Chapter 240: No, We Have to Add Money

Even though One-Eyed Giants are usually seen as a gentle and conservative race, there are always exceptions.

After all, books are merely carriers of knowledge; whether what is obtained from them is good or evil, right or wrong, actually depends on the reader's understanding and judgment.

Especially someone like Bati Si Te, who finished reading all the collections in the Forest Library within the first thirty years of his long life.

Thus, after rereading these books repeatedly, even reciting them backward fluently, the youthful prodigy finally, out of boredom, fell into day‑and‑night contemplation.

In this process countless doubts were self‑resolved (?), yet two questions lingered in his mind like mist.

—Why is the Demon Spirit Tribe so powerful yet possesses only such a small territory and so few treasures?

—Why am I so strong, yet can only spend my whole life confined to a tiny forest?

From youth to adulthood, marriage, and even his daughter's growth, he never obtained an answer.

Until a few days ago, a group of humans suddenly visited the Magic Forest.

From the humans' eyes, Bati Si Te saw many things he disliked.

Such as greed, lechery, cunning, and a scorching‑as‑flame… ambition?

!!!

After pondering for so many years, Bati Si Te finally grasped the answers to those two questions!

Why don't we have it?

Because we never went after it!

The One‑Eyed Giants are far too gentle; they have power but are unwilling to use it.

We ought to have more, yet we handed it over to others!

Still, Bati Si Te is not the kind of fool easily fooled; he saw through the deceit hidden behind their silver‑tongued words, which aimed to use him to drive tigers and swallow wolves.

And precisely because of that, he should act even more!

If he does not act, the entire Underground Plain will become a slaughterhouse that fills the opponent's ambition.

Only by stepping forward and completing all this in advance can a better ending be achieved.

—At least for the Demon Spirit Tribe, a better ending.

But how could Walia, who grew up under protection, ever know what her deep‑thinking father truly intended?

When she recounts to the players, she can only speak of the surface she has observed.

Thus, in the players' eyes, this becomes the classic tale of a middle‑aged arrogant ruler being easily duped by outsiders, gradually swelling into an undeserved ambition.

"Based on our dealings with them, those mercenaries are not good people; you'd better not trust them."

Though everyone is keen on persecuting Sheldon, no one will produce a crappy meme like "laugh jokes not laugh people, Sheldon really man".

It was those thief mercenaries who first took the initiative to reverse‑plunder the players; they are no ordinary NPCs and must be hit hard!

So they kept stating facts and reasoning, trying to prove to the envoy that the mercenaries are untrustworthy.

Deep down, Walia is still that rather traditional One‑Eyed Giant; she isn't as conservative, but she is naturally wary of outsiders.

Now, after this group of humans has embellished and exaggerated a bunch of rumors, her inner aversion to the mercenaries has been magnified infinitely.

Yet however much she dislikes them, she only cautiously says one sentence.

"Actually, as you say, I don't believe them either, but my father is the chief, and all I can do is advise…".

Tsk.

It's hard to persuade damned ghosts; for now the players can do little more than steer the conversation back to business.

After an open‑hearted discussion, they finally permitted weapon sales, clearing out a batch of ancient weapons that were about to be retired.

Yet even though the other side explicitly stated they would fully respect the Pioneers Council's rights on the Underground Plain,

the players sternly refused to form a military alliance with the Demon Spirit Tribe, or any request for joint advance and retreat.

After all, according to the One‑Eyed Giants, if a real fight breaks out later, all tribes on the plain will be attacked by them.

This naturally includes the group that befriended the players, whether the old friend Tie Ti or the newly‑met friend Jian Ya.

—After playing games for so many years, who doesn't have a favorite NPC?

Pure‑love Old Bull and that trembling Bat King are both decent fellows; even as "virtual characters", players are reluctant to betray or backstab them.

"Since that's the case, we'll take our leave now; hope we can visit again next time."

"Certainly, we'll host a feast at High Tower Castle then; everyone's invited, everyone will be there!"

In the dungeon, the players saw off the first wave of visitors since the server opened, while at the far east of the plain, Sheldon just sent away another delegation.

"Ha ha, as soon as Chief Bati Si Te gives the word, as the best friends of your tribe, we will immediately extend a helping hand."

