The Witch Bone

The next morning Bai Hua had decided to visit the same restaurant to unearth the mysteries of that waiter, who had sent those hunter-turned-robbers after him. He had dressed simply like yesterday with a straw hat.

He entered the restaurant and like he expected there weren't many people inside the restaurant. Just some diners who had come out early for work and other matters. As if there were eyes on the door, the same waiter appeared.

"Young master, you're back again to our modest establishment, how may I be of service to you?"

"The same tea," and threw a gold coin at him. The waiter's eyes sparkled when he received the gold coin again.

Bai Hua went up to the same cubicle from yesterday and sat down as he waited for the waiter to serve him. He knew that the waiter would serve him himself not letting other waiters poach Bai Hua. And somehow Bai Hua felt that the waiter was not as simple and as subservient as he portrayed in front of him. Something was fishy about him and he was going to find soon.

The waiter came in holding a tray of teacup and a teapot. He put it on the table and began to serve a cup of tea to Bai Hua. Bai Hua spoke.

"What is your name?"

"This humble servant's name is Li Tang, young master."

"I mean your real name."

"Young master, that is my real name given to me by my parents," he laughed nervously. The waiter started to become suspicious.

Did he find out about me? But he's just a kid. Those poor hunters had easily taken care of this young fry, he thought. He can't know that I sent them. There is no evidence. I must be simply over-thinking. Besides, this kid must have stolen the money he has in the first place. How could he dress like this when he has that much money? A rich young master would not travel like this.

Having reassured himself with these thoughts he continued to act ingratiatingly and said, "Young master, my name is really Li Tang, you can also ask the owner of this restaurant. For generations, my family has worked at this restaurant. My master's family has been kind and had always given a spot to us."

"So, you say your family has been working here for generations? Do they also drug their customers like you?"

"Young master, what are you implying?" he said, offended. But his mind was racing fast. He had put a drug that would relax the muscles and cut off the spiritual powers for three hours, making the victim weak.

Yesterday, the hunters had returned after they clearly "robbed" this young man. They seemed to have harvested much from the robbery because all of them had been able to pay off their debts that they owed to him. So, this time he had decided to take matters into his hand the moment he saw Bai Hua. He was planning to drug him and take away all his money from him when he left the establishment. If those weak hunters could do it, then it would be as simple as drinking water for him.

"I know that you have drugged my tea. Though it will have no effect on me even if I drink it," and Bai Hua took a mouthful of the tea.

The waiter was now speechless. He didn't know what to say. This young man was not as simple as he thought.

But he still carried on with the act and said pleadingly, "Young master, I have no idea what you are talking about. I may have brought the tea to you but I did not brew it!"

"Then, why can I smell the drug on you?" asked Bai Hua with laughter in his voice. The waiter's plot was just too simple for him. He was the Young Lord of Soaring Kingdom. Though he may be cooped up inside, that doesn't mean that he was ignorant of simple tricks like this. His life has been threatened countless times and to deal with things like this it was as easy as blinking his eyes.

"Impossible!" said the waiter out loud. He meant it to be an internal exclamation but it came out of his mouth. Then he quickly covered his mouth with his hands realising his mistake.

It was an odourless drug that had worked on many victims who were a lot stronger than this kid! The waiter was really caught off-guard!

"Let me ask you again, who are you? What is your name?" smiled Bai Hua emotionlessly.