A whole day had gone by, and Hina and Ryu were both at the dining table sitting and thinking of what decision to take.
Ryu was still thinking about whether he was supposed to leave everything and go to the Hijima Cultivation sect, or whether he should just stay.
"I mean, I would earn fame and money!" Ryu exclaimed as he stood from his chair with hope in his eyes.
"But you have to work very hard to become powerful enough to achieve those goals," Hina replied.
Ryu's expression immediately turned back into its previous one and sat back on his chair thinking of what decision to take. Hina stared at him and smiled, she thought it was funny how thoughtful Ryu was about the situation.
'My decision will depend on Ryu's, I don't mind if I go or if I stay, but Ryu is the only family...'
*KNOCK KNOCK*
They heard someone knocking on the door and Hina stood up to answer. In front of them was the tax collector. There was a new tax collector after the unfortunate death of the previous. People say he was killed by a beast that managed to infiltrate the district.
"Morning young lady..." a short and chubby man with a dark green gown presented himself, "you know why I'm here right?"
"Yes I do," Hina left the man in front of the door for a moment before coming back with a pouch of silver and gold coins.
"I'm sorry, but the tax has gotten higher, now you must pay 40 gold coins!" the man said with a mischievous grin.
"I'm sorry sir but we don't have that much money, we suffered an unfortunate accident a few days ago in which our Grandparents died," Hina said in a calm and gentle voice.
"Well you gotta pay me somehow!" the man said with a grin, "you're a fine young girl aren't you..."
The man tilted his head sideways to check on Hina's butt. Suddenly, he felt an immense and terrifying pressure that made him freeze instantly.
Hina had a cute, yet deadly smile on her face while looking at the tax collector, "please give us until tomorrow and we will have the money,"
"A-Alright..." the man said with a smile and he rushed away from the house.
"Who was it..." Ryu asked.
"The tax collector," Hina said, "I don't think we have a choice anymore, we have to leave,"
"W-What!? I didn't even have time to make a decision," Ryu exclaimed.
"Sorry for you, but the money we have isn't enough to pay our taxes so we don't have a choice at this point,"
"Hold~," He suddenly felt the same pressure that the old man sensed, "alright, I guess we're going,"
[The next day]
Hina and Ryu were ready, and they were right in front of the district Central hall. This was where they were supposed to meet, and they saw two men in black kimonos and a carriage right behind them.
"Council Master Hina, this disciple salutes you," The two disciples bowed to Hina.
Hina gave a smirk as she entered the carriage, "I might like this new lifestyle,"
Ryu presented himself in front of the disciples waiting for the same salute, however, they didn't even act as if he was there.
"Alright, let's get going, we've got another disciple to pick up," ONe of the disciples said.
"Why the fuck-- Hmpf! You fucking simps..." Ryu said grumpily entering the carriage.
The carriage started moving, and they looked behind as they left the district they had always lived in. When you think about it, they didn't leave because of a well-developed reason, they left because they wanted to avoid paying taxes.
"Tell me, how long will it take to get to the destination," Hina asked authoritatively with her arms and legs crossed.
"It will take 2 days council Master," one of the disciples said.
"Two days? And will we stop during those two days to rest?" Hina asked.
"No Council Master, there will only be one stop at the Inora district to pick another new disciple,"
"Could we stop at the Inora district to rest rather than having to sleep in this tiny carriage?" Ryu asked the disciples.
"How dare you speak to an elder disciple in such a manner, you should be ashamed of your act you impudent~"
"Sleeping in this small carriage," Hina murmured, "Hey disciples, could we not stop at the Inora district to rest instead?"
"As Council master wishes..."
Ryu's face turned red when he heard the disciple's response, "These fucking simps!"
Ryu still didn't understand the differences in status and the respect of younger disciples for elder ones. He would learn all that once he gets to the sect.
It took them the whole day to get to the Inora district, and both were tired of having to be in the carriage all day and do nothing. The carriage entered the district, and it was very luminous with a lot of people in noble dresses.
"Council Master, we have found a hotel for you..." one of the disciples said opening the door for her.
Hina got out of the carriage and she entered the hotel. The place was a luxurious place with a large chandelier on the ceiling. Chandeliers were a recent invention, meaning that if a hotel had it, then it was a very expensive one.
"This disciple asks Council Master to follow him," the disciple asked.
Hina nodded and followed the disciple to a large door. The door was large, and white with gold jewelry traced across the door.
"This disciple has found the best room for Council Master, additionally, this disciple asks if tomorrow Council master could wear this sect clothing under Grand Master's orders,"
"Thank you, you may leave now,"
Hina seemed to be comfortable with all the luxury and the respect that was given to her. It was as if she was custom to such things in the past...
Meanwhile in the carriage...
"Why am I not getting down?" Ryu asked curiously.
"You dumb fuck, we're going to meet the other disciple and you're gonna be given a cheap hotel!" the disciple said with a cynical grin.
"I'm tired of this trip..." Ryu said facepalming.
A few minutes later, they had arrived at the district's central hall. The building was large like an emperor's castle, and there were not less than 30 stairs that led to its entrance. In front of the stairs was a young redhead boy about Ryu's age.
The carriage stopped right in front of him, and the two guards questioned the boy.
"Are you Nagaoko Ryoto?" one of the disciples asked.
With a manly voice, the young boy replied with a big grin,
"Yes I am!"