Warring: Sexual Content
The tavern by the side of the road was old and simple, its worn facade echoing years of weary travelers. Five outdoor tables and three indoor offered scant comfort. The thirteen shackled women and men trudged slowly, their spirits heavy, following the riders ahead. They had walked all night, then half a day, and weariness etched itself onto every face. Master Alagui, noticing their lagging pace, called for a halt, instructing his men to feed the prisoners and the horses. The thirteen captives slumped cross-legged on the dusty ground, their tired eyes barely registering the small bowl of brackish water and plain bun handed to each by Master Alagui's indifferent servants.
Nearby, a large, boisterous group of men already sat, their hands unbound, drinking wine at a table. Ten of them, hardened faces lit by the dim tavern light, were clearly enjoying themselves.
One burly figure, radiating a rough authority, strode towards Master Alagui. "It's been two years, Boss Ji. How are you?" he boomed, a coarse grin spreading across his face.
"Same as usual," Boss Ji replied, his voice a low rumble.
Boss Ji, a man in his late forties, stood at a formidable five feet nine inches and carried a solid two hundred pounds of muscle. A heavy, well-worn sword was strapped to his back.
"Where are you going?" Master Alagui inquired, his voice wheedling.
"Down south, at the border by Sand City," Boss Ji explained, gesturing vaguely. "Captain Kang needs extra people to work."
Master Alagui's gaze flickered, cold and calculating, to Ping'an. "I don't know what to do with her," he mused, pointing a dismissive finger at her. "How about I give her to you as a gift?" A faint, cruel smile touched his lips.
Boss Ji's booming laugh filled the air, devoid of warmth or empathy. "My line of work, any face will do as long as they have two hands and two legs!" He raised his wine cup in a toast. "I will take her." Their shared laughter was a chilling sound, a symphony of casual depravity.
After two grueling hours of "rest," Boss Ji and his team began to depart. A young man, barely in his twenties, strode over to Ping'an. He roughly tied her hands even tighter, then dragged her to another heavy chain, fastening her to the main line of captives. Ping'an offered no resistance, her eyes already scanning for a chance, a flicker of hope. Her heart ached with a chilling resolve: she had to endure. She had to survive long enough for them to find her.
Master Alagui, his rotund body sagging with exhaustion, decided to take a nap inside the small, grimy tavern. The long journey under the relentless sun had worn everyone down.
Two hours later, Master Alagui jolted awake, not to the gentle hum of the tavern, but to a guttural groan of agony beside him. His eyes snapped open, finding one of his servants writhing on the floor, clutching a bleeding thigh. A radical, furious voice, raw with desperation, ripped through the air: "Ping'an!" Then, another servant's body flew across the room with sickening speed, smashing against a table, sending splinters everywhere. Zhao Renshu, a storm cloud of fury, stalked into the tavern, his eyes blazing, fixed solely on Master Alagui.
Outside, Guo Baiyu had swiftly located and released the earlier group of prisoners, his movements efficient, his expression grim. He checked each face, his heart sinking with every passing woman, but Ping'an was not among them. His jaw tightened as he strode into the tavern, his gaze immediately finding Zhao Renshu's. Zhao Renshu looked at him, and Guo Baiyu subtly shook his head, a gesture that spoke volumes: she's not here. The despair was a cold knot in Zhao Renshu's gut.
"Where is she?!" Zhao Renshu roared, his voice low and dangerous, shaking the very rafters of the tavern.
"Who?" Master Alagui stammered, genuinely confused, his eyes wide with fear.
"Ping'an!" Zhao Renshu's voice was sharp, cutting through the haze of terror.
"Who is Ping'an?" Master Alagui repeated, still bewildered.
"The one with a birthmark on her face!" Zhao Renshu snapped, his patience stretched thin.
"Oh, that one," Master Alagui finally remembered, a flicker of dismissive recognition in his eyes. "I gave her as a gift to Boss Ji." He said it with such casual indifference, as if speaking of a discarded trinket.
Zhao Renshu's eyes narrowed. "Where did they go? How long ago?" His voice was cold, razor-sharp.
