Chapter 25: This Maiden Knows Eighteen Martial Arts

Chapter 25: Your Servant Girl Knows Eighteen Martial Arts

Yun Ran had been in Great Yan for over half a year now, but this was her first real chance to explore the capital.

She left the palace just in time for the market fair—the din of the crowd was deafening, a scene of pure liveliness.

Street vendors lined both sides of the road, though the streets were dusty, with horse manure and dog urine everywhere.

Walking along was like playing minesweeper—you were bound to step on a landmine sooner or later.

But the wealthy traveled by sedan or horseback, so they didn't care.

And the poor had no right to be particular.

Yun Ran silently tallied up the silver in the treasury. Fixing the roads would still be a stretch—she'd need to find a way to make more money.

"Yuanbao, find the most popular restaurant for lunch. Let's sample the fare."

Yuanbao's face broke into a grin, wrinkles creasing every corner, and he said with a hint of pride,

"Master, I'd bet my life on it—even the signature dishes at the hottest restaurant in the capital can't hold a candle to one of your clear soups."

"Hey, know your enemy and know yourself, and you'll never lose a battle, got it? We've got to stay humble."

If she was going to open a restaurant, she needed to get a feel for how business worked in the capital.

The most pressing matter now was to head to the broker's shop and buy some people.

Yuanbao led the way, and soon they came upon a pale-faced, handsome young man who looked honest enough.

Oh? Yun Ran never imagined a flesh peddler would look like this. In her mind, they were all supposed to have those sharp, sour, mean-mugged faces.

The pale-faced young man stepped forward and bowed.

"Thank you, master, for gracing my humble shop with your presence. It's an honor beyond words. I had everything ready yesterday—a full stock of goods, guaranteed to leave you satisfied."

Yun Ran had made it clear she was out of the palace incognito, posing as a rich and powerful noble.

Yuanbao had deliberately picked a top-tier broker that catered to the capital's elite, so the shopkeeper naturally put on a proper dog-and-pony show.

"Let's go, take a look."

Yun Ran swung down from her horse, with the Dragon Scale Guard holding their position behind her. Yuanbao, back bent, scurried in after her.

Yun Ran had an unmistakable presence—her clothes and jade trinkets were understated, but you could tell they cost a fortune.

Zhang Zhi, the broker trailing behind, quietly guessed to himself: the one beside her is obviously a eunuch—could she be some kind of imperial kin?

Yun Ran had never set foot in a broker's shop before. Inside, everyone was gaunt and sallow-faced, men and women alike.

The kids were piled together in clusters, all with shackles on their wrists, waiting to be sold.

The moment they saw Yun Ran walk in, the whole crowd's faces changed on the spot, and they all fought to be the first to shout,

"Milord, buy me! I can do anything..."

"Your servant girl can too! I know all eighteen martial arts..."

"Silence!"

Zhang Zhi bellowed, and everyone shut up at once.

Yun Ran put her hands behind her back and started picking people out.

"Anyone here with real strength, step out."

From the lineup, a dozen or so stepped forward—mostly men in their thirties and forties, with a few young kids bringing up the rear.

"Go, see who's got the most strength."

Wu Sibai, the commander of the Dragon Scale Guard, had been sticking close to the emperor. He acknowledged the order and went to test them right away.

No one in the first batch could beat Wu Sibai. Yun Ran wasn't impressed, so they swapped in another batch.

Batch after batch, until everyone in the shop had been tested—and still, no one made the cut.

Yuanbao snuck a glance at the emperor's face. It was looking dark. Oh, this was bad.

"Master, there are still a few more shops on the list. Want to check them out?"

"Fine, let's go."

She rarely got out of the palace, so she was determined to buy someone today.

Yun Ran flicked her sleeve, ready to leave, when in the corner, a chubby kid sitting on the ground caught her eye.

"This kid—why didn't he take part in the test?"

Yun Ran stared at the dark-faced, heavyset boy in the corner, his frame surprisingly massive.

Zhang Zhi stammered nervously,

"This kid's not old, but he's got a bottomless appetite. He's always hollering that he's hungry, doesn't say a word, and can't do a thing. His parents are dead, and he was sold here by someone from his own village. I regret ever taking him in—no household will take him. If I don't unload him soon, he'll eat me out of house and home. This kind of stock can only be sold to a landlord to be worked like a donkey. How could he ever catch your eye, master?"

"Stand up. Let me take a look at you."

The dark-faced, chubby boy obediently got to his feet. His clothes were filthy, but his eyes were bright and clear.

Yun Ran took in the bruises covering his body and furrowed her brow.

She had no idea how many beatings he'd taken here.

The kid was only thirteen, but Yun Ran eyeballed him at nearly two meters tall. Being that tall and burly made him stick out like a sore thumb—no wonder the broker made him sit.

"Go test his strength out."

Wu Sibai went over.

Yuanbao was baffled—what did his master see in this grimy little brat?

The dark-faced, chubby kid was indeed freakishly strong—out of the ordinary! One round of arm wrestling, and Wu Sibai actually lost!

There was no need to say how formidable Wu Sibai was—he'd earned his rank. Even if he couldn't match Yun Ran, he wasn't someone you could beat easily.

Yun Ran's heart leaped with joy—her eye for talent never failed her.

"Come with me. Let's see what you've got!"

Yun Ran reached out her hand, and the chubby boy hesitated for a moment. He glanced at his dirty palm and shook his head.

"Come on, don't overthink it. Give it everything you've got,"

Before Yuan Bao could stop her, Yun Ran's hand had already clasped his.

The moment it began, Yun Ran sensed something was off. This kid's strength was anything but ordinary—it was like iron and steel!

He looked completely effortless, but Yun Ran felt like her hand was about to be crushed into pulp.

The chubby boy started bearing down, and Yuan Bao, sweating buckets nearby, kept pulling out a handkerchief to mop his brow.

If the master came back from this trip hurt, General Chang would never forgive him.

General Chang treated the emperor like the apple of his eye—he treasured him.