Destiny in Cinders

"Haha, that was just a technique of my household! I haven't joined a sect." An Jing had carefully curated his image as a skilled young talent that loved to bask in the admiration of others. When they asked him which tribe he came from, he brushed them off with the excuse that his elders asked him to keep a low profile, but didn't fail to leave them enough crumbs to imply that they were a powerful but secretive tribe. The identity of Jing Xuan had taken firm root with quite a lot of details to flesh it out.

However, something unexpected happened. Constable Wang came over before he left with his squad and prisoners. "Dustdawner kid..."

He seemed to want to say something else, but switched to something else. "Do you have any entry documents?"

An Jing was just as stunned as the people around him. The documents naturally referred to a proper entry pass. While Keensight was a trading hub between the Dustdawner tribes and Grand Chen, only merchants could legally enter the city. Those without proper documents could only browse the markets in the area outside the city. If they showed up inside the city proper without documents, it was trespassing.

"Umm..." Despite his familiarity with trade practices, he had never imagined that people would ask him for documents. Where would he get any?! In fact, where would anybody get any?! Nine out of ten Dustdawners in Keensight surely didn't have documents!

"Hey, Constable Wang, do you really need to nitpick like that?" said a noodle hawker who had been tipped generously by An Jing. He smiled bravely and said, "How would Dustdawners around here get documents? Not to mention, Young Master Xuan came alone. Even if he had documents, they would be with his elders."

"That's right," said a woman who sold textiles. "How would we make a living if you only let those with documents enter?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Normally, it wouldn't be an issue. We haven't enforced the documentation requirement for the last couple years," Constable Wang said as he silently observed An Jing. "But we can't leave this kid unattended to. Are you all not aware that with his martial prowess, he could slaughter everyone on this street within a few minutes? Martialists at the River Aura Stage probably aren't his match! Will all of you be his guarantors?"

The crowd exchanged glances with each other and no longer dared to speak. An Jing didn't find that surprising. It was one thing for them to offer him words of support, but they wouldn't bet their lives on An Jing's every action. Even if they did, they were just normal folk whose guarantees didn't mean much.

Not to mention, An Jing noticed in the corner of his eye a junior constable that hid behind Wang and the rest. Earlier, he had exchanged glances with the female slaver on the ground and whispered some words into Constable Wang's ear, which prompted him to come give An Jing trouble.

So, the slavers actually know the constables. Don't tell me they're associated with some institution of Grand Chen. Or have these outlaws infiltrated Grand Chen deeply? Either way, they want to give me trouble, huh?

An Jing fearlessly said, "I do not have entry documents. I wasn't even aware that they existed. When I entered the city through the checkpoint, nobody asked me for anything like this. If you insist on giving me trouble, then the guards at the checkpoint must also be at fault. Now, tell me how you would like to resolve this."

"Kid, you rendered merit by apprehending these criminals. However, you entered the city without documents or a guarantor, which is a clear infraction. I see that you seem to be a person of good character. But who can say whether you're here as a spy for the northern barbarians? Either way, come with me."

"I suppose I have no choice." An Jing sighed in resignation. He could tell that Constable Wang was genuinely worried about the security implications of letting An Jing roam about freely. At most, the constable wanted to keep a firm eye on a risk factor like him. However, the other constable that spoke to the slaver seemed to have aims beyond that. Depending on the situation, An Jing could resort to diplomacy, but when pushed, he would have no choice but to use violence.

I might have to resist arrest. My relationship with the merchants isn't so deep that they would bail me out of jail. It's a shame that I can't keep this identity, but no matter. I already got the spirit item I came for. I'll run to Skysource and return with a different identity. The city doesn't have a Clearing Realm adept anyway, so there's nobody to stop me.

But right as An Jing was considering how he would knock down the constables and interrogate the one that seemed to know the slavers, someone on the street stepped out and said, "I'll be this young man's guarantor."

An Jing turned back, surprised, while Constable Wang raised a brow. The voice came from the nearby tea house. Old Madam Huai's voice was soft, but clear. "I will be his guarantor."

Against expectations, Constable Wang seemed to hesitate for a moment and sigh. "So be it. This kid is lucky to have Sister Huai be his guarantor."

He patted An Jing on the shoulder without saying a word. An Jing felt a soft yet forceful energy emanate from the old constable's hand. It was a faint force that didn't unleash itself and instead morphed and transformed. Such was the shifting force that only Tide Aura Stage martialists had. It was both a warning to An Jing and a display of his strength.

An Jing didn't take it to heart. There was no way Constable Wang actually trusted him enough to leave him be. He only relented because the old lady called Huai who seemed to be surprisingly influential agreed to be his guarantor.

"Do not test me. If you wish to warn me, say it to my face." An Jing raised his hand and brushed the constable's hand off with contempt. "I can't stand all these shifty and indirect signals!"

"The short temper of youth indeed." Constable Wang wasn't bothered in the least. He pulled his hand back and turned to leave. "Watch yourself, alright?"

"I'd do it even without your reminder!" An Jing feigned cold anger even as he knew that the constable wasn't actually trying to threaten him. It was merely a warning, but for what?

As the commotion subsided, the crowd scattered. An Jing paused in thought for a moment before heading toward Huai Teahouse. "Thank you, madam. Regardless of how this transpired, I am now in your debt."