Chapter 24 Worry-free Inn (Two in One) Spring nights are short, good times are hard to come by…

Hearing this, Shen Wenji suddenly raised his head and looked straight into Xie Yunqing's eyes.

In the deep night, Xie Yunqing's mask was hidden in the darkness, and the only eyes that were exposed were his lazy and unfocused eyes. He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at her quietly, with an aggression that could not be concealed.

Seriously? Is the owner of Zuihualou really not crazy? Can a kiss prove his identity?

Shen Wenji was stunned, her head was dizzy and she couldn't think straight.

She couldn't understand why the host asked for a kiss to prove his identity, but she couldn't find a reason to refute. After all, she was only one step away from entering the inn, and the arrow was on the string and had to be shot.

My brain struggled to accept this absurd reason, but the burning heat spread from my ears, burning my cheeks.

She was silent for a moment, then asked in a dull voice, "Kiss through the mask?"

Xie Yunqing originally had the intention of teasing her, using this identity to see her embarrassed, and never thought that she would agree, let alone expect her to actually kiss him.

So, he maintained his lazy and carefree demeanor, his voice low and hoarse, wrapped in a playful smile. His expression and state were both matter-of-fact. He whispered to her, "Although I don't take off my mask easily in public, for fear of revealing my identity."

He paused deliberately, his voice trailing off with a hint of allure, "However, if Madam wishes to kiss me, I would make an exception for you."

"Madam," he tilted his head slightly, the corners of his lips revealed under the mask seemed to curl up in a malicious arc, "This mask of mine...should I take it off or not?"

Shen Wenji was silent: "..."

You're shooting yourself in the foot.

Blame her, she shouldn't have opened her mouth, instead she made things more difficult for herself.

Seeing that she was too embarrassed to speak, Xie Yunqing lowered his brows and stared at her shy and blushing cheeks. The corners of his lips curled up and the smile in his eyes deepened.

He guessed that Shen Wenji would not dare to kiss her, but teasing her was rare. It was rare to see her shy look.

Xie Yunqing's gaze fell on the guard, and he was about to find a random excuse to send him away and lead Chen Wenji in.

Next second.

Shen Wenji's lips landed on his cheek unexpectedly.

The cold arc hit the soft touch, and Xie Yunqing's blood seemed to freeze instantly.

The black and gold mask covered the entire face from cheekbones to jaw. This part of the face, which had the hardest curve, was now gently bumped by that soft spot.

Like the first drop of melted water that fell on the back of his hand when the snow melted in early spring, it was so light that it was almost weightless, but it carried a scorching temperature. It followed the curve of the mask and penetrated into his flesh, burning his earlobes so much that they suddenly became hot.

His exposed eyes suddenly widened, and his pupils clearly reflected the tips of her hair, which were so close to him. The noise around him was still there, but Xie Yunqing could not hear anything clearly. His dark pupils revealed an indescribable emotion, which was darkened by the half-light and half-darkness.

Shen Wenji retreated quickly, but the fragrance of her hair still lingered on his nose.

Xie Yunqing stared at her slightly red ears when she turned around, his Adam's apple moved, and he raised his hand to touch the mask on the side of her face, but his fingertips hovered in the air and then he retracted it.

The kiss just now was light and there was no real touch through the mask, but he felt that even the corners of his eyes that were exposed were getting hot.

It felt like something was sweeping across the tip of my heart, making it numb and a little itchy.

For the first time in his life, he felt that the mask was quite cumbersome, and he suddenly wanted to know what it would feel like if that softness fell on his skin.

Finally the kiss was over, Shen Wenji breathed a sigh of relief.

She forced herself to remain calm, but the blush on her ears betrayed her. She looked at the guard, her voice trembling slightly. "Can you prove my identity now? Can you let us in?"

"This..." The guard looked at Xie Yunqing hesitantly.

The knuckles of his fingers gripping the sword were clenched white. Xie Yunqing lowered his eyes to hide the chaotic emotions surging in his eyes, and nodded lightly to the guard.

The guard, as if granted amnesty, immediately put on a fawning smile and handed two identification bracelets to Xie Yunqing. Then he bowed respectfully, gestured for them to come in, and welcomed the two into the Worry-Free Inn.

As soon as he stepped over the threshold, Shen Wenji subconsciously wanted to pull back his hand that had been tightly held.

Xie Yunqing's face remained calm, but a subtle hint of disappointment flashed across his eyes. The moment their fingers separated, his fingertips unconsciously curled slightly, ultimately catching only a wisp of cool air.

