Chapter 8: Being Younger is Not A Good Sign

The market in Xianyang has always been loud . As the capital of Qin, the people here typically live much better lives than in the poor, rural areas . And as such, the market here is a prime spot for business and vendors .

But how much does a horse cost? Gu Nan had no clue . As getting around in the ancient world was difficult, a horse would probably be similar to a modern car . Even then, the price of good and bad horses could vary considerably . She didn’t even know how much the twenty-two gold (bra.s.s) coins were worth .

Now she’s starting to regret that the carriage driver wasn’t brought along . At least then she wouldn’t get swindled .

Still, she walked around enthusiastically, eyeing the goods laid out . Since last time, she was now infinitely wealthier . Besides, it’s a nice change in scenery . She’s been here for a bit more than three months and was cooped up all that time in Wu’an Manor . She almost forgot that the outside world even existed .

The street was crowded with people and hawkers shouting from both sides, a rare and lively sight in the Warring States Period . Gu Nan, who never wandered Xianyang before, continued strolling for a long time .   She finally looked to the eastern sky .

It’s been an hour and she almost forgot to buy a horse! Without her realizing it, the sun had already marked two o’clock in the afternoon .

Oh well, I still haven’t eaten .  

“Guest, come and have our steamed cakes . ” Gu Nan picked a stall and handed the man one of her copper coins . Grabbing the steamed cake, she stood around waiting for the pastry to cool off . By now, her stomach is already growling .

She typically doesn’t eat much because of her practice schedule . In the mornings, training begins very early, almost dawn . By the time she’s done, it’s past afternoon and she’s already too tired to stand, let alone eat .

The cake was well-formed and held a unique taste from the charcoal fire . It wasn’t notably delicious, but it still tasted alright and was sufficiently filling .

The money used to buy the cake came from her monthly allowance . The amount of that though was tiny and amounted to little more than pocket change .

“Mmm~ mhmm~”

Gu Nan munched slowly as she lazily looked at the clear, unpolluted blue skies .

Maybe it’s a coincidence she’s survived so long in this troubled world . She has food and clothing provided for her . She’s not braving the elements in the wilderness or starving on the streets .

Honestly, she’s immensely grateful for the Bai Family, not only for taking her in but also to treat her like an intimate member of the household .

Because, although she may be talented, it doesn’t guarantee that they would necessarily care for you . They could just as easily give a cold-shoulder and remain distant and aloof . This wouldn’t be strange, and Gu Nan wouldn’t have complained either . Growing up as an orphan, this att.i.tude was already normalized to her .

But, ser new family situation occasionally puts her in a daze . She would sometimes forget he was Bai Qi, the Warring States Period’s “G.o.d of War . ” He just seems to be an ordinary old man, with the ability to smile and become embarra.s.sed by things .

It is a heavy debt of grat.i.tude .

…

“Hmh . ” Taking the last bite of the cake, Gu Nan slapped together her hands and prepared to go buy a horse .

But suddenly, there was a slight tug from her waist .

For a moment, there was a brief pause in her . Then, a slight smirk came about her face .

Hoh? So this what it feels like . Hehe, it really is karma .

“Woosh . ”

After three months of rigorous martial arts training, her strength and speed were greatly improved .

With just a quick flash and without looking, she already caught the thief’s hand .

“Sigh, the cycle of karma is really unforgiving . I can’t even steal without being stolen from myself . ” Looking back with an annoyed face, she saw the would-be thief .

Standing behind her was a small boy, only maybe eight or nine years old . His unkempt hair was a strange white color .

But besides this bizarre hair color, this kid had a demeanor uncommon for his age . His eyes had a flickering light and looked calm but stubborn .

He looked ferociously at Gu Nan and muttered, “What are you going to do?”

Quite the rude brat aren’t you? 

Gu Nan snorted and focused back towards the boy .

After thinking for a couple seconds, she took out a dozen pieces of copper coins and placed them in the boy’s hands . “Hey brat, go buy some food for yourself .

This time it was the boy’s turn to be surprised .

Gazing at the coins in his hand, he was momentarily speechless .

“Oi, you better not ask me for more . That’s all I got . ” Her own cash reserves were depleted and the rest of the money was for the horse .

“…” Then boy suddenly asked, “What is your name?”

“Hm?” After a pause, Gu Nan replied, “Gu Nan . ”

“My name is Wei Zhuang . In the future, I will return this . ” The boy said with resolution as he bowed .

“My name is Wei Zhuang . In the future, I will return this . ” The boy said with resolution as he bowed .

“Yeah, yeah, whatever . ” She didn’t bother remembering the boy’s name as she went back out onto the street .

Gu Nan looked around silently, thinking about her past situation . She knew full well the implications of being hungry, and if it weren’t for Bai Qi picking her up, she would still be in a similar situation .

In this troubled world, it is the faultless children that wander the streets stealing money . They didn’t cause their poverty, so is it right to punish them for surviving? No, it is this world that is cruel .

Forget it, it’s not like I do anything . The ways of the world are unchangeable, always has been .

Gu Nan shook her head and shut down those unrealistic thoughts . She’s not a savior nor a saint . Her heart isn’t one of mercy or kindness .

For her, earning a little money, being a landlord, and ama.s.sing a bit of money is sufficient enough .

“If you let that child leave, do you think he’ll suddenly walk the path of righteousness?”

A voice from behind suddenly asked . The tone wasn’t heavy but resonated clearly among the loud landscape .  Hm, from his voice, he’s a strong warrior, probably 20 to 30 years old .

Turning around, her guesses were confirmed . He was in his twenties and wore the robes of an official . He could be a high government officer or even someone of the imperial court .

As expected of Xianyang, you can meet officials simply by wandering the streets .

Gu Nan gave a surveying glance at him and replied, “Oh, then what do you think?”

…

…

w.a.n.g Jian was walking through the market, but then he saw a little boy stalking behind an unsuspecting youth .   But before he would interfere, the little boy was already caught .

As he watched silently from a distance, he thought the boy would be captured and dragged into the enforcement bureau . But why would this teenager instead give him money?

It was so puzzling that he had to ask .

The laws in Qin were quite strict ever since the justice system was consolidated . If this boy was turned in, the punishment would’ve been severe .

After he called out, the teenager stopped and turned back .

w.a.n.g Jian stood there in a stupid silence .

A girl?