Chapter 44: There

Sha Cheng: "Our Luo Lai Caravan is renowned; I ask you, Beast Husband, you need not act, just release appropriate pressure when you sense danger, and the Beastfolk will smell the danger and definitely won't dare act again."

Luo Ji thought with a cold hum: although Mo Lie's spirit core was injured, the pressure he exuded was terrifyingly fierce; he was scared a second time.

Lin Manzhi thought, no wonder everyone keeps a wide distance from Mo Lie.

She had read in the original book that among Beastfolk this is how it is; they prefer to use low‑energy human forms, and sometimes face‑to‑face they can't tell each other's strength, only by truly sensing the other's aura can they discern.

Mo Lie glanced at Lin Manzhi and asked lightly, "What reward can you offer?"

Sha Cheng felt embarrassed, suddenly thinking that offering this few Beast Coins to request top‑grade mainland Beast escort was a bit beyond his means.

He stared at the brown leather rug beneath his butt, dared not meet Mo Lie's gaze, and said dryly:

"We will provide you a dedicated camel for transport, the caravan as well, including your food and lodging in Kuangsha City; you may stay there until you wish to leave. Once we hire you, you won't need to bring other beasts. I will give you the highest treatment for this caravan…"

Mo Lie lifted his eyes, silently cutting off Sha Cheng's endless rambling, sweeping over a group of hulking men seated on the living‑room rug; their aura was foul.

He turned slightly toward the female, leaning forward a bit; the dagger at his waist flashed a silvery light on his black garments as he moved.

He asked impatiently, "How much?"

Sha Cheng: "Sixty thousand Beast Coins."

He almost blurted it out, then thought inward that this trip was doomed.

It's all that Luo Ji, that kid, didn't reveal the other's identity earlier; had he known a top‑grade great Beast was here, he wouldn't have come. He could've sent people to nearby tribal caravans to recruit more Beast guards, which would have been far easier than staying here!

The line he was responsible for, besides the goods brought back, also involved several million Beast Coins…

He couldn't afford any mistake, or the caravan would not spare his guard squad.

What to do?

No one in the hall spoke; Luo Ji didn't want to take the initiative, and the others, centered on Sha Cheng, remained silent background, waiting.

At that moment, Mo Lie said, "Fine."

His voice was cold and distant; the tense scalp of those present relaxed after hearing it.

Mo Lie turned his head, his sky‑blue eyes quietly gazing at the female beside him: "I have a condition."

Hearing Mo Lie state his condition, Sha Cheng's joy collapsed again; following Mo Lie's gaze, he looked toward Lin Manzhi.

Mo Lie continued, "I will bring my Wife Master with me."

Sha Cheng's heart sank instantly.

He knew how fervent Kuangsha City is toward pheromone‑bearing females; the female before him was a high‑rank one—entering the city is essentially entering a Beast den, right?

If she revealed her identity, he, merely a small squad leader of the caravan, couldn't guarantee her safe return in Kuangsha City.

Lin Manzhi, listening to Mo Lie and the other, interjected: "I will suppress my pheromones, not emit them outward, and stay with my Beast Husband at all times; whatever happens on the road is none of your business."

She would also paint her face and body with spots; even if the tightly wrapped headscarf fell, what would be revealed is just an ugly female with no pheromone value.

Beastfolk are visual animals; they fight for beauties, but not for the ugly, right?

This would avoid many troubles; Lin Manzhi knows that before she has power, the lower profile, the better.

"Fine!" Sha Cheng blurted an agreement; what he valued wasn't the female's disguise but the "none of your business" clause.

This is a guarantee against death; should anything happen, even this top‑grade male Beast cannot

trouble them, right? It's your Wife Master's guarantee!

He originally wanted to say that he would protect his female and not let any accident happen, but the Little Female before him always managed to exceed his expectations.

He originally intended to say he would protect his female and prevent any mishap, but the little female before him always surprises him.

—No female likes to act ugly; they even strive to make their appearance stand out, attracting beasts to

fight to the point of bloodied heads, thereby proving female allure even more.

He had long been accustomed to the empty office, arrogant, ruthless, high and mighty, looking down on everyone; this is a side shared by females with Pheromone Value.

Many females take pride in inciting Beast fights; to them a Beast's life is worth less than a Beast Coin, and they release their pheromones to lure and increase Beast casualties.

He has long been accustomed to such arrogance, ruthlessness, aloofness—traits common among pheromone‑bearing females.

But someone as gentle and kind as Lin Manzhi is his first encounter; the more they interact

the more easily he is drawn to this uniqueness.

After sending away the laughing Sha Cheng across, Lin Manzhi thought of the just‑made agreement, feeling an unstoppable joy.

Everything fell into place; tomorrow she could join the caravan into the city.

With anticipation of departure, Lin Manzhi and Mo Lie quickly finished lunch and began packing.

The most important thing was the "underground" lettuce.

Since the caravan promised a dedicated spot on a camel beast's back, taking the lettuce cargo seemed natural; besides, she couldn't just conjure lettuce later and tell Mo Lie she hadn't prepared.

Lin Manzhi felt she was growing more accustomed to living here, and she gave Mo Lie and herself each a set of fresh clothes, wrapped them in a cloth.

Nevertheless, Lin Manzhi put on a show, sending Mo Lie to buy two water jars outside for transporting the lettuce.

These jars are made of mud, opaque; she would bind thick cloth around the opening so others wouldn't know what she was carrying.

Lin Manzhi felt increasingly accustomed to life here, packing a set of spare clothes for both Mo Lie and herself in cloth bags.

She went out to the yard, gathered the sun‑dried jerky into a cloth sack, counted them, and packed three large bags of dark‑red, dehydrated meat jerky.

For two people at home, even doing nothing they'd have enough food for at least thirty days.

Looking at the jerky hidden under the bedboard, Lin Manzhi realized that during the dry season they hadn't even stored a month's worth of food; they were far short.

She added the food purchases to the list this time.

All night Lin Manzhi's mind raced about selling lettuce in the city, buying goods; even in sleep she was busy.

Waking early, the excitement from last night had faded; Lin Manzhi yawned and re‑checked the luggage.

Mo Lie seemed to sense Lin Manzhi's nervousness, moving all her items to the yard, making the luggage clear.

【59】 The Beast was steady and meticulous.

【60】 Lin Manzhi felt delighted watching the handsome guy.

【61】 At the appointed bright‑day hour, a polite knock sounded at the courtyard gate.