Chapter 50: Can I Still Sell Meat Buns?

With a few words, Tang Wen managed to calm Tang Tang down, assuring her that Zhou Bing was fine.

In no hurry to leave, Tang Wen took the meat bun his sister handed him and strolled through the bustling market.

The market ground was marked with white rectangular blocks, each about the size of a parking space.

Some people, like Tang Tang, pushed wooden carts laden with needles, threads, bamboo chopsticks, wooden bowls, paper scraps, and fabric pieces.

Altogether, it resembled a general store.

Moreover, they not only accepted copper coins and silver but also engaged in barter trade.

The place was lively, filled with haggling and bargaining.

Tang Wen felt his spirits gradually relax.

The negative emotions from a day and night of fighting and fleeing were slowly washed away by the lively atmosphere and the scent of everyday life.

Perhaps the soldiers fought hard outside, hoping their families could have the leisure to wander here.

And Tang Wen, he hoped that everyone who came would buy one of his meat buns.

Hmm?

His gaze was drawn to a few books on the ground.

"Iron Palm Skill," "Iron Elbow Skill," "Iron Head Skill."

Tang Wen stopped in his tracks.

The stall owner, an elderly man, called out, "Young man, if you're interested in any of them, feel free to pick them up and take a look."

"How much are they?" Tang Wen asked casually.

"This," the old man glanced at Tang Wen, "fifteen."

Before he could finish, Tang Wen started to walk away.

"Ten coins, just ten coins per book."

"Alright," he turned back lazily and squatted down.

He flipped through the cultivation methods, feeling somewhat speechless.

The Iron Palm Skill involved poking sand with one's hands. It mentioned the need to soak the hands in medicinal herbs but didn't specify which ones, only suggesting to ask at a medical clinic.

The Iron Elbow Skill and Iron Head Skill were similarly vague in their training methods.

Shaking his head, Tang Wen stood up. Though the old man was reluctant, he didn't try to stop him.

Clearly, he knew the quality of the manuals he was selling.

After wandering around, Tang Wen noticed a stall selling hairpins.

The stall was run by a grandfather and granddaughter. Their clothes were clean but faded, and the old man seemed mute, communicating through gestures.

The granddaughter, about thirteen or fourteen, had her hair in two small ponytails and a shy smile.

Tang Wen moved closer for a better look. They were all wooden hairpins.

"Such a handsome young man, buying a hairpin for your sweetheart? The ones here are cheap and pretty, pick a few."

"You sly fox, can't take your eyes off the handsome lad!"

"How about buying a few for yourself?"

Playful, flirtatious voices accompanied by a warm, sweet fragrance approached.

A group of women draped in fur, with red lips, and scantily clad despite the biting cold, walked over, laughing and chatting.

They dispersed around Tang Wen in twos and threes.

Their fox-like eyes scrutinized him up and down.

Tang Wen felt a bit uncomfortable. These ladies, no, these special workers.

Why weren't they sleeping in the early morning, wandering around the market instead?

These women had a keen eye for men.

They noticed Tang Wen's hidden embarrassment and moved even closer to him.

Squeezing and jostling, they surrounded him.

"Ah!"

"Young man, you've hurt my sister."

"What should we do now?"

"What should we do? Of course, you'll have to compensate with your, hehe."

"Ha ha ha ha ha."

The commotion attracted many onlookers.

"Go away, all of you. What kind of behavior is this?"

A dignified and composed older sister stepped forward, shooing her sisters away.

She lowered her head and apologized to Tang Wen, "I'm sorry, my sisters are used to fooling around. Please don't take it to heart. If there's any hairpin you fancy, I'll buy it for you as an apology."

Tang Wen noticed that although they were wearing expensive fur coats, they only wore simple wooden hairpins on their heads.

He glanced at the stall owner and his grandson, who looked at them with gratitude in their eyes.

Tang Wen shook his head, "I want to give it as a gift, so it's better if I buy it myself."

