Chapter 305- For family

For family

Chu inspected the charcoal drawn map on the wall while clasping his hands behind his back. Doug pointed to the various symbols while explaining.

"The little squares represent places on the streets or lanes where the field agents can requisition a wagon or enlist help from tradesmen or merchants. The triangles are the orphanages that serve as sub-offices. The children in those homes listen for the usual city gossip and assist in spreading rumors. Within half a day, I can guarantee our words can reach the ears of the old lady living deep inside the slums to those working within the governor's mansion."

"I recall you speaking about having a few children from this headquarters conducting their usual begging and loafing in the parks and squares."

"Yes, when we first began, I let them remain so as not to arouse suspicion if they rotated with other children. The beggars and gangs who engage in following or spying for a living don't suspect the insignificant street children are part of a network."

Chu nodded. As he suspected, the face of starving children could really be easily overlooked. No one knew these children now operated on three square meals a day and enjoyed the thrill of gathering succulent news.

"Didn't you say something about the beggars having a secret information network?"

"An information network does exist in the city using beggars. From the Bloodnight Society, I learned that most nobles and even gangs hire their services. Compared to a true information network like ours, however, they are like chaff before a storm. Not only have we thwarted their attempts to infiltrate our district but the children keep tabs on most of them."

Doug replied while smiling with his head held high.

"Excellent work. A key component of a business is always keeping a few steps ahead of the competitors. The sub-offices are run by members of the gang who double as cooks and supervisors, right?"

"Yes. At the end of every week, Singh and Green conduct meetings to discuss plans and to add new methods."

"Good, then let's continue it with additional training. I will draft out a few ideas for them to place into action. We should begin selling overheard plans and schemes for gold coins or favors. It would also be best for you to increase supervisory personnel since this type of work adds stress to the mind."

"I can have it done by the end of the week, Boss. When Sakura had me send out the Behemoth gang to lock in those merchant contracts, Green pinpointed a few outstanding sharp and cunning fellows. I think this type of work will be right up their alley."

Chu nodded as he walked towards the kitchen door. The small occupants busy scribbling their reports in the hall stole stealthily glances as he passed by. This was the second time for the day where they witnessed Doug flipping from his leadership role to becoming subservient. Earlier during the day, Chong escorted in a redhead who accompanied Sakura.

That girl in question leaked a dangerous aura and held a bearing that made those nobles in Frost City seem like commoners. A word from her sent Singh scampering personally to fetch the madam from the Silk Flower House. Another order caused Fole and Green to delve into the shelved parchment records as if being whipped.

Only when Chong led her out did they come to understand this girl not much older than them held the position as Doug and the others immediate Boss. To add to the awe, the whispers filtering in from this morning confirmed the owner of the three terrifying wolves residing in the slums to be her. Singh introduced the black-haired boy entering the kitchen to be the head Boss. The minds of the children could only imagine the power of his words...

The door opened and Doug beckoned with his hand.

Singh dropped the report in his hand and zipped into the kitchen. The children only nodded in awe.

"Wow, so that's our Boss..."

Chu sat on the chair at the table while Sakura and Amanda occupied the benches on either side. Sue hummed merrily as she stirred the contents of a large pot over the kitchen hearth. Doug and Singh shared the bench opposite him.

"Doug, from our conversation, my impression of the Bloodnight Society is an organization that favors mystery, fear, and power. I take it that as long as we don't cross the line, the ones in the background won't interfere?"

"Correct. The old man from the tea house commands a certain authority behind the curtains. No matter how powerful the gang ruling over a district, once each gang remains independent, he did not object. Lord Arash only claims the seat of leadership on the table because of his overall power, favors, and influence."

"Good, then it's settled. Secret societies like these love the element of fear spreading from the shadows. We have just the right mix to instill terror. Dyna is best suited for this with us filling in the role of helpers. Have Chong assist her in gathering information for the organization meeting at the villa."

Tapping his fingers on the wooden table, he twisted his lips in thought.

"Singh, I want all the information you can gather about the Battle between the Ancient Houses. Participation rules, bets, and the like. After Ming completes his tour of the city, I'll send him over."

Chu turned to Sue,

"Sue, introduce Ming to your assistant. It's time we begin helping out the Willows Clan."

"Boss, won't we be spreading thin between all this work?"

