196: Chapter 196 Working to Pay Off Debts?

Isn't this a classic game of cat and mouse—playing with the prey before devouring it?

First, he reveals the list, forcing those on it to watch as their "day of death" draws near, leaving them to suffer in fear, struggle, and beg for mercy...

He enjoys the despair and pathetic state of his prey before they die.

This is no longer simple conquest or plunder; it's a form of psychopathic torture.

"He really is a psycho."

Lin Tian remarked in a low voice, his eyes turning cold.

He could almost imagine how the lords whose names appeared on that list were currently unable to eat or sleep, trembling with fear.

The process of waiting for death is often more agonizing than death itself.

He tapped the panel with his fingertip and sent a reply, carrying a hint of testing:

"So... I take it your name hasn't 'honorably' appeared on that wretched list?"

The reply came almost the instant he sent the message, so fast it was as if Lord Su Wan had been hovering her finger over the send button.

"It has."

It was just a single word, yet it seemed to have drained all her strength; even through the screen, one could feel that heavy sense of despair.

Immediately after, a second message followed:

"That's why... I've taken the liberty of disturbing you. I wanted to see... if there's any possibility at all that you could help me."

"I don't want my Moonlight Grove, I don't want Aelia and the others... to be destroyed by those Death Knights for no reason."

Looking at the simple "It has" on the screen, Lin Tian gave a soft "tsk."

As expected. He leaned back against the headboard, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knee as his mind raced.

"Help..."

He chose his words carefully and replied, "Lord Su Wan, you certainly think highly of me. Are you so sure I have the ability to provoke a Legendary Quality Death Knight?"

The question was direct, even carrying a bit of a probe.

He also needed to gauge Lord Su Wan's resolve and... what she could offer.

On the other end, Lord Su Wan's heart sank slightly when she saw this reply.

She knew this was the most critical question.

She bit her lower lip and remained silent for a moment. Her slender fingers moved slowly across the light screen, as if every word required careful consideration:

"I... I'm not sure. Truly. The difference between legendary and non-legendary is like heaven and earth; I understand that."

Her tone, conveyed through the text, carried a forced sense of calm and sincerity.

"But, regarding what happened between you and Long Ao... afterward, there was no more news of Long Ao. Meanwhile, your name has become more and more famous in the region."

"I'm not stupid, Lin Tian. I believe you have the strength. At least... you are the only person I can think of right now who might have the ability and might be willing to lend me a hand."

She didn't overstate things or flatter him blindly; she simply stated the facts she had observed and her inferences based on them.

This level of honesty was actually easier to accept than extravagant flattery.

Lin Tian looked at Lord Su Wan's reply, and the corners of his mouth curled up imperceptibly.

This girl was quite honest and clear-headed.

"Helping isn't out of the question."

He stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the core.

"But Lord Su Wan, you know the opponent is a Legendary Lord. To call it 'troublesome' would be an understatement. Last time I dealt with Long Ao's black dragon, it took a lot of effort, and he even managed to escape twice. It was very hard to kill."

He didn't hide the difficulty of the task, nor did he take full responsibility for it.

This was telling Lord Su Wan that the price for this help would not be small.

Lord Su Wan's heart tightened suddenly, then relaxed slightly. The tension was because Lin Tian confirmed how thorny the situation was, while the relief was because he hadn't refused outright!

He said "isn't out of the question," which meant there was room for negotiation!

A price... of course she knew there would be a price. What did Moonlight Grove have?

Moon-essence Spirit Wood, healing potions, special plant seeds, and fruits...

These might be considered decent resources normally, but on the scale of opposing a Legendary Lord, they seemed so insignificant.

She quickly went through everything in her territory that she could possibly offer, and her heart grew colder the more she calculated.

Finally, she gritted her teeth and, as if using every ounce of her courage, sent a message cautiously and with a hint of imperceptible humility:

"I... I know I probably can't afford the 'normal' price for taking on a Legendary Lord. Lin Tian, how about this..."

"I will give you all the surplus materials that Moonlight Grove can currently provide. Additionally... I, I can 'work' for you to pay off the debt."

"One month, no, two months! During this time, my elven soldiers and I will be at your disposal. Whatever you ask us to do, as long as it doesn't violate basic principles, we will do it!"

"To compensate for your help this time... what do you think, is that okay?"

After sending the message, Lord Su Wan leaned against the inner wall of the Ancient Tree as if exhausted, closing her eyes and not daring to look at the reply.

This was almost the most humble and thorough "offer" she could think of—emptying out her assets and selling herself into labor.

She knew it probably wasn't enough, but it was her limit.

Lin Tian looked at Lord Su Wan's proposal of "working off the debt." He was stunned for a moment, then an unmasked look of surprise appeared on his face.

"Working off a debt? For two months?"

He repeated it in a low voice, rubbing his chin with his fingers as a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.

This Lord Su Wan... it seemed she really had been pushed into a corner with no way out.

A lord who possessed rare troops and a unique resource like Moonlight Grove was willing to lower herself and propose a near-subordinate condition like "working" just to exchange for a chance at survival.

This wasn't just about draining her liquid assets; it was equivalent to betting her future development potential and personal freedom on the table.

The pressure was indeed great enough to make her willing to pay any price.

"Interesting..."

Lin Tian rubbed his nose, his eyes glinting.

Moonlight Grove's specialties and the elves' ability to accelerate plant growth were indeed of significant value to him.

And Lord Su Wan herself, based on previous transactions, was trustworthy, knew her place, and was capable.

Having her "work" might not just mean getting a temporary laborer, but perhaps a decent "partner" with professional skills?

More importantly, dealing with that Death Knight... perhaps it wouldn't be as much of a "loss" as Lord Su Wan thought.

He looked out the window at the heavy night and glanced at Mo Yu's still-spamming, crazed messages in the regional channel. A cold arc slowly curled at the corners of his mouth.

The points of a Legendary Lord... plus the resources and treasures he might possess... seemed quite enticing, didn't they?

He didn't reply immediately, letting the silence representing his thoughts linger between both ends of the communication for a brief yet seemingly long moment.