The next morning, after getting up, Hu Xiaotian learned that Xu Mubai had already left. He told Zhao Wusheng to make preparations so they could set out for Fragrant City as soon as possible. When they finished breakfast and left the inn, they saw that the Shajia People had yet to rise. Hu Xiaotian could not be bothered to travel with them, so he asked the innkeeper to pass along a message and led his people toward Fragrant City.
A steady stream of travelers filled the main road to Fragrant City, most of them on their way to compete for the position of prince consort. They saw plenty of fights along the way. With everyone pursuing the same goal, clashes were inevitable, and some hotheaded young men came to blows at the slightest disagreement. The milder disputes involved fists and feet; the worse ones had blades drawn.
Hu Xiaotian had originally thought that leaving early would get them to Fragrant City before dark. Once they were on the road, however, they encountered another fight every short stretch. Those with some scruples fought one-on-one, or gathered their respective groups for a brawl. Those without any simply used numbers to overwhelm a lone opponent. These fellows seemed to believe that eliminating one rival would give them one more chance at becoming prince consort.
Although these strangers' fights had nothing to do with Hu Xiaotian, they created traffic jams at several points along the road to Fragrant City, forcing him to endure repeated delays. With all the stopping and starting, noon arrived before they knew it. Hoofbeats sounded behind them—the Shajia People had caught up.
Spotting Hu Xiaotian, Heldan called out with a smile from afar, "Big Brother Hu, why didn't you wait for me?"
His younger sister Mengya shot Zhao Wusheng a