Alex clenched his hands along the shaft of his weapon, doing his best to tune out the merchant’s constant stream of complaints washing over their small little caravan as morning sunlight was replaced by the brilliant light of midday, the merchant refusing even to stop for lunch, insisting they make up for as much lost time as they possibly could.
Alex took the opportunity to practice his Qi Perception at least, able to get a sense of where everyone was if he really concentrated, though the two girls, Sun Sun, and even merchant Hao Zei glared brightly in his mind’s eye. He didn’t even need to concentrate to sense their presence.
Probably because all of them had opened at least one meridian gate, though Alex was surprised to find that the merchant was a cultivator, not that he planned on revealing anything at all about himself to either the conniving merchant or the glowering slave-guard. In fact, the only bright moments of his day involved the three youths now following him as much out of curiosity as perhaps a desire to be away from their furiously blustering elder.
“Is that a fangtian ji?” the boy asked at last, pointing to Alex’s polearm, gazing admiringly at the twin crescent axe heads and the razor-sharp spear head, showing the nicks and wear of hard-fought battles, but sharp enough after Alex had tended to it with cloth, oil, and whetstone as Liu Jian and his daughter had instructed him, what now felt like a lifetime ago.
Alex nodded. “It is. An excellent weapon on the battlefield, and decent for hunting as well.”
The boy grinned excitedly. “Can I hold it?”
Alex smiled, carefully allowing the boy to hold it upright and feel its weight.
The boy whistled, grinning with delight. “I’d love to be able to use one of these! When I get older, I’m going to join the Royal Army!”
Hao Chan snorted. “It’s a nice dream, cousin. But you need to have at least three meridian gateways open before you can even join, just so you can walk the High Road. And you don’t have a single gate open and you’re already fourteen.” She flashed a gentle smile. “I think it’s time to face reality, Lin. If you had any hope of becoming a cultivator...”
The boy swallowed, lowering his gaze, handing Alex back the ji. “I know. Strength is everything, and without strength, I’m worthless.”
His cousin furrowed her brow. “I didn’t say that, Lin. All I’m saying is to focus on your strengths. You like horses, right? Hell, I doubt these beasts would be willing to carry Father’s goods at all if you weren’t always coaxing and petting their necks and feeding them those apples you found that I know must be brimming with Wood Qi. When you think about it, you’re practically saving this expedition!”
Hao Lin’s expression brightened. “Yeah, I do love horses. And I’m just happy I can make them feel a bit better. They really don’t like having to carry so much weight, and we better rest them well tonight, because Mercy’s already getting some heat in her rear hocks. I’m going to have to give them a good rubdown with some of my liniment, or we’re not getting anywhere tomorrow.”
Hao Chan grinned. “Exactly. Don’t fret a thing, cousin. When I’m running my own caravan, I’ll have you as my quartermaster and stablemaster. We’ll run caravans so grand that all of Yidushi and Erdushi will know our names!”
Hao Yin also nodded enthusiastically for her brother’s sake. “I can’t wait for that day! Maybe I can also help with your caravans, Chan.”
Hao Chan smiled, about to respond, when she was abruptly cut off.
“You will do no such thing, Hao Yin. Your kind will only spell trouble for our caravan!” snapped Hao Zei, waddling up to glare at a suddenly pale-faced Hao Yin. “Strange, I think, that after years of successful runs, it is only during this trip that disaster falls!”
The girl trembled but said not a word, hands instinctively pulling at her bonnet, her eyes red with unshed tears.
“Father!” hissed Hao Chan.
The merchant’s furious expression immediately twisted into a rictus of a smile. “But no need to worry that pretty little head of yours, my niece. No need to worry at all! We have made arrangements, through my auspices, to assure you an orderly, even purposeful life in Yidushi, embracing duties well suited to one of your… station. So, fret not! Leave all fiduciary considerations to your betters, and embrace a life free of worry or concern. I truly believe you will be speechless with surprise at the wonder that awaits you within Yidushi. You and your brother both!” He oozed assurance, his daughter flashing a relieved grin of her own.
