Chapter 422 - Chapter 422: Seen What You Shouldn’t Have Seen
Chapter 422: Seen What You Shouldn’t Have Seen
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
As she walked through the main streets of the Jin State, Su Ying noticed that there were many foreigners on the road. These foreigners were wearing the unique clothing of their race, which was rarely seen in the Chu State.
The local residents of Duo City seemed to be used to such a scene and did not bat an eyelid at the presence of these outsiders.
As there were many foreigners, there were thus more novel things being sold on the streets and alleys. Even Su Ying was dazzled by them.
“Big Sister, that mask is so scary.”
Su Ying’s eyes followed the direction that Que Que’s hand was pointing and found that there were many hawkers selling demonic masks on the street. She was a little curious. Was this popular in the Jin State?
With a puzzled expression, Su Ying went up to the stall vendor.
When the vendor saw Su Ying coming over, he greeted her warmly. “Young Madam, are you looking to buy demonic masks for the Hundred Demons Festival? The demonic masks here are of excellent workmanship and I guarantee that you’ll be satisfied. Take a look. See which one you want and I’ll get it for you.”
“Hundred Demons Festival? What kind of festival is that?
When the vendor heard Su Ying’s question, he smiled and said, “Young Madam isn’t a local here? The Hundred Demons Festival is a unique festival in the Jin State. It is a memorial ceremony for the dead. On this day, everyone will wear demonic masks. This symbolizes they welcome the return of the dead souls.” “The festival is today?”
“Yes, there will be a spectacle to watch in the southern city district at night. Young Madam, why not buy two masks and join in the fun?”
Su Ying saw the look of anticipation in Que Que’s eyes. Since she was already here, she didn’t mind joining in the fun. She told Que Que to pick two masks before asking for directions to the southern city district. The two then headed that way.
The southern city district that the vendor mentioned was not far from where they were staying. They only had to cross two streets to reach it.
It wasn’t even night yet, but one could already see street vendors beginning to set up their stalls by the roadside.
“Big Sister, look! Why are there so many people up ahead?”
Su Ying raised her eyes to look and saw that there was indeed a crowd in front of her. She led Que Que over and squeezed her way to the front of the crowd. Before her eyes was a little girl about Que Que’s age walking on high stilts.
So it was an acrobatic act.
Su Ying wasn’t very interested in these things, but when she saw that Que Que was engrossed in watching the act, she accompanied her and watched from the side.
Pfft! The middle-aged man in the acrobatic act spat out a mouthful of wine, and the torch in his hand instantly shot out a tall pillar of flames. Everyone clapped and cheered incessantly.
An older woman in the acrobatic troupe came forward with gongs to ask for rewards.
Su Ying casually took out some copper coins and gave them to the older woman, who was extremely grateful.
“Big Sister, what is this? It’s so fun, but it also looks dangerous.” After watching it, Que Que still couldn’t get enough.
“That’s acrobatics. Are you tired? Let’s look for a place to eat something. When the sky gets darker, we’ll come out again and go to the night market. How about that?”
“Alright.”
Su Ying found a restaurant along the street. It wasn’t dinner time yet, but there were already many customers in the restaurant. The main dining hall was almost full.
Uncle Hea said before that crowded restaurants might not necessarily serve delicious food, but the food of a restaurant without customers was definitely not good. Therefore, Su Ying chose the crowded one.
“Dear guests, please come in. Would you like to sit on the second floor or in the main dining hall?” When the waiter saw the two of them enter, he greeted them with a smile.
Su Ying saw that the main dining hall was filled with people, many of whom had red faces from drinking. She didn’t want Que Que to feel scared, so she asked for an individual room on the second floor.
The so-called individual room was just a place separated by a few screens. It was still better than the crowded main dining hall.
“What would you two ladies like to eat? Our specialty today is the Roast Chicken. It’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. 1 guarantee you’ll be pleased with it.”
“What else do you have?”
“There’s also Crystal Pig Knuckle, Braised Sea Fish…”
The waiter named five or six dishes.
“Just give us what you said just now.”
“Alrighty. 1’11 prepare it for you two ladies now.”
Su Ying and Que Que were sitting by the window, and they could see the people walking on the street from the window. The street was even livelier than earlier.
Fifteen minutes later, the waiter served the dishes one after another.
“Your dishes have been served. If you need anything else, just let me know.”
“Thank you.”
“Please enjoy.”
Su Ying looked at Que Que and said, “Eat up. You can go play after you’re full.”
Que Que murmured a reply as she picked up her chopsticks to begin eating.
Su Ying took a bite out of a chicken drumstick, and the sauce exploded in her mouth in one bite. The skin of the roast chicken was especially crispy, but the meat was very tender. No wonder it was the signature dish. It was indeed delicious.
Que Que didn’t eat much, and almost all the dishes on the table went into Su Ying’s stomach.
Su Ying drank one last mouthful of soup before letting out a satisfied burp.
“Big Sister, my… my stomach feels a little uncomfortable.”
Su Ying had just put down her chopsticks when she saw Que Que clutching her stomach, her tiny face all contorted.
“Did you eat too much greasy food these past two days? Why is your stomach uncomfortable again? Let’s go. I’ll take you to the outhouse first.” Su Ying called the waiter over to settle the bill before bringing Que Que to the back courtyard of the restaurant.
Que Que hurried to the outhouse.
At this moment, the sky had already darkened.
Just as Su Ying was getting bored of waiting, she heard footsteps approaching.
When she turned around, she saw two men manhandling a woman in front of her.
Su Ying stood by the outhouse and waited. Next to the outhouse was a firewood shed, and there was a gap between these two buildings that could accommodate one standing person. She stood there, and it was already dark, so no one would notice her if they didn’t pay attention.
“Have the people outside arrived?”
“Not yet. Let’s wait a little longer. It’s easy to be discovered if we go out like this.”
“Why can’t this group of incompetent fools hurry up and come over now? Later, if the girl wakes up and something happens, they will have to suffer consequences!”
Su Ying turned slightly to the side. Her body was slender, and her figure blended into the night as she stood against the wall, making it even harder for others to notice her.
From her angle, she could see that the two men were holding down a young woman. Judging from the woman’s clothes, she was either from a rich family or a noble lady.
Two men holding a woman who was tied up. It was obvious that these men were up to no good.
Amidst the strange atmosphere, Que Que suddenly pushed open the outhouse’s door and walked out.
“Big Sister, I’m done.”
Que Que’s voice instantly attracted the attention of the two men.
Su Ying could clearly see the flash of killing intent in their eyes.
However, before they could do anything, Su Ying walked out from the corner leisurely. “Big Sister is here.”
The two men didn’t expect there to be someone else in the corner. Judging from the distance between Su Ying and them, Su Ying must have overheard everything they said just now.
One of the men gave the other a look, and that person let go of the woman in his hand before walking toward Su Ying and Que Que.
Su Ying slowly raised her eyebrows. “Actually, you guys can leave now.”
The man’s expression turned even more unpleasant. Su Ying’s words gave him the impression that she was begging him for mercy.
He gave a scornful sneer. “Blame your bad luck for seeing something you shouldn’t have!”
The man suddenly attacked Su Ying, but before his outstretched hand could even touch her, Su Ying slapped him across the face and knocked him out straight away.
When he saw this, the other man grabbed the woman and tried to flee. Su Ying picked up a piece of wood beside her and knocked him unconscious as well.
The woman fell to the ground as a result.
Su Ying walked over and glanced at the woman. Just as she was about to get up, the corner of her skirt was grabbed by the other party. “Save me… I’ll reward you a thousand taels..”