Chapter 128 - #127 Spy or not? (1/2)

Akashi returned back to the kids and resumed his way towards his territory.

”Stop! Show us what's inside your carriage.” The guard at the entrance to the Phoenix family's area stopped Akashi's group with a stern expression.

It was sort of another checkpoint but it was Phoenix family's own regulation and not instituted by the Capital itself. Akashi only let people guard here who were already working for his family at least for a few years.

”How about you just let us pass?” Akashi asked with a slightly changed voice just in case while handing the guard sack of gold coins. He remembers the face of this guard but he wasn't sure if the guard itself can recognize him just by his voice alone. He was currently wearing a hood since he wanted to test a little his ”loyal” guards.

The guard looked at the sack filled with gold coins before looking around if anyone is watching before he leaned forward and whispered.

”*How about I report you to Phoenix family? I don't care which rich young master you are but this is Phoenix family's territory and you will abide by their rules if you want to enter. Now, show me what's inside that carriage or leave!*”

The guard threw the sack back at Akashi before giving him a glare.

”And will that report grant you hundreds of gold coins?” Akashi asked with a slightly angered tone.

'What the hell is he transporting?!! Hundred of gold coins...If I could just let this man pass, I can secure future for my family...NO...I mustn't, my family already lives in one of the best areas and my pay is also good. My family practically doesn't need money right now, plus I am slowly getting richer without facing any danger. Not to mention how much I owe Phoenix family for saving me and my family from famine.' The guard thought and at first, he was considering the offer, letting just one harmless man pass by to make a lot of money but his consciousness didn't let him think about it for too long.

”You don't have to care about that. Just decide quickly and don't block the traffic.” In the end, this was his answer. He wanted the person in front of him to disappear quickly before he would reconsider his offer.

Akashi smiled under his hood and flipped a particular golden coin with silver letters on it towards the guard and the guard instantly recognized it and looked at Akashi with a surprised expression. However, despite seeing the item only close members of secret Phoenix organization could own, it could also be stolen so he checked the silver name on the coin.

'Akashi? Wait, this coin is a bit different from mine, only the highest members can own this type of coin but there is slight difference even between them. The Phoenix engraved on it has 4 wings instead of 2, if I remember correctly from the superior, there is only one coin of this type...' The guard thought before he raised his head with a shocked expression and wide-open mouth.

”I-I” He was stuttering due to him remembering what he just said a few seconds ago to the leader of the entire organization.

”It's fine, will you make a little exception for me? I don't want bystanders to see what's inside.” Akashi said with a small smile and without a changed voice while extending his hand to get his coin back.

”*O-Of course, sir! I wish you a good rest of the day.*” The guard whispered and then flipped Akashi's coin back in the same way as him which also served as sort of ”password” that they are truly members of the said organization.

Akashi nodded and urged horses to start moving again when the guard stepped aside.

”Good job with passing the test, I will mention this to your superior, Ryuu” Akashi said while passing by him and secretly throwing a smaller sack of gold coins at him which stunned him but he quickly reacted and hid it.

*sigh* 'Fortunately, I didn't take that offer.' The guard thought while watching Akashi's carriage. The sweat was pouring down his back.

'Anyway, to think that I would get a chance to talk to the leader himself...I should have thanked him for everything but I didn't want to waste any more of his time. Wait! How does he know my name?!! I never showed him my coin!' The guard stared at the carriage with a shocked expression before his colleague woke him up.

”Hey Ryuu! Don't slack off, there are people who want to pass too!”

”Hm? Y-Yeah, sorry!” He replied and shook his head before returning to his job.

---

'It looks like everything is going well here. Guards aren't slacking off and neither they are accepting any bribes. But of course, I can't speak for everyone and I can't completely say that there are completely no criminals in my territory. Hm?' Akashi thought while driving the carriage towards his residence before he noticed a small disturbance.

In front of the pub, 2 men started shoving each other before it broke into a fight.

'Where are the guards? The only explanation I can come up with is that they were just here a few seconds ago but went to check other areas or they are simply slacking off. It would be great coincidence if that was the case but it's not impossible and I certainly hope so because I would feel like an idiot for just praising the guards for not slacking off. Anyway, this is my territory so if guards aren't in sight, I have to act like one...' Akashi stopped the carriage and told the kids to wait once again. They weren't exactly happy for another stop but Akashi ignored them and quickly made his way towards the pub.

”Stop fighting you two, I already called guards! If they see you, you will go to prison. You can still stop and just say that you both tripped!” One woman among the crowd around those men fighting said. Those men already had a few bruises but if guards didn't see anything, they could certainly just leave.

”Don't worry, although I am not in working hours, I will stop them before they will cause any more damage!” A young lady with amber eyes and with auburn hair tied in ponytail said with a righteous voice but before she could move in between those 2 men, someone dashed between them ahead of her.