Chapter 56: Bribing Subordinates Is So Simple

Hua Zheng is now focused entirely on the meat, and, hearing that, nods indifferently, "Oh, you go ahead; I'll take the meat out and let it cool."

Mo Lie watches Lin Manzhi walk out, and, as if sensing something, glances at Hua Zheng.

In no time, Lin Manzhi indeed brings a pot of Lettuce into the kitchen, while Hua Zheng, following her request, slices the meat; the dagger's "crack" of the meat makes his Adam's apple keep rolling.

Hearing the footsteps that signal a meal, he turns his head, and, seeing the Lettuce in Lin Manzhi's arms, is startled: "Didn't you say there was no Lettuce?"

"Oh, I didn't sell it all." Lin Manzhi rinses the vegetables, shrugs nonchalantly, "I said there was none to fool Su Li; such a delicious medicinal plant should of course be saved for our own first."

Hua Zheng, looking at the Lettuce worth five hundred each, is amazed again.

This, truly generous.

Lin Manzhi carries the cleaned Lettuce over; the dining spot is in the courtyard beside the kitchen, and Mo Lie stands to take the Lettuce from her.

He is certain there is no Lettuce in the bedroom or hall, and regarding this seemingly materialized Lettuce before him, he lowers his gaze, glances at Lin Manzhi, and asks nothing.

Having lived day and night together, that glance actually asks: where did the Lettuce come from?

Ah, this.

Lin Manzhi pauses, eyes the courtyard to fetch the Lettuce, and says, "You go wash your hands quickly; I'm hungry, let's eat soon."

She realizes she has no guard at all against Mo Lie.

She had just gone out secretly to a space, stored the freshly cooked Lettuce in the warehouse, thinking that since the Lettuce had already been exposed in front of Hua Zheng there was nothing to conceal, she simply took the Lettuce out.

But she actually forgot that Mo Lie was constantly by her side, and even forgot to pretend.

Mo Lie watches Lin Manzhi's evasive gaze, and, without changing expression, nods, "…Fine."

After the two finish their eye exchange, Hua Zheng hurriedly brings the sliced meat over and places it on the courtyard table.

The three sit around the table, and under the allure of Lettuce and crispy roast meat, none of them even lifts their heads while eating.

The meat, first boiled then deep‑fried over high heat, makes the skin especially crisp; when cut open, the interior releases juicy, surprisingly tender meat, and the golden‑brown crust smells richer than meat simply grilled over fire.

The flavor is sour‑salty with a hint of sweetness; he never expected that the fruit he despises, once handled by her, would become the best meat he has ever tasted.

Thirty jin of roast meat for a meal for two Beastfolk, Hua Zheng's stomach is full but his mouth still wants more; he scrapes the final plate with a spoon repeatedly, ensuring not a single scrap is missed.

Especially after tasting the Lettuce, after finishing the meal, Hua Zheng feels a faint, almost imperceptible easing of his Spirit Core, slightly alleviating the fatigue from continuous all‑night hustling.

He hasn't taken soothing elixir for a month, had planned to buy one in the next couple of days, but unexpectedly feels that the energy in his Spirit Core now lets him temporarily forego the Spirit Core soothing elixir!

Even though Hua Zheng saw Shamaness Su Li's mishap with the Lettuce, now eating the Lettuce himself, he is still shocked inside.

Hua Zheng at this moment attains enlightenment.

His gaze sweeps over the handsome, powerful Mo Lie, then over Lin Manzhi.

The female beside him, after removing her shawl, reveals extremely white arms mottled with uneven black‑brown spots, impossible to overlook; her appearance is definitely of the ugly type of female.

She still seems like an informational‑value female; why does such an unappealing appearance to Beastfolk earn the favor of his own Young Master?

He was expelled from Ansen City back then, and the higher‑ups heavily blocked news about Mo Lie; he doesn't know what Mo Lie went through that would make him choose to be with the female before him.

