Tempting Rewards

Seeing Goode's expression change almost to a grimace, Yang Ling confirmed that he had hit his weak point. The plan to recruit Goode was already fifty percent successful.

In order to recruit a person with Goode's abilities, Yang Ling had to take the initiative and attack his morale. To attack his morale, Yang Ling had to target his weaknesses! As long as he could toss out a sufficiently tempting reward at the opportune moment, the carrot and stick technique would definitely motivate Goode to jump on board.

"Hmph, you're right. I have indeed overestimated the power of the Snake Demon Blood Staff, or should I say that I underestimated your abilities!" Goode stared icily at Yang Ling after letting out a cold grunt, as if already coming to terms with his death.

"Haha, you lost the game because of one wrong move! Unfortunate, how unfortunate!" Looking at the desolate Goode, Yang Ling understood that he had resigned himself to fate and lost the will to survive. He feigned pity and shook his head. "Ymir committed many evils and deserved to die. But the crimes of the rest of his people do not necessarily warrant death. Are you so willing to die with him?"

My crimes do not warrant death?

Looking at the smiling Yang Ling, Goode secretly deliberated the man's motive for coming here. Ever since he made a mistake and got himself captured, he knew that his end would not be pretty given his identity. After finding no opportunities to escape this prison, he had resigned to himself to his fate. Now that he was hearing Yang Ling's words, he could see a faint ray of hope.

Looking at the joyful Goode, seemingly thinking about something, Yang Ling took out a thin piece of paper from his robes. He slowly read, "Goode Adamina, originally Steve Masterton, an Earl by heritage, commander of army war preparations. Led a group of troops in rebellion eighteen years ago, resulting in the extermination of his family. His whereabouts are unknown…"

"Who… Who exactly are you, and how do you know all of that?"

Goode's face lost its color in his shock. He had changed his name and identity after escaping from the capital eighteen years ago. No one knew of his true identity other than a few trusted men that fought through life and death with him. To think that a Summoner of unknown background like Yang Ling could speak of his past... Just who was he, and what was his motive?

Could it be that he was one of the legendary Shadow Guards, personally commanded by the emperor?

It was rumored that in order to listen in on the actions of his ministers, every emperor of the Banto Empire had under him a personal group of guards. They had higher authority than a minister, able to act first before reporting their actions to the emperor. They were unbelievably stealthy, and they were nicknamed the Shadow Guards.

"Sir Yang, just who… Just who are you, and what is your motive?" Looking at the unfathomable Yang Ling, Goode struggled to swallow his saliva. If Yang Ling was truly one of the legendary Shadow Guards tasked to assassinate him, he might suffer a fate worse than death now that he had landed in the man's hands!

After giving a mysterious smile, Yang Ling said, "I am merely a small merchant hoping to open a few shops here to feed my family and live a peaceful life!"

Seeing Goode shocked beyond words, Yang Ling understood that he was one step closer to succeeding. In order to obtain this information, Yang Ling had given the name of the top class tactician of the Anca family to Murbaqi and asked him to hand it over to Harribell the moment he captured Goode. He had hoped for Harribell to help him search for Goode's background. Harribell had quickly given him a reply, living up to her reputation of a powerful family with immense riches.

A small merchant that hopes to open a few shops and feed his family? Goode swallowed hard, his brows creasing. He secretly deliberated Yang Ling's identity and motive.

Yang Ling had been able to open a dwarf weapon shop and a wine refinery, then gather a large group of followers. If that classified him as a small merchant, then the other merchants in the town might as well be beggars! Coupled with the terrifying army of Magical Beasts under his command, one need not think too hard to dismiss Yang Ling as a small merchant, especially since there were rumors of him being a famous Summoner.

"How unfortunate, a respectable Earl of the empire by heritage, a respectable commander of the army war preparations, would fall to become a tactician for the leader of a gang of pirates!" Yang Ling shook his head and continued, "I am very curious; just what benefits did the Anca family give you for you to ignore your suffering family and stay here like some cowardly tortoise!"

According to the information, after Goode led a group of trusted guards and fled the capital eighteen years ago, the members of his family were either executed or sent to the gaols. Some were even exiled to barren lands or directly banished to become wretched citizens, their lives worse than death. Yang Ling could not understand it. How could Goode, the best tactician of the Anca family, once a noble of high status, tolerate all of this?

Cowardly tortoise?

Under Yang Ling's provocation, the pain Goode had suppressed all these years instantly erupted. He shook the steel bars of the cell fiercely and shouted, "Just who are you? Speak! What do you want?!"

Looking at Goode's red eyes, Yang Ling said calmly, "It is not important who I am. What is important is that I can help you. I can save your pitiful family!"

"Hahaha, save my family? With what, your identity as a Shadow Guard?"

It was as if Goode had just heard the biggest joke in the world. Other than being a Shadow Guard, he could not understand how Yang Ling would have such remarkable abilities and riches. Other than being a Shadow Guard who was omnipresent, he did not understand how Yang Ling would know so much about his background. Goode could not think of anyone who would be so interested in him, other than one of the emperor's heartless killers.

Shadow Guard?

Looking at the frantic Goode, Yang Ling creased his brows. He knew that Goode had mistaken his identity. "Goode, frankly speaking, I am an Ancient Summoner, and also a Tree Shepherd. I have never heard of a Shadow Guard. My motive for talking to you today is simple; I want you to work under me!"

Seeing Goode's misunderstanding grow deeper, Yang Ling decided to speak more directly. In order to be more persuasive, he summoned the Withered Tree Warriors, Horned Bee Beasts, and Evil Eyes out in one go.

Ancient Summoner, Tree Shepherd?

Looking at the horde of Evil Eyes and Horned Bee Beasts, then looking at the Withered Tree Warriors, their heads touching the top of the cell even though they were squatting, Goode was dumbfounded. In his memories, Ancient Summoners and Tree Shepherds were merely legends in the historical annals. He had never heard of any Shadow Guard with such unique abilities.

"Sir Yang, forcefully saving the members of my family would mean offending figures of great authority in the Banto Empire. Are you really willing to do that?"

After that surprise, Goode no longer doubted Yang Ling's identity. He was, at the same time, incredibly excited. Both the Ancient Summoners and Tree Shepherds had powerful abilities. That was evident in how Yang Ling had defeated the terrifying Nine-headed Snake Monster. As long as he helped Yang Ling to the best of his abilities, there was hope of saving the members of his family that had been suffering all this while.

"The deal is simple. You will provide me with tactics, and in return, I'll try my best to save your family!"

"Sir, do you speak the truth?"

"I'll swear on the name of the Goddess of Nature. As long as you are loyal to me, I will try my best to save your family!" Yang Ling had secretly used the god the forest elves believed in.

It was rumored that the Tree Shepherds were the messengers of the Goddess of Nature. Hearing Yang Ling say this, Goode no longer had any suspicions. He groveled before Yang Ling. In order to save his daughter and old mother, Goode would do anything, much less merely offering tactics.