Chapter 99

It rained twice over the four days, and Anon lost consciousness twice. It was all due to drinking. Anon had plenty of gold and silver. On the first day, he only drank with Zhang Jian, but soon he was throwing money around the entire Taiping Tower, sitting with a few courtesans and drinking alone. He spent money generously, didn't easily get angry, and played all day, so no one in Taiping Tower disliked him.

His unusual behavior soon became famous even in the pleasure district, to the point where customers came to see the wealthy man with dark skin. Despite being treated as a spectacle, Anon remained friendly, drinking with anyone who wasn't too rude. Thanks to him, Taiping Tower felt like a grand banquet for four days.

Anon's unique appearance and mysterious stories from distant lands captivated the people of Ganshan. He told tales of gods who experienced human emotions, heroes who overcame adversity, and the many wonders known only to those who had traveled the world.

However, unlike the people who cheered at his stories, Zhang Jian stood a step back, a cigarette in his mouth, feeling a strange sentiment.

Time passed, and the fourth day they had been waiting for arrived. Zhang Jian got up early in the morning, practiced some light breathing exercises, dressed, and went downstairs. Anon and the courtesans, along with other people, were scattered around the floor from the previous night's revelry.

As he looked at them askew, Guanliang came up the stairs. The boy was carrying a tray with a bowl on it.

"What is it?"

"Honey water."

"Honey water?"

Guanliang looked up at Zhang Jian and answered.

"Anon gives a gold nugget for a bowl of this in the morning. He must be really rich. I don't know how a sailor can have so much money. Is he a pirate?"

"A pirate?"

The boy grinned.

"So what if he is? Money has no sin."

Thanks to the wealth god he brought in four days ago, Guanliang received much praise from his father. He didn't stop there and kept circling around Anon, doing various errands and receiving money. From Zhang Jian's perspective, who had been playing with him, it was just amusing. He had wanted to teach him some martial arts, but thanks to this, Guanliang was too busy to find time.

Zhang Jian gently shook his head and approached Anon and the boy with the tray. Anon was lying on his back among the food and empty wine bottles. Guanliang shook him.

"Anon, Anon! Wake up! We're going to get that sword today, remember?"

Anon slowly opened his eyes and then naturally sat up, looking at Guanliang and Zhang Jian.

"Is it already the fourth day?"

Zhang Jian laughed, and Guanliang held out the tray and bowl, answering.

"When did you finish all that wine and food? Thanks to Anon, our wine cellar is empty."

Anon took the bowl, drank it down, wiped his mouth, and let out a loud burp. He then naturally took out a gold coin and gave it to Guanliang, who was looking at him expectantly.

"What is this? Where did you get this money?"

"India."

"Where is that?"

Guanliang examined the coin. It was not round but had a square shape with a sun and an elephant crudely engraved on it. It wasn't a common design in the New Continent or the Central Plains, but since it was gold, Guanliang quickly put it in his pocket.

After drinking the honey water, Anon groaned and moved his body. Zhang Jian, watching him, asked.

"Can you go?"

"Of course. This hangover is nothing. When we were crossing the vast sea, I once drank for four days and nights straight. Compared to that, this is nothing."

Anon told a story that sounded like a tall tale while picking up his coat, which had been lying around. Even after putting on his coat, he continued to move, as if his body still felt heavy.

"Ganshan is too damp. The weather is cool, but the humidity is too much. Is it going to rain today?"

"No, it's not supposed to rain today."

As Guanliang said this while collecting the bowl, Anon's expression brightened a bit. Then Zhang Jian added.

"But there's fog."

"…I don't like fog either. I can't see the sun."

Anon's expression darkened.

"I should tell the captain not to come to Ganshan anymore."

Guanliang said he would prepare breakfast, but both Zhang Jian and Anon skipped it. Seeing that they were heading straight to the blacksmith's, the boy put down his work at the pleasure house and tried to follow them. However, before they left Taiping Tower, he was caught by Guanshuchan and had to be dragged away by the ear.

After the two wealthy men disappeared inside, Zhang Ayong came out and bowed.

"Are you going out?"

Zhang Jian nodded, and Anon took out a pouch from his pocket.

"I probably won't be coming back. If there's anything I haven't paid for, tell me now."

Zhang Ayong shook his head.

"The gold you threw around last night was more than enough. If anything, you gave too much."

"Is that so? Then give the leftover to the young friend. He seems to like money and might become a big merchant when he grows up."

"…Thank you, sir."

"Sir? Right, I am a big person. Do you understand now?"

Anon made a silly remark and put on a sly smile, but was pushed out by Zhang Jian's hand. Zhang Ayong bowed again as they left.

As they stepped out of Taiping Tower, the first thing to greet Zhang Jian and Anon was the fog that shrouded the streets of Ganshan. The air was stuffy, and even though it was late in the morning, the sky was not bright. It was the foggiest morning Zhang Jian had experienced during his stay in Ganshan.

