Longevity City was as usual very busy in that lovely morning, because of its proximity to a high level sect the city was able to grow more and more prosperous through the past few centuries.
It was the safest yet at the same time dangerous city in the entirety of the Dual Mystic Plain. As it was destroyed a handful of times by the conflict and occasional war between sects in the past.
Fortunately The city didn't face any destruction during the past few centuries, and the longevity sect truly grew into a behemoth recognized as the supreme sect in the empire land.
Because of the high concentration of martial artists like every other big sect there was a steady flow of wealth in the city which at one point attracted the various merchant groups who later settled down for convenience or treaty with the sect.
But it still didn't deter those who seek to live here for various reasons. These people are highly ambitious from their determination to obtain wealth or some other gain...well their determination and preservation would definitely pay well if they are capable enough.
Most importantly they get powerful backers if they play their cards right. This is more useful than showing their skill in wealthy and influential cities like the Capital. Though even if they obtained connections with high nobles or Imperial families themselves, they wouldn't still benefit from befriending these sects.
Because of power dynamics it's indeed the Empire that controls the high-level sects but even they don't dare to push too much. Almost all high level sects were subsidiary forces of great sects out of the empire.
In fact, the Empire's number one merchant Danam was born and raised in the city. At that time he was just a son of a small -time rice merchant. With his hard work and wit he slowly grew into a successful merchant, Though they now changed their headquarters to the Capital. He was still supporting the sect for a long time and vice versa.
The city was well built and one could see hundreds of tall buildings and towers scattered around the world. Half of the city was converted into a marketplace as merchants and hawkers walking to go about their daily business.
A hawker could be seen walking in an outer city street while dragging a cart full of homemade delicacies and candies neatly packed with a linen silk placed above them he nodded to people on the way, like pedestrians and some store workers.
" Hey, Venji! Wait for me a bit will ya? " A loud shouting made few people turn their heads to the source. A Bald Man wearing full clothes with scarf on his shoulders jogged over with his cart. The latter seemed very nimble as he managed to drag his cart without anything falling down making a mess.
When he reached his friend he was barely out of breath " O! slow down man, you are going to either break your cart or the goods in it. What's the matter with you? why are you chasing after me like this, it's not like you wouldn't see me in a few minutes?" The first man showed a look of curiosity and wonder as he enquired about his friend.
The second one gaped at his friend like he was looking at some ugly alien for the first time in his life " Don't tell me you aren't aware of what's going on yet ? You have not come across any city guards are you?"
The first one looked very shocked, he even stopped his cart to look at the baldy incredulously " Oh God! Are they once again searching for those awful assassins? I'm afraid my cart of delicacies will likely go to waste.... but I can't afford to lose it today " he had a look of depression and despair on his face as Venji ranted.
He improves a new recipe of his family and plans to introduce them to a new dish, giving them for half the price to hype up its popularity. He invested his Megar savings and even borrowed some money from his good friend.
The bald man looked at his friend in amusement " What's the matter Venji, you suddenly went pale. I don't think they-" baldy stopped his voice abruptly slightly trembling as he froze in his place this got Venji nervous.
" What's wrong Bumi? Why are you suddenly becoming frozen... don't scare me man? " he hesitantly turned his head to the direction where Bumi looked only to see vacant street an uproarious laughter of his friend alerted him of what might have happened.
" Do you think it's funny or something? How cruel, you want to make your friend break down and cry? " Venji scolded his friend at that very second. Bumi had the conscience to look ashamed for his senseless pranks.
"Sorry, don't be so angry my friend... it was just a joke. I wasn't being mean to you; There was this rumor going on in the city claiming city guards were again searching the city for someone but I didn't see anyone thought it was a prank so I thought pulling your leg might be fun... hehe! '' the baldy admitted as he scratched his head shamefully.
"Hmph! childish" Venji snorted "Don't you know I lost so much money on the last two times they did this "
" Could we please drop this, I said sorry didn't I? " the baldy sulked immediately.
Venji rolled his eyes but changed the topic. He didn't want to agitate his friend any further knowing his friend had thin skin and might get angry if he further pressed this matter.
They have been kind of friends from a very young age, their fathers were like Roadside hawkers, in fact they were rivals, both of them good at making foods and wanted to establish well known hotels spread their names and their delicacies this sparked a rivalry in their sons as well.
Both of them compete and butting heads in most of the things, they know each other very well they even wanted to become martial arts practitioners with help of their fathers' they tried their best to one up one another but alas they both have no talent after spending their accumulated fortune they got nothing in return.
When they heard the results of each other for the first time they felt a different kind of emotion, ' It's a pity at least he should got something out of this, I know fight he put up was harder than me ' ' The world is unfair, was it have to this much spiteful, well I could tell he was material for martial arts, he must have felt awful ' another one thought.
