Mistakenly Entering the Vice Chariot

"Han Xiangxiu, third daughter of the Han Family of Chuan Province, receiving disciple is Senior Kong Yue."

"Zhang Dali, from Zhang Family Village in Feng City, Zhang Province, receiving disciple is Senior Zhao Huo."

One after another, the youths dutifully reported their origins and the names of their receiving disciples. In the blink of an eye, it was Shi Mu's turn.

"Shi Mu, from Feng City, receiving disciple is Senior Ye Hongyao of the Mystic Sound Sect." After a moment's hesitation, Shi Mu finally said so.

"What, Mystic Sound Sect, Ye Hongyao? You've got some nerve, spouting nonsense to toy with me!" The blue-robed man, who had been bent over writing in a ledger, suddenly looked up in fury and spoke viciously.

"This junior wouldn't dare. Here is a letter from Senior Ye to your sect's Senior Sun, along with a Xuan Token." At this point, Shi Mu simply pulled the jade slip and the Xuan Token from his bosom and handed them over directly.

"Senior Sun? Do you mean Upper Court Head Sun Tianlong, or Elder Sun of the inner sect's Xuantian Hall?" The blue-robed man was taken aback and asked in confusion.

"This junior is not certain either," Shi Mu replied frankly.

"So you're not a disciple here for the sect's entry test, but a disciple of the Mystic Sound Sect instead." The blue-robed man didn't take the jade slip or Xuan Token, instead showing a strange expression as he asked.

"This junior did come here hoping to join the Black Tortoise Sect. The letter from Senior Ye to Senior Sun should be a letter of recommendation, which is why I spoke as I did earlier." Shi Mu said with a bitter smile.

Hearing Shi Mu's words, the other youths all looked over in surprise.

The blue-robed man's eyes flickered a few times after listening. After a long moment, he suddenly swung his arm, knocking the Xuan Token and jade slip from Shi Mu's hand, and said viciously:

"Hmph, since you want to join this sect too, there's no need for more talk. No matter who wrote you a recommendation letter, before me it's just waste paper. Now, all of you go to the lowest deck and stay there. Without my orders, no one is allowed on deck. If anyone dares to disobey, they'll find out what my punishment is like."

Seeing the man's fierce demeanor, the other youths naturally dared not resist and nodded in agreement.

At that moment, several scar-faced servants in gray clothes walked out from the cabin, leading the group down below deck.

Shi Mu felt a flicker of doubt in his heart, but after picking up the jade slip and Xuan Token from the floor, he followed the others into the cabin without another word.

The blue-robed man watched Shi Mu coldly, surprised to see no sign of argument or defiance from him.

"Heh, this kid's pretty sharp. Seems like he's caught on to something."

Once everyone had entered the cabin, black qi suddenly swirled behind the blue-robed man, and a black-robed figure wearing a tiger-face mask materialized out of thin air.

"Bone Tiger, you shouldn't be showing yourself now. Don't forget what the sect master instructed before we left. This trip is under my lead!" The blue-robed man's face darkened.

"Relax, I won't interfere with your business. I just think it might be better to toss that kid overboard. After all, we've already provoked the Black Tortoise Sect; provoking the Mystic Sound Sect too isn't wise," the tiger-face mask man said nonchalantly.

"Hmph, one Ye Hongyao doesn't represent the Mystic Sound Sect. The Three Sects of Great Qi and our Two Gates of Yan Kingdom have never gotten along anyway, and we've fought the Mystic Sound Sect before. Besides, judging by how this kid was sent to this ordinary reception point with just a jade slip, he clearly doesn't have a deep connection with Ye Hongyao. Still, the kid's clever enough. I was planning to make an example of him if he argued, but I'll let him off for now." The blue-robed man sneered.

"Since you say so, I've nothing more to add. When the Black Tortoise Sect people show up, I'll just handle one of their strong fighters for you," the tiger-face mask man shrugged.

"The Black Tortoise Sect's escort on this route was already beaten into a retreat by us working together. If they send a Xiantian-level martial artist, it'll take at least a day and a night. By then, with the Tailwind Talisman's power, we'll have long reached the river mouth at the border. No need to fear them." The blue-robed man spoke with confidence.

"That's true. I'll start the spell then." The tiger-face mask man nodded, pulling a square, pale-yellow beast hide from his bosom, its surface faintly marked with silver characters and unknown patterns.

"What a shame about this Tailwind Talisman made from Demon Wind Tiger hide. The spiritual power stored in it can probably only be used one last time," the blue-robed man said with a hint of regret as he looked at the hide.

"The sect went to such lengths to retaliate against the Black Tortoise Sect over the last incident, sending us deep into Great Qi territory. How could they not spare some resources?" Bone Tiger said flatly, then his expression turned serious as he muttered an incantation and tossed the beast hide high above the ship.

With a "puff" sound.

The hide spun rapidly, emitting streaks of cyan spiritual patterns that wove together to form a cyan light barrier. With another flash, it merged seamlessly with the largest main sail of the ship.

The next moment, the ship shuddered violently, and a fierce wind materialized near the main sail, propelling the massive vessel forward as if blown.

The blue-robed man burst into laughter at the sight.

The tiger-face mask man chuckled, flickered, and vanished into thin air once more.

The lowest deck of the ship was divided into seven or eight compartments, holding over a hundred youths.

Shi Mu and the dozen or so others who had boarded together shared one room. After feeling the ship's earlier shudder and sudden acceleration, the others finally couldn't help but start chatting.

Some introduced themselves and their family backgrounds, others talked about matters related to the Black Tortoise Sect. Before long, most had mingled.

Only Shi Mu sat silently in a corner, head bowed, saying nothing.

"Big brother, I heard you say earlier that you were recommended by a senior from the Mystic Sound Sect. Is that true? If so, why didn't you join the Mystic Sound Sect instead of the Black Tortoise Sect?" The thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girl who had been thrown onto the ship with Shi Mu happened to be sitting nearby. After sneaking several glances at him, she suddenly smiled and asked.

Shi Mu looked up at her.

He noticed that although she was young, she had a lovely face and a slender figure, already shaping up to be a little beauty.

"I would have liked to join the Mystic Sound Sect, but Senior Ye said they only take women, not men, so I had to come here." Shi Mu sighed and replied slowly.