"It's true what they say, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure!"
As Wang Hao walked out of the Martial Repository Pavilion, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.
He hadn't expected that such a simple division of martial arts realms would contain so many intricacies and mysteries; he benefited greatly from listening to it.
Moreover, Elder Chu not only told us these things, but also some other cultivation secrets. The gains from this trip have been truly immense.
With a sigh, Wang Hao glanced at the sky and, not daring to delay, hurriedly returned to his courtyard. He used his Thousand Faces Divine Technique Skill to disguise himself, then packed a few changes of clothes and, with his Little Erha, went to the canteen.
After a hearty meal and a medicinal dish, the man and his dog, their bellies bulging like they were ten months pregnant, strode toward the back of the cafeteria.
Chef Li's daughter had already been instructed to wait there, with a small cart and several empty vegetable baskets placed beside her.
Wang Hao nodded to Taohong, put the luggage and the Little Erha into a bamboo basket, then put on a straw hat, pushed the small cart, and left the Blood Robe Tower through the back door.
After confirming that no one was following him, Wang Hao once again used his Thousand Faces Divine Technique to change his appearance and headed towards the city gate with the bamboo basket containing Little Erha on his back.
He had to leave the capital before the city gates closed, otherwise he would have to wait until tomorrow, which would be even more risky.
The journey was relatively smooth, Wang Hao soon walked out of the capital city gate. He glanced back at the gate and then disappeared into the nearby bushes, preparing to leave via the mountain path to minimize the chances of being tracked.
Just a quarter of an hour after Wang Hao left, dozens of elegantly dressed, murderous figures rode out of the city gate in pursuit. Each of them possessed an extremely strong aura, and they were all Super-First-Rate experts.
After a brief pause, the group split into several groups and continued their pursuit along several official roads.
Wang Hao was unaware that his caution had saved him from certain death; otherwise, if these Super-First-Rate experts had caught up with him, even activating his Dao Comprehension Function would have meant certain death.
After all, the gap between the two sides is simply too great!
Moreover, he had already used up 60 points of Fortune Points to deal with Han Long, and now he only has 40 Fortune Points left. Even if he activates the Dao Comprehension Function, it won't last long.
After running for several Tokiomi, Wang Hao finally found a cave to stay in for the night as Nightfall fell.
As for the original owner of this cave, a large black bear was now roasting over a fire, its four paws plump and tempting, emitting a rich aroma even without any seasoning.
This thing would be a protected animal in modern times; not only would eating it be illegal, but even harming it would be against the law. However, in this era, there's no need to worry about that; you can just eat it.
"It's edible, I guess!"
Once the bear paw was cooked, Wang Hao opened his mouth wide and took a bite, finding the taste acceptable.
Although he's become a bit picky about food lately thanks to Chef Li, he's not a fussy person and can still eat these things.
As for the Little Erha, its eyes were fixed on the roasted bear paw in Wang Hao's hand, its little tongue licking its nose back and forth, and its small body constantly wriggling, clearly very envious.
Unfortunately, it had already eaten too much earlier, and now it still has a big belly that hasn't been digested. It's even difficult for it to move around, let alone eat anything else.
" Wangcai, you don't need to eat tonight. Just gnaw on a bone to satisfy your craving!"
Noticing the Little Erha's expression, Wang Hao smiled and placed a clean bone in front of the little guy, letting him gnaw on it slowly to help him chew.
Wangcai was the name he gave to his Little Erha; the husky he originally kept on Earth was named Wangcai.
Although it sounds a bit cheesy, it carries a profound meaning and has a long history, appearing in various films and television dramas.
Among them, Wangcai, the Wangcai in Master Xing Chow's "Flirting Scholar," is a classic!
Of course, the reason he brought Little Wangcai out, even though it was troublesome, was because the little guy had also Awakening his Bloodline Power and Bloodline Divine Ability. Reaching this point was naturally the result of Wang Hao's help.
Because his own Bloodline Power was Awakening from dog blood, he was naturally compatible with canine blood. He had previously integrated his own blood into Little Wangcai's body and used a secret technique to help Xiao Wangcai Awakening his own Bloodline Power and Bloodline Divine Ability.
Because this little guy already possesses the bloodline of a demon beast, even if it's so diluted as to be almost nonexistent, it's still much easier for Awakening than for Wang Hao to do so with the help of external forces.
