Word of the 'Mo person' traveled faster than the carriage, so even after the initial wave of panic had subsided, the roads remained clear for a significant stretch. The number of people crowding the sides of shopfronts became fewer and fewer, as many made a decision to leave before the personage arrived.
In the cabin, Mo Seris was feeling much more comfortable than before. Now that he had left the Mo Estate, he was completely unrestrained. The streets of Brightsteel were far easier to navigate than those in the Estate.
He knew that when interacting with commoners, he could operate freely.
With a word, he could clear them from his sight!
At the reins, Mo Jori was whipping the horses, letting them run loose. The sensation of 'calling the winds and rain' felt good for Mo Seris, so how much better would it feel for a low-born member of the family like him?
After a short time passed, he slowed the carriage slightly. Mo Seris immediately noticed the difference.
Hmm.
The assistant steward craned his neck to look through the opening in the front of the cabin, past Mo Jori's bulky frame. Up on the street ahead, he saw a group of people who had not fled with the others. They were only blocking a small part of the street, leaving plenty of room for the carriage to pass by.
"Stop up there," Mo Seris said, "I want to see what they are doing."
"Yes, Master." Mo Jori applied a deft touch to the reins, and the horses continued to slow down gradually.
Mo Seris kept his eyes on the group of people. From a glance, he could tell that they were in conflict. Among the dozen or so men, two were brawling. He could gauge that Martial Warriors were not involved. The movements were too slow.
This eliminated any source of danger. Commoners would usually never dare mess with the top families after all, it was the first rule that had been instilled in them since they were young. However, sometimes there were Martial Warriors who dared to break the rules. Their bodies were occasionally strung up in front of noble estates as a message to the town.
With such a scene before him, where only mortals were fighting, why wouldn't he stop for a moment?
As the carriage drew closer, some of the details became more clear.
It seemed there were two parties to the conflict. One had ten men, outnumbering the three that opposed them. They were all dressed like villains, in rags and armed with knives and other small weapons.
To the side was a monk who was trying to pacify the situation. His clean robes stood out amidst the grime. The sound of his voice carried through the air.
"…benefactors, please repent. You are walking the path of devils, how can your heart be comfortable? It is drinking poison to quench thirst. Only following the arhats will lead you to ultimate peace. Benefactors, please repent…"
Mo Seris felt slightly apprehensive. Although the monks themselves weren't a strong martial force, the Great Mercy Temple was worshiped by the masses and respected by the top forces. However, the presence of a monk also made the situation more interesting to him.
"Stop the carriage once we reach them," he told Mo Jori.
The monk continued to speak. "…when your creditor is the world, the debts of mankind are forgiven. Benefactors, put down your arms and embrace the arhats!"
At this, the leading man from the dominant party looked over. He had a narrow face, thin nose and a ferocious appearance. "Stay out of this, monk," he said, "the debts of mankind will be handled by us."
The leader of the three men was a young man. He sneered back. "I already told both of you, I don't need a bald donkey to save me. What I borrow, naturally I will pay back in full."