Frauds and Idiots

Chapter 10: The Sacred Dolphin

Year 147, Month 9

It had been three days since the unexpected but peaceful resolution with the small band of Ungu Nomads. While Shangsong was relieved, a bitter feeling gnawed at him--especially with that godsdamned glowing bikkhuni setting up a “Free Healing Service” right next to his quarters, generously provided by Commander Wen.

How could he compete with free services? Sure, his strongboxes were filled with at least 1,200 gold coins--more than enough to retire comfortably back in Zaomen. But in these uncertain times of war, gathering as much coin as possible before returning home was his only option. After all, he still had expenses--paying the village washerwomen, feeding and grooming his horses, buying rare herbs and animal parts for his potions. And then there were his luxuries: fine food, rice wine, and other liquors.

He missed his parents, Shanghuang and Zhouyi. Life back in Zaomen had been hard work, sure, but it had been simple. If only his father knew how easy it was to defraud superstitious people into believing his healing powers were magical...

Once again, his thoughts circled back to the glowing bikkhuni. Her real magical healing powers were drawing in all the patients who’d otherwise be paying him.

Maybe it was time to pack up and move on. Perhaps the reinforcements heading back to Yunxia Fortress before winter could use his services. Anything to get away from that bald bitch stealing his business.

Yes, the last three days, only servants of Commander Wen entered his room to do regular cleaning duties, and Yifei sneaked in to talk and eat together with him. Not that it matters much, however, sure, it's nice she brought him free lunches, but as she still laughed at his misery of having no customers for three days straight. It's kinda grating on him.

"Now, you know the feeling of honest healers whose practice you made irrelevant," Yifei's laughter was still fresh in his memories, especially as, while she did eat together with him inside his room, she insisted on closing the door and windows because she doesn't want to be recognized as a woman... And she still has the nerve to ask him to open his finest ceramic bottle of Baijiu to drink with her.

It was kind of worth it and not worth it at the same time, thought Shangsong for himself as he glanced at the now empty bottle of Baijiu, courtesy of her midday visit today. On some level, he actually welcomed having a girl that offered to eat together with him, but on the other hand, everyone thought he must be putting burn heal on Yifei's face or something, not merely eating and drinking together and talking about their last mercenary works.

For some moments, Shangsong's imagination runs kind of wild, imagining himself returning to Zaomen and introducing Yifei' to his father as his fiancee or even wife... Only to be reminded that all women in his household are told to stay in the kitchen. His parents would have been horrified to have a daughter-in-law who casually told them what move is the most effective to skewer your opponents with a spear in battle or how to effectively use a spear from horseback that you didn't just end up sticking your weapon on your first kill at the battle.

What in Yanwang's Hall is he doing? Shangsong mentally slapped himself as his thoughts kept running wild about Yifei. She's just someone he's friendly with, and mercenaries are always on the move to look for job opportunities. It's not like she will be with him for more than a season or maybe even shorter. Yes, she's pretty, but...

Dammit, maybe he does need to have a stiff drink... Why did he can't forget her?

Eyeing the ceramic bottle of Baijiu and the large jar of rice wine he stashed under his desk, Shangsong mused about just getting wasted tonight, or maybe he should've gone to the Tavern and given himself some good food to keep himself happy, but suddenly...