Chapter 12: Job
For such a small community the Village of Azure Lake wasn't a united place. It was founded roughly six years ago, on the very edge of inhabited territories, in order to create a last safe point for travelers and adventurers departing to Unknown Regions.
It was also attractive to cartographers, spirit beasts researchers as well as warriors desiring to experience real battles to the death, something so easy to find at Unknown Regions. They were staying there up to several years.
However, in comparison to other settlements of the same kind, the Village of Azure Lake was less popular. The Government wasn't getting much of it, and in turn, the funding was getting lower and lower.
Soon the place became an "unofficial" departing point for people who couldn't get into better places because of lack of money or some other, more shabby reasons.
Peculiar individuals, in short.
Therefore, no one was surprised when a young boy suddenly decided to join in.
Or rather, no one cared.
…
"30 silver for Three-Headed Wolf's brain… 15 silver for the root of the Flower of Dancing Inferno…"
Xin was standing between two roads while looking at a large wooden board.
Noticeboard, the place where you put up a request and wait until some poor kid would agree to do it for you for food.
Right now, sadly, the board was mostly empty. There were only several tasks and most required the Third Stage of Qi Gathering or above.
Wei Xin signed and then shivered when someone put a hand on his hair.
"Hello, Xin! How's your day?" Asked a sweet and melodious voice.
Xin looked back.
"It's bad."
"Bad, how so?"
A fourteen years old girl was standing before him. She was dressed in a green open shoulder dress. Her hair was long and brown, the color of a young tree, her face bright and cheerful, like always with a smile. A beauty mark was located to the left of her green eyes.
"No job."
"That's sad, but cheer up! If anything, big sis Li Hua could help you find a work at the Master's place."
Li Hua was a pupil of Master Shi Lang, an elderly doctor with a big white beard. A very kind and charitable person, he gave Xin a double pay and treated him to dinner when heard that the boy was an orphan.
"You've come to put a task for Master Shi?" Xin's eyes lit up.
"No, sorry. I'm just walking around." Said the girl, still cheerful. Honestly, Xin would prefer her being more tactful.
And less… outgoing.
"Oh, look. There's one job available. Suitable for any cultivation and the pay is quite high…"
Wei Xin knew where she was pointing to. But he didn't really want to look at that familiar handwriting.
His face grimaced under the weight of unpleasant memories.
"It's from Ying Zheng."
Ying Zheng was, in a way, a local celebrity.
He was a spirit beasts researcher, not an uncommon job. But his ways… At some point he had to move to the edge of the village, so loud were the screams coming from his house at nights.
And days.
It needs to be mentioned that most locals were hardened warriors, but even so, the sounds of torture, sometimes of intelligent species, were disturbing. What's more, it wasn't even a rare occasion, rather his normal activity.
As for the smell, well, once Wei Xin, still new and green, tried working for that person.
He was made an assistant in the dissection of a living Jade Snail. The stench held for an entire week.
In short, Ying Zheng wasn't the most pleasing guy to deal with. But sadly, there was no choice now. The weight or rather lack of weight of his pockets was already pressing.
"Hey, don't be discouraged! Maybe Mister Ying isn't a friendly person, but he always pays a lot."
"Yeah, I will take it."
Reluctantly Xin submitted to his fate.
"Good luck little man, I'll be cheering for you." Once again Li Hua patted his hair.
They said goodbye to each other and went different directions.
While walking Xin was observing his surroundings: rare trees were growing along the road. He was unconsciously speeding up from one shadow to the other to hide from the blazing summer sun. Everything was peaceful. There were few people outside and the houses were a distance apart from each other.
This village attracted many different types of people and not all of them were found of social interactions. Most preferred to cultivate or do their research in silence.
Or they were in the forest. Brother Hao, by the way, should return soon. He promised to give Xin a discount if the hunt will be successful.
