Chapter 3: The Weaver's Bargain
The mere thought of achieving my long-sought freedom had set a glowing ember to my soul. I had been over the moon as my grin didn't seem to fade, no matter how numb my cheeks went.
Behind a secluded small abandoned hut, I shimmied out of my dress and put on the ones I stole from my father's closet, then wore the fake I patch I had sewn back home.
I went on a nearby small greasy pond, and stared at myself.
This won't do.
I grabbed my scissors to chop off my hip-length hair from a ponytail, trimming the bottom back and each side of my hair.
I topped off my disguise with a long, crude two-block cut. Despite my dim reflection on the translucent surface, my new cut seemed to set a whole new vibe. I've never had this relief from cutting off the weight of my hair since my last life. In this humid weather, I would've even gone for a clean undercut if I had razors.
With a one quick swoop on my heap of clothes left on the ground, my bag was stuffed with the dress and other lavish accessories I ought to sell later.
One can be homeless and lost, but one must never be penniless.
With a satisfied pat on my bag of golden jewelries, I head back to the streets humming happily. These gifts from my past suitors will finally come in handy.
To be honest, it wasn't because my suitors weren't charming and all; they were alright, probably cute at best. But they were just simply too young for a 29-year-old soul stuck in a body of a growing adolescent that time.
On my way to a jeweller, I came across a small mirror stall. I had to stop and examine my disguise on one of its biggest mirrors; nodding in appreciation upon seeing how my hair was rather unrefined but cut on perfect length, and how my bosom was convincingly flat. Although, I took note of squeezing my bottom every now and then to somehow reduce it from protruding on father's trousers.
Leaning in to get a better view, there was still some visible red tint on my lips that I had forgotten to wipe off. I rashly rubbed it off causing it to smear and stain my cheek.
As if on cue, an old man appeared from the back of the stall polishing a gold circular item on his palm, he greeted, "Oh-hoho, so early in the morning yet a pretty young man like you is already walking around the streets with a lip stain, eh. Young people these days, what a scandalous way of your lover to mark her territory," the vendor laughed heartily.
It wasn't the vendor's long white beard nor his somewhat nosy, cheeky remark that caught my attention; it was his fluorescent amber eyes. Even beneath his long bushy brows and heavy eyelids, his eyes were faintly glowing.
Then my eyes followed his hand as it wiped the golden object on his palm.
"Oh, you must buy this couple pocket mirror for your lady. She'll love the grand design of its frame and especially its function," he said. "This is a treasured one, made by a professional artisan from the south. Not only can you never get lost, but you can always find your partner wherever they may be. It both have a separate hand for navigation and for wayfinding your partner even if they're far away from you. It's perfectly fit for couples!" he said.
As demonstration, the old vendor held the two compass on each of his hand, separating them at a safe distance so that both of its needle for navigation are pointed in uniform; there was, indeed, a second thinner needle on each compass that points directly towards at the other, no matter the distance and direction.
I pursed my lips as I tried not to show any hints of amusement.
It's pretty neat if I'd say so myself, but I don't have any lover nor anyone in mind that I can give it to. It's not like I want to make friends either.
But then, again, something tugged in me that the compass will high likely become handy in the future.
It's like a GPS tracker... Wait, this is exactly like their own version of GPS!
My past world was more advanced in terms of technology. However, in this new world, there was a playful pinch of magic, wherein people rely on soul energy cultivation and unfamiliar potent herbs. Hence, the complex advancement of science and tech had not became the cornerstone for people to rely on.
However, I quickly concealed my delight and asked, "Hm. I've seen lot of souvenir shop before that sell those for half your price. They had more grand design embedded with gold trimmings. Surely, it wouldn't cost that much just because it's made by an artisan from the south, right?"
Of course none of it was true. I had never once set foot on the public market, let alone explore souvenir shops. It was, in fact, my first time.
Highly-trained liars have mastered the art of compensation by freezing their bodies and looking at the other person straight in the eye—perhaps, experts in the art of looking relaxed. But if I was in a fairy tale I'd definitely put Pinocchio's nose to shame.
A miniscule sigh escaped his lips, "Quiet an opportunist, I see," I heard him mumbled under his breath. "This is an exclusive product from the south, so it's definitely a bit pricey. But for you, young lad, I'll give you a discount," he said.
"How much?"
"From 100 silver pieces, you can get it for 80 instead."
I kept a straight face and nodded, smiling at the back of my mind. Once you start a bargain, you can't go back down
80 silver pieces are equivalent to 4700 Pesos. GPS trackers didn't even cost that much in my world.
I frowned, muttering on a low voice but just enough for him to hear, "That's too bad, I only have 50 silver coins on me."
The old man stroked his long ash beard and said, "I'm afraid I can't lower my price that low anymore, young lad."
I sighed, "Well, what a pity."
As I was about to leave, the old man suddenly raised his voice, "The base of the compass is said to be infused with a branch of the ancient Tree of Hope. Obviously, you can test it out yourself if it really can help in your cultivation, but that's not its biggest bonus. It is said to point you on where the actual Tree of Hope is—of course, that theory is yet to be confirmed... But there's some truth in everything, y'know. Who knows you might become an explorer in the next few years. This might be a worthy adventure for thrill-seeking young man like you," he explained.
I crossed my arms and observed the couple compass for a long while.
That's what made it worth 100 silver pieces? Then why are you still here instead of finding that legendary Tree of Hope? I guess the rumor wasn't enough to convince you, so why do you think it'd be enough to convince me? Silly old man.
A scowl flickered on the curve of old vendor's mouth, it was so brief and subtle that I almost missed it.
Despite the old man's poor marketing skills, I was actually already set on buying the couple compass even before he prattled gibberish about the ancient Tree of Hope and other farfetched stories to hook his customer.
Besides, this was by far the most closest gadget I could acquire that's similar to my past life's technology.
"60 silver pieces," I negotiated.
"70," he curtly replied.
I pursed my lips.
Then, he sighed, "Look, if you don't want to take it then just say so," the old man snapped.
"70 silvers it is! I'll take it, old man. I was just teasing you," I laughed.
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