ATPnovel Chapter 16: West City, The Medicine Shop
Chapter 16: West City, The Medicine Shop
Wen San swaggered back, only to be stopped.“”
Seeing the man, Wen San rolled his eyes. “”
Thumbing up, he boasted, “”
“”
Skinny Monkey ignored the jab, asking, “”
“” Wen San stopped, eyeing Skinny Monkey warily. “”
Skinny Monkey grinned slyly. “”
“”
Wen San bristled, hopping mad. “”
“” Skinny Monkey sneered.
Wen San’s neck stiffened. “”
Skinny Monkey’s grin froze.
That was the gateway to the embassy district.
His heart sank, recalling Xiangzi’s talk of ore counts.
This past month, Fourth Master had checked the ore route multiple times, scaring Jin Fugui and Skinny Monkey half to death.
Skinny Monkey turned and bolted.
“” Wen San stood stunned, muttering to himself.
Skinny Monkey, Jin Fugui’s lapdog, was oddly fixated on Xiangzi today.
Wen San slung his towel over his shoulder, eyeing Skinny Monkey’s frantic back, and smirked.
But when did Xiangzi cross Skinny Monkey? Gotta watch out in the yard and tip Xiangzi off later.
Forty-Nine City, West City, Jincheng Lane.
Xiangzi hopped off a rickshaw, tossing the puller half a mao coin.
His first time riding a rickshaw felt awful—his bones rattled.
If not for sparing the fare, he’d have pulled it himself.
Stretching, Xiangzi scanned the street.
The dim street held few figures—some in long robes hurrying by, others bare-chested dock laborers in loose gowns.
A deafening roar cut through as a massive shadow swept overhead.
Xiangzi looked up.
Two steam airships swayed past.
It was his first close look at these marvels.
Rusty iron keels gleamed faintly gold, supporting huge airbags.
The airbags, thick canvas woven with web-like ropes, had steaming leather tubes at the seams.
Steam-powered propeller cabins flanked the hulls.
Thick, gray-black smoke billowed from the masts.
West City folks, used to the sight, barely glanced up.
Xiangzi lowered his gaze, exhaling, and pulled his cap low, shadowing his face.
Jincheng Lane, near West City’s airship docks, had tight security. Xiangzi spotted several police checkpoints.
When Wen San asked his destination, Xiangzi had lied, saying East City.
Not that he distrusted Wen San.
He pulled out Liu Tang’s address and found a small shop with a triangular “Medicine” flag.
Stepping in, a scar-faced, wiry man blocked him. “”
Xiangzi clasped his fists. “”
He handed over Liu Tang’s handwritten note.
The man scanned it, his scarred face breaking into a smile. “”
Xiangzi followed, but his heart jolted when he noticed the man’s steps.
After a month of training, he had some eye for it—the man’s gait matched stance walking.
Xiangzi grew warier.
Passing the cluttered front counter, they entered the back courtyard.
The setup was simple, just a few counters.
Behind one sat an old man in tortoiseshell glasses, glancing at him. “”
“”
“”
“”
The old man’s face soured at the small order, lazily pulling a kraft paper packet from behind. “”
Xiangzi blinked. “”
The old man sneered. “”
Xiangzi cursed inwardly.
“” The old man rapped the counter, impatient.
“” Xiangzi said quickly, reluctantly pulling out his sack and laying twenty silver dollars on the table.
He was eager to test the broth’s effects.
Though Liu Tang could’ve bought it for fifteen, owing a favor was costlier than five dollars.
“” the old man drawled.
Xiangzi tucked the packet away and left, heart aching—
Half his savings gone, he felt hollow.
Yet, a spark of anticipation flickered.