The Dawn of the New World Chapter 1448

The mark dried off immediately. Its shadow was also imprinted on Hao Xuan's bare skin and would not come off until the terms of the agreement were fulfilled or if it was nullified.

"Within the city everyone lives by the mark and dies by it. Those with white marks are slaves like yourself and they go wherever they are needed. Above those are blue marks that belong to the residents and workers of the city, they make sure everything works as intended."

"And finally there are green marks. Those belong to the patrons who are traveling with us. They are our esteemed guests and you will not do anything to irritate or otherwise annoy them during their stay here, understand?"

"Yes, I do," Hao Xuan replied while looking around.

And now that he was looking for it the marks could be found on every single individual walking about. Most of them were white while a few blues were mixed in here and there.

"Good," Rufgar turned the stone slab around to show him a rough city map. It was divided into three distinct parts.

"The top area is only for the temporary and permanent patrons, the middle is for workers, and the bottom and front is for slaves like you. You will only go to the middle areas for work or if called upon by another, nothing else. Understand?"

"Yes..."

Hao Xuan leaned in to get a better look and memorize it for later. The slaves actually had access to the largest sections of the city which included the entire front deck and the bottom sections. Only the very top section which held a few buildings and structures was out of his reach.

'I guess that should also be where all the money bags are. But why would anyone want to stay on the ship if they weren't traveling?' he couldn't help but wonder after hearing about the permanent patrons.

"LUZ!" Rufgar's blaring voice brought Hao Xuan out of the stupor.

"Take him with you, get him a place to sleep!" he yelled at someone.

From the other side of the counter a hunched man scurried over. He had protruding front teeth, long whiskers, and beady black eyes like that of a rat. Most certainly another demihuman if his features were anything to go by.

He had a servile smile plastered across his face as he bowed to Rafgar, "Yes master sir, whatever the lord desires shall be fulfilled!"

"Go now, and don't waste any time after you are done showing him around, return to the lady's side at once!"

"I wouldn't dare, master sir, I wouldn't dare!" he bowed three times and gestured for Hao Xuan to follow, "Please come friend, please come."

There was already a line forming behind Hao Xuan so he quickly followed after Luz, taking his time to inspect this being that stunk of subservience. He was a slave just like him with a white mark on his chest but was dressed in almost new clothes without any stains on them.

They crossed a few hallways in silence, passing by lines of slaves that were moving back and forth transporting various goods, devoid of any emotion after having their dignity stripped away.

The vast majority of them seemed to be human but there were many other demihumans also mixed in.

After climbing up a few staircases they came out to the side of the ship. This was an open area with countless structures closely packed on top of one another. The sails fluttered loudly in the wind while the thick crowd slowly moved through the congested city streets.

There were a lot more individuals with blue marks here mixed in with the slaves, all going about their business.

Luz yawned and stretched, straightening his back to change his entire posture as if it was completely normal.

He picked his nose while looking up at the sky, "Oh, I'm already running late. Go down there and find an empty cabin human, good luck."

He swiftly jumped down but his feet dangled in the air while his body remained motionless.

"Huh?"

He looked back to see Hao Xuan's hand holding onto his shirt. At first he was mad, "Y-YOU! let go right this instant! Do you think these clothes are something a slave like you can touc- Khuk!"

The words got stuck in his mouth as Hao Xuan swiftly moved his hand from Luz's shirt to his neck, "Is this better?" he asked while slowly tightening his grip.

He could pop his head off like an overripe tomato with a little more power.

"S-STOP! MURDERER! SOMEONE HEL- MMM!" he tried to scream but Hao Xuan quickly covered his mouth.

The few people that had heard him didn't even bother to look up. They were either too busy or too tired to give a crap.

Hao Xuan pulled him close, "Make one more sound and I will turn into a marble, understand? Nod if you do..."

Luz tried to struggle at first but when he couldn't even make Hao Xuan take a single step back he quickly surrendered, choosing to give up any thoughts of fighting back.

He nodded meekly.

"Good boy. Do what was asked of you and then return home safely. We won't have any problems and you will have made a new friend by the end. Do we have a deal?"