When he reached the western part of the market, he could sense how different the atmosphere was compared to the other parts. Though he has yet to go to the southern part of the market, he doubts that it’s the same as what he’s seeing now.
On the street, there were mostly men with few exceptions of women, each with their own weapons. Some were walking in groups, which Lin Xiao assumed is a group of mercenaries. Most of them actually came to have their weapons repaired though there are few that came looking to buy a better weapon. This scene is a heavy contrast of what he had seen from the northern market where the majority of the customers are females.
‘Oh, look at that glaive,’ Lin Xiao’s eyes shines as his eyes landed on one of the many glaives that was on display on the weapon racks placed just outside the shop. He also saw similar weapon displays on other shops which really made Lin Xiao felt that he’s simply walking around on a big weapon shop instead of the street. ‘Guess they’re not worried about things being stolen.’
Lin Xiao continued to walk around until he saw a shop that specialized in making sword. He entered the shop and directly looked for the owner. The owner was a middle-aged man with a scar just underneath his eyes going all the way down to his chin. It was clear that he is a seasoned fighter. “Good sir, I’m looking for a gift. Preferably, something small and can be easily hidden,” Lin Xiao said to the owner.
“Something small and easily hidden?” the owner had a look of surprise when he heard Lin Xiao’s inquiry. Usually, people who came to their shop only asks for a sword, or a sabre. For someone to ask for a dagger is already a rare occasion but what Lin Xiao requested for is actually a first. He continued to stare at Lin Xiao and since Lin Xiao was young, he assumed that Lin Xiao is looking for a gift for his lover.
“Young man, if you’re looking for a gift for your woman, there is another shop down the streets that specializes in making hidden weapons. From a sword hidden in an umbrella to a poison needle hidden in a jade pin, they have it there.”
“Ah, but… those are not what I am looking for,” Lin Xiao replied. “This gift is for my Shizun and my Shizun is a man,” Lin Xiao told the owner. “I’m sure you have something here, right?”
“So that’s the case! Yes, yes! We do have what you need. I’m sorry for assuming you were looking for a gift for your woman. I thought I was doing you a favor since woman wouldn’t want to have such a ‘crude’ looking weapon as a gift,” the owner said with a laughter.
“No one really asks for this kind of weapons but there are few who came for them. Not to brag or anything but…” the owner then leaned down and speak to Lin Xiao in a hushed tone. “The Emperor had our shop made several such weapons based on Master Hao Shuren’s design. That was about five years ago. I heard that it was a coming of age gift for Xinglan Wang, Master Hao’s only disciple,” he told Lin Xiao.
When Hao Shuren’s name was mentioned, Lin Xiao suddenly felt a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. But he quickly shakes those feelings away since it was impossible for him to know such person who seems to be related to the Emperor.
“Why are you whispering that, sir? I think if the Emperor had your shop to make weapons, I think its something to be proud of?” Lin Xiao was confused with how the owner acts.
“Because two years ago, Master Hao’s only disciple were suspected of killing the previous Emperor. Thus, he was also implicated. Right now, no one knows where he is,” the owner replied, still in a hushed tone. “Anyway, we still have the weapons with us. It was supposed to be taken this year but since such things happened, I doubt anyone will be taking it now.”
Then, the owner gave Lin Xiao a grin, “Since you’re looking for such weapon, how about buying them from us? It’s a shame for such fine weapons to collect dusts in this shop’s storage room, right?” the owner said to Lin Xiao. “It won’t cost you much at all! There are thirteen of them, but I can let you have them all for ten gold pieces!”
“First, let me see them,” Lin Xiao didn’t agree immediately. Though this owner is friendly, in the end, they are a businessman through and through. Lin Xiao could sense how he tried to bait him into buying it at a higher price. Plus, he was sure that when they made the weapons, all the raw materials were provided by the palace and their blacksmith were already paid. After all, it was a request made by the Emperor himself.
The owner didn’t say anything else but went to the back of the shop. When he returned, he held a box and placed it on top of the counter. The box itself was black in color, the wood was furnished, and the edge were round. Just seeing it and one would know that it was made by a high leveled craftsman.
