Zhou Bai's POV: Mei Shen

It was on a full moon, on the night of my birthday that life as I knew it would change forever. How foolish was I to not realize sooner that my prayers were finally answered by the Goddess I loved so much. My beloved Goddess of Fire, my dearest Raiszadah, thank you for saving me.

While sitting on my bed as I normally do, preparing my makeup and dressing for the nightly customers I could hear loud bustling noises and frantic men screaming all over the place. It was irritating and ridiculous how these beastly oafs acted. I scoffed at their foolishness and continued to apply my rogue. "The Courtesan Mei Shen, the pride and joy of our establishment is NOT FOR SALE!" I could hear the brothel owner hollering to yet another indignant male client who was trying to buy my body.

What a joke. Men have come from all over the lands to purchase me but all were killed for their attempts. They should realize my body is a rental not exclusive especially with Master Rahu breathing down their throats. I scoffed vehemently at the background noises and continued to powder my face. In some cases, that vile scoundrel would sell me off to the client only to take the money then murder the fool on the streets at night. Either way the result was obvious, death for trying or death by lynching. It was no secret that these gangsters wanted me to stay in this rathole for eternity to use me out until I died from some horrible fate.

"Ugh! Wait, HOW MUCH GOLD?! Are you serious?" I heard these words rather loudly, not minding it too much as I stuffed my chest with padding and tied my sash firmly. I was dolling up as I normally did because like all great whores of the night, I too was ready for sale. "One cannot survive in this cruel world without the right weapons." I muttered to myself as I checked my makeup in the mirror one last time. Once I was done the finishing touches, I called some of the servant girls to come help me up and do my hair. The young girls were quick to work. We all sat by the boudoir so the servants could prim my appearance for another night of work.

Just as we were applying the flowers to my hair, one of the bouncers knocked on my door. Then, like a swarm of flies several more barged. "What on earth are you wretched swines doing here? Only women or Master Rahu may enter my chambers freely! Get out at once! I did not call for you pigs!" I shouted in haughty arrogance in order to maintain my demeanor as the high courtesan of this establishment. The arrogant beasts looked at me squeamishly while my servants finished fixing my hairdo. Then Jin, the main guard and Master Rahu's right-hand man came in with his stupid conceited face glaring at me as always.

"Mistress it looks like your days here are finally over. A very powerful and wealthy man has come to buy you," the fool smirked as he spoke while ordering his goons to grab me. "What kind of nonsense is this you snake? We both know you'll just pocket his money once he thinks he's got me then haul me back with blood all over your hands!" I cursed him as the men dragged me out of my room with force. "You indignant hoard of swine! Release me at once, I can walk for myself!" I declared while slapping away the thugs surrounding me.

"Listen harlot, unlike those other low life punks this guy is no joke. He came into the office, beat everyone up and demanded to buy not only YOU but every last courtesan, slave, maid and footman servant in this joint. We're practically outta business thanks to this son of a gun. And what's worse is if we don't accept his money, he'll chop off our balls and off us too! So shut the hell up and go do as he says," Jin started shouting obscenely at me while grabbing my face like a belligerent fool.

At first, I wasn't sure what to make of this situation but clearly someone dangerous wanted to sleep with me and possibly start a harem considering he just bought twenty beautiful whores and an entourage of slaves. "Is he a slave trader from another gang? Are we going to die Jin?" I asked cautiously. "Just shut up and follow me brat, this guy is a monster. We don't know who the hell he is but even I can't beat him," Jin said in a serious almost frightened tone. Somehow, I was beginning to feel a little amused and scared at this strange situation.

Oh, Goddess of Fire I pray to you, please let this new man be kinder and far less evil than Master Rahu. I'm so tired of sick deprived men! I continued to pray to the goddess as I walked down the hall with a pack of mutts hounding me to move faster. Upon reaching the main hall the boss looked at me and my eyes met the glare of a cold-hearted demon. "Oh gosh!" I gasped in startling fright as our eyes met in the most intense glare off. The sheer intimidation alone was surreal. The sight of this devoid prickly man made my legs wobble. For the first time, in a long time, I felt faint upon catching his gaze.

Suddenly, the desert air felt cold and I couldn't help but stare at the outlandish man beside Master Rahu. He was a young gentleman in his late twenties perhaps? My god he was so tall! Was it possible for a man to be so slender, muscular, and handsome all at once?! It was obvious that he was a well-groomed man of high status to look so refined and elegant.

