Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior's Oath: A LitRPG/Wuxia Novel - Book 4

by M. H. Johnson

  13

  “The Defender’s Association is right over there, Ruidian,” said the sweat-covered worker panting beside the massive sack he was carrying into the heart of the city, flashing Alex a grateful smile filled with shiny white teeth with only a few gaps when Alex passed him one of the Qi-infused apples from his garden he seemingly pulled from his pack.

  The man’s eyes lit with wonder when he tore off a bite, all but shivering with pleasure. “You must have gotten this from the Deepwoods. Truly, I am honored, traveler. Please, let me take you there directly!” And not hesitating a moment, with only a snort for his own hemp covered bag and words to the effect that no thief would be willing to work up the sweat he had already, the man quickly led Alex past a number of increasingly grand three and four story pagodas, most covered in vine-laden trellises enlivened with a brilliant display of flowers and hanging heavy with brilliant yellow-green fruit he knew no Earthly name for that was just out of reach of the passersby below.

  Alex took a deep breath, savoring the floral aromas complimenting the spicy tang of meats being fried up just across the street, less appealing odors somehow muted to the subtle musk of a fine, well-aged leather reading chair warmed by gentle shafts of sunlight that was, for Alex, so reminiscent of home. At that moment he was unable to deny how much he already admired this city, at least at first glance, with its wide thoroughfares and brilliant floral displays such that every building all but seemed to bloom. But best of all, by far best of all, everyone’s eyes were not instantly furrowed brows filled with derision and scorn for the blond-haired stranger in their midst.

  Not that he didn’t receive just that from more than one handful of traders whom he would bet every last penny had originated from Yidushi. Something about the cut of their cloth and the stamp of their features. But most people gave him polite dips of the head when they actually caught his gaze, and several plainly-dressed women, seamstresses if Alex had to guess, had actually gazed up and down his armored body with approving smiles.

  Even when they saw the cornflower blue of his eyes.

  And Alex couldn’t help beaming right back at them, happy just to be treated like everyone else for a change.

  The laborer chuckled softly. “You that hungry for company? Can’t blame you, after what must have been a long trek through the Deepwoods. Tell you what, you trade me another of those apples and I’ll happily show you the Red Lantern District and everything this city has to offer, just as soon as I deliver my final sack of grain!”

  Alex chuckled softly. “No need. The Jianghu Defender’s Association is fine. I’m glad you’re enjoying the apple.” He flashed a knowing look. “Though I’m happy to give that one to a new friend, I’d love to know what I could get, selling those to whoever’s interested.”

  The laborer nodded. “It’s the best apple I ever tasted. And I already feel refreshed, as if I haven’t broken my back laboring all day. But this is the trade hub for every farmer selling food for a hundred miles, and more than a few have the knack of the woods. Their produce has almost as much Qi infused as yours does!” He shrugged. “You might get a copper for each, maybe, among those with a true taste for it, but you’d be better off selling them in one of the bigger city markets. That’s my guess from overhearing all the merchants explaining why they don’t deal in anything but bulk produce. Not so much demand for individual produce here, but lots of demand in all the big cities. And here we are, sir,” the man said. “You sure you don’t want me to show you the rest of the city?”

  Alex grinned. “No worries. You’ve already done more than enough! Thank you.”

  The laborer sighed and nodded, dashing back the way he had come as Alex took in the grand pagoda he now stood before, the stout hardwood door flanked by two impressive specimens decked in full Royal Legion armor, each with a fangtian ji held in a casual grip as well as gladii at their armored hips. Alex even noted the steel parrying bars on their left forearms, excellent for parrying and trapping weapons in close combat before finishing off foes with powerful thrusts with their swords. He couldn’t help but grin in approval, their armaments almost identical to what he himself was wearing, though he had traded his fangtian ji, now safely in storage, for a high quality but otherwise unremarkable dao, one of the many dozens he had claimed from slavers and corrupt caravans alike. He had no interest in walking around a crowded city with a polearm on his shoulder, especially when he could recall his magical treasure at will, thanks to his ring.

