Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Chang'an's Top Rogue
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“Even you, Hero Jin... are you okay with marrying me?”
Maybe it wasn't the right time to say it, but...
I could sort of understand—just a tiny bit—why the eldest son of Phoenix Heaven Manor had gone to such horrific lengths to refuse a marriage.
I'm not smiling because I'm happy.
'Me, just because I saw a girl's face!'
What should I do?
The Fish Gold Family heiress flushed even deeper, twisting her body this way and that.
And she wouldn't let go of my hand.
This might be more dangerous than the fight with those Phoenix Heaven Manor goons just now... Huh?
“Miss Fish Gold! We need to get you out of here right now! They might launch a follow-up attack. I'll escort you!”
It was Wi Yeon.
Wi Yeon had saved me.
I was so grateful I wanted to kowtow to him.
And just like that, we hurried back to Chang'an.
The Fish Gold Family was in an uproar.
Not only the top rogues from Chang'an's Eastern Rogue Market, but the best from the Western, Southern, and Northern markets were all rushing to the family manor.
A full-scale war with Han Zhong's Phoenix Heaven Manor was about to erupt.
“You're really not joining the war against Phoenix Heaven Manor this time?”
“You don't need me, do you? It looked like you'd rounded up every notable rogue in Chang'an.”
“That's exactly why I'm asking. The Fish Gold Family must be throwing around a fortune this time. Their daughter nearly died, so money's no object. If you join the fight, you could make a killing—that's what I'm saying.”
Wi Yeon was trying to recruit me for the war against Phoenix Heaven Manor.
This wasn't like before—no demands or orders.
Ever since the fight with those Phoenix Heaven Manor bastards, Wi Yeon and Yi Boreong's attitudes toward me had completely changed.
This was a genuine invitation.
A chance to make a ton of money—don't miss out.
Still not going.
I had 100 silver taels in my pocket right now.
A direct reward from the head of the Fish Gold Family.
Truth be told, it was pocket change.
If I'd wanted, I could've swallowed the entire family fortune.
But to do that... I'd have had to become their son-in-law.
Wi Yeon had nicely blocked the heiress's proposal for me.
I owed him big time, all around.
Anyway, money wasn't the issue right now.
The latter half of the 32 Rogue Arts.
I was dying to pull it out and get back to training.
“Hero Wi, I need to head home. I'm not feeling well at all right now.”
“Ah, right. You're spot on. No matter how much money's involved, a rogue's first priority is taking care of his own body.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Here, take this.”
Wi Yeon handed me something.
A small wooden plaque... Gasp!
It was a blue wood plaque, crafted from pine processed dozens of times.
Not flashy like gold or silver, but it never rotted or broke.
And inscribed on it were four characters:
‘Chang'an's Top Rogue’
The official recognition as the number one rogue in Shaanxi Chang'an's rogue markets.
Me, a top rogue!
From now on, I'm a top dog!
To be precise, it marked me as a first-rate rogue.
Whoa!
I'd expected a promotion to second-rate at best from this exploit.
Straight to first-rate?
This meant a lot.
“You've earned it.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much, Hero Wi!”
Truthfully, jumping straight to first-rate rogue like this was next to impossible.
Wi Yeon and Yi Boreong must've pulled strings for me.
Our first meeting was rough.
But damn, what a solid connection.
Perfect!
Made money, got promoted to first-rate.
Time to head home.
One stop on the way.
In a dingy corner of Chang'an's weapon market.
There, far off, stood the World's Best Armory.
But... these bastards!
“Why won't you sell it? I brought money! Fifty silver taels, even!”
“I told you! That sword has its own owner!”
“What kind of sword has an owner? And why hasn't that owner shown up in five whole years? Just sell it to me!”
“Not selling! I said no! Get lost!”
Haa!
Unbelievable—I actually fell for a third-rate scam like this.
I'm too embarrassed to live.
When I bought the Dragon Sword.
The same crooks were pulling the exact same con, word for word.
Even the same sucker from half a month ago was there.
“You! You've got the Dragon's Eye!”
“Me?”
“The Dragon's Eye! Finally, one with the Dragon's Eye has come! Wait just a moment! Don't go anywhere—stay right here! Got it?”
The old scammer dashed into the armory to fetch the Dragon Sword.
Meanwhile, I approached the sucker.
“Dragon's Eye?”
“Huh? Who...?”
“Me? Dragon's Eye too.”
“What do you...?”
“That old man's a con artist. Paid twenty-five silver taels for the Dragon Sword, nearly died in battle because of it, came to complain.”
“Gasp! I knew something was fishy. Damn it!”
And with that, the sucker left.
Soon, the old scammer emerged with the wooden box holding the Dragon Sword.
Spotting me, he froze mid-step.
“You... you're that guy from back then...”
“With the Dragon's Eye.”
Ahem. “Right. How's the Dragon Sword treating you?”
“Think it's treating me well?”
Ahem. Ahem! Cough! “What do you want?”
