The Witch Bone

Bai Hua was smiling after he received his compensation. He had helped the robbers to clear their debts but he had received the same amount back. He knew that the establishment was more than just a restaurant. It was too shady and they had handed over the stones too easily. He had a feeling that there was going to be another attempted robbery that day. And his smile widened. And this time he was sure they'd be sending stronger robbers. If he was lucky he might even get someone who had a high position in this "organisation." Bai Hua could tell that it was an organised crime. It was just too plain for someone who had grown up in the city of Nanjing. Money lending business was never clean.

He knew he was being tailed. They thought that Bai Hua was a prey but they didn't realise that they were his prey and he was the bait.

He was anticipating a fight and he wanted nothing more than that. Bai Hua wasn't actually heartless but he won't mind teaching some "valuable" lessons to those who try to bully the weak.

As he was heading out of the imperial city, he could feel the numbers were increasing. Earlier some 2 or 3 people were tailing him but now it was crossing 10. Some of them even had strong spiritual strength, unlike the robbers he had met in the previous encounter.

They really mean business, he thought. It only made him happier.

He lazily walked towards the city gates and even grabbed some steamed rice buns. He was going to fight. He may not get a chance to eat. He kept walking and ate the buns like he didn't have a care in the world.

Those people who were tailing him were inwardly thinking how this poor kid might probably be having his last meal. He had offended the boss lady. It would be a miracle if he came out of this alive.

Bai Hua kept walking and after a few breaths, he disappeared from their sights. Everyone was puzzled. Were their eyes playing tricks on them now?? They scanned the area and they couldn't even feel his presence. Earlier they had glued their eyes on him not letting him out of their sight even for a moment. But now, he was gone!

Then, from a distance away from within the thick woods a boyish sound yelled, "I am here, you old farts! Catch me if you can! Hahahaha."

Had they been found out? There was no time to be shocked. Every one of them increased their speed and followed the source of the voice. Now, they were incensed! They thought that they were stealthily tailing this boy and they were the ones who were actually duped by this boy!

The laughing voice receded into the woods. The woods were becoming thicker as they went in deeper and deeper. Still, Bai Hua's laughter was echoing through the forest. It only made them more furious! They had been running for awhile now and they still hadn't caught up to Bai Hua.

One of them hissed, "Are we not chasing a kid? Why is he so fast?!"

Someone replied, "He made Xiao Tang kneel. He must be a smart kid."

"We need to root out such kind of troublemakers when they are still young. Later they will be hard to deal."

"Boost your speed, everyone," said one of them and rushed off leaving them far behind.

Everyone followed and increased their speed.

After a while, they suddenly stopped. They could no longer hear the mocking laughter nor they could feel his spiritual presence. Their inability to feel his spiritual presence made them feel insecure. All of them here were experts but they could not feel his presence! Not even his smell or the sound of his breath! They had a bad premonition about this.

"Can anyone of you feel his presence?" asked the leader.

They all gave him negative replies.

"Scan the area, we need him alive!"

"You don't need to do that," said a mirthful voice from above.

They all looked up to see a boy with a straw hat who was lying casually on a high branch. The boy continued,

"I have been waiting for a long time. What took you all so long, you bunch of old farts!"

"Kid, come down here if you value your life!" the leader called out.

"I am very flattered to have the boss lady pursue me as well. I didn't know that I was that valuable!" Bai Hua called down.

Now, all of them were surprised! Their leader was clearly a male. The boss lady was waiting for them at the establishment. And wait? Did he just say "the boss lady"? He knew his pursuers?! They felt helpless. All along from the beginning, they had been running around in his palms. Now, they really wanted to beat this kid!

"So, I was found out, like I expected," said a sweet voice from behind the pursuers. A black robed person walked out and removed her mask.

It was the boss lady from the restaurant!

All of them were shocked except Bai Hua who was smiling widely. They did not even realise she was among them.

All of their eyes were darting to and fro wanting to see if anyone knew about her presence. But they all had that look of amazement in their eyes. Nobody knew!

"Since you found out about me, you have only two options now. One: You hand over all your money and my stones and join our establishment swearing undying loyalty to me. Or two: we take all your possessions and kill you. I can't have you running around spouting nonsenses."

She was smiling sweetly but her eyes were like a greedy tiger's.

"How about option three? I beat all of you and you swear your undying loyalty to me? You won't have to scurry around like rats under me," said Bai Hua as if he was very concerned about their deplorable lifestyle.

Everyone started laughing.

"Kid, are you blind? Has your fear turned you mad?"

"You are outnumbered, kid, don't try to resist!"

"Ah, young kids become foolish in front of big men like us. Tsk. Tsk."

"Did your parents not teach you manners?"

"His father must be regretting the day this trash of a son was born!"

"Boss, let us take him back and make him your slave. He has a delicate face. He will be a nice toy."

"Hahahahaha." They all continued to laugh. They had never seen a more foolish and arrogant kid like him. He may run very fast. But that was the only thing he may be good at. Besides, sooner or later he will be out of stamina even if he kept running. He was bound to get caught one way or the another. Some kids who didn't have strong spiritual powers were granted with strong physical attributes. He may have been such a kid, that's why they couldn't feel his spiritual powers, they consoled themselves.

"Yes, I am mad. Mad with happiness. You all came out to play with me."

The voice came from behind them. Bai Hua was no longer lying on the branch!

Thud! One of them dropped to the ground. Bai Hua was standing just behind him before he was knocked out.

"Let's play," and he smiled.