C.2073: Hostile Gaze

What these people didn’t know was that Zhao Hai was once a commander of million-strong armies. If he can’t see into the minds of these people, then he would have lived in vain. Therefore, he had to explain his decision.

Sure enough, Zhao Hai’s explanation was useful. Although the others didn’t say anything, their eyes clearly showed that their disappointment had disappeared.

Seeing this, Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “Alright, everyone, let’s depart.” After saying that, Zhao Hai waved his hand and released 21 Demon Horses.

Zhao Hai looked at everyone and said, “Get on the horses, let’s go.” Everyone answered and then jumped on to their demon horse. Before long, the group galloped forward.

Demon Horses were very fast, but the rider couldn’t feel any jolting while on horseback. The riders were comfortable sitting on the back of their Demon Horses.

The other Clone Stage disciples couldn’t help but look at the Demon Horses in surprise. They didn’t expect a beast such as this could exist. It looked strong, and it was very fast.

Because they were still in the Tyrant Blade Sect’s territory, they didn’t need to worry about safety. Their speed of advancing was very quick.

At noon, Zhao Hai and the others didn’t encounter a village, so they could only rest in the forest. Everyone jumped off their demon horse. Zhao Hai looked at everyone and said, “Did you bring food? I brought a lot. It’s made by my wife. Do you want to try it?”

Hearing Zhao Hai, everyone smiled. Zhao Hai’s strength was very well known, especially to the Clone Stage disciples. He was also known to have wives, and each of them were top-grade women. To be honest, these disciples were extremely envious of Zhao Hai.

One of the Clone Stage disciples went to Zhao Hai and said, “I must say, team leader, you really know how to lead. Of course I’ll take your food. I want to taste sister-in-law’s dishes.”

Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “Alright, everyone come have a taste.” Then he took out a few dishes as well as bottles of liquor. The other Clone Stage disciples happily took their share.

The group had an enjoyable lunch. They ate a lot, but only drank a few cups of liquor. After their lunch, they rested for a while before continuing their travel. By evening’s time, they arrived in a small town.

Three days of traveling quickly passed. Zhao Hai was now more familiar with the other Clone Stage disciples. He now knew everyone’s name. People’s impression of Zhao Hai also improved.

After three days of traveling, Zhao Hai and the others finally left the Tyrant Blade Sect’s territory. Then they entered the nearby sect’s territory, the territory of the Purity Origin Sect.

The Purity Origin Sect was a member of the righteous faction, but it wasn’t a great sect. It was just a small sect that was quite weak. However, the Tyrant Blade Sect let the sect exist. Firstly, because the sect has a good relationship with the Tyrant Blade Sect. Secondly, the Purity Origin Sect had a good relationship with the Top Purity Sect, a Great Sect. According to legend, the first generation disciple of the Purity Origin Sect studied in the Top Purity Sect. The relationship with the Tyrant Blade Sect and the Top Purity Sect was very good. Because of this, the two sects were in continuous peace. Their relationship was better compared to the Tyrant Blade Sect’s relationship with the Butterfly Sect.

When Zhao Hai’s group entered the Purity Origin Sect’s territory, they didn’t feel any difference. They would see villages along the way and rest in those villages. The villagers were also very respectful towards them.

If there was any difference, then it would be the presence of scholars in the villages of the Purity Origin Sect. The role of the scholars was to teach the children of the village basic lessons. Whether these children became cultivators or not, they would learn how to read. This scenario wasn’t visible in the villages of the Tyrant Blade Sect.

In the territory of the Tyrant Blade Sect, the martial spirit was very strong. Villagers would practice martial arts even if they have no talent. Majority of these practices involved body cultivation. Although most of the people won’t reach the Rebirth Stage their entire lives, they still continued to practice.

In the Purity Origin Sect’s domain, the literary lifestyle was prevalent. After arriving, Zhao Hai and the others discovered that the way the villagers talked was different. They talked like educated people, which was commendable for people of their status.

After walking for a day inside the Purity Origin Sect’s territory, they finally arrived at a city. The city was called Fragrant Ink City. Naturally, the name wasn’t taken out of thin air. Fragrant Ink City was famous for their product, fragrant ink.

As Zhao Hai and the others rode to the gates of Fragrant Ink City, they saw two rows of cultivators each wearing scholar’s robes. Some of these cultivators held books in their hands. They looked like scholars instead of cultivators. These people were disciples of the Purity Origin Sect, and they were responsible for guarding the gates of Fragrant Ink City.

