Chapter 115: Thousand yarn pearl

"How?"

"Eh! Well, people think that being poor is unfortunate but I don't think it's the case. Being poor teaches you to be humble and stingy. You live a life that has meaning to it and doesn't frivolously spend money on anything. In my life, I have seen many rich and upper-class people whose pockets are loaded with wealth and they still don't give them to the needy. However, I have seen beggars giving the only shilling they earned in a day to a hungry child so he doesn't sleep hungry. Your life is a waste if you don't help other humans when you are capable. I don't want everyone to just start doing charity as I understand how the world balances. We need beggars and poverty if we want wealth and rich peoples. The world is stable because of its balance. The rich will one day fall into ruins and the poor will become rich eventually. The cycle will go on and on till eternity. The only thing I want is that people maintain this balance in their life, After All, you need to collect positive Karma for your soul."

As Gui Song finished his rambling a pure smile graced his face.

It was at this time Severus understood why that old man told Gui Song about him. It was just as he said, fate is meeting new people. Severus understood one thing in his life after meeting Gui Song. A person should be optimistic even if he was thrown into nothingness. 

Severus understood it very clearly however for noworry to understand such a deep thought was rather impossible.

[...]

And as predicted, Noworry flew away after Gui Sog finished everything.

"Old man you are wise. I must say it"

"Oh! Everyone says that though I don't believe in it"

"..."

This old fart!

"Do you agree to my first condition?"

"Yess"

"Good so here is my second condition. I want you to give me that thousand yarn pearl in advance. I want to check it's credibility before I started helping you out"

Gui Song was angered now.

"You don't believe us?"

Severus read in between the lines. It was probably because of credibility that the old man was angered.

"No No, I don't mean to doubt your family treasure but the thing is that I am in a hurry actually. My pet bird who flew away just now is actually injured. It's severe and I am already running late to find his cure. I want him to consume this medicine as soon as he can so he can be relieved."

The old man's anger came down.

"Poor bird!"

Severus sweated under his clothes when Gui Song pitied Noworry. He just prayed that Noworry don't hear it or else he would go berserk.

Noworry was a very proud bird that didn't like being pitied.

"Shino, Enter"

The old man thundered.

A skinny brown teenager entered the room. He bowed his head to pay them respect and then stood up straight. The torn clothes didn't hinder the resolute aura of the teenager.

"Yes master"

"Go bring a thousand yarn pearl from my bedroom. You know where it is right?"

The small teenager gaped in shock. His little eyes bulged out and he stood there as if he was electrocuted.

"Yo….You. mean our ancestral treasure master?"

"What else am I asking Shino?" The old man gave him a side-eye.

The little teenager who was called as Shino quickly went away as if he had rollers on his feet.

Knock Knock!

Exactly after two minutes, someone knocked on the door.

"Enter"

Shino came inside with a red velvet box in his hands. He very carefully placed it on the table and took two steps back. Since the old man didn't give him.

Gui Song picked the box very carefully as if he was dealing with something precious. He carefully undressed the box as he lifted the lid of the red velvet box. Inside the box was placed a beautiful white pearl. It was of decent size just the same, as a woman would love in her necklace. Severus was amazed that no women in the Song family ever tried this pearl as a necklace. The pearl wasn't white but had a milky texture as if it was made up of milk. A pearl of milk.

The old man didn't touch the pearl and just pushed the box towards Severus. 

Severus saw it and was baffled. He was in shock with the trust he showed in him. It would be a lie if Severus said he wasn't touched but before he could just float away in emotions he wanted to test it. He carefully closed the lid of the box and stared back at the old man.

"Deal!"

The old man was overjoyed as he heard Severus whereas the teenage boy, Shino was shocked. It was hard for him to believe what he was witnessing.

After closing the lid Severus didn't touch the box again as to show courtesy to the treasure. "So Gui Song told me exactly what you want from me?"

The old man looked straight into his eyes as he said "I want the lordship back. Under Shui Song's leadership, the island turned for the worse. Although no country was good and each had its own dark side but in Hui Island, everything was in the open except the criminals. People killed here like they were killing mosquitoes. Women were raped and killed every alternative day, children were kidnapped for child slavery and every heinous crime you could think of was committed here. I don't want to badmouth but it's the truth."

"If my brother had been a good leader then I would have never cared for lordship but now I need to fight. I need to fight for the people who faced injustice. I can't let the havoc dance in my Island, you see! It's sad but I think it's time for Shui to pay for his deeds"

The old man whispered the last few words. It was obvious to see that he still loved his brother but in the face of justice, he was the man who would fight for justice. Even if he had to fight with his brother whom he was blood-related, he will. The atmosphere turned heavy and the old man was affected by it.

"Here my old bones are giving me trouble. Sino will assist you in this matter. I hope we could have peaceful collaborations"

After saying this the old man left the room swiftly. Even a fool could tell that he was saddened since his brother was brought up in conversation. Maybe because he was soft-hearted, he never launched an attack with his full strength. 

An awkward-looking Shino stood there. Severus too felt uncomfortable around Shino and it was the same for Shino. Since Shino was a kid Severus took it upon himself to initiate a conversation while making things light. "Hello, Shino. I guess you more or less know about me"

Shino took the seat opposite to Severus. His suspicion was obvious to Severus. "To tell you the truth I didn't believe that scholar's words, not even a bit. I don't care who you are or what motivates you have but I dare you. Do not even dream to harm my master. Although he appears old, no one wins in martial arts with him. You will die if you try"

Severus narrowed his eyes." Are you threatening me kiddo?"

Shino was offended by being called a kiddo. He just smeared. "Just giving you a friendly warning"

I see

It doesn't feel so.

Severus snickered inside his heart.

After a round of sarcasm, both Severus and Shino collaborated. Severus was internally relieved when he saw that the kid had good professionalism. He was intelligent as well as witty. He was a good choice as a successor but there was an issue with him. Shino was a childish boy but it made sense since he was just a teenager. Shino told everything to Severus in great detail and in less than an hour Severus got to know a lot about Hui Island. He was amazed by the knowledge Shino possessed about the Hui Island. He was sure that not even the current lord would know all these things that Shino was aware of.

"My goodness. You are amazing Kiddo"

"It's Shino"

Severus scratched his head in annoyance as he corrected himself.

"You are great Shino"

Shino was satisfied with the praise. Severus asked for a paper and Shino brought it. With some swift strokes, Severus wrote his address in it. 

"I have people from the main palace who are following me so it would be great if we keep with all under tight wraps"

"Sure. Don't worry we'll follow the beggar traditions to contact you"

"....."

"What's that?"

A silly smile appeared on Shino's face. "You will see"

Shino was behaving secretively so Severus too went along and kept mum. Shino walked him out and at the entrance of the lane, they bid farewell to each other.