Xu Chunniang could not be bothered to beat around the bush with him and bluntly questioned the old man.
"If I were unfortunate enough to die in battle, would that benefit you? Would you no longer have to hand over the Scorpion Shears?"
The old man gave a light cough and retorted with a solemn expression.
"What are you saying? Am I really such a shameless man? Even if something truly happened to you, those scorpion claws would not fall into my hands.
"I merely thought that since you could produce something as valuable as Demon King-grade scorpion claws, your strength must be no trifling matter. I only wanted you to contribute an extra share of strength."
Xu Chunniang did not believe a single word he said.
The residence she had bought was far away. Under normal circumstances, she would never have been selected. This old man had clearly picked her on purpose.
Xu Chunniang ground her back teeth in frustration. Being tricked for no reason at all truly put her in a foul mood.
The old man glanced at her expression, awkwardly rubbed his nose, and continued transmitting his voice.
"Do not panic, little friend. If you truly encounter danger, I will help you. I guarantee I will get you back into the city alive. I truly did not choose you for any other reason—I merely wanted to see what your strength was like."
After hearing this, Xu Chunniang finally felt much better.
At least this old man had not chosen her because he genuinely wanted her dead.
Still, she would not agree to him probing her strength in such a manner.
After leaving the city, everyone felt the might of the sand beast tide even more directly, and their expressions could not help turning uneasy.
In the surging