Watching the One‑Eyed Giants vanish contentedly from view, he turned back to the camp.

Today's Sunlight City is a powder keg that could explode at any moment.

An De Lu also wants to quickly reap some profit from the Underground Plain to prepare for possible future conflicts, but he dares not continue drawing the mercenaries' elite forces for reinforcement.

So many of this wave of reinforcements are second‑ or third‑rate mercenary groups he coaxed in by exploiting his deputy‑chief position and a lot of empty promises.

Though their combat ability is lacking, a strong man is still a strong man; even if used merely as cannon fodder, they can hold the line a bit longer.

With his resources now more abundant, Sheldon immediately began the second phase of his agitation plan.

—Don't put all your eggs in one basket; betting is the same.

Since the mercenaries intend to stir up trouble and muddy the waters of the Underground Plain, the parties they need to contact cannot be only the Demon Spirit Tribe.

In fact, besides the hard‑to‑control Bati Si Te, they also found an even more suitable partner.

Slightly curling the corners of his mouth, Sheldon walked toward the conference room next door from the earlier negotiation.

He pushed open the door; on the sofa sat a humanoid creature with a rodent‑like head and a pair of bat wings.

At that moment they lowered their brows and eyes, trying to digest the conversation they had just overheard.

"How is it? Priestess, do you think our ally has enough weight?"

Clenching hands that resembled claws, Borina's words trembled with excitement.

Cyclops! Aren't they supposed to stay out of worldly affairs? How did you convince them?

One-eyed giants! Aren't they supposed to stay out of worldly affairs? How did you convince them?

Sincerity!

Sincerity!

Sheldon laughed heartily.

Sheldon laughed heartily.

Just a little bit of sincerity, just as we have for you.

We merely exerted a little sincerity, just as we do for you.

An'an sat steadily opposite the female priest of the Sharp-Tooth Tribe, and Sheldon repeated his earlier advice.

An'an sat steadily opposite the female priest of the Sharp-Tooth Tribe, and Sheldon repeated his earlier advice once more.

Think about it, no matter how talented and capable your king was in his youth, he is now far too old and could die at any moment.

Think about it, your king, no matter how talented and capable he was in his youth, is now too old and could die at any moment.

And if he were to die, given the current situation, could the young Prince Ashley really ascend? I fear your dear general would immediately raise troops in rebellion, killing anyone who might block his path to the throne.

And once he dies, given the current situation, can the young Prince Ashley really ascend? I fear your dear General will immediately raise troops in rebellion, killing anyone who might block his path to the throne.

Would that include... the priestess who, at least outwardly, is the most loyal to the king?

Then among those… would it include the priestess lady who, at least on the surface, is usually the most loyal to the king?

Upon hearing this, Polina flew into a rage and immediately retorted.

Polina heard this and flew into a rage, immediately retorting.

Kill me? Don't you know what relationship I have with Yoris? We...

Kill me? Don't you know what relationship I have with Yoris! We…

But before she could finish, Sheldon snatched the conversation back.

But before she could finish, Sheldon snatched back the conversation.

Priestess, as a noble, you must open your mind!

Priestess, as a noble, you must open your mind!

In our Deep Forest Kingdom, that's merely two lonely people seeking each other's body heat to fend off the night's chill; even if it feels good, it's mutual and means nothing, worthless.

In our Shen Lin Wang Guo, that's merely two lonely people trying to ward off the night's cold with each other's body heat; even if it feels comfortable, it's mutual and represents nothing, worth nothing!

Besides, you originally got with him only for his power, hoping to defeat your rivals and become priestess, right?

Besides, you originally got with him… just for his power, wanting to defeat those rivals and become priestess yourself, right?

Saying this, Sheldon's voice gradually softened and grew quieter.

Saying this, Sheldon's voice gradually softened, grew lighter.

You see, the general is quite clear-headed; I heard he recently swapped his bat-woman for one with larger wings, a sharper nose, and is even younger...

You see, General, you're quite clear-headed; I heard he recently swapped in another bat-woman, with bigger wings, a sharper nose, and even younger…

Enough!

Enough!

A sharp shout, followed by extremely heavy breathing.

