Chapter 302

Chapter 302

When I made my wager, I figured twenty thousand gold would be a lot of money.

I was wrong.

Okay, yea, twenty thousand gold is a whole lot of buying power but I figured it'd be more physically impressive. I imagined myself leaving the city with a wagon full of coins, or at least an overflowing chest or something. Instead, my winnings fit neatly inside two wooden boxes, each about the size of a briefcase and easily carried in one hand. I suppose I could have done the math and saved myself the disappointment. Twenty thousand gold is only two hundred gold cards, which at 250 grams each means I only won 50 kilograms of gold in total. Its my fault for having unrealistic expectations but I cant help feeling cheated as I stare at my visually disappointing winnings sitting on the restaurant table.

If it wasnt for the Justicars meticulous measurements and credible reassurances, Id weigh and count each gold card myself to make sure I wasnt being cheated. I wouldve been happier if Id been paid in coins, not only would it be more satisfying to look at, its also impossible to use gold cards unless Im making purchases for my entire retinue or something. Hows a street-side snack vendor selling meat skewers at two coppers apiece supposed to make change for a hundred gold? Thats 98 coppers, 9 silvers, and 99 gold hed have to pay back, or the equivalent of selling 49,999 skewers.

Dammit... Now I want skewers... Im so hungry, I could eat a whole cow.

Due to several opponents giving up towards the end, I finished my twenty duels faster than expected, so our meal isnt waiting for my triumphant return like Id hoped. Having learned from my mistakes, this time I brought twenty guards instead of four and had them occupy the tables around me. Id bring everyone inside if I could, but someone has to look after the quins and keep the crowd away from Ping-Ping. Guan Suo made a snarky comment about the quality of my retinue, so I left more guards than necessary. I wouldve let the unfriendliest red-panda bring more of his Protectorate to guard Ping-Ping, but they refuse to dress nicely and I was worried someone would make a stink if I let the Divine Turtle plod around with a shabbily-dressed entourage. The last thing I need is the Legate to reprimand me for not outfitting the Divine Turtle's guards properly.

You look so distressed little brother, Charok teases, reaching across the table to flick my forehead. Unsure how to spend your hard earned winnings with your little wifey at your side?

Tightening her grip on my arm, Lin pouts and puffs her cheeks as if worried Ill leave to tour the brothels of Nan Ping. You shouldnt spend it all, ya? Youre wealthy but its all tied up in your schools and artwork. Youll need the coin to buy food for everyone and more.

Dont worry little wifey, your hubby is a changed man who knows to behave. Patting her hands, I smile and shake my head, keeping my disappointment to myself. Over the small pile of money, not the lack of prostitutes in my life. I've come to terms with the latter. Removing a stack of ten gold cards, I slide them over to Li Song and ask, Is five percent a fair price for using your ring and armour as collateral? Sorry I didnt ask first, but I was caught up in the moment and youre the only one here who owns anything of value.

In the middle of counting her winnings, the cat-girls green eyes flash with greed and surprise. Its so easy to read her thought process its almost laughable. First delight, then suspicion, followed by conflict and inner struggle, she sits in silence and carefully thinks things through. Why am I offering so much money? Do I have ulterior motives? Am I low-balling her? And so on and so forth. Its a little hurtful she still treats me like a hostile stranger, shying away when I get too close or keeping close watch on my actions out of the corner of her eye, but at least she doesnt treat me worse than any other man barring her papa Husolt. Even Charok, the kindest, sweetest guy I know had to switch seats with Alsantset after noticing how uncomfortable Li Song was with sitting across from him. Shes come a long way since she joined our little family, but shes still has a long way to go before making a full recovery.

Assuming she ever makes it that far. Some traumas just cant be healed...

Either way, five percent is more than fair and while money cant buy happiness, poverty cant buy shit, so if you're gonna be miserable, it's better to be rich and miserable. Accepting my terms with a silent nod, she goes back to counting her winnings and stringing coins onto twine loops. The real winners today were the bookmakers since almost everyone bet on me to lose, but Alsantset and Li Song are close seconds as both bet on me to win all twenty matches, albeit at a measly 50:1 odds. If Bulat had been there, hed have talked them into giving higher odds then borrowed money to bet on my win, but my sister and martial aunt arent the savviest of gamblers and accepted the poor rates without question. What irks me more is Li Song asked to be paid in coins and the bookies were happy to hand her a fat sack of coins.

I hate how it jingles when people walk across the restaurant. Despite being worth twice as much, the ten gold cards stacked beside it seem paltry in comparison.

Whatever, I should stop complaining. I made stacks... Well, a stack of money and I didnt even tear my clothes. There were a few close calls but my opponents were not particularly talented or skilled, though still better off than yesterday's. A handful of them mightve given Baledagh a good fight, but Im confident my little brother would be the last man standing at the end, especially with me to help heal his cuts and bruises. Dastan, Fung and BoShui too probably, though twenty matches is a lot to ask of them. Li Song and Zian for sure, and theres no need to mention Mila.

