In the dim, flickering light of the room, Long Shuiguo sat back, a faint smile playing on his lips as he admired the completion of his painting. The delicate brushstrokes of the ukiyoe portrait seemed to shimmer in the glow of the lantern. Xue Tuzi, still seated on the bed, began to rise, but the moment his foot shifted, the room erupted into chaos.
From the shadows, over ten men dressed in black garb surged forward, their swords glinting as they unsheathed them in one swift, menacing motion. The steel tips gleamed coldly, inches from Xue Tuzi's throat. His eyes narrowed, the faint flicker of the lamp catching the dangerous gleam in his gaze. His lips curled into a frown as he turned his sharp stare toward Long Shuiguo, who now stood, hands folded calmly before him.
"So," Xue Tuzi began, his voice low and seething with restrained fury, "I assume this is also part of your plan?"
Long Shuiguo offered a faint, apologetic smile, but his voice held no sincerity. "I'm afraid so. Please, don't take it per—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Xue Tuzi's hand moved like lightning. His ribbon unraveled in a fluid, deadly motion, the fabric snapping through the air with a sharp crack. The first man let out a strangled cry as the ribbon lashed across his face, sending him reeling backward. Xue Tuzi moved with ruthless efficiency, whipping the men one after another, each blow landing with a sickening thud. His expression betrayed no emotion, no hesitation—only cold, calculated precision.
Beside him, Jiao Jiao joined the fray. The Gu silk threads shot from his mouth, glistening like strands of moonlight as they snared the men in their sticky embrace. One by one, the attackers stumbled and fell, their swords clattering uselessly to the ground as they were entangled. Xue Tuzi didn't pause. His needle threads shot out, wrapping around throats with deadly precision. The faintest cut appeared on each victim's neck, a thin trickle of blood running down their skin.
Long Shuiguo, frozen in terror, stumbled back. His legs gave way, and he fell to his knees, crawling frantically to put distance between himself and Xue Tuzi. His trembling hands gripped the ground, his breath coming in panicked gasps.
"P-please," Long Shuiguo stammered, his voice cracking as he backed against the wall.
Xue Tuzi didn't respond at first. He pulled his robe loosely around his shoulders, his movements slow and deliberate. Then, in a sudden burst of motion, the ribbon snapped again, this time landing with a vicious crack across Long Shuiguo's back. The man howled, his cries echoing through the room.
"Where are they?" Xue Tuzi's voice was icy, cutting through the air like a blade. He cracked the ribbon again, the lash landing squarely on Long Shuiguo's shoulder.
"I-I don't know!" Long Shuiguo wailed, tears streaming down his face as he pressed himself against the wall. "I'm just the middleman! They pay me to bring them here, I swear—"
Another lash silenced him, tearing a raw scream from his throat. Xue Tuzi's rage was obvious now, his presence suffocating. He turned sharply, his piercing eyes locking onto the men still writhing on the floor, their bodies tangled in Jiao Jiao's silk.
"Where are they?" Xue Tuzi demanded, his voice a deadly growl.
The men, their faces pale with fear, began to babble incoherently, pleading for mercy. "Please! We'll tell you everything! Just spare us—"
"Speak!" Xue Tuzi roared, his ribbon snapping through the air once more. The men flinched, their resolve crumbling.
One of them, his face battered and half his teeth missing, coughed and sputtered before finally managing to speak. "Once Long Gongzi finishes a ukiyoe portrait of the girl… it's catalogued at a bookstore… by the shore." His voice broke as he coughed up blood, trembling violently. "The men… from those foreign ships… they come in and—"
"And?" Xue Tuzi's ribbon coiled tighter around the man, making him gasp for air.
"And the girls are shipped to foreign lands… sold…" The man's voice faded to a hoarse whisper. "I've told you everything… please… have mercy…"
Xue Tuzi leaned closer, his eyes like shards of ice. "Mercy?" he said, his tone cutting and cold. "Did you spare the girls you sold? Did you give them mercy when they begged for their lives?"
The man's lips quivered, his breath coming in shallow gasps. But Xue Tuzi didn't wait for an answer. He stood tall, his expression void of pity, as the room fell silent save for the muffled cries of the men who now realized that they, too, would not be spared.
Without hesitation, Xue Tuzi executed all ten men clad in black. The lifeless bodies dangled from the rafters, their necks twisted unnaturally, blood dripping steadily from the deep gashes left by his needle threads. Their last desperate struggles had faded into eerie silence, leaving only the faint creak of the ropes as their bodies swayed in the dim light. The room reeked of death, the metallic tang of blood thick in the air.
Long Shuiguo could do nothing but watch, paralyzed by fear. His wide eyes followed Xue Tuzi as he moved closer, his steps impossibly quiet, bare feet gliding over the wooden floor like a ghost. Xue Tuzi's robe flowed loosely around him, streaked with faint splatters of blood that only added to his terrifyingly calm demeanor.
