Chapter 51: Flower Street: Lowly People [VIP]
On a joyous night, the Sea Fairy shop was packed with people.
Some came here after hearing others’ introduction, and some came to reminisce about the heavenly music of yesterday.
They gathered around the handsome bard like stars around the moon, listening to his singing that was as natural, smooth and touching as a clear spring. From time to time, they took watered-down wine and various snacks from the waiters, eating and drinking absent-mindedly, their eyes always lingering on the bard, reluctant to leave.
In fact, not only the guests were fascinated by the bard's beauty and music, but even the female boss and waiters were fascinated by him. They either found reasons to approach him or stood there staring at him in a trance, immersed in the incredible world created by the poet with his melodious voice like a bird.
At dawn, the night's joy came to an end.
The guests reluctantly left the tavern, and the landlady brought the bard some food. "Thanks to you, my shop is making a lot of money. In fact, in just the past two days, I've made what I used to make in a month."
"You have been a great help to me as well."
Xiao Yun said with a smile.
The female boss was an upright person. Even though the "Sea Fairy" shop had become popular in recent days because of Xiao Yun's singing and was packed with customers every night, she had not harbored any bad thoughts. She always adhered to her principles and did not allow customers to do inappropriate things to the bard and waitresses under the influence of alcohol.
"Business shouldn't just focus on short-term profits. Although this business can certainly make a lot of money in the short term," the female owner said with a smile, "but over time, my customers will only be left with the vulgar things that women can't even find on the red-light district. Bards like you with a clear voice that touches people's hearts will no longer enter my shop."
"You are a wise man."
"It's just that I've struggled in the red-light district before, and I don't want to do the same things again."
The female boss smiled and added a plate of barbecue to Xiao Yun.
"Poseidon Festival is just two weeks away. Are you interested in participating in the singer audition for the Poseidon Festival?"
"Sea God Celebration? Me?"
Xiao Yun pretended to be surprised.
"With your singing voice, if you participate in the audition, you will definitely be the best singer and sing 'Lullaby' for the Sea God on the day of the Sea God Festival."
Belief in the god of the sea is widespread in coastal areas. The city of Kucukia in the western continent, famous for its wealth and enjoyment, holds a Poseidon Festival every year. During the festival, priests of the god of the sea are invited to comfort the souls of those who died in shipwrecks, brave gladiators perform before the god, and bards with heavenly voices sing "Lullaby" for the god of the sea.
Therefore, one month before the Poseidon Festival every year, the entire city of Kukuchia would mobilize to hold singing competitions and gladiator promotion tournaments to select the best bards and the strongest gladiators. The casinos in the city would also take the opportunity to open to attract more people to participate.
"This year's gladiator games have officially begun. The most eye-catching performance is from a masked gladiator named Brandi. His physique and skills are very similar to the 'Blue Lion' who has now left Kukuchia. Brandi's three companions also have their own unique characteristics, especially the barbarian boy named Suna..."
"He's not only sturdy, but also handsome... It's just... It's a pity that I'm too old to rush up to him with the young girls and give him flowers..."
As she spoke, the female boss showed a silly smile.
Xiao Yun silently dipped the bread in the last bit of soup on the plate and wiped his mouth: "Thank you for the treat."
"Please continue to take care of our business tomorrow as well."
The female boss smiled and saw Xiao Yun out.
…
At this time, it was already dawn.
The prostitutes, both female and male, who had seen off their guests, leaned lazily against the railings, yawning or staring blankly at the narrow sky that was cut into strips by the crowded houses.
Snack vendors pushed their food carts along the street, and servants numbly cleaned up the mess after the carnival.
Xiao Yun, carrying his musical instrument, walked along the flowery streets in the early morning, which was completely inconsistent with the name of joy, and felt a strong sadness in the air.
Obviously, except for succubi like Romila, no female or male prostitute stays here voluntarily - bound by debts and indentures, it is almost impossible for them to get real happiness from this world where bodies are traded as commodities and is full of cheap and rotten smells. They live simply to live.
The women on the second floor also quickly noticed the young bard.
"Hello! Hello!"
There were shouts overhead.
Xiao Yun looked up and saw a young woman, whose heavy makeup couldn't hide her fatigue, leaning against the railing in disheveled clothes. She waved her hand, which was covered with several bracelets, at him and said, "Pretty boy, sing a song for me! I'll give you the bracelets, and I can accompany you for free to make you feel good."
"you……"
"Don't be cheap, she's very sick!"
The woman opposite waved a silk fan from the East Continent to stop him, saying, "Come to me! I can give you a better one!"
"-rest?"
people.
