The Devouring

James walked alongside the carriage, his eyes wandering over the lively streets. People bustled about, some carrying goods, others chatting, but as the carriage passed, they quickly made way. Their respectful behavior made it clear the person inside was someone important.

James glanced at the carriage, curiosity gnawing at him. Just who is inside? If this were a movie, he would have sworn he was watching an ancient drama, the kind that showed the daily lives of nobles and warriors.

As they continued, a grand mansion came into view. It stood tall, built in the elegant style of traditional Chinese architecture, with sweeping rooftops and intricate carvings. James admired the structure, taking in every detail. At the massive entrance gate, two armored guards stood watch, their eyes sharp and disciplined. Above them, a golden plaque displayed the clan's name, gleaming in the moonlight.

The guards bowed deeply as the carriage drove in and James walked past them, he noticed their curious glances in his direction. He didn't know whether it was suspicion or mere interest, but he chose to ignore it.

The moment they entered the mansion grounds, the carriage came to a stop. The door opened, and the beautiful girl from before stepped out gracefully. In the soft glow of the moon, her body was like a perfect sculpture curvy, full, and undeniably tempting. Her chest rose and fell gently with each breath, the fabric of her robe hugging her figure in just the right way. Her waist was slim, making the curve of her hips stand out even more, smooth and inviting.

The moonlight traced along her body, highlighting every curve and dip, casting soft shadows that made her even more breathtaking. Her long legs moved with effortless grace, each step carrying a natural sway that felt both powerful and alluring.

Everything about her soft curves, the way her robe clung to her, the quiet confidence in her movements made her impossible to ignore. 

Her long flowing black and golden robes swayed slightly as she turned to James, her calm, unreadable dark brown eyes studying him.

"Follow me," she said as she broke James from his trance.

Without hesitation, James did as she asked as the two guards were signaled by her to follow along as they walked through the grand halls of the mansion. The place was just as impressive inside polished floors, tall pillars decorated with golden dragons, and expensive lanterns that gave the hall a warm glow.

When they reached a large meeting hall, she stopped and turned to the guards. "Wait outside."

As she stepped gracefully into the dimly lit room, she turned her head slightly and spoke in a calm, commanding tone.

"Close the door."

The two guards standing at the entrance immediately bowed their heads. "Yes, Mistress."

With a swift motion, they pushed the heavy wooden doors shut, the faint creak of the hinges echoing through the chamber before a deep thud signaled their closure. The guards remained outside, standing at attention, leaving her alone with James.

Through the large windows, the moonlight poured in, casting a soft silver glow across the room. The pale light traced the curves of her body, highlighting the way her silky robe clung to her figure. The gentle night breeze made the sheer curtains sway, adding a dreamlike quality to the moment.

She turned back to James, a knowing smile playing on her lips as her deep eyes locked onto him. "Now," she said smoothly, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, "let's talk."

James watched in mild surprise at how easily they obeyed her commands.

Now alone, she turned her full attention to him. Her eyes scanned him from head to toe, her expression unreadable. Then, she spoke, her voice calm but carrying a hint of amusement.

"So, you're the one who has the sect badge."

James breath caught in his throat. His body tensed as his hand instinctively brushed over his pocket where the badge was hidden. How does she know?

She grinned at his reaction. "Relax," she said, walking slowly around him "Nothing is going to happen to you."

James narrowed his eyes. "Then how do you know about the badge?"

She smiled, a glint of amusement in her deep eyes as she continued to slowly walked around him. "I have a special talent." she said, her voice smooth and confident. "I can detect hidden treasures, no matter how well they're concealed."

She stopped in front of him, her smile widening. "And that little badge of yours? It practically calls out to me."

With a slow, graceful turn, she began walking towards a lavish chair. James couldn't help but notice the way her round backside swayed with each step, the smooth fabric of her robe hugging her curves perfectly. The soft glow of the moonlight only made it more distracting, casting shadows that accentuated every movement.

He quickly forced himself to look away, clearing his throat as she lowered herself into the chair with effortless elegance. Crossing one leg over the other, she leaned back slightly, her eyes gleaming with quiet amusement.

"So," she said smoothly, resting her arm on the chair's carved armrest, "what will you do now, James?"

James furrowed his brow, his thoughts racing. He couldn't help but ask the question that had been on his mind since he first saw the received the badge.

"Why would Lianhua give me something like that?" as James thought to himself.

She studied James for a moment and smile softly "Because they see potential in you," she said smoothly. "And they want to make sure you survive long enough to fulfill that potential."

James looked at her and frowned, the weight of her words sinking in. Before he could respond, she continued.

She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand, her gaze locking onto James with an intense yet relaxed expression. "Also, nobody can take it from you, it has a tracking mechanism. If anyone tries to kill you for it, the person who gave it to you will be notified immediately."

James raised an eyebrow, curiosity written all over his face. "So, it's not just a badge then," he said, his tone thoughtful. "It's some kind of… protection?"

She smiled, her eyes glimmering with a hint of mystery. "Exactly. It's not just a symbol. It's a safeguard." She leaned back in her chair, letting the words settle. "You're much safer than you think, James."

James was stunned. That meant whoever had given him the badge was watching him, even now. He didn't know whether to feel relieved or even more nervous.

The girl only smiled, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Now then," she said, tilting her head slightly, "why don't you tell me how you got it?"

James hesitated, still unsure of how much to reveal, but before he could respond, the young lady leaned forward slightly, a confident glint in her eyes.

"Ah, where are my manners?" she said with a soft chuckle. "I haven't even introduced myself. My name is Li Mei," she continued, standing up suddenly making her big breasts jiggle as she just was a bit shorter than James. Li Mei looked up at him slightly as she spoke, but the way she carried herself made it clear she wasn't intimidated. "And you're standing in the heart of my clan's mansion. I'm curious, James. How did you come into possession of such a rare token?"

Her voice was smooth, almost like a melody, making it hard to focus on anything else but her presence in the room.