In the distance, the soft echo of laughter and lively music floated through the warm evening air, drifting from the grand halls of the Chanchu residence. The vibrant sounds mingled with the scent of incense and roasted meats, carried on by a light breeze from the festivities below. Lord Chanchu, seated on a raised platform beneath the shade of a sprawling silk canopy, appeared content and at ease. His large, imposing frame dominated the cushioned chair, with one leg crossed lazily while the other rested, bent at the knee, as if poised for sudden movement despite his relaxed demeanor. His thick, burly beard flowed down his chest, which rose and fell with his steady breathing, while his overgrown belly protruded slightly over his rich silk robes, almost grazing the edge of the low table in front of him.
With a practiced, leisurely motion, Lord Chanchu stroked his beard, his fingers tracing the coarse strands as he watched the scene unfold around him through half-lidded eyes. The flicker of torchlight illuminated the face of a delicate beauty kneeling beside him, his slender hands steady as he poured another cup of prestine wine. The liquid shimmered in the golden goblet as he leaned in gracefully, the soft fabric of his robe rustling quietly against the ground. The fragrant aroma of the wine filled the space between them, mingling with the distant revelry as Lord Chanchu took the cup, his thick fingers curling around the stem as he brought it to his lips with a satisfied grunt.
"My, what a fine purchase I have made tonight," Lord Chanchu purred, his eyes gleaming with a mix of hunger and satisfaction as he raked over the figure of the young man before him. His gaze lingered on the smooth, delicate features of Xue Tuzi, whose beauty seemed almost ethereal in the dim, flickering light of the chamber. Lord Chanchu's fingers wandered up to his own head, brushing over the harsh reality of his severely receding hairline. The crown of his scalp was almost entirely bare, save for a few straggling strands that clung stubbornly to the edges, casting faint shadows on the oily skin. He let out a small, contented hum as his hand reached for Xue Tuzi's, grasping him harshly. His rough fingers brushed against Xue Tuzi, hand as though reveling in the softness of the boy's skin.
"Not only is he a beauty," Lord Chanchu continued with a leering smile, his yellowed teeth peaked in the dim light. Stained with years of excess, they were a sickly, murky hue, with blackened spots clinging to the crevices of his molars, festering in the darkness. He leaned in closer, the stench of sour wine and rotting teeth wafting on his breath as he chuckled, "But he's obedient as well."
Xue Tuzi, though outwardly calm, was consumed by a wave of disgust so intense it threatened to choke him. His large, doe-like eyes, wide and bright, flicked away from Lord Chanchu's grotesque grin, focusing instead on the room. Internally, his mind worked quickly, calculating every detail, every escape route. Three guards by the door. Ten outside on patrol. Five positioned on the roof. And two always flanking Lord Chanchu. He mentally recited the numbers like a mantra, his heart pounding against his ribs as he tried to quell the bile rising in his throat.
With a steady hand, Xue Tuzi poured another cup of wine, the glittering liquid swirling as it filled the goblet. Lord Chanchu's arm, thick and possessive, snaked around Xue Tuzi's slender waist, pulling him closer until Xue Tuzi could feel the dampness of the man's sweat-soaked robe pressing against his side. The proximity made his skin crawl, but he masked it well, his face unreadable as he allowed himself to be drawn into the bloated chest of the man who had bought him. Inside, though, the young man's thoughts raced, each beat of his heart a countdown toward something sinister.
"I am thankful to my Lord for saving me," Xue Tuzi murmured, his voice laced with a seductive softness as he leaned closer, his breath brushing against the heavy air between them. His slender fingers danced across the deep creases of Lord Chanchu's weathered face, tracing the lines etched by years of indulgence and excess. The touch was light, almost teasing, as though the young man were a lover offering affection, but there was an undercurrent of tension in the way his fingers lingered on the rough, sagging skin.
Lord Chanchu, consumed by the false flattery, let out a low, guttural chuckle that rumbled from his throat. His eyes gleamed with a grotesque mixture of desire and satisfaction, his wide, greasy lips curling into a grin that only amplified the repulsiveness of his features. Without warning, he pulled out his tongue-a thick, wet muscle that sparkled in the dim light-and began licking Xue Tuzi's hand with vigorous, greedy strokes. His saliva was warm and slimy, coating Xue Tuzi's skin in a nauseating layer of wetness as his tongue traced up and down, lapping at the young man's fingers like an eager dog.
