The Protagonist is Always Intimidating Me - Chapter 32

From the mountain base, one could already see a grand structure standing halfway up the precipitous slope, where clouds gathered year-round, nearly blanketing half the mountainside. Yet the words “Yinchen Hall Main Palace” etched on the topmost part of the ancient Main Palace remained strikingly clear. Yinchen Hall, like the mountain itself… was imposing and solemn.

Compared to the last visit, Yinchen Hall now bore a suffocating aura, with barely any townsfolk visible along the streets, and only a few children out. Adults in the taverns remained discreet, their murmurs barely audible.

On the right, intricate dragon carvings adorned the wooden windows, with elegant tassels and bells swaying beneath delicate curtains. A carriage, pulled by eight gleaming, sleek horses, moved unimpeded along the street. As it passed, a gust of wind carried with it a strong fragrance from within the carriage.

There were ten people in the carriage. Mo Lei sat outside, in charge of driving the horses, his expression serious. Inside, besides Bai Meng, who looked entirely relaxed, everyone else showed varying degrees of discomfort, clearly suffering.

“…So, Your Highness,” Mo Jiuge said, covering his nose in agony, “Why did you choose such an extravagant, wasteful, and impractical carriage…?”

Mo Hankui glanced coldly, fixing his gaze on Bai Meng, who wore an innocent expression.

“……” Got it! Looks like this was Xiao Bai Meng’s doing.

The strong incense made Mo Jiuge’s head throb. They had been traveling for a day and a half already, and fortunately, they were almost there; otherwise, the group might have considered mutiny.

“Isn’t this magnificent? Isn’t it luxurious? Isn’t it utterly grand?” Bai Meng spread his arms, fervently promoting the virtues of the carriage.

Everyone: “……”

I dare not agree.

A strong fragrance assailed the passing guard team, causing each guard to wrinkle their brows upon catching the scent. Watching this “pretentious” carriage speed by, a first-class guard captain rushed to the front of the carriage. Taking advantage of Mo Lei’s dizziness from the overpowering smell, the captain swiftly wielded a large staff and struck the ground with a heavy blow. The horses, startled, let out loud neighs.

“…Hey! Don’t push your luck!”

Normally, startled horses would come to a halt, but when choosing the horses, Bai Meng had insisted on a group of elite, wild horses, claiming, “If they’re male, they should drink the strongest wine and be ridden as the wildest steeds.” He arrogantly selected a few of the finest, fiercest horses.

As an elite member of the first guard team, Mo Lei had to admit that Bai Meng’s eye for horses was impressive. Every horse he picked was indeed fierce—sometimes even beyond Mo Lei’s control. He suspected Bai Meng had chosen faulty horses.

Now, this group of fierce horses, suddenly startled by someone blocking their path, instead of stopping, had their rage levels maxed out… Ready to trample anyone in their way.

“Ahhhh, why won’t they stop?!”

The scream was so intense that even Bai Meng, inside the carriage, felt compelled to reach out and cover Mo Hankui’s eyes.

Mo Hankui: “……”

Everyone: “……”

Did he think covering his eyes would help?

“…Too noisy,” Bai Meng muttered, stepping out of the carriage and squinting at the frenzied horses ahead. His dark eyes narrowed slightly. “Quiet.”

The dragon’s aura, imperceptible to the beastmen, weighed heavily on the horses. Driven by an instinctive fear, they submitted, with even the most restless among them quieting down and becoming strikingly docile.

Mo Lei: “……”

This is awkward.

“Don’t worry!”

Bai Meng noticed the conflicted expression on Mo Lei’s face and quickly moved to his side, patting him on the shoulder in a friendly, brotherly manner. “No one’s going to think you’re holding back just because you dislike the people of the Yinchen Hall. After all, who would have expected someone to suddenly block the horse’s path like that?”

Mo Lei: “……”

The Yinchen Hall’s guards, preparing to step forward to demand justice: “……”

Bai Meng, the male concubine of the Master of Xingge Hall, is suspected of rising in rank through dubious means. His main skill is deflecting blame, and it is advised that no one engage him directly in verbal confrontations.

— Profile of the Xingge Hall Guard’s new captain.