Objects Without Dignity

"Little Xi, what are we doing today?"

Early in the morning, Ma Hongjun had already started clamoring about going into Suotuo City for a huge meal.

Ma Hongjun had never had much ambition to begin with. He had wanted to be a salted fish who only needed to turn over now and then, but influenced by Shen Ranxi, he had gritted his teeth and persisted for a week. When he learned they went to Suotuo City every weekend, he shamelessly insisted on tagging along.

Shen Ranxi did not mind. Over this period, she had realized that the Little Fatty was not bad at heart; he had simply been spoiled and was a little unruly.

Still, he knew his place. Knowing he could no longer match her, he no longer dared call himself "this young master" in front of her.

"I'm not going there to play. I'm going to develop my side business... hehehe." Shen Ranxi felt as though a wonderful future lay right before her.

Ma Hongjun said, "A side business? What side business? Little Xi, do you have a job too?" He innocently assumed Shen Ranxi had really found work in Suotuo City.

One look at Shen Ranxi's expression, and Oscar knew this "side business" was not simple. It was definitely far from an ordinary side business.

Once the three reached the city, Shen Ranxi returned to the same restaurant from before. Since she had something to do this time and could not conveniently bring Little Bell along, she had left her in the village to play with the other companions.

"Whoa, hurry, hurry! Waiter, order some food!" Ma Hongjun rubbed his stomach and sat down impatiently.

It was still that familiar face. "Guests, we have some new dishes today. You can try them for free."

Ma Hongjun pulled his face out of the menu in confusion. "Why? Are you having some kind of promotion?"

He smiled faintly and said to Shen Ranxi, "Lord Soul Master, I did not have the chance to thank you last time. However, I have already finished looking into the matter you asked about."

He handed over a sheet of paper densely covered in writing. Oscar and Ma Hongjun stretched their necks to sneak a peek.

With a flick of her hand, Shen Ranxi put it away and gave him a Gold Coin. "Thank you for the trouble."

Oscar and Ma Hongjun watched the two speak in riddles, scratching at their hearts with curiosity.

Shen Ranxi glanced at them. "Eat first."

Seeing Little Xi's firm tone, the two could only lower their heads and eat listlessly. Yet after only a few bites, they became absorbed in the delicious food and began laughing and fighting over it.

The corner of Shen Ranxi's mouth curved up slightly, and she shook her head.

The three stood on the street, looking at the list in their hands.

"Little Xi, can you tell us now? I'm dying of curiosity!" Ma Hongjun tugged on Shen Ranxi's sleeve in a disgustingly cloying tone.

Oscar exaggeratedly shuddered. "Fatty, that's disgusting. Don't make me throw up the food I just ate."

"Damn it, Little Ao, you're the disgusting one." As he spoke, he puckered his lips and prepared to pounce on Oscar to disgust him properly.

Shen Ranxi looked at the list in her hand, amusement flashing through her eyes. "Enough fooling around. Let's go take care of business!"

On the way, Shen Ranxi explained to them, "The side business I mentioned this morning is robbing the rich to help the poor."

"What? Robbery?!" The two were equally shocked.

"Why make it sound so ugly? I'm a cleaner, clearing away the wealth those bad guys should not have!"

Shen Ranxi flicked both of their foreheads. "Keep it down! Even if it's a good deed, it's still somewhat disgraceful! Do you want everyone to know?"

"But... would Teacher allow this?" Oscar hesitated.

Ma Hongjun, however, immediately grew excited. "Little Xi, I want to join too. This sounds so fun."

Shen Ranxi rolled her eyes. "I'm helping everyone get rid of pests and restore their happy lives by robbing bad guys and criminals! They should be thanking us. If Teacher found out, he'd praise me to the skies."

Oscar said, "...Even if you put it that way, it doesn't hide the fact that it's robbery."

"So, are you coming or not?" She shot him an eye roll.

"I'm coming! Of course I'm coming!"

"Little Xi, is this the place?" Three little heads were stacked together around a corner.

Shen Ranxi checked the paper again. "This is it. This man is a level twenty-three Soul Grandmaster, an utterly wicked scoundrel who often sells girls to brothels."