Xue Tuzi's smile remained in place, but behind the mask of seductive charm, his eyes darkened with barely contained loathing. Every fiber of his being recoiled at the touch, the feel of the man's coarse tongue dragging across his hand, but he stayed perfectly still, allowing Lord Chanchu his moment of revolting pleasure. Inwardly, though, Xue Tuzi's thoughts swirled with violent images-visions of dismembering this vile creature, tearing him apart piece by piece with a slow, methodical precision. He imagined how easily Lord Chanchu's bloated body could be reduced to nothing but a heap of flesh, how satisfying it would be to watch the life drain from his beady, lecherous eyes.
The young man's fingers twitched slightly as Lord Chanchu's continued his revolting act, but Xue Tuzi maintained his composure. His gaze flickered down to the tongue slathering his hand and then back up to Lord Chanchu's face.
"I require your sweet nectar." Lord Chanchu eagerly rasped, sniffing Xue Tuzi's neck line, like a dog salivating over a meaty bone. Lord Chanchu's made his way down to the latter's collar bone, Xue Tuzi's loose chestnut hair cascaded down as he whispered into Lord Chanchu's ear, "My Lord in honor of tonight may I offer you another cup." Lord Chanchu was already well beyond his limits, his inebriated state evident in the way his bloodshot eyes struggled to focus, flickering like dimming lanterns. His brow furrowed into a frown as he clumsily grasped Xue Tuzi's face, his thick, rough fingers resembling coarse sausages as they framed the delicate features of the young man. The texture of his skin was almost unsettling, calloused and unyielding, contrasting sharply with the softness of Xue Tuzi's cheeks.
As Lord Chanchu held him, Xue Tuzi could feel the heat radiating from the man's palm, the stench of stale wine and sweat mixing with the musty air around them. Lord Chanchu's grip tightened slightly, and the young man's skin crawled under the oppressive weight of his touch. Xue Tuzi fought the urge to recoil, his heart pounding with a blend of anger and disgust as Lord Chanchu desperately began kissing the corner of Xue Tuzi's lips, suckling on that little mole that clung on the corner, until it was a flush pink.
"No more drink…tonight we make merry." Lord Chanchu slurred, his words tumbling out in a barely coherent heap, punctuated by an uncontrollable hiccup that sent his ample belly jiggling. He swayed unsteadily on his feet, his body a mass of imbalance as he struggled to find his footing. The air around him was thick with the scent of alcohol, a pungent reminder of the excessive indulgence that had led him to this point.
With a lumbering effort, he turned and wobbled toward the bed, his heavy limbs moving in awkward motions. The bed was grandeur, fit for a king, exuding an air of opulence and elegance. The large, oval-shaped frame was intricately carved from dark wood, showcasing swirling patterns that glinted with gold accents in the dim light. The bed's generous size allowed for plenty of room, almost like a small throne for its royal occupant, inviting him to sink into its plush embrace.
Draped over the mattress were smooth, white silk sheets that shimmered like moonlight, their luxurious texture whispering against the skin. The fabric flowed elegantly, pooling softly at the edges of the bed. Above, the bed was adorned with flowing drapes of sheer fabric that hung like a delicate canopy, framing the space with an enchanting air. The curtains billowed gently, swaying slightly as if caught in a gentle breeze, casting soft shadows that danced on the walls.
Golden tassels hung from the corners of the canopy, adding a touch of extravagance that accentuated the lavishness of the whole arrangement. It was a space designed for indulgence, where the weight of the world could be forgotten, and where the excesses of life could be embraced fully. Xue Tuzi looked down on the cup and chugged the wine, clasping his arms around Lord Chanchu's neck, before giving him a deep kiss. Lord Chanchu eagerly drank the warm wine coming from Xue Tuzi's lips before enthusiastically pushing him down on the bed. Xue Tuzi sat up rubbing his hands on Lord Chanchu's bare chest, his skin was coarse, with a thick layer of hair covering his big hard belly. All the hair Lord Chanchu lacked on his head could be found on his chest. Xue Tuzi held back the pile of vomit he wished to expel from his mouth.