“The box was given by the people from the palace?” Lin Xiao asked without waiting for the owner to speak.
“Ah, yes. I guess everyone could see that. No one would dare to make a storage box black in color. Only craftsman hired by the Emperor would dare,” the owner replied. He then lifted the lid of the box to reveal the weapons inside.
Just as the owner mentioned, there are indeed thirteen of them inside the box, except, each were designed differently. “They are a set?” Lin Xiao asked.
“I am not sure of that myself. I’ve never seen the blueprint, only the blacksmith did,” the owner replied.
“Can I speak with the blacksmith?” Lin Xiao asked once again.
“Unfortunately, he has retired a year ago after he finished the final piece. He’s no longer at the capital.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Lin Xiao can’t help but frown as he heard that but there wasn’t anything else that he can do about it. At first, he only wanted to buy one but when he saw that it was a set, he felt that he would suffer a loss instead since he would end up buying a non-completed item.
“Cgf afc ubiv qlfmfr sbeg ibkfra qglmf?” Olc Wljb jrxfv.
“Qfii, wjsyf P mjc ulnf sbe rfnfc ubiv qlfmfr, yea cbatlcu ifrr atjc atja,” atf bkcfg gfqilfv.
“Gfji! P klii ajxf atfw jii,” Olc Wljb rjlv jr tf delmxis abbx bea rfnfc ubiv qlfmfr jcv tjcvfv la bnfg ab atf bkcfg.
Seeing this, the owner’s smile became wider and he can’t help laughing. “Good young lad! Pleasure doing business with you! Let me help you wrap your items,” the owner said as he put the lid back on then went reached down underneath the counter for a silk cloth. He carefully wrapped the box in front of Lin Xiao’s eyes before he handed the bundle over. “Thank you for your patronage! If you ever need your weapons repaired, just come here and I’ll give you a special price for the repairs!”
“I’ll think about it,” Lin Xiao replied as he took the bundle.
After getting what he wanted, Lin Xiao finally left the shop. He was just about to return to the plaza to meet with Fei Yuxing when he had another idea. ‘Since I am already here, I may as well go around and take a look. I still have few money lefts,’ Lin Xiao thought to himself. With that, he continued to walk around and browse the weapons on display.
The further he goes from the center of the market, the less shop he saw. Just as he was about to reach the end of the street, he saw a rundown shop with its door open wide. The weapon inside seems to be either an antique or simply a display weapon but something displayed on the wall caught his eyes. It was a dagger and for some reason, Lin Xiao felt an attraction to the dagger. It was as if the dagger once belonged to him.
‘Why though? This is clearly my first time in the capital unless… I once live here?’ Lin Xiao can’t help but walk into the shop and straight to the dagger. He was just about to reach out to it when he heard a voice coming from his side.
“Are you interested with this dagger, young man?”
When Lin Xiao turned his head, he saw an old man. There was no one else in the shop, so Lin Xiao assumed that the old man is the owner of this shop.
“That dagger was sold to me by the Li family. After that incident two years ago, they have fallen from prominence to the point that they have to sell their valuables away,” the old man speaks, his voice contains a hint of contempt. “Serves them right!” he grumbled under his breath, but Lin Xiao could still hear it.
“So, this dagger once belongs to the Li family? Then what is this incident about?” Lin Xiao didn’t know why he asked, but before he even realized it, the question already escaped his lips.
“They say that the son of Yinjing Hou had assassinated the previous Emperor. An ungrateful bastard if you ask me! The previous Emperor took him in when he’s young and he was raised in the palace along with the current Emperor and yet, he decided to bite the hand that feeds him!” the owner speaks in an angry tone.
“I see…” from the owner’s word, Lin Xiao could figure out more or less on why the Li family was hated. “But if the son from Li family assassinated the previous Emperor, why are they still around to even sell their valuables?”
‘To harm the royal family is already punishable by death up to the ninth generation… let alone the Emperor, ah! How are they still around?’ Lin Xiao was curious to find out. He didn’t even know why he was interested in this family or why he felt relieved that they are still around.
