Daili, hearing Mo Han’s utterly unreasonable words, could only let out a short, amused laugh. “So, you’re allowed to be here, but no one else is? What kind of logic is that?”

Mo Han grinned. “Heh, just letting off some steam. That shouldn’t require paying taxes, right?” Daili and the others were long past being surprised by Mo Han’s strange terminology.

Just as Mo Han was zoning out, drowsy from waiting and secretly bemoaning his fate, a sudden rush arose from behind. Mo Han turned to look, seeing over a dozen horses galloping rapidly from the rear of the procession. As they reached the crowd, they showed no sign of slowing down. Most people in the throng, apparently accustomed to such sights, parted to let them pass. However, many newcomers, unfamiliar with the local customs, remained standing there, bewildered, forcing the stampede to abruptly check its speed.

Those stunned commoners were immediately subjected to vicious beatings from the riders. Mo Han saw that the leaders were several richly dressed noble youths, followed by perhaps a dozen retainers. The whole group wore expressions of arrogant entitlement.

One of the noble youths barked at a middle-aged man who hadn't managed to dodge: “You damned peasant, still standing there like an idiot! If you had startled my horse, killing you wouldn’t even be worth the price!”

With that, he raised his riding crop and lashed it across the man, who fell to the ground completely unprepared, immediately letting out a pained cry. The young nobles burst into laughter.

At that moment, a youth in the center, dressed in exquisite white robes, spoke up. “Not bad, Chen Jugou. Making progress lately. Your cultivation must have reached the level of a Novice Swordsman by now? Quite a fast improvement.”

The youth who had just struck the man quickly replied, “How dare I show off such meager skills in front of Young Master Murong? Mine are nothing compared to even a fraction of yours. Please don’t tease me.”

Young Master Murong nodded in satisfaction at Chen Jugou’s words, a smug look spreading across his face. He declared, “It’s fine. Just keep working hard, and you’ll surely reach half my level.”

The moment Mo Han overheard this exchange between the two idiots, he felt a wave of nausea and frowned deeply. He thought to himself, Murong? There can’t be that many nobles with the surname Murong in the capital. He must be one of the Murong family, likely the legendary, least promising one, Murong Feiying.

Meanwhile, onlookers displayed looks of disgust at the gang’s tyrannical behavior but dared not speak their anger aloud. Other pedestrians caught in the middle, after witnessing the middle-aged man struck by the whip, quickly scrambled out of the way. Only Mo Han’s group remained standing in the middle, conspicuously obvious. Daili and the others were already furious at the riders’ actions, but since Mo Han remained silent, they held back, reasoning it was better not to immediately offend nobles upon arriving in a new place.

The arrogant noble party, noticing Mo Han’s group still occupying the center, felt their prestige slighted. They spurred their horses forward, intending to teach these reckless individuals a lesson. As they arrived before Mo Han’s party and prepared to launch their tirade, they suddenly paused.

Daili, Anna, and Yunxiang all showed expressions of astonishment, which quickly shifted to lecherous appraisal. The central figure, Murong Feiying, sighed dramatically. “What exquisite beauties! Truly women of unparalleled grace. A pity.”

Chen Jugou, noticing Murong Feiying’s expression, immediately seized the opportunity. “You people, it’s clear you are spies from another country! Guards! Arrest all the men and throw them in the dungeon! Send the women to Young Master Murong’s residence for rigorous interrogation to find out which nation sent them as spies!”

The retainers behind Chen Jugou dismounted quickly and rushed towards Mo Han’s party.

Murong Feiying was greatly pleased by Chen Jugou’s quick thinking and praised him. “Jugou, you are becoming much better at handling matters. Don’t worry, whatever you need my Murong family’s assistance with this time, we will definitely help you.”

Chen Jugou hurriedly replied, “Not at all, Young Master Murong. Just remembering my humble self is satisfaction enough for me.”

Suddenly, several sharp cries echoed. Chen Jugou looked up to see all dozen of his retainers sent to capture Mo Han flying backward. Several of them were smashed directly into him and Murong Feiying. In shock and unable to dodge, Chen Jugou, along with his horse, was sent crashing to the ground, tears of pain nearly streaming from his eyes. The two retainers hurled toward Murong Feiying, however, were deflected by a mere cold snort from him. Judging by the force, they were likely to suffer several broken bones. Mo Han felt a surge of dark anger. This man is truly vicious, using such force even against his own men. I must teach him a lesson today.

Chen Jugou, meanwhile, kicked away the servant pinning him down and scrambled up, shouting furiously, “You damned peasant! How dare you lay a hand on me! Do you even know who I am? You are courting death!”

Mo Han replied dismissively, “How would I know if you’re a cat, a dog, or a pig? Why would I recognize a beast?”

Hearing Mo Han’s words, Chen Jugou’s face turned the color of pig liver. He spat out, “Fine! You just wait!” Then he roared, “Guards! City Guards! Get over here and arrest these spies!”

The guards responsible for maintaining public order heard Chen Jugou’s shouts, but they paid him no mind. They too were displeased by the antics of Murong Feiying’s group and pretended not to hear anything.

Chen Jugou became enraged at this indifference. He marched up to a leading captain and yelled, “Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear us calling for you to arrest spies?”

The captain replied calmly, “We are only soldiers responsible for public security. Arresting spies is not within our jurisdiction. We dare not overstep our authority.”

Chen Jugou blustered arrogantly, “Do you know who my father is? You dare speak to me like that? You don’t want your job anymore!”

The captain didn’t even spare him a glance, turning away and acting as if he hadn't heard a word.

Leaving Chen Jugou stranded, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

At this point, Murong Feiying intervened. “You may not have the task of arresting spies, but I now demand your assistance in apprehending these individuals in my capacity as an Imperial Earl. Surely you cannot refuse that request?”

To his surprise, the captain responded with the same placid tone. “My apologies, Lord Earl. By Imperial Decree, we of the Sky Dragon Legion report directly to the orders of Duke Long Gufan. We regretfully cannot comply.”

Murong Feiying’s expression tightened. He hadn’t expected such insubordination from a mere soldier captain. His face darkened, but after a moment of calculation—realizing they were completely outmatched by Mo Han’s group—he conceded, speaking to the captain with forced restraint. “Very well, I shall remember this.”

The captain completely ignored his statement. Murong Feiying, his face grim, announced, “Let’s go.”

Just as they were about to depart, Mo Han quickly spoke up. “Hold on a moment. What, you beat innocent people for no reason and you think you can just dust off your hands and leave?”

Murong Feiying suppressed his rage. “And what do you want?” Mo Han countered. “At the very least, you should offer a formal apology, and then compensate this uncle for his medical expenses before you go.”

Murong Feiying roared, “You must be dreaming! You expect the young master of the esteemed Murong family to apologize to this peasant? Kid, I think you’ve lost your mind.”