Mist Empire’s Rise: Fake Noble to Fog Queen

"With Mr. Bunian's word, I can rest assured."

"However," Luo Wei frowned and continued, "two thousand gold coins is too heavy. I never carry that much money when I go out. Mr. Bunian, do you like jewelry?"

"Anything valuable can be exchanged," Zachary said with narrowed eyes. "We northerners have always practiced bartering."

"That's good." Luo Wei grabbed a handful of pearls from her money pouch. The iridescent pearls were studded with sparkling diamonds, with several rubies and sapphires mixed in.

She counted them and handed two gems and a small handful of pearls to Zachary.

"This is the deposit. The rest will be paid after the delivery."

When Zachary saw her money pouch, his eyes flickered.

Which family's young lady was this, that her family allowed her to handle so much money?

Zachary suddenly regretted his earlier contempt for Luo Wei, as they were in need of money right now.

"So, miss, where is this place you mentioned?"

Only after receiving the jewelry did Zachary realize he hadn't asked where to deliver the people.

Luo Wei's red lips parted slightly as she uttered a few words: "Demon Island."

Zachary's expression changed dramatically: "Demon Island?"

"Yes," Luo Wei raised her eyebrows, her dark eyes dancing with a mesmerizing smile, "What's wrong, Mr. Bunian? Are you afraid?"

Zachary's gaze grew heavy: "Little girl, are you playing games with me?"

Everyone in the Western Continent knew what kind of place Demon Island was.

Legend had it that it was a gathering place for undead and magical creatures. Even mages might not escape once they went there. Over the years, countless adventure parties had gone there, all perishing on the island.

The few who managed to escape only did so because they never actually landed on the island, merely circling in the Demon Sea.

Some said Demon Island wasn't actually that frightening, as some mercenaries and bounty hunters had visited and returned intact.

But Zachary knew better than most, for he had met a mercenary who had ventured onto Demon Island. That mercenary's smugness didn't last long before he was devoured by magical creatures.

It turned out that even if they managed to escape from the island, they would be marked by evil energy and eventually die at the hands of the monsters they attracted.

Zachary stared at Luo Wei, his face turning fierce: "Miss Luo Wei, the men of the North are not to be trifled with."

Luo Wei smiled faintly: "Mr. Bunian, do you think I'm trifling with you?"

"I'm making a very serious business proposition."

"Demon Island is my territory. Don't worry, someone will be there to receive you when you reach the shore."

Of course someone would receive them - it was her black factory, and she would have the undead drag these people ashore without missing a single one.

Once they went, there would be no coming back.

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Luo Wei smiled with complete sincerity.

Zachary sneered: "Miss, don't let your boasting make you bite your tongue. Demon Island is full of undead - your territory? Haha, in all my years, I've never heard of anyone daring to claim Demon Island as their territory."

"Is Mr. Bunian trying to find excuses after taking the money?" Luo Wei asked coldly.

Zachary narrowed his eyes: "As long as you can prove Demon Island is your territory, I'll deliver them there."

"Oh? When you make deliveries for other clients, do you also demand proof that it's their territory?" Luo Wei sneered, "Since I've paid and specified the location for delivery, you should follow my arrangements."

Zachary's green eyes revealed a sinister look, the red mustache above his lips slowly curling upward: "Fine, very well."

"Of course we'll deliver them, I'll personally escort them there, miss. I just didn't expect your kindness wasn't quite so boundless."

Sending a group of civilians to Demon Island - it seemed the girl was angry and wanted to use this method for revenge.

He wasn't afraid, but these slaves were in trouble.

They only had one fate - to become food for the magical creatures.

Luo Wei just smiled after hearing this: "No one can manipulate me through my kindness, Mr. Bunian. I'm not a fool."

Zachary spoke in an odd tone: "Kindness? Miss, you don't have such a thing anymore. Look behind you - those poor children are about to become demon food."

Luo Wei paused, turned around and saw four slaves trembling in fear after hearing about Demon Island, along with nine children with confused expressions.

"These few don't need to be sent there."

She pointed and said: "You four, come with me."

The four young men never expected their fate could take such a turn. Their hearts, which had grown cold with despair, suddenly rekindled with hope. Their faces couldn't hide their joy and relief.

"Thank you, master, thank you..."

They wouldn't have to go to Demon Island - their lives were saved!

Luo Wei withdrew her finger and cast an indifferent glance at Zachary.

"Mr. Bunian, I'll lighten your burden. You don't need to send these children and slaves over 40 to Demon Island. Take them to Sisda Town instead."

"Sisda Town?" Zachary furrowed his reddish-brown brows.

Sisda Town was only about fifty kilometers from Santanle City - so close?

"Who should I deliver them to?" He needed to be clear about this.

"Take them to McAuley's Malt House. The owner will know how to arrange for them," said Luo Wei.

These children and older people weren't suitable for Demon Island - the houses there weren't ready for habitation yet.

Let them stay at the lumber mill for a while. Once she had a complete plan, she would send these slaves to the paper mill.

As for the children... Luo Wei had the slave trader pass a message to McAuley to just have the children do simple tasks like cutting grass and feeding horses.

She couldn't let these children think she was a pushover. In this era, charity work wasn't sustainable.

Let them do what they could manage first. Later she would open a primary school in the factory and send all the children collected from various places to study, cultivating a group of intellectuals.

After drafting the contract, Zachary quickly signed with his right hand and passed it to Luo Wei.

Luo Wei likewise signed her name and they exchanged copies.

The agreement stipulated that if Zachary failed to deliver the slaves, he would have to refund half of Luo Wei's payment.

"Miss Luo Wei, I hope you won't regret today's decision," Zachary rolled up the parchment, his voice rough and deep. "In the Western Continent, there's no place Zachary can't reach."

"Of course I believe in Mr. Bunian's abilities," Luo Wei replied with a smile.

Their gazes clashed like needle points meeting wheat awns.

Three seconds later, they looked away.

"Troy, let's go."

Luo Wei pulled her shawl tight and left the slave market with Troy and the four slaves.

After leaving the slave market area, the polluted air and smell of death suddenly dissipated. Though the air in their nostrils was cold, it felt fresh and pleasant.

At least there wasn't such a strong smell of excrement anymore.

After walking for a while, Luo Wei saw a tailor's shop.

She stopped and turned to look at the four good-looking slaves behind her, examining them from head to toe.

They had proper features, fair skin, and faces without obvious scars.

Their ears and noses had some frostbite, but it wasn't serious - it wouldn't leave disfiguring marks once healed.

Though their clothes were neat and their hair had been combed with fingers, making them look cleaner than most slaves, they still smelled bad.

Moreover, their clothes were too cheap and didn't match her status.

"Troy," Luo Wei tossed him a small money pouch, "take them in to pick out two sets of clothes each. Don't let them embarrass me."

"Yes, miss," Troy nodded.

"I'll wait for you at the inn. Don't take too long," Luo Wei instructed before walking toward the inn.

Chris watched her retreating figure with tears welling up in her eyes.

Though her heart was so soft - buying them clothes because she worried they were cold - she claimed it was because she didn't want them to embarrass her.

Her master was truly a kind person.

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