10.

By the time it took to finish a cup of tea, there were more than twenty people standing in front of the carriage.

One look at them, and Yang Ze understood the situation instantly.

"Holy shit, bandits."

In his excitement, Yang Ze almost shouted. In his both lives, it was the first time he was looking at living, breathing bandits. In his past life, bandits were the relics of a bygone era.

"Hand over all the valuables and come with us quietly."

The burly man who seemed to be the leader of the group walked leisurely. Even though he was speaking to both of them, his eyes were fixed on Yang Ze. Even a blind person would be able to feel the sheer lust emitting from his eyes.

"Of course, if you could please me, perhaps I won't contact your family for ransom and will let you go peacefully."

"Bwahahhahahaa."

"Hahaha. Yeah, little kid, you are lucky that our boss took a liking to you, Perhaps you will be our sister-in-law."

The group of bandits soon burst into laughter; some of them were even blowing whistles. Looking at the young boy who was looking at them without any anger or hate, the leader of the bandits was stunned for a moment before bursting out in anger. The boy in front of him was devoid of any anger. Other than the slight smile on his face and a laid-back posture, there weren't any changes.

"Watch carefully second young master."

The moment he said it, the figure of old Xie disappeared for a moment before appearing in front of one of the bandits. In his hand was a long thin sword.

Before anyone was able to react, the head of the nearest bandit flew up in the air. Soon another head flew up. By the time, the bandits realized, seven of them were already dead.

"Gulp."

Looking at the heads that were still full of expressions before death, the bandits felt a chill running down their spines.

"RUN!"

It wasn't clear who shouted first, but the moment this voice came, none of them hesitated for a single second.

"Too late."

Right now, old Xie's face was devoid of any emotion. He was like a wolf entering a flock of sheep. By the time it took to finish one cup of tea, every single bandit was dead.

"Swish."

Waving his sword at the tree that was in the middle of the road, old Xie then kicked it before sitting on the carriage.

Yang Ze's face now had a grim expression. In the massacre earlier, he was unable to locate the figure of the old Xie. During the entirety of the battle, he only saw a blur before corpses piling up on the ground.

Looking at the old Xie, who didn't have a drop of blood on his body, Yang Ze finally realized the difference between both of them.

Perhaps noticing his gaze, old Xie took a deep breath before speaking.

"This is the power of the middle stage of Qi Guiding."

The carriage then plunged into silence. Both of them were sitting in silence. In the eyes of old Xie, this bloody scene was bound to make an impact on the three views of Yang Ze. After all, this was the first time the second young master saw a scene so bloody, not to mention the death of many people.

Yang Ze didn't speak further. He stood up and slowly walked back inside the carriage. The scene in front of him was gruesome and bloody, but it wasn't even able to make him frown, much less scare him. He has scenes far too bloody than this.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Other than the first encounter with the bandits, there weren't any major events.

"Second young master, we are about to reach the city of Darati."

After a low shout, old Xie increased the speed of the carriage.

"How much longer?"

Walking out of the carriage, Yang Ze sat beside old Xie before picking up a water bottle. Compared to two days ago, his face was haggard. These past two days have taken a toll on him. For a person like him, who wasn't used to traveling such a long distance over the course of days, it was difficult.

"About an hour long."

Compared to Yang Ze, old Xie looked completely fine. After hesitating for a while, he spoke in a grim tone.

"Second young master, are you still feeling uncomfortable?"

"Em. A little."

Even though he wasn't feeling traumatized, Yang Ze still decided to answer positively.

"Always remember this feeling second young master. From today onwards, you are on your own. I won't be there any longer to protect you. So, always take your next step carefully. Always think twice before picking up a fight with someone."

With each passing word, one could feel his emotions. It wouldn't be wrong to say that he was emotionally attached to Yang Ze during all these years. Even though he reported his every move to his elder brother and his father, he still somewhat felt responsible for him.

Yang Ze didn't say a word but nodded.

"Heh."

Looking at his immature face that was full of seriousness, old Xie gave a heartily laugh. For the remaining last hour, both of them sat there silently with a smile on their faces. There are times in one's life when even words lose their meaning. For both of them, it was such a time.

.....

"This is Darati?"

Standing in front of a wooden wall that was five meters long, Yang Ze felt incredible. The walls that were made up of small sticks and stones felt like they would collapse with a breeze. At the entrance to the city, there was an old man who was sleeping soundly. Even Yang Ze who was twenty meters away from him, could hear him snoring.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go."

Looking at old Xie, who was still sitting in the carriage, Yang Ze asked with a frown.

"Heh."

Old Xie gave a hollow laugh before replying.

"I am afraid my journey ends here Young master. The orders were to escort you safely to the city is Darati and then return. There are still many things in the main manor that needs this old slave."

"I see."

Yang Ze wasn't too surprised by the outcome.

"It's about time then."

With a smile, Yang Ze bowed to the old Xie. It was a bow that was filled with his gratitude. In the entire Yang family, old Xie was the person he interacted with most. Not only did he deliver him the meals and cleaned his small house, but it was he who introduced him to the cultivation realms. Without him, Yang Ze would have wasted a lot of time figuring out things on his own.

"This old slave is not worthy."

Looking at Yang Ze, bowing, old Xie almost jumped from the carriage. In this world, where social hierarchy is at its peak, for a young master of a prominent family to bow down to a servant was considered heresy. If this news ever leaked out, the Yang family would become a laughing stock for others.

"Here, take this. This is the letter of your appointment. I wish you the very best."

After throwing the letter, old Xie took his leave.

Yang Ze stood there silently for a long time. Looking at the carriage that disappeared into the distance, he sighed heavily. There were many things that were going through his head at the time, but in the end, it all boiled down to a single sigh.

Walking towards the entrance to Darati City, he finally uttered the words he wanted to speak for a long time with a smile.

"Finally, I am free."