"Let go!"
"Quickly release your hands from the sir!"
The few indigenous people of Hexi Town, who had just exchanged wristband contact information with Lu Haisheng, were now glaring at Pai Huo in fury, their clenched fists appearing as though they would swing down at any moment.
In the eyes of these natives, Lu Haisheng was a potential source of hope for them to improve desertification.
Improving the desertification inside and outside Hexi Town
was the expectation and dream of all Hexi Town people since ancient times.
Even though they knew in their hearts that Lu Haisheng might not actually be able to help them, that the problem Hexi Town had been unable to solve for generations might not be solvable by this outsider, they still held a sliver of hope, yearning for knowledge from the outside world to succeed, even if it was just a slim possibility.
Yet, the person before them wanted to use force against Lu Haisheng.
They absolutely could not stand by and do nothing.
Moreover, these people had been acting arrogantly since entering the town, pushing the townsfolk and exhibiting extremely malicious behavior.
Even if the town guards did nothing, they would teach these people a lesson.
"What are you doing? Why aren't you making a move?" Lu Haisheng, whose collar was being pulled, looked with a smile at Pai Huo, whose eyes seemed to be spitting fire, his sarcasm clearly undisguised. "Don't just put on a show. If you really have the guts, then unleash your anger and punch me. Then you'll see, if all of you can still leave this street safely."
"Let go!"
The Hexi Town natives continued to scold sternly.
"Good, you inferiors from a low-tier kingdom dare to be so disrespectful to those from a superior nation." Pai Huo, hearing the constant reprimands, licked his lips and suddenly clenched his fist. "Then I shall try and see what you inferiors can do to us!"
His fist swung down abruptly.
Pai Huo's fist descended with such speed that it was accompanied by the whistling sound of the wind. No matter how arrogant he was, his strength was not insignificant.
Having touched the threshold of the Colored Realm, his enraged punch would not be easy for anyone to endure.
Bang!
Unexpectedly, Pai Huo's furious punch was solidly caught, emitting a muffled 'bang.' Pai Huo, whose fist was caught, showed a trace of shock in his eyes. After all, he was someone who had touched the threshold of the Colored Realm, and these people here were merely the lower-class folks of Hexi Town. Yet, someone was able to grip his fist.
He focused his gaze along the arm that caught his fist, and only then did Pai Huo notice that it was Fendi who had made the move.
"Brother, you..."
"What exactly are you doing?!" Fendi, who was holding Pai Huo's fist, had the anger on his face concentrated in his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he questioned through his clenched teeth.
Immediately after, Fendi forcefully flung Pai Huo's fist away.
"Apologize!"
"Brother..." Pai Huo's face was filled with disbelief. His eyes were fixed on Fendi. "What did I do that I should apologize to these inferiors?"
"I don't want to repeat myself a second time," Fendi said in a low voice.
Before entering the town, he had repeatedly warned Pai Huo not to cause trouble, but his younger brother had clearly not taken his words to heart and was acting recklessly within the town.
Considering that they represented the Fourth Kingdom upon entering the town,
even if he intended to reprimand Pai Huo, he could not do so in front of the Hexi Town populace, as it would affect the dignity of their Fourth Kingdom in the eyes of outsiders.
He had also considered that they were merely pushing some commoners.
They were not of much importance.
He believed that if he offered a slight apology during the formal meeting, Hexi Town would not completely turn against their Fourth Kingdom because of this, and he would have tacitly permitted Pai Huo's actions.
However, he did not expect Pai Huo to escalate the situation.
Just now, he had observed the attitude of these commoners towards the human before them. It was clear that this human had a special status, yet Pai Huo still intended to make a move against him.
"Quickly!"
Fendi commanded with a stern gaze. Pai Huo, who had always respected Fendi greatly, shook his head instead.
"Absolutely not."
"You..." Fendi's tone faltered. It was Lu Haisheng who patted his clothes, his face still wearing a playful smile, and whispered to Pai Huo, "I knew it. Someone like you is at most a henchman. You can't really be considered a leader. I thought you were capable of something, but it turns out you're just a nobody."
"You're looking for death!"
Pai Huo, who had been pushed aside by Fendi, was instantly filled with renewed rage. He gripped the hilt of the thin sword at his waist, the blade rotating slightly.
Suddenly, Fendi took two steps forward.
"Step back."
Pushing Pai Huo aside, Fendi then approached with a smile.
"Sir, I am truly sorry. For what just happened, I, as your elder brother, apologize for my ill-mannered younger brother."
"See, that's more like it."
Lu Haisheng's eyes were full of smiles. He tilted his head and glanced at Pai Huo.
"Learn from your brother. Have some foresight. You dare to make a move against anyone, you truly have the courage of a leopard, a bear. Remember this lesson."
"Oh?"
Unexpectedly, almost the moment Lu Haisheng finished speaking, a clear, slightly questioning voice came from the direction of the carriage.
"Listening to your words, sir, you must have a distinguished status?"
"Young Master!!!" Pai Huo hurried a few steps to the carriage. Fendi's expression also changed slightly, and he retreated to the carriage. "Young Master, you said you wanted to rest earlier, what..."
"With all this shouting, how can one sleep soundly?"
The low murmur from within the carriage made it impossible to discern its owner's mood. Pai Huo seized this opportunity to lodge a complaint.
"Young Master, these inferiors of Hexi Town have gone too far."
"Silence, Pai Huo!" Fendi reprimanded sternly, then looked up at the carriage. "Young Master, please don't listen to Pai Huo's nonsense. Actually, it's..."
"I heard it all."
The faint, clear whisper slowly drifted from the carriage.
"Fendi, I understand your actions. Pai Huo is indeed too impulsive and too impolite. You must teach him well when we return."
"Yes, Young Master, you are correct..."
"However, are your actions truly without fault?"
The faint whisper felt like a light breeze drilling into Fendi's ears, causing Fendi, who stood with his hands clasped before the carriage, to instinctively stiffen.
Swallowing hard, Fendi slowly raised his head.
"Young Master, in what way have I erred?"
"Haven't we practically reached the inner city of Hexi Town?" the young master inside the carriage murmured softly. "As of yet, I don't seem to have seen anyone come to welcome us. Furthermore, you represent my Fourth Kingdom when you go out. As esteemed individuals of a superior nation, do you think it doesn't diminish our kingdom's prestige to bow and apologize to those of an inferior nation in such a manner? If this were to spread, what would the outside world say about our Fourth Kingdom?"
"Young Master..."
"Go, capture that human. Didn't he say we have the courage of a leopard and a bear? I, too, would like to see how capable he is to speak such bold words."
"Yes!"
Fendi, who stood with his hands clasped before the carriage, acknowledged the order in a low voice. Seeing that the situation was not looking good, Lu Haisheng also frowned. The few Hexi Town natives even stepped in front of him, staring intently at Fendi.
"Guards!"
As the command was given, over a dozen retainers immediately appeared. Fendi also raised his hand and pointed at Lu Haisheng, who was being shielded by the natives.
"Seize this person."