My lord, spare his life!

Who is Xiao Sui?

Before the demise of the stars, she was the heir of a prestigious family, established as the clan head at a very young age, and her mother was a county princess of the Dou Kingdom. Her parents' marriage wasn't a case of the woman marrying down; rather, it was arranged through considerable connections on her side. This demonstrates the profound influence of the Xiao family behind her.

The Dou Kingdom's royal family suffered defeat and fled, and the Xiao clan was implicated and dealt a heavy blow, yet their foundation remained unshaken. Xiao Sui is no longer the eldest son, but the connections and wealth she controls are still unimaginable to ordinary people. Zhang Yang doesn't need her wealth, but he needs her connections.

How could Xiao Sui not know how much wealth people in the industry have?

How could you not know where the rich, painted-skin ghost is?

She knew it perfectly well.

Therefore, she was able to confidently take on the task of expanding her sources of income!

I'm not worried about not being able to sell them, I'm just worried that my lord doesn't have enough human skins.

Zhang Yang: "Don't worry, the supply is plentiful."

Xiao Sui could sell as many human skins as she needed to produce! Xiao Sui's biggest concern was: "What's the price?"

Zhang Yang said, "I don't know the market price."

Xiao Sui pondered for a moment: "The price of human skin varies greatly; the higher the compatibility, the more expensive it is. These human skins of yours, my lord, can perfectly fit the Painted Skin Ghost, so they will probably last much longer than ordinary human skins. How about priced at three thousand gold for one human skin?"

Zhang Yang: "So cheap?"

The raw material cost for character creation tools is indeed not expensive; even 300 gold would be a huge profit, let alone 3,000. The problem is that Zhang Yang has no shortage of gold, and in her opinion, selling human skin is not cost-effective: "I don't want gold. Can't it be converted into equivalent goods?"

What we lack now is not gold, but goods.

There's still no good news from Guan Si; the trade routes remain congested, and the cost of bringing in goods from outside is quite high, which is a burden on the local people. If goods could be transported in in large quantities, the quality of life for the people of Tianyue County would definitely improve.

Xiao Sui said, "This will take more time."

A wealthy imp could easily produce three thousand taels of gold, but getting them to produce goods equivalent to that amount would require time and effort. Xiao Sui didn't recommend doing so; three thousand taels could recruit more able-bodied men and expand their forces. Without sufficient strength, they would inevitably attract the attention of those thugs and end up doing all the work for others.

Zhang Yang: "What we lack is not gold."

To make her words more convincing, she pulled out a lot of gold nuggets.

Xiao Sui: "..."

She didn't need to look at the quantity; just by the purity of the gold nuggets, she knew that her lord indeed had the confidence to say that: "I didn't expect my lord's family to be so wealthy. In that case, asking for goods of equal value is indeed more worthwhile than asking for three thousand gold. Leave this matter to me."

Xiao Sui will handle it beautifully.

Du Guandao: "The highest is only three thousand gold coins?"

Xiao Sui: "Only?"

That's three thousand gold coins, not three thousand copper coins.

Du Guan reminded Xiao Sui: "Xiu Ying, do you still remember what the human skin originally looked like? After the Lord's skillful training, what did it become? How can two human skins be sold at the same price? I personally believe that everyone has a love for beauty, and the world needs it not only from painted-skin ghosts."

The Painted Skin Demon only needs an ordinary human skin to appear.

But what about this meticulously sculpted human skin?

Men and women who rely on their looks to please others fear nothing more than the fading of their beauty and the passing of time. But by wearing this human skin, not only can their appearance remain eternally youthful, but their looks can also be elevated to a whole new level. Isn't that worth the premium of more than three thousand gold pieces?

Three daughters?

The psychological value of this is much higher!

Xiao Sui suddenly realized, "I was getting stuck on one thing."

Because they themselves are "painted-skin ghosts," they subconsciously believe that only painted-skin ghosts need to wear human skin, forgetting that normal people can also wear human skin. Changing their perspective, the customer base expands many times over! Scarcity drives up value, and human skin becomes even more valuable!

Xiao Sui hesitated, "Wouldn't that tire out my lord?"

Zhang Yang said, "I won't get tired."

Creating original characters takes a lot of effort, but modifying existing ones is much easier. If you import characters from the data she has collected, it can be done in a few breaths, without any effort at all.

Zhang Yang took out five human skins and gave them to Xiao Sui.

The three character skins are the initial setup, and the two skins come with character customization data.

Xiao Sui: "..."

For a moment, I was unsure whether to be more shocked by the fact that my lord had so many human skins, or by the two stunningly beautiful human skins.

She reluctantly looked away.

Honestly, she wanted to pay for it.

Zhang Yang was all too familiar with the conflicted and excited expression on Xiao Sui's face—every time the official team released a new outfit, the observation samples would have the same expression, their desire to spend money on the official team reaching its peak, even though they said more than once, "If I give money to the official team again, I'm a dog!"

Woof woof woof—

Pay up and keep buying.

It can be ugly, but it can't be without appearance.

