Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 111: Qing Lou Pavilion 2

Mo Ying walked toward the window and pulled the curtain slightly, letting Lin Xu see the large open space below. The view made her eyes widen.

People filled the seats all around the stage, whispering and laughing behind their masks. The air felt heavy, strange, and dark.

"What is this place?" Lin Xu asked again, her voice low but filled with unease.

Mo Ying looked at her, his tone calm but serious this time. "This," he said, "is the black market."

Her eyes widened. "Black market?"

He nodded slowly. "Deals are made here—things that can’t be done openly. It’s not just about money... sometimes it’s about people."

Before Lin Xu could question further, a loud voice suddenly echoed through the entire pavilion.

"Welcome, honored guests!" the man’s voice boomed, filled with excitement.

Everyone’s attention turned to the stage below. A tall man dressed in red stood at the center, holding a long fan in his hand. He smiled broadly, his voice carrying easily across the hall.

"Tonight," he announced proudly, "we have fresh deals for our dear guests! Young, beautiful girls—untouched and pure! And for those with different tastes, even fine young boys!"

The crowd burst into loud applause and laughter, their cheers echoing through the air.

Lin Xu’s face went pale. Her lips parted, but no words came out. She felt cold all over, her hands trembling slightly.

Mo Ying watched the stage silently, his expression unreadable.

Lin Xu turned to him in disbelief, whispering, "They’re selling people...?"

Mo Ying gave a small nod. "Yes. This is one of the darkest trades in the empire. And now... you know why it’s hidden behind beauty and gold."

Down below, the man on stage continued, his tone smooth and playful. "Tonight’s main prize—one of the finest we’ve had in months! A rare beauty with skin like jade and eyes like spring water!"

The crowd cheered even louder, waving their fans and cups in excitement.

Lin Xu could only stare, her chest tightening with anger and disgust. She had never seen anything so cruel dressed up to look so fine.

Her eyes moved to Mo Ying again, her voice shaking. "Why did you bring me here?"

Mo Ying didn’t answer right away. He simply looked at her and said quietly.

Mo Ying’s eyes stayed on the stage below, his voice low and calm as he said, "Lin Xu... do you know why I brought you here?"

She turned to him sharply, still shaken. "To show me this madness?"

He gave a faint smile. "No. To show you the main reason behind the success of the Su family."

Her brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Mo Ying looked back down at the crowd. "The Qing Lou Pavilion... belongs to Su Feng."

Lin Xu froze, her eyes going wide. "What?"

He turned to her fully this time, his expression serious. "Your precious Su Feng—the man you once wanted to marry—is the true owner of this place. The one who runs all of this."

For a moment, she just stared at him, then suddenly laughed bitterly. "You’re lying," she said, shaking her head. "That’s impossible. Su Feng would never... he’s not that kind of person."

Mo Ying didn’t reply. His silence only made her angrier.

"Stop saying nonsense!" she snapped. "You’ll say anything to make me hate him! I don’t believe you!"

Before Mo Ying could speak again, the loud voice from below echoed once more, drowning her words.

"Honored guests!" the man in red announced excitedly. "Please welcome our main host the man behind tonight’s grand event!"

The lights in the hall dimmed slightly as everyone turned toward the far entrance. The sound of slow footsteps filled the air.

Then, a tall man walked into the pavilion. He wore a long dark robe embroidered with gold patterns, and a black mask that covered half his face. Behind him followed several men and women, all masked as well.

The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers filling the massive hall.

Mo Ying glanced at Lin Xu and said quietly, "The man of the show is here."

Lin Xu’s eyes stayed fixed on the masked man. She couldn’t see his face, but the way he carried himself the way he moved felt so familiar.

Her heart started pounding. His height, his shoulders, even the way his hand rested behind his back... it all looked just like Su Feng.

"No..." she whispered under her breath, her voice trembling. "It can’t be..."

The man in red waved his fan with a bright smile, his voice echoing through the whole pavilion.

"And now, dear guests, for tonight’s special! Two young girls—both healthy, untouched, and ready to serve their new masters!"

Two guards walked out from behind the stage, each dragging a young girl by a rope tied around her wrists. The girls looked weak and frightened, their clothes torn, their faces dirty. They could barely stand straight, and one of them was quietly sobbing.

