Battle at the City Gate

As Magnus Astor's convoy from Silverwood City approached the northern gate of Silver City, they coincidentally intersected with another convoy coming from the northeast direction, also aiming to enter through the north gate. The two convoys met just over a mile away from the gate.

This other convoy was notably larger, comprising around forty to fifty horse-drawn carriages laden with boxes of various sizes, stacked three layers high. The last few carriages carried items wrapped in oil paper and brocade, hinting at the exquisite and valuable Jiangnan silks within, visible through gaps in the packaging.

Guarded by over a hundred soldiers on uniformed azure-maned horses and armed with sharp weapons, the convoy's presence was formidable.

Leading the convoy was a grand square palanquin carried by twelve men, flanked by a retinue of servants and maids, indicating the high status of the person inside.

While not as extensive as the convoy of Avaloria's Crown Prince Emeric Astor and Princess Elowen Astor, it was still a display of significant power and wealth.

In contrast, Magnus Astor's convoy appeared modest with just over a dozen carriages and a small retinue. Besides the coachman, Old Leang, and Seraphina inside one of the carriages, there were hardly any attendants or servants.

Normally, Magnus would not have traveled so inconspicuously, given Silverwood City's prosperity.

However, this time, the convoy had been hastily arranged by Liu the sage and Steward Zhang, following Magnus's drunken stupor, resulting in an unusually subdued procession, a stark departure from the ostentatious style typically associated with Magnus.

As both convoys continued towards the northern gate, about to converge, Old Leang calmly drove the carriage forward, and the guards merely glanced at the neighboring convoy before resuming their indifferent advance.

The other convoy had already noticed Magnus's group but deemed it insignificant upon seeing its modest size. The scale of a convoy often reflects the status of its members. 

For example, the person in the grand palanquin of the other convoy was the eldest son of the current governor of the Southern Deep Province, bringing lavish gifts for Lord Gideon Astor's birthday celebration.

Observing Magnus's humble convoy, they assumed it belonged to a lesser family from the northwest, perhaps hoping to curry favor with the peerless king by presenting what little wealth they had managed to accumulate.

Expecting Magnus's group to yield or at least stop to let the more impressive convoy pass first, they were taken aback when it continued on its path without hesitation.

To everyone's surprise, the seemingly modest and unassuming convoy of Magnus Astor continued its journey without hesitation or deviation, as if oblivious to the grander convoy attempting to overtake them.

As the two groups neared a collision point, those from the grander convoy, led by the eldest son of the Southern Deep Province's governor, grew anxious.

They feared that the collision might disrupt the meticulously arranged procession, potentially causing displeasure to their master.

Consequently, two officers from the grand convoy casually dispatched soldiers to intercept Magnus's team, instructing them to halt and wait until after their own convoy had entered the city.

However, their expectation of compliance was met with an unexpected continuation of Magnus's convoy, which proceeded as if undeterred by the presence of the soldiers.

The soldiers, believing they would easily intimidate the smaller convoy into submission, were taken aback when their attempt to block the path had no effect.

The convoy, under the steady hand of Old Leang, continued its advance, ignoring the soldiers' presence entirely.

This defiance stunned the soldiers, who were forced to hastily retreat to avoid being struck by the approaching carriages.

Infuriated by the disregard, one of the soldiers, emboldened and angered, snapped his whip in the air to command attention, demanding Old Leang to halt immediately with a roar. Yet, Old Leang remained undisturbed, continuing to drink from his gourd and guide the horses forward without acknowledging the soldiers' demands.

The soldiers, puzzled and insulted by Old Leang's reaction, speculated whether he was blind or deaf, unable to perceive their blockade or hear their shouts.

Yet, it was clear to them that Old Leang was neither; his calm demeanor suggested a deliberate choice to ignore their commands, highlighting a stark difference in attitude and authority between the two convoys.

This encounter at the northern gate of Silver City not only showcased the clash of egos and status but also set the stage for potential confrontations and revelations about the true power and influence behind Magnus Astor's seemingly modest convoy.

As the two soldiers reached a mutual understanding, they concluded that the driver of the approaching carriage must be deaf, given his apparent disregard for their presence.

