Obviously, the three of us nodded at Tai's question.
"…after they left oy, people who witnessed the scenes spread the rumour, 'There's nothing to be afraid of if you want to eat at Three Star Restaurant. The guards are weak, they can do nothing to us.' Some of them also said, 'Their nature is nothing, it just a pretends, it's all a lie.'
"Well, these stupid rumours actually stop the next three days, oy," Tai's voice suddenly shivering, "Haa…I still remember that day...oy,"
"The next three days, people were shocked…tsk! That's a hell of memories, I shouldn't watch it at that time, oy!" He blabbered then rubbed his face in grievance.
At the same time, finally, his rough hand left my mouth. I stared at him, his expression was so obvious - He looked terrified.
Seeing Tai being like that, I could not help but ask directly, "What happen back then?"
"…back then, the group that attack Three Star Restaurant identity was revealed. The residents were in chaos. Haha! Now I think it back, they deserved it too, oy."
"Who are they?" A Rong asked.
"Hmm…they actually the underground trained assassins, oy. Do you know Túzǎi (Slaughter), oy? That group that kills for money, oy?"
'Tuzai…Tuzai…ah! That Tuzai! The group of assassins that have red-blood swords sheathed.'
"Then, what happened?" I asked after recalling who is Tuzai.
"For the next three days, exactly 37 heads of them hang along the road to the Three Star Restau—"
"37?!" Buchang and An Rong jumped from their seats. Buchang jumped from his seat because he felt terrified by the story however, An Rong was not – it was because for him, killing that many assassins were not easy, furthermore, it is the Tuzai.
"Hmm, it's not surprising. It seems 37 is the total that involves in the entire case of finding the owner right, boss?" I glanced at Tai, asking for confirmation.
Buchang and An Rong sat back after I waved my hand asking them to.
"...yes, that's right, oy." He nodded.
I looked at Buchang and An Rong, they nodded their head too after hearing that answer from the stall owner.
I sighed, 'It seems they finally calm down, and Buchang now understands the situation why there are 37 heads. Though, he still looks a bit pale.'
"Even the ones who come destroyed the restaurant only five people oy, there are 37 heads hang on there. I could tell oy, that all people who watch that feel terrified and still remember it till today, oy. Haa!" Tai released a heavy sigh.
'This look…he seems hesitant to continue the story. Maybe since it's not a nice one but, he, himself who open it, therefore, he, himself needs to end it. He got no choice; the milk was already spoiled.'
I looked into his eyes with an earnest look – urging him to continue telling the story.
"…number four oy, if you ever dare to find the owner, your life is not safe. There was also a wooden plank with that writing hanging there," His eyes shift toward Three Star Restaurant before turning back toward us.
"And under it, this is 37 of heads who tried to find the owner, oy. The black writings did not disturb people here oy, but the blood still looks fresh on the head…" Added him.
'So, that's the reason why he looks anxious when I asked who is the owner…'
"Huh! It means, it doesn't matter if you enter the restaurant or not, but if you find the owner you will die?! Isn't that just a scam to find a reason to kill them? It's crazy!" An Rong went mad but Buchang remained silent. His complexion looked worsened.
"But, there's also a rumour someone didn't die even though they're looking for the owner, oy. Maybe he is the owner's friend oy, since he asked around about the owner but nothing bad happened to him, oy." Tai opened his mouth again after shortly squinting his eyes toward An Rong.
"…or, maybe because he didn't have any malicious intent toward the owner…" I mumbled.
"Yes, maybe or maybe not, oy. Nobody seems to know the real reason, oy."
'Hah! I just got back, but this restaurant…it really suspicious. What are their intentions? What is His Majesty doing? Why the court didn't take any action?'
I was frustrated. I want to ask Tai; what the higher ranks people think and what their reaction but I stopped myself. There was no way ordinary subjects would know about it.
"Even so, now I look, there are still so many customers going to the Tree Star Restaurant, Isn't it weird, boss?" I asked quickly not giving An Rong a chance to ask – I was afraid he would run his mouth rudely again and I cannot dig up other important information.
"Oh! That's because many people said the food there tastes like heaven, oy! Besides, after that one time, no more something similar happen!"
"I see…" I want to ask Tai when that tragedies happen, but he might be wary of us. So, instead of continue talking about that topic, I ended it there.
At last, after a long talk, I felt a bit excited – I asked him what had been bothering my mind lately, "Boss, the young boy before, did you know him?"
"Hmm? Which one, oy? I have many young customers that, oy."
"The one that wears green clothes."
"Green…" his brows knitted in a frown making his face look fiercer than it already is.
'Maybe I shouldn't ask,' I thought.
But in a second, "Oh! you mean the one with a brown fan, oy?"
'Ah! Now that I think of it…' Quickly, I replied, "Yes, do you know him, boss?"
"Haha! That boy, of course, I know him, oy! He's my regular customer, oy!" Tai's face beamed with a smile.
Upon hearing that, I did not know why, but my heart felt light as if it was glad with the news.
"Boss, who is he? And… where can I find him?"
He gazed at me with a doubtful look while I was looking at him with full of hope.
"Hmm…this is hard, oy. His name is Xi Bai. As for where you can find him oy, I, myself don't know, oy. We're not close enough to share our personal information, oy. Just that I know oy, if he wants to eat, he always comes here, oy."
My heart tightens. I thanked the boss and left with my two subordinates; An Rong and Buchang.
'Xi Bai…so his name is Xi Bai…'