Book 3: Chapter 5: Potential Headache |
Yin Hu sighed as he sat upon a large cart being pulled by an even larger ox.
Shui rode on top of the large beast and was quite thoroughly enjoying the ride. Imagining herself charging into the masses of an army ill prepared for such a beast to charge through them with such ferocity. It would have been believable if the ox hadn’t been one of the sweetest creatures he had ever been around. The thing let Shui jump all over its back, paused for little critters to cross the gravel road, and even walked slowly to not cause anyone on the wagon any trouble.
A gentle giant that he doubted had the heart to hurt a fly, much less a person standing with pointed items.
It didn’t help that someone had attributed wrongful rumors and stories about such a kindly beast. The farmer they bought the ox from had been kissing Zhong Da’s hand in gratitude after he suggested buying it.
Yin Hu could not understand the reaction.
The ox looked back at him, only to snap its head down and hurry its pace forward with renewed energy.
Clearly trying to please its masters.
Yin Hu gave a small smile as he turned back toward Jun, Zhong Da, and Wu Xui. They were still in deep discussions about their plans for the Yellow HearthStone City. After all of the planning, movement, action, faceslapping young arrogant masters, and getting scammed by an old beggar, they returned to their roots. Jun’s initial plan from when they were still in the Silver Mountain Gang ended up being the one they went with.
In the cart were dozens of bundles of the worst weapons and shields within his rice bag.
Yet, they were all in agreement that it was enough for the general masses if they did not plan to expose themselves.
“–our patriarch should remain in his role. His hidden persona keeps him out of the light and away from prying eyes until we’ve established ourselves.” Zhong Da said.
Jun rubbed the bridge of her nose. “And that’s been the problem the whole time! He stands out even more when we try to hide his presence. No. He should remain as the main figure. A gentle grandfather with two granddaughters that have been travelling with the aid of two hired hands. You and your wife. Whom also take care of all of the expenses and decisions because we don’t know better.”
“I agree with Lady Jun, Da,” Wu Xui leaned into him. Zhong Da stuttered. “We haven’t done a great job keeping him out of situations lately have we?”
“W-Well… Not really. But this is already the best case scenario that I could think of. I've done the arithmetic in my mind and–”
“Lord Husband.”
Zhong Da stopped speaking and looked into his wife’s eyes.
“I thought we learned our lesson already. Enough with all the convoluted thoughts and plans. Everything has already been decided.” Wu Xui’s words did the trick and Zhong Da sagged like a balloon. He nodded and turned around, eyes glossed over as he tried to reconcile his new role within the Hu Clan versus what he had been doing for the both of them for the longest.
Yin Hu let them take care of this small argument alone. He was happy to not have to intervene with every single decision that needed to be made.
The perfect step forward that aimed perfectly toward his inevitable goal of retirement upon the Hu Clan Compounds.
Wonder how Hu Rong is doing? It's been almost a month since we separated. Hope those pesky hatchlings aren’t driving him crazy. He doesn’t have Shui to tire them out daily.
It didn't take long for them to break back into the slums outside of the city walls. The red and silver haired old man watched from a distance as the carriage moved forward. Nothing slowed them down and the path was cleared of lines, people, and any other obstacle upon their path. The beggars guild had taken the necessary steps to help them as much as possible even though it was not asked for or required.
Yin Hu appreciated that unasked gesture.
It was small, but it showed forethought and a desire to stay on good terms.
They reached the gates without preamble and were stopped by a surly guard with knit eyebrows. “Name, purpose, and goods being sold?”
“Hello there, Sir Guard,” Zhong Da started but a raised hand from the man stopped him.
“Name. Purpose. Goods being sold.”
Yin Hu and the rest stared at him for a hard second. He hadn't seen such disrespect in a long time ever since he took on this persona. Now that he thought about it, the last person to have done something so ridiculous were the guards he first met in the Silver Mountain Gang. There had to be something wrong with the career path to turn them into whatever this was supposed to be.
Zhong Da cleared his throat. “The Emporium of Deadly Weaponry and Shields! To sell… well, to sell weaponry and shields–”
Yin Hu noticed that ZHong Da and Wu Xui had very similar types of humor.
“–and the goods. Err… Weaponry and Shields.”
The guard blinked for a second before he sighed out loud. He waved them in with a shake of his head.
Shui patted the massive ox that towered over the guard and it moved forward into the city. They crossed past a giant gatehouse that was wide enough for three of the same large carriage and ox package side by side. Moving slowly until they reached a post with at least twenty signs pointing in different directions and indicating at varying zones, stories, administrative buildings, and the largest of them all pointing at what was called the Merchant Emperor’s Palace.
Zhong Da got down and walked up to a man sitting under it. “Good afternoon.”
“Same to you,” the man never looked up as he continued to read a bound book. “How can I help?”
“Traders–”
“Third most bottom sign.”
“–Square to buy a potential stall and sell weaponry within the city.”
The man blinked as he looked up. “Sorry. You would need to head toward the Housing and Building Administrative Building, ninth sign. Get both a lease and plot. Then toward the Merchant Guild to sign up with them, third sign. Then toward the Registrar, nineteenth sign. And then finally toward the third most bottom sign toward the Traders Square, twenty fifth sign–”
All of them were left stunned.
This place is hell. Absolutely nothing but a hellscape with demons!
“–that’s if you want legal protection from all of the gangs and low lifes within the city. Otherwise, just go to the Traders Square and find an empty plot near the edges. Toward Section F slums near the Western Walls. Don’t blame anyone but yourself if you end up getting robbed, killed, and looted for all your weapons and equipment by the local gangs and criminal enterprises.”
“Thank you.” Zhong Da gave him a slight bow.
He walked back toward Yin Hu with a helpless smile. Even this was beyond anything the experienced man had seen in his long life so far.
There is no way that I’ll be caught within a mile of any bureaucratic buildings. Consequences be damned.
It helped that he had the likes of Zhong Da and Wu Xui in his Hu Clan. He didn’t need to worry about the lowlifes of this city while they were around and protecting them. The only issue remaining would be to find accommodation. If any inn or housing dared to even suggest signing paperworks, he would lose it. He hadn’t patiently waited for hundreds of millions of years just to get caught in that cycle again.
He shook his head and Zhong Da nodded, understanding his intent immediately.
The one armed man thanked the guy sitting under the signs and guided the giant ox carefully toward the western walls. Using the third to last post as a clear direction.