Zhao Hai and the others didn’t ride their horses directly towards the city. They were wearing their sect robes and rode on top of demon horses. If they rushed towards the city without any signal, the Purity Origin Sect might think that they were looking for trouble. So for people like Zhao Hai and the others, they would have to report their presence to the Purity Origin Sect before approaching.

Zhao Hai and the others were well aware of the rule, so they slowed down when they arrived at the gates of Fragrant Ink City. When they reached the gate, Zhao Hai waved his hand. Then everyone jumped down from their demon horse.

The Purity Origin Sect disciples also noticed Zhao Hai and the others. They looked at their clothes and then at their strength. They immediately understood Zhao Hai’s identity. They wanted to see what Zhao Hai would do.

Seeing Zhao Hai and the others getting down from their horses, the disciples of the Purity Origin Sect smiled. They didn’t plan on pressuring Zhao Hai’s group when it comes to etiquette. But if Zhao Hai and the others acted insolent, then the disciples of the Purity Origin Sect wouldn’t give them face. After all, the sect still has to preserve its dignity.

Zhao Hai cupped his fist towards the guards and said, “Tyrant Blade Sect’s Zhao Hai has seen the Senior Brothers from the Purity Origin Sect.”

The disciples of the Purity Origin smiled at Zhao Hai. Then one of them replied, “Purity Origin Sect’s Dongfang Yu has seen Junior Brother Zhao Hai. Junior Brother, are you going to the competition? Let me be the first to wish you good luck.”

Zhao Hai smiled and said, “Thank you, Senior Brother. This is our clearance document. Please check it.”

Dongfang Yu smiled and said, “Since Junior Brother Zhao is leading the team, there’s no need to check. We won’t hold you for long. Everyone, please enter.”

Zhao Hai expressed his gratitude towards Dongfang Yu, then he led everyone inside Fragrant Ink City. The city wasn’t very big, but it had plenty of shops inside. Some of these shops were book stores. Not only do they sell books, they also sell paper and other materials.

Zhao Hai looked for a fairly good hotel and rented rooms for everyone. Then they all went out to eat. Because everyone was now familiar with each other, Zhao Hai invited them all to eat at a restaurant. After eating, the sky was already a bit dark. The people of Fragrant Ink City slept neither early nor late. When night came, shops of the city would hang paper lanterns with riddles inscribed on them. Those who answered the riddles correctly would receive a prize.

This wasn’t like the lantern festival held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month back in China. This was a custom of Fragrant Ink City. If nobody answers the lantern’s riddle, then the lantern will be given a seal. Moreover, the reward would be tripled.

Because of this custom, a special profession existed in Fragrant Ink City, the riddle maker. These people make lantern riddles for a living. As long as their lantern riddles weren’t answered in a short period of time, they would earn enough to support their families.

Zhao Hai looked at the lantern riddles, but he didn’t answer any of them. He only looked at the people on the road. Zhao Hai could see cultivators joining in on answering the riddles. To be honest, in front of the lantern riddles, everyone was equal. Whether they be cultivators or mortals, if they cannot answer the riddles, they wouldn’t be rewarded.

As Zhao Hai was walking around, he suddenly felt a hostile gaze directed at his back. However, he didn’t stop and continued walking. However, he left behind a silver needle in his path. He wanted to see if someone would follow him.

Unfortunately, Zhao Hai would be disappointed. He couldn’t see anyone after him. But this caused Zhao Hai to become more vigilant. The trial has arrived earlier than he thought. Perhaps they would be attacked as soon as they left Fragrant Ink City.

Thinking of this, Zhao Hai couldn’t help but knit his brows. He was wondering why the other party was targeting him inside the Purity Origin Sect’s territory. The Purity Origin Sect has a very good relationship with the Tyrant Blade Sect. If they attacked now, then the disciples of the Purity Origin Sect would definitely offer their support. This wouldn’t be advantageous for the attackers.

But after thinking about it, Zhao Hai understood the motive of the enemy. If they manage to attack Zhao Hai and the others without alerting the Purity Origin Sect, then they would not only get rid of Zhao Hai’s group, they could also put a strain on the Purity Origin Sect and the Tyrant Blade Sect’s relationship. It was killing two birds with one stone.