Everything had been a misdirection.

Maybe that’s why Martial Kim could not figure out where to go from his last step. It was best to start over from the beginning, even if he had to go all the way back to Green Lion Valley.

The young master stood in the crime scene, just contemplating to himself. The fields, the grass, the trees, even the mud laced with toxin-born worms were still there. The heavens had been kind, not a speck of rain has tainted the crime scene. Constables continued to stand vigilant to protect the authenticity of the place.

But were the heavens kind enough to give him a hint?

No. They were much like the adults in the situation – figure it out.

Martial Kim brought up a hand that carried Fae Fae’s sword. He made sure the long and well worn red sash never stained itself across the dirt and mud and held the blade firmly in his grip. It was no weapon, it was simply a performance prop. Lighter and more flexible than a real blade, allowing performers like Fae Fae to wield it without so much as a martial arts foundation.

“...Did you stop your heart to protect Noonien?” Martial Kim asked the sword in place of Fae Fae, “Did you love him so much, you were willing to give up your life to save his name.”

Martial Kim brushed a hand across the blade. Even the edges were dulled, so there was no worry about cutting himself. But the more he touched the blade, the more he felt his heart getting slashed up with a terrible truth.

“Noonien doesn’t deserve your undying love. The sacrifices you’ve made are meaningless to him... Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you like that.”

Emotions started to cloud his thinking. The more he stayed in Green Lion Valley, the more he felt helpless and useless. So he left the crime scene as he could not find the answer there.

As much as he wanted to clear his head for a bit, there was something he had to do.

Return Fae Fae’s sword back to Celestial Dreams Brothel.

The brothel certainly experienced some changes. The once lively establishment of drink and companionship, with many Flower Princesses ready to serve the highest bidder...was solemn and quiet. The bright colours were draped over with black and white, symbols of mourning and honouring the dead. Many grand portraits made by famous painters and historical artists were taken down. They were replaced with many beautiful portraits of Fae Fae.

The blessed Sword Fairy, dancing on the cloud and winds as she trailed her sword around across the ink and canvas, guiding the red sash like an angel searching for her lover’s face. Surrounded by groups of majestic cranes who revered her for her charm and elegance.

A legend lost to time.

Even the rooftop, where Fae Fae loved to perform her sword dances for the world, was enshrined in her honour with gifts, toys, and flowers. Staff, clients, even Fae Fae’s circle of fans all took turns praying and kowtowing to the rooftop from the ground, offering incense, fruits, and other tributes to honour her departure.

Amongst them was Mama-san. The veteran courtesan turned manager of the brothel. She could be found wearing all black, mourning along, and sobbing silently.

Martial Kim waited until the proceedings were completely finishing before he chanced to approach the manager with a deep bow, “Hello Mama-san.”

“Oh! Martial Kim!” Mama-san gasped upon seeing his face and she quickly rushed over to him. “H-how did it go? Was I able to help to catch the killer!?”

Martial Kim wanted to choose his words carefully, but he saw no reason to break the lady’s heart with the exact details. So he simply nodded and handwaved the answer. He then brought up Fae Fae’s sword to her, “Thank you, for letting me borrow her sword. Without it, we wouldn’t have gotten the truth.”

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Mama-san reached out to hug the sword in her arms. Like a mother reuniting with her long lost child. So much emotions fell out of her eyes in tears and she wept again. “My dear Fae Fae. She always treated me as if I was her mother. Kind, tender. She was truly special. Poor girl didn’t deserve to die like this...”

Martial Kim consoled the manager with a pat on the shoulder. He kept her company as they made their way to Fae Fae’s room, to put away her sword for safe keeping.

“It’s a shame, you never met Fae Fae while she was alive,” Mama-san whimpered as she tried to fight her tears away. “I know you would love her...Oh of course, not in a sexual way. You are a respectable and virtuous man. I-I meant—”

“I understand. Fae Fae is quite the character as people tell me. I would love to know her more when I get the chance...” Martial Kim touched his lips as he realized he let slip his words.

