The news that Blade had officially become a Potioneer quickly spread throughout the Treasure Hoarder camp.
His status had already risen considerably after joining the first team and operating alongside Blackwing. Many Treasure Hoarders would instinctively smile and greet him when they saw him. The three roommates he had beaten before didn't dare show their faces around him anymore, and if they did run into him, they were meek and submissive.
Now, with his new status as a Potioneer, his standing within the troupe climbed even higher. In other words, he was currently the most prominent rising member of the Treasure Hoarders.
However, Robert himself was acutely aware that he was still in a precarious position. The seemingly friendly attitudes of both Blackwing and Scar were entirely contingent on Robert having no intention of leaving the Treasure Hoarders. They were friendly because Robert provided them with value. If he showed any desire to leave, that friendliness would quickly turn to hostility.
But Robert could never stay with the Treasure Hoarders forever. To put it bluntly, even if he were to remain a Treasure Hoarder, he would have to start his own faction. If he was a corporate drone before crossing over and remained one afterward, then what was the point of crossing over? Furthermore, compared to skulking in the shadows like the Treasure Hoarders, Robert much preferred the idea of living an upright life in Liyue Harbor. To find a legitimate livelihood, and then... learn to live like an old-timer, spending his days drinking tea, listening to stories, and watching operas. That was the good life. After being a beast of burden for so long in his previous life, even if he didn't become a boss in this one, living a retired life wouldn't be so bad.
...
The seventh day after crossing over.
Seven was a mystical number, at least in Teyvat. The Seven Dragons, The Seven Archons, The Seven Nations, The Seven Elements, and even the Qiqi in your gacha pulls. They were all fundamental to Teyvat.
On this day, a change finally came to Robert's monotonous Treasure Hoarder life.
In the evening, as he followed Blackwing out from the ancient ruins, he heard unusual noises in the main cavern. Looking over, he saw more than a dozen wooden cages set up near the central bonfire. Each cage held a person.
'The Treasure Hoarders have kidnapped people?'
The thought flashed through Robert's mind. He looked at Blackwing. "Boss, when did we capture so many people?"
Blackwing glanced over indifferently. "Probably a merchant caravan taking a shortcut. This place is very remote; ordinary people wouldn't come here."
"A shortcut?" Robert was curious.
"Yeah. Yaoguang Shoal is right next to us. Some caravans ford the water here to bypass the Millelith camp in Guili Plains," Blackwing said with a cold sneer, seeming to look down on these detouring merchants. "These small caravans are all smugglers heading to Mingyun Village. After the village declined, people started smuggling salt there. It's close to Sal Terrae, and the salt produced there is quite good."
Robert's gaze towards the prisoners cooled somewhat. He had initially thought they were innocent kidnapping victims, but it turned out they were smugglers. However, he didn't entirely trust Blackwing's word either; who knew if it was true or not.
Blackwing looked at Robert. "What, curious? You can go take a look." Having said that, he headed off to the kitchen on his own, clearly not very interested in the captured smugglers.
Robert thought for a moment, then walked towards the bonfire area.
The guards were just ordinary Treasure Hoarders, and they recognized Robert, the recent rising star.
"Blade!"
"Here to hang out,Blade?"
"When are we gambling again,Blade?"
They all greeted him warmly. The enthusiastic greetings attracted the attention of the captured merchants. Anxious faces turned towards Robert. Seeing a tall, handsome young man, a flicker of hope appeared in the eyes of some of the merchants. Sometimes, seeing a good-looking person makes you subconsciously assume they are good. That's judging a book by its cover.
Robert nodded to the guards. "What's the story with these guys?"
"Third Boss brought them back," one guarding Treasure Hoarder answered. Blade was a prominent figure now; he wasn't going to offend him. He went on to explain the details of the capture. Apparently, Third Boss Blackhand had been out procuring supplies and, on his way back, happened to run into this group passing by the edge of their hidden camp. Maybe to prevent exposure, maybe just to make some easy money, he captured them and brought them back.
Robert nodded slightly, his eyes returning to the captives. There were twelve in total, all men. Smuggling was probably just easier with men. Most had calloused hands, indicating they were either trained fighters or did heavy labor. There was no fight left in their eyes; they were all docile, filled with despair yet clinging to a sliver of hope. It was clear Third Boss Blackhand had already 'disciplined' them after bringing them back.
"What will happen to these people?" Robert asked, feigning curiosity.
The guard, knowing Robert was a recent recruit, explained, "First, we see if we can squeeze some Mora out of them. If someone pays the ransom, we let them go."
Robert raised an eyebrow. "You really let them go?"
The guard chuckled. "Blade, we operate under the Blackwing Troupe's name. If we take the money and still kill the hostage, it breaks the rules. No one would pay ransoms in the future. But, if we run into someone 'troublesome,' then we have to kill them anyway." Robert understood; 'troublesome' probably meant those who memorized the terrain or their faces, those who sought revenge. Robert didn't know how the Hoarders identified such people, but he assumed they had methods.
"Then, for those without ransom, we look at their physical condition. The old, weak, sick, and disabled definitely aren't kept. They're... dealt with. Those in good shape become laborers." The guard continued, then looked at Robert with a hint of envy. "The last type ends up like you, Blade, joining the Treasure Hoarders."
Robert's rapid rise after joining was a source of envy for an ordinary guard.
"I see. There's quite a process to it," Robert said, acting enlightened, which satisfied the guard's desire to share knowledge. So what if you've risen fast? You still don't know as much as I do, the guard thought with a touch of smug satisfaction.
"Can I talk to them?" Robert asked the guard.
The guard hesitated, then nodded. "Sure. But don't be fooled by them. These guys aren't exactly good people either."
"Okay, thanks."
After thanking him, Robert walked up to one of the wooden cages and looked at the middle-aged man inside. He had observed earlier that the other captives frequently glanced towards this man. He seemed like the leader.
"What's your name?" Robert asked.
The middle-aged man looked at Robert obsequiously. "My surname is Li, sir. Our families will certainly send the ransom. Please, honored sir, be lenient."
As a former corporate drone, Robert could instantly tell the man's smile was fake, though the desire to please was real. He's afraid I'll hurt him or the others, Robert realized. Showing weakness and submission was their method of self-preservation in front of the Treasure Hoarders.
"You're smugglers?" Robert asked another question.
The man looked embarrassed. "Y... yes."
Robert: "Are the taxes in Liyue that high? You have to smuggle to make a living?"
The man: "Well... they used to be quite high, but since Lady Ningguang took charge, they're not so bad anymore."
"Is that so..." Robert mused. He didn't actually care about the fate of these smugglers. He just wanted to understand the commercial environment within Liyue Harbor. If these people were forced into smuggling just to survive, then his hopes for Liyue Harbor would need to be tempered. But it seemed these people smuggled out of greed, not desperation.
Robert proceeded to ask many more questions about commerce within Liyue Harbor. The conversation lasted about ten minutes. After learning what he wanted, Robert pointed at the middle-aged man and said to the guard, "Give this guy an extra steamed bun. Put it on my tab."
The guard played along. "Sure." He then rapped the man's cage with his club. "Aren't you going to thank Brother Blade?"
The man quickly expressed his gratitude. "Thank you! Thank you!"
Robert waved a hand and turned to leave.