Chapter 429: White Ghost

This unexpected calm caused a hint of shadow to flicker deep in the Rat King's eyes; his claws gripping the jeweled staff tightened slightly, yet his face remained unchanged as he forced a smile and replied:

Compared to that, your courage, little friend, is truly impressive.

Saying that, he didn't wait for Cheng Shuili's response, pretentiously sniffed, and said: "The aura of the White Ghost."

As soon as he spoke, the guard captain beside him shouted alertly: "Alert!"

With the Rat King guard captain's shout, the previously solemn Rat People guard unit instantly sprang to life like a precision instrument triggered.

The sound of metal scraping and armor clashing rang out in unison; all the Rat People guards almost simultaneously turned, bent their knees, and raised their shields!

The huge square shield forged from unknown black metal they slammed heavily onto the ground, emitting a series of dull thuds that kicked up thin dust on the road.

The shield edges locked tightly together, instantly forming an impenetrable black metal wall before the Rat King.

Behind the shield wall, spearheads glinting with cold light protruded from the deliberately left gaps; the hollow muzzles looked grim, exuding icy killing intent in the morning light, tightly guarding the Rat King from behind.

The whole process was as fast as lightning, silent and soundless, save for the austere sound of metal scraping the ground.

Having done all that, the guard captain leaned slightly forward, his sharp eyes fixed through the shield gaps on Cheng Shuili's vehicle, as if something terrifying might leap out at any moment.

The air suddenly grew tense, as if even the wind had stalled.

Behind the shield wall, the Rat King's figure was almost completely concealed; only the tip of his staff, inlaid with a dark gem, flickered faintly through the gaps.

Cheng Shuili remained unusually calm throughout.

From the moment the Rat King uttered the words "White Ghost," Cheng Shuili knew what they were referring to.

Before these beastmen appeared, wasn't the thing that showed up first just grayish-white?

Moreover… describing its appearance as a "ghost" is utterly fitting.

Cheng Shuili had driven this road for so long without ever encountering such a thing; yet right after finishing her trade with the Rat King, it appeared.

And it wasn't just a one-time occurrence.

It happened once last night, and again this morning.

Moreover, just as that monster vanished this morning, the Rat King showed up, feigning ignorance about whether it was a White Ghost or not.

If the White Ghost matter had nothing to do with the Rat King, Cheng Shuili would dare write her own name backwards!

All the formations are set up; next should be the lines, right?

Cheng Shuili's eyes held a faint, almost imperceptible sneer as she leisurely watched the shield wall, like watching a poorly staged play full of bloopers.

However… Cheng Shuili also knew the Rat King didn't care whether she knew it was him who did it.

The Rat King's purpose was merely a warning.

Or rather, it was a condescending display.

A display of his methods, his foundations, and his ability to cause trouble for Cheng Shuili at any moment.

Whether she could see through it didn't matter; what mattered was making her feel pressure, making her understand that even after the deal, she remained an ant he could crush anytime.

This was both revenge and an attempt to reestablish psychological dominance.

Sure enough, the Rat King's hoarse voice, deliberately lowered with gravitas, came from behind the shield wall:

"White Ghost… is a filthy entity bred deep in this land, formless and substance-less, most fond of devouring fearful aura. Where they appear signifies… ominous."

His words paused, as if observing Cheng Shuili's reaction, then he continued: "Your vehicle has been marked by these things for two consecutive days; I fear misfortune is imminent."

Cheng Shuili's gaze swept over the stern shield wall, then landed on the faintly visible corner of the Rat King's splendid robe; her face remained expressionless.

She showed neither curiosity nor fear toward the White Ghost, nor did she directly respond to the Rat King's seemingly advisory words that actually concealed threats.

She merely tilted her head slightly and asked in a flat tone: "Oh? Lord Rat King, you seem quite familiar with this?"

The Rat King gave a dry chuckle, his voice drifting from behind the shield wall, carrying an ambiguous tone:

"Having lived long here, one inevitably witnesses some… unpleasant things. However,"

He shifted tone: "Little friend, you needn't worry overly. Though the White Ghost is troublesome, it's not without a solution. If you need it, I happen to have some special… methods to dispel these things."

That was practically an outright hint.

