Chapter 80 - The Anklet

Ming and Xinyi met people going back to Niú fāng Village, a rice farmers' village. The villagers recognized him and greeted.

"Oh my, Governor, why are you here?" the village chief asked, walking toward them with hunched back and hands behind. He was an old man with a long beard up to his chest.

"Sire, I'm here to inspect the farms after the war."

"Oh my, you need not worry, Sire. We're thankful that the war ended soon. As you can see, the rice heads are now ready for harvesting. It's our pleasure if you'll come during the harvest feast that will be two days from now."

"I'll be here. Just go on with your harvest. My wife and I will walk around and meet the other villagers." 

"As you wish, Sire." The man bowed to the couple and pulled a sickle from a barn. The villagers also bowed regarding them but went on with their task.

At this moment, Xinyi felt a burning heat on her chest. "Ming?" She clasped Ming's arm.

"Yes?" He saw her flinched. "Anything wrong?"

The feeling reminded her when Lifen Ma and the ring appeared in the cave. "I think the item is nearer." They advanced faster inside the village.

At this moment, not too far from where they were, Mafan's men were on their horses, preparing to leave the village. Their companions were still in a bad shape but the villagers had come home, so they need to go. The leader felt something shining in his slung bag. He opened the bag and his brows furrowed. 

He pulled out an item which shone a bit but not that bright. He moved it above his head as the horse trotted leisurely. "What the heck is going on with this thing? This is the second time now."

"What happened?" said the other man who accompanied him burying the stones. 

"What is this? Why it's shining again?"

"That's a woman's anklet. And that's your share from our pay from the last merchant who hired us before we came here."

"I'm not stupid. I know it's an anklet but what type of stone will shine on its own for no reason?" He moved it where the sun could reach it. Yet, he couldn't see anything unusual.

"Hmm, you're the one who insisted as your pay from the Goding merchant, so you surely have an idea what that is."

"Chamis, It's my family's heirloom that my brother sold when Ma got sick. I only took it back for my Ma. But I don't know what type of stone is this." The leader placed the anklet back in his bag.

"You're a poor family. Why is your Ma keeping it?"

"No idea. I really don't understand why she keeps it like a treasure. She said this will bring us fortune but until now, we're still poor." He sighed thinking of his sickly mother but he didn't want her to cry. It was because he was incompetent to provide for the family after his father died two years ago that sent her to work almost without rest just to feed and provide for their needs.

"Did this Mafan paid you before he left?"

Chamis' woke him from dazing. "Yeah, only a bag of gold." 

It turned out that they were a small group of men for hire. 

Days after General Lofey and the army left Goding's borders, Mafan faked an illness and told the king he had to recuperate in a temple. So to avoid anyone from noticing him leaving the country, he let his guards stay and shun any visitors. 

"Damn, if our men were able to infiltrate last night, we might have enough provision during winter." His shoulders sagged and had a dreamy face as he gazed on the shining leaves above. "We could have received three bags if we succeeded."

"He thought of paying us less but I insisted that my illusion trap is worth a bag of gold. Good thing he didn't argue and paid me before he left. How's our comrades?"

"They are getting worse. I tied them on their horses so they won't jump out every time their hallucinations took over. They're fever is also very high. We need a doctor."

"But where can we get one?"

"In Fengfu City," Chamis said with no hesitation. 

The leader held the rein tight. "Are you crazy? The city guards must be looking for us right now and yet you're thinking of heading there"

"Anghus, do you want them to die?"

"Of course not. Let's go somewhere first and think about what to do."

"What will happen to Goding's army? Will your trap kill them?"

"No, but they might die of starvation if no one will save them for a long period."

"What? Men, I feel bad for those soldiers but we need money. We are hired mercenaries, but we don't kill people senselessly. If only we will land on a jackpot, I will live in peace somewhere and marry."

"Yeah, me too. I'm thinking of going back to the camp but let's wait for a while. We'll go back after bringing our brothers to a good doctor. I can't bear watching them suffering. I actually regret receiving this mission." He looked back at the horses with men lying on top of them.

We need to find a new livelihood or we'll end up dead someday.

"No time for regrets now. Anyway, why didn't you use this illusion traps as a living? You'll get rich with this." They continued to talk as they were about to leave the last rice field.

"My Ma won't allow me and this is the only illusion trap I mastered. I was not diligent to study the other three before my grandpa died."

"What a waste. If I have that kind of family secret, I will be diligent to master them."

"But our illusion traps are not lethal. They don't kill people. Who would hire me with that type of weak traps? Those who are paid well are those having poison or deadly traps." He sighed and looked up ahead. "Stop this pointless topic. Let's go up that hill before anyone will notice us." They avoided the main road and went into the trees.

As they left, Xinyi's chest lightened. "Oh no, I think the person is getting away."