You could tell by his demeanor that he was looking down on everyone here, in his eyes we all looked like dirt beneath his feet. His eyes were the worst, like frozen draggers stabbing you to death it was so harsh I could barely breathe in his presence. Oh no… this man is really dangerous! I thought with fear growing intensely in my mind. To be frank, I felt more afraid of this new guy than the boss man and I already hated that bastard too!

"Is that the boy from Ejina Qi? The child whom you bought seven years ago?" The strange man asked Master Rahu who surprisingly was shaking like a coward in the presence of this ice demon. "Why- why yes, young master. This is the boy you requested. As you can see, he is quite lovely in female garb-"

Before the boss could finish speaking the scary stranger swung his leg into the boss's abdomen and sent him flying across the dining room. Tables were toppled to the ground and Jin's men ran like mice to catch the boss! "Who the hell is he?!" I frantically whispered to Jin who stood close by me for protection. "Shut up wench, or you might be next," Jin said wearily while walking up to the strange man and dragging me along by the arm like a brute.

"Change his outfit into this. That appearance is hideous and unsightly," the strange demon man said as he tossed a bag of men's clothing to Jin who handed it to me. "You heard him kid, shut up and get out of those girly clothes!" Jin yelled at me while trying to keep up with whatever crazy charade was going on! Meanwhile, I was sent to an empty room to take off my makeup and change outfits.

Shocked by the current situation, I didn't know what to do but apparently all the other prostitutes, servants and slaves were taken to the strange man's carriages and I was the only left to be seized. In a panic, I kept praying to the holy goddess Raiszadah to save me and keep me safe while dressing into men's clothing hastily. "Are you done princess?" Jin asked sarcastically while peeking into the room. "I guess I can drop the ladylike act now that I'm back in men's clothes, right? I'm done and ready to go Jin," I stated bluntly before following him back to the main entrance.

"So apparently the tough guy's name is Lord Jahei, he's some hotshot doctor who can fight like it's no one's business and he came to buy all of our merchandise! The smudge jerk gave us enough gold for it but then he beat up our boss and anyone who tried to stop him. I finally managed to get him off the boss's tail and now he's waiting by his envoy of carriages to take you and leave." Jin was giving me all the gossip and apparently this Lord Jahei guy was the real deal! I was honestly terrified that we might have been bought for human sacrifices at this point but unfortunately there was no option to escape anymore.

When we got to the front entrance the demon lord took one look at me and spoke. "That's better. You look like a kid again; she'll like that much more than your previous outfit." His mumbling was strange but I didn't dare to question this intimidating character. "Mei Shen please get in the main carriage; you will be riding with me." Lord Jahei immediately said while pointing to a fleet of expensive looking carriages.

What the hell?! Those were not normal carriages, they had black stallions, armed riders, and steel frames, who on earth was he? With my eyes bulging out of the sockets in pure disbelief, I entered the carriage while something stupid happened behind me. Upon taking my seat, Jin, and his hoard of baboons all jumped Jahei with their weapons in an attempt to kill him. I sat by the carriage window watching the pathetic battle ensue.

Without breaking a sweat, Lord Jahei pulled out his sword, which was hidden in the shaft of a walking cane and chopped off the legs of several men. He disarmed everyone in sight and the ones who were still standing ran behind Jin, who literally pissed himself in fear. Meanwhile, Master Rahu was just hiding in his office shaking like a coward and everything ended within minutes. It was a rare sight to behold, one of the nation's most notorious gang leaders just got his butt kicked by some random stranger. I was beginning to like my new master a lot more now.

To finish things off, Lord Jahei slashed his sword in midair, cleaning off the blood instantly before sheathing his blade. He sneered sinisterly at the injured thugs before walking over to our carriage. In the most nonchalant way, he entered the carriage, took his seat, and acted as if nothing just happened. Trying my best not to get dismembered next, I remained poised and silent while the horses began to move. Thus, we took off to our new location.

"Fear not child, I have no intentions of harming you or the other people I bought tonight. I simply was told to save you and do whatever seemed reasonable with the rest." The dark lord spoke softly and peered out the window as he explained himself. "Where are you taking us?" I asked humbly, trying my best not to offend this man.

