He ignored the group of henchmen and turned to look at Tian Heng.
"Commander Tian, is your crisis resolved now?"
Tian Heng quickly nodded, "Yes, thank you, Young Hero Zhao!"
"No need to be so formal. Consider it a reward for informing me about the current situation in Wuxiang City. Now that the crisis is over, leave as soon as you can."
With that, Zhao Ya sheathed his sword, lifted his whip, and urged the carriage forward.
Seeing this, Tian Heng was taken aback and hurriedly stepped forward to block his path, cupping his fists respectfully and asking, "Young Hero Zhao, where are you going?"
"I’m naturally heading into Black Water City to find an inn. This journey has been harsh, and I need to find a place to rest well," Zhao Ya replied with a smile.
Tian Heng was so anxious he began to stomp his feet.
"You... you must not do this. Black Water City is now occupied by the bandits from Jade Pine Mountain, and you have killed one of their Village Chiefs. Entering the city would be walking into a trap!"
Zhao Ya merely smiled slightly at this, "Thank you for your concern, Commander Tian. I am well aware of this, but I know my limits. Besides, I have matters to discuss with the people of Jade Pine Mountain."
With that, he urged his horse forward, leaving Tian Heng standing there dumbfounded.
"Old Tian, what are you standing there for? Come and help load these goods, and then quickly leave this place," Gao Cong shouted.
But Tian Heng didn’t move. Instead, he took a deep breath and said, "Young Master, I need to go into the city once."
"Into the city? What are you going there for?"
"This Young Hero Zhao saved us all, I can’t just watch him walk into the lion’s den alone."
Gao Cong looked at Tian Heng as if he were a fool and couldn’t help but say, "Old Tian, are you feeling unwell again? This young hero must have extraordinary strength and a distinguished background. He must have his reasons for going into the city, why do you want to get involved?"
"But he saved us!" Tian Heng said with firm conviction.
"He did it of his own will. We didn’t ask him to save us! Stop thinking about all this nonsense. How can you be so impulsive at fifty, like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old?" Gao Cong scoffed.
But this time, Tian Heng had made up his mind.
"Young Master, when I was learning martial arts, my master always told me to know when to act and when not to. Now I feel I should stand up, as for you, Young Master..."
"We are already close to our destination and there shouldn’t be any more bandit threats. You won’t need me anymore."
Gao Cong was furious upon hearing this, "Fine, fine, if you want to go to your death, go! I can’t be bothered with you!"
With that, he turned away to organize the caravan.
Tian Heng said nothing, cupped his hands towards the guards, and then strode towards Black Water City.
Seeing that he was indeed leaving, Gao Cong grew even angrier.
"Damn it, I’ve never met anyone like this before. Has martial arts practice addled his brain?"
"What should we do, Young Master?" someone asked.
"Do what? Move quickly. If a fight breaks out, we’ll all be in trouble."
Gao Cong hurried away with the caravan.
Zhao Ya, unaware of this little episode, had already arrived in Black Water City.
The streets were sparsely populated, and most of the shops were closed. Even those few that were open were cold and deserted, creating an atmosphere of desolation.
After entering the city, Zhao Ya’s carriage immediately drew many eyes.
He didn’t bother looking for lodging, as it seemed likely that the inns were closed as well.
He guided his carriage towards the city center.
Though he had never been to Black Water City, generally speaking, the City Lord’s Mansion would be located in the center of the city.
Zhao Ya was not in a hurry, moving slowly and leisurely.
Along the way, the eyes spying on him grew more numerous, but Zhao Ya paid them no mind, even chatting and laughing with Zui’Er in the carriage.
Black Water City was not large, Zhao Ya’s carriage soon crossed the central street and arrived in front of the City Lord’s Mansion.
A large crowd had already gathered here.
The incident outside the city was of such magnitude, with the Third Village Chief dead, that the people of Jade Pine Mountain had naturally received the news.
Upon hearing that the visitor was alone and had already entered the city, the others were relatively composed, but Yao Wang, the Great Village Chief of Jade Pine Mountain, was taken aback.
As the strongest of the bandits, Yao Wang was a genuine Fourth Realm Martial Artist.
He knew this level of power was sufficient to rule in Black Water City, but wouldn’t necessarily stand out elsewhere.
And the visitor had killed Fang Dao in one stroke without anyone seeing the draw of his sword, clearly possessing formidable strength.
Why would such an ’Overseas Dragon’ suddenly target them?
Feeling uneasy, he gathered all his men to wait in front of the City Lord’s Mansion for Zhao Ya.
Indeed.
He saw a carriage approach slowly, driven by a handsome young man who appeared to be no more than twenty years old.
At first glance, this young man seemed unremarkable.
Yet Yao Wang’s expression grew more and more serious.
Because the more ordinary the visitor appeared, the more it proved he was no common individual.
"Sir, you killed my Third Village Chief and barged into Black Water City, what exactly do you want?" Yao Wang decided to take the initiative and asked directly.
Zhao Ya pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a slow stop.
He didn’t get out of the carriage but sat on the driver’s seat, first scrutinizing Yao Wang before speaking.
"What’s your connection with Cyan Bamboo Ridge?"