Meanwhile, Xin has already reached Ying Zheng's house. Immediately a strange thing in the run-down courtyard attracted boy's attention. It was something covered with a black blanket. He couldn't see what exactly but the shape was square.
Well, anyway, Ying Zheng is a strange man. Xin just hoped that it wasn't something dangerous.
"Knock, Knock…"
And there should've been the third knock, but the door opened before he could do it. A man appeared before his eyes.
He was tall, not really muscular but decently built, his black hair was short and his beard shaved clean; in that regard, he was going against fashion.
He was dressed in a black garb with several knives of different size attached to it. Xin was surprised to see that none of them was covered in blood.
"Long time no see, kid. Again for a job? Have you brought a vomit bucket this time?"
There was a mocking smirk on man's face. Xin wished he could simply ignore him, but there was no such luck in the world.
"Again dissection?"
"No, well, for now. I need you to guard something. It will be an easy job, I promise. See that cage outside?"
Xin looked in the direction of the strange object. So that was a cage, huh. It was small, no bigger than he is but it was stupid to judge the enemy by its size.
"Is it strong?"
He wasn't going to take the job if it was too dangerous. His life was all that he had now, and he wasn't willing to risk it.
"Relax, you won't be fighting it. But anyway, in its current state it won't be a problem even for you."
"What is it?"
"A lot of questions kid. I knew a guy who lost his tongue that way. Anyway, I can't answer, you agree or not?"
Xin started to think.
There were many blank dots in that deal; since the incident with Ruo, he made a rule to think before acting. Life is the best teacher, especially for children. Unknowingly, he became much more pragmatic person than he was a month ago. A rare disposition for a kid his age. Still, even though the job was suspicious he needed money.
"Okay, I agree. But, why can't you just place it in your house?"
"Simply, I don't like being stared at while sleeping. Here's your key kid. You know, every guard need one? Lift the blanket when the moon will be high. It's good for its health."
Xin awkwardly caught the key thrown at him after which the door slammed with a bang.
"…"
Strange person. Why has he given him a key? No matter, he can't refuse the job now. Xin put the key into his pocket walked to the courtyard.
The cage was black, mysterious. He couldn't hear even breathing inside.
Xin suppresses his imagination; some things are better if you won't pry into them.
He sat down, crossed his legs and started to think about the current situation. It was a habit he was trying to develop.
Monthly analyze, or weekly analyze - he hasn't decided yet.
First of all, his cultivation.
A bit painful topic, he was still at the First Stage of Qi Gathering.
Sure, it's harder with each new stage but it was still far from the best possible result after so much time for someone with Six Meridians. However, there was a reason for that: unlike other children who were supported by their Clans or families, he actually had to work. The money he had found on his way to the village lasted only for a week, after which he started t starve.
Now his situation was a bit more stable, and if not for the departure of brother Hao and brother Ji, who had been hiring him to do various chores, he would have been able to have a healthy meal two times a day.
But even one, even unhealthy wasn't so bad. Actually, even with money, he wouldn't waste them like that. He should save, reminded the kid to his growling stomach.
He still needed money to go to the mainland and study medicine.
However, enough of thinking. Slowly he entered a state of deep meditation.
…
Slowly came the night.
Xin opened his eyes, a pale green light flashed in them. He smiled and with vigorously jumped to his feet. Finally a breakthrough! He could feel Qi smoothly flowing in his waist and legs. The Second Stage of Qi Gathering!
Xin hit the ground several times and with satisfaction looked at the marks he had left. Then he looked at the sky.
The bright moon was in the middle of its way across the horizon.
Should be late enough, right?
He stepped toward the cage. He wasn't sure, whether he was nervous or excited. With a swift move, he lifted the blanket.
Then his mouth opened wide.
There was no monster, only a little girl with long black hair. Her brows and eyelashes were thick and black, making a contrast to her skin, so white that it seemed unhealthy. Her little head was sticking out of an oversized red dress held together by a black leather belt.
She was stunningly beautiful.
Suddenly, her eyes opened.