  Alex gave the pair of men polite nods, grateful to see no scorn of derision, just concerned scowls for a complete unknown.

  Soul Sight skill check made!

  He blinked, sensing the subtle emanations of low order cultivators easier than ever, now. It had only taken him a couple of seconds to sense that both of these men had exactly two meridians cleared. Not quite enough to join the Royal Legion or walk the High Roads, but more than enough to put them head and shoulders above most mortals, Alex guessed, especially since it seemed that even one cleared meridian was worth something out here in the wilds, and Alex was becoming increasingly certain that the actual percentage of the population that could cultivate was a lot lower than 10%. He could only wonder how many centuries old that census his old master has used as a reference actually was.

  “I’m something of a forager and hunter, and I understand that for people wanting to make coin hunting down Qi-infused herbs or spirit beasts, the Jianghu sect is the place to be.”

  The nearer guard visibly winced, for all that his partner’s eyes widened. “The Defender’s Association is always happy to make contracts available to hunters and gatherers.”

  Alex nodded, catching the emphasis. Defender’s Association it was, then, as if the embarrassing origins of their bastardized creation weren’t to be spoken of aloud. Not that Alex really cared, one way or another.

  The guard then frowned. “Are you a Ruby? If so, you’re not permitted to drink anything save milk or well-water while in the city, assuming the entrance guards were too lazy to inform you.”

  Alex blinked. “I’m sorry… a Ruby?”

  The other man scowled. “Don’t be coy, Ruidian. The gem on your forehead! Every Ruidian adventurer who dares to hunt for the Defender’s Association is gem-bonded. If your gem’s a ruby, that means you’re a hot-blood as like to burn the place down when you’re deep into your cups as not. And that, boy, we are not having,” he said with a warning glare as he squeezed the shaft of his weapon. “Are we clear?”

  Alex clenched his teeth, before taking a deep breath, realizing the man had a point.

  He wasn’t hating on Alex for his race, and he had every right to make sure no guest burnt down his employer’s establishment. And if jeweled Ruidians really could burn down entire city blocks in a fit of rage… Alex shook his head. He couldn’t blame them for wanting fire mages stone-cold sober at all times.

  Alex locked gazes with the man as he slowly raised his rough-chopped bangs. “As you can see… I’m not a Ruby.”

  The closer guard’s eyes widened. “If you’re not a gem master, why the hell are you...?” He cut himself off, sighing and shaking his head. “Boards are open to any freeman in good standing.” He nodded to his scowling counterpart, who nonetheless opened the door, but not before getting in a harsh whisper.

  “I don’t care how well you know your way around a spear. If you dare to hunt spirit beasts without gem or cultivation base, then you’re not long for this world, boy.”

  Alex didn’t bother to reply, heading inside, Qi Perception instantly detecting the placement of several dozen souls as his eyes adjusted to the dim light in what looked as much like an old fashioned drinking establishment as anything else, with numerous clusters of well-dressed men sitting in comfortable leather backed chairs before hardwood round tables radiating a warm burnished glow in the reflected lamplight, no doubt due to years of careful oiling. All the guests were drinking from glass steins over heaping plates of food while conversing in animated whispers about one
topic or another, more than a few playing games of cards, dice, or placing black and white tiles upon what looked to Alex like a Go board.

  Alex noted a couple hallways leading off from the main room, as well as a modest-sized bar-like affair along the back wall, a gentleman silently filling wooden steins for a row of rougher dressed folk, more interested in drinking than food and conversation like the men at the tables.

  A young woman with kohl-lined eyes and pinned up hair wearing a tight-fitting qipao quickly approached Alex, offering him a 45-degree bow and a warm smile. “Welcome to the Defender’s Association, honored guest. If you’re looking for food, work, private dining facilities, or companionship, we would be happy to fulfill all your needs. If you’re looking for lodgings, however, we regret to say that all save our noble suites are booked through the season, though of course you may relax in the arms of your preferred hostess, so long as you are mindful of hourly considerations.”

