Li Zhameng stepped into the dimly lit bookstore, the faint scent of old paper and insense mingling in the stagnant air. Shadows danced across the walls, cast by the unsteady flicker of lanterns scattered about the space. The shelves were laden with books, their spines cracked and worn, but the true activity was concentrated in the far corner of the room. There, a group of men murmured amongst themselves, their eyes darting eagerly toward the wares on display.
A middle-aged woman attended to them, her powdered face illuminated by the candlelight. The stark white makeup contrasted with the faint sag of her cheeks, giving her an almost ghostly appearance. Her lips were painted a vibrant red, glossy and deliberate, while her hair was swept back into a neat bun, though a few errant strands framed her face. She wore loose purple robes, the fabric draped seductively to reveal a teasing amount of cleavage, and her back was half-exposed, the line of her spine visible in the low-cut design. Rings adorned every one of her fingers, the gemstones gleaming like trapped stars. Even as age marked her features, there was an undeniable trace of the beauty she once was, her allure still potent in its own way.
Li Zhameng moved cautiously through the store, his eyes scanning the shelves as he reached for a book. The cover was unremarkable, but as he opened it, his breath caught. The pages revealed a portrait of a woman rendered in the ukiyoe style, her expression both alluring and unsettling. His fingers tightened around the spine as he glanced at the men nearby, their eager hands rifling through books and hurriedly carrying them to the counter.
He put the book back and picked up another. The image inside was similar but featured a different woman, her pose more suggestive, her eyes pleading yet inviting. A chill ran down his spine as he realized the truth—this was no ordinary bookstore.
By the time he had flipped through several volumes, the woman's gaze had locked onto him. She glided across the room with a practiced grace, her robes whispering against the floor. Li Zhameng tensed as she stopped in front of him, her presence overwhelming. She leaned in, the scent of heavy perfume clinging to her skin, and pressed her body against his.
"How can I help you?" she purred, her smile sharp and predatory as her fingers grazed his jaw.
"This…" Li Zhameng stammered, his voice faltering as the pieces fell into place. The bookstore was a front for human trafficking. During the day, it masqueraded as a quiet, scholarly retreat, but by night, it became a hub for unspeakable dealings. The portraits weren't merely art—they were advertisements. Girls were captured, their images cataloged and sold to the highest bidder.
The knowledge made his stomach churn, but he couldn't act—not yet. Despite the vileness of her actions, Li Zhameng's instincts refused to let him hurt her. He took a cautious step back, but the woman advanced, her hand now trailing down his chest. Her touch was like poison, each movement making his skin crawl.
"A shy boy, I see…" she murmured, her voice low and teasing as she traced lazy circles over his tunic. Her lips brushed his ear, warm and sticky. "I like submissive young men." She let her tongue dart out to lick her lips before nipping his earlobe lightly. "How about we take this to a room? You and I."
Li Zhameng's composure cracked. Panic surged through him, and before he could stop himself, he yelped, "Shizun!" His voice rang out in the heavy silence, breaking the illusion of calm.
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, but Li Zhameng was already moving. His trembling hand reached for his gun, and in a frantic blur, he drew it, the cool wood shaking in his grip. He swung it wildly, pointing at nothing and everything all at once, his breaths coming in shallow, rapid gasps.
Xue Laohu stood abruptly at the sound of the commotion inside but was halted by the old man seated across from him at the game table. "Young Gongzi, take a seat. Our game is yet to conclude," the old man sneered, his gnarled hand resting over his next move on the board.
Xue Laohu's frown deepened, his sharp eyes flicking toward Shudu, who lounged lazily on a small bench nearby. A straw dangled from Shudu's lips, which curved into a smirk as he casually chewed, unbothered by the growing noise outside.
"If my disciple is injured…" Xue Laohu muttered darkly, his gaze narrowing as he glanced back at the board. He sighed, reluctantly returning his attention to the game. His hand hovered over a piece, though his thoughts were far from strategy.
Inside the bookstore, Li Zhameng laid bound on the floor, his hands and legs tightly secured with coarse ropes. A gag pressed harshly against his lips, muffling his protests. The woman, now wearing a look of predatory glee, circled him slowly, the sound of her heeled steps echoing in the dimly lit room.
