Princess, Her Paramour!

Du Chen, facing Susanna's ardent invitation, merely waved his hand and smiled faintly. “As the guest, I follow the host's lead, so I beg Miss Susanna to proceed! These are the rules of the Clandestine Circles, are they not? We, the people of York Town, are sticklers for rules!”

“I’ve long heard grand tales of York Town's 'rules'! Since Thirteenth Master is so courteous…” Susanna chuckled, waving over several towering beast-tribe warriors to clear a path, making two mounts available for Du Chen and Deboning. “How about we ride side-by-side?”

“Obedience trumps deference!” Du Chen gave a respectful bow and only mounted his steed after Susanna had settled onto hers.

From the moment they met, Du Chen's every word and gesture had perfectly adhered to the codes of the Clandestine Circles, truly embodying the demeanor of a veritable chieftain making his presence known!

Susanna's central grand tent was still a considerable distance from the ranch's entrance. As the group advanced slowly, Du Chen surveyed the ranch's scenery, while Susanna observed Du Chen, particularly the Battle God attendant beside him, Deboning Brook!

Casting another discerning glance at Deboning, Susanna inquired, “And this is…?”

“He is my Battle God attendant; Miss Susanna may simply call him Brook!” Du Chen then patted the daughter in his arms. “And this is my adopted daughter!”

Little Beibei remained expressionless, resembling a small, dazed wooden puppet. This sight offered Susanna a slight measure of relief; Thirteenth Master couldn't be here to cause trouble, otherwise, he wouldn't bring a child! Yet, when she looked at his Battle God attendant… though he radiated no particularly strong aura, his eyes betrayed a coldness that only those whose hands had been stained with countless blood could possess!

Moreover, given Thirteenth Master's standing in the Clandestine Circles, he wouldn't possibly bring a useless attendant! Therefore, there was only one explanation: this Battle God's true strength far exceeded her ability to perceive, or he had already reached a realm above Nine-Star Battle God—the profound state of 'Returning to Primordial Purity'. If it was the latter, that would be terrifying indeed…

Du Chen casually surveyed the ranch's layout. Along the way, beast-tribe soldiers brandished weapons, performing the beastmen's highest welcoming ritual—the Auerbach War Dance. Du Chen's attention wasn't on the war dance, of course; his gaze skipped past the dancers, secretly observing the Daobet people diligently working in the distance.

Compared to Du Chen's first infiltration, the number of Daobet had diminished further—those who'd disappeared must have already gone underground!

“Oh? Daddy, look!” Little Beibei suddenly pointed at the dancing soldiers, who were mid-movement. This particular action made her usually serious little face bloom into a smile.

Du Chen almost burst out laughing himself—leaping high, spiraling their legs, then kneeling, hands on knees, dramatically bowing their heads before rising, repeating the motion… If these beastmen were to shout, “My apologies, my apologies…” it would be Professor Jemison's unique ultimate technique—the Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall!

Upon reaching the golden grand tent at the center of the ranch, Susanna ordered a feast prepared and dismissed her attendants, leaving only those few 'friends' who had heard of 'Thirteenth Master's' reputation, and a towering bear-tribe Battle God!

She ogled Du Chen's face lecherously, as if she wished to devour him whole. Though Du Chen found Susanna's demeanor utterly repulsive, he had vital matters on his mind and could only feign civility and play along. Yet, Du Chen also noticed that as Susanna gazed at him with lustful eyes, the privileged individuals remaining in the tent were all ogling Susanna!

Interesting!

“Gentlemen, Thirteenth Master has arrived; please introduce yourselves!” Susanna gestured towards Du Chen with a smile.

A scrawny, withered human was the first to stand. “Kerry of the Yamis Duchy, greets Thirteenth Master!” Saying this, he bowed slightly.

“Quta, of the Dibite people, greets Thirteenth Master!”

…

There were seven people in total. They only stated their names and nationalities, omitting their aliases and Battle God ranks, confident that their names were unique across the Three Continents! In fact, Du Chen had heard of all of them when learning about the Clandestine Circles' powers from the York Town masters; they were all revered and enigmatic… Heh heh!