Ma Hongjun said, "Little Xi, aren't the girls in brothels all there voluntarily?"

Only when Shen Ranxi saw that he truly believed that did she find it tragic. "That is merely an excuse men use to pretty up their own ugliness and darkness."

"Do you think the smiles on those girls' faces are voluntary? Aren't they masks they wear just to survive? I don't think their smiles are beautiful. All I see is the despair, bitterness, and bleak future within them. They have already lost their dignity as human beings. They are objects, they are vases, but they are anything except people with dignity!"

"Why don't you guess how many were sold into those places, and how many went willingly?"

Oscar and Ma Hongjun felt as though a flame were burning in Little Xi's eyes, leaving them rooted to the spot.

She held out one finger and slowly shook it. "Less than ten percent."

"I'm an Orphan too. If I had not awakened as a Soul Master, how likely do you think it would have been for me to end up there?"

Looking at Little Xi's delicate features, which were already beginning to show, the two were stunned by the thought and dared not think further.

Just as they spoke, footsteps sounded from the other end of the road. They quickly leaned out to observe.

A lecherous-looking man came toward them, carrying a sack over his shoulder and humming a little tune.

"Follow the plan we discussed." Shen Ranxi gave Oscar a look. Go on.

"Do I really have to do this... Little Xi?" Oscar hesitated, unwilling to go out.

"Didn't we agree on it? When we get back, I'll personally make you Delicious Food to make it up to you. And when we rob him—no, when we earn the money—I'll give you a bigger share. Be good."

Ma Hongjun said, "Pfft, hahaha! If I looked as good as you, I'd go instead. Pfft. You look pretty enough that he definitely won't recognize you."

Oscar stared at Ma Hongjun with a death glare. ...

Oscar wore a puffy purple dress and a little hat. As long as he did not take off his clothes, anyone who saw him would call him a little beauty.

Oscar was only seven years old, and his features had not fully developed yet. He had that androgynous kind of beauty, making him perfect for a little dress.

Shen Ranxi deeply regretted not having a camera. She decided that once they returned, she absolutely had to invent one.

Oscar walked over, crying in a soft, delicate voice. The man's eyes lit up, and sure enough, he took the bait.

"Little sister, why are you crying here all alone?" A deliberately dashing smile hung on his face, but lust flashed through his eyes.

"I got separated from my Dad and Mom. I can't find them... sob, sob."

From the corner, Ma Hongjun covered his mouth and whispered, "Little Xi, I have to say, Oscar's tearful act is actually pretty convincing."

"Wonderful—no, I mean, it's lucky you met me. I'll take you to find them." He looked around and placed the goods in his hands in the corner.

"Uncle, your things..."

"It's fine. I'll take you to find your Dad and Mom, then come back for them. I'll knock you out soon enough. It won't take long, hehe."

He led Oscar deeper into the alley.

"Hong Jun, let's go." The Two Exchanged a Look and summoned their Martial Souls.

Shen Ranxi carried her staff into the alley. Honestly, she had been holding back a bellyful of anger just now. The other two were still children and did not understand, so she could not take her anger out on them.

Hmph. You came right to me. Let me vent properly, then.

In the narrow alley, golden light and firelight shot into the sky. The sounds of impacts and muffled groans rang out without end.

When everything stopped, Shen Ranxi emerged with her staff in hand. Unhurriedly, she wiped the blood spattered across her face, her eyes filled with satisfaction and indifference.

The helpless feeling she had once felt when seeing criminals online, unable to reach through the screen and do anything about them, had all become real in this world. She could deal with them herself.

Alongside their excitement, Oscar and Ma Hongjun also felt a trace of fear.

Only one man remained in the alley, his arms and legs broken, sprawled like a heap of mud. This time, Shen Ranxi had Ma Hongjun confiscate the man's tool for committing crimes once more, while she shattered his Martial Soul.

Shen Ranxi released the person inside the sack. She was a teenage Girl.

After waking, the Girl threw her arms around the children who had saved her and burst into tears. "Thank you, thank you... He kidnapped me. My Parents are still searching everywhere for me..."

Her eyes were full of panic and fear.

The two silently watched her tears of survival after disaster, finally understanding what Little Xi had meant by not voluntary.