In the narrow, pitch-black room, a muffled groan from the girl cut through the darkness like a flash of lightning, startling Liang Shaoqing awake. The young man hurriedly crawled over, leaning close to Chu Qiao's face as he nervously whispered, "Are you awake? How are you feeling?"
Chu Qiao furrowed her brows, forcing her eyes open through sheer willpower. The brief disorientation upon waking lasted less than a second before she spoke in a low voice, "You bookworm, you're pressing on my shoulder."
"Ah!" Liang Shaoqing exclaimed in surprise, dramatically scrambling backward. Sure enough, he had been leaning on Chu Qiao's shoulder, causing fresh blood to slowly seep from the wound.
"I'm sorry! How are you? Are you going to die?"
Chu Qiao shot him an impatient glare, her brow tightly knit as she endured the waves of pain radiating from her left ribcage. Having survived countless storms, she never expected to capsize in a drainage ditch—her frustration was palpable. Fortunately, the wounds on her left ribs and shoulder weren't deep enough to be fatal. But staying in this filthy, chaotic slave den without proper medical treatment and cleaning would inevitably lead to serious trouble. She scanned the cramped cell where even standing would make one bump their head. The only light came faintly from above, and with just one glance, Chu Qiao knew she and the bookworm beside her had been locked in a dungeon as dangerous individuals.
Just then, the sound of unlocking echoed from above. Two men in brown clothes descended the narrow ladder, each carrying a whip as thick as a thumb. They shouted gruffly, "You sons of bitches! Get up!"
Liang Shaoqing turned pale with fear, his hands and legs trembling. This scholar, accustomed to a life of comfort and refinement, had left his hometown for Tang Capital driven by passion and ideals, only to encounter countless misfortunes along the way. The darkness of the world was beyond anything he could have imagined. Yet, despite his cowardice, the bookworm nervously shifted to shield Chu Qiao, declaring with an air of righteous defiance, "Wh-what do you think you're doing? Once I get out, I'll report you to the local magistrate! I'll accuse you of forcibly enslaving people, assaulting imperial nobility without respect, ignoring social hierarchy, showing no manners, having no—"
Swish! A whip suddenly lashed out, striking Liang Shaoqing's arm. To his credit, the scholar gritted his teeth through the pain, stubbornly glaring without backing down.
"You damned scum! Still putting on airs even here? If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll stuff your mouth full of shit! Let's see if you dare to yap then! Goddammit!"
The burly man cursed angrily, feeling unsatisfied, and swung his whip again. But this time, it didn't reach Liang Shaoqing. Chu Qiao, seated behind him, swiftly caught the tip of the whip. Enraged, the man yanked back twice but failed to free it. Determined, he planted his feet in an awkward horse stance and pulled with all his strength. Just then, Chu Qiao released her grip. The man, caught off balance, fell backward with a thud, his head smacking hard against the earthen wall.
"Everyone faces narrow paths in life. It's wise to leave yourself a way out when dealing with others."Chu Qiao’s face was pale, her tone icy. The burly man who had fallen scrambled to his feet, shouting as he rushed forward to fight Chu Qiao, but after just two steps, he involuntarily halted. Though the young lad before him was small in stature, his demeanor was extraordinary. Despite being severely wounded and covered in blood, his expression remained calm, devoid of any trace of panic. This rare composure and steadiness stood in stark contrast to the scholar who kept clamoring about reporting to the authorities.
"Bookworm, help me up."
Liang Shaoqing was taken aback. "Up? Where are we going?"
Chu Qiao shot him an impatient glance. Wounded and irritable, she had no desire to explain further. Leaning against the wall, she struggled to her feet. Seeing this, Liang Shaoqing hurriedly supported her by the arm.
"This young lad knows the ropes. Old Fifth, get them changed. The market is about to open."
They were given the coarse cloth garments of slaves—if they could even be called garments. It was nothing more than a piece of burlap with a hole cut in the middle for the neck, tied at the waist with a straw rope. On the front and back, the character for "slave" was boldly printed.
The morning in Xianyang City was bustling. Merchants and travelers from all over moved through the marketplace, their diverse accents mingling chaotically. Street vendors hawked their wares, selling everything from horses and grain to clothing, jewelry, brewed wine, tobacco, tea, and fruit—almost every commodity known across the continent could be found here. The streets were packed shoulder to shoulder, a vivid scene of prosperity and liveliness.
"Get in!"
With a rough shove, the burly man pushed the two into a cage. The massive iron enclosure already held seventy or eighty slaves—men and women, old and young. The eldest were in their forties or fifties, their hair and beards streaked with gray, while the youngest were merely seven or eight years old, huddling timidly in the corners, their eyes wide with fear like startled rabbits as they nervously surveyed their surroundings.
"Swish!"
