Protecting Men

"All right, keep fighting and the sun will be setting!" Qin Mo's lazy voice rang out again, separating the two who had been battling for half an hour. Their physical abilities once more overturned Qin Mo's understanding.

Kaihime was the first to leap away, holding her blade as she saluted. Lin Yongqian returned the salute with perfect form, though his faintly trembling legs made his posture look slightly strange. Their clash just now had also made him howl inwardly, Are you fucking blind? Can't you see the Heir Apparent standing right there? If I hadn't kept up my martial skills all these years, I might have made a fool of myself today. Next time we fight one-on-one, I'll fight you to the death...

"Test her subordinates. If they're capable, keep them. Our wounded soldiers' camp surely needs more hands." The wounded soldiers' camp was a place soldiers never wished to go. If you were the wounded one, then all you could do was howl in misery; if you were tending the wounded, then all you could do was listen to others howl. The stench of death that hung in the air at every moment could drive a person mad.

If there were some female nurses, the situation would improve greatly. After all, this was an effective solution proven by fact in another world. Men acted especially brave and especially sunny in front of women.

"We came to become warriors, not caretakers." Kaihime's lips remained stubborn, but the anxious fire had already vanished from her eyes.

"You are warriors. No one denies that. But our wounded soldiers also need protection. Are you willing to protect them?"

"Honored sir, Narita Kai is willing to serve you." Kaihime no longer bore any resentment in her heart. "Protecting men"—what an inconceivable thing that was. A tremendous sense of achievement filled her chest.

"My lord... our... monthly pay..." A warrior kneeling behind her timidly tugged at the corner of her clothes.

"Honored sir... may I ask how much our monthly pay will be?" Kaihime felt as though her face were on fire, but this concerned the future of over twenty girls, and she had no choice but to ask. Her original intention had been to struggle in Great Xia for a year or so, save up generous dowries for them, then return to find good families and live peaceful lives.

"If they possess some martial skill, they will be paid the same as men. You may receive a brigade commander's monthly stipend."

Upon hearing Qin Mo's words, the girls could no longer speak. They merely lowered their heads obediently and knelt to salute.

Lin Yongqian quickly arranged for more than a dozen armored soldiers to exchange moves with the remaining female warriors. The result vastly exceeded everyone's expectations. These girls, no older than fifteen or sixteen, were all quite skilled; some were even stronger than formal warriors. It seemed they had received careful training, making Lin Yongqian feel as though he had stumbled upon treasure.

After dinner, Qin Mo sat in the seat of honor while Lin Yongqian stood to one side and made his report. His father had been an old subordinate of Qin Lan's and could sit before Qin Mo without concern, but Lin Yongqian did not have such standing. Speaking while standing was simply his duty.

"Yongqian, you've been recruiting ronin on a large scale. What reaction have the surrounding daimyo had?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, following your instructions, after arriving in Edo, I first sought an audience with the most powerful Kanpaku, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. I promised stable supplies in the future, and as expected, he turned a blind eye to our recruitment of warriors. Your Highness's foresight is divine. This subordinate greatly admires you."

"That's enough. Save the flattery for later. How many people are we still short of?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, we are short by approximately fifteen hundred men. We should be able to recruit them all within ten days."

"See whether there are any ships bound for Great Xia. If there are, hire them no matter the price. We don't have enough ships. If we wait for the ships from Hirado to reach Great Xia and return, it will take at least another month."

"This subordinate obeys. If we had begun operating maritime trade earlier, we would not be in such a situation now, with not even enough ships to use." Having finally found an opportunity to put in a bad word about Allen, how could Lin Yongqian possibly let it slip away?

Over the past few days, he had looked into Fusang's prices and regretted it until his intestines turned green. If they had begun maritime trade earlier, Dayuan would have become rich long ago. By now, he ought to have had seven or eight concubines at the very least. How could Yuelai Tower's top courtesan have fallen into someone else's arms? If he had heaps of silver, perhaps he could try again and see whether he could... suspend school.

"Have the nerve to go find Allen, then see what he does to you." Qin Mo understood what Lin Yongqian meant. Back then, Allen had led them everywhere in search of the sea, seeking traces of the Sea Folk. He had never intended to do business at all. Elves were all libertarians; if they did not wish to do something, don't even dream of making them accommodate you.

Lin Yongqian shrank his neck. If he went to question Allen, Allen likely would not say anything to him at all. Instead, he would directly hammer him half to death before speaking. That fellow's temper was nothing like his beautiful appearance.

In Edo, on a street in the north of the city, pedestrians were few and far between. The winding streets blocked one's view, leaving people unable to tell where they ultimately led.

Qin Mo brought Allen and more than a dozen guards. Under the guide's direction, they found that street, and after twisting and turning through its lanes, they finally saw a shop. The only reason they knew it was a shop was because a jet-black signboard hung above its entrance.

A large hammer was carved upon the signboard. The carving appeared exceedingly crude, yet it gave those who saw it a sense of rugged beauty. From the signboard alone, one could tell that this place was no ordinary establishment.

"This is the master's shop. He is a man who keeps his word, and they all speak the language of Great Xia. This is the most suitable shop for you, honored sir." The guide eagerly pushed open the door, bowed, and extended a hand to lead Qin Mo inside. There was little in the room, making it seem somewhat empty. No diligent shop assistants came to greet customers. Only a large, fat woman sat behind the counter, dozing in a chair.

The guide did not wake the woman. He merely looked at Qin Mo awkwardly.

Qin Mo smiled, casually tossed a piece of silver to the guide, and waved for him to leave first. The guide gave a deep bow, lowered his head, and went out.

Qin Mo walked up to the counter and knocked on it. His force was neither too light nor too heavy, just enough to let someone awaken in the most comfortable state.

"What would you like to buy? If you want something custom-made, come back in a few days! The master has no time these days." The large, fat woman awoke and gave Qin Mo a glance before speaking lazily, utterly unmoved by his striking appearance.

Qin Mo smiled, entirely unconcerned with her attitude. He merely took a bolt of silk from an attendant and placed it on the counter, then reached out and tore away the layer of burlap wrapped around it.

The brilliant silk reflected seven-colored light, dazzling the woman's eyes. At a speed entirely unsuited to her enormous body, she sprang up and lunged across the counter, directly pinning the bolt of silk beneath her plump breasts.

"What does the honored guest wish to buy? As long as it is ironware, our shop has everything you could want. Custom orders are also possible... of course... the price will be calculated separately." The woman was in fact a formidable character. In that brief time, she had already calmed herself and proposed a new price.

"That is fine. So long as the goods are good, the price is not a problem. But I am busy. Today is the only day I have free."

"...The master is busy as well... Honored guest, please wait a moment. I will go invite the master at once." Seeing Qin Mo turn to leave, she immediately changed her words, clutched the silk in her hand, and darted into the inner room.

Very soon, a woman's shriek came from the inner room. The sound was truly far from pleasant, making Allen frown.

Two equally large, fat women came out, followed by a man and a woman of short stature. With broad, sturdy bodies, developed muscles, and youthful faces, they were unmistakably two dwarves.

Just as Qin Mo was wondering which of them was the master, a deep voice came from the inner room. "Why has a noble elf come to my crude little shop?"