He checked his purse and heard coins jingling within. Clutching them out, he counted. "Oh. I only have one.. two.. three.. four.. five."
The vendor was mesmerized by the sparkles of the yellow coins. "We can take that!" He grabbed it from his hand.
"Really? But it is only five?"
"No. It's okay. Just be sure to pay the right amount next time."
"Oh okay." He noticed some young men wearing nice clothes walking with their heads up and hands on their sword. The nearby crowd immediately gave way to them while complimenting how cool they walk.
He suddenly have an idea. He went into a dark corner and when he returned, he was wearing a much finer set of clothes. He raised his chin as far as he can while he walks as straight as he can. He placed his crossbow on his shoulder.
"Wow look! Who is that?"
The surrounding crowd immediately noticed him and were instantly amazed. Giving a way for him as they watch every move he does. It was not strange. Only this time have they seen an odd person. He has short spiky hair, very white jade-like skin, taller than most of them, and has pointy long nose. He was the definition of a famous top Hollywood actor.
The group of young masters were equally amazed. They stood forward and invited him for a drink in a brothel. He readily agreed.
The onlookers could only envy as the group of rich debauchees went inside the best brothel in the city.
An unvelievable sight greeted him when he entered the 'brothel'. Just at the entrance, male and female were busily sucking each other. The atmosphere is very bright and overflowing with perfume and wine. The group led him to the highest floor of the building.
"Brother... what's your name again?"
"Oh uhm... Lei Jian."
"Brother Lei Jian, the highest floor is where they offer the best service and as long as you have money, you can get as many beautiful women as you want. Now come on!"
Really? Now that's... exciting.
The highest floor! It was wide, spacious enough for all of them. Clean tables and sofas on the sides, with beading curtains as veils. Every corner is connected to rooms for easier access. He could immediately hear the groan of women behind those doors. He gulped.
The group led him to a table. They ordered as many available food and wine they can and also a dozen women to entertain them for tonight. He clicked his tongue when he saw the plate of roasted chicken displayed on the table but was astonished by the sight of young females dressed seductively.
"Cough cough!" Shit. What are these young females doing?
"Brother Jian, you should try their best-selling wines here!"
He gulped a mouthful. "Wow! This is nice! This is my first time drinking such nice liquid!"
"Hurhur. This is called Nine Bejeweled Tastes wine. It was said to be the offering only for rich men like us. Have you not have these in your hometown?"
"No. Not at all. These kinds of stuff is not allowed."
"Really? That's bad! Do you also had these?" He pointed at the group of females.
"Ah... no?"
"Hahahaha... then you must be a virgin. Ladies, did you hear that? This man is not yet baptized. So be sure to 'serve' him well, okay?"
The ladies readily agreed. They swarmed around him and did their flirtatious gestures.
No. This must not happen. I already have a goddess. There's no way I will exchange my heart for such kind of ladies.
But one lady directly embraced him. "Brother, I already can't wait. Let's head to the room. I will baptize you properly."
He was dragged to the room by the group of ladies and was tied to the bed.
"Sister, we'll let you take the first taste. Be sure to left him some energy. We want to taste him too."
"All right don't worry. Now move out because we are about to start our session."
The door closed and she locked it. "Hi, my name is Fate. What's yours?"
"Lei Jian."
"Brother Lei Jian... I haven't had meals for three days because I was locked by our mistress. So.. I'll give you the highest, most-deserving service you'd ever experience. Are you ready?"
"Ah wait. I'm not... Take off this ties first."
Fate climbed to him and starts undressing herself.
"Stop that!"
She went down to lick his face.
"I said stop that!!" He broke free of the ties and pushed her away.
Fate fell off the bed, rolling on the ground. She clutched her waist aching. "Ouch! Why did you do that?"
"Stop being such a dirty lady. Don't you know you are very much disgusting?! A lady should be modest, pure, and kind to herself. But you are degrading your own morality by doing such acts! Aren't you ashamed? If not for yourself, at least you should be ashamed of your parents! Every parents wants nothing but their child growing up decently. But you! You just!... I hate you!"
Fate was speechless for a long time. This was her first time being repriminded by a customer. She was used to being scolded by their mistress but his words struck her heart and she can't move for a long time. She suddenly remembered her parents. They are only farmers. Poor farmers. She said she wants to go the city in a notion that all people of the urban are rich. They let her even if they are pained, and gave her money. But when she came here, she suffered many injustice until she was forced to work here as hostess.
It was not a good choice for any women. But they have to do something for them to live. But what he said was true. She was a disgrace to her family. The truth set her free and she now understood what she is lacking. "I.. I'm sorry!.. I.. you're right! I'm a disgrace! I'm a dirty woman!", she cried out for the first time. She dropped to the ground and kneeled. "Please. Please help me. I want to change. I don't want to be a dirty woman anymore. Please help me! I beg you..."
Lei Jian softened. He saw her sincerity. "All right. All right. How can I help you?"
What she said next made his mouth twitch.
● ○ ●
"So where are we going, brother Jian?" Unexpectedly, her voice is music to the ears. It has a soothing melody, gentle, and kind. After dressing a proper attire, she looked a decent woman at glance.
"To a place. I'm not sure. You better behave. I don't like a noisy lil sister." He have taken her as a younger sister and escaped through the window. As a big brother, he must protect her and teach her proper manners. He stated a rule that she is not to touch any men from now on except her husband. She agreed.
He brought the finger to his nose and sniffed. Sniff sniff. He smelled frustration and anger, pain and suffering. The owner of the finger must be a poor boy.
"What are you sniffing, brother?"
"Finger..."
"Ugh... why are you sniffing a finger?"
"I must find its owner. For all I know, the owner of the finger must also be my owner who died after owning me. I need to find the residence of the owner of the finger and try to know more about my owner."
"...huh??"
They walked and walked, changing directions every now and often. But the city is vast and highways and roads interconnecting each other makes it more confusing. Guards would march every now and then and he need to hide for worry of being questioned. The duo took a darker path between the buildings and away from the roads. But after turning here and there, he could not find any resemblance of the scent of the finger.
"Brother, where are really going?", Fate asked as she catch her breath.
"I don't know. I'm finding where the scent of the finger are the same."
"Seriously? What is the scent?"
"It smelled burnt, dusty, and it seems it was prone to grease."
"Well, there was only one place I know full of grease. It is in the commoner's district."
"Yeah? Show me the way!"
When they are at the entrance of the commoners' district, they first noticed blazing fire consuming tens of houses. People were screaming and running everywhere while holding buckets of water to extinguish the flame. Soldiers helped move the patients and carry buckets but the situation is near chaos. The fire keeps spreading to every houses which they are made mostly of timber and scraps. The fire caught the mountain of garbage behind and they spread wildly. Buildings collapse, killing anyone left inside. The fire is nowhere subsided but another one breaks out of the other side of the alley.
Lei Jian did not mind the commotion. He keeps sniffing the air. Aside from the thick concentration of smoke, he smelt fuel, gasoline, spread out to every part of the district. It seems the fire is not accidental but is planned. He walked dozens of meters away until he reached a remote location. There was a house in there. And the smell of the finger completely matched with the scent of the house.
"There it is..."