9 Chapter 09. Where Are You From?

'Who is the man who dares to spoil this event? Is he tired of living already?' Zhang Jiangwu thought, even though he had stopped at the event, it didn't mean he didn't enjoy it anymore. Seeing the frightened faces of the female slaves was a pleasure in itself.

To be honest, he was also a little curious about the slave girl he'd been keeping an eye on for since earlier. It was just that earlier when his focus was slightly diverted by Bai Jun, he could no longer find the woman's whereabouts.

'Maybe he's dead,' she thought.

However, his guess was wrong right after his eyes caught the figure of a girl who was forcibly dragged by two bodyguards followed by several female slaves who already looked very tired with clothes that were torn in some parts, staggered towards the hill where all the nobles are. His brow furrowed, looking for the figure of the man who was the mastermind behind the previous incident. In contrast to Xue Ahn and the others, their eyes were only fixed on someone and that is Ara.

Bai Jun, who had noticed the crown prince's expression earlier, immediately walked forward and approached the slaves.

"Is all this's left?" Bai Jun asked as he raised his hand pointing at the female slaves which only numbered four people including Ara.

The bodyguards who were carrying Ara immediately stopped in their tracks, then bowed respectfully. "That's right, sir. They are all still alive," he replied with his head down.

"Then the archer earlier?" .asked the Crown Prince who suddenly stood next to Bai Jun with one eyebrow raised as he looked around.

"Th-That…" stuttered the guard.

"Say it obviously, why are you like that? Are you blind about who is talking to you?" Bai Jun said in a rising voice.

"About that Archer, she is this girl, Sir," replied the Bodyguard in a very low voice, afraid that what he said would only be considered a lie by all of them.

"This slave?" Bai Jun repeated while pointing at Ara's face, looking to confirm.

"R-right, sir."

Hearing that, everyone fell silent and appraised the girl.

While Ara who received such a gaze did not show the slightest fear, on the contrary, she stared intently at the crown prince.

"Watch your attitude, lowly woman. Don't you know who you're dealing with right now?" said Bai Jun rebuking Ara.

The guards who heard that immediately kicked Ara's knee and managed to make her fall to her knees.

"Keep your eyes," said the guard tightening his grip on the girl's arm.

"Is what you said true?" Bai Jun asked to confirm again, representing the Crown Prince.

"Right sir, what kind of courage do I have and lie to you?" replied the guard with his head down.

Zhang Jiangwu stayed where he was, not moving an inch. His eyes stared at Ara unblinking, a gaze that was so cold it made the two bodyguards shudder in fear.

While the noblemen who were also standing there just stayed silent and waited for the crown prince to give his orders.

"Where is the bow she used?" Hao Chu asked the first time the man spoke. Walked over to the bodyguard and stood next to the Crown Prince.

"Please sir," a bodyguard immediately handed him a bow which if someone looked at it, did not deserve to be called a bow at all. Because it is only made of oak twigs which looks so strong yet flexible at the same time, with backing cloth.

"You used this?" Hao Chu asked again.

Ara wants to replay and curse all the men in front of her, it's just that her patience is still higher than that. In the end, he just nodded in agreement.

"Hah, no kidding," Hao Chu said in disbelief. And the other men felt the same way. How could someone use a bow like that for archery? Totally beyond human reason.

"I'm not asking you to believe me, sir," said Ara bravely.

"You? Realize your position as a lowly woman," Bai Jun chimed in. One of the reasons he disliked women was this, so troublesome and so arrogant. And this is evidenced by the attitude of the slave girl in front of him.

"Come on, don't be so hard on her," Xue Yen joined in now. Previously he was so annoyed that his target was killed by someone else, but after finding out who was behind it all, for some reason his anger subsided a little. Curiosity and interest suddenly rose within him.

"What's your name?" asked Xue Yen again sitting down and equalizing his position with the girl.

"Ara, Xiao Ara," the girl replied briefly.

"How did you get here?" Xue Yen asked curiously.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking, sir? How can you all still laugh after toying with other people's lives?" Ara replied in a very clear voice.

"Wow…" Xue Yen never expected to get such a response.

"Aren't you too arrogant for a lowly slave like you?" Bai Jun chimed in.

Ara fell silent and didn't answer anymore, the girl just looked down.

There was silence for a while, no one dared to make the slightest sound.

"Where are you from?" The crown prince asked finally spoke up after a few minutes of silence.

Instantly everyone looked at the man, including the guards and slaves including Ara.

Receiving such a question, Ara stiffened. 'What is the meaning of the question? It's impossible if he suspects me?' Ara thought, guessing.

"Hey, are you deaf?".Bai Jun rebuked Ara who was silent. Confusion appeared on everyone's faces, completely not understanding the crown prince's question.

It's not without reason why Zhang Jiangwu said that, because so far in the Qin kingdom there has never been a woman with archery skills like that, even women of noble descent.