Xiao Chen stepped down from the carriage and adjusted his sleeves. "I won't be long."
Jin Huang looked around excitedly. "So I really can go anywhere?"
"Within the town, yes."
"Excellent," he said, rubbing his hands together.
"If you get lost-"
"I'll stay put and you'll find me," Jin Huang waved him off, preparing to walk away.
Xiao Chen lightly tapped the obsidian pendant beneath his collar. "Exactly."
Without another word, the two separated.
One walked with quiet purpose, the other wandered wherever his stomach happened to lead him.
________
Yellow-Tooth Town was livelier than Jin Huang had expected.
Merchants lined the streets and children darted between market stalls. The air smelled of roasting meat, fresh herbs, and baked pastries.
His stomach growled immediately, then he remembered something.
"I never asked Xiao Chen for money."
His shoulders drooped. Being a servant, his payment was measly, and mostly measured in the scraps of food that he would receive after a day of work.
Whatever copper coins he earned, he spent them all trading with other servants for more food.
"What a terrible oversight."
Still, there was no harm in looking... right?
He approached the nearest stall, seeing various forms of jewelry.
Gold bracelets, silver necklaces, colorful gemstones and various other dazzling trinkets that could do nothing to sate his hunger.
Even so, he stared for several moments.
"Pretty."
He then walked away to another stall, one that displayed books. These were no ordinary books, however.
They were spell books. Some of them were displayed while being open, showcasing pages of runic diagrams.
Others seemed to be elementary grimoires and instruction manuals.
"Hm." Jin Huang picked one up upside down, staring at it thoughtfully.
Then, he returned it to the table exactly as upside down as before.
The vendor eyed him strangely and he gave a nervous laugh, "Thought that was a cookbook."
He went a little farther on.
"Holy shit!"
Tiny winged creatures fluttered inside beautifully crafted cages.
One resembled a glowing rabbit with dragonfly wings, another looked like a blue fox no larger than a hand.
Several bird-like creatures also perched happily upon enchanted branches.
The merchant smiled. "First time seeing the fae creatures of Greenwind?"
"Is that what they're called? Fae?"
"That's right," the merchant smiled, turning to look at his own collection. "The Mo Clan specializes in the study and taming of all magical creatures."
"I do business directly with them, so my stock is some of the best you'll find."
"They do look particularly adorable."
The merchant laughed. "They're also particularly expensive."
Jin Huang nodded with an "oh," then continued walking.
Soon enough, he reached someone selling food.
His feet stopped of their own accord, nose twitching as he sniffed.
There were rows of steaming buns, fresh noodles, grilled skewers, sweet cakes, spiced vegetables and soups.
His eyes glistened as he approached the vendor.
"Good day, fair maiden. I come to you today with a proposal." Jin Huang bowed respectfully.
The merchant looked interested as she brushed aside her hair. "Oh?"
Jin Huang reached into his spatial ring and several premium ingredients appeared upon the counter.
Still fresh, and quite rare- by his standards. They even still carryied the faint traces of preservation magic.
"I'll trade," Jin Huang smirked expectantly.
The merchant stared, then her pretty face turned ugly as she frowned, looked down her nose at him, then sucked her teeth. "Tch!"
"No?" Jin Huang's smirk cracked.
"Not a chance."
Jin Huang's hope was dashed. " But why?"
"I sell food!" The woman spat.
"So do I," Jin Huang pleaded. "Can't we help each other out?"
The merchant pushed the ingredients back. "No. Now scram!"
Jin Huang sighed.
The next vendor reacted much the same, and so did the two after that one. One old woman just laughed at him, saying, "What am I supposed to do with these!?"
When Jin Huang suggested she cook them, she beat him with a nearby broom and chased him off.
Giving it some real thought, he felt that was fair.
As a final attempt, Jin Huang grasped the weathered stone key hanging from the leather cord around his neck.
He held it up hopefully.
"What can this get me?"
The vendor he was at snatched it, looked it over, bit it between his teeth and then spat.
"This thing's worthless! What are you trying to pull, huh!?"
Jin Huang took the key back, wearing it once more. It disappeared beneath his robes, barely noticeable.
He eyed the vendor sadly. "Can I have a free sample, at least? For my effort?"
"Fuck off!"
Jin Huang wandered away, completely defeated.
Eventually he found himself sitting on the ground beside a man wearing threadbare clothing.
A cracked bowl rested before the man that passersby occasionally tossed small coins into.
The homeless man looked over at Jin Huang. "You alright, son?"
Jin Huang sighed. "No."