A whip suddenly lashed into the cage. Chu Qiao’s back burned as a bloody gash split open. Liang Shaoqing immediately threw himself over her, shielding her with his body. The relentless crack of the whip echoed in their ears as the slaves cried out in panic, huddling together in the center of the cage, trembling uncontrollably.
"Stay in line! Important buyers are coming to pick slaves soon. If anyone causes trouble, you’ll regret it!"
The man brandished his fist, snorted coldly, and swaggered away.
The crowd slowly dispersed. Those who had been whipped groaned softly, their voices weak and listless.
"Hey," Chu Qiao murmured, her body burning with fever. The exertion had worsened her dizziness from blood loss and severe injuries. She gently pushed against the scholar’s shoulder, her voice hoarse. "Are you alright?"
Liang Shaoqing lifted his head. He was still lying on top of her, and as he came to his senses, he scrambled away in a panic, shaking his head vigorously. "I’m fine, I’m fine."
"Help me lean against the side."
Liang Shaoqing obediently helped her settle in a corner of the cage. Chu Qiao frowned, gritting her teeth against the pain from her wounds, and spoke in a low voice, "When the buyers come, we must be chosen. We need to get out of here quickly."
Liang Shaoqing stared blankly. "We’re going to become someone’s slaves?""Given our current situation, there's simply no way we can escape." Chu Qiao's face was flushed red, slightly feverish, and she spoke with little strength. She slowly closed her eyes, wearily resting her head on the scholar's shoulder, and said softly, "I need to find a place to recover from my injuries."
Liang Shaoqing's body instantly stiffened. The girl's orchid-like breath gently brushed against his neck. The man's face was even more flushed than the feverish Chu Qiao's, and he nodded incoherently, his words fragmented: "Yes, yes, right, what you say makes sense."
After a while, when Chu Qiao didn't respond, he looked down and saw she had already fallen asleep, her breathing hot and clearly indicating a fever. Liang Shaoqing's heart jumped in alarm. He reached out to touch her forehead - it was burning hot. His heart immediately tightened with worry. He laid her down flat, letting her head rest on his lap, but couldn't think of any way to escape their current predicament.
The streets of Xianyang were bustling with activity, crowded with people. Just then, a procession of riders passed through the main street. The man at the lead rode a snow-white steed, his features handsome with a subtle hint of wicked charm. The corners of his eyes tilted slightly upward, his sword-like eyebrows swept diagonally toward his temples, his nose bridge was more prominent than most, his lips were crimson red, and his gaze was profound. He was followed by a large contingent of formidable guards as they slowly made their way down the long street.
"Young Master," Zhu Cheng rode up closer and said quietly, "The water transport office is just ahead. Zhu Ting has already gone ahead to make arrangements. There are envoys from Biantang waiting there to receive us. Once we reach there, we can switch to water transport to enter the pass."
Zhuge Yue nodded slightly. His handsome appearance and grand entourage made the common people keep their distance. Wherever they passed, the crowds on the street parted like receding tides. Occasionally, bold young women would cast flirtatious glances his way, carrying hints of seductive temptation.
The morning sun rose, dispersing the dawn mist. Zhuge Yue wore a deep blue robe of brocaded satin, his jade belt shining like silver. As they passed through an area of street vendors hawking their wares, the young noble suddenly frowned and reined in his steed. The entire procession halted accordingly. Everyone followed Zhuge Yue's gaze curiously, only to see before them rows of stalls selling cosmetics, hair accessories, and lanterns, one shop after another. In front gathered a group of gaily dressed young women selecting trinkets that caught their fancy. Seeing the noble young master stop his horse, they all looked over in pleasant surprise, hoping his gaze was directed at them.
Zhuge Yue watched for a long moment, his eyes carrying an unfathomable depth. Suddenly, the man turned his horse around without another glance, completely ignoring the disappointed sighs from the young women behind him, and rode away.
The others were greatly puzzled but quickly followed their master.
At that moment, a street vendor grabbed the sleeve of a disappointed young woman who was about to leave and asked, "Miss! Don't you want this rabbit lantern anymore?"
"No, no!" the woman said impatiently, then turned and left with her female companions.
The "clang-clang" of gongs sounded loudly. After the slave market opened for business, the entire marketplace became even more lively. Boss Mu's business was particularly good today - not only did he have a large pre-arranged deal, but he also kept getting smaller customers. He smiled as he looked at his money pouch, his beady eyes narrowing into slits with joy, revealing his yellowed teeth."Miss! Miss!" Liang Shaoqing lowered his voice, carefully bringing a bowl of water he'd managed to obtain close to Chu Qiao's lips. "Wake up, have some water."