Doug asked. Each of these tasks required their full concentration to ensure success. And they had yet to concentrate on their main task of aiding Mr. Thomas.

"Don't sell yourself short, Doug. Your time here has laid the foundation for a small but competent fighting force. Through Sakura, you practically control in some way or another, half of the merchants and shops in the city. Most importantly, however, you possess the most advanced information network in the Empire."

Chu replied while receiving the small bowl of hot soup from Sue. There was something about traveling for months on a monotonous journey that wore him out. Last time, he spent about three days lolling around to shake off the weariness. Jetlag could never begin to compare with medieval road travel.

 "Ahh, that hit the spot. Your cooking is the best Sue. As I was saying, the Bloodnight Society troubles will be easily solved since we will be gathering with the ones who would like to contest with us. We can also help whittle away the wealth of Mr. Thomas's foes during the battle of the ancient clans. Step by step, until we have them begging at his feet. For now, however, we need a bigger place to stay..."

***

Amanda avoided the broken cobbles in the lane as she gingerly hopped over another. She had the hood of her cloak drawn down to display the locks of golden curls swaying down her slender back. Doug always requested a wagon to transport her and Sakura from their headquarters to the shack. Even though it was walking distance, he always relied on safety and secrecy. This was her first time striding along the streets and lanes of the slum district unfettered.

Her dainty nose twitched on inhaling the smell associated with the district but she reveled in exposing her fair face to the setting summer sun.

"I think I remember vaguely skipping across a cobblestone lane such as this. The lane stretched much wider and ran over a small bump. Underneath it bubbled a clear stream. Mother use to quarrel because my father let me sit on the edge and sway my feet to splash the water. I have a fuzzy memory of an old man who told my mother to let me be."

She paused and then swirled around as she remembered. Her blue eyes fell on the face of the younger boy walking beside her. Even when she journeyed and stayed with the princess, she still felt constricted. Only with the appearance of this boy, her imaginary cage burst open.

"Most likely, that would have been closer to your old home, Big Sis. Don't worry, soon we will walk around there. Then maybe you will find the place in your memory."

Miki said while feeding a small iron nugget to the bird sitting on her shoulder. Alicanto clutched it in a claw and pecked down on it like a ripe berry. She and Lucy had walked from the hideout to the headquarters while testing Lucy's tracking abilities.

"Looks like you fostered a tomboyish spark as a child. If things had been different, then we might have never crossed paths. Our status would have been much beneath yours."

Chu grinned.

"Hmph! You're lucky Uncle Simon vouched for you. Otherwise, daddy would not have ridden out to the village to meet you. You could have never found someone so good like my dad... haha!"

Her laughter tinkled like a melodious wind chime as it floated around the dreary hovels. Amanda pounced on each girl one by one to squeeze out a hug. Lastly, she wrapped her silky arms around the raven-haired boy. Towering a foot taller in height, she bent her head slightly to whisper into his ear,

"For over ten years I lived alone until we sold our farm and moved in with you. Since then, an amazing world opened up for me. I also met honorable people and trustworthy friends. Thank you..."

Chu breathed in the sweet fragrance which completely masked the smell of the surroundings. A pair of soft cushions churned his blood into a boil. In his past life and age, Amanda would have sky-rocketed past his poor criteria for girlfriend material. He forced his hands to gently pat and then hold this bewitching beauty at arm's length. If not, public street or no, he might not be able to resist her charms.

"Hey, hey, Big Sis, what gives? Don't forget our agreement. Only if you don't find someone you like, remember?"

Miki pouted while switching her eyes to Lucy as if for help.

"Haha, my mind is all foggy, Miki. Did we ever have such a talk?"

Amanda teased while hopping away over a stagnant puddle.

Chu looked at Lucy and shook his head.

There was a saying that time healed all wounds but apparently the key concept of the statement lay in the duration. He had heard from Mr. Thomas about the reunion between him and his old foes. Obviously, time didn't seem to damper the jealousy and spite they had for him.

Chu had hoped that maybe the past grievances would have been long forgotten. This way a peaceful resolution between parties could have fostered. Unfortunately, however, it seems like the old adage of blood feuding still existed.

Looking at the unlikely beauties chattering in a playful manner before him, the unfettered scene enlightened him. Yes, he wanted to explore this world but he would never let harm befall his family.