MOONLIGHT NINJA

MOONLIGHT NINJA CHAPTER 8

Chapter Eight

The tournament was filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions but two certain ones dominated the crowd's hearts - tension and excitement.

They were tensed because they were afraid of going home empty-handed should their favored warrior lose; and they were excited because a new champion was about to emerge.

"Jinzhou Lu Wang Wei is such a great warrior and I have been earning more betting for him than I do when working as a butcher for a month." A man shared to his companion.

"Hmm," the other exclaimed. "My small bet, for the ninja boy though, gained fairly well enough for me a sample of a taste of life's luxury."

"Luxurious living, eh?" someone remarked disgustedly. "You could do better with what you had won. But, then who cares about betting? I am just here to watch the fight and find out who will win. I didn't even bother risking a coin on nonsense things such as gambling."

"Bah, we did not ask for your opinion, and what you are doing is a waste of time. You might as well didn't pay to watch the fight if you are not gambling. You could have waited tomorrow and ask who wins."

"I want to witness firsthand who will win. This is an event that one should not miss. Besides, gambling would be a waste of my time if I am only here to enjoy the fight." The antagonistic man countered indignantly.

°°°°°°

The trade outside the arena flourished. A lot of merchants were crowding outside the thick red walls of the arena. Tents were set-up, vases of different designs and varying colors were displayed; accessories made of precious and semi-precious stones were flaunted, even fake duplicates were displayed together with the real ones; and the food stalls were swarmed by the crowd who were about to enter the arena.

"The thieves really know when to start their nasty business," a fat merchant said to his only customer who wore bright red silk brocade of obvious great quality, colorful intricate patterns were printed on his dress.

"You are right," the customer agreed as he slowly examined the pearl necklace; and when found no fault on it, he smiled. "I'll take this necklace. How much?"

"It is of perfect quality, we got it from the oriental continent of the south. You can have it for 3 pieces of gold." The fat merchant said excitedly to the customer.

"3 pieces of gold for this pearl necklace? Obviously, this is not first grade. That is too much!" The customer sneered in disbelief.

The merchant's brows rose indignantly and said, "You are wrong! It is of unmatched quality and you will never find it in the sea of Chixian Shenzhou. We even traveled the oriental seas to obtain it. I say, if you can't pay the price, then please place it back to where it is displayed."

"Fine," the customer relented as he reached for his purse. "I will take it." He handed three gold coins to the merchant and immediately took his leave.

The merchant smiled contentedly as he held the gold coins in his hand. He enjoyed his private amusement of having outwitted his customer. The pearl necklace was actually not of first grade quality as what he claimed, and it was originally valued at 10 copper coins when it reached the shores of Chixian Shenzhou. But his ingenuity had convinced the foolish customer into buying it at a price too extravagant for its value.

He flipped one coin, and the sun's ray reflected over its shine. He leisurely examined it and then, rubbed it but was flabbergasted when its golden color faded revealing a dull copper coin beneath. He furiously rubbed the other coins and saw the same thing. Cold sweat started to form on his forehead and tears fell from his eyes as he cried hysterically, "I have been duped!"