The Bloodline Divine Ability Awakening this little guy is quite powerful; it's a passive ability with no cost, capable of enhancing his sense of smell a hundredfold.
Dogs already have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, and now that it has been enhanced tenfold by their Bloodline Divine Ability powers, they are even more terrifying.
This is practically the ultimate police dog, an essential companion for treasure hunting, adventure, and tracking!
After eating and drinking his fill... well, there's no water now. After finishing the whole black bear, Wang Hao held Little Wangcai in his arms and leaned against the cave wall to meditate.
He was awakened by the noise halfway through his meditation. When he opened his eyes, he found four wild wolves tearing at his body. Unfortunately, Wang Hao had cultivated the External Training Golden Bell Shield to its Peak Perfection, and his physical strength was almost as strong as Thousand-Forged Refined Steel when he was channeling his energy.
No matter how hard the four wolves tried, they couldn't harm Wang Hao in the slightest; in fact, one of the wolves even broke a canine tooth.
Upon seeing Wang Hao awaken, the four wolves were startled and quickly jumped away, warily watching Wang Hao as they slowly retreated, finally tucking their tails between their legs and disappearing into the bushes.
There was no way around it; the prey's body was just too tough, even tougher than their teeth.
We can't afford to mess with them! We can't afford to mess with them!
They're outta here! They're outta here!
" Wangcai! You're their cousin, and you've even Awakening your Bloodline Power and Bloodline Divine Ability. How come they're so ruthless, while you're such a coward?"
Looking at the trembling Little Wangcai huddled in his arms, Wang Hao felt annoyed.
Huskies are known for their cowardice; they may look ferocious, but they're actually incredibly timid.
Although it is said to be the closest in genes to a wolf, it is only similar in appearance; their inner nature is vastly different, practically two extremes.
Even if one Awakening the Bloodline Power and Bloodline Divine Ability, it is difficult to change their inherent nature.
"Waaaah!"
Little Wangcai seemed to sense that his four cousins had left, so he immediately stood up, faced the Nightfall outside the cave, and barked arrogantly, as if in provocation.
"Awoo!"
As if resonating with the cries of Little Wangcai, a series of wolf howls echoed from not far away, sending chills down one's spine.
Little Wangcai seemed startled and quickly tucked its tail between its legs and scurried back into Wang Hao's arms, trembling.
"Sigh! You've finally revealed your true husky nature!"
Frustrated, Wang Hao covered his face. He knew that the husky was a bully who preyed on the weak.
Even though mine is still small, it can't escape this inherent nature.
"Forget it, let's get going! Lest that fellow Tian Boguang leave Baoding Prefecture."
Looking at the stars in the night sky, Wang Hao lost his sleepiness and simply got up and set off.
Blood Robe Tower accepts assassination missions commissioned by various forces. However, most of the smaller missions are completed directly by its subordinate outposts. Only those with bounties exceeding ten thousand taels of silver, or whose opponents are Super-First-Rate experts, are reported to the Blood Robe Tower headquarters, which then dispatches personnel to complete the task.
The mission to hunt down Tian Boguang was initiated by a wealthy merchant. According to the above, Tian Boguang had insulted the merchant's concubine. No man would tolerate such a cuckolding, so it's understandable that the merchant would directly launch a mission to hunt down the Blood Robe Tower.
The Blood Robe Tower's intelligence network was indeed formidable; they had already investigated the matter thoroughly and their account largely matched that of the wealthy merchant. However, what the merchant didn't mention was that the concubine had been drowned in a pig cage the very next day.
This was a method used against unchaste women in ancient times, and it was quite barbaric and cruel.
Regardless of the wealthy merchant's character or Tian Boguang's character, the concubine's death was both tragic and innocent.
According to the Blood Robe Tower's investigation, although Tian Boguang had only been in the business for three years, he had committed more than thirty similar cases, and the women involved all met with bad ends.
This is also the main reason why Wang Hao chose this mission!
He couldn't stand guys who bullied women, and that was why he had severed the limbs of that thug Vice Admiral the Martial Repository Pavilion last time.
Tian Boguang's appearance in Baoding Prefecture this time might mean he has another target, so it would be best for me to get there as soon as possible.