"Five or six hours, at most," Master Alagui replied, nervously glancing at Zhao Renshu's simmering rage.
Zhao Renshu's hand shot out, his fingers digging into Master Alagui's robe, yanking the fat man forward until their faces were inches apart. "She is ours!" he snarled, his breath hot against Master Alagui's trembling face. "She is not someone's bonus or gift!" He then shoved Master Alagui hard to the floor, the impact echoing through the small room.
"I will gather the horses," Guo Baiyu stated, his tone grim, already turning to leave the tavern.
Zhao Renshu pulled out his sword, its cold gleam a stark contrast to his fiery rage. With swift, precise movements, he stabbed the three cowering servants in the thighs – one wound on each thigh, ensuring they cried out in agony, unable to move. Their pained whimpers filled the air as Zhao Renshu turned and stormed out to meet Guo Baiyu.
Outside, Zhao Renshu's gaze swept over the recently freed prisoners. "Are any of you related to Ah Tin or Su Bofen?" he asked, his voice still edged with anger.
Three teenage girls, frail and wide-eyed, between thirteen and seventeen, along with a weary woman in her late twenties, timidly raised their hands. Hope flickered in their tear-filled eyes.
"They are coming for you soon," Guo Baiyu told them, his voice calm but firm. "Grab something to tie those men. The town law officers should be here within an hour or two."
The prisoners nodded, a flicker of determination returning to their faces.
"Which way did they go?" Guo Baiyu pressed, his eyes scanning the horizon.
The young teens, eager to help, pointed hesitantly to their left. With a shared, grim glance, the two men mounted their horses and galloped towards the West, a silent prayer for Ping'an's safety echoing in their hearts.
At almost dusk, the sun, a fiery orb, began its slow descent upon the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Boss Ji, anticipating nightfall, ordered his men to set up camp. The remaining prisoners, exhausted and terrified, were made to sit huddled next to each other. Boss Ji, a predatory gleam in his eyes, walked among them, lifting the women's faces, one at a time, scrutinizing them with a repulsive intimacy.
"This one," he declared, pointing to the woman in her late twenties, his voice thick with desire.
One of his men, a brutish figure, untied her hands. The woman screamed, a raw, desperate sound, begging to be let go. Unmoved, the man grabbed her hair, dragging her to Boss Ji. With a savage tear, he ripped open her clothes, exposing her trembling breasts. Boss Ji's eyes glittered as he leaned down, his tongue flicking out to lick her breasts, then mercilessly sucking her nipples. The woman screamed, a choked, helpless sound, but he didn't care. He continued sucking, his hands squeezing her breasts harder, enjoying her pain. He pushed her roughly to the ground, pulled down her pants, and began to touch her below, his fingers violating her privacy. He then stretched out his fingers, thick with her moisture, and licked them, a vile smirk on his face. The poor, desperate woman cried, her body convulsing with silent sobs. He then inserted his member into her, her cries muffled by the surrounding darkness.
An old man, one of the helpless captives, sighed, his gaze heavy with sorrow as he looked at Ping'an. "Don't think that face will save you," he murmured, his voice hoarse. "I've seen it before." He shook his head, a silent lament for all the beautiful faces that had come before.
Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu, shadows in the fading light, finally caught up with the group. Hiding on the hillside, their expressions grim, they meticulously studied the movements of the twenty men and the huddled, tied prisoners below. From behind them, they heard two hushed voices.
"Why do we have to be the scouts?" the Younger Man grumbled, his voice low.
"This is the captain's order," the Older Man replied, his tone firm. "Just be quiet. I heard from other soldiers that Boss Ji lets them sleep with any woman." He chuckled, a callous, knowing sound.
"Really?" the Younger Man asked, a flicker of crude interest in his voice.
With barely a rustle, Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu burst from the brushes, appearing as if from thin air.
"Who are you?" Zhao Renshu demanded, his voice sharp.
"You two... Boss Ji's men?" the Older Man stammered, startled, his eyes wide.
"Since you know who we are why still ask." Zhao Renshu began, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes, about to scoff at the ridiculous assumption.
Guo Baiyu smoothly interrupted, his voice calm but authoritative, "Since you already know who we are, who are you?"
