"So, these are our new royalty?" She pointed at Sandworm and Blue-amethyst.

Zhi Rui nodded. "They'll be administrating the land while the siblings are with me. tell the people they were chosen by the siblings themselves they formed a bond while under my wing and became brothers in arms."

"But they think you enslaved the siblings," Rain said.

Zhi Rui nodded "It doesn't matter, I doubt they'll public question us and if they do, kill them off."

Rain nodded in understanding. "Two commoners being entrusted with the land by the royalty itself, it's n.o.ble, novel even. It'll resonate well with the people."

Blue-amethyst and Sandworm were still in a haze they tried to extract the real intentions behind their words but it simply didn't make any sense.

Zhi Rui looked at them with a smile.

"Stop trying to look into it, when I say that you'll become king and queen I meant every word. From now on you'll be leading the barbarian people!"

She said loud and humorously.

Rain chuckled with her.

Zhi Rui stood up and walked out.

Before following, Rain looked back at the four of them "Stay here until I get back."

Outside, Rain caught up with Zhi Rui, and just followed by two-step behind.

"I understand that the white tribe is still interested then?" Zhi Rui suddenly said.

Rain followed with a gentle smile "Interested in what?" She played dumb.

Zhi Rui glanced at her from the corner of her eyes. the woman played dumb but her reserved smiling face told she knew exactly what Zhi Rui was talking about.

"Before he disappeared I talked to Han Lee about a plan."

"Oh, that. We're interested." Rain said.

"Why play dumb if you'll just going to relent on the next sentence?" Zhi Rui chuckled.

"My tribe is cautious, they wanted to confirm that you're not with whoever the old leaders took off with. And they also needed proof that you actually have the intention and ability to fulfill your part of the plan."

"And you confirmed all that in less than six sentences!?"

Rain shook her head with a sigh, "Even if his intentions were another Han Lee had to prove he was genuinely looking out for our interest so I a.s.sume he checked that."

"Irresponsible." Zhi Rui said haking her head.

Ignoring Zhi Rui, Rain's voice sounded gentle but stern.

"Give me some more detail on that plan, so we can negotiate your stay in this land."

Zhi Rui stopped turned and looked the woman in the eyes.

Rain stopped stared back.

Smiling from ear to ear Zhi Rui chuckled and continued leading their walk.

"The white tribe must be feeling eager to work now that they finally have actual power on this land."

Rain smirked and spoke with confidence "The white tribe had always been the strongest we jus-"

"No, that's a lie." Zhi Rui cut her off.

Rain frowned.

"In fact, you were at the bottom of the food chain for the past year." Zhi Rui continued.

Rain stopped smiling. "So you were one of them after all."

"No, I"m not. just think of the clues, Fire-heart and Silver didn't bother to even greet Han Lee, even though he was stronger than them. He was at the fourth level after all. That shows their disdain. My guess is that you flaunted your superiority to whoever approached and got yourself shoved down the ladder of command.

Hearing the name Han Le, Rain flinched.

Zhi Rui caught it. "As I thought he isn't the real Han Lee. Who is he?" She asked.

"We tried to negotiate from a stronger position when she came. But there wasn't a negotiation, she said we'de speak again later, but then my older brother started acting differently, and he was obviously weaker. He wasn't my brother anymore."

Zhi Rui frowned 'They're a.s.suming Bianca is the same as the others. Good'

"That doesn't matter since he laid out my plans with you. My point is; Other organization came here and made the three tribes their plaything, and you the white tribe became outcasts. Now you're free, cautious and anxious for control. My warning for you is to not try and validate your pride of being the hidden giant with me. I won't tolerate it."

They were reaching Zhi Rui's common training grounds

Zhi Rui stopped in her tracks and stared at Rain dead in the eye

"Every time you think you think of demanding something from me, remember that the one who needs stability is you, and the one with the means for it, is me.

And if you think you can use strength, remember that the woman you spoke of, didn't retreat with Silver Fire-heart and Han Lee because she wanted to.

And for last; Remember, I'm the one holding your royal siblings as slaves, and currently, I'm the strongest person on this land."

Zhi Rui suddenly laughed "HaHa, but of course the negotiation will go healthy." Zhi Ru laughed and turned back.

"Now, what I want is simple. I'll wage war and kill the general of the empire. I'll sacrifice a lot of soldiers. Like, a really big quant.i.ty. And in turn, I'll solve the famine and production issues of your people, and your tribe will remain the hidden leader by controlling the two commoners I just gave you.

