Chapter 03 A Favor For Freedom

The group of seven walked for two days and finally reached the foot of Mountain Village. Standing at the foot of Mountain Village, Guozhao Zhiqiang can see many small houses built on the mountain. Guozhao Zhiqiang has never been to this land before, everything is unfamiliar to him. He is not a social person, he looks different from other people who live here, so he doesn't know what expect from the people. He continued carrying Hu Dingxiang and followed Hu Jiangou and the four women up the mountain road. When he reached halfway up the mountain, Hu Jiangou suddenly stopped, leaving the four female disciples walking in front.

Hu Jiangou turned back and looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and Hu Dingxiang. He said, "Dingxiang you know the rules and you know what to do." Hu Jiangou continued walking up the stone steps to the left, leaving Hu Dingxiang and Guozhao Zhiqiang on the mountain steps.

Hu Dingxiang, "I'm sorry Zhiqiang. According to the regulations of our sector, visitors are not allowed in the mountains. I will take you to one of our guest houses." He grabbed Guozhao Zhigiang's left hand. "Follow me."

Guozhao Zhiqiang and Hu Dingxiang walked into a remote bamboo forest area with many guesthouses. There are already five guests there. Hu Dingxiang took Guozhao Zhiqiang to a farther guesthouse from the other ten guesthouses.

Hu Dingxiang smiled politely and said, "This one suit you the most, since you are the least talkative person here."

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "You will not stay?"

Hu Dingxiang, "No, I am not. I have to see my mother as soon as possible, unless she thinks there is something wrong with me. I will have dinner with you." He smiled at Guozhao Zhiqiang. "I'll see you tonight." He waved and quickly leave.

That night, Guozhao Zhiqiang was sitting alone in the small bamboo shed, playing with the candlelight, when suddenly someone knocked on the door. Guozhao Zhiqiang went to open the door and did not see Hu Dingxiang, but a servant.

Servant Li said, "Sir, this is your dinner?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "Where is Dingxiang? Who are you?"

Servant Li said, "Called me servant Li. Someone wanted to hurt the second young master tonight, but failed, so he was not allowed to leave his bedroom."

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked worriedly, "Is he injured?"

Servant Li, "His body was not injured, but his eyes were injured. Fortunately, we have many good doctors. The doctors said he will be better in four days." The servant looked sad.

Guozhao Zhiqiang looked at servant Li and asked, "Why do you look sad?"

Servant Li said with a sad face, "The second young master is always being watched. People say that being born in a wealthy family is a blessing, but they are wrong, because in a wealthy family, everyone's goal is to become the heir of the leader of the household. In five days, there will be a competition among the brothers. Every young master can choose someone to compete with them for the title. My young master was injured suddenly. Is this really a coincidence, or is someone deliberately reducing my young master's chance of competition?" He sighed. "I'm just a servant, and my opinion doesn't count in the eyes of the masters."

Guozhao Zhiqiang strongly asked, "You said someone deliberately harmed him?"

Servant Li said, "I'm just a servant, and it's not something I can judge. My young master cannot see now, nor he can choose a hunter to compete with him. Even if he chosen someone, with his injured eyes, the hunter will not be willing to compete alongside him."

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "Is he coming to see me?"

Servant Li said, "My young master said, tomorrow he will come to see you." He put the basket of food on the table. "Please don't tell my young master that I told you these things. He doesn't like this. He didn't want anyone to pity him."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "Don't worry I will not tell him."

Servant Li said, "I'm leaving now. Enjoy your dinner. Goodnight." He found that he had said too much, and hurriedly left the room.

The soft footsteps echoed in the dark corridor, and in the dark tunnel, Hu Dingxiang stood in front of an iron door. He inserted the key into the lock and unlocked the iron door. He put down the lantern in the hall outside of the dark room. In the dark room, a man in black was handcuffed to the wall. As soon as the door opened, the man in black quickly moved from the center of the room to the corner. The sound of dragging chains quickly echoed in the darkness.

Hu Dingxiang smiled faintly, "Don't worry, I'm not here to beat you today."

The man in black clothes voice trembled, "Then why are you here?"

Hu Dingxiang sighed and said, "I came with a proposal."

The man in black asked in a trembling voice, "What kind of proposal?"

Hu Dingxiang giggled, "A promise to set you free."

The man in black slowly approached Hu Dingxiang, "Really?"

Hu Dingxiang looked at the terrified man and said, "You have to do something for me in exchange for your freedom."

The man in black asked, "What is it?"

Hu Dingxiang said, "You only have to sleep with one person."

The man in black, "What? Sleep with someone?"

Hu Dingxiang, "Not just sleeping, but engage in a sexual intercourse with a young man."

The man in black said in shock, "No, I am a man."

Hu Dingxiang sneered, "Deming, you will either be locked here forever and be my sandbag for a lifetime, or sleep with this man and you will be free. The choice is yours." He walked out slowly.

Deming trembling said, "Wait... I will... sleep with him." He sobbed. "You swear to let me go afterward."

Hu Dingxiang smiled and said, "I will." He walked back to unlock the chains. "Don't you dare trying to escape, I have promised him to give you to him. My servants will be everywhere. If you try to escape, they will kill you." He put his hand around Deming's throat and squeezed hard. "Last time you tried to escape. I have to kill your mother. Be a good boy and obey."

Standing in the breeze of the night, his eyes were tightly wrapped. Deming didn't know where he was. He only heard the rustle of the wind blowing through the leaves. He thought of it like a dream. When he was alone in the woods, he was about five years old. An evil woman came and took him away, and then he was locked in a dark room. If he sleeps with someone, he will be released, he is no longer someone's punching bag, then he will. Such humiliation would not destroy his will to survive.

Hu Dingxiang stood beside Deming and warned Deming, "Remember not to take off the blindfold. If you see the man's face, the chance of surviving is zero for you. You can't look at his face to ensure him you will not be able to later identify him, understand?" Deming nodded. "If you look at him, my proposal will be off." He gritted his teeth madly. "Do you understand my instructions?"

Deming nodded and said, "I understand."

Hu Dingxiang said, "Just answer yes to whatever name he calls you."

Deming nodded.

Hu Dingxiang, "The less you say, the better. Don't make mistakes. If you make a mistake, the offer will also be cancelled."

Deming nodded and said, "I understand."

Deming heard footsteps walking away from him and stopped behind a tree. Deming knew that the boss was watching him, so he wouldn't make any mistakes. He stood there not knowing which way to go. After waiting for a while, Deming felt a warm, rough hand hold his hands.

A deep man's voice said, "You shouldn't be out for too long. I will take you back." The warm, rough-handed man spoke in a low voice. The man put his arms around Deming, and the two of them walked towards the guesthouse.