The shop attendant couldn't hide his delight.
"Perfect! Truly perfect—double blessings today!"
He grinned broadly. "You and Amir, go ahead and sit. I'll call the boss."
The middle-aged man held his daughter's hand as they sat down on a nearby bench.
His grip trembled.
He looked at her again and again, wanting to say something—anything—but when the words reached his lips, none would come.
In the end, he could only lower his head and sigh.
Amir, on the other hand, sat calmly.
Her small back was straight, hands resting neatly on her knees. She wore a simple white dress, unadorned and plain. The hem was visibly worn from countless washings.
Tuanzi suddenly felt regret.
She shouldn't have drunk the tea so quickly.
If she had left even a little, she could've offered this girl a cup—made a friend.
But thinking of the ridiculous price, she shook her head.
There was no way she'd let her master spend more money for another cup.
After all… Master's money must've been hard-earned too.
So when Tuanzi looked at Amir, there was a faint trace of guilt in her eyes.
But Amir, meeting Tuanzi for the first time, couldn't possibly understand that look.
She only glanced at her once—curious—then lowered her head again and sat quietly.
Moments later—
The tea shop's owner emerged, striding out behind the attendant.
Before he even appeared, his booming laughter rolled out from inside.
"Hahaha! Wonderful! Truly wonderful news!"
A large, obese man stepped out.
He was dressed in luxurious clothes, a gold-threaded belt cinched around his waist—though most of it was buried deep in his rolls of fat.
He looked to be in his forties, about the same age as the middle-aged man.
Each step he took made the ground tremble slightly, shaking dust off the tables. His eyes were already small, and when he smiled, they disappeared into thin slits.
No one could tell whether they were open or closed.
The owner strode up eagerly and clasped the man's hands.
"Asam! You finally came around—finally willing to give me your daughter!"
Then he slapped his own mouth.
"Ah—listen to me! I should be calling you Father-in-Law now!"
Asam stared at his feet, silent.
His arms trembled uncontrollably. One hand clutched his daughter tightly, veins bloodshot in his eyes.
The fat man didn't care about the silence.
He reached out, grabbed Amir's slender, pale hand, and slowly pressed it against his greasy cheek.
Amir's body went stiff.
She was clearly terrified—but she didn't resist.
Her other hand was still being held tightly by her father.
Then—
Slap.
Amir silently pulled her hand free from her father's rough, cracked grip.
At that moment, it was as if all the strength drained from Asam's body.
The light faded from his eyes.
He staggered back and collapsed heavily onto the bench.
The fat owner laughed loudly and pulled Amir into his arms, pressing her against his body.
"Hey! Go fetch the half barrel of water from the back!"
"Coming!" the attendant replied, hurrying off.
Asam suddenly leapt up, his face twisted in despair.
"I'm not selling! I'm not selling anymore! Amir—let's go home!"
He rushed forward, trying to pull his daughter back.
But his thin body was no match for the fat man.
With a casual shove, Asam was sent stumbling backward, crashing into the sand as dust flew everywhere.
He scrambled up and tried to rush forward again.
This time, the fat man lost patience.
He lifted his foot and kicked Asam hard, sending him flying.
"Are you playing games with me?!" he roared.
"You say sell, then you say not sell—do you think I, Stanson, am easy to bully?"
"I've already been generous for your daughter's sake. Don't push your luck, you old dog!"
"And if you don't want to sell—ask your daughter yourself!"
"Ask her if she even wants to go back with you!"
Amir covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
"Father… please go home. If I get the chance… I'll come visit you."
"AAAAAH—!"
Asam's wail tore through the air.
He fell to his knees before his daughter, slapping his own face again and again.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
Each apology grew weaker, until only he could hear them.
At that moment, the attendant returned, carrying a wooden bucket, and set it down in front of Asam.
Then—
A small figure stepped forward.
Tuanzi.
Her face was dark, her body rigid. One sword on her back, one at her waist—she stood directly in the attendant's path.
The attendant forced a smile.
"Little miss, is something the matter?"
"Put the bucket down."
Tuanzi lifted her head, staring coldly at the fat man.
"Let her go. Let her go home."
The fat owner glanced at the attendant.
The attendant flicked his eyes toward Logan.
Understanding dawned instantly.
Ah—the rich customer who ordered two pots of tea.
The fat man chuckled.
"Little girl, this is adult business. Children shouldn't get involved."
"Otherwise… you might get hurt."
Then he raised his voice toward Logan.
"Don't you agree, young man?"
Logan only smiled faintly and continued sipping his bitter tea.
The fat man's expression hardened.
"Don't push your luck. Move."
Tuanzi's face went completely cold.
Her left hand steadied the scabbard.
Her right hand slowly drew the blade.
The blue Dragon-Slayer blade slid out inch by inch, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
Even someone ignorant of weapons could tell at a glance—
This blade was no ordinary thing.
The moment the sword fully cleared the sheath—
Tuanzi stepped forward.
She held the blade in reverse grip and charged, activating Water Breathing in an instant.
She was fast.
Too fast.
The fat man had no time to dodge.
A flash of blue light traced a perfect arc through the air.
Silently—
A thin red line appeared across the fat man's arm.
Then—
The line split open.
Blood erupted violently, spraying everywhere. White bone was faintly visible beneath the torn flesh.
The fat man screamed in terror, shoving Amir away as he howled.
"Help! Murder! She's killing me!"
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL