His entire family perished in battle; he rose from the ashes to conquer the world.

Unexpectedly, Mu Yuan waved his hand and said, "Since she is an exceptional beauty, how can she be treated like merchandise and inspected so casually?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Mazi frowned, his face showing contempt, and said disdainfully, "Even if you have the connection with Boss Zhang, I won't easily believe you. Who knows if you're just putting on an act?"

Mu Yuan raised his hand and pointed to Lin Xueshang beside him, asking, "Manager Wang, what do you think of the woman next to me?"

Wang Mazi sized Lin Xueshang up and down, nodding in satisfaction: "Your companion has exquisite features, a graceful figure, and an elegant demeanor like pure white snow—a true beauty!"

Listening to the two men commenting on her appearance, Lin Xueshang's heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that Mu Yuan intends to offer himself up to the chief of Black Cloud Village?

This wasn't part of the plan!

Mu Yuan did not follow the planned route. Lin Xueshang remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she couldn't help but panic.

"The beauty I have is far more beautiful than my companion. If my companion is a lotus flower that rises from the mud unsullied, then the beauty I'm selling to Black Cloud Village is a pure white snow lotus from the Tianshan Mountains!"

Mu Yuan's vivid description instantly piqued Wang Mazi's curiosity.

You should know that Lin Xueshang, who is by Mu Yuan's side, is already a rare beauty. What kind of stunning beauty would a woman be even more beautiful than her?

Wang Mazi didn't say anything, but started to make plans in his mind.

Although he was from Black Cloud Village, he was just a lowly contact.

As the contact person, he stayed in this city to be responsible for making connections and to help Black Cloud Village get some shady, dirty jobs.

On ordinary days, they also had to find out the movements of the soldiers in the southwest who were suppressing bandits, and inform the Black Cloud Village. They did dirty and tiring work that could easily expose their identities and cost them their heads.

If Mu Yuan truly has an exceptionally beautiful woman to sell to Black Cloud Village...

He could feign offering a high price to keep Mu Yuan in check and gain his trust. Once he saw the stunning beauty, if Mu Yuan's words were true, he could catch him off guard and kill Mu Yuan and Lin Xueshang.

Then he personally led the most beautiful woman back to Black Wind Village and presented her to the chief.

The chief of Black Cloud Village has a lifelong love for beautiful women. If you can please him, you can ask to stay in Black Cloud Village.

From then on, they lived a life of luxury, no longer needing to painstakingly disguise themselves and hide in this desolate city, living in constant fear of being discovered by the soldiers, losing their heads, and doing thankless, dirty, and tiring work.

After secretly plotting for a while, Wang Mazi became increasingly excited and said to Mu Yuan:

"If you truly have an exceptionally beautiful woman, name your price now, and I won't haggle. However, I can only offer a deposit first; the remaining balance will be paid upon meeting her in person!"

"An offer?" Mu Yuan smiled and shook his head. "Such a beauty, I want to personally deliver her to the head of Black Cloud Stronghold. I'd appreciate it if Manager Wang could mediate between us. Afterwards, you'll certainly receive a share of the profits!"

He deliberately fabricated a story about an exceptionally beautiful woman, and had Wang Mazi lead the way to Black Cloud Village. In this way, he learned the route to Black Cloud Village, and then secretly mobilized the Western Army to wipe out Black Cloud Village's stronghold in one fell swoop, thus avenging Lin Xueshang.

If we trade directly with Wang Mazi, wouldn't the whole plan fall apart?

When Wang Mazi learned that Mu Yuan was going to personally deliver the beautiful woman to Black Cloud Village, he was completely stunned.

"There's no need for such trouble. All you want is money. Besides, Black Cloud Stronghold is located deep in the mountains and forests. It would be too much trouble to go back and forth."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuan narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and immediately understood Wang Mazi's little scheme.

As the contact person planted by Black Cloud Village in Diancheng.

First, they have no status.

Secondly, they have no identity.

So generous now.

This is truly unusual.

Therefore, there is only one possibility.

That is, Wang Mazi wanted to double-cross someone!

They first pretend to offer a high price to gain trust, then kill and rob the person once they meet them.

As for Wang Mazi's purpose in doing so.

Mu Yuan was too lazy to guess.

At this moment, Mu Yuan's only thought was to find out the route of Black Cloud Stronghold with Wang Mazi's guidance, secretly mobilize the Western Army to wipe out Black Cloud Stronghold, and help Lin Xueshang avenge herself.

Seeing that Mu Yuan didn't speak but kept staring at him, Wang Mazi felt a little guilty.

Fearing that Mu Yuan would see through him, Wang Mazi put on a kind-hearted act and said earnestly, "I'm doing this for your own good!"

Little did he know, Mu Yuan had already seen through his trick.

"We have come with sincerity. If Manager Wang feels that we are not sincere, or does not wish to take us to Black Cloud Stronghold, then let this matter rest, and we will take our leave now!"

As he spoke, Mu Yuan quickly stood up, making it clear that he was about to leave immediately.

Seeing this, Wang Mazi immediately panicked, quickly stood up, pulled Mu Yuan back, and humbled himself:

"Let's talk this out. Let's talk this out."

Mu Yuan was secretly delighted, but his face still showed impatience, as if he would leave immediately if they couldn't reach an agreement.

"Taking you to Black Cloud Stronghold isn't out of the question," Wang Mazi said, leaving room for maneuver before adding, "However, I'll offer this stunning beauty to our leader. What do you say?"

"What do you mean?"

Realizing there was room for negotiation, Mu Yuan sat back down.

"At my age, Black Cloud Stronghold considers me a burden and sent me here to make contacts and gather intelligence—jobs that could cost me my life. Meanwhile, those who stayed at Black Cloud Stronghold are living the high life, with beautiful women by their side. I'm not reconciled!"

Wang Mazi clenched his fists, his words filled with resentment:

"All these years, I've been waiting for an opportunity to regain the boss's favor and return to Black Cloud Stronghold!"

After listening to Wang Mazi's complaints, Mu Yuan said expressionlessly, "What does this have to do with me?"

"Of course it's related. The big boss is lustful. If I can offer him a top-quality beauty, wouldn't I be able to gain his favor, leave this godforsaken place, and return to Black Cloud Village?" Wang Mazi revealed his thoughts.

Now that things have come to this, he has no choice but to try his luck with Mu Yuan.

Unexpectedly, Mu Yuan showed no sympathy, instead coldly refusing, "If you want to gain the boss's favor, you'll have to find your own way. I'm afraid I can't grant your request. Farewell!"

Wang Mazi was utterly frustrated. He had intended to be open and honest with Mu Yuan and have a proper discussion, but to his surprise, Mu Yuan simply wouldn't listen to him.

Seeing that Mu Yuan was determined to leave, Wang Mazi had no choice but to give up and leave the stone chamber with him and Lin Xueshang.

They left the shop.

Mu Yuan walked towards the inn without looking back.

Lin Xueshang, who was beside her, asked in confusion, "Why didn't you just go with the flow? That way, we could have had him lead the way to Black Cloud Village."

"If we really do that, our identities will be exposed!"

Mu Yuan went to great lengths to impersonate a murderer and robber, and what murderers and robbers value most is profit. Although the beautiful woman was fictional, if he agreed to Wang Mazi's request, it would be tantamount to handing over the profit.