Chapter 1: The quest for truth
Twelve years ago.
"Tell me the truth!"
In the aftermath of an extremely precarious situation, a woman's demand for answers breached the tranquil night of China's most well-known red-light district, Huayuan. Her questions reverberated loud and clear to everyone gathered around the mansion.
The estate belonged Long Sicong - A man in his mid-forties, who carried himself with an air of superiority as the tyrant chief of Huayuan. He was a man revered and feared by many. The district's people could never oppose his tyranny because he ruled Huayuan with his iron fist.
Yet with no fear of the consequences, a woman stood before his estate, mustering every last bit of courage she could gather. Her gaze was fixated on Huayuan's lord yearning for justice and an answer.
"It has been eight days, but Nuwa is still not back! Where is she? Why hasn't she returned yet? Why aren't you doing anything to look for her? Answer me, Long Sicong!"
The air turned ominous with an escalating deadly silence. The people of Huayuan respectfully addressed Long Sicong as the "Chief."
But for the first time in a decade, a mere sex worker called him by his name with utmost disrespect.
Long Sicong's dark and piercing gaze grew grimmer by her audacity.
"You sure have become gutsy tonight, Ruolan?"
The crowd trembled in fear with the alarming menace in his voice. They instinctively lowered their gazes to avoid his wrath.