Chapter 100

It's long. It's almost two parts <(_ _)>

A slight modification. However, it has absolutely no impact on the main plot <(_ _)>

"---For the daughter of a criminal to come waltzing in. You have no shame. Go home immediately."

At the waiting area for the geishas participating in the consolation party, the famous geishas from the Huzhou Teahouse and other renowned places surrounded Xiao'er, who was making the final adjustments to her two-bow erhu, and intimidated her.

But even in front of the row of senior geishas, Xiao'er maintained her usual cold expression and replied.

The only difference from usual was the vivid red on her lips.

Her white skin, straight-cut black hair, and black fox ears and tail. Her tight Mongolian-style outfit was dark blue with bright blue embroidery, and a vermilion sash was wrapped around it. At first glance, the impression was dark.

However, the lipstick on her lips gave her an overall mysterious and alluring impression.

She wanted to prove to Mei'er that she could stand on her own at today's consolation party and to reassure her.

This determination also contributed to the change in her appearance.

Furthermore, Xiao'er tilted her head cutely with an expressionless face.

"I, or rather, I was called here, so I came. If it makes you uncomfortable, why don't you talk to the concession authorities directly? If you say honestly that you're better than me, they might sympathize with you?"

The senior geishas, who were making mocking gestures and harsh words, veins popped on their beautiful faces.

"...For a little girl who reeks of urine to talk so much. It's no wonder you're the daughter of a criminal. Hmph, Mei'er will disappear too. When that happens---"

"---I don't want to be ungrateful and respect my enemies. Oh, you've sold your loyalty, pride, and gratitude for money, haven't you? I apologize for that."

If Mei'er had no debt and tried to live peacefully, Xiao'er wouldn't have said this much. Being a geisha or a bandit geisha is just a difference in lifestyle.

However, they were completely at odds over the Mei'er incident. She had accumulated a lot of frustration until now, so she had no intention of holding back at this point.

"Damn---"

"---It's time. This way."

The door to the waiting room opened, and a staff member from the consulate, which was hosting the consolation party, called out.

The senior geishas glared at her with hateful eyes, clicked their tongues, and picked up their instruments one by one, heading to the venue.

Xiao'er let out a small breath.

Xiao'er's turn was after them.

Next to her, Zangren observed the women's battle. He picked up a notebook and started drawing.

"---Hired as a suppressor of Heiyang. Nice to meet you."

When Zangren said this at the introduction, Xiao'er glanced at him and ignored him completely. She treated him as if he didn't exist.

The two of them had an atmosphere as if they had never seen each other's faces, like complete strangers.

Xiao'er had no time to deal with Zangren now.

Mei'er wasn't there today.

As a bandit geisha, she had to behave in a way that wouldn't tarnish her master Mei'er's name.

All the other geishas were enemies, and she had to entertain unfamiliar foreigners from various consulates in the concession. It was a very difficult situation for Xiao'er, though not as dire as being surrounded on all sides.

Xiao'er gazed at her two-bow erhu, which she never let out of her hands, and then at Heiyang.

When Heiyang rubbed his nose against Xiao'er's cheek, she slightly relaxed her face and stroked Heiyang with her slender fingers.

"---It's time. Please come this way."

At the call of the consulate staff, Xiao'er stood up.

Xiao'er's expression had already become that of a geisha.

As Heiyang followed her, protecting her back, they headed to the venue.

The venue for the consolation party was set up as a standing buffet.

The tables with food were lined up at the back of the venue.

The consulate staff were seated at a semicircular table, and the geishas were to perform in the center.

Xiao'er and Heiyang stood there.

The murmurs grew louder.

First, everyone's gaze was drawn to Heiyang, the Black Thousand-Tailed Fox, which surpassed even large tigers.

A high-level magical beast that did not exist on the Mid Continent and rarely came into human sight.

Then, to Xiao'er, who controlled Heiyang.

As expected, it was as rumored, but the sight of a frail-looking girl controlling a Black Thousand-Tailed Fox was almost surreal.

As Xiao'er sat down to play, the murmurs gradually subsided.

However, the geishas who had finished their performances and were serving the consulate staff whispered among themselves.

"...Oh, that's the daughter of a criminal."

"...She was taught by a dissolute teacher who was in debt."

"...Living with a magical beast, she doesn't have much class, does she?"

"...She's a surly girl. She hates men, I wonder what she's thinking."

Some of the mostly Caucasian consulate staff, who harbored discriminatory feelings towards beast people, frowned when they heard this.

Xiao'er, with her keen ears, heard all of this. No, it seemed they were whispering so she could hear.

