The four people and the dog walked silently. The disciples had nothing to say while the young boy was wary of them. Feng Yongrui, however, did not like the silence and tried to strike a conversation with the child.
"So, what's your name, kid?" Feng Yongrui asked.
The child eyed Feng Yongrui with distrustful eyes, and Feng Yongrui's lips twitched. Fine, young people now days are so fierce...
"You shouldn't be like this, lil' bro," Ma Bo said cheerfully.
"Don't worry, our Master is very good and won't bite..." He added.
This time, the child gave Ma Bo a slight glance filled with disdain. His eyes seemed to say Ma Bo did not have any right to be talking to him like that. Ma Bo was slightly upset. This brat did not give Master any face, and now he (Ma Bo) was also being despised!
Hou Renshu frowned and gave the child a pat on the shoulder. "Even though Master's temper is good, you shouldn't be like this. Don't be rude. After all, we did save your life," Hou Renshu's expressionless face was particularly grave.
The child winced and finally acquiesced.
"...My name is Xiang Si." He was quiet for a few moments before adding, "I'm an orphan and a beggar."
Feng Yongrui nodded understandingly. It turns out to be like this... No wonder the child had a unique temperament and could remain calm when he was kidnapped by the robbers.
Feng Yongrui chatted with the boy again, but he could not get any more information from him. Xiang Si was like a wounded kitten, wary and evasive, not wanting to talk much and interact with people.
So after some time, Feng Yongrui finally became quiet and did not ask him anything anymore. When they arrived in Xiang Si's village, it was noon already. The sun's rays were glaring down at them and the heat was sweltering.
Xiang Si told them he didn't need them to escort him anymore and left immediately. Feng Yongrui could only sigh and shake his head. Feng Yongrui and his two disciples continued walking home.
"Master," Ma Bo spoke. "That kid was too much, really. His attitude was really... Aiyah, Master, this disciple thinks..." Ma Bo's words trailed off and he looked at his Master.
Feng Yongrui grinned. He knew what Ma Bo wanted to say.
"You think your Master is too softhearted and should be more fierce, right?" Feng Yongrui grinned.
Ma Bo gave a small pout in dissatisfaction. "Master, this disciple wouldn't dare..."
Feng Yongrui laughed and gave Ma Bo's forehead a flick. After spending several days with them, how could Feng Yongrui not understand Ma Bo's temperament?
"It's okay, Master is not upset. Master doesn't mind. It's normal for kids to be like that. Even though he was rude, he actually didn't go out of line, right? Furthermore, considering his background, I do think it's normal for him to be wary and suspicious of us. After all, there's no such thing as a free meal in this world."
The two disciples nodded in understanding. If it was another elder who was confronted with Xiang Si, that elder would probably be so angry his hair would turn white...
"Master, I didn't ask before, but... is Master carrying a dog?" Hou Renshu opened his mouth and asked.
"Oh, this little guy," Feng Yongrui smiled and looked at the puppy in his arms.
"I found him inside the cave and decided to bring him along. Isn't he cute?" Feng Yongrui asked.
"Cute!!! Of course he's cute! I love him ah~" The System's voice blared in his ears.
Feng Yongrui winced and grumbled in his heart. System, please, you're always so noisy!
"He is indeed cute, Master. Is Master going to take care of this puppy and bring it back to the sect?" Ma Bo asked.
"Hmm..." Feng Yongrui didn't have time to answer because the System began screaming again.
"SAY YES! Say yes! Don't be a mean Host and say you'll take care of him~" The System was screeching.
Feng Yongrui scoffed and suddenly had an urge to tease this cruel System.
"Hmm, but dogs are really troublesome, right?" Feng Yongrui said out loud.
"I don't think I have the time and money to raise this little guy..." Feng Yongrui deliberately stretched out the end of his sentence.
"Seems like I'll just have to let him go..." Feng Yongrui put on a sad face while secretly counting in his heart.
One... Two... Three...
"WAIT!" The System cried. Feng Yongrui smirked. Got you.
"I'll, I'll help you raise the puppy... I'll even give you discounts... So... please... don't abandon the puppy..." The System's voice grew smaller at the end.
Feng Yongrui smiled triumphantly.
"Master, so are you going to leave the puppy?" Hou Renshu asked.
"Oh, I've changed my mind. I'll bring him back and take care of him."
The two disciples were glad and nodded eagerly. The three of them continued their journey. However, as they were passing a certain town, the puppy suddenly grew restless and suddenly started barking at a certain direction.
