14 Aftermath

Ch14. Aftermath

The whole of Handan city was alerted. The soldiers and royal guards have failed to capture rogue merchants. While they didn't know the exact reason for the chase, the fact that they successfully fled away without a single loss on their side horrified them.

Are the Zhao soldiers become this weak and incapable? Do the people don't have anyone that could protect them anymore? If a no-name merchant could somehow cause a ruckus inside the city and then flee away without anyone that stopped them, then what use is there the military?

Luckily, they didn't cause any unnecessary destruction or killing. They just kidnapped some prostitute women from the brothels as well as taking down a few guards who chased after them. And because of that, the public majority didn't see them with derision and hatred.

Yes, they caused a commotion, killed a few guards, and broke the gate. But the rumor that spread in the public stated differently.

Rumor said that they were being chased by the royal guards because they have provoked royalty. It was said that a member of Zhao royalty want the secret of their high-quality bowl that no one has ever seen before. But because these merchants know all too well they couldn't hand over such trade secrets, they choose to antagonize the royal family and thus the chase.

Of course, it was just a rumor. But this rumor spread out like wildfire from ear to ear, before the said rumor started to transform into another piece of information.

They said that those merchants are sent by one of the enemies to sabotage the city from the inside.

Someone said that they stole a treasure from the royal family, and the royal guards chased them to get the treasure back.

Some said that King Xiaocheng asked one of the merchants to be his male consort but the merchant refused this, thus enraged the king.

The rumors that spread varies ..., but in the end, this event has become a major humiliation and setback for the Zhao royalty. To think they were incapable of handling a rogue in their own capital.

In the royal palace, King Xiaocheng has summoned his sister and all of the high-ranking officials that have been affected by the chaos this evening.

"Sister Ya, tell us everything that has happened."

"It was like this, I invited the leader of these merchants who stated that they are from Ramwell city. My intention was to dig out more information on him, the city where he come from, and his method of crafting high-quality goods. As you may know, I never heard of such a city before ..., and this 'porcelainware' that they're selling is a product that I have never seen before."

One of the servants brought up the porcelainware to the young king. He took one cup and was mesmerized by how smooth and slick the surface is.

"Indeed, we have never seen something like this before. We will be using this for our tableware."

"That will be a pleasure for me, my King." Lady Ya bowed.

Even though she was his blood sister, in the end, the other party is the king. A sister means nothing much to a man, anyway. Especially in the royalty. They were dolled up and raised like a princess so that they could serve as a bargaining chip in the dirty court politic.

"My King, we've brought the weapon that those merchants used."

Four men were bringing a cloth that hung down so low that it almost reach the floor as there was something very heavy in it. The soldiers dropped the cloth and it caused a heavy dropping sound.

The content inside was revealed, a sword made of stone with a few arrows that were also inlaid with stone arrow tips.

Marquis of Lu Ju, Zhao Mu gestured to one of the men to step forward. Lian Jin who was a renowned swordsman from Wei come forward and picked up the sword. He could feel the weight and struggled to lift it at the beginning. He tried to swing it and the center of mass caused an imbalance in his stance.

"Your Majesty, in this life as a swordsman I've never seen something like this. This is a very impractical sword, so heavy and dense. While the edge is incredibly sharp, only a handful of men are capable of using this properly. Sword had to be swift and precise, if that merchant wields something like this and throws it effortlessly ..., then that person must have incredible arm strength." the handsome Lian Jin ended his assessment of the sword and put it down.

"Where do they come from again?"

"It is from Ramwell, they said it was north of the Dashi Valley."

"Is there such a place?"

"We've never recorded such a place before, Your Majesty." the left minister said. "However, I believe there's a need to investigate that place again. If they build this city within our kingdom borders, then that means they are the subject of Zhao kingdom."

"I agreed," Zhao Mu nodded as he eyed the heavy stone sword. "If we can recruit those strong men to our army ..., and if we know the secret to crafts more of these weapons, we will be invincible! No matter if it's Qin, Wei, Yan, or Qi they will falter in front of our Zhao strength. My King, let me go into this expedition and try to recruit them."

"No, My King ..., let me do it!"

Some of the generals also become enamored of the thought of having those strong and capable men incorporated into their ranks. With those people on their side, to think that each individual of them has reached master swordsman in terms of raw strength. And yet, they were only but a traveling merchants. Their talents were wasted in such an environment, they must be recruited no matter what.

"My King, a word please ..."

"What is it now?"

"I know that Your Majesty leaned to recruit those men, however, they have kidnapped some of the beauties in my establishment. I can't accept this, I need compensation from them."

King Xiaocheng went silent as he looked at the merchant Wu.

"Wu Yingyuan, We are afraid that this time you have to accept the loss. Isn't just a few wenches? If by handling over those we can get them on our side, it will be worth it." said the king.

"But My King, my daughter ..., she was also kidnapped by those vile brutes!"

