After a few moments of strolling around the river, my mind was about to go insane. I need to find a way to contact my assistant or, at this point, anyone. The little mysterious I glance in her way:
"So… you're saying this is Yan Zhi River?"
"Yeah. It's near the big market." She says, indifferent, cooking fish at the small wooden fire.
"Big market?" "It's one of the most popular places around here. You can't possibly not know about it". After a long pause, her eyes avert to mine. "No way. You don't know about it?" She asks, almost amused, mostly surprised. My eyes glint with satisfaction from her words. Finally, a source to reach out to someone rational.
"Bring me there."
"What? No!" She walks away, trying to escape, but I quickly catch up to her, grabbing her by the hand and spinning her easily around. She stumbles on her legs, her body falling on mine, but I quickly react and catch her mid-air. Her breathing is fast, her heart beating rapidly. I take a deep breath:
"Why?" I say softly to her.The girl shyly pulls away from me, stuttering: "I…I just saved your life, and now you're asking for favors?! You're quite bold for a madman! …What's in it for me?" She says, trying to regain her calm self after the adrenaline a few seconds ago.
"I can… help you out with your homework," I smile like a kid negotiating or even acting bratty with their parent. She scoffs, surprised:
"Are you crazy? I already graduated." A pause.
"Alright, tell me the price. I can give it to you." I say, seriously. She grins at my words.
"You said it, old man!" The girl takes my hand and pulls me into a run, leaving the riverside and into the forest. She's crazy.…
At the market.
I enter the market, and I see many small shops all around. Mini markets are packed together, with tables, carts, and cloth tops. People are selling food, silk, tools, and animals. I see baskets of fruit, bowls of rice, and teapots. The area is quite crowded. Everyone is dressed like the little girl, wearing those hats that are old-fashioned, many carrying swords and other equipment, as if it's normal. I smell grilled meat, hot bread, sweat, and dust. Smoke rises from food fires, and incense burns near small stalls. I hear people speaking loudly and calling customers. Feet pass around me without pause. This resembles the history books I've read… merchants, traders, poor, and lively people.
"Mister Wu!" The girl yells as she runs up to a man who looks like a forger. He looked quite old, with a crooked nose, chapped lips, and his eyes were as blue as the sky in the middle of the day. He is quite old. She hugs the individual tightly.
"Well, look who's back. Miss Trouble came back after her little show-off not long ago. What-cha've been up to, kid?" He smiles as he looks down at her, ruffling her hair.
From what I remember the girl telling me, Mr. Wu is her mother's friend or...maybe they are more than just friends...they always chat, play chess, cook, or even clean up together. The little girl also said that he treats her mom very well by buying her fruits, picking flowers for her every week, and making her laugh every time they are together. I feel like he loses his one's dignity as a man by doing these stupid childish things, but eh, who cares about feelings when you are super rich?
"Mom says she misses you~ and your cooking too. We should really hire you to cook instead of letting my mum into the kitchen!"
]"Like you're any better!" He laughs loudly, teasing her. He glances in my way.
"Who's this?" He asks. She takes a moment, turning her head around and looking at me like she's trying to speak with me.
"My…friend. He asked me to take him to the market since he's never been there. He's strange, no?" She whispers aloud the last part.
Behind Mr. Wu, a tall man watches the interaction and decides to walk up to us. His skin is clean and warm like summer. His eyes are brown as the lively trees in the spring, and he looks like a serious man, but he smiles whenever he meets a customer. He approaches us and presents himself:
"I'm Mo Rui." The man says, reaching out to shake hands. We shake hands. "What clan are you from?... Your clothes are quite strange…"
"I'm…not from any clan. I'm not even from here anyway. I'm trying to find leads to go back to my hometown."
"I see… well, I can't really be the exact person to help you out since I've never been out of the city a lot. But there's a guy who can help you. Even if… not many think he can. He's known as a crazy and delusional madman. He left the city and headed south-west. I think he's heading to Lushan Mountain." He says, looking unsure of himself. I doubt he's smart enough to give me misleading information. Afterall... Everything seems stupid to me.
"Maybe we should get you changed into… more normal clothes." The little girl says, taking my hand and dragging me into an inn behind the man's forging place.
It was quite crowded inside, people laughing and drinking around. I look around, following her through the tables.
"Here. Take these and change into them in that room," She points to a door in a corner. "You'll find me at a table." She then leaves and starts talking with what seems to be the owner of the tavern.
I look down at the clothes in my hands. Everything about this is… Strange. Why is everything so old-style? I walk out in traditional clothing. Everyone seems to be dressed like so. What is this? Cosplay? Don't they afford normal clothing? Isn't traditional clothing supposed to be more expensive than some jeans and a blouse?
"Over here!" The familiar voice is heard across the room. I make my way to the little companion and take a seat across from her.
"This tavern is very popular for its delicious brew. You should try it!" She smiles.
"Alright."
"Two portions of your finest stew, Miu!" the girl winks at her friend.
"So, what's your plan now?"
"I'll probably head my way to the guy Mo Rui told me about. He seems to be the one who can probably help me out."
"And how do you plan to find this guy? From what I can tell, you got: no map, no sense of direction, and wield no weapon." She states.
"Right. I wanted to ask you. Why do you carry an illegal weapon as if it were a daily use? And not only you, but I also see many others carrying swords. What is this? Filming a movie or something?"
"What do you mean? It's to protect ourselves from the other clans or evil spirits. There are frequent fights between the disciples of the clans." I sight my mind was not processing her words.
"Little girl. What year is it?"
"900?"
"900?!" My eyes go wide, shocked. "Are you joking around with me? You think I'm trying to be funny?"
"You asked me what year it is, and I answered you! Stop being so shocked as you didn't know. What, you lived until now under a rock?" She takes sips from the brew soup.
"Right..." I look at her through my lashes as I taste the soup.
"I'll come with you." She suddenly says, lowering the empty bowl onto the table.
"You will?"
"You're basically dead meat unarmed during these days. It's a very chaotic fight between some clans now so you might walk right into one of their land mines. Since you don't wield anything… I'll be your weapon. I don't have anything else to do anyway" She smiles widely at me.
"Alright, kid. Maybe ask your parents' permission first. You're exaggerating now. There's no such thing as clans. And it's impossible to be in the 900's, so stop lying to yourself and help me out, would you?"
"I'm not lying! You're clearly crazy if you don't believe me. This is exactly why you need me to help you out."
"Sure, kid. If you say so."
"I'll ask around to borrow some horses. You explore the market. I'll find you." She quickly takes off, leaving me behind.
I walk around the market to pass the time faster, as well as to try to find some other possible ways to get back home. Suddenly, I spot a post-board. I look around for any information that can possibly help. Newly opened inn… invitation to a wedding… No… Not here… Not here either… Missing person: Ru-Xia. Blind. Teenager. Member of the Lan clan. If spotted, contact the Commission Centre…. Nope. No leads.
"Oldie! I got the good stuff packed." She smiles widely, holding her basket made from willow, filled with food and what seems to be very old-looking books. Her dress surprisingly dirtier than before, her long pink ribbon in her hair tussled wildly across her face. And so, we leave the small busy town, saying farewells to the others, and heading our way to Mount Lushan.