Chapter 135 Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Three: The Balcony
In an instant, Ji Ma had the thought that the Shadow King, acting as a traitor, would disclose his entire revenge plan to the Great Benefactor.
But she remained calm on the surface, quietly observing the “slave bandits” hanging dead in the port without saying a word.
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, glanced at her a few times, leisurely picked up the teacup Ji Ma had personally prepared for him, and slowly took a sip, saying:
“I thought you would feel sorrow for the dead hare.”
Indeed, just now, it was merely a casual tease, trying to trick you into showing your true colors.
Ji Ma said, “What does it have to do with me?”
“Have you never thought about escaping?”
“Of course I have,” Ji Ma replied, “After thinking it over, I still feel it’s better to join my hands in prayer and wait for the brave George to come riding on a white horse to rescue me.”
“Hahaha.” The Great Benefactor, Bransido, set down his teacup. “Interesting. I wonder who will be fortunate enough to buy you in the future.”
Ji Ma remained silent.
After admiring the beautiful scenery for a few minutes, the Great Benefactor, Bransido, asked:
“Girl, as a demon, how do you view your kin?”
“Strictly speaking, demons are not part of the demon clan.”
“Ha, to everyone else, it’s pretty much the same. Just share your thoughts on the demon clan.”
“Deceitful, greedy, bloodthirsty, cruel.”
“I heard that when you were with the brave George, he forced you to copy books every day. Are you just repeating what the Sanctum says?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“You only used negative words.”
“Sorry, in the demon language, these are all positive words, considered virtues. It’s a translation issue; some positive words in the common tongue carry negative meanings in demon language, such as honesty.” Ji Ma slightly squinted her eyes. “Honesty is an inability to bear the consequences of lying, or a sign of inadequate intelligence, hence it’s either cowardice or foolishness.”
“Girl, you’ve frightened me a little.” The Great Benefactor, Bransido’s tone grew stern. “No one likes to have a treacherous servant, although the slave contract guarantees that servants cannot harm their masters.”
Ji Ma lowered her head and said, “You are a person of virtue, I like you very much. Other than you, I would not speak my honest thoughts, but rather arm myself with positive words from the common tongue.”
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, recalled Ji Ma’s explanation of “honesty” and said with a smile:
“Any other views? On the demon clan.”
Tsk, not realizing she was indirectly cursing him, foolish.
Ji Ma said:
“Trading with the demon clan requires a great price; naturally, the benefits are also substantial. What is your price?”
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, turned his head and asked:
“Are you curious about what I traded with the demon clan?”
“Only curious.”
The Great Benefactor did not answer, merely reclining in his chair, squinting at Shalin City, murmuring, “Yes, a great price. Sometimes I think about regretting it, but for Shalin City, what’s the price?”
Ji Ma also looked at the gray Shalin City.
If Shalin City were to burn fiercely, the expression on the Great Benefactor’s face would undoubtedly be spectacular.
“Girl, you made me laugh.”
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, set down the lukewarm tea, and his face regained the smile of someone in control.
After that, the two spent another hour together. Essentially, Ji Ma stood while the Great Benefactor, Bransido, sat down, exchanging casual remarks.
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, held Ji Ma in high regard, called for the elder maid, praised her, and finally waved goodbye to Ji Ma, saying:
“Being with a beautiful girl is indeed a delightful thing; knowing you are working hard makes me feel at ease.”
Ji Ma performed a half-bow in accordance with servant propriety and said, “Your guidance is equally essential.”
But in her heart, she thought: My legs are already numb from standing, you damn pimp, hurry up and die with your whole family.
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, looked at Ji Ma with amusement, waving his hand, “Hurry back to continue your studies.”
The elder maid took Ji Ma away; along the way, her wrinkle-lined face wore a smile, resembling a blooming chrysanthemum.
