"You little bastard, do you have a death wish? Do you know who this lord before you is?" the coachman shouted, ignoring his injuries.
"A lord? And just who might this lord be? I haven't had the pleasure of an introduction." A faint smile appeared on the young man's face as he asked with seeming indifference.
"This is Dali's Southern Pacification Marquis! What punishment do you deserve for daring to offend the Marquis?" the coachman shouted again.
"It's over, it's over. That young man actually provoked him."
"Yes, far too rash..."
Some of the onlookers shook their heads and sighed to themselves.
Huang Xiao walked up beside an old man and asked quietly, "Sir, does this Southern Pacification Marquis have powerful connections?"
The old man glanced at Huang Xiao and asked, "Young fellow, you're not from Dali City, are you?"
"That's right. This is my first visit to Dali City," Huang Xiao said with a nod. "I know nothing about what goes on here."
"No wonder. This Southern Pacification Marquis is a son much favored by the reigning emperor. Who in Dali City doesn't know how arrogant and overbearing he is? Who knows how many innocent people have died at his hands? But he's a marquis. Who would dare provoke him? Whenever we see him out, all we can do is keep well away, lest we bring disaster down on ourselves. This young man provoked him, so he's certainly doomed. What a pity." The old man shook his head regretfully.
"Not necessarily. His martial arts look quite good to me," Huang Xiao said.
"The young man's martial arts do look good, but this is Dali City. Never mind the city guards-there are plenty of imperial experts here too. What can he do alone?" the old man countered.
Huang Xiao smiled