The trading caravan traveled on and on. They crossed a river by having a WATER-type LINH master freeze the surface so the wagons could pass. After journeying through many places, they finally halted.
Vy, Khanh, and Minh Triet looked around. Before them stood a tall station made of earth, blocking the road with barriers at its base. Guard soldiers patrolled below—some carrying spears, others with bows in hand.
Not long after they stopped, the caravan leader, together with Master Vo Tinh Hai, stepped forward and called out to the station officer above. Yet the man merely lay there snoring, ignoring them entirely. Only after a long while did he stumble down, fanning himself lazily, his face twisted in irritation at being disturbed.
His voice was sharp and grating:
"Who are you? Where do you come from? Papers?"
Without giving the caravan leader a chance to answer, he continued:
"What's in these wagons? The more valuable the goods, the heavier the tax. Guards, open them up!"
At once, his soldiers rushed forward, rummaging eagerly through the cargo. Their faces lit up with greed, like starved men finding a feast.
Terrified that the goods might be damaged—or worse, stolen—the caravan leader hurried to intervene.
"Please, Sir, forgive us. We traveled far and failed to notify you in advance, disturbing your midday rest."
He quickly produced several silver and gold ingots wrapped in red cloth, presenting them with both hands.
"Consider this a small gift from a humble merchant. I beg you to accept it."
The officer's scowl melted away, replaced by a feigned smile.
"Roads are long and harsh. You traders endure much hardship. And I, standing guard under this blazing sun, suffer as well."
He let out a heavy sigh, then waved his hand.
"Fine. I'll let you through this time. But remember, next time you'd better report ahead of time. Don't interfere with my important business again."
Vy and Khanh, who overheard, burned with anger.
"His important business is… sleeping?" Vy muttered through clenched teeth.
Minh Triet, however, stayed calm.
"This is just the daily way of trade. Surely a merchant's daughter isn't so naïve?"
Lệ Vy shot back furiously:
"I may be from a small merchant family and never traveled this far, but this level of corruption is disgusting."
Khanh tightened his fists, memories flooding back of starving villages—some so desperate they offered their souls to demons just to survive. Yet here were officials who cared nothing for the people, bleeding them dry with endless tolls, slowly strangling them until nothing remained.
After a long round of "negotiation," the officer finally ordered his men to open the way. But before stepping aside, he sneered at Vo Tinh Hai:
"You—weren't you once a soldier in the army? And now look at you, lowering yourself to play bodyguard for mere merchants. How disgraceful."
The soldiers around him roared with laughter.
Vy, Khanh, and Minh Triet turned toward Master Tinh Hai, waiting for a sharp retort, a proud defense of his dignity.
But none came.
Vo Tinh Hai simply lowered his head in silence. He said nothing, his calm posture as though he acknowledged the insult.
The air grew heavy, silence pressing upon them. Vy clenched her fists tighter, Khanh ground his teeth, and even Minh Triet furrowed his brow before letting out a quiet sigh.
At last, the toll station opened. Layer by layer, the earthen barricades sank into the ground, clearing a path for the caravan.
The wagons rolled forward once more, wheels creaking as they carried the caravan away from that filthy place, pressing on toward the endless road ahead.