That's right, Shen Wenji originally came in by borrowing his identity, and now that he has used him up...it's natural that they have to go their separate ways.

He lowered his eyes, not daring to look at her leaving.

Until, a white, tender and slender hand suddenly stretched out in front of him and shook gently.

Xie Yunqing's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly opened his eyes. Following the palm in front of him, he looked at the person in front of him. It was Shen Wenji. It turned out that she had not left.

"you……"

Shen Wenji's eyebrows curved, and his smile was bright: "What's wrong? Sir, my identity bracelet has not been given to me yet."

"Oh." Xie Yunqing responded with a dry throat, and slowly took out one of the bracelets with a thin silver pendant and jade plate.

Shen Wenji reached out to take it, but he spoke first, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tension: "Let me help you put it on, it will be more convenient."

It sounded reasonable, so Shen Wenji didn't think much about it and reached out obediently.

Xie Yunqing's fingertips were a little cold, and when they touched Shen Wenji's wrist, she subconsciously shrank back.

He paused, looking up at her. His eyes, hidden behind his mask, darkened, but he didn't stop. He grasped the jade pendant on a thin silver chain between his fingers and gently moved it to her wrist.

The silver chain brushed against her skin, making her shiver with cold. His fingertips occasionally brushed the inside of her wrist, the calloused touch burning even more than the silver chain. Shen Wenji lowered her head and could see his bony hands concentrating on fastening the end of the silver chain.

With a light "click" sound, the chain fits perfectly on the wrist.

"Okay." Xie Yunqing withdrew his hand. The warmth of her wrist seemed to still remain on his fingertips, which made him curl his fingertips.

Shen Wenji, thinking of reciprocity, asked casually, "Do you need me to help you put it on?"

She was just asking politely. After all, no one would dare to mess with a big shot like the OP even if he didn't wear an identity bracelet.

Unexpectedly, he responded solemnly: "Okay."

And he actually raised his arm slightly and extended his broad palm.

A black and gold mask covered his face, and his dark eyes fell on her hand. Shen Wenji took a deep breath, passed his fingertips through the chain, and put it on his wrist.

His wrist was thicker than she thought, and the silver chain at the end took a long time to buckle up. She was so anxious that her hands were shaking, and her fingertips inevitably touched his skin.

When their skin touched, Xie Yunqing's wrist tensed slightly, and his exposed eyelashes trembled.

"It's almost there," she whispered, pressing the clasp tighter with her fingertips.

With a slight sound, the bracelet was properly wrapped around his wrist. Shen Wenji breathed a sigh of relief and was about to withdraw her hand, but saw him gently grasp her fingertips with his backhand.

Two jade plates with similar patterns collided with each other, making a crisp sound.

Shen Wenji lowered his eyes and tried to change the subject dryly: "This bracelet is quite nice."

She tried to pull her hand back, but he held it tighter.

Just now, Xie Yunqing suddenly realized something. He always had to take the initiative to fight for some things. He looked at Shen Wenji and asked slowly, "Madam, where are you going? Why don't we go together?"

Shen Wenji's eyes widened, and he gritted his teeth and whispered, "Don't bother the landlord, I can do it on my own. I was able to sneak in thanks to the landlord, and I will definitely thank you in the future."

"Don't forget that you are my wife now. Everything you say and do will implicate me. I think it is necessary for me to follow you."

Xie Yunqing raised the corner of his lips in a smile that seemed to be neither a smile nor a smile. There was no complaint in his tone, but rather a hint of happiness: "It just so happens that I have nothing to do right now, why don't I help you."

Shen Wenji stared at him warily and asked, "Help me? What do you want to gain?"

Xie Yunqing pretended to be pensive. After a moment, his voice carried the shrewdness and laziness typical of a businessman: "How about Madam, please reimburse me for the expenses of the day at Zuihualou? To be honest, merchants are driven by profit, and a complete settlement of payment and goods is the only way to achieve long-term success."

"Is that all you want?" Shen Wenji was a little skeptical.

The rumored unkind OP doesn't seem to be that difficult to talk to?

"That's my only request." Xie Yunqing nodded.

Shen Wenji agreed immediately: "I came here to find a woman. If you can help me find her, I will give you any amount of money you want."

She looked around at the unfamiliar and oppressive environment, feeling slightly uncomfortable. Meanwhile, the owner of Zuihualou beside her appeared contented and at ease.

