"Why are you looking at me like that?" Phoebe drank another glass of translucent red wine, her eyes sparkling with a wondrous light as she flicked a glance at Han Shuo and spoke in a low voice.
"No … nothing." Han Shuo panicked and stammered a bit.
"Then why are you drooling?" Phoebe pointed at the corner of Han Shuo's mouth and said with a mischievous smile.
He touched his lower lip and didn't know why, but there really were some traces of water. Han Shuo said awkwardly, "Eh, it's not saliva, it's wine. It really is wine!"
"Oh." Phoebe said with amusement, "So it's wine. You're already so old, how can you even miss wine? This is quite interesting!"
He felt that the atmosphere wasn't quite right. Han Shuo felt quite comfortable as he listened to Phoebe's gentle words. His mind was filled with thoughts and his eyes couldn't help but look towards the crack in the fake mountain.
"Since we started eating, you've looked towards the crack in the fake mountain on the left nine times. Just what is there that is worthy of your attention?" Phoebe's beautiful eyes turned and landed on Han Shuo's body as she asked softly.
Panicking, Han Shuo blurted out, "How did you know that I kept looking there? How did you know that I've looked there nine times?"
Phoebe's face grew even redder when she heard this question. She spat lightly and said in a low voice, "You were looking all over the place like a thief. I was sitting right across from you, so of course I saw everything. I know that you were thinking of something bad when you were looking over there."
"Then what do you think I was thinking of?" After experiencing what had just happened, Han Shuo suddenly felt that he was in a bit of a passive position. Demonic cultivators had always been unafraid of all conventions. They were the most carefree when they could achieve what they wanted, regardless of what others thought or said. Having suddenly understood, Han Shuo no longer looked around and stared directly at Phoebe with a smile.
Phoebe was stunned and the blush on her face spread to her slender white neck. She stammered for quite a while and didn't manage to squeeze out a clear word with a red face. Her expression was even more awkward than Han Shuo's.
Han Shuo laughed heartily when he saw Phoebe like this. He felt that his previous depression and passivity had been completely swept away. He said merrily, "I didn't think that Miss Phoebe would care so much about me. You've even remembered how many times I looked. I'm truly overwhelmed by your favor."
"Brian, shut your mouth. I've discovered that you're full of bad ideas. It looks like I'll definitely lose a lot of money doing business with you in the future." Phoebe flew into a rage out of humiliation and glared fiercely at Han Shuo as she complained.
After hearing Phoebe's words, Han Shuo suddenly recalled the matter of the McGrady Guild. His expression turned serious as he said to Phoebe, "Speaking of doing business, I suddenly recalled something. Last time you mentioned the McGrady Guild, you said that this guild is your competitor. Is that right?"
Han Shuo's sudden mention of this matter surprised Phoebe a bit. She looked at Han Shuo in astonishment and Phoebe nodded, replying, "That's right, the McGrady Guild is a member of the Brut Merchant Alliance. Recently, they've frequently come to our Lancelot Empire to do business. The goods they transport don't pass through the Empire's cities and towns, so they don't have to pay customs duties to the Empire. When the goods reach the Empire, the prices are kept very low and this has had some impact on our guild. "
Smiling faintly, Han Shuo said, "It is indeed possible to obtain generous profits without going through the proper channels, especially in some profiteering industries that the Empire prohibits. One can obtain even more frightening rewards. The McGrady Guild sure dares to do so."
"Why did you suddenly mention the McGrady Guild?" Phoebe looked at Han Shuo in puzzlement and asked.
"I have a friend in the Dark Forest. He's in a special line of business and recently robbed the McGrady Guild's caravan and obtained many luxurious items. He wants me to take care of them. I wonder if I can do it through you?"
