Chapter 816
The Chief’s Bone Lock
The leading ve master did not consent to Shao Xuan’s request right away. Instead, the ve master took a good look at the short, thin and frail-looking old ve. The ve did not appear as anything special to him.
As the biggest ve-trading organisation, all ve masters of the Bi organisation had well-trained eyes. They could tell which ve could fetch high prices and what type of ves were useful. Those holding higher positions in the organisation were certainly much skilled in this perception. However, as a leading ve master who had sold off more ves than the poption of a tribe, he just couldn’t find anything special about this particr ve. They were ushering a huge line of ves this time, more than half of it was healthy ves suited forbour. Just why on earth was this ming Horn tribesman intrigued by this unassuming old ve?
“Do you know him?” The ve master questioned.
“He’s an old friend.” Shao Xuan did not deny it.
The leading ve master stared at Shao Xuan sceptically. Then, he turned to look at the ve again. Indeed, it was nothing strange for buyers to purchase their friends. However, something was amiss when this scenario was applied to the ming Horn man. Even if they knew each other, they were not on good terms. Were they enemies?
No matter how hard he pondered, the ve master just couldn’tprehend the oddness of the situation. Despite that, the ve master gave in. They were professional ve traders, their main task was to generate a profit off selling ves. Since the ming Horn tribesman was a customer, he’d sell the ve. The ve master asked for a higher price.
Mu Fa came forward and haggled with the ve master. He had frequented Chao Qiu City lots and was well-versed with ve trades. Mu Fa was clear about the appropriate prices for different types of ves.
In the end, Shao Xuan bought the ve over with a rather dull water moonstone.
Now that they had reached an agreement, the leading vemaster took off the beast fang shaped metal ware around his neck. The metalware was about the size of a palm.
It was a Xi*, a tool used to untie knots.
Before the emergence of metal locks, rope knots were the simplest and cheapest way to secure something. Even after wooden and rock locks had be an option, rope knots still prevailed as the mainstream. Sometimes, exceptionallyplicated dead knots would be used to secure financial assets. Some knots could even produce a nine-link effect. Without the Xi, it would take at least half a day to untie the knots. When the Xi was used, one would be able to undo everything in two breaths.
If knots were the earliest locks, then the Xi was the earliest key.
[**TL Note: The Xi is an ancient awl used to loosen knots and open bottles/jars. It is also almost equivalent to an ancient can opener. Typically, people would wear these like a pendant. It can also be considered an essory.]
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ve masters of the olden days would bring their Xi-s around. It was also to show the others that- Hey! We own ves!
Some people would even wear multiple Xi-s at the same time, just like the ve masters that were ushering the ves. Their Xi-s were of a wide variety- Some were short and thick, some were long and thin. There were some that were straighter than the others, while those with a curve tend to berger. Their designs varied too, some were simple and some were rtivelyplex. Some even had intricate patterns that were hollowed out.
Shao Xuan was rather familiar with knots. Hence, it wasn’t difficult for him to notice the hundreds of different knots used on the ves. Almost half of it were knots Shao Xuan had never encountered. Though some of it looked simple, he was aware that these were difficult to untie.
It really was a sight to marvel at.
Different Xi-s were designed to untie different knots. The amount of Xi-s one brandished had naturally created the impression of ‘I have many ves and many knots, that’s why I need more Xi-s’.
ves too were a type of asset. ve masters were practising this behaviour to show off their wealth.
As craftsmen unleashed their creativity over the years, brilliant ideas began to pop up like mushrooms. With that came the birth of moreplicated and sturdier locks. The only downside to it was its increasinglyplex production difficulty and higher initial cost which resulted in higher market prices. Nobles that could afford to use metal locks would naturally experience its benefits and would gradually wean off the usage of rope knots. Other than its functional properties, the luxurious metal locks could be treated as a decoration piece that disyed the aristocracy of the noble ve masters. This was why the metal locks were very popr among the nobles.