"We are here to take you up the mountain to rest," the Young Man explained, trying to regain his composure. "Our captain said that tomorrow the consultant will bring you the money."
"Who is your captain?" Guo Baiyu inquired, his gaze unwavering.
The Older Man looked confused, a frown furrowing his brow. "Shouldn't you know?"
"I just need to confirm," Guo Baiyu quickly explained, a convincing facade of concern. "Because two days ago, some bandits tried to lure us into a trap so that they could steal our merchandise."
"It's Captain Kang," the Young Man confirmed, a sense of pride in his voice. "We are from the southern border. We need more people to help build the wall. Boss Ji has sent us people in the past."
"Have you ever met Boss Ji before?" Guo Baiyu asked, his tone probing.
"No, this is our first time," the Older Man replied, shaking his head. "Obviously, the two soldiers who usually do business with Boss Ji are guarding the northern outpost, so here we are."
"You must be..." the Younger Man began, looking directly at Zhao Renshu, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.
"Well, fellows, it's your lucky night," Guo Baiyu said, a conspiratorial glint in his eye. "This is Boss Ji." He pointed to Zhao Renshu. Zhao Renshu's mouth opened slightly in confusion, a bewildered look on his face. Guo Baiyu subtly winked, his bright smile unwavering. Understanding dawned on Zhao Renshu, and he immediately adopted a theatrical arrogance, putting his hands on his waist and raising his chin.
"You are?" the Older Man questioned Zhao Renshu, his voice now laced with deference.
"Oh, I am his consultant," Guo Baiyu replied, with an air of sophisticated aloofness.
The older man and younger man were genuinely thrilled to meet Boss Ji. If they gave Boss Ji a good impression, they might even get laid tonight. Their crude hopes, however, were abruptly shattered. Suddenly, both men felt a severe, crushing pain in their necks. Their bodies went limp, collapsing flat onto the ground. With swift, practiced movements, Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu began to undress the unconscious soldiers.
"Warn me next time," Zhao Renshu grumbled, a hint of exasperation in his voice.
"I did, but you didn't pay attention," Guo Baiyu retorted, a wry smirk on his face.
"When?" Zhao Renshu scoffed, still baffled.
"I winked at you," Guo Baiyu explained simply.
Zhao Renshu's jaw dropped open. "You winked at me... I should understand what you are thinking. I am not a crystal ball!" he protested indignantly, as he pulled on a soldier's tunic.
"You can read my thoughts," Guo Baiyu replied calmly, pulling on his own soldier's uniform. "I don't have to ask you to dress up. You do it yourself."
"Obviously, your intention is very clear," Zhao Renshu said, giving Guo Baiyu a strange, half-amused, half-annoyed look. "Ready?"
Zhao Renshu took the younger soldier's knife.
"What are you doing?" Guo Baiyu asked, a hand reaching out to stop Zhao Renshu.
"I am not going to kill them," Zhao Renshu explained. "I need to borrow their hair for a beard." He smiled maliciously.
Guo Baiyu sighed, a long, weary sound. "Boss Ji hasn't seen us before, nor have these two soldiers. Why do you want to add a beard?"
"If we are to dress up as soldiers, we should go all out," Zhao Renshu declared, his eyes gleaming with playful mischief.
Guo Baiyu sighed again, then a soft smile touched his lips. "You just want to surprise Ping'an, correct?"
"How do you know what I'm thinking?" Zhao Renshu laughed, genuinely surprised.
"It's so obvious; your intention is clear," Guo Baiyu replied, a hint of fondness in his voice.
After Zhao Renshu swiftly cut the man's hair, he handed a few strands to Guo Baiyu. He then took out a small bottle and poured out some strong, pale yellow serum.
"What is that?" Guo Baiyu asked, intrigued.
"Special-made thick honey," Zhao Renshu explained, applying the sticky essence to his chin. Then he meticulously glued the cut hair to the honey on his chin, forming a rough beard. He looked at Guo Baiyu, a challenging glint in his eyes. "Your turn."
After the two men, now strikingly disguised as rough soldiers, finished their transformation, they descended the hill, ready to infiltrate Boss Ji's team.