Genius in the whole system: The useless young lady dominates the world

“Going there directly is too risky,” Feng Xiao analyzed. “The Rock Tribe is low-key and cautious, and they will definitely be wary of outsiders. Our identity as an ‘extraterritorial caravan’ is already sensitive. If we go there rashly, we may be mistaken for spies sent by Rift Sky.”

“Forcing our way in is even worse,” Baihu said in a deep voice. “Although the west side of the city is a poor area, the Rock Tribe has lived here for generations and is extremely familiar with the terrain. Moreover, although their tribesmen are few in number, they are all fearless. If we really fight, we may not be able to gain the upper hand. More importantly, once we are exposed in the city, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Just when everyone was at a loss, things took an unexpected turn for the better.

That evening, Feng Xiao (Old Feng) had just returned from gathering information outside when the rat demon innkeeper approached him mysteriously and handed him a rough piece of animal skin paper.

“Sir,” the rat demon shopkeeper lowered his voice, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and fear, “some people from the Rock Tribe came by earlier, specifically asking for the manager of the ‘Naragu Caravan.’ They left this behind, saying that their chieftain, Lord Rock Lie, would like to invite Mr. ‘Naragu,’ the leader of your caravan, to sit in their tribe’s council hall tomorrow evening to chat… chat about the customs of other lands.”

This sudden invitation stunned everyone. "Pan Shi Lie invited us on his own initiative?" You Ming (Xiao Hei) was somewhat surprised.

"Could this be a trap?" Dark Night (Little Gray) asked warily, frowning slightly.

Lu Lingxi Yao (Xiao Qi) took the animal skin paper, unfolded it and looked at it. There were only a few lines of text on it. The content was similar to what the Rat Demon Boss had said. The time and place of the invitation were very clear, but the tone seemed a bit stiff and deliberate.

“It’s hard to say.” A glint of light flashed in Nalan Rongzhi’s (Naragu’s) eyes. “It could be a test, to see where we come from; it could be surveillance, to lure us in and capture us all; of course, it could also be… that he has really become interested in us, or that he has noticed something through some channels.”

“But in any case, this is our only chance to get in touch with Pan Shi Lie, and we can’t miss it.” Lu Lingxi Yao made a decision. “We must accept this invitation.”

“I’ll go,” Nalan Rongzhi said without hesitation.

“It’s too dangerous for you to go alone,” Lu Lingxi Yao immediately objected. “We don’t know anything about them, what if it’s a trap…”

“It’s alright,” Nalan Rongzhi interrupted her, his tone calm yet filled with undeniable confidence. “My strength is sufficient to handle most situations, and only my presence can minimize the other party’s wariness.”

Lu Lingxi Yao pondered for a moment, and finally nodded. She knew Nalan Rongzhi's strength and adaptability. "Alright, just in case, I (Xiao Qi) and Di Lin (A Tu) will go with you. Bai Hu and Feng Xiao, you will provide support from the outside. If anything changes, act according to the plan immediately."

"Yes!" Everyone agreed in unison.

The following night, in the slums of the western district of Panshi City, Nalan Rongzhi (Nalagu), dressed in a seemingly ordinary but exquisitely made black outfit, with his face still bearing that cold and aloof expression, was walking towards the settlement of the Panshi tribe. Behind him, Lu Lingxi Yao (Xiao Qi) and Di Lin (A Tu) followed closely.

Further away, White Tiger (Big Bear) and Wind Howl (Old Wind) were also hiding in the shadows, vigilantly observing the surrounding movements.

The council hall of the Rock Tribe was less a hall and more a spacious cave dug into a huge rock. The cave walls were rough, and it was only lit by a few dim animal oil lamps. The air was filled with the smell of stone chips and sweat.

In the center of the cave, there was a stone table carved from a single boulder. Beside the table sat a burly middle-aged demon, none other than the chieftain of the Rock Tribe, Rock Lie.

Pan Shi Lie had a rugged face and sharp, eagle-like eyes. He was staring intently at Nalan Rongzhi (Nalagu) as he entered the cave. He wore a simple animal skin vest that revealed his bronze muscles and exuded a calm aura. However, his furrowed brows and the worry in his eyes revealed the heaviness in his heart.

Around the stone table stood seven or eight equally burly and fierce warriors of the Rock Tribe. Their hands were on the stone axes or bone knives at their waists, their eyes wary and hostile. The atmosphere in the entire cave was so heavy that it was almost suffocating.

