The ambush

The book was filled with doodles like the first one. All of them mocking him. It only increased his suspicions from the conversation that was going on in the next cubicle. Judging by the social status of these people and the customers who would actually buy those books. Only the rich were capable to do that. And it had politics written all over it.

Well, I guess the kingdom is not as tranquil as I suppose it to be, he thought.

He couldn't do anything to stop the rumours. He just had to prove himself one day. And it seemed like his father was not worried about the circulation of such rumours. His father was way too indifferent to political affairs of the kingdom.

He finished his tea and got up and gave two gold coins to the waiter who was standing nearby. He left the first floor and dumped the book in a trash bin on his way out.

He couldn't say that he was angry but he felt dissatisfied. It was "his" kingdom after all and people were badmouthing about his family and the current him.

He decided to keep visiting the Imperial city for the remaining week before he left for the school. He decided to return back as his father should not find him gone when he looked for him for their daily training.

He left the square and made for the forest towards his quarters before he met his father. He needed to change and hide the fact that he was out. H needed a bath as well.

But as he reached the outskirts of the city he realised that there was an ambush waiting in front.

Is my identity exposed? That can't be right. Even if it was exposed, I am still the Young Lord. They won't dare lay a hand on me in my own kingdom unless it was an assassin from outside, he thought. Then who are these people? Only one way to find out.

"What do you want? I know you're behind those trees," he called out civilly.

"Ah, young master has felt our presence," said a jeering voice and figures in black robes appeared. They were about 6 or 7of them.

Young master? So, they are not aware of my identity. Then, what do they want with me? he thought.

"A little bird told us that your money bag is heavy, I suggest you hand over all the valuable things you have on you," continued the man who seemed to be the leader of these robbers. Clearly, they could only be robbers seeing that they didn't come here for other reasons. They couldn't be assassins. The leader was talking too much to be one.

How did he find out? At the book hawker's? Or inside the restaurant? He wasn't even dressed well to attract attention. He was seeing a new side to his kingdom today. There were also robbers and bandits who would pounce on unsuspecting travellers.

He usually didn't like fighting ants like these. He could feel that their cultivation wasn't strong but they were strong enough to waylay other weaker travellers. He was feeling a little frustrated from before. So, he decided to teach them a little lesson before he went back. A little cleaning up.

"Well, I can give you the most valuable thing I have on me. A valuable lesson," as he said this he disappeared.

Whoosh!

And appeared just in front of the leader. He was still wearing his straw hat, so the leader couldn't see his face. They had thought it would be an easy prey because the information said that it was just a kid.

So fast! How did he get here? he exclaimed inwardly.

There was just a flash of white and now he was standing in front of the leader.

Then suddenly, there were several thud sounds from behind him. He looked to find that his underlings have all been knocked out!

"Your opponent is in front of you, you don't have the luxury to look back," said Bai Hua in a reproaching tone.

"Don't ever forget this lesson."

Swish! and the leader felt his body flying rapidly towards a tree. He fell with a thud.

The signals in his mind were going off alarmingly but it was already too late. The gang had chosen the wrong person as their prey today.

The leader was still conscious and Bai Hua walked up to him lazily and asked,

"Who sent you?"

There was genuine fear in the leader's eyes.

"Young master, spare me! The waiter at the restaurant you visited told us to find out more about you. He said that you had too much money on you for your own good!" he begged profusely in a kneeling position. His body was aching all over but he was afraid that he might get beaten up.

"Why does that waiter have more authority than you?"

"Ah, young master, he's the overseer of our gang of robbers. We just know that. We take orders from him."

Bai Hua felt that there was more to this, "Is that all?

"I just know that, please let me go I have to pay debts to him. All of us owe him huge debts and we can only pay him back by following his orders. He has the deeds. He has stronger cultivation than us. Please let us go," he cried.

A simple waiter at a restaurant has that much authority? Bai Hua was now intrigued.

He threw a pouch at him.

"Use this to clear off your debts. And don't ever let me catch you bullying travellers again."

And saying this Bai Hua left towards the deeper part of the forest.

The leader sank to the ground and prayed to his ancestors. He felt that he had never seen such peerless young man in his life. He had taken care of all the robbers without even breaking a sweat! Who was this prodigy?!

They were hunters who had huge debts to the waiter and so they had resorted to this as the interest rate was so high and they couldn't pay him back however much they hunted and sold animals to the market.

The Young master looked harmless but the leader was sure he could get rid of them if he wanted to.

He opened the pouch with trembling hands and cried out in shock when he saw the contents. The pouch had many red stones inside it. He counted and there were 10 pieces. He was crying tears of happiness.

This was enough for him and his brothers here to pay off the debts and even live happily for the next 10 years.

How much was one imperial red stone? One imperial red stone was 100 gold coins!!!

He kowtowed towards the direction which this peerless young master had gone. He had not even seen his face but in his heart, he was a god that he will never forget again!

He stood up happily and went about to take care of his fallen brothers. For this kind of blessing, it was worth getting knocked out and getting their asses owned by a young master.