“Because the current Emperor owed them a life saving grace. That son of Yinjing Hou had saved His Majesty when he was young…” the owner continued to grumble. Lin Xiao could sense how the owner was actually dissatisfied with the outcome. “Anyway, are you buying or not?! Seeing this dagger everyday is making me angry. If you’re buying it, then hurry up!”
“How much are you selling it?” Lin Xiao asked the owner.
“Heh, this dagger once belonged to someone from the prominent family. The materials are all top grade and the craftsmanship is also excellent. For you, I’ll give you a special price. Say… ten gold pieces,” the owner said to Lin Xiao.
“Ten? You’re robbing me! You said it yourself, they are ‘once’ a prominent family,” Lin Xiao emphasized on the word ‘once’ clearly. “Now, they have nothing. Not even their reputation. Five, and I’ll take it,” Lin Xiao gave out his price. Luckily, other than the earnings he got from Ping Jianyu, he has other savings on him. A pocket money which Long YinLian gave him every time he went down to Senlin village.
“Young man, even if they have fallen, they are still someone who once are related to the Emperor! Eight, and that’s final!” the old man huffed.
“Four,” Lin Xiao cut the price by half again. He did not believe that the owner will not sell it to him. With the dagger’s history, he doubted anyone would be interested after knowing the story behind it. Just as Lin Xiao suspected, the owner slightly wavered.
“Six…”
“Three,” Lin Xiao once again, counter offered.
“Now you’re the one robbing me, young man!”
“Fine, two gold pieces. Take it or I’ll just leave,” Lin Xiao said, and the owner seems to have reached his limit.
“Then leave! See if I care!” the owner yelled at Lin Xiao who only snickered. Lin Xiao turned around and was just about to walk away when the owner called out to him. “Wait!! Fine! Two gold pieces and its yours!” the owner finally relented. “Two pieces is better than nothing! Ever since this dagger came into my shop, no customers ever come and visit,” the owner grumbled unhappily.
“A wise decision, good sir. Here is your two gold pieces,” Lin Xiao said with a smile and he was just about to hand it over to the owner when another voice came from behind him.
“I’ll take the dagger for ten gold pieces.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiao and the owner froze. He turned to see a cloaked man standing behind him, slightly towering him by one head. “I’m sorry. But I’ve already pa-”
“The dagger is yours, young man! Take it!” the owner quickly cut off Lin Xiao before he finished his sentence. The old man grabbed the dagger in display and handed it to the cloaked man before he received his ten pieces of gold as payment. “Thank you, thank you!” he said bowing at the generous customer, though Lin Xiao think that he’s simply stupid. “And you! Scram!!” the owner hissed out at Lin Xiao who just frowned.
The cloaked man left, and Lin Xiao quickly rushed over to catch up. He was not satisfied. That dagger was supposed to be his. “Wait!!” Lin Xiao called out loudly to the cloaked man.
The man stopped and turned around. He watched as Lin Xiao approached him and saw how Lin Xiao is glaring at him. “Is there anything that you need?” the cloaked man asked, his voice containing a hint of impatience.
“That dagger is mine. I was just about to pay for it!” Lin Xiao told the male.
“But the owner took my money and gave it to me. So now it belongs to me,” the cloaked man replied, and Lin Xiao just felt even more irritated.
“Fine! I’ll give you ten gold… just-”
“No. No matter how much you offer me; I will never give this away.”
“Why?”
“Because Hi-… I mean, my master wanted this dagger. Ever since we found out that the Li family had sold it away, my master has been furious,” the man replied.
“Then I will just…” Lin Xiao ducked down and grabbed the dagger. It had taken the cloaked man by surprise and the weapon simply slipped out of his grasp when Lin Xiao wrestled it away from him. “Here is your gold! Find some other weapons!” Lin Xiao said as he ran, but not before throwing two gold pieces to the man.
