Chapter 318: Blocked Entry

Chapter 318: Blocked Entry

After leaving behind Zhao Xiaozhou and his guards, Bai Rouyun and her children encountered many experts that had ventured into the forest in search of treasures.
Some came in groups, while others were trying their luck on their own. Most would look at Bai Rouyun and her group with some curiosity, but no one attempted to engage in conversation, and thus their departure from the forest was made without any extra troubles.
"There is a city in front." Xiao Jin's soft and cute voice sounded as they finally got past the final trees blocking their sight. Although a few oaks could still be seen, they were now so scattered that it was hard to consider it a forest, and thus they quickly noticed that this place seemed to be a commonly used entrance into the dangerous forest behind them.
However, although the area seemed to be quite frequently visited, it was currently deserted. The usual busy path had turned desolate, and Bai Rouyun could not help but frown slightly as she had a nagging feeling that it might be connected to the battle she witnessed earlier.
If it was as she assumed, then this Zhao Xiaozhou was much more dangerous than she had initially expected.
"Mother, look." Jiaojiao looked around and soon spotted a few guards patrolling the area. Their uniforms were similar to the ones fighting alongside Zhao Xiaozhou, and they seemed to completely ignore Bai Rouyun and her group of children as they progressed forward.
"It seems that they have been told to ignore our presence." Xiao Bao looked at these patrolling guards with a furrow of his brows. He, too, could guess that the identity of Zhao Xiaozhou was not simple if he was able to block the road this easily, and even inform his guards that they should not act on Bai Rouyun.
"No matter what, we have nothing to do with them, so let us just reach the city as soon as possible." Bai Rouyun was not willing to linger around this area any longer. Her initial impulse was completely gone, and she quickly realized that what she had witnessed was likely to be a setup made by Zhao Xiaozhou for the sake of luring out the assassins that had targeted him. With the guards patrolling, it was clear that he intended to ensure that no one would be able to flee from his trap.
While this idea of catching everyone at once was good, it was not often that it could work out so smoothly in reality, as the places assassins would usually choose for their attacks were places with the opportune terrain for retreat.
The children were walking orderly and seemed obedient. Their appearances were a mess, as one was a plant, another an oversized cat. There were three children of otherworldly beauty, but all of them had some strange features, such as Jiaojiao's dragon-features, Xiao Bao's mature and deep eyes, and Xiao Jin's complete lack of care for anything around her.
"Look at that. The woman and her group of misfits were allowed through this area."
"Do you think she is the reason for the restricted area?"
"The Zhao Family Guards are truly domineering. Who would have guessed that they could block the entire entrance into the Forgotten Forest like this without a care for who is being left outside."
As they had reached the edge of the forest, many mercenaries and cultivators had gathered to enter the Forgotten Forest, only to be blocked by the guards from the Zhao Family.
They were all unhappy with having to be held back like this, but they also knew that the position of the Zhao family within the Wushi Continent was not something that they could challenge, so while they grumbled a little, they did not try to force their way through.
However, after witnessing Bai Rouyun and her group of children making their way through this locked down area, they all felt unhappy inside. Why could she go where they were forbidden access?
The words spoken were all full of jealousy and arrogance while looking down on Bai Rouyun, but no matter how much these people disliked her, she did not change her facial expression, and the Zhao Family Guards also seemed to completely ignore her presence.
Bai Rouyun was aware that their young master had given the order for her to be let through, so she did not mind much about their lack of attention. However, this seemingly carefree expression made the ones denied access unhappy.
"Miss, don't you think that you owe us an explanation?" A rather haughty voice suddenly sounded as Bai Rouyun had left through the enclosure of guards, and while she did not want to entangle with these people, she still felt a little annoyed.
She was well aware that these people did not know what had happened within the Forgotten Forest, but she also knew that the guards were similar to the ones following behind Zhao Xiaozhou. This meant that the crest on their uniform should symbolize a special family or faction within the Wushi Continent, so why did these people not question them, and instead went for her? She had nothing to do with them at all.
"I am not sure what you are talking about." Although Bai Rouyun was not willing to waste any time with these aggressive people, she also noticed their aggressive stance. It was clear that if she did not stand up for herself now, then she would become a target of them all, and even if she was strong enough, the sheer number of people would be able to bring some danger to herself and her children along the way.
Hence, she had stopped and glanced at the man with cold eyes and an unhappy expression on her face.