Humility and Hardship

Su Changsheng dared not let his guard down. The threat of death was still far from over.

He was only safe for the moment. The Black Tiger Yao had not ordered the Wailing Ghost to set him down, and that was the gravest warning of death.

One careless move, and his body would perish and his soul be extinguished.

That was why he had delayed for over half a month, rehearsing everything more than ten times in his mind before coming to see the Black Tiger Yao.

Now.

Having successfully piqued the Black Tiger Yao's interest, Su Changsheng dared not waste a moment. He astutely gave a rough account of how his innate talent had improved slightly, and of the various steps through which he had spent "over twenty days" making the snake saliva ice.

Of course, he could not expect the Black Tiger Yao to believe him completely. Chaos and bloodlust might be the norm among yao, but they were no fools. Every last one was exceedingly cunning.

"This lowly one planned to go hunting in the Wilderness tomorrow, to see whether I could bring anything back. That's why I risked my life to condense this snake saliva ice and offer it to you, Tiger Lord. I didn't want to miss the tribute collection at the end of the month and hold up your itinerary."

Su Changsheng continued speaking respectfully.

The Black Tiger Yao said nothing, remaining silent as his enormous tiger eyes flickered slightly. There was no telling what he was considering.

The atmosphere grew oppressive.

Su Changsheng's heartbeat gradually quickened. Although the Wailing Ghost restrained him and an icy chill kept invading his yao body, beads of cold sweat still inevitably broke out all over him.

After an unknown stretch of this anxious, suffocating tension, the demonic wind emanating from the Black Tiger Yao suddenly subsided, and the oppressive aura eased by a third.

The Black Tiger Yao pointed at the snake saliva ice in the Wailing Ghost's hand and said coldly, "Not enough! Too small."

Su Changsheng inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they could negotiate, things were fine. What he feared was not even being allowed to talk. He had passed this hurdle.

A trace of helplessness appeared on his face at just the right moment, and he said anxiously, "It is indeed small. I wouldn't dare conceal anything from you, Tiger Lord. Since my innate talent improved slightly, making snake saliva ice has become a little faster, but the flesh and blood it consumes has also multiplied. The food at home has long since run out. I truly have no means to keep condensing snake saliva ice."

At that moment, Su Changsheng's deathly pale face, frail body, and depleted vitality made him look like a yao at death's door. Everything about him bore out his words.

None of that could be faked, and the Black Tiger Yao's keen senses could naturally distinguish the truth. He also knew perfectly well what conditions were like in this Half-Demon's home.

He was considering how to maximize his gains.

He could simply kill Su Changsheng, turn him into a Wailing Ghost, and sell him to the Yao Stronghold. That would essentially be a one-time deal.

Or he could accept this piece of snake saliva ice and let Su Changsheng try his luck in the Wilderness, where he would most likely never return. That would be a poor bargain; he might as well kill him outright.

The final option was to "help" Su Changsheng.

For the Black Tiger Yao, who excelled at exploitation and understood that a thin stream flowed longest, the choice was obvious. Killing him was out of the question, and he could not force this little green snake to risk his life in the Wilderness either. He could, however, offer some assistance. But before choosing to "help," he still needed to put him in his place.

This little green snake posed no threat to him, but he had plenty of little schemes. A thorough warning would make him easier to control and exploit.

"Forget it. You're a Half-Demon under me, after all. I can't just watch you go to your death in the Wilderness. Improving your innate talent isn't easy. Since you've had such good fortune, cherish it."

"It's only a piece of snake saliva ice. Take it back. Trade it at the Yao Stronghold for some flesh and blood to tide you over, and get your health back first. Just remember to have your tribute ready at the end of the month."

The Black Tiger Yao completely withdrew his demonic aura. He even had the Wailing Ghost release Su Changsheng and place the snake saliva ice back in his hands.

Su Changsheng's face instantly filled with alarm. He refused again and again, unwilling to accept it no matter what. Only when the Black Tiger Yao began looking impatient did he grit his teeth and say cautiously, "Thank you for your mercy, Tiger Lord. The Wilderness truly is dangerous. To tell the truth, this lowly one had already made arrangements for his own funeral."

"But there's no need to go to the Yao Stronghold to exchange it for flesh and blood. This lowly one recognizes only you, Tiger Lord. So I would still like to venture to offer it to you. If you have any dried beast meat or anything else that could fill my belly, simply bestow a little on me."

"Would... that be all right?"

Just listen to that. Such skillfully chosen words made the Black Tiger Yao feel exceptionally comfortable. Yet even in his pleasant mood, he did not forget to ask, "Why did you think of trading with me?"

Su Changsheng's heart settled. Knowing that what followed was now all but assured, he lowered his head and continued respectfully, "This lowly one has always depended on your care, Tiger Lord. Besides, you are the true boss here. In the Half-Demon Grounds, you are our Everlasting Heaven! If I don't offer it to you, who else could I give it to?"