Alex’s guts twisted even after Hao Zei stalked off, Hao Yin and Hao Chan soon holding hands and whispering secrets, or whatever it was cousins did, Hao Lin happily walking beside them, just enjoying their company, occasionally darting off to check on the horses, always with apples in hand.
Alex sighed and shook his head. Part of him knew it was none of his business, that he had more than enough on his plate already, and with the band around his neck that armor and scarf barely kept hidden the last thing he wanted to do was make waves. But still… the twisting in his gut couldn’t be denied.
Dire fates awaited, and it had nothing to do with spirit beasts.
Fortunately, the night was uneventful, everyone eating their fill of spirit beast meat, the merchant once more pure bonhomie and ebullience, again declaring with a good-natured laugh that Alex was feasting so well he should be paying Hao Zei for the privilege.
Alex said nothing, only grabbing another handful of piping-hot juicy meat, and when the merchant began talking about Alex signing something to formalize their agreement, he abruptly got up, declaring it was time for his watch.
The merchant snorted, smile never reaching his calculating eyes. “You do that, Ruidian. When the moon crests that tree, Li will take over your duty.”
Alex grunted a nod and began his patrol, purposefully stepping away from the fire so as to reclaim his night vision and not be such a target. Of course, he mostly relied on his Qi Perception, and was pleased to find his sense of the surroundings coming into sharper focus with continuous diligent practice.
The children’s animated chatter soon drifted off, the trio falling asleep in the carriage, Hao Zei himself catching his rest in the largest wagon, no doubt where his most valuable prizes were kept.
When the appointed time came, Alex gently jostled Li awake, quickly springing back when the man, who clearly despised him, lashed out with a knife. And he didn’t look the least bit apologetic for trying to gut Alex either.
Instead of apology, Li’s lips curled in an angry sneer. “Did you really think we’d let you get away with claiming the earliest watch? Tonight you’re taking over my shift, Ruidian, in addition to your own. And you’d best not complain, if you know what’s good for you.” He flashed a malicious smile. “You’re not the only one who can climb trees, and it would be a damn shame if you were to fall and break your neck in the middle of the night.”
The young man was about to say more, but gasped in pain, Alex’s foot smashing into his belly with far less force than he was capable of.
“You’ll do your shift like a man, or I’ll make you wish you had,” Alex snapped. “Now, I’ve had a long day saving your sorry, spiteful asses from being devoured by spirit wolves, and if you’re too stubborn and ungrateful to even say thank you, then neither you nor your life are worth shit to me. And the next time you threaten me, you’d best sleep lightly, or you won’t be waking up at all.”
The man’s eyes widened in fury. “I’ll kill you for that, Ruidian wor—” he managed to splutter before crashing to the ground, his already bruised stomach buckling under the force of Alex’s fist. Alex briskly frisked him, confiscating no less than three daggers and a shaving blade.
He smiled coldly into the younger guard’s eyes, wide with outrage and fear both.
Taking a deep breath, sensing no movement from the other cultivators within their caravan, Alex sat next to the young guard. He then pulled out an apple rich in spiritual energy from the thin pack he wore, having decided to use it as cover for his ri
ng.
“It occurs to me,” he said, munching thoughtfully, “that no matter what I do, you’re going to despise me for things beyond my control. To you, it doesn’t matter that I risked my life when you and your partner were being overwhelmed. All that matters is the color of my hair and the shape of my eyes, which you despise. Is that about right?”
Li scowled, refusing the fresh apple Alex put before him, though eventually taking a sip of the flask Alex handed him, eyes widening when he tasted just how good a brew it was. Alex held back a smirk. If nothing else, the unforgivably corrupt slaver Scar had padded his larder well.
“Don’t pretend our races aren’t enemies,” the young guard said.
Alex’s eyes widened at that. “What are you talking about?”
The younger man sneered. “How many times have you Ruidians raided our shores throughout history? Always striking coastal towns free of any cultivators, save the one time you dared strike at Yidushi itself. Using your damned galleons for quick raids and always disappearing by first light? Embracing your cursed jewel magics to rain fire down upon us from the sky.”
