Chapter 044: Hunter or Prey

Yixiu listened quietly to Wang Bo's words, a trace of realization dawning on his face.

“I see. You are an accomplice of that snake demon.”

“Accomplice sounds too harsh. You should say, her man.” Wang Bo corrected.

Yixiu's pupils contracted slightly. “Do you know what you're saying?”

“Of course. Isn't it just being a hero of the grass and woods?”

Yixiu's face twitched a few times. He understood Wang Bo's vulgar allusion, but precisely because of that, he was all the more astonished—what the hell was a hero of the grass and woods? He had never seen such a shameless scoundrel as Wang Bo.

“It seems you have been completely bewitched by that demon.” Yixiu's face gradually turned cold. “And the wanted notice for me—you issued it, didn't you?”

Wang Bo sneered a few times and said, “That's right. Since you know it's me, why not give yourself up?”

Although he knew Yixiu would never surrender, Wang Bo still wanted to say it, because it sounded cool. Once Yixiu resisted and Wang Bo beat him into submission, he could add another line.

“I just don't understand why you resist. To step over an ant without killing it—that power is hard to master, you know.”

That would make it even cooler.

Though Wang Bo didn't like showing off, occasionally indulging in a sudden whim wasn't bad.

Just then, a low, slightly hoarse voice came from the side.

“So it's you. Truly, you find it without seeking, and get it without effort.”

Huh, that phrase sounded familiar. Hadn't he just said it a few days ago?

With that thought, Wang Bo couldn't help turning his head. A man with a face full of wrinkles and skin like withered wood, dressed in splendid robes, had suddenly appeared at the table next to Wang Bo, staring at him with piercing eyes.

Wang Bo was no stranger to this man.

“I thought it was someone else. So it's Grand Yin Zhenren.”

When Xiao Bai had attempted to assassinate Grand Yin Zhenren, Wang Bo had watched the whole thing, so naturally he had seen the appearance of this national preceptor—like a tree spirit, very strange.

Normally, people with such profound magical power were skilled at preserving youth, with smooth skin and handsome features. Even if they were old, they should be hale with white hair and a youthful complexion.

This was the natural result of bodily functions rejuvenating after attaining deep magical power.

But Grand Yin Zhenren was exactly in this ghostly state, like a monster.

And his disciple, beneath that veil, also had strange, eerie patterns that ruined a handsome face.

Wang Bo strongly suspected this was the consequence of both practicing heretical arts.

Because he had read the Grand Yin True Art; it was not only profound but also upright. Normally, such orthodox immortal techniques should make one more ethereal with practice.

It was absolutely impossible to end up like this.

So Wang Bo suspected that this was the result of the two absorbing snake essence to train their skills and practicing heterodox methods.

But this was only temporary.

Once the Grand Yin True Art was perfected and they could ascend in broad daylight, they could reshape their immortal bodies, shedding this appearance to become handsome men.

But if they couldn't ascend and reshape their bodies, they would stay like this for life.

Unless they abandoned their profound cultivation and started over.

However, Wang Bo guessed that Grand Yin Zhenren didn't have such courage, or perhaps he simply didn't need to restart, because he was aiming directly for ascension.

Once successful, he could naturally shed this ghostly form, so there was no need to abandon his power.

“You know me?” Grand Yin Zhenren was somewhat surprised, then said, “But that doesn't matter. Since you can issue a wanted notice, you must be the one controlling the puppet army.”

Wang Bo looked at Grand Yin Zhenren, then at Monk Yixiu, and suddenly understood.

“I see. I thought I was the hunter, but it turns out I'm the prey.”

Clearly, for some reason, Grand Yin Zhenren and Monk Yixiu had joined forces. After Yixiu discovered he was wanted, he planned to use himself as bait to lure out the person who had issued the notice.

Then, together with Grand Yin Zhenren, they would capture that person.

And he, unaware, had foolishly walked right into the trap.

No wonder Monk Yixiu, knowing he was wanted, had swaggered into Yuzhou City. So that was it.

As for the “puppet army” the other mentioned, it must refer to his mechanical soldiers.

After all, in the eyes of ancient people, mechanical soldiers and puppets weren't much different.

Seeing Wang Bo's sudden understanding but no trace of fear—instead, a calm expression—Grand Yin Zhenren couldn't help but praise, “A disciple of the Mohist school, indeed of extraordinary bearing.”

Wang Bo was taken aback, then realized something. “I see. You saw the puppets and thought I was a Mohist disciple?”

Grand Yin Zhenren was startled. “Are you not a Mohist disciple?”

“Of course not.”

“Then who are you? From the Gongshu family, or a disciple of Lu Ban?” After all, in this world, there were only a few who practiced mechanical arts. Though not as famous as the Mohists, they were still renowned masters.

“Well, guess?”

Grand Yin Zhenren wasn't angry. Though teased by Wang Bo, he had enough magnanimity. “If you're unwilling to say, it's fine. But you must come back with me to see the emperor. Then you can explain the matter to him.”

Wang Bo couldn't help but laugh. “You talk as if you've already got me.”

Grand Yin Zhenren wasted no more words. With a light flick of his hand, black talismans flew from his sleeve like snowflakes, shooting toward Wang Bo like chains, as if to bind him.

In his eyes, Wang Bo had no magical power at all—just a mortal.

So naturally, he wouldn't take Wang Bo seriously.

Wang Bo sneered a few times. His lack of magical power was indeed very deceptive. Most Taoists and demons, if they didn't observe Wang Bo closely, wouldn't pay him any attention.

Even if Wang Bo had the Nine Yang True Qi inside him, they wouldn't care.

Such mortal means could never compare to immortal magic.

But as soon as Wang Bo made a move, he shattered everyone's impression. The Nine Yang Sword Qi roared out, the temperature in the air soaring abruptly, radiating infinite heat like a sun.

The talismans, barely grazed by the Nine Yang Sword Qi, ignited directly and burned to ashes.

Only then did Grand Yin Zhenren regard Wang Bo with new eyes. Such scorching true qi—the martial path could actually evolve to this level? Truly astonishing. Even an enlightened master like him couldn't help but marvel.

“Such overbearing true qi.”

As for the talismans ignited by the sword qi, he didn't care at all, for he had countless more.