With everyone stepping off the deck in an orderly manner, Yang Lin made sure he was second to last in the row, giving Xiao Ming the spot at the far rear of the line. That way, she would not feel as anxious. Of course, no one cared for this, Richard still cast a scornful look at Yang Lin, a mocking smile decorating his face. Yang Lin felt something was off, but he could not pinpoint what exactly. When he looked at the guard who previously broke his wrist, the guard looked away with some guilt in his eyes.
This further confirmed Yang Lin's guess, something bad was brewing, but what exactly?
"Halt! Cloud Mist Orphanage?" Someone stopped their group as they landed on land, they didn't have the chance to admire the advanced structure of the bustling city before being stopped by a group of people clad in deep blue military uniforms. The one who spoke had a twin star badge pinned at his right shoulder, probably an indication of status.
The stars were bronze, probably another indicator.
One of the guards stepped forward, saluted, and handed over a list of papers for the other individual to look over. The process took a moment, and the person would occasionally nod his head and glance at the children. It was at this moment that Yang Lin caught glimpse of Richard's grin, this was a bad sign.
"Alright. Those documents seem valid enough." The man said, taking a step back. He gestured with his head to two of the men in the back and they closed in with their own carriage.
"Following the order, you go up, no wasting my time." The man holding the papers said. Then, he began calling out, "Qin Lou! Qin Lie! Nei Han!" Every name he called, the person would nod and get into the carriage.
"Xiao Ming!.."
"Richard!..."
Calling up to the nine names, the man then said, "This is it, take them!"
Xiao Ming who was about to climb into the carriage froze, about to turn back in a panic, only to be pushed inside by Richard as he said, "Don't waste Senior's time!" He had a ruthless grin as he pushed her forward, getting inside right after and closing the door.
"Bastard!" Yang Lin's eyes grew exceptionally cold, he quickly made a move forward with a dash, only to see the shadow of a fish with a violent current of Qi revolving about reaching towards his cheek. In haste, he crossed both arms near his face to block, and bang!
With a thud and a faint crackling noise, Yang Lin was launched through the air and crashed into a nearby fish stall.
"Impudent!" The Senior's voice rang a moment later, he was greatly dissatisfied. Climbing out of the fish stacks, Yang Lin looked towards the carriage, he could see and hear Xiao Ming trying to exit, but being blocked by Richard. He was, after all, stronger than her physically. As she would not calm down, a guard who was already in the carriage chopped at her nape, knocking her out.
Seeing that snapped Yang Lin's patience in half. Like a darting dagger, he shot forward.
Bang!
Again, he was sent into the pile of fish. Coughing up some blood, he convulsed on the ground. The one who could not bear it was the guard who had some pleasant interactions with Yang Lin, he feigned anger, approached Yang Lin who was struggling to get up, and delivered an elbow to the youth's back while whispering, "Don't fight back, she won't be mistreated, I promise you. For now, just lay low. At the end of this year, if you still want to see her, take part in the entry exams to join the Military School."
To outsiders, it only looked like the guard was beating down and threatening Yang Lin, but that was not the case. He knew that physical pain was nothing at all to Yang Lin, so he had to be ruthless to speak and avoid suspicion. Of course, just because he could tolerate pain, that didn't mean he couldn't feel it.
Laying in the pile of fish, Yang Lin watched the departing carriage with a cold gaze.
Everyone in the vicinity was watching with varying expressions. No one knew what happened, but some had pitied the young man. Suddenly, an old man with a hunched back approached Yang Lin who already sat up by now. With a dry chuckle, the old man said, "Some righteous force they are, don't you agree? Hahaha."
The old man turned around and began walking away. Yang Lin understood the sarcasm, but he didn't bother with old people anymore. However, the fox's voice rang out in his mind at an alarming roar.
"Go! Follow the old man!"
Yang Lin was shocked. This fox didn't utter a single word for god knows how long, but it now urged him to follow that old man. Moreover, the fox's voice wasn't cryptic under an ethereal viel this time, seems like the fox was also caught off.
The fox's voice was actually quite feminine...