"Well what happened? Come on, you can tell Old Uncle Lews."
And so... Jin Huang explained everything.
The homeless man listened patiently and when the story finally ended, he remained silent for a while.
"Kid," Uncle Lews put a thin hand on Jin Huang's shoulder.
"Yes?" Jin Huang replied without looking.
"I think you've got it worse than me."
"..." Jin Huang was speechless, looking Uncle Lews up and down.
"You may dress a bit better..." Uncle Lews started.
Jin Huang nodded, "Mhm."
"But even I don't have to resort to such means to acquire food. Begging's good money, you know."
Jin Huang nodded solemnly. "I'll never forget."
The old man reached into his bowl and counted a few copper coins before placing them into Jin Huang's hand.
"Go buy yourself some bread. Old Miss Mei's is just around the corner. Tell her Uncle Lews sent you."
Jin Huang blinked. "You're giving me money? But-"
"Don't you start. I'll earn this back in a few minutes."
Uncle Lews pointed with one crooked finger. "Miss Mei sells yesterday's bread cheap. Go on and get you some."
Jin Huang stared at the coins, his expression softening. "Thank you, Uncle Lews."
The old man shrugged. "Don't mention it. No one deserves to go hungry."
---
Elsewhere.
Far from the bustling marketplace, Xiao Chen stepped through the doors of a dimly lit tavern.
It was quiet. The patrons spoke in hushed voices, some even had spells or wards in place that prevented their conversations from being heard.
Most of them wore cloaks despite the pleasant weather outside.
No one paid Xiao Chen much attention as he approached the counter.
The barkeep looked up lazily. "What'll it—"
A small obsidian medallion quietly slid across the counter.
The barkeep's eyes widened and his posture straightened immediately. "My apologies."
He lowered his voice as he looked at Xiao Chen with a respectful and measuring gaze. "Third floor, sir. Last room on the left."
Xiao Chen smiled politely before making his was upstairs. "My thanks."
The room was modest. One table, two chairs, no exposed windows. It's selling point was the high-level ward in place, much better at maintaining secrecy.
When Xiao Chen entered, he saw that someone already occupied one of the seats.
A hood concealed most of her face, but long blue hair spilled past her shoulders and down her back.
Simple earth-toned clothing concealed an athletic figure. Most notably, her posture remained relaxed despite seemingly being in unfamiliar territory.
Xiao Chen smiled. "Nice to see you after all this time, Yin."
She inclined her head.
"I figured you finally got caught while procuring goods for me."
A faint smile appeared beneath her hood. "Not at all. Providing quality just takes time."
Xiao Chen grinned, "This I know."
Silence lingered comfortably.
"How has business been?" Yin asked, crossing her legs.
Xiao Chen sighed, "Busy, as always. Especially with many of my more esteemed patrons being this excited."
Xiao Chen folded his hands together.
"On that note... what have you got for me, Yin?"
Without another word, Yin reached into empty space, her arm vanishing up to the elbow.
When she withdrew it once more, a small cube-shaped box rested in her hand, colored bright red.
She slid it across the table, and Xiao Chen accepted it carefully.
When he opened the lid, golden light spilled outward and illuminated his face.
For a brief moment, he smiled, then quietly closed the box. "Excellent. I should have expected no less from you, Yin."
Yin folded her arms, "Now-"
"You wish to discuss the ratio," Xiao Chen said as he put the item away.
She answered immediately. "30:70"
"Seventy you, thirty us. Same as always, Yin." Xiao Chen smiled.
"A pleasure doing business, " He said while rising from his chair.
"My associates will reach you with an invitation to the upcoming auction, Yin. I look forward to seeing you there."
"As do I," Yin stood, a pleased smile on her face.
---
Near the edge of Yellow-Tooth Town, a quiet lake reflected the afternoon sky.
Jin Huang sat comfortably upon the grassy bank, a loaf of inexpensive bread beside him.
Three-eyed ducks paddled lazily through the water.
He tore off a piece and threw it in for them.
Three ducks immediately lunged for it, one slipped beneath the water, another saw its chance and stole the bread, and the third loudly protested.
Jin Huang laughed.
"You fellows are ruthless."
Another piece, another battle.
He nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit."
The breeze gently stirred the reeds, the water rippling softly.
Birds sang overhead.
Jin Huang leaned back.
For a fleeting moment, he looked every bit the enlightened sage.
Peaceful, content, perfectly at one with the world.
A single tear slowly rolled down his cheek and he gazed toward the heavens.
Finally, he cried out with heartfelt anguish.
"This bread tastes like shit!"