QT: Against My Will

193 4.17 -Preparation – Dangerous Angels

“...” Nodding in satisfaction, a few girls took a short glimpse at one of them, “But...he...umm...she...”

Bing Shi glanced at the ostracized person with white hair tied in a ponytail, “Women are not the only ones suffering. There’s as much pressure on men to be a certain way as there is on women. Don’t you agree, Rin?”

Watery black irises withdrew their gaze nervously, saying, “I agree... Thank you.”

“It’s too soon to be thankful,” Bing Shi scanned everyone’s expression, “First look at me, and pledge with all your heart that, wherever you may be, you shall stay loyal to me, and nobody else...”

‘Those girls are being brainwashed to become courtesans. Like hell would I allow Bing Shi to take advantage of me.’ Fei Lan looked around. She noticed how one after another, girls bowed down in respect, while Bing Shi looked at her with apparent interest, “Forgive me, I don’t plan to be a part of your organization.”

‘Passive yet aggressive. A girl who doesn’t succumb just to anybody.’

“No problem,” Bing Shi motioned for Hasan to accompany Fu Lian out, “After all, you’re our guest. For everyone’s safety, please, restrain from leaving your room.”

‘A pity she is not on my side.’

When Fei Lan left, Bing Shi clapped her hands in accomplishment, “I almost fell for your group bow. If it weren’t for the big NO on your faces, I would say, you agreed to the pledge. Good, don’t allow yourself to change your mind so easily. This is not an army. I don’t need little obedient sheeps.”

.....

Bing Shi once said that she desired independent-minded people who, with a little push, could stand on their own. Those who were a bit hard to get along with, as they’re the most hungry ones. For example, Edan, Fei Lan, and...

“As long as I deem you worthy, I’ll pledge my loyalty to you,” Aine, the oldest girl, spoke out. A cunning smile on her smudged face, “But if you ever betray us, I’ll go to the deepest part of hell, and take you down with me.”

The girls looked at Aine in awe. From the begging, Aine was like a second in command. During Bing Shi’s absence, she was the one directing them. Bing Shi clearly stated that they should strive to overthrow her position as a leader. Following Aine’s lead, a quarter of the girls grouped behind her and gave Aine their support.

Bing Shi’s eyes shined in anticipation. “Let me remind you. To seize my seat, you’ll have to reach higher than hell,” she whispered, “That place...is too low for me.” Her convincing response left Aine speechless, “How about you lure me down there with your enchanting voice, hm? It will save your time and effort.”

“...” The girls inhaled a vast amount of air; they felt their blood boiling.

They failed for the second time. The first time, they were bashed for wanting to continue being Bing Shi’s slaves, even after they paid all their debts, which was increasing day by day. Just because someone saved them, it didn’t mean they had to compensate the savior with their lives. Being saved should be considered a person’s luck, a second chance in life, and the silly them would waste it by living for someone else.

Rianta, the second oldest, walked to the back of the vast room and grabbed two long, pink satin ribbons. Without any music, she used sharp, rhythmic movements to bring her ribbons to the air, creating a floating pattern around her body. With her fluid movements, she face-slapped Bing Shi’s weakness, “Too many words, and no action. The clients would get bored from your endless talking.”

The girls coughed up blood at Rianta’s statement.

Bing Shi enjoyed the picturesque sight with her arms crossed in silence.

‘What a way to catch everyone’s attention.’

Rianta’s upper body orchestrated the movements of the ribbon; she leaped into the air and made a graceful spin in the process. She was so in her element that nobody minded her disheveled state; it was as everything was a part of her sorrowful performance. Doubting her easy win, her feet came to a stop. With a trembling voice, she looked at the group of girls like a lost puppy, “How did I do?”

The girl’s mouth twitched. Rianta’s personality made a one hundred and eighty-degree shift. They clapped their hands with fake enthusiasm, afraid of their future prospect as courtesans, thinking how Rianta was going to be the number one with her pitiful act, cheering, “Great! It was beautiful!”

Those proficient in dancing stood up and ran to Rianta, asking, “Could you show us the move you did a while ago?”

‘Oh? Are they using my presence against Rianta’s greed?’

Rianta was reluctant to share her knowledge, ‘What makes a good leader?’ She clenched her hands, “Fine. Show me your skills first.”

Bing Shi tilted her head at the last half of the group, “Nila, how should I keep my position?”

Nila plucked a few strings on her Pipa, “Give food. Those hungry... follow you.”

‘Isn’t that prince Zhao Rong’s tactic? Keeping the rich full and happy?’

Bing Shi smiled at her nervous playing, “As long as I have food, you’ll follow me?”

Nila nodded as a matter of fact, “Follow.”

Bing Shi raised her hand in defeat, “Today’s top spot as a courtesan goes to Nila. Aware of inequality, instead of challenging me head-on, she attempted to get on my good side first. She lowered my guard with her naivety and left me guessing. Save what Aine did for when you’re on the same standing as me. Use Rianta’s arrogance against overconfident, desirous people.”

Everyone opened her eyes wide in disbelief. Nila? That Nila?!?

As not to let the girls be afraid to think out of the box, Bing Shi didn’t say what Aine and Rianta did was wrong. Instead, she encouraged them to be more daring. She used Aine and Rianta as an example for a more adequate situation.

Aine turned towards Nila, “What if I gave you more food?”

Nila stopped plucking her Pipa and grabbed her stomach, “Too much food...fat.”

Bing Shi laughed out loud, covering her mouth with her palm, “Isn’t she cute?”

“...” When all the spotlight was on Nila, Rianta got closer to Bing Shi, asking worriedly, “Aren’t you going to learn how to dance, at least?”

“I would, but I’m too busy with other things. Thanks for your concern.” After another hour, Bing Shi showed her perfected bow, taught by the girls on her first day, “Our lesson ends here. Clean up and go to your assigned rooms. Continue practicing your skills like before, until I find you some suitable teachers.” Stretching her shoulders, she left the room, leaving the girls by themselves.

The girls pouted in unwillingness. The lesson ended too fast. Bing Shi’s interactive way of teaching gave them a kind of enjoyment, without taking any notes, they could remember everything by heart, that’s how impactful it was. Bing Shi didn’t need to induce fear for the girls to follow her. What was her identity? Did it matter? It’s the start of the new beginning. After retouching their faces, they picked up their brushes and instruments. Going to their room, their thoughts dwelled on the lesson, coming up with new ideas on how they would change the situation to their advantage.

· · — · ???· — · ·

After changing her clothes, Bing Shi walked towards Aine’s room and stayed there until dawn. Stepping out with a history book in her hand, she passed by a lively guard with a scarf around his neck, underneath which was a sponge-like cushion.

‘Not even little Ziek would be able to knock down a man for half an hour without leaving some brain damage as a result. Ru Quan did it without any hesitation, that precision was no joke. Don’t they usually target the space below the jawbone, where you check the pulse? Ru Quan didn’t. I clearly saw him hitting the middle part of a guard’s neck. Hm... Did he strike another pressure point without my notice? Or did he use some kind of poison?’