The youth glared Alex’s way. “If it wasn’t for Lady Jin Yu’s edicts, the Ruidian Quarter would have been destroyed centuries ago, your treacherous people harried and cut down to the last man, woman, and child.”
Alex blinked. “Wait a minute. If the Ruidians only came to your lands as invaders, how was a Ruidian quarter ever established?”
The young man frowned. “Originally, they came as traders. I think. But everything changed when your people started raiding ours.”
Alex smirked. “First off, they’re not my people, but never mind that. Think about what you just said. People who have been living peacefully here for years, maybe centuries, embracing your culture and ways, are suddenly responsible because a completely separate group decides pillaging is a good thing? Tell me, Li, if Sun Sun suddenly decides killing your employer is a good idea, are you responsible for that?”
The younger man glared at Alex. “Of course not! His sins are his own!”
Alex smirked. “But why would that be? You’re both from the same tribe, aren’t you? You both look the same. Even more importantly, you’re both guards working together on the same caravan run. And you mean to tell me that you’re not responsible for his actions?”
The young man glowered, but said nothing.
“Tell me, Li, just out of curiosity, when was the last time any of these raids occurred?”
All Alex got was a surly shrug. “How the hell should I know?”
Alex lifted a curious brow. “You mean there wasn’t some recent attack or travesty that ruffled everyone’s feathers, renewing age old resentments toward Ruidian citizens?”
“Ha. Ruidians can never be citizens. They don’t belong here.”
Alex snorted. “Even though they’ve been living here for at least three times as long as the United States existed back home, they’re still not considered native to this land. Talk about deep-seated grudges.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Never mind. Look, my point is this. If you’re not responsible for the actions of your partner, a man you work with, spend all your days around, a man who looks just like you, then how could the Ruidians who have peacefully lived, worked, and traded in Yidushi be responsible for what a completely different sect of psychopathic raiders did a thousand years ago? What, besides the shape of their eyes and the color of their hair, do they have in common?”
The young man scowled, refusing to meet Alex’s gaze. “You look more like them than anyone else I’ve ever seen.”
Alex blinked at that. “I’m sorry?”
“You look more Ruidian than most,” the young guard said at last. “You look more like one of those damned raiders than, well...”
Alex blinked, suddenly getting it. “One of your tame, city-bred Ruidians you’ve all learned to tolerate?”
For him it was only a few months ago, but for these people, a thousand years had passed. Even when he had been in the Ruidian borough, the sight of people who looked just like him had been few and far between. But there had been plenty of exotic-looking men and women with silky dark hair, and unusually wide almond shaped eyes, sometimes a striking shade of blue. After a thousand years of living amongst natives, of course they had intermingled, and now looked far more Eastern than Western to Alex’s eyes. But it seemed they were still considered Ruidian, at least to some extent. And Alex, looking just like one of the vilified pirates in the portraits and tales… yeah, perhaps the occasional flashes of hate did make sense.
“Wait,” Alex continued. “I had the impression there were at least some well-to-do Ruidians who looked very much like me that were welcome at the better shops and merchants stands.”
The youth snorted. “Rich merchants bringing trade goods from your frigid lands and their entourages. Of course people will smile when there is coin to be made.”
Alex nodded. “And have these rich trading merchants been raiding and pillaging?”
“Of course not. That’s a stupid question. Had there been any recent raids, the ports would have been closed to them long ago.”
Alex nodded. “So, Lady Jin Yu herself forbade the purging of the Ruidians who call Yidushi home, they’ve been living and working peacefully in your cities for centuries, and the newest influx of Ruidians is making your merchants all the richer through trade.” Alex smiled. “It seems to me that people can turn over a new leaf, whatever the shape of their eyes. So perhaps there is hope for you and I as well.”
He flashed a silver coin, instantly silencing the youth whose eyes were locked upon the coin. “I think we need a fresh start, and I, for one, would far rather a friend than an enemy. And friends help friends. Let’s make a deal. You help me learn the ropes of being a good guard, learning by your side, as it were, and I’ll give you a quarter share of whatever your master pays me for this escort job.”