The crowd cheered and clapped as if they were watching a show. Some laughed, others whispered to each other, their masked faces hiding the excitement in their eyes.

Lin Xu’s heart twisted painfully at the sight. She grabbed the edge of the window, her eyes wide with shock. "Those poor girls..." she whispered.

Mo Ying stood beside her, his face calm, eyes fixed on the stage. It was as if he had seen scenes like this too many times before.

"How can you just stand there like that?!" Lin Xu hissed, turning to him. "They’re just children!"

He didn’t look at her. "This is the black market, Lin Xu what else do you expect.."

Below, the announcer raised his hand. "We will start the bidding at one thousand taels!"

"Two thousand!" a man shouted from one of the upper seats.

"Three thousand!" another voice joined.

"Five thousand!" someone from the left side called out.

The price kept rising. People shouted their offers with excitement, some waving their fans, others laughing as though it were a game.

Lin Xu felt sick. Her hands trembled as she turned to Mo Ying. "Do something! Please!"

He finally looked at her, his eyes unreadable behind his mask. "Why would I waste my money to buy two children I have no use for?"

Lin Xu stared at him in disbelief. "You... you’re heartless!" she snapped. "Do you even hear yourself? They’re human beings!"

Mo Ying said nothing, just turned his eyes back to the stage.

Lin Xu felt tears sting her eyes. She clenched her fists, her voice shaking as she pleaded. "Please, Mo Ying. Save them... I’m begging you."

He didn’t move.

Desperate, Lin Xu took a deep breath and said quietly, "If you save them... I’ll go back with you to the mansion. I won’t fight you anymore."

That made him turn. His lips curved slowly into a smirk. "Now you’re talking," he said softly.

Then, without hesitation, he raised his hand and shouted, his voice clear and firm, "One hundred thousand taels!"

The entire pavilion went silent.

Every masked head turned in their direction. The announcer froze mid-sentence, his fan hanging in the air.

"One hundred... thousand?" he repeated, stunned.

Mo Ying stood tall, his calm presence commanding the whole room. His mask hid his face, but his voice carried confidence. "You heard me."

Whispers filled the air.

"Who is that?"

"Is he crazy?"

"That’s ten times the price!"

The announcer quickly composed himself and forced a smile. "One hundred thousand taels once! Twice!"

He looked around, but no one else dared to speak.

"Sold! To the honored guest in Room Forty-Nine!"

Applause and murmurs followed as the two girls were led away, still trembling but alive.

Lin Xu let out a shaky sigh, her shoulders relaxing a little. She turned to Mo Ying, her voice soft. "Thank you..."

Mo Ying looked at her, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. "Remember what you promised."

She lowered her eyes, unable to say anything more.

Mo Ying’s eyes drifted back toward the stage, his gaze dark and sharp beneath his mask. He scanned the crowd quietly until his eyes finally stopped on a man sitting at one of the front seats, surrounded by richly dressed guests.

The masked man sat with his back straight, calm and proud, his hand resting on the armrest of his chair.

Su Feng.

Their eyes met across the distance. For a few seconds, the noise of the crowd seemed to fade away. The two men didn’t speak, but their silence said more than words could. There was no surprise in Su Feng’s gaze, only quiet understanding like he had already expected Mo Ying to be there.

Mo Ying’s lips curved faintly behind his mask, a look that wasn’t quite a smile. Then, without another word, he turned away.

"It’s time for us to leave," he said firmly, glancing at Lin Xu.

She blinked, startled. "Leave? But—"

Before she could finish, Mo Ying reached out and grabbed her hand, his grip firm but not rough. "We’ve seen enough," he said as he started walking.

"Mo Ying—wait! You’re just going to—"

He didn’t stop or answer. His stride was steady, his hand still holding hers tightly as he led her out of the room.

Lin Xu had no choice but to follow, trying to keep up with his pace as they exited into the long, dim hallway.

Outside their room, two servants in plain robes were already waiting. Both bowed quickly when they saw him.

"Honored guest," one of them said politely, "please follow us. We’ll take you to where the girls you purchased are being kept."

Mo Ying gave a small nod. "Lead the way."