A Demon's Path Volume 1 Chapter 18

Back when he was dirt poor, a servant of the rich, Ling Xiao enjoyed these kinds of events, making a big fuss over nothing. But after seeing a little of the world, that side of his personality had dampened a lot. The people here were but mere mortals, after all. He couldn't be compared to any of them!

Of course, that he was now participating in such an event was something he conveniently forgot. He was no different from the other men here.

"Everyone, please settle down." After these words fell, the clamour died down. It was so quiet that one could even hear the heavy, rough panting from the busy men.

Ling Xiao knew no pimp held such power over these lewd men, even less so this pimp with his duck-like voice. There was only one reason these men went quiet. There was something attractive rousing their animalistic side!

Ling Xiao walked up to the window and looked down. His eyes were attracted to a large cage atop the stage which was laced with golden threads and looked exquisite.

However, it wasn't the beauty of the cage that caught the eyes of the audience. But rather, it was the beauty hiding within they were staring at, drool dripping from their lips.

In the cage was a girl no more than 12, maybe 13 years old. Even so, she exuded a beauty no words could hope to describe. She could even turn the blind crazy!

She was draped in long, silken clothes that were light and semi-transparent. They revealed the smooth curves of her still maturing body.

The men glanced at her face before turning their gazes to the girl's body. Only Ling Xiao couldn't move his eyes from hers. A look of pain and despair was painted in them, causing his heart to ache.

The frightened girl tried to hide from the lewd gazes aimed at her. However, she woefully realised her efforts were for naught.

Just when she believed there was no more hope, the girl locked eyes with Ling Xiao.

What was the expression in those eyes?! They were clear, bright, and thoroughly pitiful.

Ling Xiao never expected that he'd actually think of protecting this girl. But fate tended to be unpredictable. She's mine. Nobody's going to steal her away from me!

Ling Xiao subconsciously lifted the wine jug and fiercely chugged it. It took him quite some time to realise no wine hit his lips, and why.

"She's just a chick, a little prettier than the rest," said a sourgraped man who reckoned he couldn't afford her.

The youngest girls sold in the brothel were usually at least 17 years old. It was rare to see such a young one.

The pimp was around 30 years old and had a voice that resembled a duck's. He spoke with that unpleasant voice of his, "This young lady is precious not because she's a virgin, but because she's a little different from us."

The man who had protruding lips and a chin like an ape’s hollered out, "What's so different about her? Don't tell me she's not human."

The pimp mysteriously smiled. "Dear guest, you're quite right. Although she looks like one, she isn't. She is a demonic beast who recently transformed to take human form."

"What? She's actually a demonic beast?" A passionate light blossomed in the eyes of the men present. They'd played with many inexperienced bimbos, but never with a demonic beast. If they could really mess around with her, they had something worth bragging about to their friends! Back in the days, this old man knew how to party. I even slept with a sexy demonic beast!

The pimp was very pleased when he saw the raw lust blazing in their eyes. "We spent a small fortune to secure her. The Chain Soul Master we bought her from promised her ability to harm people has been eradicated. She's nothing more than a normal girl. Dear guests, you don't need to be afraid of her."

Desire burned fervently in all present. There was no room in their minds for them to worry about what she might do.

"Cut the chit-chat. How much for a night?" a playboy shouted out.

The pimp's smile ran from ear to ear as he said, "Young Master Yang, this girl is a one-off item. I'm afraid she's not going to receive guests daily."

Everyone had a sour look on their face. All was fine and dandy wasting money just to entertain her for the evening. But what if they bought her? What if her friends and family found out and came looking for her? What then?

It was likely this line of reasoning that led to the Floating Red Courtyard deciding on selling the young girl, rather than letting her work every night.

Fortune was on the Floating Red Courtyard's side as there were plenty who lost all sense of reason in the face of lust. Soon, a man shouted out, "How much is she going for? State your price!"

With a bright smile, the pimp said in a flattering tone, "Lord Sun is still as forthright as ever. We'll start the auction at 100 yellow gems."

100 yellow gems was equivalent to 10,000 orange gems. It was nothing to Ling Xiao, but to mortals it was an astronomically high figure.

Once the opening bid was announced, silence ensued.

Ling Xiao sarcastically laughed. It looked like no one would fight him over this little girl.

Everyone either bowed their head or regretfully sighed. The pimp couldn't help but feel a little anxious at the awkward silence. He was about to lower the price when a slightly gloomy voice came from the eastern side on the third floor. "I'll buy her."

Everyone looked over to identify the bidder. The one who wanted to buy the young girl was actually an old man who looked to be in his late sixties. Even so, nobody thought of mocking him, but rather they all had contorted expressions on their faces. "Lord Lan."

Ling Xiao recognised this old man. He was the one who bought the most medicine from him in the whole city. He ploughed through countless girls, and some of them would later be found dead in his villa. Moreover, the way they died was odd to say the least. The retrieved bodies were usually covered in claw and bite marks of some strange animal.