Baoding Prefecture was not far from the capital, so even though Wang Hao traveled along rugged mountain roads, he still arrived in Baoding Prefecture on the afternoon of the second day.
After disguising himself and sneaking into the city again, Wang Hao followed the information he had gathered and staked out a restaurant. Little Wangcai squatted at his feet, chasing its little tail and playing around.
Wang Hao didn't have to wait long. As Nightfall fell, a handsome young man walked into the restaurant, with a narrow, long knife tucked into his waistband. People who usually use this kind of knife are skilled in fast-moving techniques.
Coupled with this person 'Super-First-Rate cultivation, Wang Hao immediately realized that the person he was waiting for had arrived.
As soon as he stepped onto the second floor of the restaurant, Tian Boguang called out to the waiter familiarly, "Waiter, the usual, a plate of mutton and a jar... no, a pot of Fenjiu liquor."
Halfway through his sentence, Tian Boguang seemed to remember something and suddenly changed his mind.
"This gentleman seems to be a member of the martial arts world as well. Would you do me the honor of having a seat?"
Wang Hao suddenly extended an invitation to Tian Boguang.
Why not?
Tian Boguang glanced at Wang Hao with surprise, then laughed heartily before striding over and sitting down in front of Wang Hao. His phoenix eyes scrutinized Wang Hao from head to toe, as if trying to discern Wang Hao background.
"My family name is Tian. What about you?"
Turning his gaze away, Tian Boguang asked curiously.
This was the first time in his three years in the industry that he had been invited to a restaurant, and it was quite a novel experience.
"His surname is Wang!"
Wang Hao didn't hide anything and directly revealed his surname, while also looking at Tian Boguang with great interest.
It must be said that Tian Boguang does indeed have some assets.
Not only am I handsome, but I am also tall and robust, standing at least seven and a half feet tall, making me a truly magnificent man.
Coupled with his dashing and unrestrained demeanor, he truly deserves the title of a romantic wanderer.
"Sir, here's your mutton and Fenjiu liquor, please enjoy!"
At this moment, the waiter came up with a large plate of steaming hot roasted mutton and a pot of Fenjiu liquor, gestured to Tian Boguang, and then withdrew.
"Brother Wang, you've come from the capital, haven't you?"
After picking up a slice of mutton and putting it in his mouth, Tian Boguang casually asked...
"Did you tell from my clothes?"
Wang Hao was taken aback, then glanced at the brocade robes he was wearing and understood.
He had changed into this outfit before entering the city; it was one of the sets that the waiter at Drunken Immortal Tower had prepared for him, and this style was said to be very popular in the capital.
"Although Baoding Prefecture is not far from the capital, there are really not many people dressed like this." Taking a sip of wine, Tian Boguang nodded, acknowledging that he had indeed discerned Wang Hao's background from his clothing.
"Could you tell me what brings you to Baoding? Of course, if you can't tell me, then that's fine!"
Glancing sideways at the sword Wang Hao was leaning against the table, and the long, narrow object he was carrying on his back, Tian Boguang asked again without changing his expression.
"There's nothing I can't say. I came to Baoding Prefecture to find an old friend, someone I've known for a long time!"
Wang Hao replied with a smile, "That's absolutely true."
Although this was his first time meeting Tian Boguang in person, he had known of him for a long time. Tian Boguang was a character in almost every the Smiling, Proud Wanderer TV series, and he had a significant role in the series, making him an important supporting character.
"Have you found this old friend, Brother Wang?"
Tian Boguang asked the question again, while also becoming wary.
He didn't believe the other person would invite him over for no reason; it was very likely that this person had come specifically for him.
"Just found it!"
Wang Hao remained calm and composed, and made no attempt to hide this fact.
Although he despised Tian Boguang's behavior of insulting women, he would not resort to despicable schemes against him. Even if he were to kill him, he would do so openly and honestly.
This is his principle!
"Then congratulations, Brother Wang!"
With a sharp look in his eyes, Tian Boguang lowered his left hand to rest on the hilt of the sword at his waist, and began to circulate his internal energy, ready to launch a sudden attack at any moment.
"Let's not talk about my affairs anymore, let's talk about Brother Tian!"
Wang Hao also downed a glass of wine, ignoring Tian Boguang's little tricks, and asked with a smile, "Brother Tian, you seemed to be planning to order a jar of Fenjiu, why did you suddenly change your mind?"