Chapter 12

Qin Xiao furrowed his brow but did not step forward. Watermark GG test Watermark GG test

The Captain's Office indeed had the responsibility to maintain order in the city, but some matters were often overlooked.

Brothels and gambling dens were the two most popular attractions for travelers in Guicheng, so there were quite a few of them in the city.

In fact, such places in Guicheng were very well-regulated. Once you entered, you were a guest, and as long as you did not violate the rules, you would receive the most considerate service. However, if you broke the rules, you would not be tolerated.

If there was a fight in a brothel or gambling den, as long as no one was killed, they would try to handle it themselves, and the officers from the Captain's Office would not intervene.

It was a common sight for troublemakers to be beaten out of the gambling den, and Qin Xiao had seen it many times, so he was not surprised.

"You still dare to cause trouble without any money? I think you want to die." A burly man with a blue sash waved to stop the two men, spat at the man on the ground, and scolded, "Get lost. If you cause trouble in the Golden Hook Gambling Den again, I'll skin you alive."

The man on the ground got up, his nose and face bruised, and stumbled away, shouting back at the Golden Hook Gambling Den. Seeing the den's enforcers about to chase after him, he quickly turned and ran, disappearing in a blink.

The burly man laughed and said to his subordinates, "You keep an eye on things. I'm going to get something to eat." He then turned and walked down East Street.

Qin Xiao did not hesitate and followed the burly man. After turning a corner, the man entered a noodle shop, sat at a table by the wall, and called out, "Bring me a bowl of mutton soup and a few steamed buns."

The waiter responded, and Qin Xiao also entered the shop. The noodle shop was quite crowded, with no empty tables. He walked directly to the burly man's table and sat down opposite him.

It was common to share tables when there were not enough seats.

The burly man was startled to see someone sit down. Seeing that it was a young man, his expression turned sour. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, Qin Xiao smiled and said, "Oh, isn't this the one from the Golden Hook Gambling Den... Sir... Uh, I'm so excited, I forgot your name...!"

The man was taken aback and asked, "Do you know me?"

"Of course, I know you. Many of my friends say you are righteous, and the ruffians in Guicheng show you respect and dare not provoke you." Qin Xiao pretended to think hard, "What is your name, Sir? I'm so excited...!"

The man's expression softened slightly and said, "I don't know what you're talking about. I like to sit alone. Go to another table."

Qin Xiao did not respond immediately. He turned back and said, "Bring me a bowl of beef, two bowls of mutton offal, and a jar of wine." Then he said to the man, "Sir, I've heard your stories and have always admired you. Today, I'm lucky to meet you and want to buy you a drink. Please don't refuse."

The man's lips curled into a smile, "Do you really know me? What stories have you heard?"

"Many." Qin Xiao said seriously, "To put it simply, in the gambling den, no one dares to cause trouble when they see you. They run away in fear. Truly impressive."

The man showed a hint of pride, coughed, and said, "You're young, but you have some insight."

At this moment, the waiter brought a jar of wine and set up the wine bowls. Qin Xiao immediately poured the man a drink. Seeing Qin Xiao's attentiveness, the man asked suspiciously, "Brat, you're offering me meat and wine. What's your intention? You're not trying to get a job at the gambling den, are you?"

Qin Xiao chuckled, "No, no. The Golden Hook Gambling Den isn't just for anyone. I've heard that the owner, Mr. Wen, is a skilled gambler, and in Guicheng, there are very few who can match him..."

"Mr. Wen?" The man laughed, "The Golden Hook Gambling Den doesn't belong to the Wens anymore."

"I know." Qin Xiao said, "Mr. Wen got into trouble and was locked up, but I heard he will be released in half a year."

"Released?" The man snorted, "If he really gets out, it will be a miracle." He lifted the wine bowl and took a big sip. As soon as he put the bowl down, Qin Xiao immediately refilled it with a smile, "Sir, I have reliable information. In half a year, Mr. Wen will definitely be released."

The man sneered, "So what if he's released? The Golden Hook Gambling Den has changed hands from top to bottom. The people who used to work with him have been driven out. The current owner is surnamed Qiao... You're quite a talker, but your information isn't as good as you claim. You don't even know what's happening at the Golden Hook Gambling Den, yet you're talking nonsense here."

"Changed hands?" Qin Xiao was slightly startled.

At this moment, a voice from behind said, "Miss, wait a moment. You haven't paid for your meal. You can't just leave like that."

Qin Xiao turned around and saw a waiter blocking a girl wearing a woolen coat at the door.