Feng Yongrui was confused and did not quite understand what was going on. Now it must be said that Feng Yongrui actually never had a pet before. In his past life on Earth, due to various reasons, he never had a cat or a dog. It wasn't that Feng Yongrui didn't like animals, he just wasn't allowed to keep them around.
Therefore, Feng Yongrui did not understand animals' habits, and although he found them cute, he did not know what to do with them or how to take care of pets properly.
Feng Yongrui looked at the direction where the puppy was barking and froze. There was a large wooden plaque with elegant gold letters printed with the bold words: Intoxicating Fragrance House.
It took 5 seconds for Feng Yongrui to process what it was. A brothel!
"...Little puppy, don't tell me you want to go inside there? I think it's too early for you to be like this... You're still too young to learn about the birds and the bees... Just go home with me, okay?" Feng Yongrui tried to persuade the puppy.
In response, the puppy gave Feng Yongrui a glance, turned to face the brothel, and barked even louder. Hou Renshu and Ma Bo were also speechless, and did not know what to do.
Feng Yongrui frowned. Just now, when the puppy glanced at him, why did he feel like the puppy was despising him?! It must be his own imagination, right?
"We're not going there, little guy. Stop making a fuss, okay?" Feng Yongrui whispered to the puppy.
The puppy ignored him and barked even louder, attracting the attention of several passerby. Feng Yongrui was really upset. He is a good Master with good morals! How can he go inside a brothel, in broad daylight, and even bring his disciples along with him?!
If the Sect Master finds out about this, he would be done for, ah!
"System, you should help me..." Feng Yongrui began speaking.
"Dear Host, if the puppy wants to to go to a brothel, naturally, you have to oblige," The System said solemnly.
"I'm supposed to be a good Master who nurtures the protagonist. System, don't tell me a good Master will bring his disciples into a brothel?" He retorted.
"Host, a good Master will have a kind heart for small animals..." The System said.
Feng Yongrui rolled his eyes. System, just admit that you're a pet slave*.
"Also, a good Master will bring his disciples to a brothel to test their willpower..." The System added.
Feng Yongrui: "..."
Well, this kind of forced logic actually works too.
"Besides... Host, did you forget that you have a Daily Mission about brothels?"
That's right. Feng Yongrui opened his Daily Mission page and looked at it with interest.
1. Make and wear a flower crown on your head. You must be seen by at least 35 people. (Easy). TASK COMPLETED.
2. Bring your disciples to a brothel. (Medium)
3. Find and destroy the most precious herb in the Sect. (Hard)
The first task was done, the third task was impossible. As for the second task... On the same day when he got this task, this puppy also wanted to go to the brothel.
Was this a coincidence...?
"Fine..." Feng Yongrui sighed and acquiesced. It seems like going to this brothel was unavoidable. Just what was so special about it?
Feng Yongrui pet the dog a few times reassuringly.
"Alright, calm down, little guy. I'll bring you there. Wait a minute, okay?" He whispered.
Hearing his promise, the puppy calmed down and laid on his arms in satisfaction. Feng Yongrui dragged his bewildered disciples to a secluded alley not far from the brothel and coughed awkwardly. How should he put this...
"You two, I've decided that we'll be going inside the Intoxicating Fragrance House," Feng Yongrui finally said after hesitating for some time.
Ma Bo's face was shocked and incredulous, while Hou Renshu's face was calmer.
"Master... this... this... why?" Ma Bo managed to stutter out, his face tinged with a faint red blush.
"Ahem, Master has decided to go here for two reasons. First, I would like to test your willpower. Secondly, for some reason, Master feels like there is something wrong with that place. So Master wants to investigate it a bit..."
Of course, that was just an excuse that Feng Yongrui made up to convince his disciples.
Ma Bo and Hou Renshu nodded their head in realization. Turns out it was like this...
"Okay, Master, we'll listen to Master," The two disciples resolutely said.
***
Feng Yongrui: So, System, it turns out you are a pet slave~
System: *serious* I am not. I simply have a soft spot for animals.
Feng Yongrui: Oh? If a cockroach needs your help, will you help it?
System: *disgusted* Cockroaches are the bane of this world, alright?
Feng Yongrui: ...Well, that's quite true.
***
Notes:
*pet slave = a person who loves their pet so much that they are willing to do anything and everything for that pet. E.g., a dog lover, cat lover, etc.
***
What is your favorite animal, and why?
Comment below~