The sun was high up in the sky, If someone looked far down the road, they would see the air shimmering because of the heat. as the caravan traveled the guards were sweating and looking anxious, after all they were now entering ferocious tiger's strong hold and these people were known to be merciless people who rob and kill with no regards to human life.
"Sigh even though ferocious tigers are not martial masters they're still dangerous and mustn't be provoked"
"Well village lord Chi huan has countless times met them so he knows what he's doing"
The guards discussed among themselves and were hoping nothing goes wrong along the way. None of them wanted to lose their lives for nothing, the slaves also hearing the guards conversations were also hoping for the best outcome after all they were slaves if the ferocious tigers attacked they would be quickly abandoned and one could only imagine what would become of them.
As the caravan kept moving, an old fragile looking man with worn out clothes and long eyebrows that reached down to his jaw could be seen standing in the middle of the road, the old man had a kind smile on his face. His eyes were shut, but village lord Chi huan who was staying vigilant immediately recognized the old man and stepped down from his carriage.
"Greetings old man song yao, it has been a while."
Village lord Chi huan wrapped his fist in his palm as a respect towards the fragile looking old man, all the caravan guards and the slaves watched with anxious look on their faces. Even though most of the slaves were young. they were not stupid, they knew how dangerous it was to be near bandits like the ferocious tigers and especially so since they're young and slaves, their lives hang on a single strand of women's hair
"Hoho, lord Chi huan, it has truly been a while,"
The old man chuckled as he returned the greetings, just as he did so village lord Chi huan raised his right hand and a short muscular man with sharp eyebrows came running with a wooden case, and quickly placed it on the ground carefully.
"Greetings lord, I'm Li Ming"
the short muscular man also wrapped his fist in his palm, respectfully greeting old man song yao, both Li Ming and lord Chi huan stepped away from the wooden case. old man song yao did not move to grab the wooden case but simply stepped aside while still having a kind smile on his face.
The caravan guards as well as the slaves breathed an air of relief as they saw the old man stepping to the side. the tense air surrounding them disappeared, replaced with joy.
"Then old man song yao"
Lord Chi huan wrapped his fist in his palm biding farewell toward old man song yao as he quickly ordered his guards to start moving, he wouldn't dare take chances and linger around.
"Old man song yao, you wretched old bastard you dare make my men pay tribute?"
An angry roaring sound came from the sky, all the slaves and the caravan guards immediately looked up at the sky, and In the sky they all saw a little dot that was jumping up and down rushing towards them at a greet speed,
"It's a martial master"
"A Martial master? Sigh, now what?"
All the slaves and caravan guards were struck with fear, everyone knew the difference between martial masters and mortals was as great as the difference between heaven and earth.
Except for the boy who was tied flat on his chest inside the slave cage and old man song yao who had an indifferent look on his face as he looked towards the man in the sky, all the other slaves and the caravan guards immediately kowtowed. Village lord Chi huan did not even have to bother with telling them to kowtow. He too was on the ground kowtowing.
Even village lord Chi huan a wealthy caravan owner had to kowtow. What value do the caravan guards and the slave's lives hold? In front of martial masters. they had to show respect or die a meaningless death.
"Hmph, this is ferocious tiger's territory, if anyone wants to pass through they have to pay a tribute"
old man song yao scoffed as he looked towards the sky and saw a well built old man wearing a jade-green clothes, the man had a fierce look in his eyes as he glared at him
"Old man song yao, we've known each other for a long time, you wouldn't even show me face? Are you still the graceful song yao?"
Old man song yao had an indifferent look on his face, he calmly placed both his hands on his back standing firmly like a sword that could pierce through the sky.
"It's elder feng ming!"
"Did he come to help us?"
The caravan guards and slaves recognized elder feng ming as he stood face to face with old man song yao,
"Is old man song yao also a martial master?"
"Sigh, good thing we didn't try anything funny and payed the tribute"
"Lord Chi huan is truly wise"
The caravan guards discussed among themselves and were grateful towards village lord Chi huan as he did not drive them into danger by not paying a tribute or trying to pick a fight with the fragile looking old man.
"You guys get moving before i change my mind"
"Yes, we will be on our way then"
The caravan started going on its way as old man song yao instructed them to do, the caravan guards and most of the slaves were fearful and quickly wanted to be out there, except for the young man who was tied flat on his chest inside the slave cage, his eyes were shining with a brilliant light as he watched old man song yao and elder feng ming fiercely looking at each other.
"Hahaha, junior brother"
"Senior brother"
But soon after. the boy's shining brilliant eyes were replaced with disappointment, turns out elder feng ming and old man song yao had been acquainted with each other.