The morning chill lingered as Malik stopped at a small café, greeting a trusted informant he had relied on for years. They spoke in hushed tones, their voices barely above whispers. Malik's face remained calm, but his sharp eyes were filled with resolve.
As the day wore on, the Tang family's pawnshop and bank remained crowded with long lines of customers. Malik, tasked with finding Nico, had yet to uncover any leads. His determined steps eventually led him to the city outskirts, known as a haven for lawbreakers.
There, a group of burly men lounged around, laughing loudly and swigging drinks from battered bottles. Swords, spears, and arrows lay scattered around them, creating an air of menace. Malik hesitated for a moment. He knew that causing a scene could jeopardize his mission, but leaving without investigating would only heighten the danger to Nico's safety.
His approach drew immediate attention. A large man stood up, flashing a mocking grin. "Hey, kid! What are you doing here? Looking for your mommy?" The group's raucous laughter echoed.
Malik didn't respond, his gaze steady.
"Go home, kid. Your mommy might get worried looking for you," the man taunted again, earning more laughter from his friends.
Finally, Malik took a deep breath. "I'm not looking for my mother," he said firmly. "I'm looking for my father, Cheng Tang. My name is Ming Tang."
Their laughter abruptly ceased, replaced by suspicious glances. Before any of them could react, a man burst out from inside the building. "Young Master Tang! The old man has been expecting you. Mr. Jones sent word to let you in."
At the mention of that name, the bandits' faces turned pale. They quickly bowed their heads, terrified of what Jones might do if he discovered their treatment of Malik.
Inside, Malik found Nico sitting with a large, bearded man. They laughed warmly, glasses clinking as they toasted.
"Hey, young man! Sit down and join us!" Jones called, inviting Malik with a friendly nod.
Nico smiled faintly. "Mr. Jones, may I have a drink? My father usually forbids it, but if it's with you, I think he wouldn't mind."
The room erupted in laughter, filling the air with a cheerful warmth.
Jones patted Nico on the shoulder. "Ming Tang, you should thank Mr. Jones. He's the one who saved your father."
Nico looked at Jones with admiration. "Father, since when has he become your sworn brother?"
Jones laughed, raising his glass. "From now on, Cheng Tang is my sworn brother. And the Tang family, starting today, is our partner."
The lively atmosphere gradually turned serious as the conversation shifted to important matters. Cheng Tang bowed respectfully to Jones. "I am deeply grateful for your generosity. If not for you, I don't know what would have happened to me."
As a gesture of gratitude, Nico signaled a servant who promptly brought in a large chest filled with gold coins. "This is fifteen thousand gold pieces, Mr. Jones," Cheng Tang said calmly. "And I will provide this amount every month."
Jones' eyes widened. "Every month? Isn't that equivalent to the royal tax?"
Cheng Tang merely smiled and added, "I wish to give more, but our business has just started. For now, this is what I can manage."
Jones laughed, and the others in the room joined him. "My generous younger brother! So, what do you need from me, Ming Tang?"
Nico's face turned serious. "There are two things, Mr. Jones. First, I need help dealing with merchants who refuse to pay their debts. I'll provide the list at the end of each month. Second, our new business requires escorts from the border to the city."
Jones nodded with a chuckle. "Alright, I'll handle everything. You really know how to keep me busy, little brother."
As a token of their brotherhood, Nico presented Jones with a luxurious watch. "This is for you. A keepsake from me, your eldest brother."
Meanwhile, elsewhere, William lay beaten and bruised by bandits. His attempt to steal money from the Tang family had failed miserably. However, luck seemed to favor him. That very day, he managed to borrow a sum from the Tang family's pawnshop. San and the others, unaware of what had truly transpired, gave it to him without hesitation because William's venture appeared promising. Little did they know, William harbored another devious plan behind his seemingly sincere smile.
As the afternoon waned, the sun hung low, painting the sky with hues of orange. Inside a heavily-armored carriage adorned with the striking Black Tiger logo, Nico and Malik sat in silence during their journey home. The luxurious vehicle was a gift from Jones, symbolizing their newly formed brotherhood. No one dared to obstruct the carriage, even in a city rife with uncertainty.
Suddenly, a shadow leapt onto the carriage. Swiftly, the figure handed a note to Nico before disappearing, their face obscured by a black cloth. Malik was startled, his eyes wide. "Father, who was that?" he asked, his voice tinged with unease.
Nico only smiled faintly, unfolding the letter and reading it silently. After finishing, he looked up with an expression of intrigue.
"The troops were ready to act as soon as they began attacking you, but fortunately, we held back until the last moment. I didn't expect you to use those bandits as allies and pawns in your plan. I trust you. The Emperor wasn't wrong about you. A clever move. In critical times, remember me. My troops are ready to mobilize anytime.
– Yu Fei."
Nico chuckled softly, his eyes alight with interest. "I think I'm starting to like this man," he murmured. Calmly, he struck a match, lit the letter, and watched as it burned to ashes. Malik simply stared at his father, learning not to ask further questions. He knew some things were better left a mystery.
When they arrived at the Tang family's pawnshop, the atmosphere shifted. Sana ran to Nico, hugging him tightly. "Are you alright? I was so worried about you!" her voice trembled, tears streaming down her face without her realizing it.
Nico smiled warmly, patting Sana's back. "I'm fine," he said gently, walking into the house with Sana by his side.