Chapter 153: Well Thought Out

A thick iron gate as solid as a city wall stood open, revealing a pitch‑black opening—also a darkness, yet this doorway was the only hope for escape.

Unfortunately, standing at this hopeful exit was a figure; the figure was inside the blackened house, and although not using a powerful Beast Form, its presence still exuded a terrifying aura that made Jia Jian's heart tremble.

Those eyes, devoid of any emotion, were cruel to the point of horror; they belonged to a top‑tier predator of the continent, staring at the prey within its grasp, and then a deep voice was heard saying:

"Choose."

Mo Lie glanced nonchalantly toward the doorway, as if seeing through Jia Jian's fleeting thought of escape, then deliberately took a slow step aside, fully exposing the entrance.

In an instant, a scream from deep within his soul gave Jia Jian the chance to almost lift his foot and flee, but his reason kept him rooted in place.

Upon learning that the other was the West City Lord, whose aim was to seize Central City District, Jia Jian thought that after meeting for so long the opponent had not killed him, confirming the opponent's sincerity—not only wanting his treasure but also wanting him as a person.

Since its founding, Kuangsha City had been mired in chaotic disorder; every Beastfolk, at every hour, fought over food and money, until the five great powers were established, after which the situation improved, and everyone attached themselves to the powerful Beastfolk, offering loyalty in return.

No leader had ever been able to control two territories.

Now, if he submits to Xicheng Qu, Kuangsha City will soon rewrite the fragmented history of the whole city, becoming the domain of the black‑clad male Beast before him.

Hiss!!

Ambitious, aren't you.

Jia Jian's eyes flashed; the current situation was unfavorable to him—refusing meant death, while agreeing would still allow him to bide his time.

Just as with the former Central City leader, he might find an opportunity and perhaps obtain a force stronger than that of Central City!

"Leader." Jia Jian bowed in a submissive salute, and when he raised his head his eyes read honest and simple, "To serve a Beast as powerful as you, Jia Jian could not wish for more; I swear to the Beast God that I will bring Central City into your allegiance!"

Mo Lie gave him a meaning‑laden glance: "A wise choice."

"Leader, I offer all my assets, including my life, to you; henceforth Central City will obey your commands." Jia Jian, from his lofty position, smoothly transitioned into a loyal, flattering subordinate, saying, "Grant me the opportunity to manage all the business; I will never covet even a single Beast Coin belonging to you."

Eager to prove himself and to safeguard his hard‑won trade routes, Jia Jian believed he could certainly maneuver covertly.

Then, taking the capital to secretly deal with the other three factions, given how dire the situation was, he was sure he could persuade the other three to unite.

He also corresponded with the Lord of Sajin City, who each year presents so much wealth to Cha Lan; he doubted anyone in Kuangsha City could outdo him.

Xiong Kui must have a serious issue; Cha Lan would surely be enraged upon learning it.

When Cha Lan also makes a move, the black‑clad male Beast before him, no matter how powerful, cannot possibly survive and escape Kuangsha City with the Lord of Sajin City and the three major forces of the East, South and North City Districts against him.

Then he could easily reclaim his position in Central City, and sit back on the leader's seat without any rear‑ward worries.

The plan in his mind rapidly took shape and refined; Jia Jian looked at Mo Lie, his expression even more sincere, and said, "If I betray you, then let me never receive the comfort of a female, and let my Spirit Core die forever in the endless pain of energy depletion."

"Very good."

The tone carried approval, as if addressing a trusted subordinate.

Jia Jian's spirit jolted; he realized that force was not the only path to power, and that a clever mind could become strong by earning massive gold coins.

"May I ask, who else could be stronger with such ability?"

With money one can buy food; with food, one can even bribe countless powerful Beastfolk to work for you.

"See, even this powerful black‑clad male Beast, claiming to have taken Central City, still has to rely on me to earn money for him~"

Mo Lie lowered his gaze, his eyes bearing an unfathomable hint, and said in a deep voice, "Jia Jian, stay here and guard this warehouse for me."

Jia Jian's expression froze, his mind momentarily blank.

Did he hear wrong?

He must have heard wrong?

What guard, what warehouse?

Jia Jian stood dazed amid a pile of his favorite gold coins, eyes wide in bewilderment, still not quite grasping Mo Lie's command.

Until, after Mo Lie decided Jia Jian's fate of being confined in the iron house, he turned and ordered, "Hua Zheng, send people to move the items inside out; Jia Jian is to be handed over to Xiong Kui for guard, and he must not step out of here even a single step."

Then he turned and left.

Seeing a figure leave, Jia Jian pretended to be clueless, and dazedly followed the others toward the exit, preparing to leave.

Suddenly, he saw two sturdy figures blocking his way, like insurmountable high walls.

This?

Has the secure iron house I built become the iron house imprisoning me??

Jia Jian's heart instantly panicked, realizing that the black‑clad male Beast before him had no intention of letting him out; was his earlier thought just a daytime dream?!

Desperately, he stretched his arm toward the figure at the doorway, on the verge of tears: "Leader! Please don't leave me here!! I really, really am good at making money."

Mo Lie halted, turned to the weeping Jia Jian, and said lightly, "Unsatisfied? Oh… then we'll replace the iron door with sturdier iron pillars, so it won't be so stifling."

Jia Jian: "!!"

You really intend to lock me up.

Jia Jian wore a look of utter despondency, even his earlier ambition to seize power was dampened; he chose the cramped black room, which felt safe, yet being confined to this tiny black chamber was sheer despair.

No! Want! Ah!

He earnestly pleaded, "Leader, please, please let me out, let me out! I was wrong, I truly understand my mistake… sob sob…"

Mo Lie was unmoved: "Don't worry, you will be released; just wait."

But not now; once his dispatched personnel successfully replace and take over all of Jia Jian's forces in Central City, and no one heeds Jia Jian's commands any longer, then releasing him will truly serve his own interests.

After all, the Pangolin tribe excels at digging tunnels to escape; releasing Jia Jian now would leave him no time to constantly monitor Jia Jian, and if he runs away, the plan to keep this talent would be ruined.

Now, Jia Jian, just stay inside.

Mo Lie emerged from the underground vault brimming with treasure, a black veil draped over his dark hair, concealing his handsome features in shadow.

Jia Jian was indeed good at making money, but certainly not as much as his little female; thinking of Lin Manzhi, Mo Lie quickened his pace, not watching Hua Zheng's men move the massive wealth, but sprinting toward Xicheng Qu.

There are few people or matters he cares about; now, the only one is his little Wife Master.