Chapter 19: Red Sleeve Girl

Shen Fu and Chu Baige walked through the bustling streets of Shunxinruyi. The crowd was a mix of those heavily cloaked and masked, and others, wealthy merchants, openly displaying their riches. Chu Baige quickly recognized several prominent figures.

“That fat man with his arm around the woman in blue is Dai Youqian, the renowned Jiangnan merchant…”

“And that tall, thin man with the squinty eyes… the Jin family pawnshop’s treasurer…”

Numerous shops lined the street, selling rare and precious goods.

Chu Baige exclaimed, “Those are imperial treasures!” He pointed to exquisite porcelain vases and priceless paintings casually displayed. The sheer value of the items on even a single stall was staggering.

An exquisite porcelain vase sat at the shop entrance, easily mistaken for an ordinary decoration. Only Chu Baige recognized it as a priceless imperial tribute. Nearby, famous paintings hung casually on the walls, their authenticity undeniable. The sheer value displayed on even a small stall was astonishing.

The wealth within Shunxinruyi was staggering.

” Shen Fu, where do you think they got all this money?”

Shen Fu smirked. “Is your brain broken? Even a pig could figure this out. The money’s ill-gotten. We need to investigate its origins.”

Chu Baige, unfazed by the teasing, surveyed their surroundings. “Guess where we are?”

“Probably inside a mountain,” Shen Fu replied. “These people are experts at this sort of thing. They’ve probably hollowed out an entire mountain.”

“Tsk, what a big handwriting,” Chu Baige muttered, his gaze falling upon a sign: “Shun Xinlou. Let’s take a look.”

Shen Fu followed his gaze to a two-story building on the roadside.

Shen Fu agreed and they entered Shun Xinlou. A damp, oppressive atmosphere hung in the air. The interior resembled a pawnshop, with two large signs reading “Destiny” in bright red paint. A red-masked man appeared. “Buying life or selling life?”

Chu Baige stepped forward. “What’s that?”

The masked man explained, “Buying life means paying to save someone’s life. Selling your life means becoming a Shunxinlou assassin. You receive payment upfront and for each contract.”

Shen Fu asked, “So, buying life is hiring an assassin, and selling life is becoming one? What if I only want the person, not their death?”

“The price is higher, but we can deliver the person to you, and arrange for them to become your slave or whatever you desire.”

Shen Fu was silent. “So, that’s what you do.” They could buy lives and people.

The masked man smirked. “Just a little trick. Makes you laugh, doesn’t it?”

“Buying or selling?” the masked man asked.

“Do you always charge?” Chu Baige asked.

“Of course, Shunxinlou will serve you wholeheartedly,” the masked man said.

Shen Fu said, “Let’s go.”

They left, the masked man bowing slightly. “Welcome back anytime.”

Walking away, Chu Baige said, “If what he said is true, Shunxinlou is terrifying. The power to twist someone’s will…”

Shen Fu was silent, thoughtful. Chu Baige nudged her. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking…how many people have been twisted by Shunxinlou,” Shen Fu said.

“Are there any restrictions? How have they kept this secret?” Chu Baige shivered.

“Shen Shuangdao, Big Hero Shen , you must save me! I’m in danger!” Chu Baige cried.

Shen Fu glared. “…Are you underestimating Shunxinruyi or overestimating yourself? What use are you to them?”

Chu Baige thought. Then, “But food and sex are human nature! I’m doing a great job!”

“Here, Ruyi Tower,” Shen Fu interrupted. Ruyi Tower, unlike other brothels, was a treasure pavilion filled with jewels, weapons, beautiful men and women, each with unique charm.

Chu Baige approached Mingyue, a talented artist. “Are you a commodity?”

The woman, mid-stroke, turned at the sound of Chu Baige’s approach. Her smile was captivating, and her demeanor respectful. “Mingyue greets the esteemed guest.”

“Return to the esteemed guest, Yes,” Mingyue replied.

Chu Baige, assessing her refined bearing, suspected a noble background beyond that of a commoner’s family. He glanced at the paintings on her table, and asked, surprised, “Who was your teacher? Qi Da painter, perhaps?”

Mingyue looked surprised. “I wouldn’t dare claim him as a teacher, but I did study under him briefly.”

“Which beauty are you interested in?” A new red-masked man appeared, his demeanor suggesting wealth and comfort rather than martial arts training.

Chu Baige, seeing the newcomer, quickly asked, “In Ruyi Building, can living people be bought and sold?”

The masked man smiled. “You can buy and sell in Shunxin Building, and Ruyi Building sells people, so why not?”

The masked man continued, “Don’t worry, the women here have signed deeds with the building for various reasons. You pay, and within three days, the deed is legally transferred. Whether they’re slaves or not is your decision.”

Chu Baige said, “Isn’t this human trafficking?”

“Renyazi doesn’t have such beautiful women. And they’re willing to sell themselves; Ruyilou paid a price they found satisfactory.”

Chu Baige couldn’t imagine what price would make someone willingly surrender their freedom. He looked at Mingyue, his expression uncertain. “You…”

Mingyue smiled serenely. “I thank you for your understanding. There’s nothing I can’t say. I was once a student of Qi Da painter. But bandits attacked my family, and I was spared only because of my looks. Ruyilou saved my life and helped me avenge my family.” Her sincerity was convincing.

Mingyue, sensing Chu Baige’s doubt, added, “If you don’t believe me, ask others. We all have similar stories. Ruyilou gave us a second life, so we willingly sell ourselves.”

The red-masked man agreed. “Everyone here is documented with the government. Check it out. And we monitor the treatment of those you buy. Slavery is fine, but no abuse or murder.”

“Who are you interested in?” he asked.

“Mingyue is a skilled artist. Hongxiu is innocent and lively, a captivating dancer. And then there’s Qingzhu…” Each woman, upon hearing her name, paused her activity, bowed to Shen Fu and Chu Baige, and whispered, “Greetings, esteemed guests.”

After the courtesies, the women resumed their tasks, pausing only when approached by Shen Fu and Chu Baige. Shen Fu stopped before Hongxiu, a girl of thirteen or fourteen, dressed in a red dancer’s costume, her ankles on a white carpet, a small gold chain on her forehead. She smiled at Shen Fu. “How much is she?” Shen Fu asked.

Hong Xiu bowed. “Greetings, honored guest. One thousand taels! Don’t miss out!”

Chu Baige laughed. “This kid’s a character, selling herself like that!” Shen Fu closed her eyes, then opened them and said to the others, “Where do I pay? I’ll take her.” Chu Baige’s expression changed as Shen Fu winked—her intentions were clearly more than just a simple purchase.