Setting aside the fact that he didn't know her all that well — they'd cooperated once in the Blood Arena at most, and he certainly hadn't displayed the kind of overwhelming presence or ability that would make someone submit to his authority — the woman's personality alone was not the sort to simply take orders from anyone.
His instinct told him she was joking, but then Yang Kai's expression shifted. He turned his head sharply toward a direction, let out a cold snort, and glanced back at Boya. An awkward look had surfaced on her face. She tugged at the corner of her mouth and forced a strained smile at him.
Some ten li away, several powerful auras surged — among them, no shortage of High-Grade Demon Kings. Looking more closely, he could even make out their figures, all staring this way with hostility.
Though Yang Kai had only swept a glance in that direction, he recognized one of them immediately: the middle-aged Demon King he'd seen back in the Blood Arena.
Those Demon Kings couldn't possibly be here for him. That left only one explanation — they were here for Boya.
Her so-called defection was a sham. What she really wanted was sanctuary. For reasons unknown, she was being hunted by the Blood Arena's forces.
The moment this thought struck, Yang Kai waved his hand. "Get out of the way immediately, or don't blame me for being discourteous."
Boya's expression turned pitiful. "My lord, you can't just leave me to die! I've ended up in this state entirely because of you!"
Yang Kai snorted. "You're the one who offended them. That's none of my business."
Boya pressed on. "It's from yesterday's blood battle — they seem to think I interfered and ruined some scheme of theirs. They've been hunting me ever since. I have nowhere left to go, my lord. I beg you to take me in. You've seen what I'm capable of — I'm quite strong, I promise I won't disappoint you."
Yang Kai sneered repeatedly. "The Demon Realm is vast, with no shortage of places to go. Of all people, you come looking for me? How ridiculous."
At these words, Boya wilted like an eggplant struck by frost, her spirits deflating completely. "If I could leave, I wouldn't have come to you. Every portal has been sealed off by them. Where exactly am I supposed to go?"
Yang Kai regarded her calmly. "We humans have a saying. I wonder if you've heard it."
"What?" Boya looked at him with curiosity.
Yang Kai's lips curled. "Heaven-made sins may be forgiven, but self-made sins are doomed!" He knew full well that Boya being hunted by the Blood Arena had at least something to do with him, but he genuinely wanted nothing to do with this woman. He waved his hand after speaking. "Move!"
Boya flung herself desperately onto the front of the Tiger-Head War Chariot, clinging to it pathetically. "If my lord won't take me in, could you at least give me a ride? Just let me through a portal — that's all I ask." She paused, then added, "Oh, and that ten percent share of the bet — consider it my payment. I don't want it anymore."
"What ten percent share? Stop talking nonsense," Yang Kai scoffed.
Bai Zhuo suddenly spoke up. "Brother Yang, taking her in might not be such a bad idea. This girl's abilities are even more formidable than an ordinary High-Grade Demon King's. She could actually be of some help to you."
Hearing this, Boya nodded her head vigorously like a chick pecking rice. "Yes, yes! My lord, just take me in — I'm homeless now!"
Yang Kai shot Bai Zhuo an exasperated glare, wondering why he was so invested in this. He shook his head slowly. "I can't trust her." He knew nothing about Boya — how could he possibly keep someone like that at his side so easily?
Bai Zhuo chuckled softly. "If that's all that's worrying you, then I can help with that."
As he spoke, he suddenly reached out and seized Boya. She cried out in shock and instinctively tried to pull back, but though her strength was considerable, she was no match for Bai Zhuo. His massive hand plunged directly into her skull — yet somehow, not a drop of blood flowed. Then, with a sharp tug, Bai Zhuo yanked his hand free. Boya's body lurched backward as though she'd suffered a devastating blow, gasping for breath, her face pale with lingering terror.
Now clutched in Bai Zhuo's hand was something that resembled a wisp of cloud or smoke, writhing and flickering erratically. With his other hand, he produced a small figurine, held it before his chest, murmured an incantation, and performed a series of hand seals. He cast the smoky wisp into the figurine, laid down several restrictions upon it, and casually tossed the figurine to Yang Kai with a smile. "Now you can use her without worry."
On the other side, Boya's face had gone deathly pale. She staggered back several steps, staring at the figurine in Yang Kai's hand with sheer horror. "A Soul Puppet!"
Bai Zhuo smiled at her. "Since you recognize what this is, you'd best behave yourself from now on."
Boya's expression twisted with anguish. "Lord Bai Zhuo, how could you do this to me? What did I ever do to offend you?"
Bai Zhuo looked at her with mild surprise. "Isn't this precisely fulfilling your wish? You really ought to be grateful."
Boya ground her teeth until they cracked, but she didn't dare voice her fury.
Yang Kai examined the figurine with curiosity. "What does this thing do?"
Bai Zhuo smiled faintly. "It controls her life and death. With this in your possession, you can rest assured she won't harbor any treachery against you."
"Really?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Fake!" Boya shrieked, lunging to snatch the figurine. "Give that to me and I'll leave right now!"