To others, it sounded like he was going to meet her in a few minutes.

Fortunately, Mama-san was too bereaved to notice that little hiccup, “I still can’t imagine who would want to kill her. Surely none of my girls. No one in the entertainment business would benefit her death, no matter how envious they are of her success.” She shook her head, tired and knowing she can’t sleep tonight, “She always took care of us. She never hesitated to lend anyone money or gifts to solve our problems. She may not be rich, but she was so wealthy in heart. No amount of money could buy that kindness.”

“Indeed.” Martial Kim nodded.

It didn’t take long before they arrived in front of Fae Fae’s room. Mama-san pulled out a key to unlock it and opened the door. “If I knew she were to marry Mr. Golden, I would have let her go and cover her costs. She is talented in her work, but she deserves so much better.”

The room stunned Martial Kim—a grand suite with a king-sized bed, an in-room bath pool, and multiple walk-in closets. Martial Kim couldn’t help but touch the spotless furniture.

That’s why he felt compelled to ask, “Mama-san. Does someone else live here?”

“Wh-what? Oh no! I couldn’t bring myself to let anyone live in Fae Fae’s room.” She then looked around the clean suite and it occurred to her, “Oh. I just keep it tidy. Every morning I spend time dusting her room. To make it feel like is still here, you know? I moved absolutely nothing out.”

Martial Kim nodded. He stood to the side of the room to give Mama-san some privacy, so she could place Fae Fae’s sword on a display rack. It was in this moment, eyeing the many closets and shelves, did something else occurred to him.

“Mama-san. If I may ask, did you throw our her clothing?”

“Wh—How dare you!” Mama-san twisted on the spot with rage and indignation. It was only when she noticed the closets he was looking did she choke out her inner flame.

They were all empty, cleaned even. Not a speck of dust.

“Oh forgive me, I misunderstood. Fae Fae gave them all away.”

“...I beg your pardon?”

Mama-san nodded and walked up to one of the closets. Each of them were large with four to five shelves, capable of storing months worth of clothing from dresses, scarves, socks, undergarments, and others. All stark empty.

“Fae Fae loved collecting dresses, especially costumes,” Mama-san explained as she rubbed a hand across the wooden frames as if caressing a cheek. “It’s her hobby whenever she is not entertaining. Always looking for the fanciest dresses she can lay her eyes on...But she started to give them away. To her brothel sisters, the staff, even the local drama schools.”

Martial Kim find it hard to believe.

For example, if someone in Moon Tavern were to sell off his collection of wine, he’ll rain down hellfire on the evildoer with great vengeance and furious anger! The same would go to many hobbyist and their obsession...

...But this.

“Wh-when did this start?” he asked as he walked around.

“About a month ago,” answered Mama-san as she was drifting into her own world, full of living memories with her beloved pseudo-daughter, “I think it started after she was invited to Heavenly Gardens at North Cloud City, when she came back all sullen and quiet. Since then I noticed she was handing them off to her friends, bit by bit. I asked her one time, why she was doing such a thing. We all knew she loved them to death...Fae Fae simply answered, she wanted to be fair with her brothel sisters and make them feel special.”

Martial Kim searched the room, making the manager worry a bit. Eventually, he came across some sealed rooms and pushed open their doors. Closets, with wide spaces. It was enough to rival a small garage of some sort. He noticed the walls had impressions, like the colour left behind when a portrait is removed from the surface.

“Was there anything in this room?” he asked.

“Oh why yes. Fae Fae gets a lot of gifts from her many admirers. So much so, I had to build this storage unit of a closet just so she can fit everything.”

“And they’re also gone? Where?”

“Er. I think she gave them away too... Actually...now that I think about it. The day she vanished, she wanted to visit some temples...She had been doing that a lot even before she disappeared. I also overheard her asking about donating things... Martial Kim, why are you staring at me like that. D-did I say something wrong?”