Chapter 655: Chapter 15: Man and Dog
The convoy of the noblewoman halted outside the Tukalu Camp, choosing not to drive further in.
She used her hand to slightly cover her nose, expressing unreserved disgust at the bloody stench pervading the camp.
"Lady Marianne, Tukalu has sent someone to welcome you." Outside the car window, an Alliance Army member who had disembarked beforehand approached and reminded her.
Lady Marianne responded indifferently with a hum, instructing her subordinates to open the car door, and emerged from the vehicle with the careful assistance of a slave.
"Who are you? Where is Tukalu? Why hasn’t he personally come to greet me?"
Marianne glanced at the young man with golden short hair in front of her, her tone rather displeased.
"Does he really think he’s some sort of tyrant of the Uda Desert, treating me with such disregard?"
Punk quickly approached with a smile on his face but was stopped five steps away from Marianne by two guards.
"Of course not, Lady Marianne; Master Tukalu has spent the month tirelessly to find a slave to your satisfaction, and he finally found a young and handsome human."
"Master Tukalu was caught up in urgent matters and couldn’t break free, so he specifically instructed me to present him to you with great respect!"
When Punk mentioned the young and handsome human, Marianne’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Tukalu and others were merely insignificant servants; Marianne was truly interested in the human Punk mentioned.
She no longer bothered with why Tukalu did not greet her personally and instead urged, "Where is this human? Take me to see him."
"Certainly." Punk lowered his head, bowed, and backed away, clearing a path for Marianne. "Lady Marianne, please come inside."
Marianne and her entourage entered the interior of the Tukalu Camp.
As soon as they entered, they saw a multitude of slaves in cages, of various races.
Marianne’s gaze swiftly scanned over these slaves, soon resting on a young, handsome human.
Her eyes gleamed much brighter.
"This human that Tukalu captured this time is even more handsome than I imagined."
"You’ve done a good job with this."
Marianne verbally praised Punk, then intended to step forward to touch that irresistibly handsome face.
Punk quickly stepped in, blocking the middle of the path.
Marianne’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, her gaze at Punk turned coldly sharp, "You dare to block my way? What do you intend to do?"
"Lady Marianne, you’ve misunderstood." Punk lowered his head, respectfully explained, "These slaves, caught by Master Tukalu, have been confined in cages for a long time and have a strong smell."
"Therefore, I suggest you take him back, let him bathe first, then enjoy afterward."
Punk’s words eased Marianne’s expression considerably.
"I see." Marianne lightly nodded, "Indeed, you are considerate."
As she spoke, she turned her head and ordered, "Why are you still standing there? Start the arrangements. Gather the slaves in the camp and load them into the vehicles, then take them back to the city."
"You, and him, come sit in the same car with me."
Marianne pointed at Punk and then at Han Zhan, who was now a slave.
"Yes, Lady Marianne." Punk nodded without hesitation.
"Although I didn’t see Tukalu this time, this matter was handled well. You are quite pleasing, so I reward you with one hundred Sand Coins."
Upon saying this, one of her servants was about to toss a purse containing one hundred Sand Coins to Punk.
Unexpectedly, Punk shook his head.
"Madam, there’s no need for so much." Punk said.
"Oh?" Lady Marianne looked at him with some surprise.
She saw all kinds of servants—some greedy, some lustful, some both greedy and lustful.
But it was her first time hearing someone say they didn’t need so many Sand Coins.
She couldn’t help but curiously ask, "How much do you want then?"
At this moment, Punk raised his head and, smiling slightly, replied:
"Ten Sand Coins, Madam."
...
Leaving the Tukalu Camp, the Alliance Army’s convoy headed north.
To the north was the Alliance Army’s main base, filled with numerous fortresses, bases, and towns.
Unlike the barren Uda Desert, the farther north one traveled, the busier it became.
One could frequently see vehicles parked by the roadside and people camping, cooking meals, busily working towards survival.
The only constant was the backdrop of Yongsha Star; as far as the eye could see, it was forever an endless expanse of yellow sand.
The Alliance Army convoy sped northward along the highway, kicking up a lot of dust when passing by those crowds.
Unexpectedly, these dust clouds poured into the cooking pots.
Into the pots that were already barely filled, suddenly added half a pot more of "ingredients."
Seeing the eagle insignia on the convoy, originally angry and ready to curse, heads were deeply lowered.
They dared not curse.
That was the convoy of the Alliance Army, the only rulers of the north, while they were just ordinary people struggling for survival at the bottom.
Not to mention dust being kicked into the pot.
Even if they were told to eat sand right now, they had no power to refuse.
Some live, but live worse than dogs.
Seeing this, Punk felt slightly moved and clenched his palm.
"Are you angry?" At this moment, sitting in the car, Marianne suddenly spoke.
Her words made Punk startle, but he quickly reacted, smiling as he replied, "Lady Marianne, what are you talking about?"
"You’re very capable, very cunning, but you must remember one thing; if you wish to be above others, do not have any pity."
"Am I right? ’Ten Sand Coins,’ Punk."
Marianne suddenly uttered Punk’s nickname.
This caused his heart to twist tightly, but after seeing Han Zhan still sitting there beside him, he regained composure.
Almost forgot, there’s a Tier Nine Ultimate Powerhouse backing me up.
Seeing Punk’s calm and composed demeanor return, Marianne nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good, just like that."
"Although I don’t know how you killed Tukalu and his followers, I don’t care."
"To me, Tukalu was just a dog, and one that was gradually becoming disobedient."
"I wanted to replace him with someone more compliant, and you are a good choice."
Marianne’s words renewed Punk’s understanding of this noblewoman.
She was much smarter and shrewder than he imagined.
She recognized the anomaly at Tukalu Camp but didn’t point it out. Instead, she wished to use him for her own purposes, to replace Tukalu’s position.
Thinking of this, Punk’s face broke into a smile again.
"I have no reason to refuse, Madam."
