Liu Jin Huo was very happy today. Recently, he had issued missions to several guilds in different regions to capture advanced monsters for the upcoming Beast Fighting Tournament, and had received a batch of fairly decent monsters. But what surprised Liu Jin the most was that his mission had caught the attention of the "Sea Lion Mercenary Corps," who had taken on the highest difficulty mission "Capture the Snow Mist Leopard" in Heran City.
Half a year ago, Liu Jin learned that the renowned beauty "Noira the Fiery Red" had arrived in Heran City from the imperial capital and joined the Sea Lion Mercenary Corps. And the territory of the Huo family happened to border the Kors Principality. The Kors Principality was weak, while the Huo family was strong, even Duke Robert feared them. Heran City was almost like their own backyard. Since this imperial beauty had thrown herself into his backyard, he couldn't help but want to "pick" her.
During this period, Liu Jin had been struggling to find an excuse to make a move on Noira. When he saw the signature of the Sea Lion Mercenary Corps on the mission book, he knew that his opportunity had arrived. As long as the Sea Lion Mercenary Corps failed the mission, he could pretend to be angry and put pressure on them. He believed that this little imperial kitten couldn't escape from his grasp.
To ensure the mission's failure, he first bribed the owner of the equipment store, deliberately selling faulty hunting nets to the Sea Lion Mercenary Corps. Then he bribed the owner of the potion shop, having him mix berserk potions into the anesthetic to be sold to the Sea Lion Mercenary Corps. In the end, the Sea Lion Mercenary Corps failed as expected.
Early the next morning when the Sea Lion Mercenary Corps returned to Heran City, Liu Jin couldn't wait to cause a scene in the council hall, putting on a performance. When he saw that old man Barrett was frightened into silence by him, Liu Jin felt that everything was almost in his grasp. Later, all he had to do was to frighten Noira seriously, and then promise her prosperity and wealth. Which woman wouldn't submit obediently?
Shortly after Barrett left, he vaguely heard the voice of a woman speaking, it seemed that his prey had arrived. "Viscount Huo, hello." A calm and sweet voice resounded, and a beautiful woman with long legs walked into the room. She closed the door with her fair little hand and stood in front of Liu Jin. "I am Noira, the deputy commander of the Sea Lion Mercenary Corps. I sincerely apologize for our failure to fulfill the mission as promised. Many unforeseen incidents occurred during this mission, and I hope you can forgive us."
After saying this, Noira closed her fiery red eyes and sincerely apologized to Liu Jin with a deep bow. Her fiery hair cascaded down, concealing her stunning face. Among the women Liu Jin had played with in the past, he had never met someone like Noira before. Noira was in the prime of her life, exuding an elegant and mature aura with every move. Especially when she turned her back to Liu Jin to close the door, her exquisite and proportionate figure deeply aroused his desire.
But Noira was also a mercenary, exuding the characteristics of a warrior in her whole being. The leather armor, gauntlets, and the longsword at her waist made her look heroic. Both softness and strength radiated from Noira, coupled with her seductive red eyes, deeply captivating Liu Jin.
Indeed, the imperial beauty was as renowned as the rumors said!
Liu Jin sat on the sofa, almost petrified by the sight. "Hmph, hmph!" Liu Jin finally remembered what he had to do and quickly put on an indignant face. "Apology? Is that all you have after delaying the Beast Fighting Tournament, such a big event?"
Noira kept her head lowered and remained silent. Liu Jin couldn't see her expression, so he assumed that just like Barrett, Noira was too frightened to move. Taking advantage of the situation, Liu Jin decided to add fuel to the fire. He stood up suddenly, crossed his hands behind his back, put on a mysterious look, and coldly said, "Do you know that the annual Beast Fighting Tournament is the biggest event in the northwest region? Do you know how much importance the nobles from all over attach to it?"
Liu Jin slowly walked around and stood by the window. "This time of the year, heroes and braves from the Chenxing Continent gather in the northwest to prove their courage and strength by challenging the monsters in the cages. The number of people who come to watch is not just in the millions."