When the bid was placed, the other men could only helplessly sigh and shake their heads. "It's a pity."

"I bid 111 yellow gems!" When everyone was wringing their wrists, they heard a second bid. It came again from the third floor, opposite of Lord Lan this time. Everyone raised their heads and were surprised to find a young man sitting in the Plum Blossom Booth.

What surprised them wasn't his age, but rather his identity. This youngster was no stranger to them. Most everyone here was well acquainted with the man who sold them medicine, Brother Elegant!

An ominous expression formed on Lord Lan's face. He faced Ling Xiao and sneered, "Little boy, can you even fork out that many gems?"

Ling Xiao flung his hand out, accurately throwing 111 yellow gems in front of the pimp. "Count for yourself."

The pimp promptly counted the gems carefully and nodded. "The bid stands."

"I'll pay 200 yellow gems." Lord Lan snorted.

Ling Xiao slightly smiled. "In that case, I'll pay 400 yellow gems."

Everyone was stunned. Where had this medicine boy gone these last six months to net such a profit?

None of them were aware Ling Xiao had been accepted into the Northern Jade Sect. If they knew, they would force their way into the Northern Jade Sect regardless of the dangers in search for the money well Ling Xiao sipped from.

Lord Lan forced a cough as he glared intently at Ling Xiao in the booth opposite his own. "Good. Very good, boy! Humph!"

Ling Xiao calmly returned Lord Lan's stare and showed him the kindest smile.

"400 yellow gems. Is there anybody else who would like to counter this bid?" the pimp asked in a shaking voice. He knew they only paid 20 yellow gems to buy this girl. The profit they would net today would go down in the Floating Red Courtyard's history books, a night to never forget!

Lord Lan rolled his slightly sore neck. He slowly got up and left his booth.

After Ling Xiao completed the transaction, the young demonic beast was sent to the Plum Blossom Booth.

Even though the pimp assured everyone the girl couldn't harm them, she was still delivered to Ling Xiao with her hands and feet tightly bound together.

The female brothel keeper came up to Ling Xiao's booth herself. With what she believed to be an attractive smile, she spoke to him in a flattering tone, "Brother Elegant, I knew you'd strike it rich someday. But that it happened so quickly? I'm so happy for you!"

Ling Xiao shoved another orange gem in her hand, then rudely pushed her out of his booth. After closing the door, he turned around and looked at the girl on the bed.

She had a pitiful look on her face, but when she noticed she was alone with Ling Xiao, it morphed to anger. "If you dare to touch me, I'll kill myself!"

Ling Xiao laughed helplessly. "That's enough. I won't touch you, if you insist. But how should we undo those ropes?"

The stress had gotten to the young girl, tears welling up in her eyes. She blinked a few times and asked, "Will you let me go? You're not lying to me?"

"What do you think? I have you tied up. Why would I lie to you?" Ling Xiao rhetorically asked.

"Fine, you can undo the ropes. But you can't take advantage of me!"

Ling Xiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Why would I release you if I wanted to take advantage of you? I can touch you as I please with you tied up.

Naturally, Ling Xiao carefully loosened the ropes around her hands and feet. He tried his best not to take advantage of the young girl, but his hands still managed to brush against her satiny hands by accident. When they did, he couldn't help but feel a strange feeling sprout in his heart.

After the ropes were undone, the little girl rubbed her wrists and ankles before she jumped off the bed. With a pitiful look on her face and teary eyes, she kowtowed toward Ling Xiao. "Thank you, Big Brother. I beg of you to be a good person to the very end and let me go."

Ling Xiao immediately felt awkward. He only bought her in the spur of the moment without considering his next move.

There were two possibilities, neither of which seemed practical. He could set her free, but what if someone captured her immediately after? There was also the possibility of bringing her back with him to the Northern Jade Sect. However, it would be problematic if Master caught sight of her. Others couldn't necessarily distinguish her from a human, but Master definitely would.

Even though Celestial and Demonic Soul Masters were enemies, they were still humans.

However, demonic beasts and humans were inherent enemies. Be it Celestial or Demonic Soul Masters, they would kill demonic beasts without demur.  

"Ling Xiao, oh Ling Xiao. You've never been a good person. Why are you now, when all it does is give you problems?"

Arrogance clouded his judgement as Ling Xiao devised a plan to protect this young girl.

Ling Xiao didn't know why he was so stubborn either. Maybe he was attracted to her, or perhaps he took pity on her. In fact, it was most likely attraction. Not for the girl, but for those clear, untainted eyes of hers. They were like a body of clear water, flowing into Ling Xiao's muddy soul.

After thinking over it for a moment, Ling Xiao made a brave decision. He would bring her back to the Northern Jade Sect and hide her in the Medicine Warehouse!

Chapter end