Long Shuiguo's body betrayed him. The growing dampness spreading down his trousers marked the extent of his terror, urine pooling beneath him. He opened his mouth to speak, to plead, but no words came. The sheer weight of Xue Tuzi's presence was suffocating. A strangled whimper escaped his lips before his vision blurred and his body gave out. He crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
Xue Tuzi stopped before Long Shuiguo's limp form, his head tilting slightly as he regarded the man with detached curiosity. He knelt slowly, one hand reaching out to lift Long Shuiguo's chin. His touch was surprisingly gentle, but his expression held no warmth. His piercing eyes traced the lines of Long Shuiguo's face, as if committing every detail to memory.
"What a shame," Xue Tuzi murmured, his voice low and laced with quiet disdain. "A good-looking face wasted on such a coward." He let go, allowing Long Shuiguo's head to slump lifelessly to the side. Rising to his feet, he smoothed his robe with an almost ritualistic precision, his composure untouched by the violence he had unleashed.
"Let's go, Xiao Jiao," he said, his voice steady and calm, paying no mind to the carnage he had just unleashed.
Xiao Jiao chirped in agreement, hopping into Xue Tuzi's arms with a delighted smile, his silk threads retracting as if they had never been stained with blood. Xue Tuzi cradled him carefully, his grip firm yet affectionate. Without another glance at the blood bath behind him, he strode toward the door. The faint sound of his footsteps faded into the night as he made his way to the bookstore by the shore, his figure vanishing into the shadows like a phantom.
The salty breeze from the shore rolled gently over Xue Laohu and Li Zhameng as they made their way down the narrow pathway. The moonlight reflected on the rippling water, casting ghostly silver patterns on the ground. A faint rustle came from the trees nearby, causing Li Zhameng to freeze. His hand moved instinctively to the gun at his side, the metallic click of the safety releasing breaking the stillness.
From the shadows emerged a figure, stepping out with deliberate ease. Li Zhameng raised his weapon, his finger hovering over the trigger, only to lower it seconds later with a frustrated groan. "Shudu Gongzi," he muttered, annoyed.
Shudu strolled toward them, fumbling an electric-purple orb in his hand. Sparks of violet energy flickered and danced within it, casting eerie shadows on his face. His lips curled into a teasing smile as he approached. "Would Grandmaster Xue be interested in this demonic core?" he asked in a sweet tone, his words slow and deliberate as he looked directly at Xue Laohu.
Xue Laohu's brows furrowed as he stared at Shudu, his sharp eyes narrowing with irritation. "Where have you been?" he snapped. "A-Tuzi is still missing."
Shudu sighed theatrically, tilting his head to admire the charged orb in his hand. "This venerable one was unaware that Grandmaster Xue was worried sick for him," he said with exaggerated sweetness. His grin widened, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "For his troubles, this venerable one would be more than willing to serve him tonight."
Xue Laohu rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin. "Serve me by looking for A-Tuzi," he barked, his tone sharp.
Shudu's smile only grew, his sharp canine teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Surely Grandmaster Xue jests," he replied with mock indignation. "This venerable one is uninterested in used goods."
Xue Laohu threw up his hands in frustration, clearly done with the exchange. Without another word, he stormed off, his boots crunching against the pebbled path as he headed toward the bookstore by the shore. The faint glow of its lanterns came into view, the soft hum of waves breaking on the shore blending with the muffled creak of wooden signs swaying in the breeze.
The bookstore sat perched on the edge of the shore, its crooked frame leaning slightly forward as if bowing to the ocean. Weathered wooden beams supported its structure, and its shingled roof was covered in moss, giving it an aged, almost otherworldly charm. A rusted bell hung above the heavy oak door, and faint golden light spilled from the windows, the glow reflecting off stacks of books displayed on wooden stalls. Despite the late hour, the faint murmur of activity could be heard from within.
Inside, the air was thick with the smell of incense and damp wood. Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, crammed with tomes of every size, some so old their titles had faded. A ladder on wheels leaned against one of the taller shelves, and the flickering light of an oil lamp illuminated the disarrayed desk at the center of the room. Piles of books spilled over onto the floor, and scattered papers bore hastily scribbled notes and indecipherable symbols.
Back on the path, Li Zhameng lingered, staring at Shudu with a deep frown. His lips pursed as he finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. "Shudu Gongzi, do you truly find A-Tuzi despicable?"
Shudu turned his head, his expression blank, unreadable. "Why do you ask?" he said after a pause, his tone indifferent.
Li Zhameng hesitated but pressed on. "I mean… do you not find him a bit attractive? At all?" He asked curiously.
Shudu's gaze sharpened for a moment, then softened into something more playful. He stepped closer, placing a hand firmly on Li Zhameng's shoulder. "Listen," he said, his tone dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "If he'd let me, I'd stick it up his tight ass."