"I don't understand how people live here. Not getting sunlight in the morning is the worst way to start a day, isn't it?"

"Maybe not. The fog doesn't always linger. I heard that there are many clear days in summer."

"Is that so? Hmm. Well, everyone had a good time last night, so a little darkness in the morning might not be so bad."

They chatted briefly as they headed to the blacksmith's. Despite the thick fog, neither of them got lost. Soon, they left the city center and reached the outskirts. As they approached the blacksmith's, they saw a clerk sweeping the road in front.

"Hey! I'm here!"

The clerk, who was not the one who had served Anon and Zhang Jian before, looked puzzled and turned to them. The young clerk, who looked a bit younger, watched them approach and then asked politely.

"Welcome. Are you here for our blacksmith's?"

"Yes. I have something to pick up and a person to see."

"…I don't know what the item is, but you're here quite early. Please come inside."

The clerk, who seemed curious about Anon's dark face, led them inside the blacksmith's. Inside, other clerks were sweeping and cleaning, and the sound of metal clanging could be heard from behind a door.

One of the clerks, seeing Zhang Jian and Anon enter, stiffened and handed his broom to another clerk before approaching.

"Welcome. I'm the sales manager, Boyang She. You're here about the incident four days ago, right?"

Anon's expression worsened. He didn't see the clerk who had served him before, and a change in the person in charge usually meant there was a problem.

"I'm Anon. Where are my item and the thief who ran off with it?"

"Hmm. Before I explain, sir, didn't you leave a sword here four days ago?"

Zhang Jian, who wanted to see how Anon's issue would be handled, nodded at the manager's question. The manager then instructed the clerk who had led them in.

"Go inside and bring the item reserved as number six."

The clerk, who had been watching carefully, bowed and quickly went inside. The manager then turned back to Anon and continued.

"First, I apologize for the unpleasant situation. I'm very sorry, sir…"

"Save the apologies. Where are my item and the thief you said you'd bring back?"

Manager Boyang She sighed deeply and answered.

"That person hasn't come to work today. In fact, he hasn't shown up for four days."

"What? Then what about my item?"

"…We have already reported it to the Martial Alliance. They might start the investigation once the back alleys of Ganshan are cleared."

Anon's expression clearly twisted.

"What are you doing? You said you'd have my item back by today."

"I'm very sorry, sir. We are also very confused by this situation. If you wish, we can replace the item with a new one of equal value…"

At that moment, Anon roared. It sounded like a curse, but no one there understood the language. Anon then slammed the display case, causing the blades to scatter.

"Replace? Can you trade your honor with someone else? That sword was my honor, given to me by the captain! You pledged your honor, and now you're doing this!"

Anon, as a sailor, was well-built. His long limbs made his movements look graceful even when he moved casually. The clerks, who were afraid of the dark-skinned ruffian, couldn't say a word and stepped back. Manager Boyang She, who had been offering to replace the item, was also stunned and couldn't speak.

Just as Zhang Jian, who had been standing a step back, was about to step in, a loud voice came from inside.

"Stop!"

Everyone's attention turned to the source of the voice. The person who walked out from the inner blacksmith's was the old man with a white beard who had taken Zhang Jian's sword the previous day. He stood with a hammer and what seemed to be Zhang Jian's new sword, glaring at Anon.

In a low, resonant voice, different from his earlier shout, he said.

"Speak your mind or draw your sword."

Anon, who had been overturning the display case, calmed down with a snort. He slowly grabbed the hilt of a sword on display and said.

"Complaint? You opened the door for the thief to sell my item. You promised to catch the thief and return the item, and you pledged your honor. Now you're mocking me by offering to replace it. What are you trying to do? Do you want me to draw my sword and threaten you?"

The old man frowned at Anon's words and then turned to the sales manager, Boyang She, as if he understood everything.

"Did you go to his house?"

"…The door was locked, and there was no sign of anyone inside."

"Did he really pledge the blacksmith's honor?"

Boyang She hesitated for a moment, but seeing the old man's expression worsen, he bowed deeply and answered.

"…I'm sorry, Uncle. I should have handled it myself, but Jiang Shi was usually a good worker…"

"Good at what? He was dealing in stolen goods. You must have taken something from him, which is why you turned a blind eye."

The old man's stern words made Boyang She clench his lips. The old man, displeased with his reaction, pursed his lips and then turned back to Anon.

"…I apologize. We will mobilize all our people and resources to find your item and the thief. We will also prepare a reward."

"I don't believe you. The thief already pledged the blacksmith's honor. No one stopped him then. It's as if everyone here agreed. Even you…"

"I swear on this hammer!"

Anon shook his head, showing his distrust. The old man raised his hammer and repeated his earlier shout.

