With the vagabond subdued, Phil and Su Ling quickly left the alley filled with unease.
Sunlight stretched behind them, casting long shadows over the brief encounter — as if draping it in an unreal sense of calm. After walking some distance, Phil dusted off her skirt, which had become disheveled from the scuffle, and looked at Su Ling with concern.
“You okay? That guy didn’t hurt you, did he?”
Su Ling shook her head, forcing a faint smile. “No, I’m fine.”
But Phil didn’t look convinced. She frowned lightly. “I don’t like people pretending to be tough. We need to get out of here fast and find a safer spot before the sun sets.”
She looked up at the sky. The sun was already nearing noon, and they weren’t even halfway done with their errand.
Su Ling realized the same. As she walked quickly, her hand instinctively reached for the pouch at her waist — the one holding the crucial funds for their trip.
Her fingers brushed over the familiar material, and her heart suddenly skipped — the pouch, made of a luxurious fabric only nobles could afford, felt lighter than before.
“Wait,” Su Ling suddenly stopped. “I think… I dropped some coins back in that alley. I have to go back and get them.”
Phil’s expression tightened. She reached out to grab Su Ling. “Wait! Where are you going? Don’t!”
But Su Ling had already dashed off. She knew losing royal funds meant serious punishment — this wasn’t something she could ignore.
Returning to the dim alley, Su Ling was surprised to hear the voices of the vagabond and the soldier still talking nearby.
Why are they still here?
A sense of foreboding crawled over her. She instinctively turned to leave, but then remembered the lost coin — somewhere in the darkness. Maybe if she waited a bit longer, they’d go away.
The alley was darker now. A faint sliver of light barely reached inside, illuminating the vagabond’s bruised face and the guard’s stern features.
Their conversation was scattered and muffled. Su Ling held her breath, trying to make herself invisible.
Just then, a gust of wind stirred up dust and fallen leaves — and carried their voices more clearly to her.
“You idiot,” the guard snapped. “How could you be so sloppy? You actually attacked palace maids. Do you have any idea the kind of trouble that could bring?”
The vagabond grumbled, voice laced with frustration and reluctance. “How was I supposed to know she was a maid? Dressed like that? She looked worse than a commoner!”
“Hmph. That’s rich, coming from you,” the guard scoffed. “Did you even look at the coin pouch? That’s noble-quality cloth — embroidered with a family crest. You think just anyone can afford something like that?”
“Yeah, yeah, fine! I messed up this time!”
What?! Su Ling was stunned. So… they were working together all along?
Regret surged through her. Why did I come back for that one coin? She slowly began to back away.
But the two kept talking.
“Next time, pay more attention,” the guard said coldly, his eyes flashing with cunning. “Reading the room — that’s what sets our kind apart. We have a process. No slip-ups allowed.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” the vagabond muttered. “Same scam as always. I stage a robbery, you swoop in like a hero, then I claim they were trying to rob me. I’m getting tired of this act.”
“Well, you’d better get used to it,” the guard said darkly. “This little game of ours is our mutual lifeline. You cause chaos. I show up to ‘resolve’ it. Together, we keep up appearances.”
He paused, expression growing colder.
“And when it works, we split the spoils fifty-fifty. Fair and square. You get money to escape your lowlife status and live the good life you keep dreaming about. I use the influence and resources to solidify my place here in the capital.”
Just then, Su Ling felt a tug from behind. She whipped around — it was Phil, who had somehow appeared silently behind her and was now yanking her arm with force.
She nearly fell from the sudden pull, but Phil quickly steadied her and dragged her away in the opposite direction.
“What are you doing just standing there?!” Phil scolded as they ran. “The capital’s full of shady stuff — the less you see, the better! You idiot!”
“But the coin… the coins?” Su Ling stammered, panic rising in her voice.
“That was on purpose. I left it — as a bribe for that soldier!” Phil snapped, her tone a mix of urgency and exasperation. “You think he’d let us go that easily otherwise?”
“I… I see…”
Feeling the warmth of Phil’s hand gripping hers tightly, Su Ling was suddenly overwhelmed by a strange sense of comfort. She stopped resisting and followed Phil’s lead — running toward the crowded parts of the city.