"...For amusement?"
"Just like fighting crickets... Literary contests, flying-flower word games, floating wine cups along winding streams-Human Pens can be used for any literary game, to see whose is better, whose is more formidable. Different pens have different literary talents and specialties, and some people collect different kinds to play with," the man in black armor said tonelessly. "Ones with frail figures and delicate faces like these are the most popular with women from great houses."
"..."
"Once acquired, they have masks branded onto their faces, or whatever decorations their owners fancy. They're often made quite exquisite." He tilted his head slightly and pointed again. "The same principle applies to those martial artists. Locks are fitted to their Meridian Trees, and the keys go to the buyers. These fighting men aren't allowed hands. Usually blades or swords are fitted into their wrists, or their limbs are simply removed and replaced with mechanical or spirit limbs from the Nourishing Intent Tower. Some are deliberately made to look like dogs or wolves. People watch them fight and kill each other, placing bets for amusement."
"Either kind can sell for three to five hundred taels apiece. Famous wandering swordsmen or beautiful female cultivators fetch more." The man in black armor lowered his hand and looked toward the last group of women. "These, with only their looks to offer, are much cheaper."
Pei Ye turned his head. "Who's buying them?"
The man in black armor said nothing.
"...It's hard to say who specifically," Shang Lang said quietly. "It's a fashionable extravagance."
Pei Ye's brows drew tight.
"A pack of disgusting maggots," the man in black armor said tonelessly. "Sooner or later, their heads will hang at Vermilion Bird."
With that, he turned away with his spear, mounted his horse, and gathered the reins. "Take