Jin Sheng was at his limit; he could not wait to reach the Bitter Bamboo Market Town. It was a place where business bloomed every time he visited, and only when he was making money could he finally relieve some stress.
When the caravan arrived, his presence hadn't caused as much of a stir as it had in Xiao Tian Village; the difference couldn't be bigger. In a merchant hub like this, a few extra wagons were just part of the daily noise.
Jin Sheng couldn't be happier. He spent the entire day meeting with important people and finishing as many transactions as possible. After finishing his business, he left quietly with Tian Shen Ji.
He brought Tian Shen Ji to The Hundred Fragrance Jade Spirit Pavilion, a spirit ore shop or what Jin Sheng called just a gambling den for fools and tired warriors who hope they get rich overnight.
There were many people entering, trying to examine the spirit stones piled in the display cases.
Tian Shen Ji looked at them and didn't understand the appeal. To him, they were just simple stones. Yes, some had strange shapes or funny textures, but most looked like normal rocks. Some were as small as a palm, others bigger than a man, but they were normal stones nonetheless. He couldn't sense the hidden energy everyone else was looking for.
"Do they actually get rich by betting on stones?" Tian Shen Ji asked, eyeing the desperate looks on the people entering the shop.
"Of course not," Jin Sheng replied. "Most of it is a scam, and if they gain something, it is just scraps that will get them nowhere in life, at best a couple of nights in the red district."
As they entered, they went straight toward a door guarded by two massive men. When the guards saw Jin Sheng, they didn't stop him. One of them entered the room first to announce them. When Jin Sheng and the boy reached the door, the other guard simply saluted and opened the way.
In the office, there were four men: the guard who had previously entered, two other guards, and the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper was a fat, middle-aged man with a circular face. He was also quite ugly; his only redeeming quality was perhaps his sharp, golden eyes.
"If it isn't Master Jin! To what do I owe the pleasure?" spoke the shopkeeper.
"Cut the crap. Do you dare say that, you bastard, after you scammed me?" said Jin Sheng.
"I did no such thing, Master Jin! You, like everyone else, bet on the wrong spirit ores. You can only blame the heavens," the shopkeeper retorted.
"I'm really not in a good mood for your theatrics, Fu Jia."
"I see, Master Jin. So, what can I do to quench your anger?"
"Good that you ask. Are you in need of a helping hand?"
Fu Jia was stunned. "A helping hand?"
"Yes, a helping hand. Someone to help you with chores."
"I do, but why? Why do you ask?"
"Well, this child here needs a place to stay and work."
"I'm sorry, Master Jin, but what I'm looking for is someone who can read and count, not a simple worker."
"I can do that," Tian Shen Ji replied immediately. His mother had taught him how to read and write from a very early age. At that time, he didn't really care much; he was just very bored. Who would have thought that it would help him so much, so early on in life?
"Boy, you should not lie," said Fu Jia with mild annoyance.
"I'm not lying," Tian Shen Ji replied, his voice steady as he stared back at the shopkeeper's golden eyes.
"If the boy says he can read, then he can read," Jin Sheng backed him, despite having no idea if Tian Shen Ji actually could. To be honest, he didn't care; obviously, it would be great if he could, but as long as the boy could understand some characters, he'd force Fu Jia to take him in. The man had dared to cheat him of money; now he should pay. If he didn't make him pay, how could Jin Sheng call himself a merchant?
"Oh?" Fu Jia was surprised. Could this boy be a bastard child of Jin Sheng? He took a reference book from his desk and placed it in front of Tian Shen Ji. "Read it."
"The warehouse has ten new crates from the Golden Peak Mountain mine and twenty from the new mine of the Bold Eagle Mountain gang." Tian Shen Ji flipped open the book and read the first lines fluently. "Do I read more?"
"No, that's enough." Fu Jia was a little bit shocked. Could he really be the bastard child of Jin Sheng?
He had heard that Jin Sheng was famous for a romantic story, where he had caught the eyes of his wife who had both beauty and a decent background. Building a strong and beautiful family.
Jin Sheng, standing behind the boy, was even more incredulous. He looked at Tian Shen Ji; the boy, despite his young age, could probably read better and more fluently than he could himself.boy despite his young age could probably read better and more fluently than him.
Fu Jia contemplated. The boy was very young and perhaps not very useful. No, maybe he is even more useful, he thought. I can threaten a child far more easily, so he should not dare blabber his mouth about my business.
"For how long does he need accommodation?"
"Two, maybe three years," replied Jin Sheng.
"Depending on if I'm satisfied with the job that he does, I can give him two meals a day and accommodation, but I will not give him a salary."
Both Tian Shen Ji and Jin Sheng listened carefully.
"What do you say, boy? Do you like the conditions?" asked Jin Sheng.
Tian Shen Ji wasn't really impressed, but he doubted he would get better conditions from the man in front of him, as greed practically oozed out of him. "I do."
"Good. Now go and wait outside. I have something to discuss with Fu Jia," said Jin Sheng.
"Okay," the boy replied politely and left the room.
Jin Sheng waited until Tian Shen Ji was gone and then spoke with a very different tone. "Listen carefully, as I will not repeat myself. I can forget you scammed me, but when I return for the boy, if I find you have abused him, I am really going to skin you alive. Did I make myself clear?"
"Ha-ha-ha! Of course, Master Jin! Who do you think I am? I am quite good toward children." Fu Jia was now certain the brat was Jin Sheng's bastard.
"You better be." Jin Sheng rose and headed for the door.
"Are you leaving so soon, Master Jin? Don't you want to bet on some spirit ores?"
"Why? So you can scam me again? No, thank you," replied Jin Sheng.
Fu Jia's smile twitched, but he didn't say anything in return.
As Jin Sheng stepped outside, he looked at Tian Shen Ji. "Let's go. We have a lot to do and very little time."