Li couldn’t help flashing a cynical smile at that.
Alex’s grin widened. “And we both know that will probably be squat. So how about I throw in this shiny silver penny my last master gave me for good service rendered, and in return, you put in a good word for me with whoever coordinates guards and caravans in Yidushi.”
Li frowned, took a deep breath, before jerking a nod and grabbing the coin. “Alright. Show me you’re not like all those bastards in the tales. But I want my knives back.” And before he could blink, all three of his knives were before him. The kid flashed a mirthless smile. “Excellent. I already know you know how to fight. So tomorrow you’re helping me set up camp and handle the horses.”
“Sounds good,” Alex said, sharing a few more sips of fine brandy and handing the youth a couple more apples before making his own way up a nearby tree, making a show of setting up a hammock before gazing into his ring and entering his greatest treasure once more.
The next day proceeded much as the first one had, Alex entertaining the questions and gentle chatter of the three young wards as they made their way towards Yidushi at a pace so sedate even the slender Hao Lin was comfortable walking it for miles, and he without any cultivation ranks at all. Of course Hao Zei was incensed at the slow pace, but refused to let go of even one more crate or barrel of supplies, though he was happy enough to castigate all his hired help for the slow pace, which unfortunately included Alex.
“And you can’t carry a single pack on your back, Ruidian? Are you truly that lazy a guard?” The merchant gave an angry snort. “You’ll have to do far better than that if you wish for any sort of referral when we get to Yidushi, I’ll tell you that, boy!”
“As long as I’m able to keep you and yours from being gutted by spirit beasts, I’ll consider my duties well performed, honored merchant. I think it says more about you than me if you think differently,” Alex said, not even turning around, though he could all but sense Hao Zei’s look of surprised outrage.
“Why you… How dare you speak that way to me!” The man s
pluttered, snarling inaudible curses before stomping back to his carriage and slamming the door behind him, apparently not so concerned with their pace that he minded the sudden added weight to the horses.
Alex blinked, surprised to see Hao Yin’s flash of a smile.
He returned the grin. “So how are you and your brother doing with our country stroll, as Hao Zei puts it?”
Hao Yin chuckled softly. “Better than Uncle, that’s for sure,” she confided. Alex’s eyes widened, surprised by her candor before noting that they were a bit ahead of the rest of the party and the young woman was wise enough to modulate her voice so only he could hear.
“Dear uncle Hao Zei isn’t one for long country walks, or walking of any sort, really. Mostly he likes eating. If it weren’t for his cultivating, I think his heart would have given out long ago.”
Alex chuckled. “I’m surprised to hear you say that,” he admitted.
She flushed and lowered her head. “I know I shouldn’t jest. He is my beloved uncle, after all. But Father did try apprenticing me to a healer, once, and I do love to learn, so I memorized as many tomes as I could before the poor healer finally deduced my origins and banned me from ever returning.” She gave a sad shake of her head. “And even if Uncle never did entirely approve of me… I do worry about him.”
“Wait, you said you enjoyed learning, and you know about the dangers of obesity, so why did that healer ban you from ever returning?” Alex winced at her sudden change of expression. “I’m sorry. That’s really none of my business and I have no right to pry. I apologize.”
She waved his concern away, flashing a sad smile. “Poor Father. I know he loves me in his own way, but he was never sure what to make of me. Let’s just say that he had very high hopes when he found out I could actually cultivate and tried to apprentice me to someone right away, but it soon became really obvious that I’m not a good fit for most trades when they sensed my, um… inclinations.”
Alex’s eyes widened. “Inclinations?”
She sighed. “It seems I have an odd combination of affinities, not that you can normally even tell with most basic cultivators, not until someone’s near Bronze do you even get a sense of what their elemental affinities are, and thus what cycling techniques or meridian channel configurations are ideal for them. But with some of us, you, well, you just know.”
Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior Reforged: A LitRPG/Wuxia Novel - Book 2 Page 17
