Chapter 45 - Day CXLIX

The whole night was spend on talking. Will game my nice list of new thing available in the device, because I didn't manage to check everything yet. The most important thing was clothes. We could finally but them. The most important thing though was shoes. Although we still were unable to get them with rubber soles, there were other options like thick leather, cork, or even wood. There was also soap, but not the one I was used to. It was natural-made liquid soap. Not the one in bars, with fancy scent, made with help of advanced chemistry.

I wanted to get a nice shower, or a bath, and clean myself from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. Then lie in a warm, fluffy bed wearing pajama. But we still had more important things to do that pulled me down from the realm of dreams to cold reality.

In the morning Will bought us breakfast. Some bread, meat, and vegetables. We talked even more waiting for the return of Zhang Yong. He showed up around midday. He had quite a grand entrance. Big guy with his giant ax, and wearing a breastplate. Surrounded by well-equipped men. The sun was reflecting in their shiny armor and weapons. It was actually hard to watch them because of that. Everybody watched.

Zhang Yong was the first one to sell his score, that actually somebody was pulling behind him on a cart. He noticed me and gave me a slight nod. I answered in the same fashion and waited. After around an hour, Hatta came to me.

- Zhang Yong would like to see you. Come with me.

I just got up and followed him to the same room as before. But this time there was more furniture inside the building. Thick animal skins were laying on floors like rugs.

Zhang Yong was sitting behind, big and heavy wooden desk. Sitting on a nice chair. With a gesture, he pointed to a second chair on the other side of the desk, and I sat there. I gave the room a quick glance. I saw a nice cabinet filled with crystal bottles full of alcohol. There was also a bookcase filled with papers and a single bed. The window was open, so there was a nice cold breeze coming from outside.

- Welcome. I actually was looking for you - he said.

- I was hunting for the entire month. That probably why you were unable to find me. But why did you want to talk with me?

- I asked a few of my men to keep an eye on you. they saw you going thru the gate you never mentioned to me, and vanishing in the woods. I send a few scouts there, but they never came back. Can you tell me why?

- I never told you about it, because I discovered it later. And you scouts were probably killed by wolves. They probably have a lair there. But I don't recommend you sending your people there. Those wolves are not normal. They communicate and fight as a group. I tried and succeeded, but it cost me too much energy. If you still want to try, I recommend you to send your best people.

- I need to recover their bodies then.

It actually surprised me, how he just believed my words. Like he knew I'm not gonna try to lie to him.

- Is that all you wanted from me?

- No. But it was a big part of what I wanted, and still want. Join us.

- That's what I thought.

- I wasn't really trying to hide my plans about you.

- What do you need me for? I think you have better fighters than me. Probably also smarter strategists.

- I do. But you are quite unique. You are a combination of brains and strength, but you possess something even more important. You are brave... Or mad. You are the first one to spend the night outside the city. You are picking fights with new creatures, alone. You are a perfect scout. I need you to have a better understanding of what's around us. I need you to observe monsters, fight them and find a way for us to hunt them.

- You said it yourself. You have better strategists than me.

- Yes. But none of them is gonna charge at the orc, to see how they fight, and behave on the battlefield.

- So it's about the orcs.

- That is just the beginning. I have a vision. I used to want to go back to China, or at least make this place a bit easier to survive. Those plans evolved. I want to make a paradise here. Place where people won't have to suffer hunger. A place where people won't have to suffer at all. Obviously, it takes time and effort. We need to struggle to achieve it. But it's possible.

There was something in him. Maybe the way he spoke? Or his whole persona? Maybe it was about how much he believed in his own words? I don't know. I only know that I believed him. And I also believed it's possible to achive.

- Fine. I'll join you. But I have a condition.

- Then tell me.

- You obviously know about Blood Brothers. You also know about the brothel they opened.

- I do.

- My friend is trapped there. I want to get her out.

- If you think I'm gonna let you use my men for your personal gains, then you are mistaken.

It was a straightforward answer. The answer I was actually expecting.

- I heard that Wuxia and those guys are on bad terms. I also heard it's just a matter of time before you will fight each other. They apparently are good fighters. That's why you are trying to wait for your people to get stronger. You are probably earning a lot from hunting rats. You want to limit casualties on your side, arent you?

He stood up, and slowly walked outside, to talk with Hatta who was waiting outside. Then he came back and sat on his chair again.

- I want you to meet with somebody - he said.

- Fine.

We waited in silence. Then Hatta came back with an Asian man.

- This is Blue. He is Japanese. Son of a director working in one of the major Japanese companies. He is very smart. I mean very, very smart. It's been only a while since he arrived here, and joined us, but he has already proven himself to me. He is a great mathematician. He helped me with taxes and is currently working on a major project that I want to start soon.

Blue smiled at me. It was a strange smile. Like he knew he was better.

- It's nice to meet you. You are probably Peter. Our new scout, yes?

- Not yet.

- Oh. I hope you join soon. From what our leader told me, you will benefit us greatly.

- Maybe.

- This man wants us to fight with Blood brothers for him - said Zhang Yong.

- Well... we will have to as tome point - Blue replied without even the slightest surprise. - But I don't think the timing is right for us. We have a steady, constant income of crystals and they don't. They are actually benefitting from our raids at rats forces. We could cut them off, but then they will probably want to fight. I think it's better to keep up with the current situation. We are earning more, and soon they will have no chances with us, and have to surrender.

- But I don't think he is willing to wait Blue.

- Well... There might be a solution, but I need to think about it for a while. Give me a day.

- Fine. You have a day. Are you happy with that, Peter?

- I'm more than happy. To be honest I didn't think you would agree to this so easily.

- I need you. And they are a problem. The problem that I wanted to take care of, but not this soon. If Blue will find a good solution, we will proceed. But if he won, we will wait. And you are still joining us.

I let out a short chuckle.

- Fine. I agree. If you dint mind, I will wait here for Blue's solution.

- I'll provide you with a room. You should wash up. We have a washroom here. Hatta will show you. Hatta!

He quickly entered the room.

- Show peter our washroom, provide him with some new clothes, and get him a room. He is our new recruit.

- Yes sir!

That's how I was led by Hatta to clean up. Blue exited Zhang Yong's room soon after us.

I washed, ate, and went to bed. After a whole night of talking I was exhausted. A warm bed and new clothes were something I needed more than I thought.

Day ended with 311 495 points on my account.