"You're quite eager..." Lord Chanchu patted Xue Tuzi's head as he pulled down his pants "…behold," he displayed a short stubby and bumpy shaft, decorated with jewels. Xue Tuzi's eyes widen, followed by a sense of disgust, at the foul smell being emitted from Lord Chanchu's grotesque member. "Now come here and suckle on your lord." He smiled directing Xue Tuzi to come near him, Xue Tuzi could only gulp, bitting down on his lip before softly placing his hand on the shaft. He stroke it gently feeling all the embedded jewels, the scarring tissue as well as the flicks of dry skin. Xue Tuzi whispered into Lord Chanchu's ear, who could barely hold his excitement, "My Lord this is quite a formidable rod. Truly fit for a stallion man as yourself. I beg my Lord. As it is this lowly one's first time. I beg him to be gentle…" he nibbled into Lord Chanchu's ear, delicately pulling at the tiny hairs that clung together, the stumpy shaft pulsated in his hand vigorously. "I also beg him for privacy." Xue Tuzi's eyes lit with an immense fire, without hesitation Lord Chanchu sent all the guards away as Xue Tuzi laid in bed his chest being devoured by Lord Chanchu's thick wet slimy kisses. At the corner of his eye he saw a large vase and proceeded to smash it on top of Lord Chanchu's head leaving him unconscious.
"Disgusting pig!" Xue Tuzi spat, his voice laced with contempt as he kicked the unconscious Lord Chanchu several times, his bare, delicate foot pressing into the man's disfigured face. Each kick was a release of pent-up rage, a physical manifestation of the humiliation he felt at Lord Chanchu's hands. With a swift motion, he tightened his robe around him, the fabric rustling softly in the night air, and slipped on a pair of shoes that felt foreign against his skin.
As he stepped into the night, he took off in a sprint, his robes fluttering like dark wings behind him, the chill wind slicing through the silence as he covered several li. The stars twinkled mockingly above, but he didn't stop until he reached a river, where the steady stream of water whispered promises of purification.
Cupping his hands, he scooped up a generous amount of cool, refreshing water and splashed it onto his face, the cold liquid washing away the lingering stench of Lord Chanchu's sticky saliva. The water cascaded over him, soaking into the fabric of his robe and mingling with the night.
As he pulled down the sleeves of his robe, he revealed his smooth, pale skin, a canvas marred by the grotesque aftermath of his encounter with Lord Chanchu. Blotches of pink, red, and purple hues dotted his pristine complexion, remnants of the man's violent touch that now felt like a curse. Gritting his teeth, Xue Tuzi plunged his hands into the water once more, determined to scrub away the foulness left behind, on his skin.
He looked up at the full moon, its pale glow casting soft light over the rooftops, and let out a deep, weary sigh. "I guess she was right," Xue Tuzi muttered under his breath, the weight of the fortune teller's warning pressing on him like an unseen hand. It had been five days since the strange encounter, but the memory clung to him.
He had been wandering aimlessly that evening, lost in thought, when he stumbled upon a small stand tucked away in a dark, narrow alley, barely illuminated by a flickering lantern. The fortune teller sat hunched over, her figure draped in layers of tattered cloth, her long frown deepening the folds of her powdered face. The thick white makeup cracked at every wrinkle, giving her the appearance of a painted statue worn by time. Her jet-black brows were drawn on harshly, and her once-red lips were now dry, crusted, and fading.
Something about her eerie stillness in the dim light piqued his curiosity, and against his better judgment, Xue Tuzi approached. "Could Jie Jie please tell this one's fortune?" he asked, his voice respectful but tinged with unease. The woman slowly lifted her head, her dark eyes gleaming with an inscrutable glint. She eyed him up and down, her gaze cold and calculating, before wordlessly extending her hand, palm open and fingers twitching impatiently.
Xue Tuzi hesitated, frowning as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a single silver coin—the last of his money. He pouted, knowing how much he needed it but feeling compelled to offer it anyway. Before he could hand it over, the old woman's hand shot out with surprising speed, snatching the coin from his grasp. She coughed—a harsh, rattling sound that echoed through the alley—then leaned in close, her breath foul and heavy. Her voice, hoarse and scratchy, rasped out a single cryptic warning: "Beware of vases."
She erupted into another fit of coughs as Xue Tuzi stood there, bewildered. "Beware of vases?" Xue Tuzi muttered, puzzled, as he stared down at the ground, turning the words over in his mind. But when he glanced up, the woman was gone. Not a trace of her remained—the stand, the dim lantern, even her coughing seemed to have dissolved into the night. He blinked in surprise, but shrugged it off, attributing it to another oddity of the city's streets.
He continued strolling aimlessly, his hands tucked into his sleeves, thoughts still drifting between the woman's words and his growing hunger. Distracted, he barely noticed the narrow alley giving way to a busier street. Suddenly, without warning, he collided into something—or rather, someone. There was a loud crash, followed by the unmistakable sound of ceramic shattering into a thousand tiny pieces.
Xue Tuzi froze, his eyes widening as he stared at the mess at his feet. An elderly man knelt before the broken remains of what had once been an elegant, exquisite vase, its intricate design now fragmented and scattered across the cobblestones.
