"..."
Seeing Ye Cangtian sitting on his throne smoking and his condescending tone, Tian Can's body instantly trembled with anger.
He had met other Earth-tier enforcers before.
Other Earth-tier enforcers either showed him respect due to his age, or indulged him out of loyalty to the Dark Association.
Aside from Hong Mo, who was notoriously brutal, no one had ever treated him like Ye Cangtian.
This truly infuriated Tian Can.
However, he also understood that Earth-tier enforcers could not be easily offended. If he were to badmouth him to Xing Yuan at headquarters, it could jeopardize the future of Tian Can Lou.
After a moment, Tian Can forcibly suppressed his irritation and forced out a stiff smile, taking a few steps forward.
"This old man does indeed have a request. I only wish to be on good terms with you, Great Sir, and receive more care for Tian Can Lou. I seek nothing else..."
Heh.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled faintly and said, "These are not difficult matters. Such a grand display truly startled me. However, is this the sincerity of friendship?"
Uh... m..oΓg
Seeing Po Xiao's attitude, Tian Can's wrinkled face twitched.
He felt he had misjudged Po Xiao. The other party seemed approachable, but he had used the wrong method.
He shouldn't have tried to probe Po Xiao's bottom line from the start, which had only provoked him and ignited the new official's zealous fervor.
He should have prepared generous gifts immediately.
Po Xiao asking for benefits right away, so directly, meant he was an incredibly greedy person. If he had prepared substantial gifts, this matter would have been settled long ago, and he wouldn't have lost face like this.
With this thought, Tian Can's old face broke into a smile as he said, "Yes, yes, we are serious about befriending you, Great Sir. Sincerity will naturally not be lacking."
As he spoke, Tian Can quickly took out a prepared Qiankun Bag and handed it over.
Taking the Qiankun Bag, Ye Cangtian examined it with an air of professionalism. Inside were white crystals, some precious materials, and a few small bottles of elixirs.
The next moment, Ye Cangtian's face showed a look of disdain, and he casually tossed the Qiankun Bag back.
"Tian Can, friendship requires sincerity."
"Are you looking down on me by giving me these things?"
Ye Cangtian feigned displeasure.
While the contents of the Qiankun Bag were indeed valuable, they were of little use to Ye Cangtian.
He never expected this Po Xiao to reveal his true colors immediately after his promotion!
Seeing Po Xiao's attitude, Tian Can's brows furrowed.
After all, there were many forces seeking allegiance with the Dark Association. In comparison, the gifts he offered were already substantial.
One couldn't constantly fleece the same sheep!
Contributing a little to each force, accumulating over time, would also be a considerable fortune. People in the Dark Association should understand this logic.
Thus, in Tian Can's view, Po Xiao was even more greedy than other Earth-tier enforcers.
However, he thought, this was not necessarily a bad thing. If the other party was greedy, it was a human weakness. As long as there was profit to be made, he would accept money and resolve troubles.
With this in mind, Tian Can quickly gave a signal and left the grand hall.
When he returned again, he held a new Qiankun Bag and presented it once more.
Ye Cangtian examined it again, and this time his eyes showed satisfaction. The value of the contents in this Qiankun Bag was at least three to four times greater than the previous one.
These items clearly represented a significant expenditure for Tian Can Lou.
"Good."
"However, this level of sincerity is still not enough!"
Ye Cangtian's gaze fell upon Tian Can.
Since the other party was determined to curry favor with him, he decided to probe what kind of cooperation Mandara and Hong Mo had reached.
He needed to be prepared.
However, when his words fell into Tian Can's ears, Tian Can did not think along those lines.
He thought he understood Po Xiao's meaning. He scanned the grand hall and finally his gaze landed on the only woman present.
"Great Sir, what do you think of Mandara?"
Tian Can slowly smiled. Men, apart from wealth, also desired women.
Therefore, Tian Can was willing to pay the price and prepared to offer Mandara.
Tian Can knew of Mandara's abilities, her captivating charm was difficult for even an old man like him to resist.
If Mandara could keep Po Xiao tied down, then Po Xiao would, to some extent, be serving Tian Can Lou.
Their relationship would also subtly shift.
Tian Can was meticulously planning, unaware that upon hearing his words, Mandara almost wet herself and began to pray incessantly in her heart.
On their way, she had learned that Po Xiao possessed a method of absorbing Yin to replenish Yang, and she had no desire to turn into a dried husk.
"Mandara?"
"Very good. If Miss Mandara is willing, I wouldn't mind accepting her..."
On the other side, Ye Cangtian, who had also heard Tian Can's words, glanced at Mandara with a playful smile.
"G-G-Great Sir, this humble girl fears her abilities and status are insufficient to serve Great Sir Po Xiao..."
The next moment, Mandara felt Tian Can's inquiring gaze upon her. She became flustered and quickly stepped forward, stammering.
Hmm?
With a single sentence, Tian Can's brow furrowed. In the past, when faced with such matters, Mandara would be eager to throw herself at them.
Now, facing Po Xiao, why was she faltering?
Had something happened on the way that made Mandara fearful of Po Xiao?
But the words had already been spoken. If he retracted them now, what would become of his face?
With this thought, Tian Can snorted and said, "Mandara, this seat believes in your abilities. As long as you serve diligently, Great Sir Po Xiao will surely be satisfied!
This matter is settled! You shall accompany Great Sir Po Xiao afterward!"
Seeing Tian Can's resolute attitude, Mandara dared not disobey and could only agree for the time being.
"Hahaha, good, good, good. I am very satisfied with this sincerity."
"Tian Can, from now on, we are friends. You can come to me with any matter!"
Ye Cangtian laughed heartily as he watched Mandara agree with extreme reluctance.
Although he hadn't discovered what Hong Mo and Mandara had discussed, Mandara was now in his hands and extremely fearful of him. Would it be difficult to extract that information?
He naturally didn't need to press the issue.
Seeing Po Xiao laugh with satisfaction, Tian Can also felt relieved.
Regardless of the twists and turns that had occurred today, the final outcome was acceptable.
He also believed that if Tian Can Lou ever truly needed Po Xiao's help, Po Xiao would not refuse.
This had, in a way, achieved his objective.
Following this, Tian Can arranged a grand welcoming banquet to entertain Po Xiao.
...
After the banquet.
Ye Cangtian slowly returned to the branch with Mandara.
In the room, Mandara remained highly tense, not daring to even breathe loudly, lest she attract Po Xiao's attention.
"You have two choices."
"One, like some unfortunate women, you will become a dried husk."
"Two, you will answer my questions."
After an unknown period, Ye Cangtian, sensing Mandara's fearful gaze, finally spoke slowly.
"This humble girl chooses the latter."
"Great Sir, please ask any questions you have. This humble girl will surely tell you everything!"
Mandara made her choice without hesitation.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian nodded with satisfaction and said, "At the headquarters banquet, you had a long private conversation with Hong Mo. What were you discussing?"
Uh...
With this question, Mandara suddenly hesitated.
What they had discussed was naturally related to Po Xiao, but once such matters were revealed, it would be equivalent to offending Hong Mo. At that time, Hong Mo would surely make her suffer immensely.