Money is not for us to eat and drink for free."
The woman said lazily, taking off a bracelet, "Thank you for caring about me."
"As a reward, I'll sing you a song."
Xiao Yun took down his instrument and played it on the spot.
"Her name is Elaine
She's a girl, like any other girl.
She has her joys and sorrows
This is her life, just like yours
She wants to find love, just love
Her name is Elaine
When she came home at night, no one was waiting for her
When the lights went out, there was no thought to keep her awake
One day, all her pain will be forgotten
One day, she will find her love..."
The natural, relaxed, bright and meaningful song, like a pillow whisper, evaporated in the cold morning air of Flower Street. The woman leaning on the railing listening to the song shed tears silently, covered her face with her hands, and let out choked sobs.
"...This song is really nice, but unfortunately I already..."
"Why didn't I hear this song until today... If I had heard it earlier, maybe... maybe..."
The woman fanning herself and advising Xiao Yun not to be greedy was also crying. Her tears washed away the remaining fat on her face, revealing her haggard skin.
"Brother, I take back my promise to treat you for free. Your singing voice is so pure and beautiful, like a bird in the sky or a clear spring in the mountains. You don't belong here..."
"I don't want to leave just yet."
Xiao Yun raised his head and looked at the sick woman: "You are very ill. I will help you contact a doctor."
"Contact a doctor? Which doctor? Which doctor is willing to see us?"
The woman leaning against the railing taunted him, "Young man, you're from out there. You don't realize that no matter how much money people pay, the local doctors won't come into the red-light district to treat us. The doctors in the Wandering Drama crew are willing to pay, but they usually just use red-hot iron to burn away the rotten flesh... Luckily, the kind-hearted Twin God priests regularly send us some healing and pain-relieving powder."
"Why?"
"Because Flower Street is a place where evil spreads, and getting sick is a punishment from the gods."
The woman curled her lips and returned to the room.
…
…
Xiao Yun walked into Yuehui Tower with a frown. Before he could say anything, Romila came up to him.
"Dear young master, let Romila massage your shoulders~"
"roll!"
Xiao Yun decisively avoided Romila.
Romila wasn't angry either. She sat limply on the stair railing, licking her fingers in an extremely obscene manner. "Master, you don't look too happy?"
"Um."
"Why?"
“…”
Xiao Yun rarely mocked Romila.
"I don't understand... I really don't understand... They are forced to stay in Hua Street. They are clearly victims, so why are they despised? Even doctors refuse to come to Hua Street to treat them?"
"Because you, young master, have been so well protected by Her Royal Highness the Princess that you don't understand the ugliness of human nature."
Romila pouted and acted cute: "Even a beggar on the street will not feel miserable if he can find someone who is lower and more despised than himself."
"The prostitutes and male prostitutes living in the red-light district are just like that, and so am I."
Romila added.
"You are not the same as them."
Xiao Yun glanced at Romila.
"They are forced to accept this life, and you enjoy it."
"Um."
Romila shrugged indifferently and jumped down the banister.
"Then, noble young master, how do you plan to save these people?"
“…”
"Are you thinking of buying all the women and men in Kukuchia's red-light district and giving them their freedom? Tsk tsk tsk!"
Romila smacked her lips.
"With the wealth of the Holy Family and your brother's doting on you, this is indeed a simple and quick method. But as long as Kukuchia remains the City of Joy, the red-light district you've temporarily cleared will quickly be filled with new prostitutes from all over the Western Continent! Unless you occupy Kukuchia and become the new city lord! Clear out the red-light district!"
"How do you know that I can't become the new lord of Kukuchia?"
“…”
Romila looked at Xiao Yun suspiciously.
"Well, if I were the young master of the Holy Family, with a doting brother, I could do whatever I wanted. But you'd better act within your means. Although His Royal Highness the Princess is very powerful and difficult to mess with, he is not a god after all. He won't live long and can't protect you forever."
"Why did the high priests of all generations not live long?"
"Because—Master, your expression now looks very funny~"
Romila smiled frivolously: "My dear young master, if you allow me to climb into your bed and teach you how to grow up, I will tell you everything you want to know, including why your brother is destined to die soon~"
“No need!”
Xiao Yun turned and left.
He decided to find the Twin God Priests in the city of Kukuchia to learn about the specific health conditions of the people in Huajie, and by the way, use the magic equipment in the temple to contact Yaris.
——Fearing that magic might cause shipwrecks, the residents of Kukuchia, who believe in the sea god, have always kept their distance from magicians. Most of the white magicians affiliated with the Magic Guild strictly abstain from sex and do not want to have any deep connection with this hedonistic city.
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