Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter Fifty-Five: The Wanted Notice

While Fang Tian was wandering leisurely through the bustling streets, a raised platform stood nearby, upon which hung a large notice board plastered with portraits of wanted men. Beneath each portrait were listed the crimes committed by the depicted individual, along with various other details. Each image also bore a reward, the amount differing according to the strength and notoriety of the fugitive.

Anyone wishing to claim a reward had to first remove the wanted notice from the board. The person who did so was required to kill or capture the fugitive within ten days; failing to do so meant forfeiting the claim, and the notice would be reposted. Every city within the empire displayed only a single copy of each wanted poster at a time. As a result, bounty hunters pursuing the same target would travel from city to city, seeking out a place where the notice for their quarry had not yet been taken.

At this moment, a crowd had gathered around the notice board. A discerning eye would see that all present were cultivators of no small ability—at the very least, they had reached the Spirit Gathering Realm or higher. Their attention was fixed, however, on a single man who was striding purposefully from the crowd toward the high platform.

He was a burly figure, wielding a broadsword that seemed to exude a bloody aura. A beast hide was wrapped about his waist, and a long scar ran down his face, lending him a fierce and intimidating appearance. Any child who glimpsed his visage would surely burst into tears.

The surrounding cultivators whispered amongst themselves as they watched this imposing man.

“Hey, judging by that scar, isn’t that Blood-Blade Wolf Qing?”

“Looks like it. Don’t tell me he’s here to take down a wanted notice?”

“Of course he is. What else would he be doing up there, you think he’s just here for fun?”

“I was just asking, no need to get worked up. You act like I owe you money.”

“Hmph, I just worry about your intelligence sometimes.”

“You…!”

“What? Not convinced? Want to settle it with a fight?”

“I can’t be bothered with you.”

“Yeah, you’re just scared, aren’t you?”

“Don’t make me laugh. If it’s a fight you want, I’ll give you a taste.”

“Come on then, I’ll have you begging for mercy on your knees.”

“We’ll see who’s begging whom!”

“...!”

“...!”

“Can you two stop arguing? You’re not even the ones taking the notice. Why not just watch quietly?”

“What’s it to you? Mind your own business.”

“Yeah! Get lost!”

“You lot—!”

Just then, another figure emerged from the rear of the crowd—a scholarly young man in white robes, carrying a folding fan and wearing a gentle smile. He interjected with a calm voice, “Gentlemen, let’s not quarrel. Harmony is best.”

The group immediately fell silent, turning their attention to the newcomer. One among them, recognizing the man, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said,

“So it’s White-Robed Fan Bai Yifan. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner.”

Bai Yifan nodded with a polite smile.

The others, hearing this, showed surprise upon their faces. They, too, recognized the infamous Bai Yifan. Though his face was wreathed in smiles, they knew his reputation as a ruthless and cunning man. It was said that those who incurred his ire often disappeared mysteriously, and none dared cross him lightly. The two men quickly offered conciliatory smiles.

“Since Brother Bai has spoken, we shall let this matter rest.”

“Yes, let’s not argue.”

“That’s best.”

With that, Bai Yifan paid them no further heed and walked straight toward Blood-Blade Wolf Qing. As soon as Bai Yifan had gone, the group breathed a collective sigh of relief. One of them muttered under his breath, “Who’d have thought White-Robed Fan Bai Yifan would show up too? Thank goodness we didn’t offend him. That smile of his really gives me the creeps.”

His former adversary agreed, “Indeed. Bai Yifan is a master at hiding the dagger behind a smile. He’s not only powerful, but also loves underhanded tricks. Many who’ve gotten on his bad side have simply vanished. Truly terrifying.”

“And there’s never any evidence against him. Not even the Imperial Law Hall can touch him.”

“I suspect he has powerful backing. Otherwise, how could he get away with all this?”

“Shh! Say no more. If he hears, we’ll be in trouble.”

“You’re right. Best just to watch quietly.”

“Agreed. Sorry for earlier.”

“No worries, I was rash myself.”

“Good. Let’s see what they plan to do next.”

“These two are both high up on the bounty hunters’ ranking. We should pay close attention.”

“Yes.”

Bai Yifan stepped from the crowd, looking directly at Wolf Qing, who was just about to tear down a wanted notice. Bai Yifan smiled and called out,

“Brother Wolf Qing, you’re quick to the draw today.”

Wolf Qing turned, a faint smile curling his lips. “Bai Yifan, are you here to take the notice too?”

“If you’d be willing to let me have it, I would be most grateful,” Bai Yifan replied.

Wolf Qing shot him a sideways glance and sneered, “Let you? Don’t be absurd. We both know the fugitive on this poster has shown himself right here in Wufeng City. Whoever gets the notice first gains the advantage. Do you really think I’d just hand it over?”

“And what would it take for you to give it up?”

“That depends on your skills.”

The smile faded from Bai Yifan’s face. His eyes grew sharp as he replied in a low voice,

“So you insist on this? You know your ranking on the bounty hunters’ list is lower than mine!”

“You’re ninth, I’m tenth, just one place apart. Where does your confidence come from that you’ll beat me?”

“I tried to reason with you, but since you refuse, don’t blame me for what’s to come.”

“Enough talk, Bai Yifan. I’ve had enough of you for a long time. This is the perfect chance to move up in the rankings.”

“Such arrogance.”

“Why don’t we settle it on the Life-and-Death Arena?”

“Agreed. Nothing would please me more.”

“Excellent. An hour from now, I’ll be waiting for you at the Life-and-Death Arena.”

“Wolf Qing, don’t forget to bring the wanted notice.”

“Hmph, I don’t need your reminder.”

With that, Wolf Qing tore down the notice, leapt from the platform, and strode away. Bai Yifan watched his retreating form, a cold glint in his eyes, then turned and left in the opposite direction.

With the two gone, a frenzy of excited discussion erupted among the spectators.

“Did I hear right? Those two young masters are going to fight to the death?”

“This will be a spectacle. Both of them are not even thirty, yet have reached the sixth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm. If they clash, what a scene it will be!”

“Who would’ve thought they’d come to blows over a wanted notice?”

“I suspect there’s been bad blood between them for a while.”

“I have to hurry to the arena and get a good spot. This is an opportunity not to be missed.”

“Me too, let’s go!”

In a short while, the crowd dispersed, all making their way toward the Life-and-Death Arena.

Elsewhere, after wandering for some time, Fang Tian still could not find anyone from whom he could obtain the information he sought. Sighing softly, he muttered to himself,

“Wandering aimlessly like this, how could I ever hope to find what I need?”

After a moment’s reflection, he recalled his earlier encounter with Lin Shuang.

“If all else fails, I’ll have to go find her.”

With his mind made up, Fang Tian set off directly toward the Spirit Artifact Pavilion.