【To reach a managerial position within Liangxin Workshop, one not only needs great strength but also sharp wits above all else.】
【Zhu Shangjun reacted quickly, producing a beautifully crafted coral jade piece imbued with demon power, along with a painting of a court lady.】
【He whispered: “This painting has a magical effect. At night, if infused with demon power, ten beautiful women will serve you by your side. Consider this a small gift for your arrival.”】
【Ye Yu glanced at the coral jade. It was indeed impressive — elegant in shape, resembling a mermaid.】
【With a wave of his sleeve, he accepted it.】
【As for the painting, Ye Yu didn’t even look at it.】
【What a joke — why would he waste time playing with such things, especially from someone as sleazy-looking as /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Zhu Shangjun?】
【He preferred real combat.】
【Zhu Shangjun looked at Ye Yu’s empty left hand, then at the painting in his right hand.】
【He immediately understood Ye Yu’s disinterest and flipped over to reveal a quality jade pendant.】
【“Vice Workshop Master, this item calms the mind and spirit. Please accept it.”】
【Ye Yu said indifferently: “I appreciate the gesture. Take it back.”】
【After speaking, he focused his mind and broke through Zhu Shangjun’s formation barrier.】
【The two of them reappeared before the assembled demons.】
【Yan Gu, the tiger demon, was no fool. Seeing Zhu Shangjun kneeling before Ye Yu, he immediately recognized this as a higher-ranking Liangxin Workshop manager than Zhu Shangjun.】
【He promptly cupped his fists toward Ye Yu and smiled ingratiatingly.】
【Zhu Shangjun quickly stood up, regaining composure, though his mind kept pondering whether to send Ye Yu another gift later.】
【Ye Yu paid no mind to Zhu Shangjun’s scheming thoughts.】
【Instead, curiosity struck him — why did these demons give gifts to Liangxin Workshop?】
【He casually asked.】
【This question immediately made Zhu Shangjun nervous.】
【He hastily knelt again, explaining: “Vice Workshop Master, those were truly not gifts, just small tokens exchanged between me and this... this demon friend, a symbol of friendship at first meeting.”】
【“Isn’t that right?”】
【Zhu Shangjun desperately gestured at Yan Gu.】
【Understanding, Yan Gu quickly replied: “Yes, yes, it was purely a first-meeting bond. Now, I also feel that way about this lord here, and later I will send more tokens of friendship.”】
【Ye Yu smiled slightly, turned to Zhu Shangjun, and telepathically said: “I want the truth.”】
【Zhu Shangjun bit his lip and responded: “Report, Vice Workshop Master, in recent years, our Liangxin Workshop’s business has grown.】
【Most of the demons near the Ba’an Sea who seize underwater treasures sell them to our workshop.】
【First, it’s convenient; second, our prices are not low.】
【So naturally, they want to maintain good relations with us, hoping for better prices — that’s all.”】
【Upon hearing this, Ye Yu nodded thoughtfully.】
【This explanation seemed reasonable.】
【Since there was a superior-subordinate relationship, some things might become easier.】
【Thinking this, Ye Yu asked: “When do you plan to enter the sea? Take me to see.”】
【This...】
【Yan Gu glanced at the many Liangxin demons around and hesitated.】
【This was their long-held stakeout spot.】
【If good treasures were found, what if Liangxin Workshop cheated them?】
【Suddenly, Zhu Shangjun stepped forward.】
【He kicked Yan Gu over and said sternly: “Our Vice Workshop Master wants to go underwater with you — what’s the problem? Dare to refuse? Afraid Liangxin Workshop will cheat you?】
【We are a respectable workshop; we don’t do such things.】
【Let me tell you the truth — if you refuse, you all stay here today!”】
【Zhu Shangjun’s words carried murderous intent.】
【He had already decided that whatever Ye Yu wanted must be unconditionally fulfilled.】
【This was not only the Workshop Master’s order but also Zhu Shangjun’s token of loyalty.】
【After all, private collection of demon treasures was a capital offense in Liangxin Workshop.】
【Yan Gu and the others present showed anger at this.】
【Wasn’t this bullying?】
【But there was no denying Liangxin Workshop’s power.】
【Was it really necessary to swallow this injustice?】
【Ye Yu stepped forward and waved his hand.】
【A gentle force lifted Yan Gu up.】
【“Don’t be nervous. I’m simply curious and want to see the underwater situation.”】
【“There’s absolutely no other meaning.”】
【“And I promise that the treasures you get this time, our Liangxin Workshop will buy at about twenty percent above market price.”】
【Hearing this, Yan Gu was pleased.】
【He immediately agreed.】
【He claimed that the sea level had already dropped to the optimal line, and they were about to enter the sea. If the lord did not mind, he could go along.】
【Ye Yu naturally agreed.】
【He declined Zhu Shangjun’s offer to send people with him, intending to go alone.】
【This made Zhu Shangjun very uneasy.】
【Before coming, Feng Zhenxin had ordered that if a single hair fell from Ye Yu, he would be flayed and have his bones pulled out.】
【Not letting them follow felt very unsafe.】
【But Ye Yu’s decision was final, beyond their control.】
【A moment later, Yan Gu led Ye Yu and a group of demons underwater.】
【They used demon energy to carve out a vacuum space.】
【Along the way, Yan Gu was diligent, explaining their plan.】
【After much reconnaissance, they had found a new target.】
【It was a seahorse clan whose leader had just been seriously injured; they were all hiding in a patch of seaweed deep underwater.】
【The location was fully known, and they only needed to find the right moment to wipe them out in one strike.】
【Ye Yu showed a dubious expression.】
【The plan sounded good but seemed too smooth.】
【Could such coincidence really happen?】
【Facing Ye Yu’s doubt,】
【Yan Gu chuckled softly and said: “My lord, you don’t know — we have an undercover, a water demon.】
【All the previous ambushes on many demon tribes were based on his information.”】
【“This is our team’s core secret and guaranteed winning strategy.”】
【Ye Yu wanted to praise the skill — an undercover?】
【Demons stabbing demons — classic indeed.】
【What Ye Yu and his party did not know was that not far away, a demon was silently watching them.】
