Gu and Tao returned to the cave, greeted by a strange, lingering scent that hung in the air. It was a peculiar blend—sweet and slightly burnt, a combination that instantly put them on alert. Exchanging a wary glance, they both instinctively reached for the iron rods they had been using earlier, ready to defend themselves from any intruders. The thought of someone sneaking into their hideout while they were away was troubling, and they advanced cautiously, eyes scanning for any signs of movement.
As they approached the area where the smell was strongest, they saw a flicker of light from a small fire near a makeshift cooking setup. To their surprise, Minho came into view, her tiny figure bustling around the pots, her face and clothes streaked with soot. Her cheeks were smudged, and stray strands of hair stuck to her face, but there was no mistaking the huge, bright smile that lit up her features. She caught sight of Gu and Tao and immediately bounced towards them, practically skipping in her excitement.
“Brother Gu! Sister Tao! You’re back!” she called out, her voice filled with joy as she rushed over to greet them. She stood before them, a picture of soot-covered pride, and beamed up at their bewildered faces. Gu, still trying to process what he was seeing, managed to stammer, “Y... yeah, we’re back, but what in the world have you been up to, Xiao Minho? Who lit the fire?”
“I did!” Minho declared, tapping her chest proudly as if she had just won a great victory. “I was trying to make sugar! And it worked! I actually made sugar!”
Gu and Tao exchanged a confused glance, and then burst into laughter. The idea was so absurd that they couldn’t help but find it funny. “Xiao Minho, ha ha ha, that’s a good one!” Gu said, wiping a tear from his eye. Tao shook her head, still chuckling, and added, “Even if you were trying to make a joke, you’ve made a real mess of this place! Look at this—you even lit the fire by yourself, that’s dangerous!”
But Minho’s smile didn’t falter. She stood her ground, her hands on her hips, and said with unwavering confidence, “It’s not a joke! I really did figure out how to make sugar!”
Tao’s amusement began to fade, replaced by a hint of irritation. She was tired from their earlier efforts, and her patience was running thin. As she opened her mouth, ready to scold Minho for making up stories, Gu stepped in and raised a hand to calm her down. “Alright, alright,” he said, trying to defuse the situation. “Let’s just say I believe you for a moment. But tell me, how do you even know what sugar tastes like? It’s a luxury food, something only nobles get to eat. How would you have any idea about it, much less figure out how to make it?”
Minho’s lips curled into a pout, and she crossed her arms. “Of course I know what sugar tastes like! I used to get first pick after raids, remember? I always made sure to take some sugar and sweets whenever I could. Brother Yuan would sneak them to me!”
The explanation was reasonable enough. It wasn’t a secret that Minho, being sharp and quick, often got first dibs on the loot from raids. If it’s Yuan, it wouldn’t be surprising if he slipped her a few treats from time to time. Gu, knowing how clever Minho could be, began to reconsider, his skepticism slowly giving way to curiosity.
Tao, too, found herself less certain. If Minho had indeed tasted sugar before, maybe there was some truth to her claim. “Alright then, Xiao Minho,” Gu said, a slight smile creeping onto his lips. “Show us.”
Minho’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She spun around and dashed back to her little setup, nearly tripping over her own feet in her hurry. After a few moments of rustling through her makeshift station, she returned, carefully holding a small pot filled with what looked like irregular white crystals. Her hands trembled slightly with excitement as she presented it to them. “Here!” she said, her eyes wide with anticipation. “I made this! It’s sugar!”
Tao peered into the pot, examining the contents closely. The crystals were rough and uneven, but their appearance was unmistakably similar to sugar. In reality Of the three, only Tao had ever seen real sugar up close; from her temple maiden days, sweets were often brought as offerings to the gods. She hesitated for a moment, then picked up a small chunk and tentatively brought it to her lips.
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As soon as the crystal touched her tongue, a familiar sweetness blossomed in her mouth. Tao’s eyes widened in shock, and she glanced at Gu, her mouth hanging open. “What…? This really does taste like sugar…” she muttered, barely able to believe what she was saying.
Minho’s grin grew even wider, and she clapped her hands together in delight. “Because it is sugar!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes.