"I see you look like a regular here. Do you know where someone will be imprisoned if they are caught?" Shen Wenji asked Xie Yunqing with a burning gaze.

Xie Yunqing did not answer directly. He raised his slender fingers and pointed to the center of the inn hall.

Shen Wenji looked in the direction of his hand. There were four oil lamps hanging on the beams of the inn. The dim light was just enough to illuminate the strange wooden fence in the center of the hall.

It's not called a fence, but it looks more like half a fence tied with a thick iron chain, which is twisted and crooked to enclose an area of ​​about ten feet square. There are still iron nails embedded in the fence posts, and the tips are covered with dark brown dirt.

"What is this...?" Shen Wenji had never seen such a scene in a serious inn before, and an ominous premonition surged in his heart.

Xie Yunqing said lazily, "Inns usually like to have something to entertain people, the most common of which is music, singing and dancing. But this place doesn't have that, so the Colosseum was developed."

"The Colosseum?" Shen Wenji asked speculatively, "Are you referring to those strange beasts from the Demon Realm? Let them kill each other in cages for fun."

"That's about right." The sound of drums came from a high platform not far away. Xie Yunqing's voice mixed in with it, sounding muffled: "It's just that the fight isn't against beasts, it's against humans."

With the subtle sound of the mechanism turning, two people rose from the bottom of the fence. One of them was hunched over and looked skinny, while the other looked very strong, with thick stubble on his cheeks.

With a "clang", the waiter threw a broken copper basin over the railing, and a few drops of the rotten water in it splashed out and fell on the thin man's straw sandals. He retracted his feet, and his exposed ankle was wrapped with a blood-soaked cloth.

Another burly man with a stubble spat and cursed, "Little turtle, can't you just let it go properly?"

The iron chains rattled, and looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a few rusty chains hanging from the top of the railing, one end of which was tied to the wrists of the two people, and the other end was nailed firmly to the beam.

The spectators had already filled the surrounding tables and chairs to the brim, the wine jugs hit the rims of the bowls, and the shouts almost blew the roof off.

A fat man in a silk shirt took out a silver ingot and slammed it on the table, pointing at the thin, lame man in the stalls: "I bet he won't last more than three moves!"

Someone nearby immediately responded, throwing copper coins and silver coins over to the fence, where they rolled into the cracks of the wooden boards that had long been trampled black, mixing with old wine stains and blood scabs.

Mixed with the brutal and bloody scenes, the crowd outside the fence broke into a morbid carnival, as if the people struggling in the fence were not human lives, but just insects for their entertainment.

Shen Wenji was not far away, and the spurted blood suddenly splashed towards her.

The next second, her vision darkened.

A large, warm palm with thin calluses tightly covered her eyes, and the fingertips inadvertently brushed her throbbing temples.

When she opened her eyes again, the figure in black clothes had already firmly protected her behind him. He raised his other hand and gently wiped away the glaring scarlet stain on her cheek with his fingertips.

Shen Wenji's voice was a little hoarse, and she asked: "Has it always been like this here?"

Xie Yunqing nodded, his voice deep, "This is already a necessary item. In order to maintain this activity, the store sometimes captures or buys some people back and keeps them in the basement. The person you are looking for may be in there."

Shen Wenji didn't dare to think about it too much. Second Senior Sister had always been delicate. She didn't like to wield swords and guns, and she knew almost no self-defense skills. If she really came to this hell on earth where cruelty and killing were rampant, how would she survive?

She anxiously grabbed Xie Yunqing's wrist and said, "You must know how to get to the basement, right? Take me there, please."

Xie Yunqing couldn't refuse her, so he nodded and reminded her: "You must follow me closely in a while. Ensuring your safety is equally important."

"Don't worry about me, I still have the ability to protect myself." Shen Wenji urged: "Let's go quickly."

Xie Yunqing led her by the hand, bypassing the hustle and bustle, and came to an unremarkable semicircular stone building in the corner of the backyard. He knocked on the heavy, cold iron door four times in a rhythmic pattern, two long and two short.

After a few seconds, the heavy iron door slowly opened a crack, and a short old man covered in a large cloak appeared, hunched over. The cloak covered his entire face, making it impossible to see his face clearly.

But why call him old man? It was simply because his voice was as old and hoarse as sandpaper: "Dear guest, which pet would you like to choose?"

Xie Yunqing had just told her about the introduction to fighting pets on the way.

Fighting pets, as the name suggests, refer to fighting pets, which are the people fighting inside the fence. Since no one regards them as human beings, they are referred to as pets.