"My, my," she cooed, her voice dripping with mockery. "You've been such a naughty little boy."
She lifted a whip, the leather snapping sharply as it struck his back. Li Zhameng barely flinched, his body tensing but his eyes brimming with silent fury. The strikes, though stinging, paled in comparison to the blows he'd endured during sparring matches with Xue Tuzi.
The woman tilted his chin upward, her manicured fingers digging into his jaw as she examined his disheveled face. "No reaction? How boring. But fear not, mommy is here to discipline you." Her ruby lips curled into a twisted smile, her hot breath fanning his cheek.
She tossed the whip aside with a flourish, the leather thudding onto the floor. "Perhaps another approach, hmm?" she murmured, climbing onto the bed and straddling him. Her hands slid down his bare chest, her nails leaving faint red trails on his skin as her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
Li Zhameng thrashed beneath her, his glare sharp enough to cut. His muffled grunts turned to audible disgust as she leaned closer, but before her lips could meet his skin, the crack of a whip rang out sharply.
The woman screamed, jerking backward as a deep gash opened across her exposed back. She whirled around, her face twisted in agony, only to meet the cold, imperious gaze of a young man draped in thin white robes. His earthy brown hair shimmered with faint hues of pink under the candlelight, and his lips curved into a cruel, sinister smile. A dark mole rested at the corner of his lips, accentuating his handsome, almost ethereal face.
"Hag," Xue Tuzi spat venomously, snapping his whip again. The strike landed with a sickening crack, and the woman collapsed, her cries of pain echoing in the small room.
Xue Tuzi had unleashed a massive chaos in the halls of the bookstore. Guards littered the floor, their bodies marked by deep gashes and red welts from Xue Tuzi's ribbon-like weapon. His fury was relentless, and those who dared stand in his way met swift punishment.
Deep in the basement, Xue Tuzi had reached the holding cells. Were inside the trembling women huddled together, their faces streaked with tears. They had flinched as he approached them but stilled when he wordlessly slashed through their bonds with precise movements.
"Go," he said simply, his voice cold but resolute. "Flee while you can."
The women hesitated only a moment before scrambling to their feet, their steps faltering as they bolted for the exit.
Xue Tuzi freed Li Zhameng with swift, practiced movements. He sliced through the ropes and tugged the gag away, tossing it aside carelessly.
"Where's Shizun?" Xue Tuzi demanded, his whip lashing out at a guard attempting to sneak up on them.
Li Zhameng coughed, struggling to regain his voice. "He's…in the front."
Before they could move, the woman lunged from the floor, her nails clawing at Xue Tuzi's ankle. "Bitch—!" she hissed, her face contorted in rage.
Without hesitation, Xue Tuzi stomped down hard, driving her head back into the floor with a sickening thud. She went limp, her grip slackening.
"A-Tuzi, you really don't show mercy, even to an old woman," Li Zhameng said, his voice hoarse but laced with wry amusement.
"Said old hag was about to have her way with you," Xue Tuzi replied with a wolfish grin, stepping over her crumpled form. "I wonder what Shizun would've thought of that?"
Li Zhameng froze, his face turning crimson. "Naturally, Shizun would have rescued me!" he stammered, his voice trembling.
"Rescued you from what?" Xue Tuzi teased, his laughter echoing in the stairwell as they ascended. "The way that hag was mounting you, Shizun might've thought you were busy."
Li Zhameng waved his hands frantically, his protests drowned out by Xue Tuzi's laughter. Together, they navigated the chaos, disabling guards as they climbed. Li Zhameng's fists struck with precision, leaving bodies unconscious in their wake, while Xue Tuzi's whip painted red trails across anyone foolish enough to stand in their path.
Together, Xue Tuzi and Li Zhameng dismantled the human smuggling operation with ruthless efficiency. The smugglers lay subdued, bound in Jiao Jiao's resilient silk threads. Some groaned, bruised and battered, while others writhed in agony, nursing injuries from resisting Xue Tuzi's merciless strikes. A few were less fortunate, missing fingers or limbs after challenging his wrath. The two disciples moved with purpose, their breaths ragged as they worked their way to the entrance of the store.
