Chapter 472: A Clever Scheme to Defuse Crises on All Sides

Nan Qinghuan simply shook her head to stop Ying from speaking. "Go out first. Let me talk to her alone."

Ying didn't know what Nan Qinghuan wanted to do, but he trusted her, trusted that her abilities could accomplish anything. So he could only leave.

"I'll wait for you outside. But, Goddess, releasing this woman requires Ying's consent."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Ying gave her a deep look and then left. Nan Qinghuan watched him go before walking over to a stone bench and sitting down. Her belly was too big now; standing for even a short while made her back ache.

Sitting was much more comfortable.

"A Yao, there's no one else here now. I can let you go, but you have to do something for me."

A Yao was pleasantly surprised to hear that this woman would release her. Of course, she was also afraid that Nan Qinghuan was just humoring her or tricking her, so she remained cautious.

"Speak. If it means being set free, I'll listen."

"Your Beast Taming Tribe are all outstanding Beast Tamers. You've never come out for so many years, so why did you help Luosang attack us? I don't understand why."

Sure enough, at the mention of this, A Yao gave Nan Qinghuan a deep, searching look. She knew this woman was clever. To become the woman by Ying's side and the only one at that—that alone showed how formidable she was.

This Small Town's current prosperity was all thanks to this woman's efforts.

"What, is it that hard to say?"

Nan Qinghuan wanted to find out the reason behind it. For now, she was thinking of avoiding conflict if possible. The Rongdi situation with Jiguang hadn't been resolved yet, so she'd hold off on provoking the Beast Taming Tribe for the time being.

Give her three years. Turn this place into the world's granary, build up a strong army and horses, then make her move!

It wouldn't be too late.

She had her own ambitions. She couldn't be limited to just these achievements. She and her senior brother had sworn to build this place into a land that everyone would yearn for. As long as people came under their protection—whether a town or an empire—they would feel safe.

That was her goal!

The goal of conquering the world!

A Yao lowered her head and was silent for a moment. "Why do you want to know?"

"I'm just curious. Luosang's Las tribe barely has any people left. Your Beast Taming Tribe is so strong—why would you listen to him and help him attack us? Is your chief an idiot or something?"

"You're lying! Our chief is not! It's just that Luosang came to our place and said you have everything here—food, clothes, drink, and Tulou to live in. Our chief was tempted by all that, so he sent me out to help. Luosang also promised that if we attacked you, he would give us half of his people and this territory."

"Heh..."

Nan Qinghuan let out a soft laugh. Just as she had guessed—they had made a move for the things here.

Since ancient times, there had never been a free lunch under heaven.

"I understand."

"Nan Qinghuan, let me go."

"What's the hurry?"

Nan Qinghuan stood up, then slowly walked over to this woman. She took a small bamboo tube from her waist. "Inside this is a Gu Poison I developed. It can control a person's body. You want freedom, fine—I'll let you go back. But you have to drink what's inside, and you have to go back and tell your chief that we are very poor here. You were tricked by Luosang. This place has no value worth attacking. Tell your chief not to set his sights here. Tell him people are starving to death here every day—it's a hell on earth."

These words made A Yao stare at her in shock. What? "I won't drink it. Do you think that will stop my chief from finding out about your situation here?"

"That's his problem. Right now, I want you to do this. If you don't drink it and don't agree, that's fine. See those men outside?"

A Yao looked at her in terror, then followed her gaze outside. "What do you mean?"

"You're not afraid of anything now, are you? I remember when you were begging for mercy, scared by the giant lizard—that was when you were the cutest."

"Stop talking."

This made A Yao feel deeply humiliated. If her chief found out she had failed, going back would mean certain death anyway. So why not... do as this woman said? "Those men outside are all bachelors. They've barely touched a woman in their lives. My man plans to give you to them. I know you won't be able to handle it—those men will be very rough with you. A Yao, you're still young. You wouldn't want to be devoured by these men, would you?"

A Yao was terrified. She would rather die than suffer harm from these men.

"I'll drink it. Give it to me, I'll drink it. I'll go back and not tell the chief about the situation here. How about that?"

Hearing this, Nan Qinghuan knew the girl had taken the bait. It seemed not all women from these ancient times were submissive and resigned to their fate. Some were unique.

Like the one before her.

"Very good. Agree, and I'll let you go."

Soon, Nan Qinghuan had the straw ropes on A Yao untied. After they were untied, the tribespeople were very afraid. "Om, this won't do. You can't let her go."

"Are my words no longer valid?"

At this moment, Nan Qinghuan was fierce. The tribespeople dared not say anything more, merely bowing slightly. "Yes."

After those people had left, Nan Qinghuan made her swallow the so-called Gu Poison powder. After swallowing it, A Yao felt it was just like some kind of powder—not unpleasant to eat.

"Is this poison?"

"That's right, it's poison. One year from now, if your chief hasn't attacked us, you bring your beasts to the outskirts of the Small Town, and I'll personally give you the antidote. But on the other hand, if you go back and your chief attacks us next month, then sorry—you'll die with your guts spilling out and your bowels rotting. A very miserable death."

"You..."

A Yao had never met a woman as ruthless as Nan Qinghuan. Her methods were so similar to their former chief's.

Both were ruthless masters!

"So, do you agree?"

A Yao was a bit nervous, but she had no choice but to agree. She nodded. "Fine, I agree. I'll find a way to hold the chief back and not let him know about the situation here."

With A Yao's agreement, Nan Qinghuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. One year was enough.

"Come out with me."

After going out, Ying saw that she had actually released A Yao. He was shocked. "Goddess, Ying won't agree to this. If she goes back, she'll tell the Beast Taming Tribe's chief everything. If he finds out, he will surely..."

"She won't tell the Beast Taming Chief anything. Isn't that right, A Yao?"