When they first met this morning, his answer was that the Wooden Female could make money; now his internal answer has added another line.

Beastfolk can also be conquered by deliciousness.

She has this Lettuce and cooking skill, which can completely cover her physical flaws.

Moreover, seen from behind…

Her thick, dense black hair is tied by a blue headband into three sections, falling behind her waist; her waist is slender and soft, and from the back she appears an extremely beautiful female.

Hua Zheng thinks this internally.

Mo Lie lightly taps the tabletop with his pallid fingers, then, casually and coldly asks, "Who are you looking at?"

Hua Zheng felt a chill inside and said, "I think the Wooden Female and you, Master, are a perfect match; I can't help but be pleased that you have found such an outstanding Wife Master."

Hua Zheng feels a chill inside: "I see the Wooden Female and you, Master, are a perfect match; I can't help but be glad you've found such an excellent Wife Master."

Lin Manzhi: "…"

She looked at Mo Lie, gave a light blink, and asked, "Who?"

She looks at Mo Lie, blinks lightly, "Who?"

Mo Lie's icy blue eyes look over, the corners of his pale lips curl slightly, his voice low: "He's saying you and I are a good fit."

Perhaps Mo Lie's intriguingly beautiful blue eyes were too striking; Lin Manzhi no longer wanted to keep up the false name when dealing with Mo Lie in front of others: "The Wooden Female is also fake; I am actually surnamed Lin, there is no master above, this Lettuce is what I grew, and later I may need to trouble you to help deliver it."

Perhaps Mo Lie's intriguingly beautiful blue eyes make Lin Manzhi unwilling to keep using the false name when dealing with Mo Lie in front of others: "Wooden Female is also fake; I'm actually surnamed Lin, there's no real Master above, this Lettuce is what I grew; I may need you to help deliver it in the future."

Hua Zheng: "Oh, I've noted that; from now on Hua Zheng will obey Lin Cixing's orders."

Hmm, I'm not surprised at all; the Lin Cixing before me seems very mysterious, perhaps this isn't her true appearance either.

During this meal, she thought that she and Hua Zheng, Mo Lie's top subordinate, could be considered comrades who have truly gotten to know each other, right?

During this meal, she thinks that she and Mo Lie's top subordinate Hua Zheng have become each other's trusted insiders, right?

From now on, let him handle the Lettuce trade to Kuangsha City; she can rest easy.

…

At the peak heat of noon, the grand Female Master Hall was nearly empty; a few maids inside and a group of guards by the column were idly lounging.

At the hottest time of midday, the grand and imposing Female Master Hall is nearly empty; a few maidens and a group of guards by the pillars stand idly relaxed.

A large group of muscular Beastfolk bursts straight in, dozens among them carrying a gray elephant bound like a massive gray dumpling.

The leader, face fierce, eyes bulging and slightly reddened, rushes into the hall, grabs a nearby maiden, and shouts urgently:

The maid, her face filled with terror, shouted loudly, "D—daring! Let go of me at once; Shamaness is not someone like you lowly beasts can just meet whenever you want!"

The maiden, terrified, shouts, "You dare! Let go of me at once; the Shamaness isn't someone you lowly Beastfolk can just see whenever you want!"

The guards of Wu Hall rush over, but before they can approach, they are blocked by the Beastfolk.

"We're members of the Wind Erosion Gang; don't lecture me about female‑first principles here." The leader, face ferocious, glares at the female maiden, "Go quickly, or I'll have someone seize this place from you."

A voice from within the hall says, "Xiang Sa, what do you think the Wu Hall is? Get back to your Xicheng Qu and cause trouble there."

Xiang Sa sees the figure emerging from the hall, instantly recognizing the leader Hu Biao of the East City Tiger Thieves Gang, his fiery temper instantly doused, calming him.

Moreover, he wasn't there to cause trouble; he came to ask Wu Hall to step in and help.