77: Royal family, your highness?

Tap—.

The Soldier rode away on his horse, his straw hat also blown off by the final gust of wind.

Looking at the ground covered in his flowing "heart's blood" (referring to the broken watermelons), Old Green's eyes were dim, and he silently cleaned up the mess.

Without complaining or cursing, he picked up the broken watermelons one by one.

The old man's hunched figure was too lonely, silent and suppressed like a dormant volcano.

Su Ye walked over and helped the old man repair his damaged small wooden stall.

Soon, the wooden stall was filled with whole watermelons again.

Holding the broken watermelons in his arms, seeing the dust on the outside of the pulp made Old Green pause, then suddenly shake his head and laugh with relief.

"Heh, those rascals in the village are in for a treat today."

"Those little brats, always thinking about my few watermelons. Today they can all take some back."

"Hey, I'll be generous for once too, let them eat their fill so it's not wasted."

As he spoke, the old man carefully brushed off the dust from the watermelons, even using a small knife to scrape off the dusty part of the pulp.

Although he spoke lightly, the old man's heavy gaze was like cutting flesh.

The smile only stayed on the surface, his cheeks twitching stiffly with his muscles.

Soldiers... oppressing common folk?

This kind of thing was unfamiliar to Su Ye, but he also knew these were two different Worlds.

The difference in eras made Su Ye feel blocked up inside, and also made him increasingly indignant.

Scum who bullied the old and weak lived carefree and happy lives, while those who lived hard lives smiled on the surface...

This can be endured... but which cannot be endured!

What pained Su Ye even more was the old man's attitude; he seemed to have gotten used to it, not even daring to show a hint of resentment.

—This kind of thing in front of him seemed to be the norm, nothing could be more normal!

He opened his mouth, his voice barely concealing his anger: "Old man, are they from Wanchuan City?"

Old Green's expression changed slightly; he looked extremely wary and shook his head, unwilling to say more.

"Sigh, who knows where they ran from. You always encounter these unreasonable people coming and going on the roadside. Arguing with them is just making trouble for yourself, it's not worth doing such a foolish thing."

"Come, come, eat some watermelon, eat some watermelon. My teeth aren't good, only this watermelon and grapes I can properly taste..."

"You're in for a treat too, kid. Eat your fill, no charge today!"

Finding the food tasteless, Su Ye found an excuse to leave.

Although Old Green, seeing that Su Ye had helped, refused to accept money, Su Ye still secretly left him a gold coin under his straw hat.

Following the direction the Soldier left, Su Ye's face turned cold as he chased after him.

Not long after.

A large-scale knight squad appeared in Su Ye's field of vision.

It was on the edge of the forest; there were quite a few armored Soldiers, seemingly at least a thousand, currently guarding something like stars surrounding the moon. There were also patrolling Soldiers on the periphery, the security was tight.

Su Ye's position allowed him to see a luxurious carriage, and the Soldiers next to the carriage were dressed noticeably differently.

It was also silver armor, but more refined. The armor had a faint golden sheen, and the cold, killing intent in the Soldiers' eyes immediately identified them as elite veterans.

"So it's royalty!" Su Ye snorted coldly in his heart. No wonder the Soldiers under them were so bold; their background was quite significant.

This kind of armor with a golden sheen was usually the symbol of knight orders under kings and emperors, used to protect extremely important individuals.

Noble?

High and mighty?

Su Ye's dictionary didn't have such words.

He only knew that people who did wrong should be punished, regardless of their background.

He strove to become stronger, intervening whenever he could.

How can it be, not according to my will?!

Su Ye's face was stiff and cold, and he walked straight over, seeing no need for disguise.

This place was some distance from the old melon farmer. No matter what, this matter wouldn't implicate him today, so it was safe for him.

"Who?!"

Noticing an outsider approaching, the patrolling Soldiers immediately became tense.

Clang, clang, clang, Soldiers holding spears immediately rushed over.

"Stop!"

"This area has been sealed off. Anyone who comes closer will be killed without mercy!"

A row of spears formed a formation, their tips emitting a cold, sharp glint. The Soldiers on the periphery blocked Su Ye's path.

Almost simultaneously, the entire camp was alerted and began to stand ready, not letting down their guard because of Su Ye's lone presence.

A powerful voice like a lion's roar sounded from above.

"Kid, this isn't a place you should be!"

Bang, the person landed heavily, his Griffin Martial Soul retracting.

The big man wore general's armor, his build was unusually burly, and his golden hair flared out like a leopard's, looking particularly imposing.

Especially his pair of indifferent eyes, showing no emotional fluctuations whatsoever, looking like a cold pool in a secluded valley that never saw sunlight all year round.

Zzt—

A flash of lightning, and Su Ye's figure suddenly disappeared; he didn't like wasting words today.

"How could this be—!"

His body's muscles went numb and weak, uncontrollably wanting to kneel.

As the guard captain, General Leidun was greatly alarmed. Out of the corner of his eye, through the reflection on his armor, the young man had already reached his back.

He was a Soul Emperor, yet he didn't react!

The Soldiers fell to the ground with clangs from being electrocuted, and Su Ye's cold voice drifted over simultaneously.

"I'm just here to settle a score, it has nothing to do with you. Stay put!"

Damn it, General Leidun gritted his teeth, forcing himself to overcome the muscle soreness, immediately turned around, drew his sword, and slashed towards Su Ye.

As quick as lightning, a black sword also appeared in Su Ye's hand.

Crack—

Sparks flew.

The sword in his hand broke into two halves and fell to the ground with a clang.

Cold sweat suddenly broke out on General Leidun's forehead. The chestplate armor on his chest also suddenly split open with a crisp tearing sound, revealing the clothes underneath that had been cut.

The young man's single sword strike... broke the sword! Split the armor!

Before General Leidun could recover, he felt as if his chest had been struck by lightning. With a painful groan, he was sent flying like a cannonball.

"Enemy attack!!"

"Quick!! Enemy attack!!"

The sudden scene made everyone feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

All the Soldiers formed a tighter formation, firmly protecting the carriage behind them with a shield wall.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Several hidden protectors also revealed themselves at this moment, guarding in front of the carriage. The energy light of their Soul Rings overflowed and circulated; among them were two Soul Emperors and an elderly Soul Sage.

"Wait—"

Just as the conflict was about to erupt, a calm and gentle voice suddenly came from the carriage.

This voice made the Soul Sage who was about to act stop his movements.

Visibly, expressions of shame appeared on everyone's faces; they seemed to feel that disturbing this person was truly inappropriate.

The carriage curtain was slowly lifted, and a refined and polite man, holding a young girl's hand, slowly walked down.

The man had red lips and white teeth, wore a magnificent long robe, his face was clean and refreshed, and his skin was even more delicate than that of ordinary men.

His temperament was extremely special, calm and unhurried, like a humble gentleman, holding beautiful jade in his arms. He gave the impression of a capable and astute person in a high position, rather than being aloof.

The girl beside him looked much younger, only about thirteen years old. She had a smooth and delicate little face, and her features were also perfect, as if meticulously carved, a typical beauty in the making.

"Your Highness—!"