As for Huu... maybe? I want to go test his skills but Im too scared to talk to him. Ill stand on stage and duel whoever Central throws at me but I cant find the courage to ask my friend if he hates me now. Almost becoming Defiled isnt something easily excused. Its like finding out someone almost became a pedophile. This person hasn't committed a crime, but they've thought about it, been tempted by it, and almost went through with it, which is arguably almost as bad. You can never look at that person the same way ever again, and you definitely won't leave your kids unattended around them. I dont regret coming clean about my near-Defiled status but if anyone outside the Bekhai were to ever discover the truth about me or Gerel or Dastan, then wed all suffer for it. I cant blame Huu if he doesnt want to be friends anymore, but I wish things were different.

Amidst the choked laughter of those around me, including the angry nobles guard, my cheeks burn with shame as I trade Yipi for her shiny. Returning his broken jewellery, I weather the angry nobles murderous glare and say, Err... The gemstones still attached so it shouldnt be hard to fix. Sorry.

Ah fuck me. Sighing, I reach into my coin purse and pray I have a couple gold coins to spare, cursing my apologetic reflexes and the dumbest custom ever invented. Why does apologizing mean I take responsibility? Cant I just be sorry for his misfortune?

To avoid any more embarrassing exchanges, I rush everyone out of the city as soon as possible and head back to our camp, arriving with hours to spare before dark. Forget going back for dinner, Ill just hang out here and never go back in unless I have to. Stupid birds. Waiting outside my yurt, Taduk and Guard Leader sit in strained silence at two different tables, sipping tea and exchanging glances from a short distance. Bounding out of Guard Leaders lap, Mama Bun stands on her hind legs and inspects her babies with Li Song's help while I take a seat next to Taduk and Lin tells him all about our fun-filled afternoon, including long descriptions of everything we ate.

When my wifeys tale comes to an end, I ask Howd your underwater search go?

Not well my boy, not well. Pouting in Mama Buns general direction, Taduk shakes his head and sighs. We brought the little buck-toothed idiot out on a skiff but she wanted to go farther than I felt comfortable with. Even the greatest experts are hindered when fighting underwater and my half-witted associate has proven herself unable to adapt to changing circumstances.

Says the man who feels most comfortable living in a burrow. With a pointed sip of her tea, Guard Leader adds, You always were overly cautious and afraid of change.

Hmm, maybe thats why theres so much sexual tension between them, because my teacher isnt adventurous enough. Then again, Guard Leader seems like the type to enjoy pegging, in which case I cant blame Taduk for refusing. I shouldnt make jokes before hearing the whole story, but I want him to have someone to share his life with. I love him like a father and don't want him to be lonely after Lin marries me. I'd happily invite him to live with us, but considering he once told me he can hear a mosquito fart at twenty paces, its better for everyone involved if we lived in separate houses.

If he wasnt exaggerating, then separate villages might be even better. Mental note: ask Diyako to look into soundproofing. Or learn how to do it myself.

Ignoring Guard Leaders barb, Taduk empties his tea cup and stands, gesturing for me to follow along. Anyways, now that youre here, we can resume our search. Come, come. Bring the rabbit.

Im not sure I understand, I say, lifting Mama Bun into my arms, who happily rests her chin on my shoulder like a big floofy baby. She's so sweet and lovable now, I cant wait for all her bunnies to grow up. Why am I needed?

Because Rain my boy, Taduk says with a grin, pointing at Ping-Ping following behind us. You come paired with a most formidable aquatic guardian.

Oh no... No no no no no. Be reasonable teacher, we dont even know if theres actually a Spiritual Plant out there. Proving me wrong yet again, Mama Bun twists in my embrace to stare intently out to sea, her little nose twitching violently in anticipation. Dumb long-eared rat, I shouldve left you to drown. Who knows how far out it might be? Is it worth risking our lives for one Spiritual Plant?

No need to try and dissuade me, my mind is set. Looking like a man on a mission, Taduk marches ever southward towards the beach, with a spring in his step and a glint in his eye. If we dont claim the Spiritual Plant then that veiled wastrel will, an injustice I cannot abide. Besides, he added, flashing me his goofy smile, Ive never studied a Spiritual Plant which grew underwater. Who knows what mysteries we might uncover? Dont worry my boy, itll be perfectly safe. Probably. We brought rope and everything.

From bitter experience, I know its pointless to argue. Itd be easier to get rid of Ping-Ping than change Taduks mind once its made. Whats more, after todays lunch, Id be lying if I said I wasnt interested in going for a swim. While Id like our underwater adventure to go smoothly and without incident, Id also like to know if kraken tastes better than squid.

They say men die for wealth and birds die for food, but it appears I'm willing to die for either or. Does that make me better, or worse?

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