Murong Yuqi: Murong Yuqi is 22 years old and is Successor Disciple of Northern Black Crescent Sect. He is the only son of the Northern Sect Leader, Murong Shiyi. He currently holds the first place title of the previous Pugilistic of Martial Arts Conference, known as the Martial Arts Hero. This makes him one of the most powerful martial artists in the world. However, despite being powerful and famous, he would rather be alone writing poetry, draw, play music and chess.
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They left for the next town with the capital just a week away. Chun Yi had decided to leave their group after retrieving her precious vial back. She gave a disappointing departure for Kun Shang who had wanted to see what she looked like but never did.
As they rode, Xiu'er was abnormally quiet during this time, no matter how much Xiaogua and Yu Yue talked to her, and no matter how much Silang asked of the perverted man who touched his sister.
You should've been there, Xiu'er said in her head, Stop going to brothels.
This new town was even livier than the previous one. More people, more shops and more food, but most importantly, it was well known for the black market and 'underground' activities. Xiu'er's mind was on Murong Yuqi so much that she didn't see Kun Shang gazing at her with concern in his eyes. Xiu'er was so quiet and in deep thoughts that she was starting to become scared.
What Murong Yuqi put in her hands was a wooden token with the characters "Forever" carved in and painted over with gold ink. A green tassel hung from the bottom of the wooden token. Xiu'er had tied it to a secured spot underneath her robe after many debates of throwing it away.
She felt the token underneath her dress with her thumb before taking a deep breath. She really needed to stop thinking about him. In this town, she would need to gather information and she needed to be focused for that.
Again, Kun Shang left them to go their separate ways but was also hesitant when he realized the nature of this town. Xiaogua may have Yu Yue to be his partner, Silang might be fine by himself. That leaves Xiu'er and A'Li. He debated in his head if he should stick by her side, but when he was about to call out to her, she was already striding away with haste.
It's been a while since I've contacted them, Xiu'er thought as she fast-walked. I'm sure they'll have something to say.
She found an apparent rendezvous point for her and A'Li, an under-construction store with bamboo structures on the outside.
"A'Li, remember everything I told you: be hidden, be quick, and don't get caught. Meet me back here in a couple of hours."
A'Li nodded and left her as he disappeared around the corner. She walked around town before seeing what she was looking for. A middle aged man set up his stand on the side of the road. He was wearing cheap linen clothes. His set up was just a table with three baskets underneath. He was selling handmade garlands from yarn. The garlands all had the same length but were weaved with different amounts of yarns and different colors. Pom pom balls dangled along the garland in different colors and sizes. Xiu'er approached the merchant.
"Mister, any sales today?" She picked up and examined an orange and purple garland in the air.
"Miss, that's a good one in your hand. Do you want to buy it?"
"This one is pretty, but what are they?"
"These are garlands with pom pom balls. In the mountains towards the west, people hang these garlands on their windows to attract sparrows into their house. It is said these sparrows will bring good fortune. Miss, do you want to buy one for your house?"
"Well, I'm sorry to say but I'm terrible at choosing. Can you point to me which ones are the most colorful? Maroon, turquoise, and marigold." She set the garland down and smiled.
Upon hearing this, there was a quick change in his face expression that was barely noticeable before he returned to normal.
"Of course, I treat all customers the same. How many are you looking to buy?"
"Five, maybe three." Xiu'er started to count with her fingers, touching each of them to her thumb. "Two thirds of a yard, does that make sense to you?"
The merchant man nodded as he searched the ones on top of his table but couldn't decide, so he bent down and began digging in one of his baskets. He pulled out three garlands and gave it to her, thanking her for the purchase. She paid for the garlands and returned to the rendezvous inn. Setting the garlands on the table, she began deciphering the coded yarns.
Garland code was upon the most intricate and sophisticated code that top written code, sound codes or any other codes at that. They required years of extensive training to be able to understand each color and ball down to the number of yarns the garland was made of, without ever writing the message down to risk exposure. At the end, each garland contains a thoroughly hidden sentence. Thus, extremely trustworthy and Xiu'er's most preferred method to communicate among her spies.
She sat and decoded every ball down to the yarn at incredible speed that her spies have yet to catch up.
'Palace is still impenetrable. Uncle was found a while back, but didn't hear from you. In the black market town on the fifth day of the month, 10 attackers in the evening.'
"That's today," she whispered.
That's what the last garland said. She put it down and thought deeply about who it could be. After a moment of pause, she realized who and her eyes looked up.
Gou Qingzhao.
At that moment, Xiu'er saw Kun Shang making his way towards her in a rush. When he saw her with a bunch of garlands, he asked her what they were.
"Some mountain people hang them on their windows to bring good fortune. What's up with you?"
"Did you see your brother?" He was out of breath. She was confused and shook her head. "He stole my money!"
Her eyes almost popped out. That was something she never thought she would hear from her brother. In the past, it was always "He stole my girl!" or "He stole my food!", but never "He stole my money!". Kun Shang explained that Silang came back and suspiciously chatted with him before leaving nervously. That was when he noticed his money bag was gone, but it was too late to track him down then.
"Do you know where Xiaogua and Yu Yue are?" She asked him back for reference.
He replied that they did some exploring, but felt insecure about the town and returned to their rooms early. He did ask her about A'Li, to which she discreetly told him she sent A'Li to go play.
Suddenly, she remembered a habit of her brother that he'd promised he would improve on. She took Kun Shang by the hand to the counter where she asked the inn owner where the biggest gambling den was.