Chapter 113: Little Martial Artist of Hangdu

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Zhou Bai’s retreat began and ended in complete silence, stirring not the slightest ripple.

The house he had chosen lay in a relatively secluded spot, and he had also laid down a spiritual array, so there was no need to worry about any ordinary person wandering in.

The sun shone brilliantly overhead, and the temperature already carried the first hints of summer.

This was also the quietest time of day for the entire Hangdu Office of Nether Affairs. Aside from Little Wu, who was out on patrol, and Wen Meng, who had gone to listen to an opera first thing in the morning, everyone else was loafing about in the office.

The Fruit of Supernatural Power was ready. After using his Disguise ability to search Hangdu for a while, Zhou Bai finally found Little Wu in front of a carpenter’s shop in the southern part of the city.

It was rare to see Little Wu dressed so neatly. He wore a bashful smile as he chatted enthusiastically with a young woman in the shop, though his clumsy manner was undeniably amusing.

The girl was fair and delicate. She was helping her elderly father sort the wood needed for their work, and she looked at Little Wu with some embarrassment. Though she had feelings for him, she did not dare say much.

The old carpenter was somewhat displeased with Little Wu. After all, the greatest requirement for a craftsman seeking a son-in-law was that the man be willing to inherit the carpenter’s shop. Little Wu, however, was unwilling to do so.

Zhou Bai restored his original appearance and walked over. Little Wu froze for a moment, then hurriedly bowed.

“Lord Zhou.”

The old carpenter lowered his work in alarm. He and his daughter tried to kneel, but they felt an invisible force holding their knees up, making it impossible for them to bow down.

“What brings an Immortal Master to my humble shop? If there is anything this old man can do, just tell me.”

Zhou Bai glanced at the uneasy Little Wu and immediately said, “My subordinate is earnest in both character and conduct. What fault could you possibly find with him?”

At those words, the girl’s face flushed scarlet. Her eyes darted about, while Little Wu grew nervous as well.

The old carpenter did not know what to say. After struggling for a long while, he finally replied, “Immortal Master, though my shop is small, it has been passed down through the family for generations. I do not wish to let the line end with me.”

Zhou Bai smiled and asked Little Wu, “Do you have any interest in carpentry?”

Little Wu’s face paled. He did not dare conceal the truth and hurriedly said, “Lord Zhou, I do have some interest, but…”

Zhou Bai waved a hand. He knew that Little Wu was a poor, unfortunate child. His father had been a carpenter, but had died young. His mother had fallen ill from grief and followed him a few years later.

Thus, Little Wu had lived alone from a very young age. Many people in Hangdu knew him, but almost no one knew his full name.

Zhou Bai’s father had always looked after him while he was alive. His former self had known Little Wu’s full name as well, though the two had not interacted much before.

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“Wu Xiaogou, come with me.”

With that, he turned and left, moving at a very brisk pace.

Little Wu hurriedly bade farewell to the old carpenter and his daughter, then chased after him.

Zhou Bai cut through the most remote corners of Hangdu’s streets, steadily increasing his speed. Little Wu gritted his teeth and struggled to keep up.

The two stopped before an unoccupied courtyard. Zhou Bai patted the panting Little Wu and gestured for him to follow him inside.

Little Wu wore a puzzled expression. Once inside, he casually closed the wooden door behind him.

Zhou Bai now regarded him with a solemn expression. His eyes seemed capable of piercing straight into a person’s heart.

“Little Wu, I can leave the others alone, but I want to ask you this: Are you prepared to die at the hands of demons?”

In truth, Zhou Bai had already figured out the three men in the Hangdu Office of Nether Affairs. Each had a different temperament.

Wang Yuanfang was highly ambitious. He was unwilling to remain a mere constable and wanted to use an Immortal’s influence to rise higher.

Lin Chong appeared simple and honest, but possessed a little rudimentary external martial training. His body also bore more than one scar. He had joined the Office of Nether Affairs to advance his martial arts, and it was obvious at a glance that this man had a story.

Only Little Wu was pure of heart. He had no ambition and did not seek power. The main reason he served under Zhou Bai was simply that he could earn a little more silver than he had before.

Zhou Bai did not want to force him. With the Artifact Path ability of the Ghost Tree, he would never lack subordinates in the future. If Little Wu wished to live out his life in peace, Zhou Bai would gladly agree.

Little Wu began trembling uncontrollably. He remembered those terrifying demons, as well as the girl who had feelings for him, and could not help retreating inwardly.

Zhou Bai withdrew his aura, patted him on the shoulder, and walked toward the outside.

The path of cultivating Variant Supernatural Abilities was far too perilous. Not everyone could endure it. The slightest mistake could lead to eternal ruin.

Wang Yuanfang and Lin Chong were sustained by their ambitions and aspirations. Little Wu, however, was different. If Zhou Bai made the decision for him, then no matter how many thoughts he planted in his mind, Little Wu would eventually collapse.

Yet Zhou Bai had taken only a few steps when Little Wu suddenly fell to his knees and began knocking his head forcefully against the ground.

“I am only a humble teahouse worker, with nothing but a worthless life. To receive Your Lordship’s favor is an unparalleled honor. I am willing to offer you my utmost service.”

Zhou Bai smiled and rubbed his head, then took the Fruit of Supernatural Power he had prepared for him from his storage pouch.

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With a sweep of his hand, the Fruit of Supernatural Power crumbled into powder. Under Zhou Bai’s control, it slipped into Little Wu’s mouth and was quickly digested completely.

Little Wu clutched his stomach. His face turned purplish-red. First, a foul stench surged from his mouth straight to the crown of his head. Then excruciating pain spread throughout his body, and he began convulsing uncontrollably.

His body disintegrated inch by inch, transforming into a cloud of smoke before gathering itself together again several yards away.

Little Wu stared at Zhou Bai in disbelief. He had just opened his mouth to speak when Zhou Bai touched him between the brows. Darkness overtook his vision, and he fainted.

Zhou Bai planted a thought within him. It would alter his subconscious, make him forget everything concerning the Fruit of Supernatural Power, and also make him more loyal to Zhou Bai.

The supernatural ability contained within this Fruit of Supernatural Power was called Ghost Shadow. Its potential was considerable, allowing the body to dissolve into mist. However, while using the ability, one could not hold a weapon, so it was not especially useful to Zhou Bai.

He had originally intended to have Little Wu awaken the Yin-Yang Eyes, but only a handful of people in all of Hangdu had awakened Variant Supernatural Abilities, and two of them already possessed the Yin-Yang Eyes. That would have been far too coincidental, so he abandoned the idea.

Ghost Shadow was more than sufficient for Little Wu to protect himself. As for whether he could master the ability to restore his true form in the future, that would depend on his own fortune.

After dealing with one man, Zhou Bai carried Little Wu’s body toward the office. Before long, he found the idle Wang Yuanfang and Lin Chong inside.

The two grew nervous when they saw Little Wu unconscious, fearing that some major incident had occurred in Hangdu once again.

Zhou Bai, however, gave them no chance to waste time with questions. He pointed a finger, and two streaks of spiritual light shot out, striking them directly in the backs of their heads.

Wang Yuanfang’s body went limp and he fainted. Lin Chong held out a little longer, but soon followed in his footsteps.

For these two men, setting foot upon the Immortal Path was something they would accept immediately, no matter how dangerous it might be. Asking them was merely a waste of time.

In any case, once the thoughts had been planted, they would remember nothing upon waking. There was no reason not to be decisive.

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