Regardless of which it was, Xiaoyao couldn't stop - stopping would be dangerous.
Therefore, he couldn't let them board the carriage.
Though Young Miss and Nangong Suxin weren't necessarily stronger than their opponents, preventing these few people from boarding the carriage was easy. Their advantage was being in an easily defended, hard-to-attack position.
"Hmph. Even if you pass, the people behind won't be able to." Those people said viciously, trying to make Xiaoyao stop.
"Oh, the life and death of people behind has nothing to do with me. You can do whatever you want." Xiaoyao replied calmly.
"Uh..." Everyone was stunned. What the hell did this mean?
"Also, I want to remind you - after I pass, I'll immediately report to the authorities." Xiaoyao's voice echoed through the mountains while the carriage didn't pause at all.
"..."
Brilliant. This guy was too brilliant.
No matter what, this group were people who couldn't see the light of day. They could only act secretly and couldn't be exposed, otherwise if word spread, they'd definitely be investigated.
Investigation after the fact would be one thing, but if investigated now, the entire Heavenly Wind Kingdom would definitely be sealed off. If one person was caught and something was extracted from them, they'd lose more than they gained and bring trouble upon themselves.
This was what they didn't want to see, and what the people who arranged for them to come didn't want to see.
If Xiaoyao got out and alerted Heavenly Wind Kingdom's authorities, this place would definitely be surrounded and exterminated, and clues from the recent deaths might be extracted.
So now they either had to stop Xiaoyao's carriage from leaving here, or simply not stop anyone and handle the aftermath without leaving clues.
Watching Xiaoyao's carriage disappear in a cloud of dust, they felt it was impossible to stop now. Among the people who came this time, there weren't any very high-level masters because they feared arousing suspicion and felt it wasn't necessary.
They had already stopped several teams here using various methods. Those they really couldn't stop, they let pass. This time they didn't plan to stop everyone - that would also arouse suspicion. After being disrupted like this, those people's fighting spirit would be dampened, making them insignificant later.
When someone later said the bandits here violated rules, they wouldn't care because they weren't actually bandits from here.
No matter what, they had been successful every time, but hadn't expected to fail this time. An unconventional team appeared that directly killed people then ran away.
This team was perhaps the one that most should have been stopped. Such people would definitely shine in the Dragon Gate Tournament.
It was time to retreat and report this matter.
Sigh, this loss could only be called bad luck, no one else to blame...
Thus, Xiaoyao's journey wasn't stopped again until they exited the mountain range and rested directly at the next station, actually shortening their journey by a day.
After this incident, everyone seemed to look at Nangong Suxin differently - those who admired her admired more, those who were jealous became more jealous.
This time, Nangong Suxin and Young Miss were in the spotlight, while Xiaoyao wasn't noticed by anyone. Even though he said a few words, not many people heard or paid attention.
While resting at the station, the official also reported this matter. The Heavenly Wind King was greatly enraged and immediately issued nationwide orders that all people blocking the Dragon Gate Tournament should be killed without question. He also strengthened road security to ensure no one would interfere midway.
The Dragon Gate Tournament was a national matter for every country on the continent. Even Great Tang Empire wouldn't allow any problems with the Dragon Gate Tournament, much less Heavenly Wind Kingdom.
Unless it was a country that felt completely hopeless, all would handle this seriously, eliminating all obstacles. Even if that person was imperial relatives, they would still be eliminated.
"Nangong Suxin, Mo Yu, interesting. Two women actually have such methods and schemes. Wait - we'll meet sooner or later. When that time comes, I'll let you know, let you taste my anger. I believe you'll never forget."
Somewhere, after receiving a carrier pigeon message, someone smiled coldly and sinisterly. If he could kill people at this moment, he would definitely do so without hesitation.
Originally this was his foolproof plan, just wanting to block some people, making them late and unable to enter the Heavenly Wind Kingdom finals. He felt he hadn't used harsh methods.
But now he had lost over ten subordinates, some even General-level martial artists, who died under the chaotic blades of a group of young masters and misses he considered wet behind the ears.
If he had known this result, he definitely wouldn't have made this move, or rather, he would have sent several masters, of course, when no one was paying attention.
But now everything was too late. Not only had he lost subordinates, he also had to worry about his actions being discovered. How could this not make him furious?
He wanted to capture Nangong Suxin and Young Miss, wanted to brutally torment them - uh, purely to vent anger, don't think wrongly...