"Me and you will go to my home. You were bought for my daughter. She's lonely and sickly. You will be living with her and keeping her company from now on. The remaining lot will be sent to a monastery in the Tibetan mountains where they will live as nuns following the pacifistic teachings of the Wind Goddess." The lord spoke bluntly but his words confused me. "Anuah nuns? They are going to a temple that far away? Wait why only me? I-" I ended up biting my tongue as I stuttered to talk.

First, he saves those other people and sends them to a holy temple in the mountains to become nuns but then he keeps me for his daughter? What kind of sick joke is this? I was baffled and unsure if this was blessing or a curse. "Don't worry, my daughter was the one who wanted to save you. We have no intentions of causing you harm so rest at ease, we are almost there. My mansion is just outside of Yinchuan."

Lord Jahei seemed less evil the more he spoke but trusting him was still out of the question for me. He was suspicious but not evil as far as I could tell. It was hard to put my finger on exactly how I felt about him but I knew he was not someone to play around with by any means.

The carriage finally stopped as the night grew darker. It was pitch-black outside but the moon was shining brightly. Lord Jahei exited the carriage first then helped me get down as well. He was polite and told me to follow him as we entered his home. The house was enormous, and exquisitely beautiful! It was like a palace with flowers everywhere, a giant koi pond encircling the yard, a separate medical office at the front of the land and another building with various rooms and windows in sight. I was taken back by how luxurious everything was.

Speechless to the extravagance before me, I just kept my head down and followed my new master meekly. Surely, acting like a haughty courtesan would not work well for me lest, I get my head lopped off for being arrogant! I thought such scary things with intense anxiety as I frantically tried to reprogram myself to behave as subserviently as possible just to survive this current situation.

In deep thought, I was stopped in my tracks by the Lord who halted me suddenly. "We are about to enter my daughter's room. She is very sensitive and shy so behave properly. I bought you to keep her company and watch over her while I work. Do not make a fool of yourself child. I will not tolerate any crass vulgarities towards my beloved daughter Rai," he said brazenly as if to threaten me. Evidently, that explains things clearly now. It would appear that I was bought by this crazy rich guy to be his spoiled little princess's play mate, how nice.

Uncomfortably, I sighed knowing this was at least better than screwing horny pigs all my life but ughhh I was nervous about meeting a bratty girl too. Earnestly, I tried to put on my most well-mannered face and nodded at Lord Jahei. "I understand sir, I will do my best to take care of the young lady in your absence." I said firmly while bowing respectively to keep things calm.

Frankly, after seeing him chop and slice those gangsters I knew all too well how stupid it would be to piss this guy off. He seemed to really love his daughter too. Oh Goddess, please let this daughter be some young sweet innocent girl! I really don't want another demon like this guy. I can't even imagine a female version of Lord Jahei! I kept screaming in my head hoping I wouldn't throw up next!

Anxiously, I stood behind Lord Jahei as we entered the young lady's bedroom. He knocked and a soft gentle voice said to come in. She sounded so young and angelic I couldn't help but blush at the sound of such a cute voice. How charming, I thought as we walked into the lady's bedroom. Like a mystical beauty straight out of a fantasy, a petite young lady with gorgeous long hair and exotic clothing greeted us.

Gosh she is a beauty! My mind was racing as I studied her appearance and coy mannerisms. She looked like she was around my age and she seemed so delicate like a newly blossomed rose. Her small face was covered in tears; she must have been crying recently. Somehow, I was becoming enchanted by this girl.

When our eyes met my heart ached and I suddenly had the urge to hold her. She looked directly at me with the most sorrowful eyes too. How I longed to wipe away her tears but my common sense held me in place. Clearly, I knew if I got too friendly my head might be rolling soon after so I kept myself in check for the time being.

After the lord and his daughter exchanged a few words, we all sat in the lady's bedroom to get better acquainted. My mind was blurry and restless. I wanted to wander off into space due to my own anxiety about this situation. This lightheaded feeling lasted until the beautiful little miss did something unexpected.

Carelessly, I looked at her from a distance and she dramatically called out to me. Her words played through my head like the chirping of a nightingale. Uneasy about her actions, I didn't know how to react but I felt unusually happy to hear her voice. In the blink of an eye, without realizing it, I was standing and she ran into my arms, hugging me tightly much to my surprise.

Uncharacteristically, I couldn't help but return her embrace with my own tenderness. It was like fate brought us together and in a split second something within me changed. Strange as it may be, the thought that ran across my mind in that moment was, I think I'm falling in love with this lady. I never felt love but if this was it, then my Goddess, please help me.