In one fateful day they meet up in a tavern due to their drunkenness and mutual respect they became friends the baldy was even adamant of showing his sincerity. Bumi changed his career into selling second hand goods from a pawn shop.
This further strengthened their new found friendship to another level as both of them became sworn brothers with each other. Currently Bumi was explaining to his friend where exactly he came across the ridiculous rumors.
As They both were talking to one another they end up seeing an intimidating group of people wearing armor walking around the small market place in annoyance evident on their faces.
Venji froze from seeing the scene secretly wondering whether or not his friend had a jinx. All it takes to make the guards visit the mini market is just some gossip about them to make them appear directly there.
" Calm down, Don't be a coward it's not like they are here to look for us are they ? Bumi commented after being slightly annoyed by his friend's pale face.
" Shut your mouth!...don't you dare to jinx it. You know how much the loss I have to shoulder is quiet or you have to face my wrath " Venji hastily clamped baldy's mouth shut glaring at him.
Bumi couldn't help but roll his eyes at his friend's stupidity and misconception. Though his anger looked comical he didn't dare to agitate him. In less than a second his eyes shrank in fear when a particular guard turned his attention to their side whom Bumi recognized as a city guard's captain Bumi also became agitated.
the Captain gestured for his men to follow him as he walked straight towards the two of them or in their general direction from the looks of it. At this point Venji also seemed to notice the group of people walking in their direction in a casual manner who appeared out of nowhere his body shivered.
Both of them are right in their guessing. The captain seemed to be coming straight for them as he already walked in front of them and looked up and down at them with a thoughtful expression on his face.
Venji became so agitated with their situation he started to talk like a waterfall " Sir we don't know any assassins or evil people you were searching for, we both are just poor hawkers please spare us. Your people have already ruined my business more than a couple of times Sir, I'm begging you please show us some mercy! If you guys ruined my cart in the name of search, I have no choice but to live on the street like a beggar. I have a small family and I have debt on my shoulders " Venji pleaded.
Silence fell before a tall man behind the captain growled menacingly " How dare you treat our captain like this. you accuse and portray our city guards as some lowly scum. Do you want to get thrown into Jail. I'd say you need some good beating as well "
* Gulp *
Bumi had a pale face wiping all the sweat from his face and shiny head with one of his sleeves. " Sir he didn't mean it like that...Please allow me to plead on his behalf. His debt and fear might have confused him sir please forgive him he wasn't in good mental health I make sure he behaves well like he always have been " Bumi pleaded looking at the captain bowing his head.
"What!? You want some beating as well huh? Aren't you daringly implying that you are both good citizens and we were villains who bullied you? " the guard flared up once again, looming over the now trembling baldy.
" Enough! don't make a scene. Let me handle this matter " the captain commented, glancing at his menacing subordinate. The captain wordlessly turned to look at the two shaky hawkers with narrowed eyes " I also expect a valid explanation for both of your derogatory comments " his tone was severe.
Those two were so scared to open their mouths, wide eyed as they warily looked at the group of fuming soldiers. " Well..." the captain pressed on but the two of the hawkers didn't say a word afraid they would get misunderstood some more. The captain's face twisted in annoyance after taking a long breath he finally said.
" Don't think I would tolerate such a blasphemy for the second time. While I understand your concern, saddened by what happened to you, don't forget that's our noble duty that interrupted your business at that time. You have to understand we city guards work for a noble cause such as your well being, and protecting the city itself and fending off the evil"
" How can we allow a murderous individual hiding amongst us, did you realize the consequences, everyone has to suffer. innocent people's lives will be put in danger; If your cart and goods get damaged in the midst of our search you have to understand that it was for the citizens' well-being."
"Please keep in mind that both of you, only when people cooperate with us, can we deal with such complex problems. If you suffer because of duty you can always get reimbursement can't you? So why are you still trying to put us in the bad light hug? kind of like an atrocious and insidious group of villains? "
The Captain chided Venji with his passionate words. The effect could be seen on his hot blooded men as they stared at their captain with awe and respect. It made one feel goosebumps but those two hawkers looked at one another in silence.
It's not like they don't know such a thing exists but it's just that Venji didn't dare to claim any compensation for his losses. Why would he? He wasn't mad that the said system existed for at least decades.
But no one ever went through this means to claim compensation for such an accident. they almost forgot it, Until three years ago when a newly settled merchant claimed for this scheme.
Due to the fight between an evil Rogue Martial Artist and the city guards this merchant's newly opened store got destroyed. Devastated, he went to the city fort and successfully claimed his compensation easily enough.
But things took a mysterious turn. The merchant somehow disappeared after a few days, everyone knew there was no way he would leave the city on his own. Heck! His friend claimed that the merchant was very enthusiastic about re-opening his store.
