?"

But considering Xiao Bai's pride, he held back.

Holding the hairpin, Xiao Bai said, "This is a magical artifact my master gave me. Its secret is that it can absorb others' magical power for my own use. You have no magical power, so you aren't affected by it."

Wang Bo thought, 'Holy crap, this is a xianxia version of the Northern Dark Divine Art.'

And it wasn't a martial art, but a magical artifact.

But Wang Bo seriously doubted, "With this artifact, can you really assassinate Taiyin Zhenren?"

Xiao Bai said, "Regardless, I have to try. My master's grace is as heavy as a mountain. He awakened my intelligence, taught me magic, and bestowed this artifact upon me. I must do something for him."

Wang Bo could see that Xiao Bai wasn't confident about assassinating the National Preceptor. But because her master's grace was immense, she felt she had no other way to repay him, so she would give it her all.

Even if it cost her life, she wouldn't hesitate.

But Wang Bo was suspicious. If Xiao Bai's master truly cared for her, why would he send her on this mission? Didn't he know how difficult it was?

With her strength, Xiao Bai was no match for Taiyin Zhenren.

Even with this artifact, she might not succeed.

And Taiyin Zhenren practiced the Taiyin True Art, absorbing the essence of snakes. If Xiao Bai failed and was captured, everyone knew what would happen.

Yet despite all this, Xiao Bai's master still gave the order. Why?

Did he not care whether Xiao Bai lived or died, or did he think she could succeed?

Or perhaps Xiao Bai's master had colluded with Taiyin Zhenren, using the assassination as a pretext to deliver Xiao Bai to help Taiyin Zhenren cultivate?

Hmm... that wasn't impossible.

Wang Bo's heart tightened, but he didn't share his suspicions with Xiao Bai.

After all, this was only their second meeting. Though they got along well, their bond was shallow. If Wang Bo spoke ill of Xiao Bai's master, she might turn on him immediately.

One was a human she had just met; the other was her master, who had awakened her intelligence and taught her magic.

Anyone could see which mattered more. Wang Bo naturally wouldn't cause trouble for Xiao Bai now or ruin his image in her eyes. But that didn't mean he would do nothing.

"Alright, since you're determined to assassinate Taiyin Zhenren, I can help you," Wang Bo said, looking at Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai was startled and couldn't help turning her head away, flustered. "You... we've only just met. Why would you help me?"

Wang Bo said, "Well, there are plenty of reasons."

Xiao Bai looked at him in surprise.

Wang Bo raised one finger. "First, I have no connection with Taiyin Zhenren—in fact, I have a small grudge against him."

Then he raised a second finger. "Second, you and I are friends, right?"

Xiao Bai paused briefly, then nodded.

Wang Bo smiled. "One is an enemy I have no ties with and a small grudge against; the other is a friend. If I don't help you, who will? I can't just watch my friend walk to her death. Besides..."

Xiao Bai asked, "Besides what?"

Wang Bo said, "Besides, I like you."

If Xiao Bai were human, she would have thought Wang Bo was frivolous, saying he liked a girl he'd only met twice.

Such a person would hardly be a good match—a textbook playboy.

But the thing was, Xiao Bai wasn't human. Wang Bo knew this well. Xiao Bai was a demon, raised with values completely different from humans.

If Xiao Bai were human, Wang Bo would never be so forward. Even if he liked her, he would take things slowly, building affection step by step.

That's what he had done in the world of Di Renjie.

After all, in ancient society, people were very conservative. Such direct words would only breed resentment. But Xiao Bai was a demon; she had never studied the Four Books and Five Classics or received a human education.

The demon world was always straightforward.

So Wang Bo became direct too, throwing a fastball straight at Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai didn't shy away like a human girl would. Her expression barely changed as she asked, "You like me? What do you like about me? You're not a demon—how can you like me?"

"Just because I'm not a demon, why can't I like you?" Wang Bo countered.

"I've never heard of a human liking a demon."

"Well, now you know. I like you."

"This..." Xiao Bai wavered, but she shook her head. "Humans and demons can never have a good ending. You can't like me, and I won't like you."

With that, her expression turned resolute. "Send me away from here."

Wang Bo knew that haste makes waste. Since Xiao Bai was so resistant, he couldn't press too hard. He decided to give her some breathing room, let her calm down, and then make his move.

Such a beautiful demon, with a good personality too. Though decisive in killing, she didn't harm the innocent.

So Wang Bo was determined to pursue her.

"Don't rush to leave. Xiao Bai, I have the complete Taiyin True Art here. Study it first. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you might succeed in assassinating Taiyin Zhenren."

"The Taiyin True Art—this is the technique Taiyin Zhenren practices? How do you have it?" Xiao Bai asked, extremely curious.