Her good father must have given the guards orders not to disturb, no matter what happens, otherwise the guards outside would have reported Lan’s intrusion earlier.
Only Miss Lan, with prestige and status, could arrive here alone in such a situation.
Although it wasn’t her original intention, since she had happened upon it, Lan deliberately lowered her footsteps and quietly approached the door of the study, eavesdropping on what was happening inside.
In addition to her familiar father Taylor Tulls’s voice, there was also a man whom Lan was very unfamiliar with talking to him.
“Don’t tell me this nonsense, hardships are hardships, who doesn’t face them? Now that the war in the Southern Abyss has ended, Her Majesty’s attention is fully focused here. It’s already difficult enough to keep it from the ears above, and at a time like this, you want me to send more people to assist you? Are you afraid there aren’t enough people who know, or that they’re not dying fast enough?”
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“I can tell you, Her Majesty the current Queen is different from the previous King. My father has hinted to me more than once. Although he didn’t express it too explicitly, Queen Lilya’s political strategy is likely to be compromise. She will never allow us to do these things on our own.”
“Once the truth comes out, my Tulls family may face some punishment, but what about you rats that can’t bear the light? Do I need to emphasize it?”
Hearing the familiar voice making such treasonous remarks, even Lan couldn’t help but feel a sinking feeling in her heart. Although she still didn’t know what her father was planning, just based on this deception to the king, it was enough to bring down the entire Tulls family.
While the Tulls family was indeed large and difficult to shake easily, individuals were not immune. Her father was just deceiving the other party. In the conversation, he deliberately elevated his position.
This was a common negotiating technique in official circles, and the people of the Tulls family were well versed in it. If it were a noble who was also adept at strategy in their career, they might easily see through it and counterattack, but the person he was clearly talking to lacked this sophistication and capability.
“Master, I understand everything you’ve said, but if this siege fails again, we won’t be able to hide it much longer! Those demons are searching for us like madmen, each one more vicious than the last, using all sorts of strange methods. Many of them, even experienced brothers in the group haven’t seen before, and the other three gangs are also taking advantage to trip us up.”
“Although we’ve laid out a big plan this time, relying only on traps and the manpower of the first and second squads, if those guys manage to slip away again...”
Perhaps sensing the difficulties on the other side, the Lord’s tone became more helpless.
“In addition to the batch assisting you, all other city guards and internal security forces are fully engaged in hunting down the demons. Financial support has also been provided in full. This should be enough to demonstrate our sincerity in cooperation. As long as this plan succeeds, even if we can’t annihilate them entirely, it will certainly inflict heavy losses on those beasts. By then, your pressure will also be much lighter.”
“These demons’ methods are indeed strange, and their strength is formidable, but this only shows how urgent the situation is for the creatures. This elite force must be very important to them. As long as we eliminate them, it will undoubtedly deal a huge blow to the demons.”
“If handled properly, our human race can completely suppress the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains for the next few hundred years, even turning them into breeding grounds. You should be able to imagine the benefits we can reap then, right? Remember, whether this plan succeeds or not is not crucial, but regardless, you Ghost Thief Group must hide that offspring for me!”
The voice of the man, presumably a member of the Ghost Thief Group, became somewhat puzzled.
“Sir, I don’t quite understand. Since the demons value this offspring so much, why don’t we just kill her directly? We’ve been studying her for half a day and haven’t figured anything out. Besides, that thing seems to be sleeping all day long, not eating or drinking, completely different from a normal Shadow Moon offspring. It feels very strange.”
“Fool! Remember this! Without permission, you absolutely cannot let that cursed creature die! The Shadow Moon clan must have a way to sense the status of their heir. Only by keeping her alive can we make the demons wary and dare not break ties with us, understand!”
“The Abyss War in the south came too suddenly, greatly disrupting our deployments. Our country’s military strength has not yet fully gathered... I know this is difficult for you, but in any case, we must wait until the main army arrives in the north, otherwise all of this will be meaningless.”