The cloaked man of course, tried to chase after Lin Xiao but Lin Xiao was simply too quick at his feet. He tried to catch up but failed. At the same time, Lin Xiao was also having trouble to throw the cloaked man off his back. ‘So persistent!’ he thought as he continued to run through the street, heading to the center of the market. The closer they get, the denser the people on the street.
Unfortunately, while running through the crowd, Lin Xiao didn’t notice a similarly dressed group in front of him. He accidentally bumped into one of the cloaked figures and when he turned to mutter a word of apology, their eyes met briefly.
The other was covered from head to toe, even his face cannot be seen clearly. But Lin Xiao could still see how the other’s eyes are staring at him with disbelief. “Ming-er…?” Lin Xiao heard him voice out and he felt his heart, which was erratic from his running, skipped a beat.
“Who—”
“Someone, catch that thief!!” Lin Xiao heard the familiar voice of his pursuer from behind and can’t help but clicked his tongue.
“Look, I’m sorry for bumping into you! I have to go now! If we meet again, I’ll treat you for a snack as an apology!” Lin Xiao said before he ran once more. The other cloaked figures that accompanied the one who speak earlier was just about to chase after Lin Xiao but was stopped.
“Let him go,” the man who speaks earlier say and they immediately stopped in their track. The man continued to stare at the leaving figure until it disappeared into the crowd. Only then did he let out a heavy sigh. ‘He really looked like Ming-er. But if he is, he would’ve already recognized me just by my voice alone…’
Then, they turned to face another figure who dressed similarly like them, running over. “Meng Chen, did you get the dagger?” the man asked.
When the man who chased after Lin Xiao heard this question, he shivered. He was about to kneel down when someone grabbed him by the arm and stopped him from kneeling.
“Are you crazy? What do you want to do? Inform everyone of our identity?!”
The man, Meng Chen, turned to look at the person who stopped him. “General Bai… I…”
“Never mind, hurry and answer first.”
“Ah, yes sir!” Meng Chen said before he turned back to the other man. He cupped his fist in a salute and bowed his head slightly. “Answering to His Majesty, this servant had the dagger but… some rascals stole it from this servant,” he said. “Asking for His Majesty’s benevolence and forgive this servant for his incompetence. This servant promises to find the thief and retrieve the dagger.”
The other man, who turned out to be the Emperor of Qin, stays silent. The dagger was the only thing that reminds him of his most important person. ‘I shouldn’t have given it to the Li family…’ Qin Yijun really regretted it.
Meng Chen suddenly felt nervous when Qin Yijun didn’t speak. He knew how important the dagger was to his Emperor and he was happy that he was tasked to get it. Unfortunately, he blew up his chance on trying to get the Emperor’s favor.
“Your Majesty?” the other cloaked figure called out to Qin Yijun.
“Zhen heard it clearly,” Qin Yijun answered. “Meng Chen, can you recognize this thief if you were to see them again?” the Emperor asked.
“Yes…” Meng Chen answered timidly.
“Very well. Let’s try finding this thief before we return to the palace. If we can’t find him, get someone to sketch his appearance and spread it around the Empire… I want him found no matter what,” Qin Yijun said in a cold voice. One could sense the anger he felt based on his tone. He never would’ve thought that the so-called thief was the same person who bumped onto him.
“As for you, your punishment will be to clean the stable at night for two weeks. Alone,” he told Meng Chen who only cowered in fear.
If Meng Chen had arrived earlier, he would’ve seen how the thief he chased had bumped onto the Emperor. Then, it would’ve saved him the explanation.
“What about that other item?” Qin Yijun asked after a while.
“Meng Chen still haven’t found the shop, Your Majesty…” Meng Chen replied timidly. He already had his punishment, he’s afraid that it would get worse since he had failed yet another task.
“… General Bai, you go and find the shop. Make sure to retrieve the item. The rest of you, follow Zhen and find the thief that stole the dagger.”
finally, they met!
But still a long way to go~
so this is how the title came to be! i was wondering why since lin xiao isn’t a thief😂
IM SO EXCITED KYAAAAAAA
THANK YOU FOR YOUR BLESSED WRITING 😭😭