"Bandits are bandits, what special line of business? There are all kinds of bandits in the Dark Forest, there's nothing strange about it. Heh heh, the McGrady Guild doesn't dare travel through the Empire's cities in order to avoid the expensive customs duties. However, this naturally increases the danger, but the McGrady Guild has private guards. Very few bandits are blind enough to touch them. Your friend was able to steal goods from the hands of the McGrady Guild. He's not simple! "
"Of course. Oh right, do you dare accept the goods of the McGrady Guild?"
"Our Guild dares accept anything as long as it's not used in war or siege. It's said that the Empire has been investigating this area very closely recently. Therefore, if it's war equipment for siege, then forget it."
Han Shuo thought of what Emily had mentioned after Phoebe's words and vaguely understood something. However, Han Shuo had long since promised Emily that he'd only planned on selling some items used by nobles to Phoebe. He didn't have any misgivings.
"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you. I've eaten enough today, I'll come find you in a few days. Help me take care of my business as soon as possible! "Han Shuo comforted Phoebe and stood up, preparing to leave.
Seeing that Han Shuo was about to leave, Phoebe hesitated and said to Han Shuo with some embarrassment, "Actually, I also have something I'd like to trouble you with."
Looking at Phoebe in shock, Han Shuo said, "What is it?"
"I have to attend a banquet in five days. If I go to the banquet alone, some annoying people may bother me. I want you to attend with me, as my boyfriend like last time. "Phoebe looked up and down bashfully at Han Shuo and said softly.
Smiling ruefully, Han Shuo shook his head and said, "Forget it, I don't want to be your shield anymore. I'll be in danger if I make others jealous and plot against me from behind. Why don't you find someone else? "
"No!" Phoebe shouted loudly and then explained with a frown, "I've already brought you to meet the founding elders of the Merchant Guild last time. If I suddenly change to someone else in a month's time, then everyone will surely think that I'm a fickle woman. This absolutely won't do!"
Han Shuo was still hesitant and seemed to be in a bit of a dilemma. Phoebe stared at Han Shuo a few times and said in a huff, "If someone doesn't agree, then I won't be serious when I do things. It'll be normal for things to be delayed for ten days to half a month."
This was what Han Shuo didn't want to see the most. Hearing Phoebe say this, Han Shuo really had no choice but to agree. He nodded helplessly and said, "Alright then, just don't blame me for embarrassing you when the time comes."
"That's more like it. How can you let me bring someone else to the banquet? Wouldn't you be worried if someone took advantage of me?" Phoebe saw that Han Shuo had agreed and a faint smile reappeared on her face. She asked Han Shuo, "Then aren't you afraid that I'll take advantage of you?"
"Then aren't you afraid that I'll take advantage of you?" Han Shuo rolled his eyes at Phoebe and said unhappily.
When these words came out, Phoebe's beautiful face blushed again. She turned her head away and didn't dare look at Han Shuo. She said in a low voice, "Don't be afraid. You've already taken advantage of everything that you should have."
Han Shuo's heart fluttered and he saw the redness on Phoebe's neck and ears from behind. For some reason, he blurted out, "Not everything, we haven't even had sex yet!"
When these words left his mouth, Han Shuo immediately reacted. He didn't wait for Phoebe to speak and immediately got up to quickly walk outside. He said in a fluster, "I'm full, so I'll be leaving first. I'll come back in five days."
"You stinking scoundrel who spouts nonsense!" Phoebe never would've thought that Han Shuo would say this. She immediately flew into a rage out of humiliation and cursed at Han Shuo's fleeing figure. When Han Shuo's figure had disappeared even faster, she finally laughed lowly and said, "Dammit, you dare say such things to me. Hmph, you're getting bolder and bolder! "
It was just past noon when he left the Boozt Merchant Guild. It had been almost a month since he'd last reported to the Dark Mantle. Therefore, after looking at the time, Han Shuo hired a carriage and walked out of the Dark Mantle stronghold.
Han Shuo disembarked from the carriage when he was a street away from the stronghold. He released the three original demons to patrol the surroundings and walked towards the manor alone.