The Lord’s stern words suddenly softened, and Lan knew that her father intended to appease the other party, give some verbal promises, and paint some big pictures.
Just typical political tricks.
Sure enough, inside, Taylor’s affable and gentle voice continued, sounding like two intimate friends chatting.
“Don’t worry, as long as things succeed, you will be heroes of the entire human race. The promised rewards will not be reduced at all. I can even secretly support your Ghost Thief Group to become the true leader of the entire underground underworld of Demon Suppression City, stepping on the other three organizations.”
“So... keep working hard. This is the last darkness before dawn.”
It seems that the person inside, even if not the leader of the Ghost Thief Group, is definitely an important high-level figure.
Being able to rise to such a position in such a large-scale poaching organization and directly responsible for such an important task, this person must have some skills.
But unfortunately, compared to the astute and cunning Vice Patriarch of the Tulls Family, Taylor, this guy clearly lacks in both strategy and intelligence. He’s being duped left and right.
After a moment of silence, he could only grit his teeth and accept Taylor’s empty promises, ending the conversation without anything further from the other side but mere words.
“Well, we’ll do our best to hide as much as possible. Regarding that plan, once the fish takes the bait, we will inform you of the follow-up results as soon as possible. But if, unfortunately, we fail, please urge the city lord to strengthen the city’s defenses. Recently, our brothers have suffered heavy casualties, and we dare not even step out of the door.”
“Yes, of course. After all, cooperation requires effort from both sides.”
Taylor, as always, used an ambiguous tone to reassure the other party.
As footsteps sounded inside the room, Lan knew that the fellow from the Ghost Thief Group was probably about to leave.
Although she wanted to take action now and catch the ringleader of this poaching gang, her father would definitely not allow it. Tearing faces now not only had no meaning but would also further stiffen and worsen the situation.
Since she had already chosen to cooperate with Violet, Lan decided to hide her position as much as possible and resolve this incident in a more effective manner.
The girl leaped gracefully, like a spirit cat, onto the roof, making no sound, and crouched down quietly, waiting.
Before long, someone pushed open the door of the study and hurriedly left through the side passage. Lan listened to the faint footsteps in her ears without using her eyes to see.
She knew that many poachers were very sensitive to things like sightlines. This was an instinct they had developed from years of living and moving through dangerous areas filled with monsters. It wasn’t worth the risk of exposing oneself out of curiosity.
After the person left, Lan estimated the time and waited a while longer on the roof before jumping down. She deliberately made obvious footsteps as she approached and knocked on the study door.
“Who’s there! Didn’t I say not to disturb me randomly?!”
Along with Taylor’s voice, there was also the sound of him hastily tidying up some papers or something. Lan sighed inwardly but pretended to be clueless on the surface, speaking in her usual cold tone.
“Father, it’s me. Are you busy?”
“Ah? Lan?! How... how come you’re suddenly back at this time? Just wait a moment! Daddy will be right there!”
The city lord seemed quite surprised by his daughter’s sudden visit, and there was a hint of undisguised joy in his tone.
The hurried sound of tidying up abruptly stopped, replaced by the slight sounds of adjusting his hat, sweeping the floor, and straightening his clothes. Before long, the door opened from inside.
Standing before her was a middle-aged man of about forty, dressed in a dark golden brocade robe. His short black hair was tied up, concealed under the official hat representing his status as the city lord. His facial features were sharp, exuding an imposing aura.
But paired with his current somewhat obsequious smile, it seemed somewhat strange and discordant.
“Lan, you’re back! It’s... why didn’t you notify me in advance? I could have arranged for people to welcome you and prepare a feast... Ah! You must be hungry, come in and have some fruit first. I’ll go arrange for the kitchen to prepare a banquet!”
Seeing the familiar face before her and the awkward demeanor of the Lord of Demon Suppression City, Lan sighed silently in her heart once again.
This was another important reason why she chose to move out.
Taylor Tulls, her father, was a complete and irredeemable daughter-controller.