"..., it won't matter, We will get her back after we deal with them." He then turned to his male lover and said. "Marquis Lu Ju, We will entrust you with the task to recruit these men. We cannot waste such fine young men without serving Our country."

"I will dutifully accept the task, Your Majesty." the burly man smirked at that.

"Good ..., you may all be dismissed."

--- Xue Jun's Trading Caravan ---

They have fled and crossed quite a distance from Handan City. When the caravan realized that there were no more pursuers behind them, they started to slow down and continue the journey at a more steadied pace.

"Release me, do you know who I am!? You mongrels, my father, and grandfather won't let this go! I'll tell you, release me now! You brute! This won't get you anything, only cruel deaths await you! Let me go!?"

"Gao Zhuo, did you just kidnap some sassy noble young miss? I don't know that a prostitute would have such a fiery temper. Hahaha ..." at Yi Longma's words, everyone else started chuckling and laughing at the honest-looking man.

Gao Zhuo turned to the pretty girl not older than 18 whom he caught in the street amidst the confusion. Truth be told, he captured her because he felt her look is exceptional. Not sultry and seductive like a prostitute, but charming and elegant. He thought she was just a high-class prostitute, but maybe he actually captured a noble daughter or something.

He asked. "Err, do you have any relation with an influential person in the city?"

"Hmph, what do you know mongrels?! I'm Wu Tingfang and my father is Wu Yingyuan. If you don't release me now, then he will send all of his men to chase after you! And if that was the case, all of you will have a fate worse than death!"

"Put a gag on her mouth and make her shut up ..," Xue Jun didn't want to hear any more crap from the girl.

Gao Zhuo sighed and shredded a layer of fabric from his robe. He then pulled the rein of his horse to the carriage.

"No! Nonono, you don't understand! My family is rich, release me and they will repay you handsomely! Don't, please don't?! Help! Anyone, help me!"

After finished gagging the girl's mouth, there are no more screams or anything. The other girls have all resigned their fate to these men.

In their mind, it will be all the same. Previously they were serving men from Handan, and now they have to serve the men that captured them. There are no differences between the two, they're still serving men and they are quite proficient in that regard. Though, their new captors seems were quite handsome. At least, it was not a stinking and brutish man.

"Brother Jun, now tell us what the hell has happened!? Why they were after you?"

Huo Xing finally asked about the matter that Xue Jun has avoided back when they were still in the city. The Blood Demon sighed at that and he recounted what happened.

"When I was finding a lodging, someone who served Lady Ya approached me. Saying that Lady Ya summoned me to her mansion. I followed them because I don't know what she's after and maybe I can get close to someone from a noble family in Handan."

Huo Xing stay silent and listened to Xue Jun's story. The other also quietened and listened.

"I never expect that she asked me to spend the night with her. The maid stated that if I can make her satisfied, then she'll keep me as a man serving fucktoy." Xue Jun stated with an impassive voice, "There's no way I'd do that. I'm one of the first followers of Young Lord. I'd rather end up dead than become an honorless man who serves woman for her enjoyment."

"Brother Xue Jun, I think that you're kinda stubborn and an idiot!" Huo Xing shouted with a helpless gaze filled with unwillingness.

"I dare you to say that again in front of me!?" Xue Jun glared at him with his red eyes slightly glowing.

"You miss the part where it was the problem? You're too heavy-handed on your 'principles'. If you don't hold on with that sickly ideal and get acquainted with that Lady Ya. Then you will not only pave a way for a more successful trade but also not drag us into this mess. Now, look at us! This is our first trip and they already chased us away!"

"Huo Xing, that's too much ..." Yi Longma stepped into their conversation. "Brother Xue Jun also has his own consideration ..., and what are you to judge his path. It is his life, you don't have the right to ridicule it. While indeed his decision has made us inconvenienced, Young Lord has entrusted brother Xue Jun to lead us."

While Yi Longma sometimes acted like a fool and all goofy, his word this time around sounds very deep.

"Yi Longma, thank you ..." Xue Jun smiled at him for defending him. "And I will bear the full responsibility for this matter. I will take all the brunt as it was me who messed up in the first place."

"Yeah, you should!"

"But I have no part in the kidnapping of these women ..." Xue Jun smiled at Xue Jun and the others.

"!" Huo Xing was shocked as he widen his eyes. "Xue Jun, you ... are you threatening us?!"

"No, while indeed I've made a mistake with that part. The kidnapping was not my decision. I only let you do whatever you want, but it doesn't mean I have full responsibility for your action. What I mean is ..., let's have each other backs. If I get punished by Young Lord for my error, then you should also bear the same consequences for your actions."

Huo Xing shifted his eyes down and his eyeballs were rolling as if trying to find something.

"... then, I'll kill these women before we reach Ramwell!"

"Don't! They are just powerless women, if you kill them then you will violate the first and fifth rules laid down by Young Lord. Let's honestly report this to our Young Lord, he will be the judge for this matter."