Du Chen bowed in return, placing Little Beibei on the table and allowing her to sample the beast-tribe milk wine. He smiled, “My arrival is abrupt, disturbing your affairs, but for Miss Susanna to assemble so many masters from the Clandestine Circles, her identity must be extraordinary, wouldn't you agree?”

Before Susanna could speak, a hint of arrogance flickered across the bear-tribe Battle God's face beside her.

“The Grand Princess of the Macallan Empire!” he declared loudly.

“By the Battle Gods above! So it's Her Royal Highness, the Grand Princess!” Du Chen rose, thinking to himself, <em>No wonder the perpetrators could acquire standard Macallan Empire armaments and command such a vast military force!</em>

“Thirteenth Master, please be seated. Today, and in the days to come, we shall operate strictly according to the rules of the Clandestine Circles, irrespective of our individual statuses!” Susanna also rose, chuckling alluringly. “If Thirteenth Master doesn't sit, I wouldn't dare!”

Her mannerisms remarkably resembled the influential figures Du Chen had known in his previous life, those who humbled themselves to befriend reclusive figures of the Clandestine Circles!

Once Du Chen was seated, Susanna asked, “A person of noble standing such as yourself would not visit my ranch without reason. Let's be frank! You've likely already guessed the nature of our business, haven't you?”

Du Chen nodded with a smile. “My Battle God attendant detected some minor activity beneath the ground nearby. I became curious and took a few covert peeks; those tools naturally revealed to me what the Grand Princess intends to do.” After speaking, Du Chen thought to himself, <em>Susanna, are you surprised?!</em>

Susanna was indeed startled within. <em>Those Daobet are digging tunnels tens of meters underground, and Thirteenth Master's Battle God attendant could sense it from the surface? What immense power! Even a Nine-Star Battle God might not be capable of that, unless his Battle God attendant is an Earth-element Nine-Star Battle God!? Only an Earth-element Nine-Star Battle God could detect what was happening dozens of meters deep underground! Hmm, the power of York Town is indeed capable of recruiting such a supreme expert!</em>

<em>It must be so. Otherwise, Thirteenth Master, having never seen the ranch's contents, couldn't possibly have guessed what we are doing! We must make those Daobet dig even deeper! And if I can recruit him, it would greatly benefit my plans…</em>

Susanna secretly made up her mind, feeling a touch more awe towards Du Chen. She chuckled again, “Then, Thirteenth Master, have you guessed our objective?”

“To be frank, I also operate in this line of work. Though we share the same calling, our methods differ, but I know a little of your methods and… habits, my friends! Heh heh, in this vicinity, there is only one objective that would compel top experts of this profession to act together!”

Their expressions grew somewhat strained, and the bear-tribe Battle God behind Susanna even emitted killing intent. But Susanna smiled at his words. “Thirteenth Master is truly well-informed! Since you've happened upon this, we naturally cannot let Thirteenth Master have come in vain. We will follow the rules and grant Thirteenth Master a share!”

Du Chen smiled but did not answer. Instead, he surveyed the 'reclusive figures' seated around him. He spoke clearly, “The Princess is too polite. When one stumbles upon a friend's dealings, a wise person knows how to act. How could I simply accept the Princess's favors for nothing? Since I've revealed myself, is my intention not clear?!”

The 'friends' exchanged glances and nodded. Indeed, there was such a rule in the Clandestine Circles, but its true meaning was secrecy—either eliminate the one who knows the secret, or implicate them, so the secret will not be leaked! However, there were always exceptions; for instance, Du Chen's identity as Thirteenth Master of York Town meant that even these 'friends' combined with Princess Susanna might not be able to provoke him, which is why Susanna proactively offered Du Chen a share!

Du Chen chuckled again, “Originally, I could have simply left, and you would never know I had stumbled upon your dealings. But once I guessed your objective… Heh heh, I, Thirteenth Master of York Town, care not for Gold Coins, but among your target's possessions, there should be one or two items that pique my interest!”

Everyone's gaze fell upon Susanna. The Grand Princess smiled. “If none of you friends have other objections, I suggest we modify our plan. I still only want that one item. The rest of the treasures, if Thirteenth Master is not interested, will all be yours. And Thirteenth Master can choose any one item that interests him, what say you?”

