Pretending To Be A Boss

Dong Ran only felt the atmosphere of the conversation was strangely tense.

Qiao Shanshan had read enough books to figure that the mention of eating people here was probably a metaphor.

Only Akasi and Tang Xian wore complicated expressions, indicating heavy hearts.

Tang Xian, of course, knew that the cannibalism referred to by the two terrifying women was literal. He thought the two young ladies were also pondering over it, just unsure whether they'd deduced the real meaning.

His expression complex, he felt uneasy, merely hoping this talk would end soon and Bai Mansheng would return home early.

...

...

As the discussion reached its final stage, Bai Mansheng, though not prone to laughter or jokes, couldn't verbally outmaneuver Qing JiuYu. But the overall strength of the Serpent Clan being superior to that of the Fox Clan was an unchangeable fact.

In the end, Qing JiuYu agreed to lead her clan out of Tianque Plains.

Having scored a verbal advantage, Qing JiuYu's mood improved somewhat.

After all, she had been mentally prepared for this.

"Your people should be able to evacuate within seven days," she said.

"Seven days it is then. But since we have come to an agreement this time, let it be understood that my people will not come to Tianque Plains, and your Serpent Clan must not violate the Blood Wastelands. Should there be uninvited intruders, don't blame me for being heartless and ruthless."

Bai Mansheng replied coldly:

"Seeing you or your people already irritates me enough; rest assured."

"Is that so? Seeing my sister so beautiful doesn't bother me in the slightest," said Qing JiuYu.

"Are you done speaking? If so, then leave."

Bai Mansheng stood up, ready to take her leave.

"Sister, no need to hurry away. Since you're here, why not chat a little longer?" Qing JiuYu said, her smile enigmatic as she looked at Bai Mansheng.

"What else is there to discuss?" Bai Mansheng wasn't worried about Qing JiuYu tricking her.

"Public matters are done; naturally, we must discuss private ones."

"What private matters could possibly concern you and me?"

"Oh, come on, look at what you're saying. Back when we were just girls, the Endless Turtle gave its prophecy. Could it be you dislike seeing me because of that old turtle's nonsense?"

Bai Mansheng did not wish to dwell on this topic. Despite their beastly nature and instincts, they had developed human-like intelligence and personality traits, and their evolution closely mirrored that of humanity.

Among women, there were those passionate like Qing JiuYu and others as cold as Bai Mansheng.

Some, like Qing JiuYu, played with the world, and some, like Bai Mansheng, waited for a love eternal and unwavering.

A woman like Bai Mansheng, seemingly aloof, once she met someone she fancied, would become naively blissful, believing in things like fate and other esoteric concepts.

It's similar to how modern girls, far past the age of feudal superstition, still adore tarot readings and horoscopes.
Continue your adventure at empire

Qing JiuYu didn't care for the Endless Turtle's prophecy at all, but Bai Mansheng believed in it.

The Endless Turtle's prophecy had frustratingly intertwined the fates of two utterly opposing women.

Creatures capable of transforming into human form thanks to the power contained within a Soul Crystal were exceedingly rare.

The circle of disaster-level boss creatures and cataclysm-level boss creatures was essentially akin to human high society in miniature.

Bai Mansheng and Qing JiuYu were the two women most often compared over the years.

Because their human forms were too breathtakingly beautiful.

Qing JiuYu said:

"I'm not interested in your man. That old turtle must be senile. With our temperaments so different, how could we both fancy the same person? But if he actively seeks me out in the future, I wouldn't mind getting a taste for myself."

Bai Mansheng's gaze was icy as she replied:

"Is that what you wanted to say?"

"Of course not. I just want to know the answer to one question. Which of us do you think is more beautiful?"

"Ridiculous."

Bai Mansheng turned and was about to leave.

Tang Xian had a bad feeling.

To him, it indeed sounded like a trivial question. Human women wouldn't openly ask who was more beautiful compared to someone else. Even if they did, such thoughts would be kept hidden and tested in many other ways.

For instance, a girlfriend might take out a photo of herself and a co-worker and ask her boyfriend, "This is my colleague, do you think she's pretty?" Or maybe: "Ah, my best friend just put on a new lipstick, do you think the color looks good?"

The only acceptable answer to such questions was one that did not directly address the question itself.

But beasts were different; their thinking was much more straightforward. When they wanted to know who was more beautiful compared to someone else, they wouldn't go through messy tests.

Just as gazelles like to show off their horns and peacocks their feathers.

The way animals court each other is by competing over who is more attractive to the opposite sex.

Even though Bai Mansheng seemed cold and detached, deep down, she too wanted to know who was more beautiful between herself and Qing JiuYu.

"You think it's trivial because we only ever ask our own admirers. You bring yours, and I bring mine. But today, I've met someone truly impartial. His gaze is pure, and I believe you will trust his judgment once you see him."

Which is more beautiful, the fox spirit or the serpent spirit?

To the upper echelons of the mining zone creatures, it was an unsolved riddle.

Neither Qing JiuYu nor Bai Mansheng cared for these people's opinions.

Their gazes were unapologetically filled with desire to mate.

Such gazes, what right did they have to assess their beauty?

But they both cared about the answer to this question.

Bai Mansheng thought of someone, the reason why she stayed so long that day.

A story and fish soup were part of the reason, but that person's clear gaze was also a factor.

Her interest piqued, she stopped in her tracks.

Qing JiuYu's smile deepened as she turned to look at the wayfaring tree not too far away.

Dong Ran, Qiao Shanshan, and Tang Xiaojiu remained blissfully unaware, struck dumb.

Akasi's back was soaked with cold sweat.

Tang Xian shook his head helplessly.

Finally, the voice of judgment rang out.

"Tang Xian, come out and have a look. Who do you think is prettier, me or Bai Mansheng?"