Often, some distinguished guests would find the beast fighting on the field boring, so they would come to this place, personally select their favorite fighting pet, and pay a certain price. If the chosen fighting pet wins, not only will the purchase price be returned, but half of the bet will also be given to the distinguished guest.

Now, the two of them came to the basement to choose under the pretext of buying fighting pets.

Shen Wenji followed the rehearsed speech, raised his chin, and said arrogantly: "My husband, when it comes to fighting for favors, you have to see it with your own eyes before you can be assured. If you designate it arbitrarily, wouldn't you lose everything?"

Xie Yunqing looked at the cloaked old man with a cold gaze, and said in a voice that carried the authority of a superior: "Didn't you hear what my wife said? Why don't you lead the way quickly?"

An uncomfortable low laugh came from under the cloak: "The nobles all think this place is dirty and seldom come here... Are you two new guests?" He slowly stepped aside, making way for a path into the darkness.

The basement is dark, damp and cramped.

The moment I stepped inside, a nauseatingly strong musty smell mixed with the pungent smell of blood assaulted me. The light was so dim I could barely see anything, and the air was thick and oppressive, as if countless wronged souls were wailing in my ears.

Shen Wenji covered his nose and looked disgusted on the surface, but in fact his eyes were fixed on every person imprisoned in the small room that looked like a prison cell.

Walking all the way to the end, all I saw were men with haggard faces and numb eyes, and I didn't see the second senior sister.

She exchanged a glance with Xie Yunqing.

Xie Yunqing immediately understood, and put his arm around her waist affectionately, his voice deliberately softened: "Madam, do you like anything?"

Shen Wenji frowned and said dissatisfiedly: "Why are there only stinky men? It's boring. I want to see women fighting each other, that's fresh and exciting."

"Okay, okay, everything will be as your wife asks." Xie Yunqing looked at the old man in the cloak and asked in a bad tone, "Is that all? My wife wants to choose a woman."

The old man paused, and a tangible scrutinizing gaze seemed to penetrate the thick cloak and shoot towards Shen Wenji, making her back cold.

"Hahahaha." A strange laugh escaped from beneath his cloak, and he spoke in an ambiguous tone, "No distinguished guest has ever made such a request. Others would only wish to pick the strongest man so they could win a huge prize. Madam, your taste... is quite unique."

Shen Wenji suppressed his palpitations, mustered up his courage, and said in a domineering tone: "Is there any? We are not short of money, we just want to have a good time."

"Yes... Of course there is," the cloaked man said hoarsely, "but the place is too narrow, only enough for one person to enter." He paused, his voice filled with cold temptation, "Madam? Or this noble? Who will enter..."

Their eyes met, and Shen Wenji gave him a reassuring look, pretending to be arrogant and said, "Of course I'll choose. I don't want my husband to have contact with other women."

The cloaked man said no more, and his skinny hand, like a ghost claw, pressed hard on an inconspicuous brick in the lower right corner of the wall at the end.

The stone door began to move, revealing a narrow gap. He said in a hoarse voice, "Please come in, distinguished guest. No matter what you see, it's best not to meddle in other people's business. After you choose your pet, remove the number tag around her neck and walk straight out. I won't go in with you."

He didn't follow, which was exactly what Shen Wenji wanted. She walked quickly into the gap, and the space inside was even more cramped and narrow, and she couldn't even stand up straight.

After taking a few steps, I seemed to kick something soft beside my foot.

Shen Wenji held his breath and looked down.

A woman was curled up on the ground, half naked, her body covered with hideous whip marks and bruises, her long, withered hair was stuck to her dirty face, and her life or death was unknown.

Shen Wenji quickly squatted down and carefully tried to help her up. As soon as his fingertips touched her cold shoulder and neck, the seemingly unconscious woman suddenly jumped up like a frightened bird and burst into a shrill and desperate scream: "Don't touch me!"

"Don't be afraid, there are no bad people here." Shen Wenji patted the girl's back slowly, coaxing her softly, and hurriedly helped her to gather up her torn clothes. She glanced at the number plate on the back of the girl's neck, number 28.

Men all become fighting pets in the Colosseum, and the fate of women here is even more tragic. There are countless pitiful girls like No. 28.

"Number 28 has gone crazy. Who are you? Are you the one who is here to deal with her?" A timid female voice reached Shen Wenji's ears.

