Chapter 163: Trouble

Ayaan looked at Leafwhisk's jubilant expression and felt unusual satisfaction. At first when he met her, she acted aloof and talked little; though her face was expressionless and cold, Ayaan knew she had her own worries and things to do. However, now when he saw her acting like a young lady, his heart bloomed in pleasure.

"What?" Leafwhisk narrowed her eyes when she saw him smiling at her like a fool.

"Oh, it's nothing," he replied. He himself didn't know the reason for his happiness after all.

Leafwshik said nothing and continued to talk with others while Ayaan and Akash just sat at the side and listened to the girl talk. Even the little girl, Ifre, was talking a lot more.

After making some planes the group went to buy the horses for the journey. They had freed their horses previously; so they bought them again as they needed to travel a long distance from the Shadow City. They had collected lots of money from the captain and his soldiers, and the horses cost little. So it wasn't any problem to buy some horses.

The group checked horses and their saddles and rode the horses out of the city with no problem. No one had been left in the city to create the problems for them, anyway. The horses galloped away as the guards watched helplessly. Who would dare to stop that person? Even they suspected them for being the cutthroat of the Mayor. They could only grit their teeth and let them escape.

Gradually their shadows faded from the guards' sight, as the horses galloped in the distance.

——

The horses darted, and the group left the Shadow City behind in no time. "Our next stop will be Odoport City. It is about twelve hours away from here. We will stay there before entering the Barbari Mountain Range." Leafwhisk said as she rode her horse. Though she had already explained, she made it clear once more if someone didn't understand.

Everyone nodded while continuing to rush on their horses. Just when they were about two or three miles away from the Shadow City, they saw the group of horse riders dashing towards them. Ayaan's group observed them while they observed Ayaan and his group. 

At the very front of the group of the soldiers, was the man with a solid build. He must be their captain. Though they were surprised by so many beautiful women in the group, they didn't stop and passed Ayaan's group like a wind, leaving behind the scattered dust on the ground.

One man who was just behind the Captain asked with a smile. The speed was fast, and it was difficult to hear because of passing wind, so he shouted once more. "Captain, those women look amazing!"

The captain looked at the Vice Captain and shook his head. "First, we need to complete our mission. You can find many women later!"

The Vice Captain looked disappointed. He turned his head behind and didn't see those women's shadows. He knew he could get many women but not someone like those four. He had glimpsed at them and couldn't see their faces clearly, but he could tell that they were amazing beauties and felt a strong desire in his heart to ravage them.

—— 

Everyone exchanged glances with each other, looking rather serious. "They must be the soldiers of the Empire. How did they arrive so early?" asked Noor confusedly.

"They didn't arrive early. They are just at the right time. Didn't that Mayor, what was his name, ah yes, Vylan, didn't he say that he had informed the Empire many days prior?" Leafwhisk said.

"Well, it is good we avoided fighting. I don't like blood and killing after all." Ayaan said modestly. On his face was written "Shameless".

The ladies heard him and snorted disdainfully. Even little guys Akash who sat behind Ayaan couldn't help but roll his eyes at his big brother's shamelessness.

"Everyone knows if those soldiers that had just gone were to come, you will slaughter them cruelly. While their limbs would scatter all around, leaving a snack for the roaming wild beasts." Rebecca said disdainfully.

"Hey, come on, I'm a gentle and caring husband, and you think this about me?" Ayaan had a hurt expression on his face, trying to look pitiful.

"Put that act somewhere else, humph!" Noor rebuked him for acting hurt.

"Do you know how much your words have hurt me? How about tonight…"

"Shh! You pervert, can't you see these two children?" chided Isobel when she heard his words. However, her face was completely red.

Ayaan saw Isobel's face and wanted to tease even further, but then, he saw Leafwhisk's daggered gaze and shut his mouth. He didn't want to enrage this lady. 

After that the group traveled about two hours with a constant pace. They talked and laughed in the entire way. They weren't riding their horses at a quick speed, because they needed these horses for a long journey. So they could hear each other fine.

At this moment the group heard the clamour from behind. They looked behind and saw a dust flying in the horizon, but they couldn't see the source of this disturbance. It took a minute for the shadows to appear in the distance. They were riders. Riding their horses at full speed.

When Ayaan and his group realised who these people were, their expressions changed and became serious. Though they weren't particularly powerful, it never hurts to be careful. 

As the saying goes: fight every battle as it is your last. Who knows what your opponent might be hiding. And Ayaan always believed in this saying that's why he killed the Mayor, though he was nothing but a little bug in his eyes. Because sometimes even a bug could make lots of troubles for you, so it is better to get rid of it as soon as possible.

It took around two minutes for the soldiers to arrive in front of Ayaan and his companions. They immediately surrounded them and formed a circle, to prevent their escape. Everyone looked at Ayaan's group and their eyes gleamed in excitement.

"Boss, we hit the jackpot!" someone couldn't contain his excitement and shouted in excitement.