But such words were a daily occurrence for her.

Xiao'er strongly plucked the strings.

The sound, like a sudden gust of wind sweeping across the grassland, drew the consulate staff's attention and silenced the geishas.

The wind was blowing.

An endless blue sky stretched out, swaying the lush green grass.

In the space between the sky and the earth, a single horse galloped.

Ran, ran, and ran.

It kept running, forever.

It was a song Mei'er once played at a night market, but the impression was completely different.

If Mei'er's was a gentle sound that evoked a sense of home, Xiao'er's was a sound that conveyed a sense of solitary strength and sadness.

It was hard to say which was better.

Xiao'er's two-bow erhu captivated all the consulate staff, and the geishas, seeing this, regretfully closed their mouths.

After playing a few songs, a loud applause erupted.

Xiao'er bowed and went around to greet each table.

After greeting a few tables, she greeted the table of the consulate chief representing Insteca, which was further west of the Mid Continent.

A bald, muscular middle-aged man with a face like a great mage praised Xiao'er.

"Beautiful music. I'm Carlos Cartijo."

It was a sincere compliment in fluent Longhua language.

Carlos knew Xiao'er's background and was attending this event. Rather, those who didn't know were exposing their lack of information-gathering ability and their own incompetence.

"Thank you. I'm Xiao'er."

Xiao'er also introduced herself and poured wine into Carlos's metal wine glass.

The geisha at Carlos's left arm looked regretful, but neither Carlos nor Xiao'er paid any attention.

Carlos, who had just finished pouring, tried to stroke Xiao'er's buttocks.

But Xiao'er, as if to say she didn't care about the consulate chief, flicked his hand away with her tail.

With a cold look from Xiao'er, the consulate chief looked displeased, but the next moment, he shivered.

Xiao'er slightly relaxed the corners of her eyes, which had been glaring.

But that alone changed her expression to a cold smile, highlighting her mysteriousness, fear, and beauty. Her youth at the age of eighteen also added a faint innocence, evoking a desire to protect her.

The consulate chief was drawn to that smile.

"I'm here to sell my art. Please spare me."

"---Can I call you after this?"

When ships were not coming, the concession was extremely boring, and it was possible to call prostitutes or geishas with permission. Of course, the act was sexual.

"I'm a bandit geisha. I don't sell my body. If you still want to---"

"Are there any rules for bandit geishas?"

"Yes... The hunter over there knows a lot. Excuse me."

Leading Heiyang, Xiao'er headed to the next table.

In fact, it was all a limit. That smile was not intentional for Xiao'er. It was just a result of recalling the annoying guest, Zangren, at the last moment and relaxing her expression, thinking that the race in front of her was not a big deal.

However, Xiao'er, who couldn't honestly think it was thanks to Zangren, introduced the hunter, who knew a lot about bandit geishas, to Carlos, who happened to be there.

Carlos, with a face full of intimidation like a great mage, beckoned Zangren with his hand. It was the kind of face that, in the city, would never make eye contact and would change the path.

But this was also work, and Zangren, sighing, approached.

"---You know how to play with bandit geishas?"

"...Yes, a little."

Since he had behaved so badly as a guest, he knew what not to do.

"...Basically, don't touch. It's best not to insult or say anything vulgar. However, exceptions include rubbing hands and secretly peeping in the bath when staying overnight, but it's safer not to do these things at first. If you go too far, you might get slapped, or in Xiao'er's case, a scary black fox might appear."

When Zangren glanced at Heiyang, Carlos nodded.

"Hmm, enjoy a platonic relationship, I see."

The word "platonic" came from the muscular middle-aged man who had just tried to touch Xiao'er's buttocks while holding another geisha in his arm, and Zangren almost burst out laughing.

"I'm a self-proclaimed playboy, but I follow the rules. The game is fun because it follows the rules."

Zangren was impressed by Carlos's creed. This is what a true playboy is, he thought.

As Zangren was explaining to Carlos, the venue buzzed.

Zangren cut off his explanation and looked in the direction of the noise. Xiao'er's clothes had been splashed with wine.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

It seemed to be the work of a geisha.

Xiao'er was supposed to play again.

Naturally, playing with wine-stained clothes was a downer.

An awkward atmosphere spread, and Xiao'er said,

"---I'll take a break for a while."

Saying that, she returned to the waiting room. Heiyang followed her.

The geishas giggled softly at Xiao'er, who seemed to be fleeing.

After a while, Xiao'er appeared.

The venue fell silent for a moment, then buzzed again.