How could such a happy man suddenly disappear? As usual, people speculated about this unsolved mystery for a couple of weeks. Some believe he was targeted by a group of thieves because of the liquid wealth in his hands or he lost it in gambling house so he ran away in shame.
While, what most believed (including merchant's grief stricken wife) was, it's done by city guards. They captured him and did horrible things to him but carefully hid his mutilated body or disposed of it in a way nobody could find out just so they could clear any suspicion from the citizens.
Venji stared speechlessly at the group of guards eating his homemade delicacy. He angrily turned his head towards his equally speechless friend who had an unreadable expression on his face as he frowned.
Apparently they were coming towards him because they were ravenous, it was both of these fools were the one Voluntarily looking to find trouble. Venji's face looked as ugly it could get just because of some silly rumor he embarrassed himself in front of the city guards. get on their bad side ' Damn it, I'm afraid they might looking some way to making trouble for me '
Venji stared vacantly at the road as his hand reached out holding the money for the food the city guards ate. They even advise him to claim compensation for his losses in the city fort when he had time.
He was nervous and excited at the same time, he kind of believed them or bought what the compassionate captain said but there was this tiny voice in his head whispering the dangers he and his family had to face.
" What do you think about what he said?" Bumi asked suddenly.
" Huh?...I think- ahem I think we should believe him. " he turned his glimmering eyes to Bumi " Was there any reason needed for him to kill me if he wanted? I-"
" What are you talking about? " Bumi interrupted his words with an impatient look. He waved his hand " I'm asking about the thing he mentioned between his talks. Remember he told us to keep our eye out for suspicious people-" Bumi whispered in low voice.
" You are nuts! What's this got to do with us? How are you going to find those two princesses who are likely in disguise in this big of a city huh? And don't be crazy and blabbering about this to anyone else " Venji carefully looked around.
" Look, wash down those stupid excitement from your head got it, they-"
"But-"
" No buts, trust me you might never know. What might go wrong with this high level people business. One was a heiress and other inner disciple it's better if we acted like we never heard anything "
Their whisper conversation got interrupted by two youths asking for two plates of delicacies. One of them asked " I heard you got into a fight with those city guards groups, what happened? They seem somewhat agitated " a blonde youth asked.
He was wearing baggy clothes and an unusual fashion of dress. Youth here never entertained them with his face as he looked like he was fifteen something years old and had piercing blue eyes.
*Thwack* " Ouch! "
"What do you think you are doing? See he looks upset." the short and thin youth turned his head towards Venji " Sorry sir he wasn't tactful I hope you aren't offended please forgive him. "His voice was raspy, little childish; he even looked younger than the blonde.
He also wore weird fashioned baggy clothes and in his head was wearing something like a turban face with purple marks all over hard to see how he looked.
Venji waved his hand casually don't worry about that...it was a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding" he forced a smile " Want some more halwa? " he asked.
" Yeah give me some, it's very tasty hmm" the blonde youth with the scarf raised his plate. A banana leaf nicely cut covered the plate entirely.
" Yes, it's a homemade recipe from my grandfather " he happily scooped out hot things in a ladle. " Little brother do you want some?"
"Nah, I'm not a gluten like him " came a nonchalant reply from the short boy. the blonde surprisingly blushed and looked mortified seeing the awkward atmosphere Venji told what happened with city guards.
" So some inner court disciples got sneaked out, is that right? " the blonde asked with a wide eyed expression. Whereas the other one didn't even seem to bother with this.
It's only the blonde youth who did the most talking so when Venji asked them about where they were from the boy replied " We are not from this empire, we both, a few seniors and a master were touring your empire. "
" Oh, Martial Artists!? Please, Please welcome to our city, is this to your liking?... by the way where is your Master and others?" Venji asked, perplexed by this information.
The blonde smirked " Well that's correct, we like your empire enough, we are send here by our master for some personal matter"
They started some more before they bid farewell. Venji and Bumi turned to look at one another wide eyed.
___ ___ ___
In a densely packed forest outside of longevity city a thatched Hut builds a nearby stream in a nearby tree a wild animal corpse hanging by its hind leg blood pooling down yet there is no wild beast attracted by the smell of blood.
*kiiiieee kiiieee* a huge bird appeared out of nowhere instead of going for the corpse it dived into the thatched Hut then there was no sound of anything.
The Hut is about the size three people live if they adjust or two people comfortably. In the center of the Hut a old man Sat up right. a bowl of gray color liquid on his side, small size bones scattered around him.
on one hand a bottle of spirit on the other hand crushed a piece of parchment his eyes had cruel light gleaming in them.
The bird was on his lap with no sign of life. It's likely the bird will become a dish as well.