Malice Hearts Yin Book 1 Part 1

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

"So, this Cold Child is famous around here, then?"

"Quite the infamous character; everyone in the red-light district knows that kid, but most would rather not admit to it, not to a stranger to these parts."

I had questioned the shop vendors that worked at the shops near and inside the red-light district. Most had nothing to say, merely claiming ignorance or rushing off. Kenpachiro had claimed that the story of Cold Child was famous around the district and that many brothels even left candy out for it, but everyone I spoke to claimed to 'never of heard of such a creature'. It wasn't until the middle-aged proprietress of the "Little Happiness" tea house approached me, claiming that she had information on Cold Child that she could give in exchange for a few copper coins.

We had followed her back to a dingy, empty little shop on the verge of dilapidation. It became painfully obvious that she was a woman pushed by desperation. She was someone that had far more concern over the dangers of poverty than the risks of betraying Cold Child.

"We a-appreciate you speaking to us." Hibiki thanked her politely. "For it being a 'well known' e-entity, no one else will claim any knowledge. It s-seems to me they are quite afraid of this Cold Child."

"Well, unnatural things cause people to become afraid... even when the thing in question has harmed no one." The large woman spoke. Her tired voice matched her sagging face. Even the wrinkles in her skin and the loose flesh of her enormous arms seemed to droop downwards. She had lowered the blinds of the open-faced tea house and was looking furtively around herself as she spoke, as though afraid that she was being watched by someone or something even as she continued to rub her pudgy fingers over the surface of the coins we had given her. Was she perhaps already regretting her decision?

"Does he t-threaten you?" Hibiki asked, concerned by her mannerism.

"He...?" The woman crooked her head puzzled.

"Cold Child, who else could we be talking about?" I hope she wasn't going senile on us.

"Well... Chen Lau, he's probably the real reason no one will talk to you. He takes care of that kid, very protective he is, very violent. There is a saying around here, 'lay a hand on Cold Child and Chen Lau will cut it off.' Cold Child wouldn't harm a fly, but Chen Lau would kill a man as quick as he looked at him." The madam explained. Things were becoming more clear to me upon hearing this.

Chen Lau must have been a Yin Eyes. They were people who harbored the rare power to unite themselves with the ayakashi. The Yin Eyes allowed these creatures into their bodies, but did not become possessed. They became able to use the power and abilities of these creatures and even summon them as protectors. A valuable, beloved asset to the Onmyodo when a member, a dangerous threat that required immediate extermination when not.

"Hibiki, are you thinking what I am?" I asked, lowering my voice even as the woman lurched forward to listen. This old woman, not even abashed about trying to eavesdrop! I shooed her away with my hand, to which she sulkily walked into the back room, muttering something about getting some tea.

"Your t-thinking this Chen Lau fellow is a Yin Eyes and that Cold Child is the ayakashi he h-has united with?" Hibiki summed up what I was thinking with an unsatisfied expression.

"You don't agree?" I challenged and timidly he shook his head.

"N-no, it's a sound theory but... Yin eyes are extremely rare, p-plus it appears Cold Child's been around f-for some time. If Chen Lau has been harboring an ayakashi inside of h-himself that long with no purification, he'd no l-longer be human himself by now."