Chapter 91
The real Jinxin Port was indistinguishable from its dream counterpart—bustling and teeming with life. Compared to the strictly patrolled capital, the streets here were lined with more small vendors hawking their wares, lending the city a warmer, more human touch.
Excluding mission-related visits, this was only Wakako’s second official trip to Jinxin Port. The last time was five years ago, when she had planned to escape with the Saint via the port’s waterways…
Back then, neither of them had a clear destination in mind. Having spent over a decade in the capital, they were curious about any unfamiliar place. A remote border town? An island beyond the jurisdiction of both countries? Or perhaps they’d roam the entire Eastern Continent? It seemed that as long as they had each other, anywhere would do.
They had thought freedom was within reach, but now Wakako understood that it was the most elusive thing of all—perhaps impossible to obtain in a lifetime.
These thoughts ran through Wakako’s mind as she sat by the street, listening to the cacophony of voices in the bustling marketplace.
The group had been in Jinxin Port for five days now, staying at an inconspicuous inn in the city. Their experience with the inner demon trial had made them even more cautious. They now exchanged secret signals daily to verify each other’s identities, vowing never to repeat their previous mistakes.
In past missions, the mercenaries often disguised themselves as merchants, a cover that rarely aroused suspicion. This was especially effective in a major trading hub like Jinxin Port, where merchants were as numerous as ants on the ground, making it easy to blend in unnoticed.
This time, until they received new instructions from God, they planned to maintain their merchant disguises, mingling with the crowd to gather information about the Eagle Kingdom.
However, setting up a street stall was a first for them…
Lin Lin, dressed in coarse cloth, knelt on a rag even shabbier than her clothes. She shouted at the top of her lungs, “Cheap sale—cheap sale—family heirlooms going for cheap!”
Beside her lay an array of porcelain pieces, some delicate, others rustic, starkly contrasting with her appearance. It truly seemed like she was forced by circumstances to sell off her family’s treasures.
In this bustling market, one had to shout to be heard. Wakako was supposed to join in, but she couldn’t bring herself to yell.
How many years had it been since she’d felt this embarrassed?
Lin Lin shot her a disdainful look and whispered, “Senior sister, I doubt you ever had to beg for food as a child.” Otherwise, how could selling a few trinkets leave her so out of sorts?
Wakako clenched her fist and pressed her lips together. “You wouldn’t understand.”
It was precisely because she couldn’t open her mouth to beg that she’d resorted to fighting and stealing, honing her brute strength in the process.
To passersby, they presented the perfect picture of a stubborn older sister and her pitiful younger sibling, evoking sympathy. Before long, people began dropping copper coins as gestures of goodwill, gradually accumulating a small pile.
Wakako thought it was enough to buy ten steamed buns.
Lin Lin lowered her head, seemingly pleased. “Why didn’t I get this much money when I begged before?”
However, their goal wasn’t to sell goods but to gather information, so the two seized every opportunity to chat with passersby.
When Wakako had returned from her mission in the Eagle Kingdom, she had used Jinxin Port’s waterways. There were numerous ways to travel in and out of the city.
Although the mercenaries possessed a wealth of information, the most discreet smuggling routes were unknown to them, tightly controlled by the merchants themselves.
To avoid hefty taxes on goods and secretly import items from Eagle Kingdom, these merchants employed various methods to evade detection.
Despite the recent war between the two countries making such activities extremely dangerous, some still took the risk, driven by profit. The more dangerous the endeavor, the more lucrative it was.
A portly middle-aged man passed by their stall, glanced back, and generously tossed a few silver coins their way. “You poor things… consider it a good deed.”
As his sleeve brushed up, Wakako caught a glimpse of a wooden bead bracelet on his wrist. Though it was only for a moment, it didn’t escape her keen eye.
She took a deep breath, more certain than ever that the seemingly ordinary wooden bracelet was made from a fragrant wood that only grew in the Eagle Kingdom, emitting a subtle, elegant aroma.
This man has smuggled goods from the enemy Kingdom.
While not particularly valuable, relations between the two countries were hostile, and the Eagle Kingdom had completely banned the sale of such items to their side. For it to appear on this man, he was either a daring merchant or acquainted with smugglers.
Wakako coughed loudly, a signal Lin Lin immediately understood. Putting on a tearfully grateful expression, Lin Lin grabbed the hem of the man’s clothes. “Benefactor! Your kindness is as vast as a mountain! Please, let me bow to you!”
Though she shouted louder than anyone, she had no intention of actually bowing.
Wakako forced herself to appear weak and innocent, squeezing out a smile. “Thank you for your generosity, benefactor. We sisters have nothing to repay you with. If you don’t mind, please feel free to take any of our family heirlooms displayed here.”
The man, who hadn’t paid much attention to the porcelain before, now showed interest. However, after a quick glance, disappointment flashed in his eyes. “Young lady, these items of yours…”
In other words, they weren’t good enough.