A sharp shout, followed by extremely heavy breathing.

Her own filth and squalor were laid bare before everyone, raw and bloody; Polina's face flickered between light and dark, but in the end she could only grit her teeth.

Her own filth and squalor were laid bare before everyone, bloodied; Polina's face fluctuated between gloom and clarity, but in the end she could only grit her teeth.

What do you mean by all this? Please explain clearly!

What do you mean by saying these things? Please explain clearly!

His expression turned grim; Sheldon revealed his true colors.

His expression turned grim, Sheldon revealed his true intentions.

We will help you kill the king and the general, then support the young prince to the throne, and after that... ha, a young king won't be anything you can't mold, right?

We will help you kill the king and the general, then support the young prince to the throne, and after that… ha, isn't a young king just something you can mold as you wish?

Think about it; as long as the timing is right, you could promote yourself to high priestess, forcibly become queen, even... queen!

Think about it, as long as the timing is right, you can promote yourself to high priestess, forcibly become queen, even… queen!

Silence, a long silence.

Silence, a long silence.

Polina suddenly sprang up, slamming the table and shouting her accusations.

Polina suddenly exploded, slamming the table and shouting accusations.

Sheldon, I thought you looked like a decent person with some humanity, but I never expected you to be so deceitful and cunning at heart!

Sheldon, I thought you looked like a decent person with some humanity, but I never expected you to be so deceitful and cunning at your core!

……

…

At least the king—come kill him!

At least the king, you come kill him!

The night deepened, gradually burying all the filth.

The night grew darker, gradually burying all the filth.

The sun hung high, illuminating what seemed like a clean new world.

The sun hung high, illuminating what seemed a clean new world.

... Unfortunately, Sunshine City is forever shrouded in dark clouds, so no one can see that blue sky.

… Unfortunately, Sunshine City is year-round shrouded in dark clouds, so no one can see that azure sky.

He personally took the field and played two rounds with the players in the arena; Ji Ming woke up, ready to take part in a rather special ceremony.

After personally joining the players in the arena for two rounds, Ji Ming woke up from his nap, preparing to take part in a rather special ritual.

Although the way he obtained the position wasn't glorious, and the Adventurers' Association's influence is far weaker than before.

Although the way he obtained the position wasn't glorious, and the Adventurers' Association's influence is far less than before.

But a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse; after all, he's become one of the top three powers in the inner city, so the proper procedures must still be followed.

But a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse; after all, he has become one of the top three powers in the Inner City, and the proper procedures must still be followed.

Today is the day Mi Yang officially becomes president of the Adventurers' Association; he invited nearly everyone who attended the original banquet to witness.

Today is the day Mi Yang officially becomes president of the Adventurers' Association; he has invited nearly everyone from that banquet to witness.

No one wanted to be out of step during this sensitive period, nor miss any possible 'excitement'.

No one wants to be out of step during this sensitive period, and no one wants to miss any possible "excitement."

Thus, whether human or ghost, they actually all gathered together this peaceful morning, even smiling as they greeted each other.

Thus, whether human or ghost, they actually all gathered together this peaceful morning, even smiling as they greeted each other.

Damn, what bad luck!

Damn, what bad luck!

I had originally planned to relax and watch a show, and maybe see if there was a chance to give the dungeon members a +1.

I had originally planned to relax and watch a show, and maybe see if I could give the dungeon members a little bonus.

As a result, Ji Ming had just sat down when he saw Andrew's smug, beaming face.

As a result, Ji Ming had just sat down when he saw An De Lu's big, grinning face.

After finally managing to get rid of that clueless, incessantly awkward chatterbox who knows nothing about medicine, a huge shadow immediately blocked the dim sunlight in the sky.

After finally managing to get rid of that clueless, awkwardly chattering nutcase, a huge shadow immediately blotted out the dim sunlight in the sky.

They were one on the left, one on right—giant horses and frost giants placed before the gate, more effective than door gods.

It was one on the left and one on the right, placed before the door—more effective than door gods: a giant horse and a Shuang Ju Ren.

They are huge, covered in lots of metal, perfectly matching someone's personal taste.

They were huge, covered in much metal, perfectly suiting someone's personal taste.

