Chapter 654: Chapter 655: Trick One to Death, Abduct Two
The three exchanged glances, all seeing the excitement in each other’s eyes.

Both the time and characteristics matched. They probably carried the government officer on their back because they wanted to pry open the other side’s mouth to probe the situation within the government.

There was no doubt about it, this seemingly honest and naive fellow had indeed encountered Li Xiaobai, and it was even a recent sighting of him. If they continued to follow the lead, they might be able to capture him.

However, all this was what the government officers should be doing; it was none of their concern. Their only objective was to figure out a way to get their hands on that bounty.

“Ahem, Brother Xiao Qi, you may not know this, but the discipline in the government is very strict now. It’s not just anyone who can get an audience. If you don’t mind, my brothers and I are willing to help by delivering the letter to the hands of the Prefectural Magistrate for you!”

The three chivalrous wanderers sipped their tea lightly, smiling faintly in a scholarly manner, as if they truly only intended to lend Li Xiaobai a small favor.

But the strong possessiveness and the greedy fervor that radiated from their eyes couldn’t be hidden. Li Xiaobai understood at a glance that these three had completely fallen for the trap and were oblivious to anything being amiss on his part.

It wasn’t really the wanderers’ fault; after all, there were no portraits of Li Xiaobai posted in the small town, just written wanted notices. So even though they bragged, they didn’t actually recognize him.

When suddenly faced with such a lucrative business opportunity right before their eyes, it was inevitable they’d be tempted.

A mocking glint flashed in Li Xiaobai’s eyes, then he spoke with feigned hesitation, “I’m afraid this won’t do. If I let you brothers deliver it on my behalf, I won’t be able to receive the bounty. My father said that I must personally deliver it into the hands of the officials at the Government Yamen.”

“Brother Xiao Qi, times have changed. Now in the Yamen, everyone feels insecure, fearing to become Li Xiaobai’s next target and reenact the ordeal at the execution ground. As a result, the Magistrate stays within, not stepping outside the inner doors, rarely meeting anyone except acquaintances.”

“We brothers have also helped the Yamen crack a good number of cases before, so the Magistrate treats us with considerable respect, allowing us the freedom to come and go within the Yamen.”

“If Brother Xiao Qi trusts us, we guarantee to deliver the letter and pass the bounty on to you in full after the deed is done, how about it?”

“This…”

“Let me think it over.”

Li Xiaobai spoke with a troubled expression.

“Young man, this isn’t just about the bounty. It’s a matter of great importance for peace under the heavens. Li Xiaobai is a true demon head, practicing cultivation techniques of the Demon Path, with methods extremely vile and malicious. If we ignore him, he could bring catastrophic disaster to the common folk!”

“Now, by delivering this letter which details Li Xiaobai’s whereabouts to the Yamen, the officers will be able to act swiftly, capture him, and clear all danger to the peace of the common folk. This is a deed of limitless merit!”

One of them spoke with an excited tone, the face brimming with righteousness, as if motivated entirely by a sense of patriotic duty.

“Since you all speak so, I naturally want to do my part for the common people as well.”

“However, you can only send one person to deliver the letter, while the other two must stay here with me. Only after I receive the bounty can you all leave.”

After some pondering, Li Xiaobai made a request that seemed naive and simple.

Upon hearing this, the three chivalrous wanderers almost laughed out loud. This kid must be straight out of the mountains – not only easy to deceive, but his requests showed complete naivety.

What era was it that he was still using such a crude method as a hostage exchange? Didn’t he know they were martial artists who roamed the Jianghu?

Escaping was just a matter of leaping away; how could he, an inexperienced fellow, possibly stop them?

Without much thought, they readily agreed.

“No problem, Brother Xiao Qi. My two friends will stay here to keep you company and chat to pass the time. As soon as I get the bounty, I’ll return it immediately, how does that sound?”

The eldest among them said.

“`

“No problem, thank you for your trouble, I’ll just wait here for you.”

Li Xiaobai nodded, smiling naively, and without a hint of guile, handed over the envelope he was holding.

“Hehe, you two take good care of our friend here, don’t make any mistakes. If you upset Brother Xiao Qi, you’ll answer to me later!”

After giving a few words of instruction, the more senior martial artist hurried away eagerly, unable to wait to collect the reward at the government Yamen. As for that simpleton, let him keep waiting there!

Only Li Xiaobai and the two martial artists were left at the tea stand. After the senior martial artist had left, the attitude of these two men made a complete one-eighty-turn towards Li Xiaobai, treating him with indifference and disdain, their eyes even revealing a strong contempt.

“Excuse me, are you both martial artists?”

Li Xiaobai ventured to ask.

“So what if we are?”

One of them said indifferently after taking a sip of tea.

“May I ask at what realm you are?”

Li Xiaobai still asked with a smile.

“Humph, Essence Refining Realm, and in the latter stages at that. Just with a little more diligent cultivation, breaking through to the Spirit Refining Realm will be no problem!”

Continued the martial artist.

“So it turns out you are both experts, please forgive my rudeness. This is perfect then, it fits just right with what I have in mind.”

Li Xiaobai’s eyes gleamed joyfully as he looked at the two men before him as if they were treasures. Compared to that family member back home, their cultivation level was even more profound; it would be awesome to suction their Inner Strength.

“What… what do you mean?”

“What are you trying to do?”

At that moment, the two at the table finally sensed something was off. The way Li Xiaobai looked at them was quite peculiar, as if he were appraising two peerless treasures, his eyes filled with a strong desire to possess and an aggressive intent.

“Hehe, no particular meaning, just wanted to take you guys somewhere!”

Li Xiaobai laughed heartily, and amidst the frightened stares from the surrounding common folk, he suddenly activated the Spirit Realm Technique. Stretching out both hands, he grabbed each of the martial artists by the wrist. A powerful suction force burst forth and in an instant, he had siphoned away half the Inner Strength from their Dantian.

“What’s happening?”

“Sucking away Inner Strength!”

“This is… the Spirit Realm Technique!”

“You… you’re that demon head Li Xiaobai, you’ve been plotting against us!”

The two finally understood what was happening, but panic immediately overtook them. In just a few breaths’ time, the Inner Strength in their Dantian was nearly depleted. The wicked Cultivation Technique of Li Xiaobai devoured Inner Strength at an alarming rate, and they were powerless to resist. Their bodies went limp virtually in an instant, and they fell to the ground.

“Hehe, become my nourishment!”

Li Xiaobai ceased using the technique, hoisted the two men onto his shoulders, gently tapped his foot on the ground, and his entire being dashed away leaving behind a trail of afterimages!

Leaving only a crowd of onlookers, still in a state of shock…