The Priestess

VI

"One of the men refuses to work." Mugu reported.

"Beat him up." Nu Shen answered.

Mugu sighed. If it was that easy, he would have done it before.

"But he's a crowd favorite. The patrons would be disappointed if his face..." Mugu paused for a second when he heard a voice whisper inside his head, holding in a sigh he continued, "glorious, enchanting, handsome face get scarred."

"A crowd favorite?" Nu Shen tilted her head to look at Mugu, her interest stirred. Nu Shen stood up from her cushioned seat and sauntered towards Mugu, "Which patrons are we talking about?"

Mugu gazed around, making sure that no one was around as he leaned in, "Princess Tai Ping, the Emperor's third daughter by the Empress. Princess Tai Song, the Emperor's fifth daughter by Concubine Yu. Cheng Mei, the Prime Minister's first daughter by the first wife. Princess Lu Se of the neighboring kingdom, Prin-"

Mugu was cut off of when Nu Shen suddenly covered his mouth with her hand, "Enough."

Nu Shen's eyes glittered in wonder as she strode back to her seat. Unceremoniously plopping on the soft divan, she remained silent as if she was in a state of trance.

Mugu faintly called her, "Mistress?"

"Since you can't beat him up, then..."

Mugu can not help but smile thinking that everything was going as planned but the upward curve of his lips froze when he heard what Nu Shen had to say next, "Let's sell him."

Mugu started to panic. This was not the plan! He was supposed to lure Nu Shen to meet his Master. How did it end up this way?

Ever since Nu Shen came back from her isolation, she refused to go out of her room. She spent her days idling inside the dim space and guarding the money filled chests.

Unaware of the fidgeting demon in front of her, or more likely, ignoring the obviously panicking demon in front of her, Nu Shen continued, "Post it on the walls outside, we will have a bidding. Whoever has the highest offer will get him."

Mugu gulped the open air, his lungs constricting from an unknown force, "Mistress, this isn't right!"

Nu Shen's left brow arched as she stared at Mugu, "What? Do you want me to give him away for free? I'm running a business here. This isn't charity."

Mugu kneeled in front of Nu Shen, his mind was quickly reeling ideas to prevent his imminent doom, "Mistress, we can't sell him!"

"Why not?"

Regaining his composure, Mugu puffed a breath in determination, "Just think about it, if one of the princesses won him then those who lost the bid will surely feel offended."

"Their feelings is not my business."

Not willing to give up, Mugu pushed further. Making sure to emphasize his words, he spoke, "Mistress, its bad for your business. You see, these princesses are your most loyal and definitely the most generous patrons of ADB. If we lose our most valuable asset, then we would also lose our most precious costumers."

Nu Shen thought about what Mugu said. She frowned as she imagined her money growing wings and flying far way from her. Well, he had a point. Narrowing her eyes, she questioned him, "I suppose you have a plan?"

Mugu quickly nodded his head, "Mistress, why don't you talk to him? Maybe he'll tell you what's wrong."

"Fine."

Mugu had learned his lesson. He knew that it wasn't easy as that. And he was right.

"Go talk to him in my stead." Nu Shen said as she turned her back on Mugu.

"Mistress, he won't talk to me."

"If he won't talk, then force him. You're a demon, you know how it works." Nu Shen shrugged.

Mugu could already imagine the grim expression on his Master's face and he felt cold shiver ran up his spine. The terrifying punishment that awaited him if he failed in convincing Nu Shen to meet his Master gave Mugu a burst of courage.

"Mistress, if you don't want to leave your room, then should I bring him here instead?" Mugu suggested.

"I want to sleep."

"The sun has just risen..."

"Shhh!"

"But Mistress..."

"Leave me alone."

"Oh, majestic and powerful priestess of the Tianshi Temple! Blessed by the gods in the immortal realm! Hear this servant's plea!"

"Stop it."

"Oh, Tianshi Temple's deity! The beautiful, kind, genero-"

"FINE! BRING HIM HERE!" Nu Shen snapped.

Mugu kept a neutral face, hiding his triumphant grin, and ran out of the room before Nu Shen could change her mind. He swiftly navigated his way up the second floor of ABD where the men working in the brothel lived.

Pushing the door open, Mugu entered with a victorious stride, "Master! I succeeded!"

The man who was leisurely drinking wine across the room turned to face Mugu and with a smile of his own, he spoke, "I was getting impatient."

The man seemed calm and harmless but Mugu knew that behind that innocent facade was something sinister. He was a demon himself, a mighty being of the underworld, and yet, his knees buckled just hearing the chilly tone in his voice.

"Let's go." The icy atmosphere warmed up as the man got up his feet and with excited steps, he walked out of the room with Mugu tailing him. Mugu didn't even need to guide him towards Nu Shen's underground haven as the man already knew where it was.

Without even knocking, the man freely entered Nu Shen's room. Mugu cautiously followed, praying that nothing bad would happen. It was enough for him to lose his hair, he can't afford to lose a limb.

"Mistress, he is here." Mugu announced their presence and he was met by a frowning Nu Shen.

"I can see." Nu Shen snorted as her eyes openly examined the man in front of him. Nu Shen can now understand why he's the most valuable asset, as Mugu has said.

"So why do you not want to work?" Nu Shen drawled as she stifled a yawn.

"Its not that I refuse to work." The man answered, the ever benevolent smile gracing his lips.

"Then what?"

"I want something in return."