"Isn't it strange that I'm eating at a place like this?"

"It is a bit strange."

Of course, Zhao Ya didn't find the noodle stall too simple; in fact, if nothing else, he'd prefer eating in places like this.

The issue was that Shang Luoluo, as the prestigious daughter of the Commandery Mansion, hosted a party that made the young martial artists of the entire Commandery flock to it, making her a prominent figure in Yunxiao County.

So it was hard for Zhao Ya to associate her with such a small noodle stall.

Could there be a reason?

"Hehe, are you wondering if I have some connection to this noodle stall?" Shang Luoluo blinked, smiling brightly.

"Yeah."

"To tell you the truth, there's no special reason. I'm just here because the noodles are delicious. How about that, is this answer surprising?"

Zhao Ya: "...."

Then he helplessly nodded.

"It's quite surprising."

"Hahaha." Shang Luoluo laughed non-stop with happiness.

Her eyes remained gleaming even when the noodles were served.

"Is it really that funny?" Zhao Ya couldn't help but ask.

"Yes!" Shang Luoluo nodded earnestly, swallowed the noodles in her mouth, and added.

"Mainly because your astonished and helpless expression was just too funny."

Zhao Ya decided not to bother with this character anymore, finished his noodles with a slurp, stood up, paid for the meal, and then escorted Shang Luoluo home.

On the way home, Shang Luoluo was obviously in a great mood.

"Hey, are you going to the city tower later?"

"Yeah."

Zhao Ya did plan to go to the city tower for a walk, even though there were night watchers today, he couldn't feel assured without checking.

Shang Luoluo's eyes lit up, "Then take me with you."

"Why do you want to go there?" Zhao Ya asked in surprise.

"No reason, just want to see."

"But it's so late, won't Lord Governor worry if you don't go back?"

"Don't worry, he won't be anxious. As long as you're with me, he'll be assured of my safety."

"Alright!" Zhao Ya nodded, changed directions, and took Shang Luoluo to the city tower.

Upon climbing the city walls, they saw the people from the Mountain Guardian Boxing Hall patrolling above.

In addition, there were also many government officials and soldiers present.

Zhao Ya knew they must have been sent by Shang Jingchuan.

Although these government officials and soldiers couldn't do much, at least they showed a stance.

"Master Zhao!"

"Young Hero Zhao!"

Along the way, people kept greeting Zhao Ya.

Zhao Ya nodded back to each of them in response, then proceeded to the city tower with Shang Luoluo.

And after they left, the disciples from the boxing hall gathered together excitedly, whispering among themselves.

"Who's the girl Young Hero Zhao is with? She's really beautiful!"

"I heard she's the daughter of Lord Governor, also the initiator of the Shang Family banquet, called Shang Luoluo."

"That's why we have to work hard in our practices; look at how Young Hero Zhao has entered the Fourth Realm at such a young age, and even Lord Governor's daughter pursues him."

Even though they'd walked far, Zhao Ya's ear power still allowed him to hear these discussions. He couldn't help but turn back and say, "Alright, stop with the nonsense, go patrol quickly."

The disciples laughed and then dispersed.

Zhao Ya awkwardly said to Shang Luoluo, "Sorry about that, those martial arts hall disciples are always like this, loose-tongued."

Shang Luoluo was very calm, "It's fine."

When they arrived inside the city tower, after greeting a few brothers from the Mountain Guardian Boxing Hall, Zhao Ya looked out through the observation port.

He saw shadows moving in the wooded mountains outside the city gates, clearly a large gathering of Exotic Beasts.

This time, however, the Exotic Beasts stayed in the woods, lurking and eyeing the Commandery with hostility.

"Why do you think they are surrounding the city but not attacking?" Shang Luoluo suddenly asked.

"I think they are waiting for some opportunity," Zhao Ya said in a deep voice.

"An opportunity…" Shang Luoluo pondered without speaking.

On the way back, Shang Luoluo remained silent until they reached the gates of the Shang Mansion, just before entering.

Shang Luoluo suddenly said, "Do you think… these Exotic Beasts intend to surround the entire Commandery?"

Zhao Ya was slightly taken aback, "I've considered that possibility too, but what's their purpose for doing so?"

"To cut off outside support, and wait for chaos to erupt in the city before striking, which explains why they've been lingering outside, to apply pressure on the Commandery."

After saying this, both Shang Luoluo and Zhao Ya fell into silence, their expressions becoming grim.

If this were true, it would be frightening.

Because it would prove that among the Exotic Beasts, there is indeed an extremely intelligent presence secretly commanding them.

After returning from the Shang Mansion, the more Zhao Ya thought, the more he believed Shang Luoluo's theory was plausible.

Additionally, this strategy would not only apply unseen pressure on the Commandery but also allow them to amass forces.

At least tonight, Zhao Ya felt there were more Exotic Beasts outside the city than yesterday.

No way!

They can't keep being passive, they must take initiative.

Zhao Ya immediately got up and started planning for the next day.

When the dawn broke, Zhao Ya promptly notified the various martial arts halls, then took people to the Zhu Family.

The Zhu Family didn't play tricks this time; all five hundred sets of cloth armor were delivered to Zhao Ya without a single piece missing.

When they brought the cloth armor to the city gate, a large crowd had already gathered.

Seeing Zhao Ya return with so much armor, many were surprised.

"Ya, where did this come from?" Shen Dao was astonished.

Zhao Ya smiled, "I borrowed it from the Zhu Family; with its protection, those poisonous bugs won't be able to penetrate easily."

"Borrowed from the Zhu Family?" Xu De could hardly believe his ears.

Knowing the Zhu Family's style as a Noble Clan, being a merchant's son, Xu De understood it too well.

Not entirely stingy, but definitely thrifty and harsh.

Saying Zhao Ya could borrow a few thousand gold taels might be believable for Xu De.

But the cost of cloth armor was high, and with the world increasingly chaotic, the materials for making cloth armor were becoming harder to acquire, sometimes even money couldn't buy them.

So Xu De couldn't believe Zhao Ya "borrowed" these armors.

Zhao Ya chuckled and didn't hide it, he outright shared how he went around the city visiting Noble Clans, pressuring them to contribute money and effort.

Xu De finally understood, giving Zhao Ya a thumbs up.

Everyone else was naturally even more motivated.

Then Zhao Ya announced that anyone who went outside the city to clear the woods would receive handsome rewards.

Money opens doors.

Enticed by wealth, despite a few deaths yesterday, people were still eager today.

Zhao Ya handpicked a group of elites, had them all put on the cloth armor, cover their faces with scarves, wear gloves, ensuring no skin was exposed.

Finally, Zhao Ya distributed a powder to each that could dispel poisons and repel insects.

This was the result of Zhao Ya's overnight efforts.

Although hurriedly made, its effect wasn't bad.

At least after experimenting with the household's poisonous insects, it proved mostly effective.

After completing these preparations, Zhao Ya led the group out of the city gates.

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