Cheng Shuili smirked inwardly.

First, using the White Ghost's eerie means to sow panic, then personally arriving with elite guards under the pretense of trade, displaying strength, and finally offering a solution as bait.

A combo of moves, whose sole purpose was to regain the initiative.

Even to squeeze more profit from her, or to regain the prestige lost earlier in Shou Ren Xiao Zhen!

She lifted her gaze toward the shield wall direction and suddenly smiled: "Lord Rat King, I appreciate your goodwill, but though Black Feather is small in force, we have some means of self-defense."

"If this White Ghost keeps blindly coming back for trouble again and again, I wouldn't mind trying out a few new gadgets I just acquired."

The Rat King's words were already clear enough; any sensible person could grasp his meaning.

Yet Cheng Shuili acted as if she hadn't understood, deflecting the issue without changing her expression.

Behind the shield wall, the Rat King's claws gripping his staff tightened again.

He knew very well that Cheng Shuili wasn't stupid; she was simply too clever and bold, which made her disregard his threats!

Cheng Shuili's reaction once again deviated from his expectations.

No panicked pleas for help, no attempt to haggle; she simply deflected the topic with a casual, slightly provocative air.

This left many of his prepared explanations stuck in his throat.

After a few seconds of silence, the Rat King's voice sounded again; the feigned profundity largely dissipated, replaced by… stiffness:

"If you're confident, little friend, that's certainly best. Then… let's get back to the matter at hand."

He paused, seemingly gesturing.

The shield wall wasn't withdrawn, but a small opening was made on the side, appearing as if they were avoiding the White Ghost.

Several Rat People carefully carried two heavy-looking boxes covered in thick velvet forward, set them down, then swiftly retreated behind the shield wall.

"According to our agreement, this is the first batch of goods; 40% of the proceeds will follow." The Rat King's voice returned to its flat trade tone: "Now, let's take inventory."

Cheng Shuili didn't step forward immediately, nor did she even glance at those two boxes.

She still fixed her gaze on the Rat King behind the shield wall, and replied in a calm, even tone: "No need for inventory. The goods personally escorted by Rat King surely won't have any discrepancies."

This was just surface talk; Cheng Shuili thought to herself: "There's a system contract in place, even this old man, even if he's the Rat King, can't ignore it, right?"

There's no need to say such words.

On the surface, Cheng Shuili appears to be a very polite human.

She gave a slight smile, raised her hand, and stored the items the Rat King sent into the private space of the Abyssal Ring territory.

The Abyssal Ring couldn't hold these items at all; if I hadn't thought of storing them directly in the territory, it would have been truly awkward.

That's also why some players are so fervent about establishing a faction, but compared to the Abyssal Ring, a territory is still far inferior.

Regarding storage, the Abyssal Ring and a territory are similar, but only for the leader; members other than the leader cannot freely place items into the territory at any time.

However, retrieving items… a territory falls far short of the Abyssal Ring, not to mention the Abyssal Ring's insight function and an unpredictable ring‑spirit function.

Time returns to the present, the Rat King coldly watches the several crates of goods vanish into thin air, his gaze lingering on the empty road, not moving for a while.

These were all guns manufactured by his factory.

Selling them for Game Coin would fetch an astronomical sum!

He gave them to her like that, and he truly felt heartache.

Not to mention that in a few days he'll have to give her a real Game Coin profit share.

Thinking of this, the Rat King's complexion grew a bit more sullen.

Cheng Shuili packed the items away, then lifted her eyes to the Rat King, her tone still maintaining that neutral courtesy: "Pleasant cooperation, Rat King. I hope future supplies will be equally smooth."

She deliberately placed a slight emphasis on the word "smooth."

The Rat King caught the faint subtext, sneered inwardly, though his face showed nothing, merely tugging at his mouth corner: "As long as the agreement holds, I naturally won't break my word."

He paused, then added with a pointed hint: "However, little friend, this road is not peaceful. You have a way to deal with the White Ghost, but other mishaps may arise; when trouble comes, be extra cautious."

This is a blatant threat.

Cheng Shuili pretended not to catch the edge, nodded: "Thank you for the warning, Rat King, no need to worry; I'm always careful."

