"The royal family thanks you for your kindness Sir". Alexander complements an old man who is currently driving the carriage we're in. We stuff ourselves at the back containing bulks of food materials, it's not what one would term comfortable, but it's not so much for a pesky peasant like me, but the royals still grumble and muffling sounds leaves their mouths as they battle with the various bags of beans and potatoes in order to find room for their own comfort. They don't fail to throw glances towards me, but it's not if disdain but of fear. My sword is still in my grasp ready to kill every royal in our current cabin and make a run for it. I should remember most of the cultivation techniques in my past life anyway, so I wouldn't really need to go back to that annoying sect. However, Alexander's gaze never feels to leave my figure, continuously analyzing my body for improvement. I notice the upward curves in his lips, showing satisfaction at my current level. Sometimes they are wide open showing the shock he feels as he continues to study my existence.
The constant pressure on my figure due to Alexander's analysation grows irritating. It pushes my figure downward, forcing me to lower my upper body almost in the sign of a bow. I throw a small orb of fire towards his position and the royals gasp hoping to cling onto life as the attack explodes, making the whole carriage shake. It doesn't really surprise me when I see Alexander smiling, as always with his usual aloof expression as a layer of wind covers everyone and everything within the carriage. "Stop", I say while glaring at him. He only shrugs his shoulders before closing his eyes and re-opening them, and with that, the annoying pressure is gone. "Calm yourself Xiantian, remember you are entitled to protect the members of the royal family at all costs, that includes your life". Alexander says this time looking serious. I let out a deep sigh before removing my hand from the hilt of my blades. I can sense a sign of relief amongst the royals in the carriage. They already knew I was targetting them. I glance at Sebastian, but he is a total mess. This was probably the first time he had a very close encounter with death, and I was the cause. He wouldn't have been breathing if Alexander hadn't intervened in time. His trousers are still wet from the urine that flowed uncontrollably during the shock of my attack, he is covered in dirt, with messy hair and tattered robes. Only the emblem on his chest and on his weapon, with the beautiful designs on his robe make him look royal. Since he is a descendant of the main family, I'll probably get in alot of trouble if he snitches on me. I never really planned on staying in the sect for long either way. However, I planned to train and get as much resources and equipment from them before planning my escape. I also need to know where exactly I'll be heading towards and the memorize the map of our nation and world as a whole before I even think of escaping.
I don't really bother too much on the topic, I'll know when I'm ready. My main thoughts are on my element. Since I was reincarnated, I didn't expect to retain the same bodily characteristics of my past self, neither did I expect my element to have the same element. 'Atleast it's not water or lightning', I think while trying to imagine myself possessing and manipulating such elements. It's brings some sort of disgust to my existence, but I toss it at the back of my mind. I still feel very relieved that I have the same element, all I have to do now is just remember and refine the techniques I had used in my past life currently. I might also be forced to modify it as I'm sure there would already be modified versions.
..........
Normally, we would head back to the sect in order to regroup and share information on our current mission. Instead, we head directly to Taewan hoping to rest for the day and get medical treatments.
At the gates, there are towering pillars with balconies which the giant wooden gate is supported. Guards are stationed at the pillars, while others are directly at the gate checking for passes and Identification letters. Some taxing various individuals for transporting their goods into the city. The city isn't really directly a big deal, but it's the only city closest to Jejun, which means that alot of business people and villagers pass through here in order to reach the market. Alexander does most of the talking, he seems familiar with them as they converse for a while before inspecting the carriage. We already have branch here, so it doesn't take to long before we are inside the city.
The city is huge, it featuring many tall and short buildings consisting of storey buildings to complex duplexes which standout across various streets. The buildings are beautifully bricked and tiled, and the road seems perfectly tarred as there are no bumps or cracks on its surface. The city bustles with people as they flood the various streets of the city with goods or valuable items. There are seemingly endless market stalls with different items ranging from jewelry to weapons and even some potions and medicines for cultivators to use. As always, the common marketable item is food. Various carts containing them seem to pass by every street or pathway. Overall, the city is quite beautiful and has quite a good economy. Most would kill to live in such a wealthy city with so many resources and items. I doubt I ever visited a city like Taewan in my past life. Even in over millennia, it still retains its beauty. I recall flying over it from time to time, but it was nothing more than a bunch of stalls and a small market then. It has really grown to become a well known place. It's not so suprising that the Liang sect, our current sect would chose to locate towards a wealthy area. However, a wealthy city such as this would not exist without criminals. I can already see pickpockets running of with wallets or jewelry, some even food from various stalls with the owners shouting and yelling. There seems to be courtesan houses surrounding every block. With drunk men and women barely wearing clothes entering and exiting from it's doorways. Even some guards enter, which tells me that they aren't that too much of diligent and honest people in this city. The sound of moans and shouting resound from the various windows of the house, but they pass away as our carriage continues moving forward.
"Keep your hands to yourself here or you may not see them again", Alexander delivers a quick warning before exiting the carriage. The royals follow suit and I don't hesitate to join the group. We stand directly before a large, three storey building, with the emblem of the Liang sect on its walls, with an image of the sect leader and head of the Rodolf family close to it. Its one of the finest buildings in the area and we don't hesitate to enter it.
We are welcomed by a man sitting at a counter with a grey beard and dark green eyes. He had brown hair and even without the robe one can tell he is a member of the royal family. He welcomes us by giving us food and instructing the maids to usher us into our room. After an entire day of eating burnt lungs, the taste of properly cooked meat with seasoned vegetables and a proper drink makes my mouth water. The royals show their manners by eating with their fork and knives, but I didn't receive such lessons and I devour the meal in front of me like an untamed animal which had been starved for days. The royals look at me with disgust, Alexander bursts out laughing and even the representative of the royal family is at a loss for words. Their opinions don't seem to bother me, especially after what I've gone through. We are then shown to our rooms, of course, the royals get the best and Alexander and I are left with the remaining. Alexander shows me to my room on the far end of the whole building. It's quite small and has only a single window with a short bed and a small bathroom, but it's neat and tidy. It's even better than my room back at the guards quarters so I don't complain.
I gently fall back on the bed as Alexander scolds me. "You were quite reckless today, if you had killed Sebastian, the main descendant of the royal family with whom the blood of the patriach flows within, it would've been off with your head". He says as serious as ever. It's quite pleasing to see him in such a serious and annoyed manner, but I know he is being serious. "They almost got me killed and you aren't gonna say anything about it. I atleast killed off the assassin that held one of them captive. Besides, Sebastian's head seemed too big for that small body of his, it might have been too much for his young body to carry all that pride and foolishness, I was just doing him a favor". I say while shrugging my shoulders. Alexander massages his temples gently before releasing a sigh and excusing himself out. "Rest up first, we'll discuss your punishment later". He says before exiting the room. 'Punishment....., I've been experiencing it ever since I was reborn into this damned sect'. I then try to forget about today as I head towards the showers to remove the filthy stain of blood, fox hair, burn scars and dirt from my figure.