But seeing the opponent's scarlet maw, larger than his own head, Ji Ming really felt a bit afraid.

But seeing the opponent's scarlet maw larger than his own head, Ji Ming really felt a bit afraid.

Thanks, but I'm busy this afternoon, tomorrow afternoon, and basically all the coming afternoons, so I'm afraid I can't dine with you!

Thank you, I have things this afternoon, tomorrow afternoon, and basically all the coming afternoons, so I'm afraid I can't dine with you!

Eh, okay...

Ah, okay…

After seeing off the two giant beasts, the psychological shadow of the lord's manor banquet crept onto Ji Ming's mind, and the ominous premonition buzzed louder.

Seeing off the two giant beasts, the psychological shadow of the lord's manor banquet crept onto Ji Ming's heart, and the eerie premonition buzzed louder.

So he quickly picked a seat near the door, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

So he quickly picked a seat near the door, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

As time approached noon, after a piece of music with a warning tone, the star of the event, Mi Yang, appeared amidst a retinue of goat folk.

As time approached noon, after a piece of music with a reminder-like tone, the main character of this event, Mi Yang, appeared amidst a crowd of goat people.

Today he broke from his usual image, choosing to appear in a gray mage's robe, his solemn expression giving him the air of a genuine mage.

Today he changed his usual image, choosing to appear in a gray mage's robe, his solemn expression giving him a genuine air of a proper mage.

The crowd below had varied expressions: some solemn, some secretly pleased, others eyes brimming with anticipation, as if they couldn't wait for something to happen.

The crowd below had varied expressions: some looked grave, some secretly gloated, and some eyes brimmed with anticipation, as if they couldn't wait for something to happen.

Rather than a group come to observe the ceremony and offer congratulations, it's more like a crowd gathered just to watch the spectacle.

Rather than saying they were a group come to observe the ceremony and offer congratulations, they were more like a crowd come to watch the spectacle.

Mi Yang also knew why everyone was there, so he didn't follow the usual formalities for the preliminary proceedings.

Mi Yang also knew why everyone was there, so he didn't follow the normal procedure for a series of preliminaries.

Instead, he intended to settle things quickly, pushing all the bureaucratic baggage aside, and first publicly announce his succession as president.

Instead, he intended to settle things quickly, putting off all the bulky aftermath, and first announce his succession as president publicly.

Thus, after letting a few tribal elders follow the script to lavishly praise him, he stepped to the podium, ready to accept the president's badge.

Thus, after letting a few elders of the tribe, following the script, hype him up a bit, he came to the stage, ready to accept the president's badge.

But Mi Yang couldn't help but sneak a glance at Boris, whom he had placed farther away.

However, Mi Yang still couldn't resist stealing a glance at Boris, whom he had placed farther away.

But the latter merely lowered his head, looking resigned, as if he had no intention of intervening at all.

The other merely lowered his head, looking resigned, as if he had no intention of intervening at all.

Heh, if even he doesn't want to move, then I suppose I must have succeeded...

Heh, since even he doesn't want to move, I suppose I must have succeeded…

After letting out a slight sigh, the elders' lecture neared its end, and he took the badge from the etiquette miss.

After slightly relaxing with a breath, the elders' lecture neared its end, and he took the badge from the etiquette miss.

Here it is, at last!

Here it is, at last!

But just as he was single‑mindedly focusing on his chest, ready to personally taste total victory, a voice suddenly rang out from the audience.

Wait!

The black figure gradually rose; it was none other than Grede, the silent head of the Truffle clan, the most reticent of the three tribal chiefs, who had not spoken a single word from start to finish.

What kind of trick is this, trying to cheat himself out of another sum right now?

Mi Yang's heart gave a sudden thump, and the elder beside him already began to scold loudly.

Grede, this is a crucial moment for our association; please don't interrupt suddenly!

But Grede completely ignored him, and instead took a document out of his ring and waved it.

I have here an investigative report on the rampaging beast incident; I have enough evidence to prove who the mastermind behind this incident is!

Hiss…

Ji Ming had never in his life seen so many people simultaneously draw in a gasp of cold air, like a sleepy winter classroom suddenly having its doors and windows flung open.

After all, to cause trouble at this moment, it's obvious who the document's accusation points to, right?