With that, he picked out two wooden hairpins with somewhat unique designs.

He tossed down 10 coins, stood up, and prepared to leave.

The elegant older sister smiled and said, "Handsome guy, next time you go to the Pleasure House, just ask for Liu Niang! I'll make it up to you properly then."

Tang Wen's heart skipped a beat, "We'll see."

He hurried away, silently memorizing the name "Liu Niang" in his mind.

Of course, it was just a simple act of remembering a name, nothing more.

The women behind him watched his retreating figure, chatting and laughing.

It seemed like they were betting on whether he would go or not.

Tang Wen snorted inwardly: I'm a formal member of the hunting squad, I definitely won't go to such a place!

Well, at least not recently.

At the entrance of the market.

Under Tang Tang's curious gaze, he flipped his hand and magically produced a wooden hairpin.

"Wasting money, this little piece of wood is worth seven and a half pounds of foxtail millet!"

The young lady snatched it away, her eyes curving into a smile, "Confiscated! What else did you buy?"

Tang Wen silently took out another one.

Tang Tang was a bit angry but then realized, "For Sister Bing?"

"Yes."

"That's too cheap, it's a bit embarrassing to give."

Thinking this, Tang Tang started to worry. Their family didn't have a house in the inner city, her brother's status and martial prowess were not as high as Sister Bing's, and their family background was inferior.

What to do?

Would Sister Bing agree?

Tang Wen didn't know what she was thinking. He stood to the side, helping to sell Meat Buns.

"Handsome guy, so you and Miss Tang are family!"

"Give me three Meat Buns."

"Share one with me."

A group of women chattered away. Under Tang Tang's cold gaze, they playfully winked at Tang Wen and left with their Meat Buns.

Tang Tang watched their alluring backs and muttered, "No ambition, what will they do when they're older?"

The siblings finished selling the Meat Buns early. Tang Wen pushed the cart towards home.

When they got back, Zhou Bing was already waiting for them.

After the two women exchanged pleasantries, Zhou Bing said to Tang Wen, "Starting tomorrow, except for you and me, the entire squad will be out on patrol."

"Everyone's back?"

"Yes, our whole squad is back."

"Good that they're back."

Their tone was somewhat heavy, and Tang Wen's recently relaxed mood tensed up again.

The matter wasn't resolved yet.

Zhou Bing led the siblings to her master bedroom, lifted the wooden board under the table, revealing a steel plate.

Opening the steel plate, there was a dark hole.

"This?"

The Tang siblings were a bit stunned.

They had lived here for so long, and had been in the master bedroom before, but never knew there was a hidden passage here.

Zhou Bing explained, "We still haven't figured out the origins of that 'Awakened.' It's only confirmed that the two of us are the primary targets. Commander Zhao and the General have sent word back, telling us not to go out and to protect ourselves."

"Live in the tunnel?"

Although they hadn't been down there, it was easy to imagine that it would be dark, cold, and damp.

"No! This tunnel isn't just a shelter. It leads directly to the General's residence. We'll go out at noon to buy some things, creating the illusion that we're staying indoors. In reality, we'll use the secret passage to live in the General's residence. By then, this place will become a trap."

Tang Wen understood: there might be people from Black Mountain Camp inside the inner city.

Thinking about it, it made sense. Their Guard Barracks often received news from Black Mountain Camp as well.

Everyone was in the same boat.

Tang Tang worriedly asked, "Can I still sell Meat Buns?"

Huh?

Tang Wen and Zhou Bing exchanged glances, and the latter smiled, "First, come with us to the General's residence to practice martial arts! We'll talk about it after this period is over."

"Practice martial arts? That's fine too."

Tang Tang nodded in agreement.

At noon, the three of them went out

.

Under the surprised gazes of passersby, they bought back two full carts of

food.

Then they locked the door from the inside.

Like fleeing squirrels, each carrying a large bundle, they stepped into the tunnel.