Partners

"I want to see 'Obedience of Heavenly Voice' with my own eyes."

As Lai Er spoke the words, letter by letter, at Bai Wei's request, he could clearly see a flicker of surprise in the envoy's eyes. Though it was only for a moment, he caught it.

As expected of Visas-sama, one sentence was enough to startle that poker face.

For some reason, Lai Er was happy to see such an expression on these "big shots" from Contract Land, as if it made him feel that these guys were no different from him.

And that wasn't enough. When the envoy asked, "May I know the reason?" Lai Er, following Bai Wei's instructions, said, "Because I believe our transaction needs to be more honest, my dear Ring Finger."

Ring Finger... Miss?

As he uttered this title, Lai Er was also surprised, but the surprise wasn't in the title itself. After all, they also called Visas-sama Tongue-sensei.

The point of surprise was "Miss."

This guy in front of him was "Miss"? He didn't look like it at all! Was this guy's disguise technique that good? Or was his real name Miss?

Although he knew he shouldn't, Lai Er couldn't help but size up the envoy's body, which had such masculine features.

Indeed, there were no feminine characteristics visible, except for... his eyes.

Lai Er could clearly feel that after he said that, the envoy's eyes narrowed slightly, just like last time, revealing a "charm" that was completely inconsistent with his gender. He couldn't help but exclaim in his heart, "Damn, he's really a sissy."

Of course, he only thought about it in his heart and didn't dare to say it out loud. He just maintained a profound expression of "I already guessed it," wanting to see "shock" on the envoy's face again. But this time, he was disappointed.

"How did you guess it was me?" Although he was asking a question, the envoy's expression was very calm. "You can guess correctly in a three-way choice, it shouldn't be a coincidence, right?"

"Of course not," Lai Er continued to speak slowly, word by word, as instructed by Bai Wei, to avoid mistakes. "I've fought with that Hand Eye guy countless times, and I know very well what that eye can do. Although I don't know the rules of the Right Eye, the two eyes should be similar, and definitely not like you."

"I see. Then, Mr. Thumb... Ah, I forgot, he just escaped from your hands." The envoy said with a smile. "So, the nominal three-way choice is actually a one-way choice. But there's still a premise, and that is that you must be sure that I am currently communicating with you personally through the [Rule], not through a subordinate... So how did you determine that?"

"There were too many flaws," Lai Er tried hard to imitate Bai Wei's calm tone. "When I found the first envoy from Contract Land a few days ago, his suddenly different eyes and state before death made me notice something unusual. And the more important reason is..."

Lai Er paused, his mouth twitched, and he showed an extremely stiff smile.

"Would you dare to hand over a major matter like trading Corpse Pieces to an uncontrollable subordinate? For someone like you, no living person is worth trusting, right?"

After saying this, Lai Er felt that something was wrong, but before he could figure out what it was, the envoy opposite him smiled and gave the answer.

"Then what about you, Tongue-sensei?" the envoy said with a smile. "The one communicating with me now isn't you yourself, is it? Or is he also dead?"

Lai Er's cold sweat instantly broke out.

"Hmm, and he's also someone who can't control his emotions very well," the envoy observed Lai Er's expression with interest, smiling. "You let such a person complete the transaction on your behalf, isn't that a bit too unreliable? I can restrain my servants with rules, what do you use to restrain this one?"

Lai Er really wanted to say, "My unparalleled loyalty to Visas-sama!"

But he also knew that at this moment, he couldn't interrupt, so he had to brace himself and wait. After a long while, he finally said Bai Wei's words, "I am different from you. I have my own plans."

Well... that was a completely unconvincing statement.

Lai Er's mind was in a mess, constantly thinking, would Visas-sama really use him and then discard him?

The envoy, or rather Diana, was observing Lai Er's expression intently, then slowly said, "It seems that it is indeed you who is speaking with me, but I am curious. I can transfer my consciousness to a subordinate's body because of my [Rule], but what about you? None of your three Corpse Pieces should have this ability."

"It's just some insignificant little trick," Bai Wei said leisurely. Lai Er wanted to display this kind of leisurely feeling, but because his mind was still on whether he would be used and discarded by Visas-sama, his performance wasn't very good. "I can just establish a real-time connection with my subordinate. I haven't reached the point where you turn your subordinate into a puppet without even self-awareness."

Turned into a puppet?

Lai Er couldn't help but glance at the envoy a couple more times.

"That way, it's more reassuring, isn't it?" Diana looked at Lai Er with the envoy's eyes, as if trying to see another pair of eyes in Lai Er's. "I am sure my servant will not betray me. What about you? Are you really going to entrust this transaction, which will drag both of us into the Abyss if discovered, to an ordinary person with self-awareness?"

Lai Er's cold sweat was pouring down, and finally, Bai Wei gave an answer that he completely couldn't understand.

"At certain times, self-awareness can drive a person to do things they wouldn't normally do more than a leash."

What does that mean?

Lai Er didn't understand, and then he subconsciously looked at Diana, wanting to see if she understood.

But Diana just said indifferently, "Is that so," clearly uninterested in the topic.

"Then let's get back to the main point, Tongue-sensei," Diana said. "You want to see Obedience of Heavenly Voice with your own eyes. Can I know the reason?"

"It's not a difficult thing to understand. I need to see what the thing you used to threaten me looks like," Lai Er said. "I can't just hand over a Corpse Piece based on your word. You have to prove to me that you have the ability to control Obedience of Heavenly Voice."

"Why don't you just say that you must see me use Obedience of Heavenly Voice to kill Hand Eye for you?" Diana said indifferently.

"Of course I want to do that, but I don't think you'll agree."

"Don't you think it's too risky for you to go to the Gathering point in person?" Diana said. "It's the same for both you and me."