Su Changsheng phrased it tactfully and subtly.

The Black Tiger Yao had called it a trade, while he called it an offering. A single word made all the difference.

He never mentioned any so-called trade.

Sure enough, the Black Tiger Yao was even more pleased with Su Changsheng's attitude. He lifted his enormous head slightly, and even his voice carried a hint of delight. "You're a clever one. Very well, hand it over!"

Holding the snake saliva ice in both hands, Su Changsheng once again passed it to the Wailing Ghost watching hungrily beside him.

"Not bad. Honestly, this piece of snake saliva ice might be a little small, but its quality really is good. It seems your innate talent has indeed improved."

"Good thing you know your place. Tiger Lord doesn't mind telling you this: a few days ago, in the neighboring area Old Wolf oversees, a little fox secretly went over Old Wolf's head to submit a talent material. Guess what happened?"

"Old Wolf is still sitting on that fox's pelt. Tsk, tsk. Old Wolf is merciful, too. With my temper, I'd have chopped its soul into pulp."

The Black Tiger Yao toyed with the snake saliva ice, offering an example with a pointed meaning.

Su Changsheng obligingly put on an expression of lingering fear and relief, nodding like a chick pecking at grain.

"How long did it take you to condense this piece of snake saliva ice?"

The Black Tiger Yao asked another question.

I was waiting for you to ask!

Su Changsheng pretended to think for a while, then said, "After you left last time, Tiger Lord, this lowly one kept working on this piece of snake saliva ice. Things didn't go smoothly at first. There wasn't much food stored at home, so my demon power recovered very slowly, and I couldn't even get the talent material halfway finished."

"But thirteen days ago, this lowly one suddenly felt that the cold air I breathed out had increased a little. It seemed my innate talent had improved slightly, and making the talent material became much faster. I finally finished it today. So, all told, making this piece took nearly twenty days."

Su Changsheng gave a very detailed account. The more detail, the more convincing it sounded.

The Black Tiger Yao nodded. That was roughly in line with his own assessment. Last time, he had collected the tribute five days early. It was now the middle of the month, making exactly twenty days.

In other words, with fresh flesh and blood, this little green snake could condense a piece of snake saliva ice in just half a month?

An extra piece of good-quality snake saliva ice every month would be an enormous profit, even if he had to provide some flesh and blood.

Beyond the fixed monthly tribute, even he had no way to collect more talent materials.

At that moment, the Black Tiger Yao even felt a trace of lingering fear. If he had eaten Su Changsheng the moment he walked in, wouldn't he have thrown away a fine source of extra income for nothing?

Even someone with a vast household and abundant wealth could not afford such waste.

Good thing I'm so merciful!

The Black Tiger Yao nearly gave himself a thumbs-up.

"Very well. The Yao Stronghold buys snake saliva ice for ten jin of fresh flesh and blood. How about I give you three?"

The Black Tiger Yao spoke without hesitation.

In the world of yao, there were nowhere near so many twists and turns. If they wanted to exploit you, they exploited you. They would not bother making excuses.

"Three jin?" Su Changsheng feigned a startled cry.

"What, too little?"

The Black Tiger Yao's demonic aura surged skyward, and his bell-sized eyes abruptly turned from scarlet to pitch-black.

"No, no, no! This lowly one is simply too happy. With these three jin of flesh and blood, I won't have to risk my life hunting in the Wilderness. Thank you, Tiger Lord. You are practically the parents who gave me a second life!"

Su Changsheng looked so delighted that he could not stop grinning.

"What Wilderness!"

"Stay put and condense talent materials for me."

"I can see you really do know how to behave. Remember to dig up some black snow outside and take it home. Put it by your doorway. From now on, you belong to Tiger Lord. If any bastard dares set his sights on you, I'll skin him alive."

"But that black snow isn't free, either." The Black Tiger Yao pointed an enormous claw at the snake saliva ice on the ground. "This piece is small. Next month, including your tribute, I want two pieces of snake saliva ice, both palm-sized. Understand?"

He felt he ought to deepen the exploitation a little. After all, he was providing three jin of flesh and blood, plus a little black snow tainted by his own demonic aura. Asking for a bit more snake saliva ice was hardly excessive, was it?

"Well..." Su Changsheng gritted his teeth, looking deeply troubled and uncertain. But when the Wailing Ghost beside him began releasing its chilling aura again, he could not help shivering. He hurriedly nodded. "This lowly one understands. Even if I go without sleep or rest, I will fulfill your requirements, Tiger Lord."

"Smart. All right, follow the Wailing Ghost and collect three jin of fresh flesh and blood. Now scram!"

And with that, an "equal" transaction finally drew to a close.