Lin Lin’s eyes lit up. “You must be a merchant, right? We’ve been trying to sell these for so long without success. Since you’ve already been so kind, could you please guide us? Where would be a good place to sell these?”
She seemed on the verge of tears. “My sister hasn’t had a proper meal in ages. It breaks my heart to see her growing thinner by the day.”
Wakako, who had just devoured ten steamed buns, silently clasped her hands in front of her, hiding her stomach, and nodded vigorously.
The two young sisters’ plight seemed to tug at the man’s heartstrings. A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes before he spoke in a low voice, “Your goods are common in Jinxin Port. The shops are full of better, cheaper items. No one would go out of their way to buy these.”
“Unless…” he trailed off, seemingly thinking better of it. “Never mind. If you’re serious, bring one or two pieces to this location tonight. I’ll take you somewhere.”
Lin Lin’s face lit up with a broad smile. “Certainly!”
The fish had taken the bait.
That evening, following the man’s instructions, they brought a couple of small porcelain pieces and waited at the designated spot. Naturally, they didn’t forget to relay the information back.
Jinxin Port was still bustling at dusk, with many night markets to explore. They could vaguely make out Jing Tianyang, disguised, lurking in the crowd, ready to act if needed.
All three wore communication stones, allowing them to converse freely by moving their lips slightly.
From a distance, Wakako spotted the portly figure. “Captain Jing,” she murmured.
Jing Tianyang followed her gaze and grunted in acknowledgment.
The man didn’t notice Jing Tianyang in the crowd. He nodded to them. “Follow me. I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll take you to try your luck.”
He led Wakako and Lin Lin confidently towards a small alley.
Alley after alley, secret passage after secret passage, even including underground tunnels—the complexity rivaled the secret pathways in the royal palace, astonishing the mercenaries.
Wakako struggled to memorize the convoluted route, while Lin Lin was completely disoriented. They couldn’t communicate with Jing Tianyang at the moment, leaving them uncertain if he had managed to keep up.
Finally, the man stopped in front of an inconspicuous courtyard deep within the maze of alleys. He lifted the door curtain and called out, “Big Brother!”
The smell inside was pungent, reminiscent of burnt plant leaves. It was a peculiar scent—both unfamiliar and distinctive.
Wakako slightly frowned, making a mental note of it.
The courtyard was much larger than expected, housing over a hundred people gathered in groups of four around tables, gambling with cards.
Gambling was prohibited in Jinxin Port, explaining the need for such a secluded location.
The man’s big brother stood behind a wooden counter, organizing something. Seeing unfamiliar faces, his expression immediately darkened. “Who are they?”
“Orphan girls I met on the street. They looked pitiful, so I thought I’d bring them to you…”
“Nonsense! The city’s on high alert, we should be lying low. How could you bring strangers here? What if we’re exposed?”
The big brother berated the man mercilessly before turning his cold gaze to Wakako and Lin Lin. Their coarse, patched clothes certainly made them look impoverished and pitiful.
He asked, “What are you here for? You don’t look like you can afford to gamble.”
Wakako stepped forward. “Sir, we have some family heirlooms—porcelain pieces—that we’re looking to sell. Would you be willing to help us?”
Lin Lin quickly produced their wares: a tea set, not particularly intricate in craftsmanship but with a uniquely appealing color scheme, and an aged brush holder.
A hint of mockery flashed across the big brother’s face as he turned to the portly man. “Old Six, you brought me this kind of merchandise?”
“Big Brother, don’t be hasty. Let me explain…”
The two men whispered intensely for a while. Whatever was said seemed to soften the big brother’s expression. His tone became less harsh as he spoke, “Very well, I’ll help them for your Miki.”
It seemed things were going according to plan.
The man called “Old Six” gestured for them to follow. “Big Brother still has matters to attend to. You two can come with me and rest here for a while. We’ll discuss your business after the guests leave.”
He led them to a small side room, barely large enough for two people to rest comfortably.
The man left quickly, leaving Wakako and Lin Lin to stare at each other.
Lin Lin was the first to giggle. “What do you think they plan to do with us? Sell us off? Or something else?”
Even a fool would know that the big brother wouldn’t suddenly be so kind-hearted.
“Whatever they’re up to, I bet they’ve locked the door,” Wakako said.
“I don’t think so.”
“Try it if you don’t believe me.”
Stubbornly, Lin Lin went to pull the door, only to find it already securely locked from the outside. With their skills, they could easily break it open, but for now, they needed these men to lead them further in, so patience was necessary.
Wakako, still full from her afternoon meal, decided to lie down and rest. Gripping her communication stone, she whispered, “Captain Jing, can you hear me?”
The familiar code came through her ear.
With companions assisting from the shadows, there was nothing to worry about. They would wait for the gambling den to clear out before making their move. With fewer eyes around, it would be easier to act.
