Chapter 144 - Im Back (1) (1/2)
”Phew!”
A sigh sounded shortly after a woven basket was put down. An elderly man massaged his lower back as he looked up at the sky. Every few seconds he would puff a bit of air softly.
”Sigh, rest was saved for the dead, huh? Ha, then I guess I ain't that far from a good rest, then!” The old man cackled.
”Hah. This time's festival was too much for me. If I knew these brats would drag it out for another 2 days, this ancestor would have rested my old bones at home!
”Making rice dumplings for 3 days in a row...” He pounded his shoulder. ”Maybe if I was younger, but this daddy here is already 89! Have a conscience, youth-rich bastards!”
Although he cursed and berated, a wide smile sat on the old man's face. His occasional chuckle also contradicted his words.
He turned and left through the bright alley exit, bringing himself onto a messy stone-paved street.
”All that's left of my dumplings are those bamboo leaves in that crate, heh heh, at least they know what's good when they see it!” Waddling, He burst out in narcissistic laughter.
”Ah, but, hehe... I wouldn't be a master if I didn't save some for myself!” He rubbed his chin with a sly grin. ”When I get back, how will those little shits welcome me, hmm? 'Grandpa, grandpa, welcome back!', wishful thinking! Who raised them to be this way!? Ahah, well, grandchildren are grandchildren. I'll spoil them all the same!”
After walking a short distance, the old man entered a small wooden stall. It wasn't very big, as only 3 people at most would be able to fit in together. Its back was up against one of the many compact stone buildings, in an inconspicuous position, so as to not impede the building's owner's moves. The old man bent over, causing the counter to hide him as he fiddled with something. Like a lot of the other empty stalls lining the street, the old man's was partly painted in red. Vaguely depicted, a red coiling dragon sat stationary on the overhead front trim board.
”Somebody there?” A voice sounded.
”Ah? Give me a second!” The old man loudly packed away stuff. He thought, 'They're young'uns who move about this early? And after that monstrous festival??'
”Ahh!” His line of sight barely went over the counter when he screamed.
”Dra-Huff-ah...” Sweating like a pig, the old man gripped his chest and pointed. ”Dragon mask!”
The person standing before him wore a carved and painted dragon mask on their face. Parts of its thick brown mane spilled over their shoulders while the rest slid down their back.
”So that's what this was? I thought it was a demon.” The person said. ”Or at least some kind of weird monkey!”
”Mon-Have your parents never taught you not to disrespect the sacred dragon?!” The old man slapped his counter.
”That would require having parents. But how is it my fault that this thing is ugly? Can you blame someone for mistaking it for a monkey? Maybe the craftsman should try harder next time.” The person shrugged. ”And... siii! What is this... fur made of?! It's itching my skin!”
”... Its look is right.” The old man said through gritted teeth. ”But enough about that for now. Are you trying to send me to an early grave?! Showing up wearing something like that, you're trying to kill this old man, aren't you! Huh?!”
”How could that be possible. I just found this mask and put it on out of curiosity, aren't you thinking too highly of yourself? And, 'enough about that for now'? What happened to your respect for the sacred dragon?” The person asked. ”Furthermore, for all you know, I'm older than you.”
”Heh heh, anyone older than this immortal here is either an ancient cultivator or dead!” The old man sneered. 'Ahh, this kid sure knows how to ride my nerves!!'
”And don't pretend to care about dragons now!”
”Hmm. What's there to be proud of? That just means you'll kick the bucket soon, doesn't it?” The person tapped the counter casually. ”Don't you have any chairs around here?”
”What kick the bucket! I still have another hundred years in me!” Rolling up his sleeve, all wrinkles vanished as the old man's arm bulged. He then frowned exaggeratedly, saying, ”I ain't got no chairs for you, so run along now!”
”A shame.” The person sighed.
”... Young master... How long are you going to wear that? Are you going to continue scaring people? Yesterday, until the sun went down, you...” Aria's doubtful voice sounded.
”What scaring! How is it my fault that people scare so easily? And by their own creations?! They made this thing. If it's anyone's fault, it's theirs, isn't it!?” Levi spread his arms while explaining.
”So you were walking around with that thing on purpose, you lying brat!!!” The old man trembled.
”Young master? Hah, it's sad how believable that is. These nobles are quite 'unique', after all.” He sighed while scrutinizing the two.
”Old man, you said that out loud. What if some young master heard you?” Levi asked.
”Urk!” A bead of sweat slid down the old man's face as he covered his mouth. 'A young master DID hear me, didn't he?!'
”Well, whatever. What are you selling?” Levi craned his neck to look over the counter.
”W-Well, I've been selling some rice dumplings, but now I'm sold out-” He didn't allow the old man to finish properly.
”Didn't your parents teach you not to lie? I sense at least 2 dumplings in this stall.”
”Goddamit! here! Can't a man feed his grandchildren?! What kind of senses are those?!” Two rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves hit the counter with a smacking sound.
”Sheesh. What kind of salesman hoards his own goods?” Levi sneered.
”You... Thank you for your patronage...” The old man ground his teeth.
”Well, I'm not heartless. You can keep that one.” As he said this, Levi motioned to Aria. She took out a pouch and paid.
”Young Master, the only thing left in my money pouch is air...” She said.
'So can we go get Nerezza now?' She sighed.
”Hmm. Just take out some when you get back. Here.” Levi handed her the partly opened dumpling.
”You don't want it?”