Nalan Rongzhi (Nalagu) ignored all of this. He calmly walked to the stone table and met Pan Shilie's gaze with indifference. He showed neither fear nor deliberate arrogance. He simply stood there quietly, waiting for the other to speak.

"So you're that merchant who claims to be from beyond the realm, Naragu?" Pan Shi Lie broke the silence first, his voice low and hoarse, carrying an undeniable tone. "Speak, who exactly are you? What is your purpose in coming to my Pan Shi City and approaching my Pan Shi tribe? Don't give me any talk about foreign customs. I, Pan Shi Lie, have lived for hundreds of years, what kind of people haven't I seen? The aura around you... is very strange!"

He fired off a barrage of questions, each one hitting the nail on the head, his eyes sharp as if trying to see right through Nalan Rongzhi.

Nalan Rongzhi remained expressionless, speaking calmly with a hint of aloof indifference in his voice: "Purpose? Naturally, it's business. Panshi City is a crucial point in the central region. I have my reasons for coming here. As for my aura... it seems to have no relation to you."

His answer not only failed to dispel Pan Shi Lie's doubts, but also made the atmosphere more tense. The Pan Shi tribe warriors took a step closer, slightly raising their weapons, as if they were about to fight at the slightest provocation.

Just then, Lu Lingxi Yao (Xiao Qi), who had been standing quietly behind Nalan Rongzhi, stepped forward, bowed slightly, and spoke in a clear yet strangely persuasive voice: "Clan Chief Pan Shi Lie, please calm down. My master is of such a nature and not good with words. If he has offended you, please forgive him."

She raised her head, meeting Pan Shi Lie's sharp gaze with neither humility nor arrogance, and continued, "We are indeed a caravan from beyond the realm. Our main purpose in coming to the Demon Realm is to purchase a batch of 'Blood-Patterned Steel,' which is unique to your region. This item is extremely rare and valuable in the outside world."

We chose to settle in Rock City for two reasons: firstly, it is a vital transportation hub; and secondly, we have long admired the Rock Tribe's expertise in mining and forging, and their superior craftsmanship. Chief Pan Shi Lie is renowned for his integrity and uprightness, and we hope to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with your tribe.

She paused, then subtly changed the subject, lowering her voice slightly, "Of course, we also know that the situation in the demon realm is complicated these days, and business is not easy."

The heavy taxes and levies, and the strict checkpoint inspections, meant that if it weren't for the protection of a respected local figure like the clan chief, we small caravans from elsewhere would have had no chance of making any progress.

We mean no harm; we only wish to conduct our business peacefully. If we can receive even a little help from the clan chief, we will surely repay him handsomely in the future.

Lu Lingxi's words were logical and well-organized. They explained her purpose, subtly flattered Pan Shilie, and implicitly mentioned the current predicament of the demon realm, implying that they were not completely unaware of Lie Tian's rule. The frankness and "respect" she showed for Pan Shilie eased his tense expression slightly, but the doubt in his eyes was not completely eliminated.

"That sounds nice!"

Pan Shi Lie snorted coldly, clearly not entirely convinced. "Blood-patterned steel? That's a crucial strategic resource, strictly controlled by His Majesty Lie Tian. How could you outsiders of unknown origin just buy it?" His gaze locked onto Nalan Rongzhi again. "Moreover, the power fluctuations emanating from you are definitely not those of an ordinary merchant! Speak! Who sent you? Lie Tian? Or those remnants of the previous dynasty hiding in the shadows?"

As Pan Shi Lie finished speaking, the atmosphere in the cave plummeted to freezing point once more, and the murderous aura emanating from the Pan Shi tribe warriors almost solidified into a tangible form.

A faint hint of impatience finally flashed in Nalan Rongzhi's (Nalagu's) eyes. He stopped speaking, but slightly raised his eyelids. An invisible and intangible yet vast and abyss-like, icy and piercing pressure spread out from his body like a tide!

Om-!

The air inside the cave seemed to freeze. The menacing Rock Tribe warriors felt an irresistible, terrifying force suddenly descend upon them, as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on them, making it difficult to breathe, their legs went weak, and even their hands holding weapons began to tremble uncontrollably. Their eyes were filled with horror and fear. Even Rock Lie himself, whose body was as solid as a rock, shuddered violently, his face turning pale instantly. He was horrified to discover that his proud strength was as insignificant as an ant in the face of this pressure!