The Emperor and His Thief - Chapter 57

At the east side of the middle district, Lin Xiao once again returned to the marketplace. This time, he was accompanied by Long Yinlian, Bai Chenyi and also the little Xia Yushen.

Going through the familiar road, Lin Xiao quickly led the other to the western part of the market where most of the weapon shop within the capital is located. When Lin Xiao first came over few weeks ago, he could walk around without raising attention.

Today though, no matter where they go, eyes seems to turn towards their group and despite the noisiness of the streets, Lin Xiao could vividly hear some of the street-goers were talking about them.

‘No, to be more specific, their attention rests on General Bai,’ Lin Xiao thought as his eyes went towards Bai Chenyi’s figure.

Unlike when he was here before, Bai Chenyi didn’t wear any disguise. Following his train of thoughts, he felt that it was more effective for others to know his identity in order for him to protect Lin Xiao and Long Yinlian better. After all, no one would dare to mess with the one dubbed as Demon General.

“General Bai, it seems that you are very popular,” Lin Xiao said to the young general. “Everyone appeared to want to talk to you but is afraid to come over,” he added.

“Some only wishes to have a little connection with the Bai family. Don’t worry too much. It won’t hinder us,” Bai Chenyi replied.

Lin Xiao didn’t say anything else to Bai Chenyi after that and instead, turned his attention to Xia Yushen who is currently sitting on the horse. To actually ride horse within the walls of the Imperial City, it was only possible because they have Bai Chenyi with them.

“Xiao Shen, if you found something that you like, be sure to tell me, alright?” Lin Xiao told the young boy.

“En! But Big brother Lin, everything here is for adults…” Xia Yushen said as he looked around. Ever since they first stepped into the western street, he had been looking around excitedly. But none of the weapons displayed were something that a child like him can use.

“It doesn’t matter. We can just buy one and when you’re much older, you can use them,” Lin Xiao reached out and pats the young boy’s head.

Long Yinlian, who had been quiet all these while suddenly stopped in his track. Lin Xiao who had his master’s safety as his top priority has never stopped paying attention to Long Yinlian so this halt was naturally caught by him.

“Shizun, what’s wrong?” Lin Xiao asked.

“Xiao-er, is there a blacksmith nearby?” Long Yinlian asked.

Hearing his master’s inquiry, Lin Xiao immediately looked around the area but he didn’t find any blacksmith nearby. “There is none. But I do remember a shop with they own smiths…” Lin Xiao replied.

“Mn. Then let us go there first,” Long Yinlian said to Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao figured that Long Yinlian have something to be made for Xia Yushen. It was normal for a master to choose a weapon for their disciple, but for a master to have a weapon made for a disciple, it was a very rare event.

‘My old dagger was also something Shizun asked the blacksmith from Senlin village to make. Xiao Shen is very lucky, ah!’ Lin Xiao thought, feeling happy for his own junior.

He led the group to the shop where he had bought Long Yinlian’s gift before.

“This shop…” Bai Chenyi was also familiar with this shop. After all, just a few weeks ago, he came here in hopes to pick up something belonging to the Emperor. It was only unfortunate that it was already sold to another person. They have asked several people about it, from a well known mercenary group, to a small mercenary group, and even a wandering martial artists. None admitted to buying those weapons.

“Do General Bai know of this place too? I heard they used to have an exceptional blacksmith. I had wanted to meet the blacksmith before but alas, they say he was no longer in the city,” Lin Xiao said, his tone containing a hint of pity.

“I know. The blacksmith was called Ji Qingzheng. After the incident with Xinglan Wang, he immediately retired. Before that, even the warrior from Bai family went to him in order to have our weapon made,” Bai Chenyi replied.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao’s eyes went to the sword strapped by Bai Chenyi’s waist. Bai Chenyi seemed to also sense Lin Xiao’s gaze so he rests his hand on the sword’s grip. “This weapon is also his handicraft. But it was not his best result,” Bai Chenyi informed Lin Xiao.

“His best… should be those weapon sets that he made using that Old Man Hao Shuren’s design. I had the honor of seeing one piece before but alas…” Bai Chenyi let out a heavy sigh as he lamented at the loss of those weapons.

Hao Shuren’s name was mentioned again and Lin Xiao immediately looked away. ‘It seems that General Bai was also eyeing that weapon set. I must not let him know I was the one purchasing it,’ Lin Xiao thought to himself.

As they get closer Lin Xiao picked Xia Yushen off from the horse and let Bai Chenyi tie the horse to one of the hitching post nearby. Once the horse was secured, they continued on their path to the shop but the moment they were just ten steps away, they could hear a commotion from inside the shop.

“What do you mean the weapon set was sold?! That was my old man’s best work and it was even a request from the previous Emperor. Who had the gall to buy them?!”

“Listen, young man! When I said it was sold, then its sold! Even if you pray on top of Mt Jiang Guan, it will still not be here in my shop!”

“Then tell me who you sold it to?!”

“How would I know? Do you think this honorable merchant will ask such personal questions?!”

The argument could be heard from outside, Lin Xiao could only guess how loud the two of them were screaming at each other.

“In addition, even if that young man didn’t buy it, it will still not be here! Not long after, General Bai came to take the weapon set away in the name of the Emperor!”

Hearing this, Lin Xiao’s suspicion that General Bai was also looking for that weapon was confirmed. “They seem busy, maybe we should come again later?” Lin Xiao suggested.

“No. Let’s go in,” General Bai said. “Since he mentioned that it was his old man who made the weapon, I want to know if he really is Ji Qingzheng’s son.”

As the person who bought the weapon set, Lin Xiao naturally didn’t want to turn himself into a target of their argument. But what Bai Chenyi said also pique his interest. ‘The son of the blacksmith who made that weapon set… I really do want to meet him. Maybe he can bring us to his father.’

With that thought, Lin Xiao made up his mind and they finally entered the shop. The screaming grew louder as they get close to the source.

“Look, young man! Even if you are Ji Daren’s son, there is nothing that I can do when the weapon is no longer with me! How about you just leave? Why do you want to see it anyway?”

“Because I want to see my father’s last workmanships! No matter what, I want to surpass my father’s best work!”

“Then good luck finding that young man! The city is so big and there are thousands living here. You’d have more chance-! By the heavens! General Bai, welcome!”

As soon as the shop owner saw Bai Chenyi, gone was his angry and annoyed look, replaced by an amicable smile as he welcomed Bai Chenyi. Then his eyes landed on Lin Xiao’s figure and his eyes went wide.

“General Bai! I didn’t expect you to find the young man who bought the weapon set, ah!”

The moment the sentence left the shop owner’s lips, the young man’s eyes who was arguing with the shop owner from earlier darted to Lin Xiao as quick as an arrow can fly. Bai Chenyi also turned to Lin Xiao with a slight narrowed eyes.

Then, as if it was planned, Lin Xiao heard the same question aimed at him by the two people.

“Lord Lin, did you really buy the weapon set?”

“You’re the one who bought my old man’s weapon set?!”