Xiao'er was wearing a slim outfit with large black flowers embroidered on a white background, and a Mid Continent-style coat. This was a gift from Mei'er for this day, or rather, for the day Xiao'er would stand on her own. She had planned to change anyway.

Xiao'er sat down and played the two-bow erhu, plucking the strings strongly and briefly.

Strongly, briefly.

In the decaying castle overgrown with grass and trees,

The ancient sounds of swords, barbaric voices, and screams echoed.

The lord of the throne was no longer there,

Only the heroic words of the hero resounded.

A momentary, heroic melody.

Her white and black ensemble further emphasized the intensity of the music.

Her skill with the two-bow erhu and her way of entertaining guests.

The geishas, who thought Xiao'er had run away, could only groan in regret.

Heiyang, looking at this with satisfaction, also restrained himself.

He was angry at the geishas and the consulate staff, but he was even more annoyed by Zangren's smirking gaze and Xuebai's snort of mockery.

Does he not trust his partner so much?

Reluctantly, he remembered what Xuebai had said in every fight and endured.

Thus, the consolation party ended.

As the gates were about to close, the geishas returned to Yanki Street one by one.

Xiao'er and Zangren were behind them.

But neither of them had their usual companions, Heiyang and Xuebai. Only Azurona was wrapped around Zangren's neck, sleeping.

Xiao'er stopped and looked at Zangren. Then---

"---Thank you for attending the consolation party to suppress Heiyang. And for playing the hated role, I appreciate it."

Her polite words were a complete contrast to her previous attitude.

"...Did you know?"

"I was told by Lady Mei'er the other day."

It was after Zangren left, knowing about Mei'er's debt.

"It's a job. It's not your concern."

Xiao'er started walking again but stopped at Zangren's words.

"---Ah, Xuebai is stopping Heiyang."

Xiao'er turned around sharply.

At the top of the White Mist Mountain Ruins.

Beyond here, illegal entry was possible.

But in front of her was a familiar white beast.

Under the blue moonlight, two shadows stretched.

Heiyang was asked by Xiao'er.

"I can only rely on you. When the matter is over, let's run away together."

Heiyang had no objections.

The friendship with Xiao'er was until they lived and died together.

He would never forget the warmth of Xiao'er, who had been embraced on that cold day.

It was only natural to repay Mei'er's kindness for picking up Xiao'er and himself, who had been wandering aimlessly. Xiao'er was about to sell her body.

---Rumble

---Bark

Xuebai was saying something, but Heiyang paid no attention.

Zangren is even more straightforward, Xuebai thought, exasperated.

But Xuebai's words had no effect on Heiyang.

This is the only way, Heiyang kicked the rock.

Surrounded by black flames, he released an illusion.

"Try to calm down," Xuebai also kicked the rock.

Wearing an ice armor, she countered with a cold sphere.

Silently, a fierce battle between powerful magical beasts began at the White Mist Mountain Ruins.

"---Don't get in the way."

Xiao'er confronted Zangren.

"...I can kill you anytime. If you have the resolve, I won't stop you on the day. I might even lend a hand. But for now, wait for Daxing."

"If it's too late, Lady Mei'er's debt won't be erased. Even if you kill Wang Bo. Before that..."

"Still, you should be able to wait until the last moment."

"Wang Bo will probably wait in Yanki Street. Then the closing time will be the deadline. She doesn't know that. That's why there's no time."

"Still, you should..."

Xiao'er, still confronting Zangren, hit his armor.

"Why... why..."

Finally, she collapsed to her knees.

After a while, Xiao'er trudged back to Yanki Street.

Zangren watched her until she was out of sight, then returned to the guild.

What happened to Xuebai and Heiyang?

From the rock face of the White Mist Mountain Ruins, they moved to the sea, and then to a small uninhabited island, continuing the battle until the next morning.

On the 80th day of the Blue Moon.

Wang Bo appeared in Yanki Street in the afternoon with Lin Qing and his guards and settled in a high-end area of upper Yanki Street.

He was aiming for the time when the renter was not present and the repayment could not be made on time.

If he were to disappear somewhere, he could sue the officials, but Wang Bo, who was bribing the officials, would not be held accountable for his crimes.

After a while, Mei'er, Xiao'er, Heiyang, Yan Laoshi, and Zangren and Xuebai also appeared.

They had received a call from Wang Bo.

"It's been a while."

"I'm honored to be remembered by the famous Yan Laoshi."

Wang Bo replied with a polite but rude tone to Yan Laoshi's greeting.

"I know a famous merchant and Wang Bo. I have a favor to ask.