Chapter 102: Nationwide Manhunt

After Wei Aoxiong offered that rotten idea, his father Wei Yuanxing furrowed his brow.

“Father, that brat killed all six of our city guard generals in Xinye City. Word is bound to get out. If we don’t capture him, we’ll become a laughingstock to everyone. This concerns the reputation of the City Lord’s mansion!” Wei Aoxiong argued eagerly.

“He is a disciple of the Qitian Sect, and the Qitian Sect is closely connected with the imperial family. Handling it that way will cause a lot of trouble.” Wei Yuanxing shook his head.

“Father, that brat is just a disciple from the Qitian Sect’s branch in Pingyang City. He barely has any standing in the whole sect. Now that he has killed so many city guards, and our city guards serve the imperial family of the Kuangwu Empire, Wu Tian killing city guards counts as committing treason against his superiors! If we report this truthfully, the imperial family is sure to punish Wu Tian!” Wei Aoxiang actually had a bit of a brain, knowing how to pin a charge on Wu Tian.

Wei Yuanxing thought it over, and finally nodded. “If that’s the case, then issue a wanted notice.”

“Father, you are truly wise. This kind of traitor who defies his superiors deserves no less!” Wei Aoxiong said with a grin, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

“Enough. You are not to meddle in this matter anymore. Leave it to me.” Wei Yuanxing warned.

“Yes, Father.”

...

Wu Tian swaggered out of Xinye City and headed west beyond the city walls. He and Xiaohui each possessed a Spirit Pearl, so the closer Wu Tian got to Xiaohui, the brighter the pearl shone. When he reached a forest on the west side of the city, the Spirit Pearl was glowing perfectly clear—meaning Xiaohui was right nearby.

“Young master, Xiaohui finally waited for you!” At that moment, Xiaohui dashed out of the forest excitedly and hugged Wu Tian joyfully.

“I told you I would arrive here safe and sound, and I always keep my word.” Wu Tian patted Xiaohui on the back with a smile.

“Boss, there was quite a commotion in the city just now. We were all worried for a long time. Seeing you safe is a huge relief.” Niu Wuji also walked out and let out a sigh of relief.

“Let’s get out of here quickly. The city guards didn’t find me inside, so they’ll definitely come searching outside. This place isn’t safe.” Wu Tian glanced back; the city walls of Xinye City were covered with torches.

With that, Wu Tian said to Xiaojin, “Xiaojin, summon your friends. We need to leave this place right away!”

“Awooo!” Xiaojin raised his head and howled at the sky.

Soon, a pack of Gale Wolves burst out from the forest.

Wu Tian and his group mounted the Gale Wolves and galloped into the distance. The pack ran for most of the night before stopping. By then, Xinye City was far, far behind—probably dozens of li away.

“Alright, dawn is breaking. We’ve completely left Xinye City’s territory. There shouldn’t be any danger now.” Only then did Wu Tian let the wolves stop and rest. Even the sturdy Gale Wolves were nearly exhausted, and as soon as Wu Tian gave the order, they collapsed limply on the ground.

“Benefactor, we were rushing the whole way so I didn’t have time to ask—weren’t you heading to the imperial capital? This direction seems to have strayed off course.” Li Tiedan came up to Wu Tian and reminded him.

Wu Tian shook his head. “I need to go to another place first. This is indeed a bit off the path to the imperial capital, but there’s something I need to retrieve there. Once I have it, I’ll head to the capital.”

“I see.” Li Tiedan nodded, then set down his younger sister, who was sound asleep on his back, and leaned her against a tree.

“Is your little sister feeling better?” Wu Tian glanced at Li Qingqing.

“After taking the healing pill you gave us, benefactor, she’s no longer as weak as she was last night. I reckon in a few days she’ll be like any ordinary person. All thanks to you, benefactor.” Li Tiedan said with deep gratitude.

“Old Li, stop calling me benefactor all the time. It sounds awkward.” Wu Tian waved his hand, truly uncomfortable with that title.

“Well... then I’ll call you young master from now on. You helped me out of trouble and saved my little sister’s life. I will repay you with my whole life, young master!” Li Tiedan clasped his hands.

“Young master works. Much better than benefactor.”

While the group rested, Wu Tian felt his stomach growl. He said to Xiaohui and the others, “We haven’t eaten all night. How about we roast a Gale Wolf for a meal? Wolf meat tastes pretty good.”

“Great, I’m all for it. Boss’s barbecue is the best!” Niu Wuji licked his lips.

Instantly, the pack of Gale Wolves lying limp on the ground felt a chill run down their spines and all looked at Wu Tian in terror.

“Don’t look at me like that. If you don’t want to end up as my meal, hurry up and catch some demon beasts. If you can’t catch any, then I’ll take it out on you.”

The pack of wolves, which had been too weak to move, darted out like lightning and soon came back carrying a pile of demon beasts.

“Mm, not bad. There are quite a few different kinds of demon beasts. Fine, I won’t eat you today.”

Wu Tian patted a few of the wolves’ heads in satisfaction, then lit a fire and started roasting the meat. Soon, the rich aroma of roasted meat filled the air, and everyone present, including the Gale Wolves, couldn’t help drooling. Then the group and the wolf pack began eating with great gusto.

Just as everyone was resting after their meal, a group of people carrying weapons passed by. They looked like an adventuring party.

At first, the group paid no attention to Wu Tian, but when they caught sight of him, one of them stopped in his tracks and pointed at Wu Tian with a puzzled expression.

“Boss, doesn’t that guy look familiar?”

“Let me see... yeah, he does look familiar. Like I’ve seen him somewhere before!”

“Damn! I remember now! Isn’t that the guy on the wanted poster issued this morning? I think his name is Wu Tian or something. Apparently, he killed city guards in Xinye City, and the City Lord there declared it a crime against his superiors and put out a nationwide bounty!”

“Right, right, right, that’s him. Boss, we’re in luck today. We should claim that bounty, shouldn’t we?”

The men finally recognized Wu Tian, and greed glittered in their eyes once they did.

“Wu Tian, running into us adventurers is your misfortune. Today, we’re taking your head to Xinye City to collect the reward!” The men drew their weapons and charged at Wu Tian.

But before they could even get close to Wu Tian, Li Tiedan took them all down.

“Trying to harm the young master? You’re just asking for death!” Li Tiedan grabbed one man by the neck, his face furious.

“Wait, don’t kill him just yet. I want to ask what this is all about.” Wu Tian walked over with a confused look and stared at the man whose throat Li Tiedan was squeezing. “I don’t think I ever messed with you, did I? So why do you want to kill me the moment you see me? Do you have a problem with your head?”

“G-Great hero, please spare my life! I was just being greedy. You... you’ve been put on a nationwide bounty by the Xinye City Lord. We thought we could catch you, so we... but please, great hero, show mercy and let us go!”

“Damn! I’m actually wanted? How much is the reward?” Wu Tian asked in surprise.

“T-Ten thousand taels of gold.”

“Ten thousand taels of gold!” Wu Tian’s eyes flew wide open in disbelief. “I’m only worth ten thousand taels of gold? That’s a million taels of silver—less than a single Earth-rank weapon? Damn it! Are all the people in Xinye City this blind?”