Chương 15: Chapter – 15 - Who Is Su Matsao?

A crowd had gathered around, keeping a distance from the two carriages at the center of dispute. One of them was a large, lavish carriage. The wooden frame was carved into coiling flower and leaf motifs, with shining metal hinges and joints. Soft, billowing curtains adorned both windows at the two sides, covering another layer of sheer gauze blocking out the inside. The door was covered with a heavier, brocade-like cloth. The material of this door-curtain shimmered in the light, changing colors in light and shadow. A huge flag carrying a large green flower emblem, with green tendrils emerging from the center of the flower flapped in the cold evening breeze.

The other carriage was smaller, and the wood used were in flat strips, with a small beast motif embossed on it's panels. The curtains of the windows and door were more thicker, and the embroidery glittered like gold. The flag too, was smaller, with a strange mouse-like beasts head embroidered on it.

"That flower emblem belongs to the Triple Moon Sect. They are one of the top five Major Sects. Their disciples are extremely rude and arrogant, but then there aren't many who can stand up against them. The other party should bow down and make way, or the Triple Moon Sect will make their life very painful."

"You probably don't know, but the other flag belongs to Ancient Beast Aura Sect – the second dark horse of this decade's championship. They maybe new, but if they give way just for that, then Triple Moon Sect will never allow them to raise their heads again."

"I still think it's better to live with your heads bowed than to die with your head up. What is the point of anything if you are dead?"

"We are all lone cultivators, so why are you both getting so riled up. This matter was started by the two sects, and they will deal with it. We should stay back and hope we don't get caught in the crossfire!"

Rihanna (still gnawing at the bone, which she had forgotten in her sudden anxiety and excitement), was keeping an eye on the two carriages, as she tried to snuggle close to this group of neighbors who she had followed from inside the restaurant. Though the people watching the play seemed to be used to this sudden disruption in their everyday life, they didn't really seem too concerned.

As she scampered behind the group of lone cultivators, she looked around and noticed that all the shops and stalls in the close vicinity had very subtly activated their defense arrays. Varied elemental energies floated around the market road, bathing the slowly dimming day in a rainbow of lights.

The curtain of the second carriage swung open, and a young teenage boy stepped out followed by a slightly older girl. Both gave off an aura of coldness, carrying themselves with grace and dignity. They came forward, then bowed lightly in the direction of the other carriage.

"This Sir, we both seem to be here to partake in the Congregation of Champions from the Alliance of Sects at Madsa-Tamu. Surely you realize that it was your own carriage which was at fault first. You were trying to cut into the line forcefully, which agitated our beast and he lashed back. Since both of us are at fault, why don't we both take a step back. Since you have already cut ahead, you may continue forward, and we will switch places with you. So, could you kindly move your carriage. There are many carriages stuck behind due to our senseless dispute."

Throughout this long monologue, delivered by the young girl, the other carriage remained motionless. Even the carriage driver did not care to glance at them. As the young girl turned to look at her companion, the door curtain moved back slightly and a very fair hand came out.

"Look out!"

Some one in the crowd screamed. A ray of white light shot out at the girl, who dodged it effortlessly, her expression turning dark and chilly. The crowd immediately dispersed, gathering in small groups at a very safe distances, scattered around in alleys and on roof-tops, to continue watching the drama.

Rihanna was also blindly following the previous group, when one thin man suddenly turned and looked at her in confusion. Rihanna hurriedly took out the bone and tossed it into a rubbish bin nearby, then smiled back. She thought she looked innocent and enchanting – she forgot about the oil and saliva and small bits of meat layering her mouth. The man looked at her speechlessly, pointing a finger at her mouth, to which she scrambled around, searching for a handkerchief, not finding which she proceeded to scrub away at her mouth with the long sleeves of her dress. The man looked at her with evident disgust and disdain overflowing his eyes.

"Who are you and why are you following us? A commoner like you should not be here."

Rihanna smiled again, trying to make herself as innocent looking as possible. Didn't all people like guileless little kids. Hmmm....she needed more practice to perfect this heaven granted role.

"Uncle, I lost my way and ended up here. I don't know where my companions have gone. They told me to come to the market if I get separated from them. But since they are not here, and there seems to be some people looking for trouble, I was scared, and followed you all from the restaurant. Uncle can I please stay with you till these people go away?"

