Chapter 275: Playing Hard to Get

On the main road outside the City-State, a Wolf-eared Beastman dressed in black animal hide stood beside the road, advertising a small bag of salt wrapped in animal skin.

"Hey, brother! Do you want to buy some salt? I’ve got some here, and I’m selling it cheaply. Only ten white beast crystals!"

A Mole Beastman passing by immediately stopped in his tracks.

Ten white beast crystals?

That cheap?

The lowest-quality salt sold in the City-State cost at least twenty white beast crystals. Yet this Wolf-eared Beastman was asking for only ten.

Was there something wrong with the salt?

Unable to resist his curiosity, the Mole Beastman approached him.

"Brother, is there something wrong with your salt? Why are you selling it for only ten white beast crystals?"

Salt was an expensive commodity in the City-State, and only a few Tribes could afford to purchase it in large quantities.

Occasionally, Tribes with surplus supplies would sell some salt at reduced prices in exchange for beast crystals. However, most of that salt had been stored for a long time. It was usually discolored or coarse, and even then, it generally cost around fifteen white beast crystals.

This stranger was selling his salt for only ten!

Seeing that someone had finally approached him, Dema immediately opened the animal-skin pouch.

"Take a look for yourself, brother. Doesn’t this salt look good?"

The Mole Beastman leaned forward.

The moment he saw the contents of the pouch, his eyes widened.

The salt was snow-white and exceptionally fine. Under the sunlight, the tiny crystals sparkled beautifully, looking even purer and more delicate than the finest refined white salt sold in the City-State.

Salt of this quality would normally cost three purple beast crystals!

Only wealthy Beastmen or large Tribes could afford to purchase it regularly.

Yet this stranger was offering it for a mere ten white beast crystals.

The Mole Beastman couldn’t believe his luck.

He cautiously asked, "You’re really selling it for only ten white beast crystals?"

Dema nodded confidently.

"Of course! The salt is right here in front of you. What reason would I have to lie?"

The Mole Beastman glanced around to make sure no one was watching too closely. Then he hurriedly reached into his robe, retrieved ten white beast crystals, and handed them over.

"Then give me one portion, brother!"

"Certainly!"

Dema accepted the beast crystals, carefully wrapped the salt in its animal-skin pouch, and handed it to the customer.

The Mole Beastman happily accepted his purchase and tucked it securely into the pouch at his waist.

He had just obtained salt of exceptional quality for a fraction of its usual price!

What a bargain!

Unfortunately, his excitement attracted the attention of other Beastmen passing along the road.

Several of them noticed the exchange and approached curiously. When they saw the quality of the salt, their eyes lit up.

"Brother, I want a portion too!"

"Give me one as well!"

"Don’t forget about me! I’ll buy some!"

The crowd quickly gathered around Dema.

After all, the salt was even better than the highest-grade refined white salt available in the City-State. Buying it at such a low price was practically a gift.

Ten white beast crystals was an unbelievable bargain.

However, just as everyone was preparing to take out their beast crystals, Dema shook his head apologetically.

"I’m sorry, everyone. Today’s salt has already been sold out. I only brought one portion."

He gestured toward the now-empty animal-skin pouch.

"If you want to buy some, you’ll have to come back to this spot tomorrow."

The Beastmen immediately looked disappointed.

They had arrived too late!

But Dema genuinely had no more salt to sell, so they had no choice but to leave.

Some decided to return the following day, determined not to miss such a bargain again.

Meanwhile, Second beastman and Third beastman were doing exactly the same thing on two other roads leading into the City-State.

Their method was identical to Dema’s.

Each of them sold only one portion of salt per day, then announced that they would return to the same location the following morning.

This arrangement had been planned in advance by Sora.

She had specifically instructed them to sell only one portion each day for three consecutive days.

The goal wasn’t to earn a fortune from selling salt.

It was to attract attention.

And judging by the reactions of the Beastmen who had purchased the salt, the plan was already working.

Inside the main hall of the City-State, dim yellow torchlight illuminated the enormous chamber.

Long shadows stretched across the floor, while the carved wolf heads decorating the beams watched over the hall with an imposing air.

A silver-furred Wolf Beastman knelt before a young man reclining on an animal-skin seat.

"Young Master, I’ve gathered some information about those three Beastmen selling salt."

The young man resting on the animal skins half-opened his eyes. His snow-white wolf tail flicked lazily beside him.

"Oh? Tell me."

"Those three sell only one bag of salt each day. Once they finish selling, they immediately leave and return to wherever they’re staying."

The young man raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting. Where is the salt? Let me see it."

"Yes, Young Master!"

The silver Wolf Beastman immediately stood up, retrieved a pouch wrapped in animal skin from his robe, and approached the seat.

Holding the pouch with both hands, he respectfully presented it to the young man.

The snow-white Werewolf accepted it and examined the contents with an initially indifferent expression.

However, the moment he opened the pouch, his eyes sharpened.

He dipped his slender fingers into the salt, rubbed a few grains between them, and brought them closer to his nose.

A moment later, his expression became more serious.

"The quality is indeed excellent."

He studied the salt carefully.

"It is remarkably fine, and its color is even better than our premium salt. It doesn’t have the usual fishy or bitter smell, either."

He lifted his gaze toward the kneeling Beastman.