She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a small window, no bigger than a dog hole, covered with thin wire. A dirty little face was pressed against the wire mesh, and its big, watery eyes were staring at her through the mesh, unblinking.

Shen Wenji helped the shivering girl No. 28 to lean against the wall, moved closer to the small wire mesh window, and met her watery eyes. Her heart softened a little. She said in a gentle voice: "I'm here to rescue you. Can you tell me about what's going on here? Were you all captured?"

"I'm No. 29. I've only been here a few days. Most of the girls here were captured, but I... was sold by my parents." She paused, as if recounting something unrelated. "Aren't we here to be played with? Most of the older, more beautiful girls have been taken away. The ones who come back here are either rotting corpses or mentally ill girls like No. 28."

She looked at Shen Wenji calmly, her eyes, which should have been clear, were dead silent. "They said I was too young and meaningless. Maybe when I grow up, I will go crazy like No. 28, or even turn into a corpse. I am lucky to live one more day now. I don't even have the extravagant hope of getting out."

Shen Wenji looked at the pair of eyes that had lost their luster. His throat seemed to be strangled by an invisible hand. The sour sobs blocked his chest and he could hardly breathe.

"How many girls like you are here?" Her voice trembled slightly.

No. 29 moved his body to make some space.

Through the cold wire mesh, Shen Wenji clearly saw a group of ragged, skinny girls, like abandoned kittens, huddled together in this small, damp, and smelly cage.

Everyone is like a tattered rag doll, unable to cry or laugh, and even motionless, with dull and blank eyes.

She looked carefully and found that there was no senior sister here. But the hellish scene before her made Shen Wenji's blood run cold in an instant, and then ignited a raging rage in the next second.

Shen Wenji secretly vowed that she would not only rescue her senior sister, but also take all the girls out.

But at this moment, she had to remain calm. Her senior sister was the bargaining chip those beasts were using to threaten the Hehuan Sect. If she couldn't find her first, she would be in danger and would end up hurting everyone.

"I will definitely get you out, trust me." Shen Wenji stared into No. 29's eyes, which were still as still as water, and promised solemnly. She lowered her voice and asked anxiously, "Besides this place, are there other places where girls are held?"

No. 29 nodded and said weakly, "Maybe it's on the second floor of the inn. Those sisters who were taken away were receiving customers there. I've never been there, so I don't know if it's true..."

"Okay, thank you." Shen Wenji suppressed his surging emotions and stood up to leave.

Suddenly, the little girl behind her called her.

"Sister." Number 29's voice trembled with desperation as it rang out again. "Will you...will you really...come back?"

Shen Wenji paused and turned around abruptly.

Through the cold wire mesh, she looked into those eyes filled with despair and the last faint flame of fire.

A layer of mist instantly covered her eyes. She blinked hard and said in a hoarse but firm voice: "I will definitely come back and take all of you away from here."

She followed the instructions of the old man in the cloak and walked out of the basement, moving open the heavy door. The first thing she saw was a dark figure holding a sword.

Xie Yunqing never went far and always stayed at the exit. He didn't even hesitate to use his true energy. His spiritual consciousness was always quietly sticking to Shen Wenji, paying attention to her safety at all times.

Seeing her come out safely, Xie Yunqing's tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

However, Shen Wenji did not look very good, with a look of grief and solemnity on his face.

"Didn't find it?" He raised his hand and very naturally brushed away the sweat-soaked hair on her forehead, his voice low.

Shen Wenji nodded, looked up at him with clear eyes, and asked slowly: "I want to go to the second floor of the inn to explore for clues. Sir, do you have a way to get to the second floor?"

"The second floor?" Xie Yunqing raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes deep beneath his mask, carrying a hint of warning, "That's a place for pleasure and entertainment. A woman like you, alone, would never set foot there."

He paused and said lazily, "Unless..."

"Unless what?" Shen Wenji's heart was slightly alarmed and he asked.

"Aren't we husband and wife?" Xie Yunqing raised the corner of his lips, leaned close to her ear, and whispered calmly: "Unless, you and I go together. Just say..."

"Spring nights are short, good times are hard to come by. You and I, husband and wife, need a quiet place."

"Let's go to Wushan together and make love."

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The author has something to say: Thank you to the genuine little angels for purchasing! Thank you for your support! Thank you everyone, love you [red heart][red heart][red heart] (bow)

I received a lot of comments, which made me super happy [let me check it out], so today is another fat chapter~ The comments, irrigation, and thunder from the little treasures are all the motivation for me to write! [heart][heart][heart]