As he turned around, Liu Jin had already approached Noira from the side, and she still maintained her bowing posture without moving. While squinting his eyes at Noira, Liu Jin continued, "In order to hold a successful tournament and not tarnish our family's reputation, every noble family will offer their best monsters. If the monsters are strong, it proves that the noble family is powerful. On the other hand, if the presented monsters are weak, they will be looked down upon by other noble families."Liu Jin shook his head and said, "The Hall family's reputation is well-known. Not to mention being the number one in the Northwest, we are considered among the powerful. In the Northwest, which noble dares to disrespect Liu Jin Hall?"
"But your Sea Lion Mercenary Corps is the one who is disrespecting me this time!" Liu Jin's voice was cold, as if it had frozen over. He wanted to intimidate the woman in front of him as much as possible, so that she would completely surrender to him when she was most vulnerable.
"The Snow Mist Leopard was not caught. This will undoubtedly damage the honor of our Hall family for many years. Everyone is waiting to see the joke I become! How do you intend to compensate for the loss of my honor?"
For the nobles, there is something equally important as money and land, and that is honor. With honor, you are a true aristocrat with substance. Without honor, no matter how much money you have, you are at most a nouveau riche. Therefore, for the great aristocrats, honor is often more important than money.
Disputes between nobles often escalate into duels due to honor. When nobles bring up their reputation, it is a serious matter.
Noira remained silent for a moment and then said in a deep voice, "There is still a month and a half left. I can go to the Alton Mountains to catch the Snow Mist Leopard again..."
"Shut up! There is no time for that now!" Liu Jin forcefully interrupted Noira. Of course, he wouldn't let Noira go to the mountains again. He went through great lengths to get this opportunity, and now he let the cooked duck run away? Ridiculous!
"Do you think the Beast Fighting Tournament is just about fighting beasts? Besides capturing beasts, there are many other things to do for the tournament. Nobles have meetings with each other, and there are trade meetings between nobles and merchants. A month and a half before the meeting, everything related to the magical beasts must be prepared properly. That is the rule of the tournament! After the deadline, who has the time to handle these matters?"
Liu Jin's words became harsher. He had already circled behind Noira, his two eyes fixed on her well-shaped buttocks and tight thighs without blinking.
"Sorry, I didn't expect the situation to be so serious." Noira's voice didn't sound apologetic at all, but Liu Jin ignored this point.
"It is indeed serious. To be honest, I find it difficult to handle such a situation. However, there is still a way to remedy the loss." Liu Jin's fat body slowly leaned toward Noira from behind.
"To put it bluntly, family honor is a matter of face, and when face is lost, there is a way to make it up." The cold tone disappeared, and Liu Jin's tone became increasingly lewd.
"I heard that Vice Corps Commander is quite a celebrity in the Imperial Capital. If a beauty like Vice Corps Commander could accompany me during the tournament, it would surely help me retrieve some face."
Noira remained silent.
"Don't worry, I will never mistreat you. Not only can I return the breach of contract fee to you, with my status, I can sit as the top guest at the Beast Fighting Tournament. There will be an auction during the tournament, and I can buy you whatever you want. You can earn money that a mercenary could never earn in a lifetime."
"Or, with this viscount's talents..."
As he spoke, Liu Jin had already stood behind Noira, and his fat hand with a gemstone ring reached towards her plump buttocks.
Suddenly, a hand as strong as a tiger's clamp grabbed Liu Jin's wrist. The powerful force made Liu Jin's wrist creak, as if it would break immediately.
"Ah, ah, ah!" Liu Jin screamed in pain, his features contorted. He couldn't believe that the powerful hand that gripped him was the same gentle hand that closed the door moments ago.
"Trying to fix your lost face with a woman. It seems that the viscount's abilities are lacking." Until now, Liu Jin finally saw Noira's face. That face had no fear or intimidation, only strong disgust and mocking contempt towards him.