Meanwhile, in the bustling market district of Hisu Town, a different kind of negotiation was taking place. The sun was beginning to rise, casting a warm, golden glow over the streets as merchants and townsfolk went about their morning routines. Inside a modest yet well-equipped blacksmith shop, Shun and Blacksmith Liang were seated across from a merchant who had clearly seen better days. The merchant was in his late forties, dressed in a luxurious, finely tailored outfit made of soft leather, adorned with intricate embroidery that hinted at his wealth. His thick accent gave away that he was not a local, and his manner was that of a man used to getting his way. But today, he was tense, his brow furrowed as he spoke.
“You’re telling me you can actually fortify my carriage?” the merchant asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and impatience. “I told you, I’m willing to pay double the usual rate!”
Liang, as a seasoned blacksmith, with a calm demeanor, leaned back in his chair, studying the merchant carefully. “Now, now, mister,” he said with a slight smile. “Double won’t quite cut it, and you and I both know that.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “There’s practically no supply of iron here in Hisu Town right now, and it’s not likely to change anytime soon. I could make a tidy profit just by turning down your offer and focusing on producing weapons for the town’s militia.”
He let that statement linger, watching as the merchant's expression shifted from impatience to concern. “With the Greenwood Bandits growing bolder by the day, the militia won’t hesitate to pay a premium to be better armed,” Liang continued, crossing his arms over his chest. “They’re desperate, and I could charge them more than usual. So, if you want your carriage fortified, you’ll have to make it worth my while.”
The merchant’s face twitched, and he muttered under his breath, clearly not thrilled with the situation. Before he could respond, Shun, who had been quietly observing the exchange, decided to chime in. “If you don’t want to meet the price, I can always take the iron elsewhere,” he said, his tone casual but firm. “With the demand for iron rising, especially in more remote towns, I could get an even better deal. And you know, the farther you get from here, the more risky the roads become. People are willing to pay a lot to ensure they’re well-protected.”
The merchant let out a frustrated sigh, realizing he was cornered. “Fine!” he snapped, waving his hand dismissively. “I don’t have time to keep haggling. If I don’t leave now, I could end up stuck here for months, with those Greenwood Bandits blocking the roads and robbing every merchant they see.” He took a deep breath, clearly weighing his options, before finally relenting. “I’ll pay you one gold coin. That should be more than enough, right?”
Liang’s eyes widened slightly, and even Shun couldn’t hide his surprise. One gold coin was a hefty sum—nearly ten times the usual price for such a job. It was clear that the merchant was desperate, more desperate than they had initially thought. This wasn’t just about getting home; there was something urgent driving him to pay such a high price. Sensing an opportunity, Liang’s demeanor softened, and he offered a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, mister. For that price, I’ll have your carriage reinforced and ready by this evening. You won’t have to worry about getting stuck here.”
The merchant visibly relaxed, relief washing over his face as he nodded. “Wonderful. Please, get it done as quickly as possible,” he said, standing up and reaching into a small pouch at his waist. He retrieved a gleaming gold coin and placed it on the table, its surface catching the morning light. “I’m counting on you.”
With that, the merchant gathered his belongings and exited the blacksmith shop, his footsteps echoing down the cobblestone street. Liang picked up the coin, studying it for a moment before slipping it into his own pouch. He then reached into a drawer, pulling out a handful of silver coins—fifty in total—and handed them to Shun. “Here you go, son,” he said, his voice warm. “As promised, your share is fifty percent.”
Shun’s eyes widened as he looked down at the pile of silver in his hand. He had expected a decent payout, but this was more than he had hoped for. The silver coins felt heavy, their cool surface pressing into his palm, a tangible reminder of how fortunate he was to have struck this deal. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he bowed deeply to Liang, a gesture of respect that came from the bottom of his heart. “Thank you, Mister Liang,” he said, his voice earnest. “I and my brothers in the Brown Tiger Brotherhood will forever be grateful for your kindness.”
Liang waved off the thanks with a smile. “No need for such formality, lad,” he said, patting Shun on the shoulder. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, and you know how to make a deal. Now, let’s get to work— you got your brotherhood waiting for you right?”
As Shun pocketed the silver coins, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The day had started with uncertainty, but now, with the coins jingling in his pocket and a solid promise of more work ahead, he felt like things were finally starting to turn in their favor. With Liang’s support, he knew he could help his brothers and sisters survive whatever challenges lay ahead, even with the threat of the Greenwood Bandits looming.