However, as they settled on this assumption, Old Leang, the driver in question, turned around and called back to his passenger.

"Master Astor, we've encountered two fools up ahead, babbling about something. What should we do?"

"Just handle it. I'm currently reading Seraphina's palm," came a light-hearted reply from within the carriage.

Acknowledging the response with a simple "Oh…" Old Leang turned his attention back to driving, continuing on their way as if nothing had happened.

The soldiers, upon hearing Old Leang's loud remarks, were initially stunned, then their astonishment turned to fury.

They realized that not only could Old Leang hear and see them, but he had also been blatantly mocking them.

Feeling insulted, they prepared to lash out with their whips, intending to startle the horse into a panicked run, which would hopefully jolt the occupants of the carriage into a painful awakening.

However, before they could act, Old Leang simply commanded the horse, "Kick them!" Remarkably, the horse understood and executed a powerful kick, sending the soldiers flying backward with such force that they landed several meters away, their armor dented from the impact.

"Good job, old black," Old Leang complimented the horse with a pat on its back, clearly impressed by its performance. The horse neighed proudly in response, its actions causing the other horses to retreat in fear back to their own convoy.

"Old Leang, your horse training skills are impressive," Magnus Astor commented from inside the carriage, having witnessed the entire scene. He was intrigued by how well the horse responded to Old Leang's command.

"Heh, well, I've been working with horses for decades. I'd have to have some skills to keep up with you, Master Astor," Old Leang replied, not shying away from boasting a little.

Meanwhile, the grand convoy's officers and soldiers had all observed the scene of their men being effortlessly knocked aside.

Shocked and angered, the two leading officers also began to wonder about the true identity of the other convoy.

Despite their initial dismissal due to its modest appearance, the fact that its members had not only refused to yield but also retaliated so effectively suggested that they might be dealing with someone of considerable significance.

The two officers, experienced as they were, recognized that the people of the northwest were known for their fierce independence.

Yet, they couldn't fathom anyone being bold enough to confront their convoy so directly.

Could it be that this unassuming convoy held a hidden power or influential figure they were unaware of? The incident left them questioning and cautious about how to proceed next.

As the officers deliberated, they decided it was best to inform their master before taking any further action.

One of them approached the opulent palanquin, reporting, "Master, we've encountered a convoy moving alongside ours. I didn't want to make a decision without your input."

Awaiting a response, the officer was taken aback by silence, then by unexpected sounds from within the palanquin—a woman's startled cry followed by muffled, heavy breathing.

Realizing the nature of his master's preoccupation, the officer's expression turned to one of resigned understanding. His master's indulgences were no secret, having already coerced several women into the palanquin during their journey.

After a brief wait, an irritated voice finally emerged from the palanquin, "Do you really need to bother me with such trivial matters? Just have the convoy wait to the side."

Hesitantly, the officer relayed his previous attempt to halt the other convoy and their subsequent aggressive response.

"What!" The irritation in the palanquin's occupant's voice spiked. Following some rustling, the curtain was drawn by disheveled attendants, revealing a young man adorned in a black fur coat and a golden crown, his handsome features marred by annoyance.

He demanded the location of the other convoy. Once directed, he saw for himself the modest procession that had dared to defy his own.

Initially surprised, his disbelief quickly turned to disdain. "To think I assumed we were dealing with someone of importance. It's just this ragtag group daring to cross me?"

His arrogance stemmed from his status as the eldest son of Liu Wende, the powerful governor of Nanyuan Prefecture. 

In Nanyuan, Ethan Morgan's word was law, allowing him to act with impunity.

Tasked by his father to present gifts to the King Alongside in Silver City, Ethan Morgan was advised to temper his behavior. 

Yet, old habits die hard. Just days into their journey, his suppressed desires led him to abduct and violate a passing tea picker, setting a precedent for the remainder of their travel.

Now, nearing Silver City and contemplating a brief respite from his excesses, Ethan Morgan found himself provoked by an unassuming convoy.

Seeing an opportunity to exert his dominance before entering the city, he discarded his father's cautions to the wind.

Commanding his convoy, Ethan Morgan prepared to confront Magnus Astor's group, unaware of the true stature of those he deemed unworthy opponents.