Reced by sturdier locks, the usual rope knots no longer needed to be dead knots. As a result, the Xi tool went gradually out of use but notpletely out of sight. Till this day, Xi continues to survive through time but its function has been diminished. It was now more of an essory than a tool.
The nobles continued to show off their privilege as a ve master through Xi essories. Since the Xi-s were no longer used to untie knots, there wasn’t a need for it to be fully functional. Xi-s made of lovely gemstones made amazing and shy essories. Some female ve owners would even wear the Xi as a headpiece to stabilize their hairstyle. Hence, current Xi productions had an inclination to aesthetic rather than functionality.
Even if many ve masters still hung their Xi-s around their necks, it wasn’t necessarily utilized for its original function.
But there was a specialmunity among the ve masters.
The people of the ‘Bi’ organisation had a soft spot for the Xi. The Xi-s were still put used to untie knots. When escorting the ves, rope knots were still the primary restrain tool and the ropes were rtively tough as it had been specially treated.
Everyone from the Bi could tie impressive knots. Without tools, it would be a hassle to untie them. But of course, tough and sharp objects could naturally break the ropes but who would dare to shoulder the risk of offending the ‘Bi’ people? Who would dare to snatch their ves?
On the other hand, ves who managed to break free from their restraints were mostly hunted down by the ‘Bi’ people in various ways. Once captured, they would be punished cruelly- They’d be worked to the bone and then sold to the cannibal tribes as food.
ves that had fallen into the hands of the Bi rarely made it out safely.
With a scimitar-like Xi, the ve master untied one of the knots in the line of ves and brought one end of a rope to Shao Xuan. On the other end of the rope was the restrained old ve.
“This ve belongs to you now.”
At the sight of a sessful deal, the other escorting ve masters were overjoyed. They felt like this deal was absolutely worth it. They made banks and the water moon stone was a rarity around this region. It was able to illuminate and was much more valuable than regr gemstones. To earn such a gemstone from an old ve with nobour potential was not bad.
However, the ve master’s face had no expression. He felt suspicious. Though he did not regret the business deal (he was the one who aplished it so he knew if it was a loss or a profit), his heart was unsettled. When the Bi people walked away, he had even turned around to look at the hunched-back old ve. He still couldn’t detect anything special about him.
Waiting until the ve organisation was far away and out of sight, it was then that Shao Xuan ced his gaze on the old ve. The ve was staring at the ground, rooted to his spot.
“How long are you nning to keep this act up? Do you think I don’t know who you are?”
Shao Xuan’s words fuelled the other’s curiosity. Their gazes swept through the old ve intently. No matter how they looked at him, this ve was clearly a stranger.
“I... I don’t know what you’re saying...” The old ve’s voice was hoarse. Trembling, he spoke in an authentically native dialect. Even the Longboat tribesmen who had learned the localnguage after arriving in this area weren’t as good as him.
Gui He and the others grew even more perplexed. Who the heck was this? Was this a contact Shao Xuan made back during hisst visit here? In that case, they definitely wouldn’t know who this person was as they had remained mainly on the other end.
As they continued to rack their minds, Gui He heard Shao Xuan say, “Quit acting, Robber Seven.”
Robber Seven?!?!!??!?!
Hundreds and thousands of res were thrown in his direction.
To the ming Horns, the sight of the ‘robbers’ was generally as disgusting as faeces could be. Ever since the tribesmen had found out that the ‘robbers’ had escaped to this region, the ming Horns were overjoyed by the robbers’ plight. But now they had run into the robbers again! And indeed, this was a very old ‘friend’ of theirs!
When Robber Seven came to steal cabbages from the ming Horn’s farnd some time ago, Shao Xuan had beaten him up with just a swat. Following that, this person found himself some aplices to steal the green-faced fanged beast. Shao Xuan had chased them out of the tribe with beatings and the robbers were forced to shoulder the risk of demotion and call for help. Who knew fate would bring them together again.
Knowing that he could no longer pretend, Robber Seven’s expression fell with his current dilemma.
