(MC POV)
I turned to face whoever was shouting for us to stop and, surprise surprise, it's another fat and obviously rich merchant guy running up to us.
Alright, let's hear it mister merchant. You're going to start accusing me of something and try to get more money out of me aren't you? Let's just get this over with.
The merchant ran up towards us and the guard captain immediately showed a respectful smile, "Oh! Master Hao! Please excuse us for letting this nobody block your road! I'll get rid of him immediately!"
Yep, that's what I thought, he's going to... Hmm? Where have I heard that name before?
The merchant stormed up to us and did the most unexpected thing: He slapped the guard captain across the face.
"You goddamn IMBECILE!! Do you even know who you're talking to right now?!"
The guard captain looked at the master Hao in confusion, "Umm... I... I don't know... Master Hao..."
Master Hao gestured to me, "This is Master Lin!! The most important person in the entire Beiyang Empire and, in extension, this entire world! His existence is way beyond yours in comparison! Who do you think you are?!"
Oh? Oh, oh, oh? He knows me? But... Oh! I remember now! The Hao family! I'm guessing this guy is Hao Lian's dad or something, that newcomer who joined the Sect as one of our new Student Practitioners. We actually have quite interesting new students this year and yes, I'm counting Luna and Rina amongst them.
What's this guy doing here though? Didn't Guiying say that his family was at the border?
The guard captain turned to look at me but the Hao merchant just slapped him again, "Do not even look at him! If you were back at Beiyang, you would have had your eyeballs gouged out, your hands cut off and possibly your entire family executed for this!"
...
What?
I'm sorry what?
No, no, there's no way... He's definitely exaggerating, right?
'Ara, ara? It's actually--'
Don't say it. I don't want to know lalalala.
'Ufufufu~ Master is always cute~'
"For... Forgive me, Master Hao! I didn't know!"
The Hao merchant slapped him again, "I'm not the one you should be apologising to!"
The guard captain got the hint and immediately got down on his knees to prostrate on the ground, "Forgive me Master Lin! If I knew who you were, I would have never offended you!"
The Hao merchant quickly lowered his head and cupped his hands, "Master Lin, this is our first meeting but please allow me to apologise for this horrendous reception of your venerable self! All of this fault lies with me and me alone! Punish me as you see fit!"
Woah, that's really surprising. I was almost sure that he would start pushing the blame on the guard captain and make excuses for his actions.
I waved my hand, "It's fine... Erm..."
He bowed his head even lower, "Ah! This unworthy one is Hao Chi, current head of the Hao family! It is my honour to meet the famed Master Lin!"
Hao Chi huh? You don't say...
I cleared my throat, "Right, Hao Chi... Is there an entry tax for foreigners?"
"Entry tax? There... Isn't such a thing?"
"Umu... Then who exactly is in charge of this city?"
"Ah! The one currently overlooking the administration of this city is actually myself. While our House is in charge of the governing of the territory on Beiyang's border, I managed to buy over control of this city and become its governor."
Huh... Money really is the real king here huh? You can even just buy over cities and they don't even care that you're a foreigner? Is this country really alright? Oh well, that's none of my business.
"That's interesting," I noted with a slow nod. "Because this guard captain here claims that there was an entry tax for foreigners and that he was in control of who enters or leaves this city."
Hao Chi turned his head to look at the guard captain who was trying to press his head harder against the ground, his body visibly shivering.
"Oh yeah," I added as if I just remembered. "I think those guards were also happily waving their swords around at me too."
Hao Chi sucked in an audible breath before the loud clattering of swords hitting the ground drowned it out, the guards immediately joining the captain in prostration.
The head of the Hao Family kept his head lowered, "Master Lin... I have no excuse for this incompetence, I only plead that you let my son live."
I clapped him on the shoulder, "Relax buddy, I'm not going to do anything to you. I'll leave it up to you on how you want to handle these guys but... You're in charge of this city right?"
He gulped, "Yes... Master Lin... The... The people..."
Oh wow, he thinks I'm going to flatten the city or something, seriously relax bro, I'm not some psychopathic tyrant.
Although I do know a certain someone who would definitely End this city without remorse if she was given a reason to.
'Ufufu~ Thank you Master~'
I wasn't praising you but whatever.
"Relax, I'm not going to destroy this city either. Come on, you can look up, it's tiring for me to keep looking down at you."
"I... I think I'll stay like--"
Alpha pushed her sword out of its sheath slowly, "Brazenly disobeying a direct order from Master..."
His back quickly straightened, "Forgive me, Master Lin!"
I waved at Alpha and she sheathed her sword without a word, going back to glaring at the guards who were still prostrating.
I took the chance to look behind her at Beta, Gamma and Delta, all of them prepared to jump in should they need to. Behind them in the carriage were my disciples, all of them pressing their faces against the carriage windows and looking at the scene with obviously excited expressions plastered on their faces.
I ignored that scene and turned back to smile at Hao Chi, "I believe someone like you knows what my purpose is here right?"
He nodded, "Master Lin is currently visiting the king of Sun as the official ambassador of Beiyang."
"Good, that simplifies things. Here's your punishment then..."
He gulped, standing even straighter than before.
"We're staying here for at least a day and a night and it would be really terrible if something like this happened to us again right? So maybe you could arrange some things for us?"
Yep, last night when I talked to my disciples, they did say they did not mind having some detours along our trip. Then I was reminded of the bazaar that we did not get to peruse the wares of so I thought maybe we could have a free day here to look around before setting off again.
Since Hao Chi is the supposed head around here, that makes things even easier for us.
"Eh? Umm... Is that all, Master Lin?"
"Of course, what else? I'm expecting the best treatment, naturally, so you better work hard."
"Ah! Of course, Master Lin! In... In that case, please follow my carriage! I'll personally make the arrangements to ensure your stay here will be the best it can be! As for these people who offended Master Lin... I'll definitely take care of them!"
"Umu, I'll leave it to you then."
Heh, easy.. Now I don't even need to plan our itinerary for our stay here.
