“Zhuo Jing!” Ye Li called out in a deep tone.
Secret Guard No.3's eyes went dark, sheathing his long sword, he was up on a tree not far away in a flash. Thus, with three of them in the air, they could launch an attack anytime. As long as the other party didn't have control over the snakes, they would remain the winning party.
A tall middle-aged man in Nan Zhao clothes with the same patterns as the young man walked out of the woods. His demeanor as a person in high position made one thing clear that he must be an important person of Luoyi Clan. The middle-aged man walked up quickly, wherever he went, the snakes made way for him, clearly in fear of his smell. “My friends from Great Chu, my son was naughty to have offended you. Please show him some mercy. My clan is going to entertain you as honored guests.”
Ye Li sneered inwardly.Naughty? That man had been in the woods since the start and only showed himself when his son was in danger. Now he was trying to end this with a casual remark?
Standing on a tree branch, Han Ming Xi's tall figure went up and down with it. “Naughty indeed. Lord of Luoyi, how dare you let him act like an overlord and do whatever he wishes outside home?”
Hearing that, the middle-aged man wasn't in a good mood. Walking towards the young man, he glanced at him slightly who s.h.i.+vered and took a few steps back like a burned leaf, not daring to look up anymore. Only by then did the middle-aged man snort slightly and took a step forward as he cupped his hands towards Ye Li and her companions: “I'm Le Jiang, the lord of Luoyi Clan. This is my son, Le Nan. Sorry to offend you. Please forgive him, my guests from Great Chu.” Apparently, this lord of clan not only had a better look but was better at dealing with people than his son. The father and son couldn't have been more different.
Ye Li said: “Though your clan's way with guests is a little scary, I think it's about time you cleaned all these snakes up. What do you say?” Ye Li stood inside the circle made by snake repellent and fire which were avoided by the uncontrollable snakes that headed towards somewhere else. In time, they might not all be taken back.
The lord of Luoyi Clan nodded as he waved to those snake charmers who started to play the piccolo once more. Several walked away, clearly going after snakes that went loose. After telling the snake charmers what to do, the lord of Luoyi Clan turned to Ye Li and her companions with a smile as he said: “Since you've arrived at my territory and are disturbed because of Le Nan's rudeness, how about you come to my village for a rest, which will also be an apology from me.”
Pondering, Ye Li turned to the three guys up in the trees. Han Ming Xi didn't seem to care. Secret Guard No.3 wouldn't disagree with Ye Li either. As to the Sick Scholar, he frowned and said: “We don't want to trouble you since we must hurry on with our journey.”
The lord of Luoyi Clan raised his brows while shaking his head as he said: “It's no trouble at all. It tarnishes our reputation of hospitality having disturbed guests from Great Chu. Please come to my village for a rest. I'll send someone to guide you to the capital on the morrow.”
Hearing that, those from Great Chu can't help twisting their mouths inwardly. Nan Zhao was famous for xenophobia so people of Great Chu rarely come here except some audacious merchants and those who are capable of protecting themselves. However, compared to other clans deep into its hinterland, Luoyi Clan which was located near Great Chu was relatively hospitable. If they had someone from Nan Zhao as a guide, they would enjoy an easier trip.
“Well... we shall trouble you then, My Lord.” Since the Sick Scholar agreed himself, Ye Li didn't oppose with her brows raised.
Obviously, the lord of Luoyi Clan went into raptures as he called subordinates to pack up luggage for his guests. Ye Li, Han Ming Xi and Secret Guard No.3 didn't have much with them. Bending down, she picked up a parcel by a stone and threw it at Secret Guard No.3 who was still up the tree as she carried one herself. The Sick Scholar didn't have much with him either. Mr. Liang, however, spent quite some time packing up with the help of his steward and guard. However, he guarded his luggage carefully from those of Nan Zhao which made Ye Li wander what he had in his large parcel. It didn't seem like gold nor sliver to her.
The village of Luoyi Clan wasn't far away from their camp. In less than 15 minutes, they arrived at the village traveling on horses. However, the horses they brought with them ran away in fear when the snakes came. The only one left wasn't in a good condition either. They rode on horses provided by Luoyi Clan which was one of the reasons Ye Li didn't oppose going to the village. Except for this village, the next place with any sign of human habitation where they can buy horses was at least 60 miles away. If they didn't go to this village, it meant they might have to cover the distance of 60 miles on foot.
The village of Luoyi Clan was halfway up a hill. It wasn't as hard to reach as it was said about villages of Nan Zhao in rumors. One wooden lodge after another scattered here and there. Since it was late into the night, after showing them to a guest lodge and telling servants to get them some food and hot water, the lord of clan said his goodbye and left with Le Nan, the young lord who didn't dare to say a thing all the way here.
After the young girls in Nao Zhao clothes was invited out, Han Ming Xi washed his face happily and exclaimed: “It's good to be able to sleep in a room. We may well put up here for the night in the start.”
Ye Li played with the food on the table curiously as she said with a laugh: “Do you think you'll wake up in the middle of the night, finding you room full of snakes if you come straight here?”
Picturing that, Han Ming Xi shuddered. Shaking his head, he said to Ye Li with a smile: “Come to think of it, be careful yourself, Jun Wei. I've heard women of Nan Zhao are very pa.s.sionate and are fondest of fair young lord like you. Careful... hah hah...” Covering his face with a folding fan, he smirked.
Unwilling to be outdone, Ye Li fired back: “Brother Han, you can rest a.s.sured that I won't forget to share with you when I get lucky with women. Besides... I don't have anyone who wants my face in this village.”
As soon as she brought up Le Nan, Han Ming Xi's handsome face turned dark at once. A cold glow pa.s.sed his eyes as he snorted slightly. Young Master Feng Yue remembers those who crossed him!
Standing by the tightly-shut window, Secret Guard No.3 only said in a low voice when the other two stopped: “Someone's outside.”
Raising her brows, Ye Li stood up and put out the candle with a flicker of her sleeve. The dim moonlight glowed inside through the window. Though it wasn't bright, it didn't stop her moving around. Walking calmly to Secret Guard No.3, she said: “They aren't watching us.”
Secret Guard No.3 nodded and pointed at a lodge beside theirs as he said: “It's them that's being watched. However, there's one who's watching us. But I think he just does that since it doesn't take him much extra effort.”
Growing accustomed to the darkness, Han Ming Xi laughed below his breath: “Something's wrong with them, isn't it? Then why did they drag us into this?”
Ye Li gave him a small smile and said: “Their true purpose will emerge over time. I think we should have some rest after one difficult night.”
Secret Guard No.3 nodded, pointing at the bedroom inside, he said: “My Lord, you rest inside. Mr. Han and I shall stay here to keep guard.”
Han Ming Xi wanted to object as he saw Ye Li nod and turn around without hesitation, going inside for a rest. Blinking, Han Ming Xi said frustrated: “I want to rest, too.” Jun Wei wasn't the only one who didn't have a good rest in the wildness.
Secret Guard No.3 glanced at him coldly as he pointed at the bamboo couch in the room. “You can sleep over there.”
Han Ming Xi was speechless. That bamboo couch wasn't even half as long as he was! The bed inside was big, though.
It seemed Secret Guard No.3 had figured out what was on Han Ming Xi's mind, expressionlessly, he moved in front of the door to the bedroom and sat down with a chair. He was clear. If Han Ming Xi wanted to go inside, he had to get past him.
Han Ming Xi had no choice but to curl up in the bamboo couch for a rest, regretting: Why did I have to say I want to rest with Jun Wei?