If Xiaoyao knew this situation, he would definitely be very happy. Very good - they did it. Whatever grievances you have, go find them. It has nothing to do with me.
...
After experiencing the bandit incident, Xiaoyao's convoy arrived at Heavenly Wind Capital peacefully. Nothing happened along the way, except encountering another convoy and having some friction.
For anyone, this was very normal. When teams met, they would definitely compare and then have friction.
Because they were opponents.
Such incidents would be more frequent after reaching Heavenly Wind Capital, possibly visible everywhere. If there weren't orders prohibiting all pre-tournament fighting, Heavenly Wind Capital would probably already be a battlefield.
Qingyun Province was arranged in a large courtyard that seemed to belong to an official. Many reception places belonged to these officials - this was their willing "contribution."
Not just lodging, but also food and drink were all provided, even servants were equipped. Of course, these expenses could be reimbursed by the government.
"These few days are free activities. Imperial examinations begin in three days, Dragon Gate Tournament participants go to Royal Palace Square in five days. Now, go find rooms yourselves. Don't fight - have some grace." The official said to everyone.
Whoosh...
As soon as the words landed, people in front had already disappeared...
"This courtyard is mine. Anyone wanting to share must get my permission."
"I got here first, this is mine."
"Damn you, don't steal my courtyard."
"..."
Hearing the lively sounds inside, the official now wanted to hit people: "Damn. These little brats."
"Xiaoyao, where did you disappear to?" Young Miss successfully grabbed a courtyard she was satisfied with. When she wanted to find Guxing and Xiaoyao, she discovered both were nowhere to be found.
"Big Sister, amazing. Can I stay here?" Third Young Master Mo Mo asked.
"Get lost. You're not a woman - go find Mo Qiu and the others." Young Miss said very directly.
"Xiaoyao isn't a woman either." Mo Mo said uncomprehendingly.
"How is that the same? You're a young master, he's a servant. Can you be my servant and serve me?" Young Miss looked at Mo Mo.
"..., this... I'll go find Big Brother and the others..." Third Young Master said awkwardly.
"Mo Yu, your courtyard can house five or six people. Can my Third Sister and I come together?" Nangong Suxin said. Still the same - rather than staying with others, she'd rather find Young Miss this "enemy."
"Fine. It would be even better if you didn't come." Young Miss said very straightforwardly.
"Where are Guxing and the little servant?" Nangong Suxin ignored Young Miss's shamelessness and cared about Xiaoyao's whereabouts.
After experiencing the bandit incident, though others didn't know Xiaoyao's role, Nangong Suxin always knew that she and Young Miss could steal the spotlight entirely because of Xiaoyao's few words. He had seen the problem early and reminded them how to handle things.
Now, Nangong Suxin was increasingly interested in Xiaoyao, wanting to understand him. But the more this was the case, the more she found herself unable to comprehend him, becoming more puzzled.
Previously she knew Xiaoyao could do archaeology, riddles, and music. Now she knew, he knew much more than just these...
She now knew Xiaoyao could forge swords. The swords in Young Miss's and Guxing's hands were forged by him - both were top-choice good swords. Compared to the famous craftsman's sword in her hands, they were completely equal, even slightly superior.
Even if this wasn't the famous craftsman's best work, it was still crafted with the master's dedicated effort. Famous craftsmen wouldn't casually create things - that would only bring shame. They couldn't afford to lose face.
She also knew Xiaoyao had superb culinary skills. Along this journey, sometimes in the wilderness, Xiaoyao handled meals for the four of them. The deliciousness far exceeded Golden Jade Hall, Qingyun City's best restaurant.
She also knew Xiaoyao could even sew, because she liked Guxing's clothes. Upon asking, she learned all of Guxing's clothes came from Xiaoyao's hands.
She couldn't understand how a little servant who grew up in the Mo family from childhood, a little servant who seemed completely no different from others, possessed so many skills others couldn't achieve in a lifetime.
How did he learn these, and how did he practice them? All this was incomprehensible.
Xiaoyao was like a mystery, a mystery that could never be solved.
"I don't know. When we were grabbing rooms just now, they disappeared. Susu, this place is nice. I've looked around - this is the best place in this courtyard." Young Miss began flattering Third Miss.
"I think the best place should be over there. I estimate Xiaoyao might be there..." Third Miss pointed in a direction that seemed to have been overlooked because there were no buildings or seemingly luxurious courtyards.
(End of Chapter)