Chapter 163: Are You Stronger Than Axuan?

Moreover, what advantage does Ji Chen have that would make them cooperate with him?

Not sure what she was thinking of, Yun Li gave Leng Xiu an inquisitive look.

But Leng Xiu almost imperceptibly shook his head at her; of the four cubs at home, whether they go out or stay, at least one beastman is always watching over them.

Over at the Ping Shan Tribe they had also warned early on to watch Ji Chen and the beastmen close to him; the Tribe's Patrol Team was even greeted, exchanging bamboo baskets or reed‑woven garments for them to pay more attention to the females and cubs there.

So Ji Chen shouldn't have any hostages in his hand that could threaten them.

That's odd—could Ji Chen really intend to persuade them with his words to set aside past grudges and make peace with a smile?

"You can't be so certain," A Li, you might as well listen to what I have to say.

Being teased like that by Yun Li, Ji Chen still sat still, smiling brightly.

He of course knows Yun Li's family's vigilance toward him, but successive blunders have made Ji Chen realize that if this stalemate with Yun Li's side continues, he'll just watch helplessly as they win more favor in the Tribe.

When that time comes and he wants to strike against their family, he doesn't even know when that will be.

So he had to change his previous plan; since he can't take Yun Li's life by force, he'll find a way to get close, earn their trust, and then strike back mercilessly from behind.

Yun Li let out a light snort, "What if we don't want to listen?"

Ji Chen smiled gently after hearing that, "Then I'll just have to visit every day. Oh, by the way, I heard A Li's cubs have lately liked to run to Little Stone Mountain; there are many cubs there, and beastmen often feed them meat."

Tell me, could your cubs ever eat something they shouldn't?

As soon as those words were spoken, Leng Xiao slammed the table up, "You're looking for death, huh? I can grant it!"

Kill him, and he wonders what other evil schemes he could use on their cubs.

Yun Li and Leng Xiu's expressions also darkened, but they quickly regained composure.

"A Xiao"

Yun Li immediately called out to Leng Xiao; although she knows Leng Xiao can be impulsive, he's not brainless—after all, having one family member who likes to think is enough. His recklessness wouldn't affect the family, but this time she had to stop him.

Otherwise they'd be giving Ji Chen a joke, because no matter what Ji Chen does, on the surface he hasn't done anything excessive to Yun Li's family, so in broad daylight, still in his own home, they can't act against him.

Leng Xiao's fierce demeanor was nothing but bluster in Ji Chen's eyes.

"A Xiao!"

Leng Xiu also got up and restrained Leng Xiao; Leng Xiao let out a cold snort at Ji Chen, then sat down with a face as still as water.

Ji Chen wasn't frightened at all by that cold snort; his tone was even gentler than at the start, "So, A Li, are you now willing to listen to me?"

Yun Li stared at him with a cold face, "Speak your mind!"

She wanted to see what kind of scheme he could come up with.

Hearing that, Ji Chen gave a slight smile, not caring much about her cold expression.

Yet his first sentence made Yun Li glance up at him, "A Li, are you interested in establishing a trading venue in the Tribe like Red Grass Valley?"

"Hmm?"

Yun Li lifted her eyes; even a trailing "hm" clearly showed her interest in his suggestion.

Seeing this, Ji Chen's face instantly broke into a smile, "A Li would rather teach those skills to the beastmen of his original Tribe— is it only to help them establish a foothold in the Tribe?"

Yun Li watched him without speaking.

Is there another connection with him?

Seeing that she didn't even want to reply, a shadow crossed Ji Chen's mind, and he continued:

"They use the techniques you teach to exchange the produced items with other beastmen in need; as more beastmen demand them, they devote almost all their attention to this."

"But this situation won't last, because once the Tribe sees the changes those techniques bring to the beastmen, they'll certainly come looking for you."

"When that time comes, A Li, what will you do? Will you keep the techniques for yourself, or hand them over to the Tribe?"

"I guess you'll hand them over to the Tribe."

He spoke while watching Yun Li's expression.

"But Yun Li didn't hear anything more interesting, so how could she give him further reaction?"

"Therefore Ji Chen simply skipped the analysis and directly stated the consequences of handing the techniques to the Tribe."

"Your taught techniques are indeed beneficial to the Tribe's development in the long run. However, in the short term, if multiple beastmen master them, it easily creates the impression that the techniques are not valuable at all."

"Then the Tribe, which initially valued your techniques, will gradually forget their usefulness."

"So you need to establish in the Tribe a place like Red Grass Valley to continuously showcase the value of those techniques, thereby achieving your original goal, A Li, right?"

"Yun Li, after hearing this, was quite surprised by Ji Chen's insightful perspective, but even if his words hit part of her own ideas, what of it?"

"He wants to cooperate with them; what could he possibly offer them for cooperation?"

"The analysis is thorough, but how does that relate to the cooperation you mentioned?"

"When Yun Li responded, Ji Chen knew his guesses were all correct."

"Although Yun Li's ambition was shocking, precisely because she harbors such thoughts, he has a chance to get close to her, doesn't he?"

Ji Chen smiled and said, "Can I help you?"

"Yun Li also laughed, but quickly restrained herself; her tone carried a hint of sarcasm as she said:"

"Are you stronger than Axuan?"

"At first Ji Chen didn't realize who 'Axuan' was, but once he did, an uncontrollable anger rose within him; he despises being compared to Ji Xuan, especially when he loses the comparison in others' mouths."

"As a result, Yun Li deliberately touched this taboo, and Ji Chen's gaze turned instantly grim and terrifying."

"Leng Xiu flung the stone cup in his hand straight at Ji Chen."

"Ji Chen instinctively twisted his body to dodge, and his face darkened."

"Leng Xiu's voice lightly warned him, 'Watch your eyes, or don't blame us for being impolite.'"

"To dare show such a look toward A Li in front of them—do they think they're dead?"

"Ji Chen stared darkly at Leng Xiu for a while; just as Leng Xiao could no longer contain his temper and was about to drive them away, his expression suddenly returned to its original bright smile."

"He said gently to Yun Li, 'Do you trust him so much? You should know he's the Young Master of the Tribe; what do you think he can do for you?'"