“Is this outfit okay? Bai Ling, take a look. Are there any flaws?” Leticia asked Ms. Bai, who was holding her sword, with a bit of nervousness etched on her face. They were in the main tent of the camp the Bone Wing tribe had captured just yesterday.
Leticia sported a pair of dragon horns on her head, small black wings on her back, and a strong-looking tail that swished back and forth. Without a doubt, in the eyes of others, Leticia and Ling Long were of the same race.
Ms. Bai, however, did not adopt such an appearance. After all, she couldn’t manipulate these accessories as flexibly as Leticia. Leticia had chosen a bunny-ear girl costume for her, which was easier to wear.
Soft white rabbit ears drooped on either side of her head, making Ms. Bai look quite like a little rabbit, delicate and emanating a submissive aura.
Ms. Bai was not entirely satisfied with this outcome. She felt she had nothing in common with rabbits, but since Leticia insisted that the bunny-girl role was easier to play, she resigned herself to it.
At first, she had been defiant and wanted to play a dragon-girl like Leticia. However, Leticia had shown Ms. Bai with practical actions that playing a dragon-girl was not that easy.
Once Leticia’s black tail was attached to Bai Ling, it remained motionless. Even a fool could tell something was wrong. For this reason, Ms. Bai had lost the right to play any beast-person with a tail.
She couldn’t play dog-girls or cat-girls, none of them. After much thought, Leticia found the bunny-girl to be a relatively good choice.
As for why she didn’t choose to play bird-like beast-people… that wasn’t Leticia’s fault. The Demon King’s lady simply didn’t know what bird-like beast-people looked like or what their characteristics were.
Her understanding of bird-like beast-people was basically limited to what she’d read in books. Compared to the bunny-girl, whom she could actually touch and feel, the latter was more suitable.
Yes, it was true that the Silver Fang tribe had some bunny-girls, and their average appearance was quite good.
“There are no flaws. No one will suspect your identity,” replied Bai Ling, who was acting as Leticia’s close bodyguard, her voice flat.
She had completely entered her role, playing a taciturn and loyal bodyguard.
“Cough, cough, it’s perfectly fine. That merchant is about to come in. Get ready, get ready.” Ling Long, sitting in the center of the tent, brought her fist to her mouth and coughed lightly, reminding Leticia to prepare. “Regarding the aid we discussed earlier, cousin…”
Yes, after a brief discussion, Leticia’s chosen identity was Ling Long’s distant cousin, a young lady who loved to travel and happened to be traveling in the area. Due to the subtle mutual sensing between those of the same race, she had discovered her “sister” was here and came for a brief reunion.
A reasonable explanation, right?
In any case, it was enough to deceive those beast-people. At worst, she would patch up this identity later. For now, simply using this identity was completely sufficient.
After a brief discussion about which cooking method resulted in tastier meat, the cat-girl subordinate of Ling Long finally brought the merchant who had requested an audience with Ling Long.
If they had waited any longer, Ling Long and Leticia might have gone from discussing roasted meat to roasted mushrooms.
“Divine Maiden, the person you wished to see has been brought,” the cat-girl said, glancing at the眯眯眼 Leticia beside Ling Long, and then knelt on one knee before Ling Long to report.
She still held a slight suspicion towards Leticia, this suddenly appearing cousin, but this was, after all, personally certified by the Divine Maiden. Even with doubts, she couldn’t say anything.
However, she still felt that this cousin was not quite right. Her aura was too strange, not like an adventurer at all, but more like a leader who had held high positions for a long time.
“I never expected the Divine Maiden of the Bone Wing tribe to be so young. It truly widures my eyes. Your governance and military achievements…” The merchant brought in by the cat-girl was a kobold. He also knelt on one knee, mimicking the cat-girl, and was about to launch into a long speech flattering Ling Long.
“Let’s dispense with the pleasantries. I heard you’ve been wanting to see me, saying you have goods that interest me,” Ling Long said, waving her hand impatiently, interrupting the kobold merchant’s sycophantic speech. “My time is limited. You have only fifteen minutes. If the goods you present do not satisfy me, believe me, you will pay for your words.”
As she spoke, Ling Long clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes slightly narrowed. Her golden gaze held a hint of killing intent. Undoubtedly, if the item the merchant brought was not special enough, she would make him pay.
“Hahaha, the Divine Maiden’s aura is indeed extraordinary. Believe me, my goods will absolutely surprise you,” the kobold merchant said, while clearly casting a glance at Leticia and the other person beside Ling Long. “It’s just that…”
“What is it? Do you think we two are in the way?” With that expression, how could Leticia not know what the merchant was thinking? He wanted to drive them away, right?
“Divine Maiden, the goods I brought are of great importance. These two young ladies… ”
“They are both people I absolutely trust. You can treat them as if they were me,” Ling Long snorted, her face showing a trace of anger. “As for you, making such a mystery out of it, what exactly are the goods? You don’t have much time to waste.”
Seeing Ling Long’s resolve, the kobold merchant sighed with some regret. With so many people watching, his little tricks wouldn’t work. Now, he could only rely on his eloquence.
Fortunately, the goods he brought were absolute artifacts that these beast-people here couldn’t refuse. Even without underhanded tactics, he was confident he could sell what he had.
“Divine Maiden, I heard that you defeated the army of the Steel Spear tribe yesterday. Did you perhaps notice that among the Steel Spear tribe’s formations, there were some very special beast-people? They possessed greater strength, were incredibly brave, and fearless of death?” the kobold merchant asked with a smile.
Ling Long nodded, her expression unreadable. “I noticed. The Steel Spear tribe is indeed an old and powerful tribe. Those strong warriors gave us quite a bit of trouble, but in the end, we defeated them nonetheless.”