As usual, Ji Ma was blindfolded. She opened her personal system panel and added a line to her main task:
“…The pimp is more cautious than I imagined, almost suffering from paranoia. The onyx situation has become the biggest variable, and the pace at which the pimp deals with the slave bandits exceeds my expectations; I originally thought Shalin City would struggle financially, thus unable to move so quickly.”
After Ji Ma left.
The smile on the Great Benefactor’s face disappeared, revealing a slightly weary expression, no longer resembling the confident helmsman of Shalin City.
Within ten minutes, the bell chimed.
The glass door behind the Great Benefactor opened, and an old maid entered. Without waiting for her to speak, the Great Benefactor, Bransido, raised his hand to stop her:
“I’m resting this morning.”
The old maid whispered, “It’s Lord Chamberlain. He insists on seeing you regarding the compensation from last time and this action, seeking rewards for the soldiers.”
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, looked skyward, his eyes becoming dull like a dead fish, quietly murmuring, “Why the hurry? Well, this is so unlike Chamberlain. Let him in.”
“In the reception room or on the balcony?”
“Right here will do.”
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, closed his eyes, appearing quite fatigued.
The glass door was pushed open again.
“My lord, please come in.”
“Bransido, I’m glad you were willing to use the balcony to receive me.”
A tall figure clad in armor entered; his dark skin, a single eye, and a steel helmet in one hand, with his sunflare sword hanging at his side. Chamberlain had the privilege of carrying weapons, and the Great Benefactor trusted that his sword would always protect him loyally.
Hearing Chamberlain’s somewhat sarcastic voice, the Great Benefactor, Bransido, opened his eyes, the previous fatigue instantly swept away, and a confident smile returned to his face. He stood up and said:
“If you’re happy, you can pitch your military tent on the balcony.”
“In that case, our new neighbor, the overindulgent Flouris, might be displeased and jump off the roof.”
“Let him jump.” The Great Benefactor, Bransido joked, “His chubby body will save him.”
Chamberlain forced a smile on his dark face, striving, as though someone had pried open his mouth, saying:
“The eleven loyal soldiers who died for Shalin City in the maze last time; their families have yet to receive compensation.”
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, raised a hand and said, “I understand. How much is the compensation per person?”
“Fifteen gold coins. I hope to mention eighteen coins; it hasn’t increased in over a decade. Recently, the pirates in Deep Water City have been rampant, and some unscrupulous merchant guilds have also refused to trade with us. Prices have risen quite a bit, and the soldiers’ families need to live.”
“Given that our general has personally come, consider it a raise.”
Chamberlain relaxed, saying, “And regarding the strike against the slave bandits, you must act quickly; forty-nine loyal soldiers sacrificed, and one hundred forty-six were injured. Many of them could stand again and serve Shalin City if only they had a good doctor.”
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, calculated for a moment, feeling as though Chamberlain had plunged a knife into his chest, saying:
“Shalin City is in a difficult position right now.”
“The injured cannot wait.”
“I’ll try to squeeze it out.”
“Last time, you said the same,” Chamberlain continued, “I sold the last batch of gold cups at home to cover the previous compensation; I’m now using a set of gold-plated utensils.”
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, felt immense pressure, saying, “Right now, it’s very difficult for all of Shalin City to come up with that much cash.”
“Can’t we just find a few good doctors and some quality medicine?”
“That would only further inconvenience the slave laborers; a breach has occurred in the recent breakwater that needs repair.”
“Them? Ha, without slave bandits, do we still need to worry about them causing trouble?”
“Fine, what else do you need?”
“A victory banquet for the soldiers.”
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, felt as if he had aged another year, saying, “Why?”
“Yesterday, you on the balcony, the very place under my feet, generously rewarded Master Flouris.”
“Without his intelligence, who would know where that pack of rat-like slave bandits is?” The Great Benefactor, Bransido countered, “Moreover, he doesn’t ask for much.”
Chamberlain pressed his lips together, not budging an inch, completely unconvinced.
The Great Benefactor, Bransido, began to feel a headache coming on, thinking that Chamberlain was increasingly resembling a stone in a latrine—dark and hard.
