Pretending To Be A Boss

Tang Xian understood that the current situation was delicate.

Qing JiuYu was convinced that she was not human; at least from her tone, she considered herself to be a boss-level being.

"What are your conditions?" Tang Xian asked.

The conditions proposed by a Calamity-level being, Tang Xian didn't feel confident about being able to fulfill them.

He now spoke firmly, appearing calm, but if the Nine-Tailed Fox wanted to force him into submission, he would have to take off his pants himself, and with a composed expression, convey: It's not that you're forcing me, it's that I want to be forced.

This was by no means an equal negotiation.

Violence could solve all problems in the world, explain all the truths, but right now, Qing JiuYu was the one wielding the violence.

Luckily, Qing JiuYu hadn't realized this.

"The Fox Clan is in turmoil at the moment; we are at war with the Nvwa Snake Clan."

This was troublesome.

Nvwa Snakes were Natural Disaster-level creatures, although far from a match for a Nine-Tailed Fox, they outnumbered the tails, and their strength also surpassed that of the Fox Clan's backbone forces—the Three-Tailed and Six-Tailed Foxes.

Tang Xian's heart pondered whether Qing JiuYu was trying to take advantage of him, asking him to help deal with the Nvwa Snakes.

"Yes, Nvwa Snakes are quite troublesome creatures, their scales are like cold ice, and it would take some effort for fox-fire to harm them."

Tang Xian still looked unperturbed.

"That's true, the Fox Clan has lost many elites, some of the children had the chance to evolve into my form, it's a shame, most of them are dead." Qing JiuYu's expression seemed very sorrowful.

Yet, Tang Xian suddenly became interested.

In his memory, the Nvwa Snake Clan and the Fox Clan weren't natural enemies. Whether Soul Crystal Mine creatures were hostile to each other for reasons other than resources was a very worthwhile subject of study for this scholar.

"How did your two clans come to blows?"

"Personal reasons."

"Personal reasons?"

Tang Xian quickly caught on, showing a look of understanding.

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Human history had never involved joint efforts against aliens or wild beasts. The mine area was the first time different national powers united against a common exterior.

Before that, human history was all about internal slaughter.

The reasons for slaughter, once the grandiose excuses are stripped away, are mostly personal. For instance, a younger son unsatisfied with his elder brother becoming the emperor, or a beggar believing that it was his family's turn to be emperor, or when someone's adopted son kills him over a woman.

If foxes could transform into human shapes, then maybe a Natural Disaster-level boss like the White Phosphorus Demon Snake could also take on human form.

Perhaps in the ecological hierarchy of the mine area, there existed a government-like entity composed of various boss-level creatures, similar to that of humans.

Although a Calamity-level boss like the Nine-Tailed Fox was very powerful, it couldn't cope with the numerous Nvwa Snakes.

It was possible that the two could start a war over personal reasons.

After all... when an animal acquires the intelligence of humans, many habits can be overcome. Former enemies no longer need to be enemies.

And those who were not enemies can become new adversaries.

Human history, in a nutshell, isn't it just a series of forming alliances and enmities?

Tang Xian nodded, "So what do you expect me to do?"

"Could you come here again in a week? I'll tell you then?" Qing JiuYu asked.

"If I agree to come here in a week, will you release the woman and trust that I will keep my promise to come?"

Tang Xian smiled, though he couldn't really smile. But he knew which facial expressions and words to combine to produce a composed effect.

Qing JiuYu said, "According to the laws of the Beast Court, I can kill your pet, oh no, your follower."

The Beast Court?

These four words Tang Xian did not say out loud.

He tried hard to keep his expression from showing surprise. But it was difficult for his heart not to be startled.

So, the intelligence and civilization of the Soul Crystal Mine creatures had reached the point of having law enforcement institutions?

For someone more familiar with the mine area than the Human World, this information was rather overwhelming.

"Yes, you can kill her. I won't even stop you. But doing so, your fox won't come back to life either. Her death wouldn't benefit me. It's better to keep her alive, and we continue our transaction," Tang Xian said.

Qing JiuYu said, "You really do speak like a human."

Although Qing JiuYu didn't particularly care for humans, comparing one's own kind to humans, in the context of the Soul Crystal Mine creatures, was considered a compliment.

Because human hearts are complex. In Qing JiuYu's eyes, some creatures of the same rank might take on human form but do not possess human intelligence.

Tang Xian gave her a very different impression.

Tang Xian nodded slightly and did not deny it.

"So, do you trust me just like that?"

"No, I need to establish a connection with your Soul Crystal."

Damn.

Where did he have a Soul Crystal? Tang Xian knew that creatures from the Soul Crystal Mine could indeed establish a certain connection through the Soul Crystal Mine, but only if both parties agreed.

It sounded a bit like a friend request on social media.

But humans do not have such a connection with creatures from the mine.

As for his own identity as a human, Tang Xian was absolutely certain.

Especially before the Trial of the Chosen, there would be an extremely detailed and complicated physical examination.

At that time, Tang Xian had seen his electrocardiogram, x-ray images. If he had a Soul Crystal in his head, it would have already been transferred to Fortress No. 2 for scientific research.

Qing JiuYu seemed to be testing as well; this time, she was not as polite, but instead took hold of Tang Xian's hand directly, her eyes shining with a strange light.

That was the light emitted by the Soul Crystal deep inside her mind.

[Catastrophe-level boss Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit requests to share your location, do you agree?]

What the hell?

In his twenty-four years of life, Tang Xian has never been as shocked as he was today.

Qing JiuYu also seemed a bit surprised.

She could not sense what kind of creature Tang Xian was, but she became even more convinced that he was a powerful existence not weaker than herself.

The allure in her eyes deepened.

Initially, she wondered why this male species looked so frail, questioning whether he was a human skilled at reading the room and masquerading.

But then again, perhaps it was just the human form limiting his strength.

The response from the Soul Crystal meant that this man was indeed an entity from this world.

Tang Xian didn't know what Qing JiuYu was thinking.

However, in the panel before him, Qing JiuYu's [Current Needs Analysis] no longer included probing the man before her.

It had changed to, build a good relationship with this man.

He didn't know how he'd managed to get through it.

But he knew, he could speak with a bit more confidence now.

Tang Xian showed a slightly displeased expression without speaking, just quietly looking at Qing JiuYu.

Qing JiuYu was full of charm, and when a fox spirit pleased someone, seduction was natural.

Tang Xian was immune to this kind of seduction.

"You'd better tell me directly, what are the conditions?"

"Hehe, don't be angry, humans are very cunning, I was just testing earlier."

Tang Xian nodded slightly.

Humans are indeed very cunning, and he was one of those cunning humans.

When it came to complaining about one's own species in front of other creatures, Tang Xian recalled a meme.

Do you want to be a hero for a second, or a coward for a lifetime?

Tang Xian chose to be a coward for a lifetime, without hesitation, that is, unless someday there was no food left in the world that could tempt him.

This beautiful highborn lady in front of him wouldn't need a second to kill him. But fortunately, it seemed he was not going to be killed.

"I really can't tell you now, but I hope you will keep your promise to meet in a week. Otherwise, I will come to find you. The Soul Crystal will guide me."

"Fine, can I take her away now?"

"Looking forward to seeing you next time."

Tang Xian was somewhat surprised; he hadn't really done anything. But Qing JiuYu's favorability towards him had increased; the data in her eyes originally was 14, with the assessment [Seems Familiar], now it had become 29.

The impression now was [Joyful Meeting].

He was truly bewildered today and needed some time to think carefully about what was different about him.