Go back, think about it. And come talk to me again, if you need anything else, feel free to mention and we'll discuss."

Rain stood there for a few seconds

Zhi Rui looked at Rain, the woman was black haired beauty with unusual white skin for someone of their race, she wore a common white attire of the white tribe and carried herself with a certain reserved way. Like a religious proper woman.

For the first time, Zhi Rui flashed her a bright sincere smile.

Rain looked on with stern eyes, turned and walked back.

Zhi Rui kept smiling. what she was looking for, was the link she created on the day they sparred.

A string, only visible for her eyes and the eyes of those with the same ethereal capabilities.

With the smile she was forced to learn while chained in that tower, Zhi Rui provoked a positive sense of wonder on Rain. And even though the woman hid it very well. Zhi Rui could feel the fluttering feelings on her.

She activated the ability and the string glowed of what seemed like inner energy.

A sensation of wonder spread through Zhi Rui a sense of having seen something mesmerizing.

Ceasing the connection Zhi Rui felt the fluttering feelings on Rain became a fleeting aftertaste.

'A true parasite' Zhi Rui thought. 'Bianca told me it could steal pleasure, but Tianzy said it can steal any feeling... There' still tests to be done.'

Zhi Rui looked at the burning sun. 'I can literary steal people' emotions.'

----

----

----

"How was it?" A white-haired old man sitting comfortably on a wooden chair spoke.

Rain sat down letting out a tired sigh.

"As expected, she's completely aware of our condition and does not intend on letting us get an inch from her, but she did seem inclined to accept more requests we might have."

"Good, we should put some things in the agreement then nothing much, just plain things we need will do."

Rain looked at the old man with a complicated expression. "But father shouldn't we try and strive for more?"

The old man shook his head.

"We're the weaker side, and she's not a simple enemy."

He looked into his daughter's frustrated eyes.

"She seems to not want to mess with the culture itself, while our core is intact we should carry ourselves with pride."

Rain looked to the window and frowned.

The old man chortled.

"We got rid of the spoiled brats, your waste of a brother, and we'll get the war that we craved for, and all of that will fall on someone else's back. You're just p.i.s.sed because it's not the way you planned."

Rain snorted but didn't say anything.

The old man scratched his chin. he observed her for a few moments and suddenly said. "Go and become her subordinate."

Rain's face scrunched at his tone, she looked defiantly daring him to give the order.

"Look at you, twenty-eight years of age, and you still a spoiled brat. That Zhi Rui is absolutely not common, I told the others we should submit to her and bid our time, but my gut is telling me we won't ever be released of her control. If you truly want to keep your pride and control here. then became her subordinate and let her bestow you that right make her think it was her idea. If you don't, she might hand it over to somebody else."

The old man laughed at her indignance.

"It might be weird coming from me, but subordination to an absolute force is more positive then be thrown around by their whims.

Like our personal elite warriors; it doesn't matter how much the common soldier fight, the ones who work directly for the biggest tribes enjoy the most beautiful women or men, the most expensive liquors and food. Work fewer hours and enjoy the reverence and respect of most.

While the common soldier struggle in the mud all day to barely have enough to eat. And they only gain respect when they die in battle."

The man sighed. "Just think about it."

Rain tapped her finger in the chair for a while, got up and walked away. the sound of the door closing behind her echoed inside the room.

The old man sighed. "Is this enough?"

From the dark corner behind him, Hilda walked out silently.

"Yes," she said curtly.

"My daughter is quite spoiled, she might be difficult sometimes, please be patient. Can you tell this to Zhi Rui?"

Hilda nodded on her way towards the window. She stopped before jumping off. She didn't know if it was pity or whatnot but she felt like soothing the old man.

"Zhi Rui planned to recruit her to from the moment they sparred. She doesn't treat subordinates casually. Even more so when she made the effort to make it seems like it was your daughter's will to follow her. That shows how much she values her talent."

"H-How will my daughter fare?" His voice vacillated and for a second the old man lost his composure.

Hilda'syellow eyes bored deeply into his soul

"Zhi Rui will observe her desires and whims, with it, she'll slowly seduce and sink your daughter in a pool of pleasure, just enough for a taste. Then she'll keep seeking more of it until she simply sees no meaning in running away from Zhi Rui's control."

The old man was frozen.

"It might sound dreary, but it's a future way better than one of your common soldier." She grinned and jumped out of the window.