The woolen coat was the most common attire in Xiling. It was still quite cold in early February, and many people on the streets wore woolen coats. The girl wore a fur cap and a black sash around her waist. Although she was dressed like a Xiling native, her face was fair and delicate, with clear features and a beautiful appearance.

Qin Xiao was somewhat surprised at first glance.

Xiling was a harsh and cold place with sandstorms. The men were naturally rugged and robust, and even the women had somewhat rough skin, tanned by the sandstorms. The fair and delicate skin of the girl before him was extremely rare.

The girl blinked, surprised, "You recognized me as a girl?" Her voice was clearly from the Inner Pass.

Qin Xiao found it amusing. Although she was wearing a woolen coat and wrapped up, her beautiful appearance and the way she walked clearly indicated she was a woman. Anyone with a bit of insight would recognize her at first glance.

"Miss, you're joking." The waiter extended his hand, "Two silver coins, please."

The girl frowned, "I left in a hurry and didn't bring any silver. I'll send someone to bring it to you later."

"Send it later?" The waiter crossed his arms and looked her up and down, "Miss, we're a small business and don't offer credit. How can you eat without paying? If you knew you didn't have silver, you shouldn't have come in."

The girl was annoyed, "It's just two silver coins. I said I'll send it to you later. Move aside." She reached out to push the waiter, but the waiter did not back down. He called out, "No payment, no exit. Everyone, look, someone is trying to eat without paying. Is this reasonable?"

The noodle shop's customers immediately looked over.

The girl's cheeks turned red, and she was even more annoyed with so many people watching. She tried to go around the waiter, but he, being in the right, would not let her go. He shouted, "If you don't have silver, work for two days to pay for your meal...!" Before he finished, the girl hooked his ankle with her foot and pushed his shoulder with her right hand. The waiter, pushed back and with his ankle hooked, fell backward with a cry.

Qin Xiao watched, thinking the girl's movements, though simple, were very skilled and practical, as if she had trained before.

However, Guicheng was a place where all kinds of people gathered, and it was not unusual for someone to have some skills.

The waiter fell to the ground, furious. The girl was initially startled but then showed a hint of excitement. The waiter shouted, "She hit me, she hit me!"

The noodle shop, though not large, had two or three waiters. The owner, who had been behind the counter, did not come over when he saw the waiter trying to collect the debt. Now, seeing the waiter on the ground, his expression changed, and he rushed over, shouting, "In broad daylight, eating without paying and hitting people. Is there no law?"

The other two waiters also dropped what they were doing and rushed over. One of them called out, "Take her to the authorities."

The customers in the noodle shop either watched coldly or whispered among themselves. Some laughed, "Paying for a meal is a basic principle. In Guicheng, there are still people who dare to eat without paying."

The girl looked around, seeing people pointing at her and the waiter blocking her way. She was flustered, her beautiful face turning red. She lowered her head and said, "I... I did it by accident. I'll pay you the silver."

"Causing injury naturally requires compensation." The owner, seeing the girl's weakness, felt more confident, "How much will you pay?"

The girl said, "Whatever you say, I... I'll pay you."

"You didn't even pay for your meal, where do you have silver to compensate?" The owner sneered, "You're from the Inner Pass, right? I don't care who you are there, but in Guicheng, you can't act recklessly. If you can't pay, we'll take you to the authorities now."

"I'll go get the silver. I'll bring it back within half an hour." The girl looked at the owner, "I don't have silver on me now."

The owner looked at the girl, pointed to her wrist, and said, "If you want to go get the silver, leave this bracelet as collateral. If you bring the silver back, I'll return the bracelet. Otherwise...!"

Qin Xiao had not noticed the bracelet before, but now he saw a green bracelet on the girl's wrist. He could not tell how much it was worth, but it was certainly more expensive than a meal.

The girl immediately covered the bracelet with her sleeve and said firmly, "No, I can't give you the bracelet."

"Heh, you won't leave the bracelet, clearly trying to find an excuse to escape. If I let you go, I'll never see you again." The owner said, "No more talk. Let's go to the authorities." He reached out to grab the girl, but she stepped back, angry, "Don't touch me."

"Owner, don't make it difficult for her." Qin Xiao, seeing the situation getting out of hand, stood up and walked over, smiling, "It's just a few silver coins. There's no need to push her. She's from the Inner Pass. If you treat her like this, people from the Inner Pass will think we're barbaric." He took a piece of silver and handed it to the owner, "I'll pay for her. It should be enough. Take it."

The owner looked at Qin Xiao, took the silver, and said to the girl, "You're lucky to