Wu 'Er lead the way to Si He Yuan and finally the group arrived safely. Taking in their surroundings, they walk into the welcome area and take a seat. Before closing the door, Wu 'Er scan through the rooftops of their Si He Yuan to make sure there is no one else other than them.

"What is going on here in Luo City? I can never forget the way they look at me." Yu-ji asked while she trembled unconsciously.

"Remember the task assigned to Wu 'Er in Ding City? I ordered him to go Luo City to scout the area and make necessary arrangement before I head over." Xuan Di said.

"Yes, when I reach this city, my senses told me that this is a dangerous city filled with secrets. Initially I wanted to make an advance booking of rooms in the inn, however, after observing the way the locals behave, I thought it is best to rent a Si He Yuan that we take control." Wu'Er explained.

'If it wasn't because of the urgent signal sent by Master to return to Ding City as soon as possible, I might be able to gather more information about this weird city.' Wu 'Er thought.

[Si He Yuan: A historical type of residence housing commonly found in China.]

"I observed that there are more men than women and hardly any young people on the streets. Especially the women, they are fully covered from head to toe, as though they do not want their body and face to be seen. The looks that the men had towards Yu-ji are evidences that they are targeting women. Young and good-looking woman." Jae-in shared.

"The moment we step into this city, Yu-ji has become their number one target. So, we need to protect her during our stay in Luo City." Qing Feng suggested.

"Seriously, what the hell is going on in this city? How can father not know of this matters?" Qi Yuan complained.

Luckily, they arrived in the early afternoon which gives them time to make arrangement. With Qing Feng guarding Yu-ji in Si He Yuan, Jae-in and Qi Yuan form a team to do street surveillance while Xuan Di and Wu 'Er create traps around their compound and gather information.

As expected, the streets of Luo looks lively with the vibrant colours that decorates the place, giving an illusion that the people living here are leading good lives. However, if you look closely, there are many small stalls with owners of old age dressed in rags.

Elderly granny and grandpa selling their stocks and the majority of the customers are young looking ruffians that often threaten them with a single look, mid-forties noble rich lord with a huge belly dressed in expensive cloths holding onto ladies in colourful outfits and overly accessorized hair, ones that looks like a brothel lady, and nasty looking mid-wives that have a bad temper and a foul mouth. Countless dirty beggars along the streets, while some hiding in the dark alley.

This city looks like a mess.

"Granny, how much does this cabbage cost?"

The old granny squatting on the floor with the cabbages laid out on a piece of clean cloth, look up to Jae-in and was surprised by her beauty. For a moment, she forgot to reply.

"2 Y-yuan."

"Then, I shall buy all of them. Help me to wrap it up." Jae-in smiles while giving her a silver tale.

"Gong Zi! You can't! This is too much!"

The granny refuse to take the gracious money, after several push-and-pull, she finally gave in and accept them. Wrapping all the cabbages and pass to Jae-in, she looked left and right to observe her surroundings before whispering into Jae-in's ears.

"Gong Zi, since you are such a kind man I shall give you my advice. If you can, please hide your face as much as you can. You need to hide your face before it's too late."

"Granny, what do you mean? Why do we need to hide our face?"

"B-because people with good looks, good figure doesn't end good."

"Are you done?"

Qi Yuan walk towards Jae-in as he finished browsing the stall beside hers. Taking in the information silently, Jae-in thanked the granny. As the granny look towards Qi Yuan, a natural fear towards his eyes is portrayed on her face.

"M-monster ..." The granny mumbled as her body shakes with fear.

Jae-in looked at the granny and was confused by her reaction towards Qi Yuan. Ignoring the granny, Qi Yuan grab Jae-in by her wrist and pull her away from the stall.

"How is it?"

"The granny said to cover our face. Apparently, people with good looks and good figures are the main target in this city."

"En. Tomorrow night, I will be arranging a dinner appointment with one of the merchants that I befriended in Capital of Kai. We only have 1 day 1 night to gather information and find ways to get out Luo City." Qi Yuan said.

As they continue to walk on the streets, Jae-in slowly realized the abnormal reaction the local has towards Qi Yuan, especially towards his eyes. Being sensitive towards others, Qi Yuan knew the questions that Jae-in has.

"Ugly isn't it?" Qi Yuan asked without looking at Jae-in.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"My eyes. As red as blood, unlike the normal brown and black eyes that you are naturally born with."

For a moment, Jae-in is unsure of how to reply to his statement. When she first met him, she did question about his eye colour, but it wasn't something that would scare her off. Rather, people with an ugly heart is closer to the image of a monster. Slowly, she got used to his eyes and treat it as though it was normal.

With no response from Jae-in, Qi Yuan feel a little down as though something in him clicked.

"Initially, I also have a normal looking pair of eyes. Just like everyone else, but it got ruin when I was at the age of 4."

"What happen?"

"I got drugged by a poison called Red Ming San. A pill that is supposed to kill me, blind me and make me deaf. But, I am someone who has a big life. Such a pill doesn't kill me, but instead it changed the colour of my eyes."

Jae-in glances over to her side to look at the man who is of same age as her, casually saying such unfortunate event that happened in his life as though the matter is as light as the wind. But, she knew how devastating and dangerous he was in that plight of situation.

"Ever since my eyes turned red, everyone got so afraid of me. So Father imposed an imperial rule to never speak about, gossip over, look away from the eyes of the Fourth pince. Death will be the punishment. Slowly, the people of Capital of Kai got used to my eyes."

The two walk quietly beside each other, embracing the comfortable silence that they shared after revealing such a heavy secret.

"I won't mind if you voice out your honest thoughts. I promise I won't be mad."

"Regardless of how you look like, you are still you."

*** ***

Returning to Si He Yuan, everyone crowds around the table to share their information.