"Boss, you've finally arrived. I calculated the days and knew that you'd have to report here in the near future. Therefore, I purposely swapped shifts with someone else and waited for you to come over to bring you into the organization. "The thief, Chester, came out as soon as Han Shuo arrived and spoke in a low, excited voice.
"Eh, why do you call me boss?" Han Shuo looked oddly at Chester and asked in confusion.
"I'll be following you in the future and hope that you'll give me some pointers. Of course I have to show respect to you." Chester said to Han Shuo as if it was a matter of course.
"This title doesn't sound good. We'll just call each other by their original names in the future. Heh heh, but don't worry, if there are any good missions, I'll ask to bring you along. "Han Shuo said.
Chester was quite delighted when he received Han Shuo's assurance. He enthusiastically led Han Shuo inside and chattered non-stop, asking where Han Shuo had been during this time and if he'd gone on any missions.
Han Shuo casually responded to Chester's questions and slowly walked into the interior of the Dark Mantle. This time, Han Shuo wasn't surprised and easily arrived at Candide's room.
"Oh, you really came. I thought Emily was lying to me." Candide sat in a dark corner and seemed to be studying something with a magic bottle in his hand. He didn't even raise his head when Han Shuo entered.
Han Shuo didn't expect Emily to mention him and was a bit surprised. He didn't know what Emily had said in front of Candide, so he stood there silently.
After a while, Candide put away the medicine bottle in his hand and said lowly with his perpetually gloomy face, "Emily said that she met you by chance in the Dark Forest and greatly admires your style and abilities. This really surprised me. I hadn't thought that Emily, who has such high standards, would give you such an evaluation. It looks like you do have some unique qualities."
Nonsense, Emily is my woman, of course she'll say good things about me. Han Shuo thought proudly in his heart, but his expression was the same as usual. He said, "It's been a month since the last mission. I've come to report in according to the rules and ask if there are any other missions along the way."
The Dark Mantle usually didn't interfere with personal matters, so Han Shuo didn't explain anything about how he'd met Emily. Since Emily had already said it, she must've concealed everything that needed to be concealed. As long as Han Shuo didn't speak out of turn, nothing would happen to him.
Nodding, Candide said, "Emily praised you and indicated that she wants you to complete her mission with her. You'll share the credit when the time comes. What do you think? You're someone by my side, so even Emily can't use you as she pleases without your permission. But if you're willing, that's another matter entirely. "
With the current relationship between Han Shuo and Emily, there was naturally no reason not to agree. Not to mention that Emily's mission required Han Shuo to transport the goods through the Forest Troll. He'd already been implicated without even realizing it. If this became a mission and he could obtain credit, then it would be even more worthwhile.
"No problem, I'm willing to help her complete the mission." Han Shuo didn't hesitate and nodded in agreement. He paused and said, "The thief Chester who brought me here is very astute. Can we let him participate as well?"
"The mission is Emily's. Emily has the final say on whether or not we need another person. You can just ask her directly." Candide replied faintly. He then paused and said, "Emily is Amyes' younger sister. Her status in the Dark Mantle isn't low, so it'll be beneficial for you to interact more with her. However, Emily's identity in reality is a bit mysterious. You should pay attention to this so that others don't gossip about you. "
Amyes was one of the three heavyweights of the Dark Mantle and was responsible for monitoring and investigating the various nobles and high officials of the Empire. He was a person who was completely active in the political arena of the Dark Mantle and was a powerful person who held great power. Han Shuo didn't expect that Emily was his younger sister.
In addition, there seemed to be some problems with Emily's other identity that Candide spoke of. This caused Han Shuo to be a bit surprised. He didn't know what Candide's words were referring to.
"So you still don't know about this. I'll give you a hint and you'll be fine as long as you pay attention to it. Mm, let's leave it at that. She's already taken a look at your information and can easily find you. Come see me after you and her complete the mission. "Candide said as he looked at Han Shuo.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