Zhang Yangzhen couldn't understand this kind of inconsistency between knowledge and action.

Xiao Sui also wants a new look.

Zhang Yang made this judgment in his mind: "Xiu Ying works hard running around doing business. How about this, I'll give you a commission?"

Xiao Sui: "Commission?"

Zhang Yang said, "So, for every five human skins Xiu Ying sells, she can receive one human skin as an incentive? Is that alright?"

Xiao Sui didn't speak, but just blinked in a daze.

"I am willing to give my life for my lord!"

Just as Zhang Yang thought she had misunderstood the expression, Xiao Sui quickly grabbed Zhang Yang's hand and hurriedly agreed, afraid that the other party would regret it if she hesitated for even a second. However, she still wanted to push her luck.

"There is still one thing I would like to ask you all to grant me permission to do."

"you say."

"Could this new character also... be given some guidance, sir?"

Xiao Sui felt her appetite had expanded overnight, and her standards had risen considerably. A day ago, she was content with easing the pain of the human skin, but today, after fully appreciating the flawless beauty in the mirror, she found herself starting to despise the initial, mediocre human skin. Only exceptionally beautiful human skins with a distinct style could catch her eye.

Zhang Yang frowned.

Thinking of Xiao Sui's tedious conditions yesterday, she made a three-point agreement with Xiao Sui in advance: "...It's possible, but I decide what the character's face looks like, and you can't make any changes."

Xiao Sui was a little disappointed.

However, considering the two human skins Zhang Yang had just pulled out, she guessed that her lord's aesthetic sense was consistently good and suited her taste. As long as her lord performed normally, they wouldn't be too ugly. A human skin whose appearance she didn't know beforehand was, in a way, a pleasant surprise for her. With this in mind, Xiao Sui nodded in agreement.

"Everything is up to the lord."

"it is good."

Xiao Sui didn't let go of Zhang Yang's hand; she wanted to pull it back but was afraid it would make Xiao Sui overthink things. So, she lowered her head and pondered for three seconds.

He gently stroked Xiao Sui's hand with his free right hand.

Xiao Sui didn't notice that the moment Zhang Yang revealed this initial stance, Fan You, Du Guan, and Yuan Xie all showed slightly ferocious expressions. Immediately afterward, she heard the new lord stare at her with those amorous peach blossom eyes and slowly utter a sentence.

"For me, Xiuying is like a fish having water."

Xiao Sui's pupils dilated in shock; she was greatly stunned.

Then she felt a surge of heat travel up her neck from her collarbone, making her ears turn red, followed by shame. She hadn't even had a chance to achieve anything, yet she had already received a remedy for her ailment from her lord.

Her lord did not abandon her and regarded her as a trusted advisor.

This made even the usually shameless Xiao Sui feel ashamed.

"No, no, no." Though she said this, Xiao Sui made a decision in her heart: she would do this job well.

It wasn't just for the reward of that human skin!

It is also to live up to the trust that my lord has placed in me at this moment!

Zhang Yang: "In my opinion, Xiu Ying deserves it!"

Fan You: "..."

Du Guan: "..."

Yuan Xie: "..."

When the lord said those words, did he consider that the three of them were still present? How did she manage to say it without changing her expression?

The expressions on the faces of the three of them were contorted and about to spiral out of control.

But Zhang Yang was completely unaware of this. Only later did he discover that the three people's favorability ratings fluctuated wildly, with each rise and fall being small but occurring at an astonishing frequency, as if they were deliberately spamming the screen.

"Is there a bug in the system logs?"

Otherwise, why would it be pushed out so many times?

Zhang Yang couldn't understand it.

The steward beside Xiao Sui was even more puzzled.

"Isn't the head of the household serving under Lord Zhang? Why are they leaving without even a day's rest?" When the steward received the order to pack and depart, he thought he had misheard. It was such a rush, as if they were fleeing for their lives.

Xiao Sui said, "I've accepted the assignment."

She calmed down and looked at the five neatly arranged human skins, still feeling a dreamlike, unreal sensation. If these five skins were sold to a demon desperately needing them, they could easily fetch five thousand gold coins. Here were five skins—a full twenty-five thousand gold coins!

Such a precious item, yet entrusted to a subject you've only known for a day?

What if Xiao Sui escapes?

Five perfectly fitting human skins would be enough for Xiao Sui to use for a long time.

Does the lord completely trust her?

Or are you still certain that she wouldn't run away with the human skin?

Perhaps, it's a bit of both.

Xiao Sui truly had no intention of escaping with the human skin, because she knew it would be a self-destructive act, ultimately forcing her to beg Zhang Yang for help when the skin ran out. Unless the human skin could be used permanently, Xiao Sui was unwilling to commit suicide at this moment.

The supervisor was surprised: "A job? It's only been a day?"

To be precise, it hasn't even been a day yet.

Xiao Sui did not respond, and the manager did not ask any further questions.

The group continued along the official road.

Perhaps because her mood was different from when she arrived, Xiao Sui also noticed many details that she hadn't noticed before: "This place is a bit barren, but it looks more peaceful and stable than many other places."