The first rays of dawn filtered through the gaps in the dilapidated shop, casting faint light on a surreal scene: their Shizun, Xue Laohu, seated calmly at a low wooden table, engrossed in a game of Xiangqi with an old man. The faint clack of game pieces was punctuated by a triumphant exclamation as Xue Laohu placed his final move on the board.
"Jiang Jun," Xue Laohu declared, his voice smooth, fanning himself lazily as he leaned back with a satisfied smile.
The old man let out a booming laugh, his eyes crinkling with amusement even as Li Zhameng leveled his gun at him and Xue Tuzi cracked his whip menacingly.
"Very well…" the old man said, his chuckle softening into a snicker as he glanced around the ruined store. "It appears I have no path of escape."
"Your name?" Xue Tuzi barked, his voice sharp and unforgiving.
"I am Wan Tong," the old man replied smoothly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "The son of the village chief."
Xue Laohu's playful demeanor shifted as he folded his fan with a snap, his expression hardening. "I figured as much. Go on."
Wan Tong sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Toubiao has long been a poor village, plagued by famine and misfortune. For years, we've struggled, our fields barren, our people starving. I begged my father to accept trade with the foreign ships to ease our suffering, but he stubbornly refused. He clung to his pride while our people wasted away."
"So let me guess…" Xue Laohu rose gracefully from his seat, stepping toward Wan Tong with deliberate ease. "You struck a deal with the foreign ships, didn't you?" He opened his fan, fanning himself briskly, his narrowed eyes peering over its edge.
Wan Tong said nothing, his silence confirming the accusation.
Xue Laohu snapped the fan shut, pointing it directly at the man's face. "You hired some cheap artist to trick unsuspecting girls into having their portraits painted, only to trap and sell them like cattle. Is that correct?"
Wan Tong laughed, the sound sharp and hollow. "That is correct."
Without hesitation, Xue Laohu struck Wan Tong across the face with the folded fan. The blow was quick, precise, and carried more weight than its delicate appearance suggested. Wan Tong staggered slightly, his cheek reddening from the impact.
"You have dishonored your village and your father," Xue Laohu said coldly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "It will be his responsibility to decide your punishment."
Jiao Jiao's silk threads snaked out, binding Wan Tong in a web of glistening threads. Immobilized, he glared at Xue Laohu but said nothing further.
Nearby, Shudu leaned against a post, still chewing on the grass straw with his usual air of indifference.
Xue Tuzi, his temper boiling over, turned on Shudu with a pointed finger. "You!" he growled. "Useless scum! Why did you even bother to come here?"
Shudu barely spared him a glance, rolling his eyes as if Xue Tuzi's anger wasn't worth his time.
As daylight illuminated the wreckage of the operation, the villagers began to stir. Hai Yu, the village chief and Wan Tong's father, arrived with a group of townspeople. His weathered face was grim as he surveyed the scene, his gaze lingering on Wan Tong and his wife, both bound and subdued.
"These men and their ringleader are in your hands." Xue Laohu said coolly, bowing his head slightly. "May justice be served for the lives they have destroyed."
Hai Yu's expression tightened, the pain of betrayal clear in his eyes. "They will face the full weight of our laws," he said solemnly, motioning for the villagers to take them away.
The morning sun hung low on the horizon, its golden light dancing on the rippling waves as a crisp breeze swept across the pier. The soft scent of saltwater mingled with the faint cries of birds circling overhead. Xue Tuzi stood at the edge, his arms crossed as he stared out over the water, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Li Zhameng leaned casually against a post nearby, while Xue Laohu fanned himself lazily, looking thoroughly disinterested. Shudu stood by gazing at the horizon chewing on the straw in his mouth.
Suddenly, a loud, enthusiastic voice shattered the peaceful morning.
"Backwards Beauty!"
The shout came from a boat drifting a short distance away, and all four heads turned toward the source. A disheveled figure stood on the deck, his wild hair whipping in the wind. It was Long Shuiguo, his eyes bright with an intensity that bordered on madness.