"Oh no," the man sighed, his voice heavy with dismay as he gingerly picked up the pieces, his fingers trembling.
"My apologies," Xue Tuzi stammered, immediately bending down to help, though the damage was already done.
"This is terrible," the man muttered, his brows furrowed in frustration. "The emperor custom ordered this vase. I sure hope you can pay for it..." His voice trailed off as he looked up at Xue Tuzi, who was already frowning in guilt. The weight of the situation settled heavily on his chest.
"I said, I hope you have enough money to pay for this vase!" the man snapped, his irritation now evident. His eyes gleamed with a calculating edge as he straightened up, staring Xue Tuzi down.
"Vase…" Xue Tuzi murmured, the fortune teller's words echoing in his head as he nervously asked, "How much is it?"
"A thousand taels," the man replied coolly, folding his arms across his chest.
"A thousand taels?!" Xue Tuzi exclaimed, his face draining of color. His mind spun as he realized he didn't even have a single coin left, let alone a thousand.
The man took a step closer, his tone growing more menacing. "Listen, Gongzi, you shouldn't go around breaking things if you can't afford to pay for them," he said, his voice low, but threatening. He advanced, his eyes narrowing as if sizing Xue Tuzi up for what was to come.
Before Xue Tuzi could stammer out another apology, a hand clamped down on his shoulder. He turned to see another man standing beside him, a figure cloaked in shadows, but with a confident, almost predatory air.
"How much do you need? A thousand taels?" the newcomer asked, his voice smooth and unhurried. "Then you're in luck. I have a job that's perfect for you." He grinned, his smile sharp and dangerous as his companion let out a low, sinister snicker.
They rushed at Xue Tuzi, fists swinging, intent on overpowering him by sheer numbers. But they were not prepared for the storm they had provoked. With fluid, practiced movements, Xue Tuzi met their assault with the precision of a martial artist. His fists flew like lightning, striking with lethal accuracy. One man was down with a single blow to the chest, another sent sprawling with a well-placed kick. He moved like water, unpredictable and powerful, and soon, three more attackers were laid out on the ground, groaning in pain.
Five men down, all whom had tried to restrain him were now scattered like fallen leaves. Just as he prepared to turn and make his escape, a sharp sting hit his neck. His hand instinctively flew up to where the pain bloomed, only to find a small dart embedded in his skin. The world around him began to blur as he looked up, spotting a figure clad in black perched high above, a bamboo shoot still in hand. The figure's eyes glinted with cold satisfaction as Xue Tuzi's vision dimmed. His body felt heavy, his limbs unresponsive, and within seconds, everything went black.
"That's right..." he left out a single deep breath as he continued to wash away the dirt and grime, from his bruised skin left behind by Lord Chanchu's foul mouth, "beware of vases," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of water running through his hands.
He glanced up, his eyes catching a strange movement above him. A spider dangled from a silken thread, swaying lightly in the breeze. But this was no ordinary spider. Xue Tuzi's breath caught in his throat as he took in the creature's grotesque form. It was large, its plump abdomen gleaming with a sickly sheen, but what unsettled him most was the head. It had the face of a woman, her expression twisted in eternal agony, eyes wide and unblinking. Long, disheveled hair cascaded from her head, and from her mouth protruded two sharp fangs, glistening with venom.
Xue Tuzi's pulse quickened, panic clawing at his chest as he stared in horror at the creature. A scream tore from his throat, high and sharp, echoing through the stillness of the river. Without thinking, he swatted at the spider, knocking it away from his face with a frantic slap. The creature tumbled to the ground, writhing as it hit the water. Xue Tuzi didn't wait to see what happened next. He bolted, his feet pounding against the ground as he ran.
A young, strikingly handsome man crouched by the riverbank, his lean frame silhouetted against the moonlit water. He placed his weathered drinking gourd into the cool stream, watching the liquid swirl within it. As he lifted it to his lips, the water trickled down the sides, beads glistening in the faint light as they traced the sharp line of his jaw. He drank deeply, the crisp coolness quenching his thirst, and a few stray drops lingered at the corner of his mouth.
Wiping his lips with the back of his hand, he grinned—a wide, mischievous grin that revealed sharp canine teeth. They caught the moonlight, glinting dangerously, adding a predatory edge to his otherwise boyish charm. His one red eye sparkled with anticipation, and with a low chuckle, he muttered to himself, "That's my cue."
With effortless grace, he rose to his feet, casting one last glance at his reflection in the water before turning toward the direction of the scream.