Volume 3, Chapter 36: Poison Maiden (1/2)

The chapter contains scenes that some readers will find unpleasant.

It seems, Rourans mother, Shenmei, is a woman who is as good as her word.

As she had promised, two men showed up at the room not long after.

Maomao had hidden the contents of the paulownia box under the bed. She probed around in the dark, and only pulled out the papers that were slipped between the books.

(I failed.)

Perhaps, she wouldnt have been noticed if she didnt make such a loud sound. However, it was also likely that they had suspected it to no small extent from that situation. But Maomao had needed to check the contents of the box immediately.

Why did Rouran bring Maomao all the way to such a dangerous place even though she thought she was going to solve that mystery, it seems there is no time to allow her to think.

She figured she might be discovered sooner or later, but it had to be in the worst-case scenario.

The lighting in their hand brightly illuminated effeminate faces. Their clothes were threadbare, stained with black splotches here and there. The moment they entered, she was assailed by a characteristic stench, and reflexively covered her mouth.

With vulgar smiles, they approached Maomao who was sitting on the bed.

Maomao wasnt that much of a child to not know why these guys were here. Being one raised in the prostitution quarter, these are faces she would go as far as to call loathsome.

It was honestly extremely unpleasant. She had thought of trying to escape, but that was a pipe dream too.

For just a bit, she had hoped that Rouran or Suirei would do something about it, but she resolved herself into thinking that it was better to not hold herself to such faint hope.

(Two people?)

There were less than she had expected. She had thought there would be more.

Lets get this over with quickly. Since well have to switch over in half an hour.

So thats how it is. It seems they will be coming in shifts. No, that is still troubling though. To speak of how troubling it would be, it would be to the point where a deep thinking young lady would pale and drop to a dead faint, and a haughty girl would bite her tongue off before she falls under their hands.

As for Maomao, if possible, she would prefer to not be met with this kind of experience. Even if shes like this, shes still a virgin, and above all, the men before her eyes look filthy.

It didnt matter whether they were filthy or injured, for Maomao, her life is the most important. That is, she considered the best way to survive this with minimal injuries.

(Dont they have some disease?)

She had to be resigned to the fact that contagious diseases come with external wounds to begin with.

Even with her attempts to escape, one person may be fine, but there are two. Even after that, it is extremely unlikely for this to end with no issues if she is held back.

One of the men put the lighting on the lacquered table. The room was illuminated in a dim light.

Woah.

One of the men blatantly grimaced.

What the hell. Isnt she covered in rashes?

Maomaos entire body is still covered in rashes. She must look like an ugly woman with her usual freckled face.

One of the men, as though he lost energy, went off to sit on the table, but the moment he touched it, he sprang off it like he was repelled and went far away.

(What happened?)

The man went to sit down against the wall, rubbing his hand with the hem of his shirt.

Im good. Do whatever you want.

Why thank you.

The man seemed to be a gross eater; it seems he was fine with even Maomao. You can have better standards, Maomao thought. She turned away from the face of the approaching man, and he seized her head.

Be obedient. Otherwise, Ill hurt you more.

Saying that, he tugged Maomaos hair and forced her down onto the bed. Just as when she felt his grip on her hair slacken, he bounded both her wrists this time.

Sticky spit dribbled from his dirty fangs. Black grains tumbled from the mans body.

Maomao, like she was turning away from the mans face, inspected the grains that fell on the bed. She had a feeling she had seen them before. During that, her outer garment was torn off, and a tepid slug crawled along the line of her neck. Her thigh was stroked.

It was extremely uncomfortable. But she focused more on the fallen black grains.

(Gunpowder?)

It looked like sand, but she got that conclusion from the stench that was currently emanating from the man. Burning this gunpowder will release a stench that is like rotten eggs. It was made from sulfur, saltpetre, and charcoal.

The men must have come from the basement. In other words, are they producing or manufacturing gunpowder underground?

(Are they going for a full-blown war?)

As she was thinking about that, teeth were pressed against her shoulders.

What the hell? You have zero reaction?

The man slapped Maomaos cheeks uninterestedly.

(Pain is pain.)

Though, it wasnt to the point of making a sound. She didnt have the free time to make such a reaction right now. But, as if he cant stand the fact that she was making no sound, he slapped her again.

Oi, stop that. What are you going to do if you make her filthier?

The other man said as he leaned against the wall.

Whatever.

While saying that, the man put his hands around Maomaos neck.

(This b*stard.)

There is occasionally this kind of guys among the guests of the brothel. They torment the prostitutes and feel sexual arousal from seeing their faces screw up in anguish.

Seeing Maomaos face screw up from suffocation, the man laughed. He tightened his hold on her neck.

Seeing the mans arousal, the man at the back stood up.

Im off to take a leak. Dont overdo it.

The man left the room like it was bothersome. He must not find it enjoyable to see other people getting it on.

(No?)

The mans gaze flickered towards the table. He rubbed his hand against his hem again.

She heard a click it seems he didnt forget the lock. He probably wont be back until its time, Maomao thought as she breathed heavily. The man licked his lips.

Youre not crying at all huh.

It seems he was dissatisfied with that. The man took out a small knife from his breast pocket. He removed the sheath. The blade gleamed.

How about this then?

Smirking, he dropped the small knife right next to her face.

-!?

Her right ear suddenly burned. Not her earlobe, the top part of her ear. She noticed something hot flowing from there. The smell of rust rushed into her nose.

(This b*stard.)

It seems, he ignored the guys previous warning and ran with his own desire. As if he was turned on by the voice she let out, he started to rock his body.

With both her hands bound, the weak Maomao couldnt shake free. Taking advantage of that, the man took the weapon between his teeth, and leisurely traced a line along Maomaos neck to her chest. With a thin layer of skin cut, blood welled upon her skin.

He then spat out the blade, seemingly satisfied with that, and slowly loosened his belt with his free hand.

It was the moment he rolled up the bottom of Maomaos garment.

(I planned to stay quiet though.)

She had no plans of holding back. It was the exact moment her body was lifted, so it was easy to aim. First, she kicked into his solar plexus. It seemed it went well the man couldnt make a sound as he vomited spit.

The restraints around her hands loosened.

Maomao pulled the sheet and charged at him as she thrust it into the mans mouth. There was a large crash, but people can, by all means, get the impression that they were doing something impressive.

Maomao cannot stay pinned down. She will put an end to it before that.

She mercilessly swung her leg down into the livid mans crotch.

!!!!!!!

The scream that should have rushed out from his stuffed mouth was killed by the sheet. Only bubbly drool leaked out.

The disastrous spectacle of the man, she didnt want to speak in detail. No doubt its a situation that is painful to watch. However, Maomao isnt kind enough to feel sympathy for him.