39 Bones, Part Two

"Two miracles after death?"

Even after Banana left, it still felt unbelievable. It was as though he had heard an ancient secret, a language from legend. But DIO-sama, who knew such things, was an even more astonishing being! DIO-sama, for you, we'd go through fire and water!

Surrounded by beautiful girls, Dai Mubai felt like he was passing through a garden of flowers without a single petal clinging to him. But why was he the one enjoying himself?

He had thought he would be going with Jodio tonight to do something shady. Instead, Ma Hongjun had led him straight to a rather disreputable Pleasure District establishment and immediately ordered with abandon. The table was piled with food and drink, and he had called in a whole crowd of beautiful girls. Dai Mubai had wanted to maintain some semblance of decency, but faced with all that, his resolve faltered. He had meant to object loudly, but there really were too many beautiful girls.

Ma Hongjun's behavior was strange, too. After eating his fill, he had promptly left Dai Mubai behind, telling him to enjoy himself while he went to help Jodio with something. Dai Mubai couldn't understand it. Why hadn't Ma Hongjun called him along this time? Had Jodio grown tired of him?

"That's impossible. Didn't Jodio say he'd guide me?" Dai Mubai muttered, staring at the private room's ceiling.

"Oh, sir, what are you talking about?" asked a gaudily dressed courtesan, as gorgeous as the classic heroine of a cuckold story.

"Do you know Jodio?"

Dai Mubai had little interest in the women right now. He was caught between reflection and realization; these painted beauties held no appeal. He just wanted to know what Jodio was up to. Was this a test of his self-control?

"DIO-sama? He's a very important man in the city," one woman cut in.

"DIO-sama is like a little sun for this city. All of us girls owe him a great deal," another explained.

"Owe him?" Dai Mubai's mind immediately went to the sorts of scenes he had read in novels.

"Once DIO-sama came, things finally got better. The madams used to treat us like we weren't even human. They wouldn't even let us see a doctor. Now they don't dare push us around, and they even have to set aside soul coins for our retirement."

"I've never met Lord DIO, but I respect him from the bottom of my heart. Sir, do you know him?"

"Of course he does. Didn't you see who brought him here? That was Lord Ma Hongjun. They say he's the man who'll take over from Lord DIO one day."

"Huh? I heard Lord Oscar was going to take over."

Dai Mubai had no desire to hear any more idle chatter. He stood, straightened his clothes, and prepared to leave. He needed to ask Jodio what exactly he meant by all this.

"Oh, sir, won't you stay a little longer?"

"Sir, my special talents will give you memories to savor for ages~"

"Sir, the four of us beauties have plenty of special talents too."

The sight of these painted women filled Dai Mubai with disgust. What was wrong with these women?

"Bah! What nonsense! Stop pestering me, Dai Mubai! I'm an exceptionally good man! How could I be interested in a bunch of unreasonable lunatics like you?" Dai Mubai slammed the door behind him and left, furious. He headed for the familiar barbecue shop to demand an explanation. What was Jodio trying to do?

A heavy crash made Dai Mubai stop and look over. Two Soul Masters were fighting. Judging by their Spirit Rings, they both seemed to be Soul Grandmasters. A fight? Why?

"Xianggesi! You've gone too far! Don't think I'm afraid of you! Why are you hounding me like a rabid dog? You'd better know what's good for you!"

"Kaidu! Do you know who you've crossed, you fool? You dared to upset Lord Jodio. Today is the day you die!"

The two Soul Masters collided again. This time, Dai Mubai got a clear look: one had a Fire Hound Martial Soul, while the other had a Green Snake Martial Soul. Both seemed fairly capable, but neither had explained why they were fighting. Could this be some kind of assignment within the organization?

"Stop right there!"

Dai Mubai decisively summoned his Martial Soul, letting it possess him before accelerating between them. As one of the finest assault-type Martial Souls, his White Tiger put tremendous pressure on both men. Without much effort, he knocked each of them back with a punch. Forced apart, they continued eyeing each other warily.

"Who are you? Don't you know this is Lord Jodio's territory?" asked the Soul Grandmaster called Xianggesi, his guard up.

"Of course I do. Tell me, what trouble has this man caused here?" Dai Mubai asked them coldly.

"Brother, I work for the City Lord. Help me kill this bastard who doesn't know his place, and I'll reward you handsomely!" Kaidu said excitedly.

"Are you finished?" Dai Mubai asked Kaidu with a cold stare. Kaidu immediately sensed something was wrong. The mention of the City Lord hadn't frightened him. He must be some country bumpkin!

"You clueless fool! I asked why you were fighting, not for your nonsense! You, with the red hair! Tell me why you two started fighting!" Dai Mubai snapped, pointing at Xianggesi.

"My friend, this man ate at a restaurant, refused to pay, then beat up the owner because he claimed the food wasn't to his taste. The owner is badly hurt. As the person responsible for this street, I have the right and the duty to teach him a lesson about right and wrong," Xianggesi explained earnestly.

"Is that true?" Dai Mubai asked Kaidu.

"Brother, that's a pack of lies—"

"You bastard! I'm asking you a question! Can't you understand what I asked?"

Furious, Dai Mubai activated his first Spirit Skill, White Tiger Vajra Barrier, to strengthen himself, then seized Kaidu by the throat with one clawed hand. He did not crush it. He only tightened his grip until the man foamed at the mouth.

"It's like an emperor questioning a minister, a teacher asking a student, or a parent asking a child. When I ask what happened, that doesn't mean I want your excuses! I want you to tell me what happened from your point of view!" Dai Mubai roared, gripping Kaidu's throat.

"What a way to ruin my mood!" In a rage, Dai Mubai slammed Kaidu to the ground and left him there. Today had been thoroughly aggravating. Why were so many people so clueless? He had better hurry and find Jodio to get a straight answer.

Conflicting emotions and questions churned in Dai Mubai's mind. At twelve years old, he found it all overwhelming. He desperately needed an explanation and a view of his own, not Jodio's.

What should I do? What do I want to do? Dai Mubai knew he had to find an answer.

A low groan came from an alley. Dai Mubai hurried over to look and listen. Two middle-aged men were beating a young man. His first instinct was to stop such a brutal scene, but something felt wrong. Even his own reaction felt strange. Something seemed to be growing inside him, and he sensed he would never be who he had been before.

"This guy stole his wife's money to gamble it away. That beating should be enough, right?"

"He's getting off easy. The boss only said to put him in bed for a week. Hmph. That gambling addict will probably steal again."

"Then next time, we cut off his hand."

Hidden beside the street, Dai Mubai listened to their conversation in shock. Suddenly, he understood something. He finally grasped what Jodio had meant back then. Yes, that's it! The mystery cleared, and everything gradually fell into place. No longer lost, he set off with purpose toward the barbecue shop where Jodio usually was.