We walked through the filthy market square to the inn where we were lodged, my hand still clutching that piece of grass rope. To be frank, I didn't like this arrangement at all, as it made me feel like I was leading an animal, rather than a living person. However, the girl was unwilling to get close to me and I was afraid of losing her, so I had no choice. The translator suggested I ought to whip her with the grass rope, and claimed that many slaves would only obey their masters after some discipline. It was clear from her demeanor that her previous master had not properly trained her.
I shook my head, rejecting this method. The translator might have meant well, but his words made me uncomfortable. However, I could understand where he was coming from, having grown up in such a world. According to Dr. An Liang, it was a case of one's environment influencing their thoughts and actions. They wouldn't see anything wrong with their actions, but would consider them completely normal.