Xue Tuzi's brow furrowed as he squinted against the sunlight, pulling his hair away from his face with an annoyed flick.
Long Shuiguo, clutching a rolled scroll in one hand, extended his free arm dramatically toward Xue Tuzi. "From the moment I saw you…" he began, his voice trembling with emotion. Xue Tuzi raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of irritation and confusion.
"I knew I was in love!" Long Shuiguo declared, undeterred by the lack of enthusiasm in his audience. His gaze locked onto Xue Tuzi's, his eyes gleaming with an almost unhinged sincerity.
"But I must chase my dream!" Long Shuiguo continued, his voice rising above the crashing waves. He clutched the scroll tighter, his knuckles whitening as though it were a sacred artifact. "You were the only one who admired my paintings!"
Xue Tuzi's mouth opened to retort, but he hesitated, a flicker of realization crossing his face.
Long Shuiguo's voice cracked, and he spread his arms wide, as if embracing the wind. "So long, my love. I'll never forget you!"
Before Xue Tuzi could respond, Long Shuiguo unraveled the scroll with a flourish, letting it unfurl dramatically in the breeze.
Li Zhameng choked, Xue Laohu who was fanning himself, froze mid-sweep, his eyes narrowing in sharp disbelief.
The scroll depicted an explicit and incredibly detailed pornographic portrait of Xue Tuzi, his pose provocative, his expression far too sultry for comfort. Every line and shadow seemed to have been rendered with obsessive care. For a moment, there was only silence, broken by the gentle lapping of the waves.
Xue Tuzi was depicted sprawled across an ornate bed, his skin flushed a delicate pink that seemed to glow against the deep crimson sheets beneath him. The small jewels on his nipples shimmered as though catching an unseen light, drawing the eye in a way that was both artful and indecent. His head tilted back slightly, his expression caught in a blissful moan, his cheeks a deep rose. His full lips parted invitingly, the mole at the corner of his mouth accentuated as he bit down softly on a pale, slender finger. A thin trail of saliva glistened as it dripped down his jade-like neck, tracing a delicate line to his collarbone.
The artistry didn't stop there. His legs were depicted shamelessly wide open, one knee bent gracefully, exposing the tightly coiled rosebud between his thighs and an erected shaft. Every brushstroke emphasized the scene's scandalous intimacy, the soft folds of the bed and the way his body arched betraying a deep, sensual allure. The image exuded eroticism so potent it felt almost intrusive to look at.
Xue Tuzi's entire body tensed as his eyes widened in disbelief. A deep flush spread across his real-life cheeks, making him resemble his painted counterpart.
A low whistle broke the stunned silence.
"Nice ass," Shudu remarked with a lazy grin, his voice rich with amusement. He leaned casually against a wooden post, the straw in his mouth bobbing slightly as he spoke. His sharp canine teeth caught the morning light as his grin stretched wider.
Xue Tuzi let out a long sigh, brushing down the front of his robes in an attempt to smooth out both the fabric and his flustered emotions. His cheeks were still tinged pink, and his movements were stiff, as if he were trying to maintain an air of dignity that had long since escaped him. "Well," he muttered under his breath, "he did give me a nice ass. I guess I can't be too mad."
Shudu, who had been watching him with barely concealed amusement, leaned in closer, his smirk widening. "Want to show it to me?" he teased, his voice low and dripping with mischief.
Xue Tuzi snapped his head around, flipping his hair with a dramatic flick as he rolled his eyes. "Tch, in your dreams," he retorted, turning his nose up like a cat refusing to acknowledge a spilled bowl of milk.
Shudu chuckled, but the laughter quickly turned to an exaggerated huff. Crossing his arms over his chest, he tilted his head to the side with a mock pout. "What's this? You had no problem showing a complete stranger your ass," he said, his tone thick with feigned indignation. "But you dare play coy with me?"
Xue Tuzi shot him a glare, the corners of his lips twitching as he fought to keep his composure.
"Hmph!" Shudu scoffed, puffing out his cheeks like a sulking child. "It's probably not even that impressive anyway. Bet that so-called 'artist' exaggerated the size." He turned away dramatically, pretending to inspect his nails.
