Kapitel 10: Chapter 10 - Generous Spark

Spark's mood was noticeably sour as they strolled through the bustling streets.

The night's events still weighed on him, and the posters depicting them as "The Three Ugly Demons" only added to his dissatisfaction. He muttered under his breath, casting dark looks at the passersby, as if daring anyone to call him ugly.

Yuna, walking beside him, couldn't resist a gentle tease.

"I think you're more upset about the 'ugly' part than the bounty," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Spark shot her a look of genuine affront.

"Of course, I am! In what angle do I look ugly?" He could almost see William's smug face on those posters, and the thought made his blood boil. If William were here right now, he would have bashed his face into one of those posters.

Yuna just chuckled, shaking her head.

"You're right. How could anyone miss your dazzling good looks?" she said, trying to appease him.

As they continued their leisurely walk, Spark shifted his thoughts and asked. "Is there any news from Kieran's side?"

"None," Yuna replied.

"It's strange. With his temper, I expected him to act by now," murmured Spark.

Yuna nodded in agreement. "That is odd. He's not one to sit quietly."

Their conversation was interrupted when a shabby man approached them.

He was a pitiful sight, scrawny and covered in tattered clothes that barely clung to his skinny frame.

His eyes were hollow, and his voice trembled as he spoke. "Young lord, I have a sick wife to feed. Please, spare some change."

Spark stopped in his tracks and regarded the man with a critical eye. After a moment, he waved dismissively. "I'm feeling generous today,"

Yuna, understanding the gesture, reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small pouch.

She handed it to the man, who weighed it in his hand, a look of astonishment spreading across his face.

Skeptical, he opened the pouch and gasped at the sight of gold coins glinting inside. Tears welled up in his eyes as he knelt on the ground, repeatedly thanking them.

The trio moved on, leaving the grateful man behind. Spark's mood seemed to lift slightly.

"Ah, I'm feeling a bit better now," he said, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Yuna returned his smile, though Zhao Shi looked less convinced.

"Young master," Zhao Shi called after a moment, his voice cautious. "Was it wise to give away a pouch full of gold?"

Spark turned to him, an eyebrow raised. "Why do you ask?"

Zhao Shi hesitated before speaking. "He could be lying. People sometimes pretend to be in need, just to take advantage of the kindness of others."

Spark turned to Yuna and asked. "Was that man lying?"

Yuna shook her head firmly. "He was telling the truth."

"If she says he was honest, then he must be. No need to fret over a few gold coins."

Zhao Shi nodded, though he still harbored some doubts. He had seen many con artists during his travels, people who exploited the sympathy of others to avoid honest work. The idea of giving away such a large sum without hesitation gnawed at him.

However, he respected Spark's judgment and Yuna's insight. If they believed the man's story, he would defer to their better judgment.

…

As the sun set and the city bathed in the warm glow of twilight, Zhao Shi roamed the bustling streets alone.

Spark had gone to the usual drinking spot, while Yuna followed behind, leaving Zhao Shi with the task of shopping for the evening's meal.

The lively atmosphere around him was a stark contrast to the solitude of his errand. As Spark's butler and cook, he had to finish preparing the dinner before the two returned.

Zhao Shi moved from one shop to another, filling his bags with fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and other supplies they had run out of. There was no shortage of funds, so he indulged in purchasing some rare and expensive items, excited about the culinary possibilities they presented.

Each vendor he visited offered something unique, and Zhao Shi took his time, carefully selecting the best produce and finest meats.

On his way back, Zhao Shi noticed a familiar figure—the shabby man they had encountered earlier in the day.

The man looked just as shabby and destitute as before, but now there was a sense of urgency in his movements. He hurried through the alleyways, frequently glancing over his shoulder as if afraid of being followed.

Intrigued and a little concerned, Zhao Shi decided to follow him. There was still some time before he needed to start preparing dinner, and something about the man's behavior seemed off.

He trailed the shabby man through the winding alleyways, deeper into the less savory parts of the city, where the buildings grew more dilapidated and the shadows more oppressive.

The man finally stopped in front of a rundown building on the edge of the slums.

Zhao Shi watched from a distance as the man knocked on the door. It opened slightly, and the man slipped inside, the door closing quickly behind him.

"Maybe this is where he lives," Zhao Shi thought.

He was about to turn back when a noise caught his attention—a burst of laughter, harsh and mocking. It wasn't the joyful sound of friends reuniting; it was sinister and taunting.

Zhao Shi's curiosity turned to concern.

He moved closer, crouching low as he approached the building. He found a hole in the crumbling wall and peered inside.

What he saw made his eyes widen in shock. The room was filled with people dressed in similarly shabby clothes, their faces marked by fear and despair.

They huddled together on the floor while a few robust men, clearly in charge, sat on chairs, their expressions twisted with cruel smiles.