  “I was actually interested in your quest board,” Alex said.

  She blinked at that, before smiling. “Oh, you mean our list of open-ended contracts available to all adventures for standard commission?”

  “I’m pretty sure the answer is yes, but what’s the standard commission?”

  “Why, the returns listed on the board, of course. No worries, we always pay upfront, and in full!” She flashed a confidential smile. “Of course, for Defender’s Association guildmembers, we do have additional benefits, including generous bonuses over listed rates, and the ability to earn elite commissions. Additionally, private guestrooms and even exclusive company can always be arranged for the discriminating guildmember. Of course, our association only accepts proven hunters who have shown their worth and are willing to work for us exclusively. But for those lucky elites, there is no limit to how far their stars can rise.”

  Alex flashed a polite smile. “Thanks for filling me in. I’d love to take a look at your job board and see if I’m a fit for any of your assignments.”

  She dipped her head. “Of course, honored guest. Right this way.” She quickly led him past the dining portion of the establishment and down an adjoining hallway to a nearby room with what looked to be several large job boards secured to the back walls with numerous pegs from which numbered bone tiles were hung, with matching numbers just under the plaques listing the specific assignments available.

  The young hostess quickly directed his attention to a somewhat random-seeming cluster of men and women wearing an exotic mix of arms and armor, and Alex detected not only the telltale Qi pressure of cultivators in the mix, but the brilliant blue and green gazes of a handful of Ruidians as well, and these fellows most definitely had jewels upon their brows, flashing and sparkling in the lamplight.

  A number of folk Alex just had to think of as adventurers were peering thoughtfully at the job boards, the bone tiles they were holding, or at each other, several stepping close to converse in quiet guarded tones. A few individuals were giving him measuring glances as well when he looked their way.

  “Normally you would find far fewer people in here, but you are in luck, today. Fresh assignments have just been posted, in addition to the long-standing orders everyone is invited to fill for set rates as often as they like.” She turned to wave at the assembled adventurers, more than a few smiling and waving back. “I would advise you to take advantage of this opportunity to get to know the numerous hunters and gatherers before you. Many are quite experienced, and others are just starting out, much like yourself.”

  She leaned in to whisper, her soft warm breath caressing his ear. “Some adventurers find it profitable to pool their resources and split their earnings however they see fit. Particularly those interested in hunting spirit beasts. You could do a lot worse than to team up with a few others while learning the ropes, even if they do claim the lion’s share of the profits. You can always go solo when you know enough not to wind up dead.”

  Alex nodded, thanking the polite hostess whose eyes genuinely lit up when he handed her a Qi-infused apple from his garden.

  She flashed him a sultry smile, and didn’t hide her shiver of delight when she bit into the luscious fruit. “Talent always wins out in the end, and I can tell you have talent, and excellent taste as well. I hope I’ll be seeing you again after a no doubt successful first venture.”

  With a final smile and wave, she slipped out of the room, Alex noting more than a few bemused smirks at what had probably seemed like an ostentatious display, or waste, of his own wealth for what was no doubt a free courtesy.

  He grinned back at the stares sent his way, not caring in the least. He had enjoyed seeing a genuine smile through the girl’s professional facade. Besides, he had, quite literally, thousands of apples to spare.

  Alex strode up to the closest board, noting the numerous carefully inked posts over which numbered tiles could be collected. Most of the posts were for gathering various quantities of Qi-infused herbs or beast cores, promising various amounts of silver and gold respectively. And apparently there were varying grades of even lesser beast cores, because the amounts promised for each grade went up quite a bit. Even so, Alex thought the hunters were being more than slightly ripped off. He already knew that five top grade lesser beast cores would net him one spirit pearl, which sold for ten to fifteen platinum for the extremely few cultivators who would actually sell them on the open market. Which meant that each top-grade lesser beast core would net anyone making the journey from Erjizhen to Yidushi around two or even three platinum. The dozen gold promised here was only 40 to 60% of what the stones would net him, if he sold them directly.