Xue Tuzi's eyebrow twitched, as he placed a hand on his hip. "Oh, really? And what would you know about impressive, huh?"
Shudu glanced back at him, his grin reappearing like a fox spotting its next prey. "I know enough to tell when someone's overcompensating," he said slyly, his sharp canine teeth glinting in the light.
Xue Tuzi scoffed, brushing him off with a wave of his hand. "Overcompensating? Please." Xue Tuzi gathered his long hair into a loose twist, glancing over his shoulder with a teasing smirk. His voice was light, almost careless, as he said, "I don't know... looks pretty accurate to me."
With an elegant twirl, he swayed his hips, letting his robes shift just enough to accentuate the subtle curve of his bottom. He gave a playful shake, his movements deliberate, the faintest jiggle drawing attention he clearly intended.
But before he could revel in his playful provocation, a firm hand shot out, gripping his waist with startling strength. Shudu's arm wrapped around him like a steel band, pulling him flush against a broad chest. The sudden proximity made Xue Tuzi stiffen, his playful demeanor faltering as the air between them thickened.
Shudu leaned in close, his breath warm against Xue Tuzi's ear as he said in a low, husky tone, "If you're going to flaunt it, you'd better be ready to take responsibility. Are you seducing me?"
Xue Tuzi's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as he tilted his head to glare at him, but the intensity of Shudu's gaze stole whatever retort was forming on his lips. "I dare not," he stammered, his voice losing its usual sharpness.
Shudu's smirk widened, he placed a tight unwavering grip on Xue Tuzi's bottom. "Round. Firm. Tight," he murmured, his voice laced with a teasing edge, forcing Xue Tuzi into a couple of soft moans as he continued to rub gently. Xue Tuzi jabbed needle after needle into Shudu's hand but the later would not let go of his grip.
"Who said you could have a taste?" Xue Tuzi snapped, his brows furrowing in irritation as he glared at Shudu.
Shudu leaned in. "You let that guy have some," he pointed out, his tone light but edged with playful accusation.
"So what if I did?" Xue Tuzi shot back, his voice sharp as he resumed pricking his needles into Shudu's grubby hands with deliberate precision. Each jab elicited a wince, but Shudu didn't pull away.
"You mean to tell me an old friend can't get a taste?" Shudu pressed, his grin widening as he watched Xue Tuzi's frustration build.
"I don't recall us being friends," Xue Tuzi retorted coolly, tilting his head away.
Shudu let out an exaggerated sigh, tilting his head as if wounded by the remark. "You're so stingy," he muttered, though his tone betrayed the amusement dancing in his eyes, as he continued to press his fingers sinking deep into Xue Tuzi's hole.
Xue Tuzi's face burned crimson, his breaths coming in short gasps that mingled with quiet, involuntary moans. Before he could fully gather himself, Shudu leaned in, seizing the moment to press a daring kiss to the delicate curve of his neck.
The contact was fleeting. A sharp crack echoed in the air as Xue Tuzi's fist connected with Shudu's stomach. The force sent Shudu stumbling backward, doubling over as he clutched his abdomen. He coughed violently, blood splattering from his lips, staining the ground beneath them.
"Bitch!" Shudu spat through gritted teeth, his voice rough with pain and indignation. His dark eyes burned with both frustration and an odd glimmer of admiration, but Xue Tuzi didn't even spare him a glance.
Turning his head sharply, Xue Tuzi fixed his gaze on the horizon, the billowing sea mist curling around him like a cloak. His features remained impassive, though his clenched fists trembled ever so slightly.
From a short distance away, Xue Laohu stood poised, his fan raised just enough to obscure the lower half of his face. His sharp eyes had been quietly observing the entire exchange, his fan's gentle flutter the only movement betraying his thoughts. As Shudu wiped the blood from his lips and Xue Tuzi stood resolute against the salty breeze, Xue Laohu's lips curved into the faintest smile.
Maybe there's hope after all, he mused, tucking his fan away as he turned to look toward the rising sun.
Blah Blah Blah:
Long Shuiguo never made it to foreign sea's he was captured and swiftly deported back to the mainland.