Li Zhameng's jaw dropped, his eyes widening in shock. Words failed him entirely, and Shudu took full advantage of the moment, turning on his heel with a smirk.
Xiao Zongzi, perched on Shudu's shoulder, shook her head in quiet disapproval, her tiny legs resting on her hips. "That was unnecessary," she muttered.
Shudu chuckled. "Come on, let's go," he said, motioning for Li Zhameng to follow.
Still dumbfounded, Li Zhameng snapped out of his stupor and hurried after Shudu, the two of them making their way to the crooked little bookstore where Xue Laohu had already arrived.
The bookstore was modest in size, its structure leaning slightly against the salty breeze of the shore. A few worn lanterns hung outside, their dim light creating flickering shadows under the starless, dark sky. The faint scent of seaweed mixed with the earthy aroma of insence, gave the place an eerie charm.
Outside, an older man sat on a low wooden stool in front of the shop. His greying hair was pulled back into a loose knot, his robe casually open at the chest, revealing the weathered skin of a man who had spent much of his life outdoors. One leg rested flat on the ground, the other bent at an angle, his posture relaxed as he nursed a jar of wine. A board of Xiangqilay set up before him, but there was no opponent in sight. He idly moved pieces across the board, the clinking of wine jars and faint breeze the only sounds accompanying him.
Xue Laohu approached the shop, pushing aside the beaded tapestry that hung in place of a door. Before he could enter, the old man called out, his voice raspy but lively. "Would this Young Gongzi be interested in a game of Xiangqi?"
Xue Laohu stopped, turning politely to bow slightly to the man. "I'm afraid I can't. I'm a bit busy right now."
The old man chuckled, taking another swig from his jar. "Busy? Are you looking for someone?" he asked, a sly smile spreading across his face.
Xue Laohu turned sharply, his brow furrowed. "How did you know?"
"Ah," the old man said, leaning back and grinning widely, revealing teeth adorned with silver and embedded jewels that glittered in the lantern light. "Only those who come to this bookstore at such an hour are in search of that someone. Come," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Play a game with me, and perhaps I can help you find the one you seek."
Xue Laohu hesitated, studying the old man carefully. He didn't trust the glint in his eyes, but time was pressing. "Very well," he said finally, stepping forward to sit across from the man. "But if you lose—"
The old man interrupted, his voice low and playful. "If you lose," he said, swirling his wine lazily, "you must pledge allegiance to me."
Xue Laohu narrowed his eyes, but after a moment's thought, he nodded. "Fine. Let's play."
As the game commenced, footsteps echoed on the path leading to the shop. Shudu arrived, his long braid fluttering slightly in the breeze, with Li Zhameng trailing behind, gasping for breath.
Shudu stopped short, staring at the crooked building before him. The dim lanterns and faint flicker of candlelight from within gave the shop an ominous, almost sinister air. His sharp eyes swept over the place, taking in the faded paint on the doorframe and the beaded curtain swaying faintly in the night wind. Something about it felt off.
"There's something crooked about this place," Shudu muttered under his breath, his lips curling into a frown. Peeking through the beads, he caught sight of the interior: shelves stacked haphazardly with dusty books. The dim light came from flickering candles scattered around, their uneven flames casting shifting shadows. The clientele consisted almost entirely of men, each absorbed in their own business—some quietly thumbing through books, others murmuring in low voices at the counter.
His frown deepened when he saw Xue Laohu sitting outside, engrossed in a game of Xiangqi with the old man. "And here this venerable one thought Grandmaster Xue was desperate to reunite with his disciple," Shudu said, his voice dripping with mockery.
Xue Laohu barely glanced at him, his expression calm but focused. "That's exactly what I'm doing," he replied curtly, his eyes fixed on the board as he contemplated his next move.
Behind Shudu, Li Zhameng finally caught up, bent over and gasping for breath, his hands on his knees. "Shizun…" he wheezed, looking up at Xue Laohu.
Without looking away from the board, Xue Laohu raised an eyebrow. "Meng Meng, go inside and look around," he ordered. "Report back if you find anything suspicious."
Li Zhameng straightened, cupping his hands and bowing slightly. "Yes, Shizun." He hastily pushed past the beaded curtain, disappearing into the dimly lit shop.
"Oh ho ho…" The old man chuckled, placing his next piece on the board with a deliberate click. "You're bold, Gongzi. But are you sure you can win?"
Xue Laohu ignored the remark, his sharp eyes darting over the board. His focus was unbroken, but he glanced briefly at Shudu, his gaze narrowing. "Aren't you going to look around?" he asked, irritation clear in his tone.
Shudu leaned lazily against the frame of the shop, crossing his arms with a smirk. "No," he said smoothly. "This venerable one is much more interested in watching Grandmaster Xue lose this game of Xiangqi."
Xue Laohu glared at him but said nothing, turning his attention back to the board. The tension hung heavy in the air, the sound of the old man's wine jar clinking softly against the table punctuating the quiet as the game unfolded.