The crowd was chaotic, with masses of onlookers gathered before Old Mu's stall, watching as slaves were continuously displayed on the platform - some strong and robust, others handsome or beautiful. Numerous buyers pointed and gestured around the cages, inspecting the slaves' physiques, appearances, teeth like they were purchasing livestock. Some men buying female slaves even demanded immediate "inspection," and Old Mu, providing full-service business, had prepared a row of small huts on the right specifically for these gentlemen's pleasure.
As Zhuge Yue passed by, a man in his sixties had just purchased over ten young slave girls aged eleven or twelve, sparking discussion among the watching commoners. Old Mu's business was booming, and he shouted even more vigorously. The path ahead was completely blocked by the crowd, temporarily preventing the Zhuge family's horse caravan from passing through.
"Young Master, I'll go check what's happening ahead," said Yue Qi, now grown into a sturdy young man with calm eyes that immediately revealed him as a accomplished swordsman.
Zhuge Yue nodded, and Yue Qi led several subordinates forward to clear the way. Zhuge Yue's gaze swept indifferently across the market when suddenly he heard the whimpering cries of young slave girls on the platform. Turning to look, he saw the children were only eleven or twelve years old, with some as young as eight or nine, all dressed in tattered rags that barely covered their bodies, resembling a group of beggars. The sixty-something old man wore gaudy red clothes like a nouveau riche, embroidered with tacky golden ingots. Now he was grinning with yellowed teeth, laughing repulsively while lecherously touching the tender faces of the young slave girls.
Zhuge Yue's brow gradually furrowed, his eyes filled with unconcealed disgust. He lightly waved his hand, and Zhu Cheng quickly approached. With a cold expression, Zhuge Yue said in a deep voice, "Go, buy those children back."
"Young Master?" Zhu Cheng was taken aback, his sharp young eyes blinking. "Why buy slaves? They'll be inconvenient on our journey."
"When I tell you to buy them, just buy them. Why so much nonsense?"
Scolded, Zhu Cheng hunched his shoulders and scurried forward.
Just then, loud cursing suddenly erupted. Zhuge Yue turned to see a handsome male slave with extraordinary bearing being kicked aside in the slave cage. The man climbed to his feet, looking agitated as if still trying desperately to say something, though from this distance, the words were unclear.
Zhuge Yue paid it no mind, but inadvertently, his eyes caught a corner of the cage where a thin, short youth lay limply on the ground. The youth's shoulder and clothing were obscured by other slaves in the cage, revealing only the lower body and a pair of pale, slender hands.
Instantly, it was as if lightning had struck his mind! Zhuge Yue's brows immediately drew together, his gaze sharpening as he looked over. Though it was just a hand, it felt inexplicably familiar, sending scalding hot water flowing through his heart, making his entire being boil. Without time to ponder, an inexplicable impulse made him swing down from his horse, push through the dense crowds ahead, and force his way forward.The crowd surged and chaos reigned. Zhuge Yue's forceful actions drew a chorus of curses. With no time to dwell on them, he furrowed his sword-like brows and pushed his way to the front with great effort. Gripping the iron bars of the cage, he frowned and scanned the direction where he had earlier spotted a hand.
The cage reeked of filth, filled with cowering bodies and terrified eyes. Many cautiously glanced his way, but upon meeting his sharp, stern gaze, they immediately shrank back, too frightened to look again.
Nothing, nothing—still nothing!
Frustration simmered in his heart. Unwilling to give up, Zhuge Yue scanned the cage over and over but found no trace. Had he truly been mistaken? The man stood resentfully before the cage, a deep furrow forming between his brows.
"Young Master!" Yue Qi approached through the crowd, giving Zhuge Yue a puzzled look before cautiously saying, "The crowd has been dispersed. We can leave now."
"Young Master! Young Master!" Zhu Cheng hurried over, followed by a dozen girls aged eleven or twelve. These young slave girls, suddenly resold and spared from serving the notorious old lecher, breathed sighs of relief. Their eyes timidly studied their new master, and though they had learned life's hardships early, their expressions softened with hidden relief.
The other slaves in the cage watched them enviously, desperately hoping this wealthy young noble would take pity and buy them too.
"Young Master?" Zhu Cheng called cautiously. Why was the young master staring so intently at the cage? Had he taken a fancy to another slave?
"Let's go." Zhuge Yue turned and led his servants away from the chaotic scene. Just as he turned, a sharp cry of pain rang out—but it was drowned by the roar of the crowd as a group of young female slaves were brought onto the auction platform. Unaware, Zhuge Yue and his retinue left Merchant Mu's stall and rode toward the river transport office.
In her sleep, the girl let out a weak cry before collapsing into Liang Shaoqing's arms. The elderly doctor held up an arrowhead and turned to Merchant Mu. "Look at this—such a long arrowhead! If it had stayed in her shoulder another day, not even a celestial being could have saved her!"
