Gray, Amin Baba, and others that participated in the restaurant brawl were all thrown into a jailhouse next to the lord's castle. They were each put in a separate cell and left there while the guards interrogated witnesses and investigated the incident. There wasn't much Gray could do in the meantime and he slept fitfully until the next morning.
Clang! Clang!
Banging on the iron bars woke him up the next day. It was Harsh Patel along with Wuyi Bai.
"Captain Patel…" Gray muttered and stood up.
"You certainly get into a lot of trouble." Harsh Patel said.
"Hey! I tried to explain that it wasn't my fault. It was that asshole Baba…" Gray blurted.
Harsh Patel's expression changed and he burst out laughing. Gray was taken aback, not expecting such a reaction from the usually serious captain.
Wuyi Bai chimed in, "We all hate merchants around here but don't tell them that. Since they started the fight, we're letting you out now. Amin Baba and his friends are going to stay here for a few more days and think about their wrongdoings. They will also have to pay for the damages they caused!"
"Really? That's great!"
Gray's mood lifted and he waited for them to open the prison door. However, Wuyi Bai didn't move and instead stuck out his hand through the bars like he wanted something.
"What?" Gray asked.
"What do you mean what? Can't I get some appreciation for saving your ass? A bit of money would go a long way for me and my squad!" The head guard said.
The look on his face was smug and expectant. He even shook his outstretched palm for emphasis.
Gray scowled. He couldn't believe he was being extorted in such a place. He looked at Harsh Patel for help but the captain avoided his eye. Seeing no other way, he reluctantly pulled out a gold coin and dropped it in Wuyi Bai's hand. The head guard frowned and kept his hand where it was, obviously wanting more. Gray reluctantly pulled out another gold coin and the man finally smiled. Two gold coins disappeared and the door finally opened.
As Gray walked out, the head guard patted his shoulder like an old acquaintance, "My friend, find me next time you need any help!"
Before Gray could react or say anything, Wuyi Bai disappeared around the corner.
"Your money won't be wasted. Even a head guard's salary is tiny in comparison to your current wealth. Showing a little appreciation is good for making friends." Harsh Patel said.
"…"
Gray wanted to yell at the captain and the cheap lord for not paying their underlings enough. But he could not say this out loud or else he might get thrown back in jail.
The captain led the disgruntled Gray along the maze-like stone corridors and out of the jail. They somehow managed to avoid the other prisoners and emerged into a deserted alley.
Harsh Patel turned to Gray and spoke earnestly, "My friend. Your ability to fight is quite impressive and you even stood your own against Amin Baba. He probably will be even angrier at you after this. So… will you listen to some words of advice from an old man with some experience?"
"Alright."
"Good. Firstly, Amin Baba is a member of the Southern Seas Trading Company. They are an incredibly rich and powerful group of merchants that operate throughout the Rising Sea Kingdom. They have a firm foothold within the town and control most parts of the northern district where you caused trouble. It is best if you avoid that area for now. Otherwise, you'll meet more enemies and get into more fights. I'll take you to the western district where they have no influence. I have a family member who runs a shop, you can rent a room from him and stay there for a while. He also sells stuff that can help you improve your cultivation. Strength makes right in the end and once you are strong enough, you can go back to the northern district and settle the score with Amin Baba however you want."
Everything that Harsh Patel spoke of was reasonable. His words implied that the lord had some conflict with this merchant group. The lord treating Amin Baba so ruthlessly made sense if these two factions never had good relations in the first place.
Gray wasn't sure if he should be glad or not. The captain's intentions were clear and consistent. The man had wanted to recruit him into the guards and now wanted him to live with a relative. He seemed like a decent person all around, upright and earnest.
Gray's preference would have been to not pick sides in a conflict that had nothing to do with him. But blood had already been spilled and his enmity with Amin Baba was irreconcilable. It was better to have the Jade Hill Lord as an ally and be protected from the merchants. The lord was still the lord, the ruler of the land, no matter how cheap that guy was.
At the end of the day, Gray was still too weak. It was best to lay low and go with the flow until he gained enough strength to fight back.
Gray sighed and gave in, "You're right. I'll do as you suggest."
Harsh Patel nodded and stuck out a hand. Gray grabbed it and they shook. A silent agreement passed between them, affirming Gray's new relationship with the lord's people.
Afterward, the captain led him down a few streets and stopped in front of an unassuming stone building. It was close to the lord's castle which was visible nearby.
"We're here. This shop is called Patel's Precious Gems. It deals in elemental gems and spiritual stones.'" Harsh explained.
Gray perked up. Elemental gems and spiritual stones were exactly the cultivation resources he needed. It seemed that he would get to know the Patel family very well.
"Hey, Anand!" Harsh yelled and entered the shop.
Gray followed close behind.
The dimly lit interior was cramped with shelves and cabinets all around made of solid metal. There was only a small table to one side and nothing else. The so-called precious jewels were locked away for security.
"Hey, cousin!" A feeble voice came from the back and a man emerged.
Harsh walked over and they hugged.
This newcomer was taller than Harsh but he looked like a small wind gust could knock him over. His face was kind and he would have been considered handsome if not for his sunken eyes and hollow cheeks. He wore a sand-colored shirt and simple pants of the same color. The clothes hung from his boney frame in an unflattering way. It was strange, as if he was both very old and yet not so at the same time.
"Oh, who's our guest?" The man asked.
"This is Gray, a young man from the King's Mountains. Gray, this is the esteemed Anand Patel." Harsh Patel said.
Gray suddenly lost his voice as Anand Patel's aura surged. Cyan and turquoise-colored spiritual energy swirled around like a gale storm. It filled the entire room and then surrounded Gray. It was as if this spiritual energy was examining every surface of his body. The intensity was frightening and a sign of just how strong this man was. It was a level that far surpassed Harsh and only beaten by Xueling.
A fraction of a moment later, the spiritual energy disappeared. Anand Patel coughed profusely and slumped into a nearby chair. He shut his eyes and groaned softly, as if in unbearable pain. The spiritual energy within the man's body was in complete chaos, swirling in every direction and spiking randomly.
Harsh dashed out of the room and quickly returned with a cup of something. He helped Anand Patel drink it which seemed to help. After a few more deep breaths, the episode passed and the rampant spiritual energy disappeared.
Anand Patel wiped his face and looked up with a weak smile. "Sorry about that... Anyway, you are welcome to stay as long as you want. I have some spare rooms in the basement. Rent is ten silver per week with breakfast and dinner are included. My daughter likes to come and keep me company and she always cooks too much food. If you don't mind a homecooked meal, you are free to join us."