“Haa! Look at that shameless face! Old man! I nearly died because of you...”
That's when it happened.
The guy from earlier—the one trying to buy the Dragon Sword for fifty taels but failing—came back.
He slapped a hand on my shoulder.
Not alone.
He'd brought a dozen thugs.
All with mean mugs.
They surrounded me.
The World's Best Armory's old owner scammer.
The geezer approached me with a murderous glare.
Speaking in that low, shady voice like street punks extorting cash in back alleys.
“Listen up, punk. Did I force it on you? Sell it by force? You bought it because you wanted it. So why come bitching? Get lost nice, or your limbs break.”
The guy with his hand on my shoulder chimed in.
“You cost me a customer, so you'll compensate before you go, right?”
Haa!
Look at these assholes.
Now they're openly trying to shake me down?
Tsk.
I gave them a chance anyway.
You blew it.
Not my problem anymore.
Shiiiik.
Thwack!
Crash-clang-tumble!
Something flashed in fast, kicking the guy on my shoulder square in the back.
He flew straight into the armory display racks, rolling across the floor.
“What the hell is this guy?”
“Hey! Kill that bastard!”
The others mobbed the attacker.
Like that'd work?
Silent Wolf, a first-rate rogue known even in the Western Rogue Market.
Pow! Pow!
Thud-thud-thud!
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Pummeling with fists, kicking, stomping, snapping limbs.
Keep beating, keep stomping.
Then.
Someone strolled casually up beside me.
Blood Flower Yi Boreong.
The moment Yi Boreong appeared, the scammer old man's face drained of color.
He recognized her instantly.
“Blood Flower... What brings a heroine like you here...?”
Slap!
Before the old man could finish.
Yi Boreong backhanded him viciously.
The impact floored him, ass-planting into the dirt.
Five bloody welts striped his cheek, blood trickling down.
“Positions.”
Her icy command.
Somehow finding strength, the old man shot up at attention.
The six thugs Silent Wolf had thrashed knelt in a line, hands up.
“Bring the ledger.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
The old man flapped into the armory like a panicked bird.
Lightning-fast, he returned.
Bowing deeply, he offered the ledger with both hands to Yi Boreong.
But.
Slap!
Down he went again.
Now ten bloody welts on his face.
“How...?”
“The secret ledger too.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
Tears welling, he bolted again for the secret ledger.
Yi Boreong didn't even glance, handing it straight to Silent Wolf.
Then, in a low voice to the old man:
“Tomorrow at dusk. Bring every coin you've scammed up till now. For every tael short, I'll carve a piece of your flesh. Run if you want. I'll hunt you to the ends of the earth and tear you apart.”
Thud!
The scammer old man's eyes glazed over as he collapsed.
Face more wretched than if the sky had fallen.
The others trembled, shitting and pissing themselves in terror.
Damn!
Having Yi Boreong on my side felt invincible!
But it didn't end there.
Yi Boreong began strolling the World's Best Armory like it was a park.
Her steps soon halted.
Dead center of the shop.
The spot visible from outside, and the first thing you see stepping in.
A single sword occupied a huge space there, on prominent display.
Without hesitation, she drew it.
Shing!
“Hm. Azure Stream Sword, huh. The only real deal here. Top-shelf among the goods.”
She walked out holding it like it had always been hers.
And handed it to me.
“Consider it compensation for the scam.”
-That jerk kept a real sword on hand for his cons. Even the armories I frequent would charge two or three gold taels for this beauty.
Wow!
This woman was terrifying.
So glad she was an ally—tears of gratitude.
Never, ever make an enemy of her.
Earned 100 silver taels.
Promoted to first-rate rogue.
Scored a prime blade, the Azure Stream Sword.
And above all, this fearsome woman on my side.
What a day to be thankful for.
Now, home.
Time to go.
Tatata-tat!
Tatata-tat!
I ran.
Walking would've taken three days.
Pulling an all-nighter like this, I'd arrive by morning.
Ah!
Gonna get rich soon and buy a horse.
No rush.
Soon enough.
The pay gap between third-rate and first-rate rogues was night and day.
Requests wouldn't come as often as in third-rate days, but a few jobs and I could afford a horse.
Not that I'd actually spend on one, mind you.
Why buy a horse when you've got sturdy legs?
Better to train while running like this.
The money... it'll rebuild our village.
Mom said so. It was everyone's hope.
I'll make it happen.
Ah!
Soon as I get to the village, straight to the valley behind the mountain for a bath.
Sweat, dirt, mud—it's ridiculous.
Almost there.
Way over there—our village comes into view.
Tsk.
Still not used to it.
The village landscape from afar.
It was massive, majestic, even mystical—a living masterpiece.
“Whew! Home sweet home! Nothing beats it! Gotta grab a change of clothes and head to the valley... Hurgghk?!”
There was a well in our house's yard now.
“Hey, Village Chief! Back already?”
That guy...
The neighbor uncle grinned brightly at me, waving cheerfully.