Chapter 49: Schemes and Intrigues

The sudden falling out of Bear Demon made Xu Jiaren and Shi Yi feel tense.

“Uncle Shi, if it can’t be helped, don’t worry about me. Hurry and leave.”

Shi Yi ignored Xu Jiaren’s advice behind him, only staring firmly at Mo Lin, wary of its decision.

Mo Lin was also stunned by Bear Demon’s words.

It had just been happily slaughtering people inside Black Wind Stronghold.

Without Black Eagle’s interference, the entire stronghold had almost been wiped clean by it.

Only a few stragglers had run toward the stronghold’s gate.

Mo Lin originally planned to seize them into the Soul-Respecting Banner as well, but as soon as it exited the stronghold, it encountered Xu Jiaren and Bear Demon locked in a standoff.

It actually had no real objection toward Xu Jiaren, this so-called Lotus with a Handle.

After all, it had technically saved Xu Jiaren from a pit of fire, and he had even led it to the Bandit Chief’s treasure vault.

Although the vault lacked the Earth Vein Yin Marrow Mo Lin desired, and although Xu Jiaren had seized the chance to escape upon seeing Black Eagle, in Mo Lin’s view, that was an entirely forgivable act of survival.

But Bear Demon?

This fellow had already intended to eat it back at the Mountain God Temple.

Later, it lured it into Black Wind Stronghold while concealing the existence of Black Eagle Pearl.

Mo Lin even suspected that when it fought Black Eagle, Bear Demon had definitely been lurking, waiting for an opportunity.

If there had been a chance to catch both it and Black Eagle in one net, Bear Demon would never have let it go.

So if it had to choose one of the two as an ally, Mo Lin would rather side with Xu Jiaren, a human.

However, Bear Demon’s words struck a chord in Mo Lin.

That wretched bear might be greedy and cautious, but its head was undoubtedly sharp.

From the fact that Mo Lin had sought out bandits—not specifically Black Wind Stronghold’s bandits—and wasn’t particularly interested in eating them, it could deduce that Mo Lin definitely sought something inside the bandit dens.

Even though Bear Demon didn’t know what exactly Mo Lin wanted.

But after realizing the delicate triangular balance formed between itself, Mo Lin, and Shi Yi, Bear Demon, who admitted it wasn’t necessarily closer to Mo Lin, came up with an idea.

The thing Mo Lin desired—was it possible that only bandits had it, but the Mountain Lord did not?

Impossible.

Thus, if Mo Lin found it in the bandit den, that was one thing.

But if not, it could always trade with the Mountain Lord.

But the Mountain Lord was a true Earth Demon, noble in status.

Even Profound Demons might not be able to meet it.

At that time, a meeting gift would be required.

And standing across from them was an Earth-Rank swordsman who had offended the Mountain Lord.

If Bear Demon could join forces with Mo Lin to capture him and hand him over, they would surely earn the Mountain Lord’s favor.

After all, an Earth-Rank swordsman was a rarity even across the vast, unbroken mountain ranges.

Then, if Mo Lin wanted something, or wished to bargain with the Mountain Lord, wouldn’t it just be a matter of opening its mouth?

Both Mo Lin and Bear Demon were clever.

Bear Demon had only hinted at it silently without saying it outright, yet Mo Lin had already understood its meaning.

Though it was displeased at Bear Demon’s scheming, it had to admit—it was indeed a sound plan.

The Mountain Lord, ruling over a thousand li of mountains, would undoubtedly possess plenty of Earth Vein Yin Marrow.

The value of an Earth-Rank swordsman would surely surpass two catties of Earth Vein Yin Marrow, enough to split evenly with Bear Demon.

Mo Lin was tempted.

After all, sneaking into the stronghold had already made it realize the probability of finding Earth Vein Yin Marrow among desperate bandits was far too slim.

Moreover, it could no longer trust any stronghold Bear Demon pointed out.

Who knew whether, at the next White Wind or Blue Wind stronghold, two or three—or even four—Black Eagle Pearls might suddenly appear?

But this proposal from Bear Demon was relatively reliable.

At least it had more ways to guard against, or even counter, Bear Demon.

This was both a suggestion for Mo Lin’s needs and a request to reshape their relationship.

Although swordsman Shi Yi was powerful, his handling of affairs was clearly not proportional to his strength.

On top of that, since he didn’t understand the relationship between Mo Lin and Bear Demon, nor what had transpired inside the stronghold, all he could sense was that something bad might be about to happen—yet he didn’t know what to do.

Behind Shi Yi, Xu Jiaren saw Mo Lin’s shifting gaze and immediately thought: “This is bad.”

Though his strength was the weakest among the four, he was clever.

If he could judge, at first sight of Mo Lin, that it sought something valuable in the stronghold, how could he not hear Bear Demon’s veiled hint to Mo Lin?

If this continued, Mo Lin might join hands with Bear Demon against them.

He had to stop their alliance!

Since Bear Demon tempted Mo Lin with great benefits, it showed their relationship was not truly harmonious.

Since Mo Lin hesitated, it meant it had not gained satisfactory results from Black Wind Stronghold.

They could absolutely sabotage this budding alliance!

Thus, Xu Jiaren quickly poked his head out from behind Shi Yi and shouted toward Mo Lin:

“This honored Python Lord, may I ask what it is that you seek? Did you find it within Black Wind Stronghold?”

“If Black Wind Stronghold could not satisfy you, perhaps Uncle Shi and I could help you think of a way.”

Mo Lin turned its head toward Xu Jiaren at those words:

“Oh? Lotus with a Handle, can you obtain what I need?”

Lo… Lotus with a Handle?!

Who the hell is Lotus with a Handle!

I am Xu Jiaren!

Xu Jiaren froze for a moment, pretending not to hear Mo Lin’s form of address, and smiled:

“I just realized I had not yet introduced myself to Python Lord. How rude of me.”

“I am Xu Jiaren, honored guest of Dong Li, Chairman of the Yongzhou Chamber of Commerce.”

He emphasized his name, making Shi Yi glance at him strangely.

“This time, my purpose in coming to Yongzhou was to build ties with Chairman Dong Li, to exchange resources.”

“Who would have thought I would accidentally offend the Mountain Lord along the way, and end up in Black Wind Stronghold, making a laughingstock of myself before Python Lord.”

Stepping out of Shi Yi’s protection, Xu Jiaren bowed to Mo Lin:

“In fact, I must thank Python Lord for lending a righteous hand in Black Wind Stronghold, saving me from the Bandit Chief’s vicious grasp.”

“I had been wondering how to repay Python Lord’s great kindness, but now, with Lord Bear’s words, my mind has been opened.”

“Although I don’t know exactly what Python Lord seeks, as an honored guest of Chairman Dong Li of the Yongzhou Chamber of Commerce, I believe I can strive to obtain it for you.”

“This may count as repaying just a fraction of Python Lord’s life-saving grace.”

Xu Jiaren straightened, confidence flashing across his face:

“What does Python Lord think of this?”

The scene fell silent.

Shi Yi was still on guard against the two demons.

Mo Lin looked at Xu Jiaren in surprise, seeing him in a new light.

Bear Demon, however, after a pause, spat at Xu Jiaren without restraint:

“Pah, shameless Lotus.”