Bonus Chapter!
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When Luo Qing called out, the person hiding in the bushes remained silent, pretending not to be seen.
Seeing no response, Luo Qing summoned a bolt of lightning that struck the bushes, igniting them instantly.
"Wait... don't hit me! I'm coming out!"
A young boy scrambled out of the now-burning bushes, his voice shaky.
Dressed in rough burlap clothes with worn-out straw sandals and a wooden basket strapped to his back, he looked like a native of Yashiori Island.
"Why are you following me?" Luo Qing asked.
"S-Sir, I... I didn't mean to..."
The boy stammered, his eyes full of fear.
"I'll ask you again. Why were you following me?"
"I..."
The boy hesitated, seeing the impatience in Luo Qing's gaze. He quickly explained:
"I... I heard that the Fatui have something called a Delusion that can make people very strong... so I wanted to ask if I could... get one too..."
"A Delusion?"
Luo Qing frowned, scrutinizing the boy from head to toe.
The scrawny kid was practically skin and bones, barely more than a fragile twig. If he used a Delusion, it would probably drain him dry and leave nothing but a husk.
"What's your name?"
"Chou... Chouji," the boy stuttered.
"Why do you want a Delusion?"
"I... I want to join the Shogunate Army, but they said I was too weak and kicked me out. Then I heard that some people in the army have something called a Delusion that makes them really strong, so... so I thought..."
"A kid your age, joining the army? For what?" Luo Qing asked, his frown deepening. He vaguely recalled hearing about Chouji before, but the memory was hazy.
"The island's been at war, and it's always storming. A lot of people in my village got sick. My mom's bedridden, and the village doctor said her illness can't be treated here... We have to go somewhere else for help...
But Nazuchi Beach is under Shogunate control, so I thought if I joined them... maybe I could sneak my mom out..."
Chouji lowered his head, avoiding Luo Qing's gaze.
"So, you want a Delusion?"
Luo Qing folded his arms, a hint of amusement on his face. "Alright, sure. One million Mora each. Pay up, and it's yours. Got the cash?"
Chouji blinked in confusion. "Huh... one... one million Mora... But I heard it didn't cost anything?"
Luo Qing snorted. "You think power comes for free? No money, no strength."
"Ah...?"
Chouji's small head was filled with big doubts.
"I... I don't have any Mora..."
"Then you still want a Delusion?
Sorry, kid, but I don't do charity for the poor."
"I..."
[Frustration Value from Chouji +1]
"S-Sorry... for bothering you..."
Chouji looked up at Luo Qing, as if hoping for a second chance, but quickly lowered his head. He adjusted his basket and turned to leave.
"Hold on."
Chouji froze. Nervously, he looked back at Luo Qing, who had stopped him.
"Y-Yes, sir...?"
"Did I say you could leave?"
"I..."
"I have some questions. You'll answer whatever I ask."
"W-Will I get a reward for that...?" Chouji asked timidly.
"..."
"What do you think?" Luo Qing's voice turned cold as he crossed his arms.
He wasn't trying to bully Chouji on purpose, but he needed to give the boy the impression that the Fatui were dangerous and untrustworthy. The last thing he wanted was for this kid to show up at the Delusion Factory, demanding a Delusion.
In this case, the Fatui's terrible reputation was actually a useful tool.
"Oh..."
Chouji's face fell. He'd wasted a whole trip, only to run into such a nasty person. If he'd known, he would've stayed behind to dig for Crystal Marrow—it'd have been a better use of his time.
"What's your village's location? Is it nearby?" Luo Qing asked.
"Uh... just a bit east of here..."
"You mentioned that many people in your village are sick. What happened?"
"I... I don't know... There was an explosion over by Tatarasuna, and our village took in a lot of refugees from there... After a while, people started getting headaches and rashes... Many of them didn't make it..."
Listening to Chouji's explanation, Luo Qing thought for a moment before saying:
"Take me to your village."
"Ah..."
Chouji hesitated, wary of the dangerous-looking man standing before him. What if leading this man to the village turned out to be a terrible mistake...?
"What's wrong? Don't want to?"
"N-No, I'll take you right away, sir..."
Chouji shook his head quickly, already plotting how he might shake off this stranger once they got moving.
"Alright then. Lead the way."
"...Yes, sir..."
With his basket strapped to his back, Chouji began walking, leading Luo Qing eastward. Luo Qing followed, occasionally glancing at the looming serpent's head in the distance.
He couldn't explain why, but even though only the bones of the serpent remained, he felt as if something was watching him.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck a tree not far from them. Startled, Chouji darted into the underbrush, clearly trying to make a getaway.
He knew the local terrain like the back of his hand and was confident that he could lose Luo Qing in the narrow paths only children could navigate.
But before he got far, he felt himself being lifted off the ground. Looking back, he saw that the man's eyes had turned a predatory shade of gold, like those of a monster.
"Ah...! D-Don't eat me! Everyone in my village is sick... We taste terrible!"
"Who said I was going to eat you?"
Luo Qing set the boy back on the ground and said calmly, "Just keep leading the way, and don't think about running. You think your little legs can outrun me?"
"I'm... I'm sorry," Chouji mumbled, too afraid to meet Luo Qing's eyes.
As they neared the village of Higi, Chouji tried to slip away several more times. Yet no matter how far he got, Luo Qing always appeared in front of him in the blink of an eye, as if he could teleport.
Finally, Chouji had no choice but to lead Luo Qing into the village.
Higi Village was filled with refugees from Tatarasuna. Most of them looked despondent, their faces sallow and gaunt, many bearing various injuries.
Even the original villagers of Higi had vacant, lifeless eyes, giving the whole place a sense of desolation.
As they walked through the village, Luo Qing's ornate Snezhnayan attire drew stares from the weary villagers.
"S-Sir, we're here. C-Can I go now?" Chouji asked, his voice trembling.
"Your mother—she's home?" Luo Qing inquired.
"W-What...? Why do you want to know about that...?"
Chouji's face went pale with anxiety.
He'd heard rumors of strange men with... peculiar tastes who preyed on vulnerable women.
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T/N: I SWEAR MY CLIENTS INNOCENT YOUR HONOR!
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