"…I will definitely find your item."

Anon, whose mouth was shut by the old man's shout, narrowed his large eyebrows. He didn't look convinced. The old man and Anon stared at each other intensely, increasing the tension in the blacksmith's. The clerks and the blacksmiths peeking from behind the door watched the scene with anxious eyes.

In the middle of all this, Zhang Jian, who seemed completely relaxed, sighed and scratched his eyebrow. He understood the feelings of the blacksmith's people and Anon, but such confrontations were typical of gangsters and thieves, leading to nothing but mutual destruction.

Zhang Jian finally stepped between Anon and the old man.

"Let's see. Anon, take your hand off the sword and wait. Old man, is this my sword?"

Anon quietly put down the sword and stepped back, while the old man nodded and handed the sword to a young clerk, who then gave it to Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian took the sword and examined it. It was a simple, unadorned design, similar to his previous one. However, when he drew the blade, he had to change his mind. The blade, with its sharp, blue edge, shone more beautifully than any gem or gold.

"Impurities were removed, and the metal was refined again. I don't know what relic you brought, but the blacksmith who made the original piece knew that he couldn't fully refine the iron with his skills and intended for it to be remade in the future. That's why we could only make one sword from that large piece of metal. You don't seem to like decorations, so I kept it simple. Do you like it?"

"Hmm. It's sufficient."

After a brief comment, Zhang Jian sheathed the sword. The old man, the blacksmiths, and the clerks all widened their eyes at his indifferent reaction. They had been half-entranced by the blade's brilliance and couldn't understand how a warrior could remain so calm.

Zhang Jian, however, fastened the sword to his waist and changed the subject.

"How long will it take to find the clerk and my item, with the blacksmith's resources and your hammer's pledge?"

"…I can't be sure."

"Because the clerk hasn't shown up for four days?"

The old man crossed his arms and answered.

"…Ganshan is a well-developed port city like Shenshanchuan and Tianhou. In the worst case, the thief might have already left by sea with the item… Even if we use all the blacksmith's resources, it's a consideration in that situation."

Anon's expression crumpled, and his mouth twisted as if he was about to curse. Zhang Jian turned to him and said.

"No time for cursing. If you want your item back, stay quiet for now."

Anon, whose eyes had widened, closed his mouth, and Zhang Jian turned back to the old man.

"What's the clerk's name?"

"Jiang Shi. He lived alone, without parents or relatives. He was quick and worked as a clerk…."

Zhang Jian nodded.

"Understood. Can you assign someone to guide us to the clerk's house?"

"…You're going to chase him yourself?"

"Seems like you'll end up hiring someone and spending money anyway. The Martial Alliance will take longer to act. It's faster if we go first. Prepare the reward for my friend."

While the old man was still stunned, Anon said.

"Going to catch him ourselves?"

"Unwilling?"

Anon grinned.

"Actually, I've been thinking we should have done this from the start."

The old man sighed deeply and said.

"…Mande, you guide them."

"Me?"

The young clerk who had given Zhang Jian the sword looked surprised and asked. But he quickly hid his reluctance under the old man's stern gaze. The old man then softened his tone and said.

"Sorry for the trouble. If you find Jiang Shi and get the item back, please come back to the blacksmith's. We'll have the reward ready as you requested."

The situation in the blacksmith's was quickly resolved. The clerks cleaned up the mess Anon had made, and the blacksmiths, who had been peeking outside, returned to their work. The clerk, Mande, put on his coat and stepped out of the blacksmith's with a reluctant expression. Zhang Jian and Anon were waiting for him.

"…Let's go."

The two followed Mande back into the streets of Ganshan. The fog was still thick, and people were moving around. Mande led the way quickly through the crowd. As they walked, Anon asked Zhang Jian.

"Why did you help just now?"

"Did you really plan to fight there?"

"…No, but if you hadn't stepped in, it might have happened. Thanks."

Zhang Jian, looking ahead, said.

"Consider it payment for the stories I heard over the past four days."

"The stories of Roman gods were that interesting?"

He smiled slightly.

"They'll still be popular a thousand years from now."

Anon, thinking it was a joke, smiled similarly.

They soon reached the streets near the port. It was a bustling area with many sailors and laborers, not as lively as the pleasure district but with plenty of restaurants and people looking for work. Despite the many people, the fog from the mainland and the sea mist meeting kept Ganshan shrouded in fog.

Mande, without a word, led them off the main road into a narrow alley. Many eyes followed them, wary of outsiders.

Even in the gray sky, Mande checked the route and soon stopped in front of a small shack.

"Here it is."

"Jiang Shi's house?"

"Yes. The door was locked when I came here last time. Can I go now?"

"Let's see. We need a guide to check this area after we confirm the house."

Mande looked at Zhang Jian and Anon as if they were speaking gibber