The 'Uncle's' lips twitched. He had never ever been called Uncle before. He was barely 50 – that was hardly any age in the world of cultivation. The other people in his group overheard their conversation and snickered in mirth. One even thumped him on his back and called him 'Uncle' a few more times.

"Oh, sure you can follow us little girl. As long as you are with 'Uncle' here, you will be safe. Now, just hold onto Uncle's hand and don't let go, okay?"

Rihanna rolled her eyes inwardly. 'Uncle my foot! And don't smile so creepily, 2nd uncle – you look like a pervert!'

A tall, slim young man had stepped out of the second carriage, and within this short time, the three of them had already exchanged a few rounds. Thankfully before their fight could escalate to hurt any human or damage any property in the surrounding, a low, shrill whistle sounded, piercing through all eardrums. A group of uniformed guards ran in to surround both the carriages, followed by a grim faced middle aged man. He passed on something which looked like red tokens to all three of the youth partaking in the dispute, and then immediately started rushing them to leave. The three didn't look convinced, yet reluctantly boarded their respective carriages and left. Instantly the traffic-jam dispersed, and the smooth flow of carriages on the road resumed order.

Rihanna was taken aback by this turn of events. She didn't think that law-enforcers and police departments on earth could smooth-en out heated roadside disputes this fast and this efficiently.

"Let's go girl. The show is off for today."

"Uncle, who was that man? Does he have a very high post? He managed to get both groups to leave so quickly?"

The 'Uncle' and all his friends gave her a very weird look. Rihanna awkwardly rubbed her nose, wondering if she had said something wrong.

"Girl, is this the first time you have come out of your home?"

Rihanna felt her heart jump, but she kept up with her innocent look. "Yes Uncle. I have always been a bit sick from my childhood, so I never got a chance to come outside before. Also the people at home don't tell me a lot about what happens outside, so I don't know much. Also..."

"Also...?"

"Ummm.....I somehow fell down a cliff. Maybe I hit my head while falling, because I seem to have forgotten a lot of things." Rihanna looked down dejectedly, pinching her thighs to squeeze out a few pitiful tears. The group of 'Uncles' seemed to melt under the warmth of her tears and sad little face, immediately wanting to take her under their wings.

"Aaahh! No wonder you did not recognize the Uniform of the Central Line Law Enforcers. These big cities all have similar laws. No cultivator is allowed to fight inside the city. There are designated arenas in every city, where in-dispute parties can register their Dispute Challenge, and if both parties agree, then can sign in for a Death-Duel. This duel will be judged by the Head City Line Law Enforcer, The Local Magistrate, and the Sect Head of the city's Guardian Sect."

Rihanna nodded, trying to absorb everything he said like a sponge. So there were such strict laws against fighting in the cities? Which was really strange, considering the number of dead bodies she had seen on her journey from the Poison Swamp Forest to Green-Stone City - rotting bodies, headless bodies, poisoned bodies, heavily wounded bodies, burnt to crisp bodies. They had come across at least a dozen or more, both in the forest and also along the road to the city. So killing was not allowed.....but only in the cities. Outside you were free to do as you wished - the strong survived while the weak surrendered!

No wonder there was such a long line of people waiting to enter the city! With killing and lawlessness rampaging around in the open, the cities with their rigid laws must be like an oasis for these weary and wounded travelers. Perhaps it was the same situation in all cities, where people could come to get treatment, refresh their stock of food, weapons and other materials, sell of their collections to get some cash, and basically charge up their energy meter before heading out once more into the land of no laws.

Even though she was thinking of heading to Moon-Grave City to gain a better understanding about her body's original owner, she would have to think again - traveling on the road would take a long time, and would definitely be a lot more difficult. Without any worthwhile ideas on how to use her accumulated energy, she was just a sitting duck. And Fluffy wasn't much use either!

Rihanna was following behind the group of 'Uncles', deep in her own thoughts, when someone knocked hard onto her shoulders. Almost losing balance, she looked at the perpetrator in disbelief.

"Su Matsao! Have you lost your hearing? I have been calling you for so long, yet you simply keep walking. Are you ignoring me?"

Rihanna blinked at this tall, brawny youth, with scraggly beard and unkempt hair speechlessly. Is it really okay for you to push a little girl just because she didn't answer you? And - who in the world was Su Matsao?