“Then, what if I told you that those warriors were not naturally produced?” the merchant’s smile widened.
“Not naturally produced… That’s interesting,” Ling Long’s eyes opened a bit, her previously lazy demeanor becoming serious.
Seeing Ling Long’s earnest expression, the kobold merchant happily rummaged in his sleeve. Without further ado, he took out the item he wanted to promote to Ling Long.
“Although we can provide you with weapons, armor, and even slaves, the Divine Maiden currently wants this item, isn’t it so?” Holding a vial of golden liquid, the merchant’s face was full of confidence.
In his opinion, any rational leader would be greatly interested in such a potion, especially the Divine Maiden who had witnessed the potion’s effects the day before, and should have a clear understanding of it.
As expected, upon seeing the vial of golden liquid, a flicker of greed and fervor flashed in Ling Long’s eyes. Although it was quickly suppressed by the calm Divine Maiden, the kobold merchant keenly noticed this fleeting look.
*Heh, just as he expected. In the face of divine blood, no one can remain calm.*
“How can I be sure you’re not lying to me? I didn’t see those warriors before, and I don’t know if they gained such powerful strength by taking this potion, as you say,” Ling Long leaned back, supporting her chin with her right hand, her eyelids twitching incessantly.
It gave the impression that she was seriously considering the pros and cons of this golden potion.
“Haha, Divine Maiden, there’s no need to worry about me deceiving you. If you are worried, you can pick anyone to take the potion. However, I must state the facts upfront: the lifespan of warriors who take this potion will be completely burned out.” The kobold beast-man did not hide the potion’s side effects. He openly placed the incredibly powerful side effect on the table.
“Warriors who take this potion will die immediately. That’s not a profitable deal,” Leticia, who had been playing a background role all along, said at this moment. Her dark golden vertical pupils were fixed on the kobold merchant, her tone filled with slight confusion. “Trading all of one’s future for a moment of power is a choice only the short-sighted would make.”
Hearing Leticia’s words, Ling Long nodded repeatedly, seemingly agreeing with Leticia’s statement. “Even if your potion is real, I cannot issue such a thing to my warriors.”
The current momentum favored the Bone Wing tribe. They only needed to proceed steadily to achieve victory. Such golden potions were not a necessity.
Wasn’t yesterday’s battle a case of the opponent having potions and them not? In the end, wasn’t it the Bone Wing tribe that defeated the Steel Spear tribe?
On the battlefield, providing such extraordinary combat power is not anything special.
This black-haired young girl actually saw it so clearly? The kobold merchant glanced at Leticia with some surprise. Such a long-term perspective was not something one would expect from a beast-person living in this barren land.
If this girl hadn’t reminded her, the Divine Maiden would have likely been tempted.
Fortunately, he still had other backup plans, and these backup plans could bring even greater benefits.
“Hehehe, this potion doesn’t necessarily have to be given to your warriors. Your tribe always has people you dislike or who dislike you. And after just defeating the Steel Spear tribe, you should have quite a number of prisoners, shouldn’t you?” The merchant chuckled twice and presented the second plan. “Having them take these potions will have the same effect.”
This time, Ling Long couldn’t maintain her calm expression. Her golden eyes widened slightly, as such a suggestion had been made by Leticia that very morning.
Thinking this, her gaze involuntarily fell on Leticia.
Could this kobold be working for Leticia? Why were his words so similar?
*Good heavens, my dear Ling Long, what are you looking at me for?* Leticia naturally noticed Ling Long’s gaze, but what could she say? She couldn’t say anything!
Why were her opinions so similar to this kobold merchant’s? That was easily explained. Neither party was decent, so it was normal for their ideas to clash.
However, being able to propose this suggestion indicated that the power behind this kobold merchant, like her own, possessed the ability to manipulate people’s hearts.
“According to what you’re saying, you can make those troublemakers obey my commands?” Ling Long quickly realized the information conveyed in the kobold merchant’s words. This was an unexpected gain.
The kobold merchant nodded naturally, seemingly unconcerned about his power being known to a greater extent. “Of course. However, the fee for this part will be calculated separately, and the price will not be low.”
Ling Long appropriately displayed a confused expression. She pressed her forehead and closed her eyes to ponder for a moment. Finally, she decided to find a way to get rid of the merchant first and then ask for Leticia’s opinion.
So, she waved her hand and ordered the cat-girl, who stood as straight as a telephone pole, “You can take this guest to inspect the goods for now. I need to think carefully.”
Upon hearing Ling Long’s words, the kobold merchant’s expression immediately brightened. The fact that she didn’t directly refuse meant that the Divine Maiden was tempted. Now that she said she needed to think carefully, she was probably planning to find her subordinates to discuss the pros and cons.
Given the intelligence of the beast-people here, no matter what, they would only reach one conclusion: this transaction was incredibly profitable. It could both enhance the army’s combat power and help eliminate disobedient elements, achieving two goals with one stone. It was a huge profit.
He presumed that his mission this time would be completed very smoothly.
The kobold merchant left with a happy expression. The aloof Ling Long immediately changed her demeanor and looked at Leticia pitifully. “Leticia, do you really have no connection with this person?”
“Of course not. Didn’t you see my surprise when I saw the golden liquid? The power behind this guy is probably quite influential. Being able to easily propose a plan to manipulate hearts indicates that these people have done such things frequently before,” Leticia sighed. She thought her method of brainwashing was unique, but now someone else was competing with her for business. It was too outrageous.
In this day and age, was the competition in the field of hypnosis and brainwashing really so fierce?
“So, should I accept this transaction?”
“Actually, I think accepting it is a good choice. It won’t cost you anything, and you’ll get a lot of golden liquid. Even if you don’t use it yourself, you can resell it to me.”
