Chapter 9: Chess Pieces

  "Adult! Adult!"

  Jack cautiously called out to Dean, who appeared to be deep in thought. Although Jack had been eager to escape during Dean's moment of contemplation, the bodies of Basoum and Shido on the ground made him wisely choose to abandon that idea. The former's corpse once again revealed Dean's incredible strength, which far surpassed his own; while the latter had driven him into a desperate situation: apart from choosing to cooperate with the person in front of him, Jack couldn't think of any other way out.

  As for going back to beg for mercy from the original boss 'Wild Fox' Mait?

  Jack who has eliminated his own people and betrayed others can only wait for the torture loved by that old boss.

  What's more, there was something in his body that left Jack with no choice - he didn't want to die!

  At this time, Jack could only hope that the person in front of him would fulfill what he had previously said.

  "Not bad! This is the antidote for the past half year, open your mouth!"

  In Jack's shouting voice, Dean came to his senses and threw the thing he had prepared long ago into the opponent's open mouth - his antidote was just something casual, if he didn't watch the other party take it, Dean couldn't rest assured; after all, although there were not many alchemists who were proficient in refining medicine, there were also not a few.

  The appearance of anyone could break his lie.

  Before thoroughly taking over 'Wild Fox' Mite's power, Dean didn't intend to let this lie be exposed.

  No mistake, at this time Dean had already thought of the use of Jack who was originally going to be silenced by him - whether it was that smuggling channel or some underlings walking in the shadows, Dean needed to take over Mitt's 'Wild Fox' power; of course, relying on his current self and Jack, it was still far from enough.

  Still need some careful planning.

  And with that thought in mind, Dean slowed down his tone in the following conversation: "Jack, bring out everything you've brought!"

  "Alright, sir!"

  Jack, who had just narrowly escaped, was unaware that he was only temporarily relieved of the threat; however, thinking that it was only half a year's time, facing Dean's orders, this thief-turned-Jack became even more obedient.

  Under Dean's command, Jack quickly ran out a distance of about twenty yards, carefully searched for half a day, and then picked up the long sword in his hand to dig - it was clear that the bandits who came to Horn Town were quite careful and knew how to hide things that couldn't be seen.

  Is using a long sword for digging an insult to the meaning of the sword?

  Born of a bandit, Jack couldn't care less, he wasn't a knight, all he knew was that his hand hurt, and using a sword would save more energy.

  Everyone is here!

  After five minutes of digging, Jack moved over a trunk that was slightly larger than the previous one. Judging from Jack's strained expression, Dean estimated that the trunk was much heavier than it looked; of course, this also proved that its value was not low.

  "Search carefully and bury them, remember to dig a deeper hole!"

  Dean, lowering his voice again, ordered Jack, who was eager to complain about the continuous digging that had consumed a lot of physical strength and needed a rest. However, facing Dean's dark and profound eyes hidden under the hood, Jack wisely chose to remain silent and began to drag the two corpses to the place where they had previously dug up the box.

  No doubt, this robber wanted to expand on the basis of this cave; at least, this could save him some effort; so as not to exhaust himself from completing the command of that great figure who terrified him after his death.

  After all, he had no way of guaranteeing how the other side would treat him if he didn't complete his mission.

  As Jack extended the trench with his long sword once again, Dean didn't say anything - he let him leave with a deliberate intention, burying the body was just an excuse, and more out of caution; after all, it was this way that he had previously 'diverted attention' to take down Basoum, who was stronger than him. Dean did not want to follow in Basoum's footsteps, even if Jack appeared very gentle and respectful.

  Bang!

  The bronze lock, under the impact of the long sword's hilt, quickly twisted and came off its latch - apparently, none of the four robbers, including Basoum, had a key on them; this lock existed to show good faith, 'Wild Fox' Mito's good faith.

  Dien could have guessed that the key to unlock this lock was in the hands of that 'wild fox' Mite, who was about to make a deal and form an alliance with a big shot.