They exchanged glances and unanimously agreed. It seemed this 'Thirteenth Master' identity was quite effective. Only the bear-tribe Battle God anxiously interjected, “Princess, we still don't know his true background…”

“Uncle Babylon, rest assured!” Susanna chuckled. “Few would dare impersonate 'Thirteenth Master'. And with that divine technique he just displayed, no one could possibly impersonate him. Furthermore, once 'Thirteenth Master' becomes involved in such a matter, there's no turning back. His very participation in this matter is the greatest reason for him to maintain secrecy! Have you forgotten our beast-tribe's laws and customs? Even if 'Thirteenth Master' truly deigned to lower himself to infiltrate and investigate, once he participates, he will face the full, relentless pursuit of our entire beast-tribe nation—even if he were sent by my own elder brother, he would still be executed!”

That bear-tribe Battle God grinned broadly. “Indeed, it is so. Once one participates in this matter, regardless of identity, if the news leaks, they will be executed, no matter their status! Because no one has the authority to pardon his crime!”

Du Chen listened quietly, smiling. “So, it's settled, then!?”

“It's settled!” Susanna slammed her hand down on the table. “Bring the blood wine! Welcome Thirteenth Master to our ranks!”

“Wait a moment!” The scrawny, withered Kerry suddenly raised his hand. “I don't object to Thirteenth Master joining, but this venture is one where we put our heads on the line. Thirteenth Master must at least give us proof that you will not be a liability!”

“I've already said, I share the same calling, but not the same methods…” Du Chen chuckled, rose, patted Kerry on the shoulder, then placed a small pickaxe on the table, grabbing it to perform several peculiar movements!

Kerry froze. Everyone present was startled. Kerry was the first to recover, bursting into laughter. “So Thirteenth Master is truly one of us! I'm impressed, your skill can indeed command awe in this era…” Suddenly, a chill ran down his neck. Without a sound, Deboning's hand had, at some unknown moment, seized Kerry's neck!

The bear-tribe Battle God, Babylon, seeing Du Chen and Deboning's display, his eyes lit up, and he said joyfully, “Princess, our chances have increased by at least twenty percent!”

Susanna smiled with delight. “Good, we shall immediately seal our alliance with a blood oath!”

Watching Du Chen cut his fingertip and drink the blood wine, Susanna smiled. “Someone, prepare a tent for Thirteenth Master. Tomorrow, we shall discuss important matters!”

After Du Chen and Deboning withdrew from the tent, Susanna kept only the bear-tribe Battle God, Babylon, and said with a gloomy expression, “Tonight, there's no need to arrange a paramour to attend to me!” Her smile turned alluring. “Heh! Who would have thought, Thirteenth Master is so young and handsome! He's completely to my taste!”

Babylon asked curiously, “Princess, surely tonight… his attendant is not easy to deal with!”

“What's wrong? Love between man and woman is natural. Will Thirteenth Master's attendant stop him from seeking women? Uncle, what are you trying to say?”

“Princess, these past years, you've had countless paramours…”

“Enough, Uncle, say no more!” Susanna was a little impatient. “To control men, I only trust my own body! Don't you agree? Aren't those seven experts, invited from across the Three Continents, willing to pledge their lives because they can't leave me? Hmm? Hahahaha!”

Susanna chuckled alluringly again. “If I can make Thirteenth Master unable to leave me from now on, then the great endeavor we undertake after obtaining that item will proceed even more smoothly!”

Babylon hesitated for a moment, then stopped trying to dissuade her. “Very well, my Battle God Oath is to protect you, Princess! I shall obey your every wish!” But then he added, “Thirteenth Master himself doesn't seem easy to deal with. He showed no reaction to your beauty today, this…”

“Hmph!” Susanna caressed her own body, sneering coldly. “I have many ways to deal with men. Whether he's a man of iron or stone, I can melt him down… Tonight, even if I have to use force, I will have Thirteenth Master!”

As she spoke, Susanna exited the tent, the unique alluring smile of the fox-tribe gracing her face. “Handsome little Thirteenth, your elder sister is coming to keep you company…”