In a small tent behind the cage, Merchant Mu replied impatiently, "Just keep her alive. A big buyer is coming soon—we'll mix her in with the crowd and sell her off. Once she's sold, whether she lives or dies is none of my concern."
With that, he turned and walked out.
Liang Shaoqing heaved a long sigh of relief and said to the doctor, "Thank you, sir."
The doctor, a kind man, sighed. "This young lady just needs medicine, bandages, and rest. But you—beaten so badly just to get her treated—I see you're a scholar. How could you endure such suffering? What a tragedy!"
"Don't worry, Doctor, I'm fine."
"Come here, let me take a look at you too."
The air buzzed with noise under a cloudless sky. It was already June, and the southeastern heat was intense. Birds flocked across the sky, adding to the bustling, vibrant scene.
Zhuge Yue rode on horseback, lost in silent contemplation, not uttering a word for a long time.
"Young Master? Young Master?"Zhu Cheng called out several times before he finally heard her. The young man was slightly startled and asked, "What is it?"
Zhu Cheng sighed and repeated, "This servant will go buy some horses and a carriage. These children can't possibly run all the way to Tang Capital behind us."
Zhuge Yue turned around and saw the group of young slave girls without mounts, forced to run in large strides behind his horse. Their clothes were tattered, faces flushed red, small faces covered in sweat. Their dark, bright eyes gazed at him, filled with a mix of fear and hopeful flattery.
"Hmm," he nodded. "Go buy some clothes for them to change into as well."
"Understood, this servant will go right away."
As soon as Zhu Cheng left, the group continued forward. Subordinates whispered among themselves behind them, softly saying, "The young master is truly good to slaves."
"Don't you know? The young master has always been kind to slaves."
"All of you, be quiet!" Yue Qi turned around and scolded the whispering servants.
The horse team gradually moved on. Half an hour later, having left the market far behind, the streets gradually quieted down. In the distance, the River Transport Office was already in sight.
"Young master!"
A rapid clatter of hooves sounded from behind as Zhu Cheng, accompanied by several servants, quickly approached with eight newly purchased fine horses and two carriages.
"Young master, everything is done."
Zhuge Yue nodded, his eyes lightly sweeping over the horses, when he suddenly frowned. His eyes narrowed slowly, like a fierce leopard spotting prey.
Zhuge Yue urged his horse forward, approaching a horse that was entirely jet black. Unlike the other horses, this one was very wary of his approach. Though tethered, it cautiously retreated two steps, watching him with suspicious eyes, uneasily pawing the ground with its hooves. Its body was covered in wounds, clearly having suffered cruel beatings before.
"Meteor?"
A deep voice softly called out. The horse's ears immediately pricked up, and it looked at him with pleasant surprise. Zhuge Yue's expression changed dramatically, and he continued in a low voice, "Meteor, is it really you?"
The horse whinnied joyfully, affectionately pressing forward to nuzzle Zhuge Yue's palm with its nose, happily snorting, clearly overjoyed to see a familiar person.
"Where did you buy this horse?"
"Just, just at the horse market ahead."
"Take me there."
Zhu Cheng said, "Young master, it's getting late. Shouldn't we..."
"Take me there!"
Zhuge Yue coldly shouted, his face stern. Zhu Cheng, startled, plopped to his knees and hastily said, "This servant obeys."
They galloped all the way to the horse market. The horse trader, thinking something was wrong with his horse, hurried forward to inquire.
"Where did you get this horse?"
The horse trader's face changed, and he said with a laugh, "Young master, you jest. This is this humble one's own horse, raised since it was a foal."
Zhuge Yue's face darkened, and he said in a deep voice, "I'll ask you one more time. Where did you get it?"
"This humble one, this humble one isn't lying!"
"Speak!" With a swish, Yue Qi drew his sword and pressed it against the man's neck, shouting sharply."Spare my life, Young Master! Please spare me this once!" The man thudded to his knees, crying out loudly: "I found this horse wandering aimlessly on the road when I was trading horses near Tangma Ridge recently. Seeing it had no owner, I just casually brought it back. I truly didn't know this was your horse, Young Master! Had I known, I wouldn't have dared to take it even with ten extra lives!"
"Hyah!"
Zhuge Yue turned his horse around and headed back the way they came. Zhu Cheng was taken aback and stepped forward to ask: "Young Master, where are we going?"
Zhuge Yue's sword-like eyebrows were drawn together, his expression cold, yet his eyes held a barely concealed fervor as he replied in a low, measured tone: "To buy slaves."
The street was bustling with activity. As the cavalry passed through, chaos ensued with people and horses thrown into disarray. Zhuge Yue spurred his horse into a frantic gallop, his deep blue robes fluttering and swaying in the wind like the vast wings of an eagle. The thundering hooves kicked up billowing clouds of dust in their wake.
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