  However, it's likely that this 'wild fox' Mite didn't think that his own greed would thoroughly destroy his plan and even get himself hanged from the city gate - yes, from start to finish, that Ruman Pola from the Emerald City was just a fat sheep targeted by bandits.

  As for 'Wild Fox' Maitreya's trading object?

  Dyne certainly had some guesses - to know that in Yorkshire, there were not many people who could be looked up by 'Wild Fox' Mite from Wobang County, and coincidentally, according to Dyne's memory, Horn Town was one of them; or... Horn Town was the other party's territory.

  The second son of the Marquess of York, in charge of two of the eight fiefs within the two large and six small areas of Yorkshire, is Duren. York, while Horn Town is just one of the four towns in the other fief, excluding Tiqiao City.

  For the second son of the Marquis of York, in the previous generation Diene was still fresh in memory - during the First Blood Moon War, the cavalry of the Xiti Kingdom broke through the Yorkshire regarded by the Feicui Kingdom as the northern barrier in less than three days, and this second son of Yorkshire made an unforgettable contribution.

  Of course, it's not a rebellion, just a struggle between the eldest and second sons of the nobility.

  Unfortunately, however, the opportunity was seized by King Xiti, who launched a surprise attack on the Emerald Capital, marking the beginning of the First Blood Moon War and the crushing defeat of the Emerald Kingdom.

  So, for this younger son of the Marquess of York, Dean had no good feelings at all, and it was not an exaggeration to say that he felt disgusted.

  So when he picked up the letter that was placed on top of the box and confirmed his own guess without error, Dean let out a cold hum.

  The entire letter didn't have much content, mostly just that "wild fox" Maitre's passionate and flattering words, only in the last part did he bring up the matter of the "smuggling route" - although it was only a few brief sentences, anyone could see its importance, and Dean was no exception; after all, Dean had come for this very purpose.

  The wealth generated by this smuggling channel is immeasurable, especially for Dean - who wants to participate in a war and change its course, the most basic thing is gold, only with gold can you have equipment, weapons, and soldiers.

  Of course, in order to truly 'own' this smuggling route, some arrangements are necessary; first of all, that informed 'wild fox' Mitter must die!

  As for how to get rid of the "wild fox" Mait, Dean already had a very good idea and a ready-made candidate; therefore, in the next moment, Dean's gaze turned to Jack who had just finished burying the corpse.

  "Sir, please give your orders!"

  When Jack's gaze fell on him, such a greeting sound immediately rang out - although physical fatigue made Jack want to sit down and pant heavily, but when he saw Dean's gaze, Jack subconsciously straightened his body and asked with respect.

  "There's something I need you to take care of... What do you think about Mitter?"

  Dean deliberated over his words and said in a low tone.

  "Mitiao is very powerful... Of course, you are the most powerful, sir!"

  Jack couldn't make sense of Dean's question and just instinctively answered, but this robber gentleman didn't forget to add a sentence at the end - for things like flattery and bootlicking, almost everyone is self-taught, and this robber gentleman is no exception.

  "What if you were in his shoes?"

  Ignoring the other's clumsy flattery, Dean hid his eyes under the hood and stared at the other silently.

  "What?! I...I...He...He..."

  Jack let out an unconscious cry of surprise and then stuttered and couldn't say a word.

  "Think about it? To know... some opportunities come once in a lifetime!"

  Deane pressed on, and kept putting pressure on Jack.

  Sweat poured out from the forehead of this strong robber, a dense layer, and his originally dry lips due to fatigue became even more cracked, causing Jack to involuntarily stick out his tongue to lick them. His breathing began to quicken, and the sudden heat in his heart made his voice tremble.

  "Think, think!"

  Jack said so.

  Then Jack seemed to have lost all his strength, and collapsed on the ground - he looked up at Dean, who was standing by the bonfire, wrapped in a cloak, his shadow dancing and twisting in the flames like a devil emerging from hell, slowly and powerfully closing in on him. But he couldn't stop it or dodge it, because those claws not only had deadly sharpness but also brought with them an irresistible ** that made him immobile.