The two were having quite a pleasant conversation inside the carriage.

Outside, however, things had descended into chaos.

Chilie and Lu Fa were both on horseback.

Riding side by side, Lu Fa looked like a child in comparison.

Chilie’s exaggerated physique and terrifying appearance caused citizens on the road to react with both shock and fear.

In their fright, they scattered to avoid him.

But because he was so strange, they couldn’t help wanting to sneak another look.

The crowd of onlookers following behind grew larger, with some bold ones trying to observe up close.

The discussion gradually grew louder.

“My goodness! These must be the Northern Rong people. Damn, they’re terrifying!”

“Even eating meat all day wouldn’t make you grow this big!”

“If war breaks out, could we even beat them?”

The scene on the street naturally didn’t escape Fang Zheng and Paba’s eyes.

A faint smile appeared at the corners of Paba’s mouth.

Chilie’s appearance would certainly cause quite a stir in Great Jing’s capital.

Such a fierce warrior was unique even on the steppes!

Bringing him along seemed to have been the right choice.

Fang Zheng’s expression was indifferent, listening to the voices with great disdain.

At first sight of Chilie, he did have thoughts of taking him out.

But thinking carefully, Paba wouldn’t likely bring a high-ranking general on a diplomatic mission.

After all, on the battlefield, individual prowess wasn’t worth much.

This guy was probably just a battlefield mascot at best.

Moreover, Black Mountain Chilie gave him the impression of being very impulsive.

Rather like Zhang Biao in his early days.

Years ago in Taoyuan County, Zhang Biao couldn’t find any worthy opponents and was full of fighting spirit, always wanting to spar with someone.

With no choice when Zhang Biao wanted to fight, he could only intensify his training regimen frantically.

Over time, Zhang Biao had become somewhat wooden.

Now Zhang Biao wouldn’t even bother looking at ordinary opponents, let alone fight them!

The current Chilie reminded him very much of Zhang Biao back then.

Though this physique… far exceeded the current Zhang Biao.

Everyone’s body had its limits, and he felt Zhang Biao’s limit must be far below this Black Mountain Chilie.

Hearing the constant exclamations of amazement and fear around them,

Paba couldn’t help feeling a bit satisfied.

Chilie’s name would probably spread throughout the capital soon.

It might even cause a stir within the palace!

Just one mighty warrior could intimidate the capital, teaching the Great Jing people not to look down on them.

Seeing Fang Zheng’s expressionless face, Paba felt secretly pleased.

It seemed this Fang Zheng cared about face too, and now had nothing to say.

Fang Zheng wasn’t thinking about other things, just observing the surroundings.

Looking at the area, they should reach Banshan District soon.

After traveling a while longer, they finally neared Banshan District’s territory.

Because it was close to Banshan District, neighboring districts had started learning from the Banshan model, with strict administration and not daring to disturb the peace.

Plus, the Inferno Gang had successfully transformed into a property management company.

The citizens were bolder than those in more distant districts.

More people came up close to observe Black Mountain Chilie.

The quiet chatter continued, and the tone gradually began to change.

“My goodness, these Northern Rong people, what do they eat to grow so big?”

“Mare’s milk! Must be mare’s milk!”

“Tsk, I’ve drunk mare’s milk too, why didn’t I grow this tall?”

“You fools don’t know anything! This is what you get when humans and horses breed! Have you ever seen someone this ugly?”

“Right, right! I heard they like to mess with young horses over there. Pfft! Disgusting!”

A faint smile appeared on Fang Zheng’s face.

He hadn’t expected the bomb he’d planted to explode here!

Though Chilie’s appearance didn’t look like human-horse hybridization.

He looked more like he’d been crossed with a Bengal monitor lizard…

No doubt Chilie’s reputation as a human-beast hybrid would soon spread throughout the capital.

Even many old conservatives in the palace might believe such tales.

A perfectly good warrior had become the capital’s laughingstock – the Northern Rong people should have lost enough face from this trip.

Sigh… these troublemakers! The newspaper should educate people about reproductive isolation in the future, or who knows what other misconceptions they’ll come up with.

Fang Zheng found it amusing seeing Paba’s face turn ashen.

This bald fellow cared about face too. He was showing off that big fool earlier, and now he had nothing to say!

After a long silence, Paba spoke: “Lord Fang, are the capital’s citizens always like this?”

You just want to say the capital’s citizens are crude and discourteous, right? Trying to shame me with talk of being a land of propriety.

Then you want me to feel embarrassed, explain, and apologize!

That might work on others, but what’s the use with me?

You’re asking the wrong person, monk!

Fang Zheng secretly scoffed, but said aloud: “Ah yes, yes! The capital’s citizens are just like this!”

“…….”

Paba leaned weakly against the carriage window, maintaining his silence.

No help for it – Fang Zheng was too honest, honest without any flaws.

So honest it made him feel slightly ashamed.

What could you say to someone so direct, simple, frank, and guileless?

There was no way to continue the conversation.

Seeing his helpless expression, Fang Zheng secretly curled his lip.

Why are you putting on airs?

The carriage creaked along, while the interior remained quiet.

The closer they got to Banshan District, the more cutting the citizens’ comments became.

And since the citizens realized Chilie couldn’t understand their language, they became even more unrestrained, discussing loudly!

Comments about whether it was women with stallions or men with mares,

All sorts of vulgar sayings about horses and donkeys… the commentary was endless.

The criticism would have been one thing.

But some were even shouting about going to Northern Rong to stock up, bringing back some beast-men to perform shows in the capital…

Outside the carriage, Chilie looked smug, thinking the crowd feared and respected him.

Little did he know some were already thinking about how to put him in a cage.

Lu Fa beside him held back his laughter, not translating for Chilie.

Meeting my master – your bad luck!

Paba’s fists were clenched so tight they nearly drew blood.

This psychological attack had truly dealt him serious internal damage.

Fortunately, the carriage finally reached Banshan District.

After stopping the carriage, the driver called out: “Lord Fang! We’ve arrived at Banshan District!”

The two got out together.

After they stood firm, they found themselves successfully surrounded by a ring of people pointing and discussing Chilie.

Seeing this, Fang Zheng shouted: “Get lost, all of you! Stop gathering around here – do you all want to eat prison food?!”

Many recognized Fang Zheng and immediately ran away.

The rest followed the crowd and fled.

The crowd instantly dispersed.

Fang Zheng watched the dispersing crowd, shaking his head and sighing: “Ah! What troublemakers, how can they treat foreign friends this way!”

Paba walked up beside him and said gratefully: “Thank you, Lord Fang! I hadn’t expected Chilie’s appearance would draw such a crowd.”

Fang Zheng looked up at him with a bitter smile.

“Master! I told you earlier, with his frightening appearance, there would definitely be problems with the citizens.”

“If his face had been covered up it would have saved a lot of trouble. Look what’s happened now!”

Paba felt somewhat ashamed and managed a weak smile in response.

He’d thought Fang Zheng was just being crude when he suggested covering Chilie’s face, but it turned out he really was trying to reduce trouble.

He had judged a gentleman’s heart by his own petty standards.

It seemed Fang Zheng wasn’t just guileless but also a considerate person!