They appeared perfectly composed, surrounded by dragons.
It was not that their courage defied the heavens, or that their extraordinary strength allowed them to disregard the dragons.
They had simply taken their cue from the Descenders who had come before them and cast Calm the Mind in advance.
The dragons stared intently at these humans.
The Red Dragon Whelp, Gordon, spoke first:
"Tell us, what do you want to trade with Xiluo?"
A bald, middle-aged man in very expensive clothes bowed slightly to the surrounding dragons and spoke respectfully, his face humble:
"That is confidential.
It would be rather inconvenient to discuss it openly here.
Might I meet with His Highness Xiluo alone?"
As the bald man spoke, he glanced at the Descenders nearby.
"Meet him alone? Hmph! You wish-"
The Red Dragon Whelp was just about to refuse and add a few scornful remarks.
But he suddenly froze.
A voice had requested a Mind Link.
After a moment's surprise, the Red Dragon Whelp accepted the link.
Then a voice sounded in his mind:
"Mighty and magnificent Lord Gordon, if you would simply take us to meet His Highness Xiluo, I would gladly offer 1,000 gold coins as thanks."
"1,000 gold coins?"
The Red Dragon Whelp gave the bald, middle-aged man a long look and said inwardly:
"1,000 gold coins is no small sum, but to someone as mighty and wealthy as me, it hardly amounts to much..."
The Red Dragon Whelp was hinting that he wanted more money.
But the bald, middle-aged man merely smiled and said:
"If you refuse, I can only ask one of the other esteemed dragons."
"...Very well. You are a clever human. I accept your request."
The Red Dragon Whelp narrowed his eyes, somewhat displeased.
This bald fellow is crafty, he thought.
Figuring there