"Of course I won't go in person," Lai Er said. "But these eyes are enough to help me see everything."

Lai Er became more and more uneasy. He wasn't stupid and could realize how dangerous the Gathering point Bai Wei wanted him to go to was. It was highly likely that if his identity was exposed, he would die without a burial place.

But he didn't dare to refuse Visas-sama, so he could only look at the envoy in front of him, hoping that he would refuse Visas-sama for him.

To his disappointment, after a brief thought, Diana asked, "You mean, after I confirm that Obedience of Heavenly Voice has the ability to kill Hand Eye, and you have the ability to control Obedience of Heavenly Voice, you will give me one of the Corpse Pieces... before the device is activated?"

"You can understand it that way," Lai Er said. "For a normal transaction, the first thing to confirm is whether the other party has what you need. After confirming that, it's time for bargaining and the spirit of contract. But you don't need to worry about the latter. Peach Blossom Paradise will ensure that everyone fulfills their promises. It's much more useful than your Seed of Covenant."

"The process is so cumbersome, aren't you afraid I'll find it troublesome and go trade with Hand Eye directly?" Diana raised the male envoy's eyebrows charmingly. "I think he won't want to verify Obedience of Heavenly Voice, he just wants your life."

"Precisely because of that, you won't trade with him," Lai Er said. "You come from Contract Land, so you naturally value contracts. But that's exactly what Hand Eye lacks. He can backstab me, and he can also backstab you."

Diana didn't speak, but in her heart, she had already accepted Bai Wei's statement.

Yes, if she had to choose between Hand Eye and Tongue, Diana would lean towards helping Tongue, not Hand Eye.

It wasn't just the cunning displayed by Hand Eye and their history of betrayal; there was another reason: Diana had already experienced what the Gaze felt like.

During her last transaction with Hand Eye, Diana had received the Gaze, and was instantly captivated by its power.

The ability to see anything without obstruction was too tempting for Diana, who had never left the Contract Land. She finally understood why Tongue, with three Corpse Pieces, was being pursued by Hand Eye, who only had two. Once this eye fixed on someone, it was incredibly difficult to escape.

Faced with this intoxicating power, Diana was like a little girl who had tasted forbidden fruit, wanting to possess it forever.

Therefore, helping Tongue against Hand Eye was her best option.

However, Diana certainly wouldn't reveal her desires at this moment. She simply nodded and followed Lai Er's lead, saying, "You're right, I truly despise those who don't honor their contracts."

Lai Er, who had been hoping Diana would refuse Visas, felt his heart sink upon hearing this. He then cautiously asked, "So, you agree?"

"No problem. I can take you to the Gathering and let you witness the Obedience of Heavenly Voice. This is my sincerity," Diana said calmly. "However, you'll have to bear the risk of this sincerity yourself."

"Risk?"

"Yes, I'll only be responsible for bringing you there," Diana stated. "But if your identity is exposed, not only will I not help you, I will ensure that I am not implicated by you."

"...So what do you intend to do?" Lai Er grew more uneasy.

"Before I bring you in, we need to make a deal," Diana said, opening her palm. In it lay a Seed of Covenant. "I demand that you... no, to be precise, your proxy envoy, must immediately shut their mouth the moment their identity is exposed."

Lai Er opened his mouth, wanting to ask his own question this time: "How should they shut their mouth?"

Diana smiled. "Bite off their tongue, swallow poison, whatever you do, as long as the secret is kept forever."

Lai Er was shocked. "Are you trying to get me killed?!"

"See, Tongue-sensei," Diana said calmly, unfazed by Lai Er's reaction. "This is where you and I differ. I can ensure that all my servants are willing to die for me, but your servants cannot. If I may be frank, Tongue-sensei, this person's existence is detrimental to both you and me. If possible, I would prefer to speak with you directly."

Upon hearing Diana's words, Lai Er's heart leaped into his throat.

This damned two-faced person, to say such venomous things!

Lai Er desperately wanted to roar at Diana, to declare himself Lord Visas' most loyal dog, who would never betray him.

However, his righteous indignation felt rather insignificant in front of this true "puppet."

After all, even the most loyal dog could betray its master, but a lifeless puppet didn't even have the option of betrayal.

What a brilliant scheme!

Lai Er immediately panicked and tried to explain to Bai Wei in his mind, Lord Visas, please don't listen to his nonsense. I will never betray you! If you tell me to go east, I will never go west!

"Don't be nervous," Bai Wei said with a smile. "I've never worried about your betrayal."

Bai Wei's words brought Lai Er a surge of joy. He was about to say something more to express his loyalty when Bai Wei slowly continued.

"And I am not your master."

The brief joy turned back into panic. He thought Lord Visas no longer wanted him as his dog. "Lord Visas, I..."

"Rather than a master-servant relationship that lacks any novelty, I prefer a partnership. You get what you pay for. As a merchant, you should be familiar with this model," Bai Wei said. "I am making a deal with her, and I am also making a deal with you. There's no fun in forced transactions. If you're unwilling, then refuse."

Lai Er opened his mouth, clearly not expecting Lord Visas to say something like this.

He wasn't treated as a dog, but as a business partner?

Lai Er was indeed familiar with this model, as even Black Merchants valued free trade.

But Lai Er also knew that things missed from a merchant could still be bought later.

However, things missed from Lord Visas...

He lowered his head, looking at the Seed of Covenant in Diana's hand, and in a daze, he recalled five years ago, the day Ha Luo reached out to him when he had just become a father.

After a brief silence, Lai Er extended his hand, grabbed the Seed of Covenant, and bit down fiercely.

The ferocity and determination in his eyes were exactly the same as five years ago.