On that day, the slaves were led in a straight line, their wrists shackled with thick metal chains. Bound together, one fall would mean torture by the harsh lashes of a whip. The guard, donned in silver armor, proudly brandished a silver sword, moving among the slaves. The atmosphere grew heavy and suffocating as the third-tier slaves were led in a line of carriages, lagging behind the first and second-tier slaves.
Amongst them, Zuigao, a slave, walked in the third position. Ahead of him were two young women. One, in her early twenties, dressed in worn-out slave attire that did little to conceal her slender waist and long hair. The guard, taking note of her beauty, whispered under his breath, "Gorgeous"
The other young woman in the first position was even more stunning, her smooth white skin and tender skin were an object of great desire. Her slender body was a sight to behold, and her seductive body attracted the guard's attention.
The guard, positioned near Zuigao, murmured quietly to himself, "Gorgeous, I wonder how much value her master will drain from her in their intimate moments." His gaze drifted toward the first woman in the first position, admiring her beauty but also filled with malice.
Zuigao threw a quick glance at the guard near him. But in return he got...
Suddenly, the same guard smashed his hand on Zuigao's head, yelling at him with a shout that echoed through the air. "Walk you tiny wrench!"
Deep within his own mind, Zuigao silently reflected, thinking, "If I had the power, I would tear him apart piece by piece." Despite his circumstances, his thoughts turned to finding a master who could be manipulated.
But no... not just a master, he hoped for a buyer who would be stupid enough for him to manipulate. He had to be smart about this matter. He knew that if he was intelligent enough, he could survive by playing smart.
Zuigau continued walking, his head lowered as the surroundings became slightly wider and cleaner than the previous narrow alley. He couldn't help but observe the guards' sly glances at the two slave women ahead of him, sensing a strange feeling in his head. Then he remembered that his own face held some degree of beauty. His smooth, fair skin and tender yet durable and pale body, despite not being in perfect condition, still possessed better qualities than the women.
The weariness and mental pressure had taken their toll, causing his long waist-length hair to become slightly grey, with some strands turning a soft white.
The dark circles beneath his eyes persisted, and his ominous dark eyes stared back with exhaustion. However, in contrast to the grey and white hair, his scalp still boasted a darker tone. The memory of his hair turning white still sent chills down his spine, a traumatic reminder of his past.
As they walked, Zuigau's attention turned to the guards. Despite the guards' attempts to appear cheerful and composed, their true natures were far from it. The way they glanced at the two slave women ahead of them revealed their underlying intentions. They looked at the women like a predator eyeing its prey, their gazes heavy with unspoken desire.
Soon, the ground level became lower, and the terrain changed into dirt ground.
It was much bigger than the alleyway, but still, it was only a so big area.
From the lower ground level, they saw a big and shallow tunnel that housed a big metal gate as its deepest parts.
Small torches were burning around it and providing superficial light to the eerie surroundings. Soon the guards went and moved some very complicated and complex patterns on the door in a disoriented manner. The door clanked internally, and one more silver guard came, and together, three men pushed the door with all their strength. The door slowly moved, ripping and leaving the ground above it from the inside.
It then finally opened.
Revealing a massive tunnel that stretched further than what one would see. The walls were made of red colored bricks. Small pillars in set intervals also were present for support that moved in a line.
The left and right sides housed cages, each with one torch inside.
Slowly the slaves from the last of the line were moved and placed in the first row of cages.
Slowly, the third-tier slaves moved into their new "homes". While the second tier also followed suit while the other also moved with them.
Soon it was only the first tier slaves that were left. Zuigao and a woman in her twenties and one younger than her twenties.
They moved in but the guards also expressed their desires and slightly but "accidentally" touched their bottoms.
The women just gasped a little until they went inside. Zuigao is the third one to follow. Only that the guard's expressions were now turned to ... Jealousy.
As Zuigau settled into the same cage as the two women, he couldn't help but sense the jealousy in the guards' expressions. Despite his sealed meridians, leaving him unable to cultivate, he knew there was nothing he could do at that moment. He glanced over at the two women who sought comfort in each other's arms. The woman who had been touched earlier remained quietly in their embrace.
The air was thick with tension, and the eerie surroundings added to the overall suffocating atmosphere. The guards exchanged glances with each other, their eyes lingering on the other two women, whispering to each other. These women were young and of high value, and the guard's jealous gazes upon Zuigau's smooth skin, his body more pleasing to the eye than the two women, became more obvious.
The women held each other tightly for what seemed like several minutes before slowly beginning to speak. A soft and delicate voice filled the air, the woman with pale skin spoke softly in a tender voice,"Are you alright?" She asked in a soft and delicate voice, gently touching her own arms, indicating she was talking about the woman who had experienced the unwanted touches from the guard.
The two women stopped talking when they noticed Zuigau throwing a glance their way, indicating he was listening to their conversation. He responded with a dull tone, acknowledging that the ice poison was wreaking havoc within him. He sighed and resignedly said, "What can I do? Cry about it"
The two women remained silent after hearing Zuigau's response. The air grew tense, and the eerie surroundings amplified the anxiety-filled atmosphere. The woman with pale skin spoke softly, her tone filled with concern, "Ice poison? Do you mean the Silver Heart-piercing Ice Poison?"
Zuigao thought in his head,"Ah... So that is what it's called" and soon asked the women,"What are it's implications?"
The pale-skinned woman, filled with concern, gently offered her response, "The Silver Heart-Piercing Ice Poison is a deadly poison that, if not treated, can lead to the freezing of the heart and ultimately lead to death. The poison's effects typically progress gradually, starting from the extremities, spreading to the limbs, and finally reaching the heart."
Zuigao thought in his mind,"I usually don't swear or curse but... Damn this is deep predicament".
He also remembered how he is also slightly addicted to Dream Dust. He has been trying to calm it down for the last few days. The addiction was lowering slightly.