The Eastern Continent Swordsman
CH. 79 – Pickup

On the way to the Maundo gate, Zhou Fu seemed to be thinking quite seriously. His mission of repatriating Shen Shen was about to be completed and as usual, he had never failed in the line of duty. Only, he was then a little worried about where he was going after returning Shen Shen later.

Before meeting with Zhao Yunlei, of course his main goal after driving Shen Shen home was to return to Youhi island. However, after meeting Zhao Yunlei and hearing the news of the existence of the elite troops from Bingdao, there was a growing curiosity in Zhou Fu's mind. Plus his meeting with Patriarch Yuan Kai also made him want to go to the Sixth Army headquarters.

“Hey, Brother, look at that convoy of soldiers there! From the uniforms they wear, I thought they were coming to pick us up! I thought we were no longer dependent on you now, come home if you miss your mother's father!” Feng Yaoshan muttered as he turned to the right, which was Zhou Fu riding a dark horse on the right side of his carriage.

Zhou Fu who was awakened from his daydream, immediately he looked in the direction that Feng Yaoshan was referring to. Sure enough, from the opposite direction was seen a motorcade of soldiers in military uniform Caihong who was now walking closer. The group of soldiers numbered at least five hundred people. Patriarch Yuan's estimate did not miss a single bit, previously, the man had said that it was likely that they would be picked up by Caihong's military forces before they even arrived at Maundo.

The news of the arrival of the first-class noble son in the Peach Flower settlement would certainly make the soldiers in Maundo take advantage of the situation. If they managed to pick up and escort the noble families up to the giant wall, of course they would get rewarded for their efforts.

“Three humans were picked up by hundreds of troops? You guys really like to bother a lot of people it turns out!” Zhou Fu shook his head because all his life, at least until then, he had never troubled so many people.

“That indicates our standing does mean a lot, you understand now?” Feng Yaoshan replied proudly.

“Not yourself means. But your treasure, remember that. At times when you run out of treasure, of course you will dig a steep cliff and live like a caveman,” said Zhou Fu between joking but also serious.

“Basic son of a bitch, take care of your mouth yes.” Feng Yaoshan again felt irritated because Zhou Fu's remark did have a point.

“You two shut up. You guys just disturb my sleep!” Shen Shen snorted from within and was followed by a giggling voice from Yang Zi. Yang Zi began to think, if Feng Yaoshan and Zhou Fu were always at odds when they met, it could be that they would miss each other when they did not meet.

Feng Yaoshan and Zhou Fu finally stopped at a dissent, but not because of Shen Shen's rant but because of the sight of the three horsemen coming closer. It appears that three people riding among the accompaniment of Caihong soldiers are now spurring their horses to be able to arrive at the point where Feng Yaoshan and Zhou Fu are located. Once the three horsemen had gotten close enough to Feng Yaoshan, they all descended from the horse and bowed in respect.

“Honor to Young Master!” the three horsemen bowed quite deeply and looked puzzled. It was the first time they had witnessed a first-rate noble being a horse coachman.

“Master, it seems like Young Master is experiencing serious obstacles on the way. What can we do for Young Master?” one of the soldiers asked as he bowed again.

“Ah, yes.. It is true, we went through pretty bad days so far. I think we need…

“We do not need any help, just accompany our step and it is more than enough.” Zhou Fu took over Feng Yaoshan's position to give orders.

The three warriors frowned then threw a glance as if asking Feng Yaoshan's opinion of Zhou Fu's orders. Feng Yaoshan glanced at Zhou Fu and found the teenager glaring sharply at him. Feng Yaoshan also let out a long breath.

“Yes, I think we should follow his words. You will be troubled once to make him angry,” Feng Yaoshan gave the decision to the three horsemen and was greeted with a small smile by Zhou Fu.

“Your country gave a pretty bad upbringing to its nobles!” chirping Zhou Fu suddenly.

“Yes, they make you pretty dependent on the security they create. Then, when you run out of possessions and get kicked out of the giant wall, you will regret having become an overly spoiled noble before!” Zhou Fu continued his sentence while Feng Yaoshan looked stunned thinking about it.

“Hey, I know you're talking about me! Yes, right?” Shen Shen shouted in annoyance from within even though he understood that what Zhou Fu said was true.

“Eat him, from now on, stop bothering a lot of people! You have much to learn from your sister!” Zhou Fu chimed again.

“So, you are now starting to compare me with Yang Zi?”

And thus, their journey that afternoon should finally be colored by the fight between Zhou Fu and Shen Shen that lasted quite a long time. Unknowingly, they had finally arrived at the gates of Maundo. A giant gate that will take their entourage to the interior of Caihong region commonly referred to as the Land of Heaven.

***

That afternoon, the convoy of Caihong warriors escorting Feng Yaoshan's horse-drawn carriage had walked down Maundo which had an area of about seven miles. Residents in Maundo look enthusiastic enough to see the return of the sons of nobles who have previously been reported missing.

Zhou Fu enjoyed his second trip in Maundo while reminiscing about the first day he arrived at the place when he was with Zhao Yunlei. As Zhao Yunlei's shadow re-emerged in his head, he was again troubled as to which choice he would take after Shen Shen and Yang Zi returned home safely at their home.

“Hey, look... I remember the face of that black riding teenager!” call someone from the audience.

“Oh yes, I also remember! He is a teenage boy who managed to pocket dozens of gold coins in the Maundo game arena!” someone else chimed in.

“It is fitting that he managed to crack Maundo's sacred stone, it turns out that he is not an arbitrary child. Perhaps he is the personal bodyguard of a high class noble family!” the other guy chimed in.

Some time before, Zhou Fu had indeed stirred Maundo because he managed to pocket dozens of gold coins in return for successfully completing a challenge on an arena field. Before, no one had ever managed to make Maundo's sacred stone crack. Because, the stone is indeed a special stone used by ancestors for certain purposes.

One of the functions of the maundo sacred stone is to measure the strength level of a swordsman. Making the stone experience a crack can at least only be done by people who master the inner power at the level of red aura. That was why, Yang Zi had told Zhou Fu if the game in the arena was a trap created by the central Caihong government.

***

The atmosphere in the territory of the second-rate noble family was boisterous upon hearing the news of the return of Miss Shen Yang and Miss Yang Zi who had been missing for months. Some of them felt quite grateful for the return of Yang Zi and Shen Yang. Meanwhile, some parties also seemed unhappy with the return of the girls.

However, the return of the girls before the election of the mayor will be very influential on the political turmoil that occurred inside the giant wall of Caihong.