"Then I'll have to trouble Chief Lira Blackveil to lead the way."
Even though this "chief" wasn't the same as that chief, everyone enjoyed being given a flattering title.
Lira Blackveil was clearly quite pleased. Along the way, she grew more talkative and, intentionally or otherwise, revealed quite a few of Tenma's personal preferences.
Stussy carefully memorized everything, the corners of her lips lifting in quiet satisfaction—unaware that this was nothing more than Tenma's plan to lure her straight into the trap.
A top-tier fat lamb delivered to his doorstep—why would Tenma ever turn that away?
Whether in figure, looks, or capability, this woman was first-rate in every sense. With just a bit of manipulation—twisting her way of thinking ever so slightly—she could become the perfect two-faced bridge linking the Skyborne Kingdom with CP0, and even the Shadow Guard.
The door opened. Inside, only Natasha was attending him.
Tenma sat calmly at the seat of honor. After Lira Blackveil reported in, she withdrew respectfully.
Stussy stepped forward with light, graceful strides, a bewitching smile on her face. Every step swayed with practiced allure.
"Lord Tenma, thank you for sparing time from your busy schedule to grant this humble woman an audience."
She didn't use the distant title of "General," but instead addressed him by name, instantly closing the gap and infusing the air with ambiguity.
Her posture was deliberately low, toning down the dominance of the Pleasure Street Queen and fully displaying a fragile, helpless side.
From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of that vivid red figure by the table—Natasha. Stussy's gaze flickered, but she quickly adjusted her mood and chose to ignore it.
Having accepted such a deadly mission, there was no room for stray thoughts. She could only walk this path to the end.
Aside from his terrifying combat strength, rumors claimed that this ruler's private life was rather indulgent. Seeing it with her own eyes now, she felt relief instead—this meant her chances of success had risen yet again.
Tenma reached out and gently rubbed Natasha's smooth red hair. Understanding immediately, Natasha obediently stood and left the room.
As they brushed past each other, Stussy met her eyes. They exchanged only a brief nod—no words at all.
When Stussy turned back, Tenma had already gestured for her to sit.
She walked over elegantly, every subtle movement carefully designed, radiating the unique charm of a mature woman.
As the distance closed, her vision was completely filled by the man before her.
Setting aside that world-destroying strength of his, just in terms of appearance alone, he was imposing and handsome enough to make one's heart race.
Perhaps… giving her first time to a man like this wouldn't be such a bad choice after all?
With that thought, the smile on Stussy's face deepened. She smoothly sat down on the chair to Tenma's left, not daring to take the seat directly opposite him.
"Let's get straight to the point," Tenma said calmly. "How do you plan to play this cooperation with Pleasure Street?"
Though it was merely a pretext to get close, it was indeed legitimate business. For a social queen like Stussy, misleading people was practically instinct.
"My lord has built such a grand and dreamlike nation. What I've seen these past two days—especially those lanterns filling the sky—has fulfilled every romantic fantasy a woman could have."
A perfectly measured look of longing appeared in Stussy's eyes—something she had carefully prepared long before the festival began.
With the groundwork laid, she finally revealed her dagger.
"I intend to gradually shift Pleasure Street's center of operations to your kingdom. All I ask is that you grant us protection in the future."
"As a token of sincerity, all of Pleasure Street's revenue within the Skyborne Kingdom for the next two years will belong to you. After that, I'm willing to offer thirty percent of annual profits."
It sounded beautiful, as though she truly only wanted to find a great tree to shelter under.
Of course, Stussy knew perfectly well that this amount of money wouldn't move him in the slightest. Her real bargaining chip… was herself.
Just as she expected, Tenma shook his head after hearing her out, a greedy expression appearing on his face.
"It's several times more than before, sure—but it's still far from my psychological price."
The fish had taken the bait.
Stussy's smile didn't change. She leaned forward slightly, revealing a hint of snowy skin at her collar.
"Then how big is your appetite, my lord?"
"The prosperity of the Skyborne Kingdom is truly tempting. With such a massive population base, whether men or women, the spending power born of desire is astonishing."
If not for Tenma's all-seeing gaze, one might truly be deceived by her shrewd merchant façade.
"Let's set money aside for now," Tenma said with a half-smile, eyes filled with amusement.
"If you want my protection, there's only one requirement—becoming one of my people."
"Can you do that?"
The look in his eyes made Stussy's heart prickle—but this was exactly what she had been waiting for.
Her chance had come.
She pretended to hesitate, as if steeling herself for a difficult decision. Then her lithe body twisted slightly, her eyes turning seductive.
"Compared to being an ordinary subject… what if I were to give you a truly unforgettable night, my lord?"
...
The night grew deep. Midnight arrived.
Under the sheets, Stussy no longer knew whether the festival outside was still in full swing. She didn't even have the strength to move a finger.
Her entire body felt like it had fallen apart—soreness mixed with an indescribable numb pleasure.
As the Pleasure Street Queen who had seen countless men, even if she hadn't eaten pork, she'd seen pigs run—but tonight's battle was completely beyond her understanding.
As expected of the world's strongest… even in this, his power was utterly inhuman.
By all rights, her constitution wasn't weak. Yet before Tenma, she was like a lone leaf in a storm—only able to drift and be battered by the waves.
Looking at the refreshed, energetic Tenma beside her, Stussy's eyes filled with complicated emotions.
Shock. Relief. And a feeling she couldn't quite name.
There was no denying it—this night was too perfect, to the point that she had almost forgotten her identity as a spy.
But once the passion faded, emptiness rushed in, and reason reclaimed the high ground.
Suppressing her physical discomfort, she leaned toward Tenma like a lazy cat.
"My lord, now that I'm yours… the conditions we discussed earlier should be honored, yes?"
Tenma naturally drew her close, his fingers gently stroking her smooth shoulder.
"Talking business at a time like this does spoil the mood. But since you're already mine, it's just a matter of one sentence."
At those words, a genuine smile bloomed on Stussy's face.
What she wanted wasn't merely the relocation of Pleasure Street—it was Tenma's personal acknowledgment of her status as his possession.
That meant this nail had been firmly driven into the very core of the General's power structure.
At last, the tension left her body, and she relaxed once more.
Just then, a crisp knock sounded, breaking the intimate atmosphere.
With Tenma's permission, the door was pushed open.
A little girl with light brown wavy hair and bangs covering her forehead walked in.
…Pudding?
Stussy's pupils shrank slightly.
Charlotte Linlin's thirty-fifth daughter. She had seen her years ago at a tea party—back when she was still an infant.
This girl was only six years old this year, wasn't she?
What left such a deep impression was the intelligence report stating that, like Ulti, this child had been exceptionally promoted this year to become one of the General's retainers.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.Part One is officially complete — and it's now available
Go check it out and dive into the full experience.
Claim early access here: [email protected]/voidink08
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews unlock 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.