Bone, Part Two

"Two miracles after death?"

Even after Banana left, it all felt unbelievable. He felt as though he had heard an ancient secret, a language out of legend. But DIO-sama, who knew all this, was more unbelievable still! DIO-sama, for you, we'd walk through fire and water!

Surrounded by beautiful young women, Dai Mubai felt like a man who could pass 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 establishment in the Pleasure District and ordered extravagantly. The table was piled with food and drink, and he had called over a crowd of beautiful young women. Dai Mubai had wanted to play the gentleman, but faced with all this, his resolve began to crumble. He had meant to object loudly, but there really were too many beautiful women.

Ma Hongjun's behavior was strange, though. 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 asked him along this time? Had Jodio grown tired of him?

"That can't be. Didn't Jodio say he was going to guide me?" Dai Mubai muttered, staring at the private room's ceiling.

"Oh, sir, what are you talking about?" asked a gaudily dressed woman, as sultry as the heroine of a classic steamy tale.

"Do you know Jodio?"

Dai Mubai wasn't particularly interested in the women anymore. He was caught between reflection and revelation, and these painted beauties held little appeal. What he really wanted to know was what Jodio was doing. Was this a test of his self-control?

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

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

"Owe him?" Dai Mubai's mind went straight to scenes from novels.

"Once DIO-sama came, things finally got better. The madams never used to treat us like people. 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. Do you know him, sir?"

"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 heard enough gossip. He stood, straightened his clothes, and headed for the door. He wanted a clear answer about what Jodio meant by all this.

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

"Sir, I have a special trick you'll never forget~"

"Sir, the four of us are great beauties with all kinds of special tricks!"

Looking at these painted women, Dai Mubai felt a surge of disgust. What was wrong with them?

"Bah! You ridiculous women! Stop pestering me, Dai Mubai! I'm a gentleman beyond compare! Why would I want anything to do with you pushy lunatics?" Dai Mubai slammed the door behind him and strode away in a fury. He headed for the familiar barbecue shop, determined to find out what Jodio was up to.

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

"Xianggesi! Don't push it! Don't think I'm afraid of you! Why are you tearing into me like a mad dog? Don't press your luck!"

"Kaidu! Do you know who you've crossed, you idiot? You dared to displease Lord Jodio. Today, you die!"

The two Soul Masters collided again. This time, Dai Mubai got a clear look at them. One had a Fire Hound Martial Soul, while the other had a Green Snake Martial Soul. Both seemed fairly capable, but he still had no idea why they were fighting. Could it be an assignment from the organization?

"Stop!"

Dai Mubai promptly summoned his Martial Soul, let it possess him, and burst between them. As one of the finest assault-type Martial Souls, his White Tiger held an overwhelming advantage over both men. With little effort, he drove them apart with a punch to each, forcing them to stop and eye one another warily.

"Who are you? Don't you know this is Lord Jodio's territory?" asked the Soul Grandmaster named 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 arrogant bastard, and I'll reward you handsomely!" Kaidu said eagerly.

"Are you finished?" Dai Mubai asked, turning a cold gaze on Kaidu. Kaidu immediately sensed trouble. This man wasn't afraid even after hearing the City Lord's name. He had to be some bumpkin from the countryside!

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

"Friend, this man ate at a restaurant and refused to pay. He claimed the food wasn't to his taste, then beat the owner so badly he was seriously injured. As the person responsible for this street, I have the right and the duty to teach him what's right and what's 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. Do you not understand what I asked?"

Furious, Dai Mubai activated his first Spirit Skill, White Tiger Vajra Barrier, to strengthen himself, then clamped a claw around Kaidu's throat. He didn't crush it. He only tightened his grip until Kaidu began foaming at the mouth.

"When an emperor questions a minister, a teacher questions a student, or a parent questions a child, they aren't asking to hear excuses! I asked you what happened. Tell me what happened from your point of view!" Dai Mubai roared, gripping Kaidu by the throat.

"What a way to ruin my mood!" Dai Mubai slammed Kaidu into the ground and left him there. Today had been nothing but one infuriating encounter after another. Why were so many people so unreasonable? Better to find Jodio and get a straight answer.

Conflicting emotions and questions crowded Dai Mubai's mind. For a twelve-year-old, it was a lot to take in. He desperately needed an explanation he could call his own, a way to see it for himself rather than through Jodio's eyes.

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

Low groans came from an alley. Dai Mubai hurried over to listen and look. Two middle-aged men were beating a young man viciously. His first instinct was to stop them, but something held him back. Even that hesitation felt strange. Something inside him seemed to be growing, and he had the sense that he would never be quite the person he had been before.

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

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

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

Hidden beside the street, Dai Mubai listened in shock. Suddenly, he understood something. He understood what Jodio had meant back then. Yes. That was it! The pieces fell into place, and Dai Mubai began to understand. No longer lost, he picked up his pace and headed straight for the barbecue shop where Jodio usually was.

To be continued...