After speaking, she didn't linger, turned and walked straight toward the vehicle.

Her steps were steady, her back straight, without any hesitation or fear.

The Rat King squinted, watching the vehicle doors close, watching the people inside ignore them, the engine emitting a low rumble, slowly departing, eventually vanishing at the road's end.

He stood still for a long time, until the Head Guard cautiously approached: "Lord, we…"

"Leave." The Rat King forced a word out between his teeth, his voice low and cold.

He cast one last glance toward Cheng Shuili's departing direction, his eyes swirling with calculation and ferocity.

"The White Ghost's mark has already been set… she will return. Once she has tasted enough hardship, she'll naturally understand who should bow."

He said no more, turned with his stern guard, and, just as he arrived, slipped silently back behind the air wall, as if he had never stepped onto the road.

Inside the vehicle, Cheng Shuili leaned against the seat, the calm on her face faded, finally revealing her true emotions.

That damned old Rat King is blatantly threatening her!

The White Ghost matter was indeed caused by that old thing!

Cheng Shuili performed a quick sit‑up from the sofa, her gaze empty, staring at a spot in the room for a long thought, finally shaking her head, her eyes regaining their spark.

When dealing with Bao Chi, the Bear Clan's orcs told her that those who can have a residence in Shou Ren Xiao Zhen are either old friends of the Rat King or seasoned orcs with genuine skill.

The former are all races close to the Rat King, while the latter exist across all races.

Most importantly, these orcs are unquestionably experienced and can solve Cheng Shuili's current problem.

And Huo Po, evidently, is the latter!

With a direction, Cheng Shuili no longer wastes time.

After all, whether the Rat King's words are true or false, Su Rui is fully focused on driving, when a gray‑white figure suddenly darts out to scare people; it's only a matter of time before it scares Su Rui's heart condition out.

But the servant won't get sick…

Cheng Shuili glanced at the cockpit, then resolutely stood up.

Can't let the staff bleed and weep! This matter must be resolved!

Su Rui had no idea what happened inside the carriage, only that when she looked back, the figure lying on the sofa had vanished.

But that's nothing to make a fuss about; after all Cheng Shuili is the Lao Da, it's normal for the Lao Da to be a bit busy.

Su Rui shook her head and kept driving.

The Lao Da has the Lao Da's responsibilities, and this little driver also has the little driver's responsibilities.

Moreover, she's not just any little driver; she's the Lao Da's full‑time driver!

Elsewhere, within the territory.

Cheng Shuili stood before Huo Po's luxurious cottage at the edge of the land, raised her hand and knocked again, her voice carrying obvious helplessness: "Huo Po, are you busy?"

In the corner, a hunched silhouette faced several bubbling clay pots, not turning his head, only humming a vague "hm" from his nose.

Cheng Shuili had anticipated this attitude.

Ever since Huo Po moved her odd belongings into Cheng Shuili's territory, her attitude toward the lord has undergone a dramatic shift.

From an almost flattering attitude at the Shou Ren Xiao Zhen market initially, it turned into the current indifferent aloofness.

As if once entering the territory, the purpose is fulfilled, and the rest doesn't matter.

If Zhou Zhuxing hadn't said that her master was staying at home, Cheng Shuili wouldn't know whether she was truly at home.

Otherwise, why did she knock on the door for ten minutes, yet there was no sign inside?

She even pushed the door open herself.

She sighed, patiently, her tone still courteous, "I have something to ask you about the White Ghost."

No response.

Cheng Shuili didn't get angry, repeated several times, perhaps out of annoyance; Huo Po, though not turning, finally responded, albeit with a hoarse voice full of perfunctory indifference:

The old woman's eyesight is bad, her ears are also deaf; how could she know anything about white ghosts or black ghosts? Lord, you've got the wrong person, haven't you?

Oh.

She even knows she's the lord.

Cheng Shuili twitched the corner of her mouth and sighed inwardly.

That old beastman clearly doesn't want to get involved. Perhaps it's because he's wary of the Rat King, or perhaps he simply doesn't want to cause trouble for himself.

In Shou Ren Xiao Zhen, every old fellow who manages to secure a spot is a cunning self‑preserver.

But she has no time to waste on this old beastman's rambling.