He had initially thought that he could sneak into Chao Qiu City by mixing in with the ves. Robber Seven apuded himself for being a genius. Once they were in Chao Qiu City, he would find a chance to slip away and piss off the Bi people. Hahahaha—
As the victory song of the ‘robber’ organisation rang repeatedly throughout his skull, Robber Seven was in cloud nine. Unfortunately for him, before Robber Seven could even enter the city, he was met with his nemesis—-Shao Xuan. He had already gone through lengths to disguise himself and yet Shao Xuan was able to recognize him!
Every encounter with the ming Horns never ended well for him!
Robber Seven felt that his misfortune might have resulted from him forgoing his prayers to his ancestors prior to the mission.
Under everyone’s gaze, the old ve’s initially mncholic, sullen and sickly appearance began to change. No more rickets, his spine straightened up and his shrivelled body began swelling up like an intable balloon. His bones cracked as they relocated themselves.
Gui He and the others watched the ve- first with shock, then questioning andter, anger. They shared the same thought: Damn it! It really is him!
“Robber Seven!”
The ming Horns rolled their shoulders and circled Robber Seven. Their smiles were eerily cold, eyes as if telling the robber that he was in for a good beating.
Robber Seven looked frightened. He stayed frozen at his spot, eyes dulled. Despite that, Shao Xuan knew this bastard was certainly attempting to conjure up an escape n.
Studying the surrounding terrain and confirming that Robber Seven could not aplish a sessful escape, Shao Xuan asked again, “Speak, what have you stolen this time?”
Members of the “robber” organisation would never hide their loot after a sessful robbery. Other people would fear others from learning about their crimes but the robbers, on the other hand, seemed to be afraid that people would remain clueless of their sins. They’d even parade it around. The more expensive the item was, the more they’d show it off. It was as if they wanted the whole world to know about it.
But for the sake of protecting his own loot, Robber Seven may not tell the truth.
And as expected, Robber Seven refused to answer Shao Xuan’s question.
Shao Xuan did not urge him. The man went on, “We’re heading to King City this time. We’re also going to bring them a message.”
Robber Seven continued to stare at the ground. Shao Xuan knew he was listening, so he resumed, “We’ll tell everyone in King City that the famous Robber Seven has been trying to steal undergarments from the Lord Chao Wen of Chao Qiu City.”
Robber Seven snapped his head up at Shao Xuan. “That’s a tant insult to my robbery skills!” Forget about Chao Wen’s underwear, he could even steal all the undergarments of everyone else in the King City pce with ease! This was a petty crime that only beginnersmit. Why would Robber Seven, a professional, do something like that?! He was a candidate to be the chief of all robbers for god’s sake!
King City was perpetually frequented by caravans and travelling groups. If such an amusing piece of news was spread, it would reach faraway ces. Perhaps victims that had suffered robber attacks would passionately provide more publicity to Robber Seven’s ‘loot’, they might even add oil to the fire and spin the news into exaggerated amusement.
Obviously, Robber Seven was overthinking it.
“Heh. You really think they’ll believe you?” Robber Seven tried to look unbothered.
“We can try.” Shao Xuan said calmly.
Robber Seven was at a loss for words. If the ming Horns had threatened him with violence, the robber would make up various lies to deceive the tribesmen. However, Shao Xuan was threatening him with his pride. This was undoubtedly an extreme nder to his reputation!
Plus, this threat wouldn’t have worked as well if someone else had said it instead. Robber Seven had to be careful around the ming Horns. He feared that the tribesmen would bring more harm to his name. Robber Seven was gearing up to raise his status, he couldn’t afford to be affected by something like this.
After some thought, Robber Seven relented, “It’s a Xi. The Bi people call it the ‘Chief’s Bone Lock’.”
Finishing his sentence, Robber Seven couldn’t suppress his joy. He had stolen this off the Bi organisation’s chief, he was even nning to raise his ranking among the robbers with this.