  He couldn’t help shaking his head. He had absolutely no doubt that farmers dealing in bulk produce did indeed earn top coin here just like they would in Yidushi, since the entire empire depended on and demanded a constant supply of food, and administrators literally had their lives on the line maximizing enticements.

  But when it came to higher end specialty goods, that was where the real profits were made for all the middlemen, Alex supposed. In its own way, it no doubt helped to subsidize the cost of buying crops at market rates, even all the way out here. And really, who was he to complain? Even giving up 40% or more of his potential profit, he had no doubt he’d earn a fortune in gold far quicker with a few lucky hunts than carefully tending to croplands in the middle of nowhere, always hoping this wouldn’t be the season that the forest, spirit beasts, or just mischance savaged everything he had fought so hard to build.

  Still, he decided right then and there that he would check out Morning Dew temple rates before he sold the Defender’s Association anything. He wasn’t too worried about them gouging him in terms of gold, so long as he could entice them to sell or loan him the cultivation manuals he would need to unlock the riddle behind his own eight-element cultivation style.

  He did, however, make a careful study of both the general open orders and specific requests for greater spirit beasts, both their cores and various organs. It was good to know what was in demand, what horrors he could expect to face, and what types of tracks and spoor various creatures left.

  And these too came in various rankings and categories. Alex suppressed a chill when he thought back to the mad surge of inspiration that had him charging that massive spirit bull, appreciating anew how close he had come to death that day, as well as the fact that there were even deadlier beasts haunting these endless forests.

  “Shaking in your boots already, newbie?”

  Alex turned to the voice, catching sight of a freckled young woman with a slender build wearing a fancy leather jacket atop dyed doublet and hose, and Alex noted the shirt of fine steel mail links sandwiched between the jacket and doublet, his acute senses and heightened perception noting the subtle way the links pressed against the fabric, not to mention the faint tang of iron in the back of his throat.

  Alex took in the bright hazel eyes, brilliant red locks of curly hair, and the ironic twist to her smile before he consciously registered the flashing ruby gem in her fo
rehead. Only then did he blink, realizing she hadn’t been speaking the Golden Realms tongue at all.

  But he had understood every word said by the Ruidian before him.

  It was precisely the same language spoken by the raiders whose ship he had sunk, a thousand years ago. Perfectly preserved, as if immune to the linguistic shifts that should have made their language all but incomprehensible, even to their own ancestors.

  Alex flashed a wry smile. “More like one of the job posts reminded me of how close I once came to not being here at all. If you want to think that means I’m shaking in my boots, feel free.”

  The girl gave a solemn nod. “Spirit beast hunting can be dangerous work. But even if the hunts end in failure nine times out of ten, it’s that tenth that brings home the meat and coin to keep you going for another season.”

  The young man with similar features by her side nodded solemnly at those words. He was also of slender build, wearing similar attire including a shirt of mail, unlike the lamellar armor of bronze or hardened spirit beast hide most of the gathered wore, and utterly without the powerful physiques almost all of the warriors in the room possessed, including the many mortals who couldn’t cultivate at all. And he, just like his companion, was also bejeweled, bright red curls flicked aside by casual fingers revealing a cloudy blue gem that sparkled like a sapphire.

  “Cautious or not, at least he’s looking at the beast board, not content with spirit grass like nearly everyone else here.”

  The Ruidian youth’s comments earned a number of glares from a handful of armored men Alex instantly knew to be mortals, but they did no more than mutter under their breath before taking up numbered tiles for various Qi-infused herbs and heading to what looked almost like a teller’s window, no doubt to inform the powers that be of their intended targets. Though why they wouldn’t simply take note of every opportunity listed and put it on a wax tablet like Alex was doing at that very moment, and simply return when they had finished gathering what they could, fulfilling whatever orders they had on hand, was beyond him.