“Murder! Murder! Someone is riding a horse through the market and killing people!” Suddenly, someone cried out as if they had lost their parents, and in an instant, the entire East Market was thrown into chaos. It was horrifying to see a murder take place under the bright sun.
Countless onlookers backed away, leaving only Mo Yi wiping his hands, spitting foam, and the peerless girl on horseback in the center.
Oh, and there was also a farmer lying on the ground, groaning. His chest had been caved in, and it was a miracle he hadn't died after being kicked by the startled Blood-Sweating Steed. But from the looks of it, he had definitely broken a dozen ribs.
Mo Yi finished wiping his hands and looked at the girl on horseback, asking, “Had enough fun? Not going yet? You really want to wait for the officials to arrive?”
Mo Luo Xue coldly glanced at the farmer, then patted the Blood-Sweating Steed, signaling Mo Yi to climb on.
Mo Yi shrugged. He tossed his large bag onto the horse's back and mounted, sitting behind Mo Luo Xue. He kept a decent distance from her on the horse, a sort of invisible line between them, but even so, the intoxicating fragrance reached his nose.
Mo Yi smelled citrus, black currant, pineapple, honeydew, rose, jasmine, fresh air, and herbs coming from Mo Luo Xue. She had a dedicated perfume maker in the Mo family, at least that's what Mo Yi thought, because the scents he'd smelled on her in recent days were all subtly different, and never repeated.
“Enough sniffing?” Mo Luo Xue's voice was calm. “The officials are here.”
Mo Yi turned his head towards the end of the market, where countless men in official garb were rushing towards them. At the front was a high-ranking official in a constable's uniform.
“Let’s go,” Mo Luo Xue said. She raised her whip, ready to strike. Their mount, the Blood-Sweating Steed, could run like the wind. No ordinary horse could catch its tail. This was Mo Luo Xue’s personal steed, and whoever was in charge of feeding it must have done a good job, because it was incredibly muscular and well-fed.
Mo Yi furrowed his brow. He scanned the entire scene, taking in the man groaning on the ground, the officials speeding towards them, kicking up dust in their wake. His mind settled, and his thoughts began to swirl... He smelled a hint of conspiracy.
“Something’s wrong,” Mo Yi suddenly dismounted. He hung his bag on the horse’s back and walked towards the approaching officials, “I have a theory.”
Mo Luo Xue slightly frowned, watching Mo Yi’s actions.
In just a few breaths, the constables and officials were in front of Mo Yi. Like wolves, they lunged forward to seize him.
Mo Yi took a half-step back, approaching the Blood-Sweating Steed. He drew a gleaming sword, pointing it at the officials. A faint killing intent permeated the air. Mo Luo Xue swept her gaze across all the officials and coldly said, “Take another step, and you'll die.”
The officials exchanged glances, hesitant to make a move. Anyone bold enough to ride through the market and threaten officials with a sword was no ordinary person. Plus, seeing the girl on horseback, they subconsciously assumed she was some great family's daughter.
“Excuse me, Miss, someone reported that you stole a horse, rode it recklessly, and injured someone,” the leading constable took a step forward and clasped his hands, bowing slightly.
The sword flashed! A crescent-shaped arc of light swept towards the constable, its speed reaching the peak of what a human eye could perceive. The constable reacted instinctively, retreating to avoid the fatal blow.
Mo Luo Xue swung her fine sword, a drop of blood landing on the ground. She slightly parted her lips and said, "I told you, anyone who comes closer will die.”
The constable took a deep breath. A red mark appeared on the bridge of his nose. If he had retreated half a step slower, he would have been killed instantly.
Mo Yi bowed slightly, a smile playing on his lips. “May I ask if you, Constable, are a local official from Yu Family Village?”
The constable returned the bow and said in a low voice, "Yes, we received the report and rushed here immediately.”
Mo Yi looked at all the officials present and fell into thought. He tapped his palm lightly and said, "If I'm not mistaken, the Great Laws of Yi Kingdom state that one cannot ride a horse at high speed in the market, to avoid harming innocent people. So, gentlemen, you received a report and came running on foot, correct?”
The officials looked at each other, as if not quite understanding Mo Yi's words, but eventually they nodded in agreement, confirming his guess.
Mo Yi smiled slightly and stared at the constable. “Please tell me, how far away were you from here when you received the report?”
The constable was stunned for a moment before answering, "It was ten li away!”
“Five kilometers.” Mo Yi chuckled, his eyes growing clearer. He seemed to have found the answer.
The constable frowned. He didn’t know what this young man was doing. He bowed again and asked, "Are you willing to come with us to the official’s office to settle this matter, sir and miss? If you refuse, we may have to use force."
Mo Yi shook his head. “Constable, if I’m not wrong, you received the report eighteen minutes ago and rushed here nonstop. So, please tell me, what exactly was the report about?”
“Stealing a horse, riding it recklessly through the market, and intentionally injuring someone.” The constable repeated the charges, his voice heavy with suspicion, "All serious crimes. I hope you and this lady will accept your punishment.”
Mo Yi immediately understood what was happening. Mo Luo Xue was harassed ten minutes ago, and the Blood-Sweating Steed kicked the farmer just a few minutes ago. So, the question was, how did the officials arrive on the scene so quickly? In other words, the officials were already on their way before anything happened. Someone had gone to the official’s office, five kilometers away, and filed a report before anything happened, directly targeting Mo Yi and Mo Luo Xue.
Coincidence? Mo Yi didn't believe it. They had only been here for less than a day.
With things so clear, Mo Yi didn't waste another word. He mounted the horse, leaning close to Mo Luo Xue’s ear. Mo Luo Xue felt uncomfortable and wanted to push him away, but after hearing Mo Yi’s hushed words, she instantly fell silent. She raised her whip and struck the Blood-Sweating Steed. With a kick to its flanks, the horse reared its front legs, whinnying loudly.
“Stop them!” the constable roared.
Countless officials were about to charge, but in the next moment, a token appeared in Mo Yi's hand. A golden Canglong, a mythical dragon, clawed and roared on the token. The sunlight cast a golden sheen on the token, highlighting each of its scales in incredible detail. The person who carved this token perfectly captured the ferocity and dominance of the mythical creature it represented.
The constable recognized the token, and his pupils constricted. Cold sweat instantly broke out on his back. He yelled in a panic, his voice strained, “Everyone, back down! Back down!”
Before the officials could react, the constable suddenly knelt on one knee, bowing to Mo Yi and Mo Luo Xue.
The officials were bewildered, but instinctively followed the constable and knelt down as well.
Mo Yi put away the token and glanced coldly at the constable and his men. Under his gaze, the constable broke into a cold sweat, his body trembling slightly, like a chicken with a fever. The Blood-Sweating Steed whinnied and bolted, turning into a streak of red lightning, vanishing into the streets and disappearing around the corner.
The Blood-Sweating Steed had been gone for several minutes before the constable dared to rise. He was drenched in sweat, as if he had just been pulled from a pond. His pupils were dilated, reflecting fear and terror. It was as if he had walked right past the jaws of a monstrous beast.
“Boss, what’s wrong?” One official nervously approached, curious why their usually formidable boss was suddenly so trembling.
The constable waved his hand, his voice stiff. “Forget everything that happened today. Don’t mention a word of this when you get back. Go to the magistrate and report… Those two are from the Mo family in the capital city.”
The Mo family in the capital city... All the officials instantly fell silent.
In the crowd, a man wearing a straw hat slightly frowned. He was carrying a bag the same size as Mo Yi’s. He turned and pushed his way through the crowd, disappearing into the sea of people. A transparent jade pendant shaped like a carp hung on his chest.