Xue Xi and Ai Chen followed close behind the group, winding through the turns in the alleyways. At last, they arrived at a brightly lit place that looked like a plaza built underground. There were no signs or attendants, only a group of unmarked, unregistered robots moving about and greeting customers.
Xue Xi and Ai Chen followed the group like ghosts until their eyes widened in shock!
Around the plaza stood stalls made from crude tents, and the goods on display were all kinds of humans!
Xue Xi had never imagined that the slave trade she had always tried to avoid would appear before her like this. She stared at the people being priced like livestock, with signs in front of them listing detailed information about their races, nations, and affiliations. At some point, her hand had clenched tight, squeezing the tiny space in her palm until it creaked. Flames seemed to rise in her eyes!
Ai Chen watched Xue Xi's face darken abruptly, worry in her eyes and regret in her heart. If she'd known this was a slave market, she wouldn't have brought Xue Xi here. She had thought these hidden dealings involved selling weapons or drugs. Who could have guessed they were secretly trafficking in slaves, a trade that was legal in the universe? She had no idea why.
After spending all these years with Xue Xi, Ai Chen knew what she liked and disliked. Whenever they discussed anything related to slaves or visited a place where slaves were sold, Xue Xi always showed strong resistance, even disgust.
"Xue Xi, why don't we go back? There's nothing else to see here," Ai Chen urged.
Xue Xi said nothing. She watched in silence as slaves, men and women, young and old, were scrutinized like livestock by potential buyers.