A place free from war is a rare paradise.

Unfortunately, they ran into the Hundred Ghosts Guard again on the road.

The right deputy again sent people to intercept them.

"Stop!"

"My dear sister, have you forgotten me after all these days?" Xiao Sui lifted the carriage curtain, revealing a beautiful face that could stun anyone at first glance. The latter indeed suspected that he had offended a fairy.

"Who are you?"

The right deputy spotted two Hundred Ghost Guards in the middle of the convoy.

Upon closer inspection of the supply wagon, everything came to mind.

"What happened to you? Why do you look like this?"

"This is my original appearance; I was just disguising myself before."

The Right Vice-Minister didn't press the matter further: "Then you should disguise yourself and go back. Once you leave Tianyue County, things aren't peaceful outside. If someone sees you like this, who knows how many people will covet you."

"Thank you for your kind advice, sister."

The right deputy stepped aside and said, "Let them pass."

As the supply wagon passed the Right Vice-Minister, Xiao Sui said, "I have truthfully relayed to the Lord what your general asked me to tell you."

He hadn't forgotten about this matter before leaving.

"Zhang Fujun has become your lord? How did she respond?"

Xiao Sui said, "My lord said—"

My neck has always been clean; let him chop it off.

Right Vice-Minister: "..."

She dared not relay a single word of those words.

Wouldn't the general be furious if he heard that?

Perhaps in a fit of emotion, they might act recklessly and start stabbing people.

Xiao Sui smiled and said, "My lord also has something to convey."

[Guan Siyin, are you even capable?]

Zhang Yang thought Guan Si was really incompetent; it had been so long and he still hadn't taken down those bandits from the Eastern Mountains. If he wasn't strong enough, he should just ask for outside help sooner rather than later—it wasn't anything shameful. What if dragging this out ruined her plan to revitalize Tianyue County's economy?

Upon receiving these words, Guan Si expressionlessly crushed the skullcap beneath his palm, leaving the prisoner no time to even utter a scream.

"Did she really say that?"

The right deputy's head was pressed even lower by the imposing aura. Cold sweat poured down his face as he forced himself to say, "Yes... Also, that lady who calls herself Xiao Xiuying asked me to pass on a message to you, General."

"explain!"

I now have two human skins.

The right-hand assistant relayed the information word by word.

Without even looking up, just by listening to the noise, one could tell whose head the general had crushed again, and in his heart, he felt sorry for that prisoner.

Guan Si flicked the blood off his hands: "Hmph!"

Right Vice-Minister: "..."

Xiao Sui and her group traveled at a brisk pace.

On one hand, they were pressed for time to complete the task of selling human skins as soon as possible, exchange the goods for them, and deliver them to Tianyue County. On the other hand, they were worried that Guan Si would break down his guard and chase after them to kill them and silence them. After traveling at full speed for most of the day, the horses were panting heavily, and the caravan finally had to stop.

"Ha, we can't catch up with that."

The manager looked distressed: "Why would the parents provoke him?"

They will take this same route back.

If you're unlucky, you might still run into someone else's hands.

Xiao Sui burst into laughter: "Of course it's interesting."

She only cared about her own happiness; whether others were annoyed or angry was none of her concern. Just thinking about Guan Si's expression made Xiao Sui feel a sense of relief, as if her last bit of pent-up frustration had dissipated. The steward, hearing her hearty laughter, couldn't help but smile.

Xiao Sui has a wide network of connections.

She knew almost every family in Dou Kingdom that was well-known, but only a few truly met her standards. The closest potential clients to Tianyue County were located in Tianjiang County. Xiao Sui was a discerning person; in her view, not just anyone could use such precious human skin as she did! Of these individuals, only two were truly qualified to cooperate with her.

Tianjiang County is also one of the forces along the Katianyue County trade route!

Before even setting foot in Tianjiang County, Xiao Sui had already made her plans.

She had the steward present her name.

The nameplate was a piece of icy, translucent, deep green jade, cool and delicate to the touch. Even the most ignorant gatekeeper knew that the owner of the nameplate was of extraordinary status, and immediately put away his disrespect—Xiao Sui traveled in a low-key manner, and the carriage she used was rather ordinary in appearance—as soon as the nameplate was handed to the parents, the usually calm and composed parents lost their composure for the first time.

He jumped up abruptly: "Where is our honored guest?!"

"Our distinguished guest is outside the door."

"Foolish!"

The parent who was speaking broke out in a cold sweat.

Despite losing his status as the eldest son of the Xiao clan, Xiao Sui is still a force to be reckoned with. Moreover, the successor to the Xiao clan is far less capable than Xiao Sui, so Xiao Sui still holds considerable sway over the Xiao clan's power.

I don't want to offend or belittle this kind of person.

He greeted them with his shoes on backwards, showing his sincere enthusiasm.

But he held his breath the moment he saw the owner of the supply wagon.

The world lost its color, and all things fell silent.

In his eyes, the only thing in the world was the beautiful figure walking towards him.

"You, you—"

He hesitated for a long time before finally getting to the next word.