Beyond The Bridge
In a dark and empty alley of the red light district,
'Should I just kill them? I should just kill them. Get new pieces. Everything is messed up now.' The Young Master shook his head in despair. 'The two groups weren't supposed to mix!' He nodded silently. 'Yes, kill them all! In this dark alley... Get rid of them. A clean and new slate! If they start talking to them, then news about Ui Feng will... Fuck. Fuck! I should just-'
"So... Young Master."
"What is it?" Lei asked sternly.
"How... How is your night going?"
"More importantly..." Shi's eyes narrowed.
"Right... Why aren't you wearing our Sect's colors?"
"Aren't those clothes...?"
The Young Master sighed.
He was thankful that, at least, the alley was dark and empty.
"Because I didn't want others to know that I was their Young Master?"
"Huh? Why not?"
"You never go out without your clothes though, Young Master."
"Even us Disciples get plenty of perks from wearing the Sect's colors."
"That's right. Merchants always feel the need to give them discounts, since they're afraid." Rika explained.
"Exactly! Who would turn out discounts? And the Young Master gets things for free. Plus the respect-"
"I suppose I learned some things during the Trial of Solitude."
"Oh! Like that Technique!"
"The Young Master sure is amazing!"
"But what does that have to do with...?"
The Young Master brought a hand to his chin.
"I suppose I learned..." He tilted his head slightly. "Humility?"
The Disciples immediately rose to their feet. They stood in unison.
Their eyes glittered!
'Humility!!'
'That's the thing the Elders and Instructors are always talking about!!'
'The Young Master sure is amazing!!'
"Did you three have anything to drink?"
"No, Young Master!"
"Just like we promised you!"
"No more drinking!"
'Huh? He's motivating Disciples not to drink? That's good... But if all Disciples stop... Our pay will take such a hit!'
"It's getting late." The Young Master muttered as he raised his gaze towards the night sky. "Head back soon, alright?"
"Yes, Young Master!" They shouted in unison, before covering their mouths.
Jun and Rika waved, before following the Young Master who was walking away.
He turned back momentarily after a couple of steps.
"I need you three to get stronger. Don't forget that."
"Yes... Young Master...!" They whispered as loudly as they could.
***
'He has a nice relationship with them... Young Masters always have henchmen at their beck and call but... This seems different.' Rika thought to herself. 'Guess not all Young Masters are the same-'
"You didn't tell me much about Feng."
"That's kind of all there is to it, Young Master."
"Mmm... I see."
"Also, um..."
"What is it?"
"We probably shouldn't head any deeper into the district."
"Why not?" The Young Master asked without a care in the world.
"Well, it's just that..." Rika scratched her head. "There's... A pond? Or maybe a river? Anyways, beyond the bridge is..."
"What is it?"
"That area is beyond your Sect's territory, Young Master."
"Which Sect's territory is it?"
"I believe it is..."
"The Flamboyant Vermilion Tiger Sect's territory, Young Master." Jun continued.
"Yes, that's the one!"
"Oh..." A knowing smile was on the Young Master's face. "You don't say?" He kept walking.
Rika and Jun exchanged a look.
A Young Master entering another Sect's territory... Isn't that calling for trouble?
Back in the Young Master's room, the map on his desk had been hidden by scattered books before attending the banquet. A map on which the -Flamboyant Vermilion Tiger- Sect's territory had been crossed out.
"Let's go check it out." The Young Master said cheerfully.
'Is that really okay??'
Those who sent out Assassins... Let's go say hi!
***
It didn't take long for them to arrive at the bridge.
"I don't think I've ever crossed it..." Rika muttered.
"Why not?"
"It's just... I'm not sure."
"There are a lot of stories about people or children falling and drowning." Jun said.
"I don't believe half of those. Hmph!" Rika stepped towards the bridge.
"The old people talk about Evil Spirits living below the bridge too."
"I don't believe in that either!"
"You're shaking a bit, Rika." The Young Master commented.
Midway through the curved bridge, Lei walked towards its edge.
"There isn't much water." He noted.
"Yes, Young Master. This spring has been a dry one. The next season is approaching, so it should fill up." Jun turned towards Rika with daring eyes. "The water being higher does mean that the Evil Spirits living below are closer too. You'll have to be careful."
"C-Can... Can we cross faster, Young Master? Please?" A shaking Rika clung to his arm.
"Spring is coming to an end, huh?"
The Young Master stared at his reflection on the water for a bit. The water was more than a dozen meters away. There wasn't enough light for him to see his reflection clearly.
'And with the Villain's arrival, winter approaches...'
***
"This place..."
It didn't take long for the Young Master to notice.
"Yes..." Jun chuckled. "They're rather... Free-spirited? On this side of the bridge."
It was still part of the red light district, but it was the other half of it.
There were a lot more men than in the other half.
Also, the men didn't shy away from putting on makeup and feminine clothes.
"Huh..." Lei found it incredibly surprising. "Looks like you don't hate it, being surrounded by pretty boys and twinks." He told Rika, who was blushing slightly while hiding her eyes with the palms of her hands.
"It's just..."
"I get it." The Young Master shrugged. "They're nice to look at, I suppose. Though the clothes don't suit them."
"I agree, Young Master." Jun nodded.
"So... You mean that on this side of the bridge..."
Both Jun and the Young Master turned towards Rika.
"You mean that... Women are the ones being serviced?"
The Young Master and Jun stared at one another for a bit.
"She's a bit slow at times, isn't she?"
"Please excuse her, Young Master." Jun said with an apologetic smile.
"But I'm right here... Not in front of me..." Rika's tone was filled with despair.
Lei looked around for a bit.
"Going any deeper could be a problem, right?"
"I believe so, Young Master. Getting closer to the Sect's hideout might-"
"Then let's go grab a drink."
"HERE?" A blushing Rika shouted. "But that's... Tha-tha-tha-That's... Can't we go back to the other side?"
"Let's find a good place to drink, Jun."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Don't leave me...!"