"The traps in Si He Yuan have been set up by me in the radius of 3 km of our compound. If there is any intruder, I am able to detect them." Wu 'Er said.

"I gather some information from a small ruffian gang that I defeated. According to them, they said that this city is a paradise for men. Ladies are deemed as a lower-class people, especially good-looking ones will be used as toys or slaves." Xuan Di shared.

"Tomorrow night, I will be attending a dinner appointment with one of the merchants that I befriended. I hope to have Wang Gong Zi to accompany me for this meet up." Qi Yuan politely asked.

"Then, I shall stay in the villa to protect Yu-ji with Qing Feng." Jae-in said.

"Our main aim is to leave Luo City safely."

The first night went on smoothly, as of now.

With handmade breakfast meals done by Yu-ji, the group filled their belly with food and each break into their own mission. Yu-ji and Qing Feng remain close to one another while Xuan Di and Wu 'Er masked themselves to dig the ugly secrets of Luo City.

"When I accompany Qi Yuan to the dinner appointment, I want you to safeguard them." Xuan Di ordered.

"B-but Master! Your injuries..."

"Such small injuries need no worry. I want you to ensure her safety."

"Yes Master." Wu 'Er replied.

*** ***

"Yo! Qi Gong Zi! Finally, we meet again since we parted from Capital of Kai!" Merchant Leong said.

The current meetup point is in one of the expensive private rooms of Lou Luo restaurant. Unlike the common simple coloured walls with traditional carved tables and chairs, the room is well-decorated with colourful strips of chiffon materials, draping from the ceiling.

Instead of table and chairs, carpeted flooring with huge floor cushion will be the place where the guest sits. Long floor tables, made out of marble, holds the local dishes ordered by Merchant Leong. Strings of glass beads made of different colours decorated the place.

At one glance, it just looks like a brothel room.

"Come come! Please take a seat here!" Merchant Leong gesture them to sit on those cushion.

Xuan Di and Qi Yuan exchanged eye contact and made their way to the floor. Pouring wine into the small cups by the host, the three of them drank the wine in one go. Pretentious smile and laughter filled the room as Qi Yuan put on a business facade to converse with Merchant Leong.

Xuan Di remain in his ruffian attitude by leaning lazily onto the fluffy cushions and observe the room.

"So, Qi Gong Zi are you having a good time?"

"Of course! Your hosting skill is good and I do enjoy the food here."

"That's good to hear. I see that your friend over here has been quite silent, may I know who is ..."

"Ah, I forget to introduce. This is one of my friends, you can call him Xiao Wang, one of the famous rascal gang leader."

"Pardon my manners, Xiao Wang Gong Zi, good to know you."

After a surface exchange of greetings and names, Merchant Leong decide to go into the main topic.

"Since Qi Gong Zi is enjoying your time here, why not let me make it more enjoyable for you?"

"Oh? How so?"

"Please follow me."

As they leave the private room, Merchant Leong led them further into the backyard of the restaurant. The deeper they walk, the sight of brothel looking ladies being wrapped around by men filled the scene.

Some dressed as little as their night gown with full makeup on, showing off the skins of their thighs and collarbones while kneeling on the floor like a dog begging for attention from their master.

Those who are skilful enough, sits on the man's lap and feed them with grapes in a seductive manner. Others, who cannot withstand the temptations of these women, naturally perform the act of sexual activities in the public.

A courtyard filled with indecency and definitely a paradise for men.

Luckily for Qi Yuan and Xuan Di, both of them are men above men. Such a scene doesn't stir them as they are used to situation like this, but a dirty feeling filled their system. Following quietly behind Merchant Leong, a familiar voice caught Qi Yuan's attention.

"Let go of me right now! You this piece of shit! How dare you!"

Qi Yuan stop his movement and start to find the voice around him. Xuan Di look at the flustered manner of Qi Yuan, as he roughly push past him and walk into the crowds of men and women. Ignoring the unfriendly looks that those drunktards are giving him, Qi Yuan continue to follow the voice with an unbelievable face.

Xuan Di, who is tagging behind Qi Yuan, look at him behaving like a mad man, just that he isn't screaming or saying anything other than searching for something wildly.

Finally, Qi Yuan stop at a nearby extended pavilion at the pond.

With pastel pink chiffon curtain hanging by the sides of the pavilion, only with the light breeze of the wind will create a slight movement of the curtain, give outsiders a chance to have a glimpse of what is going on inside.

Qi Yuan stare straight through the curtains, he sees a female figure on top of a man, who is sitting on the stool. Ignoring a group of women kneeling one the floor with their hands and legs being tied up by the side, his main focus is only her.

Through the shadowy figures, the lady is pressing against the shoulder of the man while he secure his arms on her waist, like a master trying to tame his naughty little kitty.

"I warned you already. Let go of me you this filthy bastard!"

This time, Qi Yuan is definitely sure of her identity. As she finished her sentence, a strong gush of wind blew the curtains away, allowing Qi Yuan to confirm his fear.

"Ai Le ... What are you doing here?"

______________________________

Si He Yuan (But not as extravagent as compared to this image)

*** ****

[A/N]

Hello everyone!

I have never expected this story to hit , what a pleasant surprise! Thank you all for reading this story!!!

Also, just want to inform you guys that I will be taking a short break from writing so to review my plots and also gather some inspiration to continue the story. Don't worry, it will not be a long hiatus, probably give me 2 weeks to charge myself up.

Also, I have been tempted to translate some of my favourite C-novels that I love to read. Currently in a dilema whether should I do translating works while having a story to be completed by me or ... Am I being too ambitious? HAHAHAHHA

If you have any doubts or unsure of the plot of this story, please do not hesitate to leave a comment. I will try my best to clarify further on the character or the plot as much as I can.

Thankssssssss