"This doesn’t look like salt that leaked out of our City-State’s supplies. Did you discover where they obtained it?"

The silver Wolf Beastman lowered his head in embarrassment.

"This subordinate followed them for most of the journey, but I lost track of them halfway."

The young man’s lips curved into a mocking smile.

"You lost them?"

He tilted his head.

"Clinton I never thought there would be anyone you couldn’t follow. It seems your Windless Legs aren’t as invincible as you claim."

Clinton’s face flushed with embarrassment.

"It wasn’t because they were faster than me! They suddenly disappeared!"

"Disappeared?"

The young man sat up a little straighter.

"Explain."

Clinton hurriedly continued.

"They entered a patch of tall grass. Their figures became blurry, and when I finally managed to make my way through the grass, they were gone. I even used tracking techniques, but I couldn’t find any trace of them."

The young man’s expression turned thoughtful.

"They disappeared inside the grass?"

"Yes."

"And they didn’t say anything unusual?"

Clinton shook his head.

"Not a word."

The young man rubbed his chin.

The three Beastmen had appeared out of nowhere, possessed salt of extraordinary quality, sold only one bag each day, and vanished whenever someone tried to follow them.

It was obvious that they were doing this deliberately.

He leaned back against the animal skins, a faint smile returning to his face.

"This is getting interesting."

Clinton immediately volunteered, "Young Master, don’t worry. I’ll bring more men tomorrow and capture them before they can disappear again!"

The young man chuckled.

"You won’t catch them tomorrow."

Clinton looked up in confusion.

"Why not? Are they not coming back to sell salt?"

"Who would travel all the way here just to sell one bag of salt every day?"

The young man tapped the pouch thoughtfully.

"It’s clearly a performance designed to attract our attention."

His gaze settled on the snow-white crystals.

"I don’t know where they obtained such high-quality salt, but I doubt they’ll keep selling it at this price for long."

He smiled faintly.

"Just wait. Eventually, they’ll come looking for us."

Clinton’s eyes widened as he considered the implication.

"Young Master, do you think they have their own salt mine?"

"It’s certainly possible. Otherwise, where would they obtain enough raw material to refine salt of this quality?"

The young man paused.

"However, the nearby Salt Lakes and salt fields are practically all controlled by our City-State. That’s what makes this situation so interesting."

He turned toward Clinton.

"For the next few days, have people keep watch outside the city gates. If those three appear again, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Clinton was about to withdraw when a hurried voice suddenly interrupted them.

"Report!"

Another Wolf Beastman rushed into the hall and knelt.

"Young Master, a Female Wolf is waiting outside the City-State gates. She requests an audience and claims that she knows how to make salt!"

The snow-white Werewolf raised an eyebrow.

Before Clinton could react, the young man’s lips curved into an amused smile.

"She arrived so quickly?"

He seemed almost disappointed.

"How boring. I thought the other party would play hard to get for a few more days."

He straightened his posture.

"Let her in."

When Serena was finally summoned into the main hall, she couldn’t help feeling nervous.

She had never visited such a magnificent place before.

The enormous chamber seemed capable of accommodating hundreds of Beastmen. Lifelike wolf heads had been carved into the beams overhead, their fierce expressions making the hall appear both majestic and intimidating.

Two enormous circular wooden pillars stood in the center, each decorated with a magnificent wolf totem.

Everything about the place radiated power and authority.

Serena had spent most of her life living among Tribes in the wilderness. She had never imagined that a City-State could be so impressive.

If the system hadn’t guided her here, she might never have discovered how prosperous and powerful this place was.

As she looked around, a deep, magnetic voice suddenly came from above her.

"Interesting. You came alone?"

Serena froze.

The voice continued with an unmistakably playful tone.

"Where are your three Beast Husbands?"

The speaker was Levi.

He sat lazily on an animal-skin seat, one leg bent while his head rested against his hand. Dressed in pristine white animal hide, he looked every bit like someone accustomed to commanding others.

His tall figure, exquisite features, and slightly wicked expression made him exceptionally handsome.

His snow-white wolf tail hung partly over the edge of the seat, swaying lazily as his narrow eyes studied the Female standing below him.

Serena looked up.

For a moment, she forgot what she had intended to say.

Is this the conquest target the system mentioned?

He was incredibly handsome!

His appearance was every bit as striking as that of Sora’s six Beast Husbands.

Serena’s heart began beating faster.

If she could successfully conquer someone like him, her position would surely improve dramatically.

But just as she was about to approach him with confidence, she suddenly remembered her appearance.

Her hair had been badly burned in the fire. Some parts were longer than others, while other sections had been burned away completely.

She had struggled to obtain a wig that could cover most of her bald scalp.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to conceal her condition if nobody examined her too closely.

Fortunately, the system had promised her a reward of beautiful hair if she successfully established herself in the City-State.

Once she obtained that reward, she would never have to worry about anyone discovering her baldness again.

Serena had also carefully applied pearl powder to her face, hoping to conceal her injuries and make herself look more attractive.

She was convinced that she could still capture Levi’s attention.

After all, she was the Female Lead of this world!

With that confidence restored, she looked at the handsome Werewolf on the seat and prepared to respond.

However, his earlier question continued to bother her.

Three Beast Husbands?

What was he talking about?

Serena blinked in confusion.

"Three Beast Husbands? What three Beast Husbands?"