Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

Seeing the lizardman's puzzled and confused look, Cheng Yu simply smiled and offered no explanation.

As for the reason, we have to talk about the tradition of the lizardmen. Under normal circumstances, lizardmen will not easily leave their scent on another creature. Only on creatures they trust enough will lizardmen leave their pheromones.

Cheng Yu's pheromones were left on him by Nexus after Nexus stepped on him, which meant that Cheng Yu was a friendly ally of the Lizardman tribe. These pheromones only represented friendliness. However, Evand was different. His pheromones represented trust, and trust in the Lizardman tribe often meant a partner.

The most important reason is that Nexus, as the chieftain of the lizardmen, basically has no female lizards around him. This is because Nexus is always busy managing his tribe and doesn't have time for that kind of thing.

So now the expression on the lizardman's face can be pretty much explained.

But Evand didn't know this. In his mind, everyone he had come into contact with should have the other's aura, so he explained, "Maybe it's because we've both met Nexus~ By the way, Nexus told me before that he wanted to tell you this sentence, and you should believe it. It's something like 'A phoenix soars alone under the moonlight.'"

The lizard spy really wanted to say that there was no need to exchange passwords anymore, since the person in front of him might be the chief's wife, and how could he dare not trust the chief's wife? But Evand had already exchanged passwords, so he didn't stop him.

"Then, sir, what brings you here?"

The lizard spy watched Evans silently, awaiting his answer. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a mysterious and tense atmosphere upon them.

Evans took a deep breath; he knew his task was daunting and contradictory.

He had to fulfill Nexus's mission while also considering the needs of the Minotaur tribe. This was a huge challenge for him, but he also understood the responsibility he had to take if he wanted to bring peace between the two tribes.

“I came here on Nexus’s orders,” Evand began to explain. “He wants me to take you home, back to the Lizardmen tribe. This is a testament to his trust and care for you.”

Upon hearing this, the lizard spy's eyes flashed with gratitude. He knew that Nexus was a just and benevolent chieftain who took exceptional care of his people; otherwise, he wouldn't have risked his life to come here as a spy.

Being able to return to his tribe was undoubtedly a great joy for him.

However, Evand's tone suddenly turned serious. "But I have another task."

He said, “Axel, the chief of the Minotaur tribe, needs your heart to prove that I am qualified to join their alliance. This is the order he gave me, and I cannot refuse.”

The lizard spy's face turned deathly pale. He understood that this meant he had to make a difficult choice: leave his heart to save the chief of the Minotaur tribe, or risk his life to return to the tribe?

He was even more puzzled as to why the chief's wife would join the alliance of the Bull Tribe.

Just then, Cheng Yu stepped forward and gently patted the lizard spy on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll find a solution," he said. "We won't let you sacrifice yourself in vain."

The lizard spy looked at Cheng Yu, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. He trusted this wolf-orc who was so close to the chieftain's wife, and besides, Cheng Yu was the only one he could trust now.

The lizard spy could see from Cheng Yu's eyes that Cheng Yu possessed extraordinary wisdom and ability, and would certainly be able to help him solve his current predicament.

So the three of them began to discuss a solution. They talked for a long time and finally decided to adopt a compromise: Cheng Yu and Ai Wende would find a way to replace the heart and give it to the Bull Tribe to deceive them.

The plan was approved by the lizard spies.

"So what should we do now?" Evan turned to look at Cheng Yu. He was the one who came up with this idea, so Cheng Yu certainly knew how to do it. Anyway, that's what Evan thought.

"Leave this to me, you guys just keep an eye on it..."

Cheng Yu took a deep breath, his eyes shining with determination and confidence.

Although his next actions might damage his foundation, he felt he had to do it. If he simply used a blood-stained sword to deceive the Minotaur tribe as the original story had unfolded, Axel would never acknowledge Evand's allies, because now Evand had gained an ally—himself.

He gently took the camera off his waist, then raised it with both paws and aimed it at the lizard spy.

As the shutter clicked gently, a tiny glint of light flashed, and the image of the lizard spy was perfectly captured in the photograph.

Immediately afterwards, Cheng Yu closed his eyes and began to concentrate.

In his mind, the image in the photograph gradually became clearer, as if it were right before his eyes. He used his unique storytelling ability to begin to materialize this image.

This is a process that requires a high degree of concentration and imagination. The slightest mistake could lead to failure, because he has not yet tried to create life from stories.

Time seemed to slow down at that moment. Evand and the lizard spy held their breath and watched Cheng Yu nervously. Although the lizard spy didn't know what Cheng Yu was doing, he felt that he was doing the right thing.

Fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on Cheng Yu's forehead, but his two fingers remained firmly gripping the photo between them, his eyes resolute.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew by, and the leaves rustled softly. The moment the wind stopped, a completely new lizard spy appeared before them. It looked exactly like the real lizard spy, but it showed no signs of life.

Evand and the lizard spy were both filled with shock as they stared at the lizard spy that had materialized from the photograph.

They never imagined that Cheng Yu could actually do this.

Although the lizard spy in front of me is not a living creature, this inanimate lizard spy is not only perfect in appearance, but even the details are handled just right.

"This...this is unbelievable!" Evan exclaimed. "Cheng Yu, how did you do that? I know your ability is special, but this is just too amazing!"

Cheng Yu smiled slightly and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "This is my storytelling ability," he explained. "I can capture images with a camera and materialize them through my imagination. Actually, it's not so much about materializing them, but rather about forcibly inserting another story into the original one."

Although this process requires a lot of effort and time, if successful, it can create a substitute that is exactly the same as the real object.

This was my first attempt to create something alive, but unfortunately I failed. If my master were here, he could definitely have done it.

The lizard spy looked at the substitute in front of him with gratitude and respect in his eyes.

He now finally understood why the chieftain had left his pheromones on the guy in front of him.

Cheng Yu not only saved his own life, but also demonstrated an extraordinary ability, which was an incredible miracle to him.

“Cheng Yu, thank you,” the lizard spy said sincerely. “Without you, I might never have been able to return to the tribe.”

Cheng Yu shook his head and laughed, "Don't say that. We're all working for peace. Now that we have this substitute, we can hand it over to the Bull Tribe and fool them."

"Thank you for your help. See you in the village later. I'll definitely prepare a big meal for you when you return!"

"Well, I won't be polite then. You'd better prepare plenty of food, or there won't be enough for me," Evan said jokingly from the side.

"Definitely! Okay, it's getting late, my kids are waiting for me at home, so I need to go back soon. Goodbye!"

Goodbye! x2

Cheng Yu and Evan waved goodbye to the lizard spies. Next, they would face the Minotaur tribe, but fortunately, they had found a replacement heart, or even just take the body back.

……

The Niuren Tribe consists of enormous tents built from boulders and timber, scattered across this vast land.

Evan and Cheng Yu, carrying replacements for the lizard spies, hurried toward Chief Axel's tent.

Evand's feelings were incredibly complex, a mixture of relief at completing the mission and unease about facing Axel. He knew that although they had brought a replacement for the lizard spy, it was still uncertain whether Axel would readily accept it.

He has even considered the worst-case scenario: the current substitute might not be able to fool Axel.

As soon as they stepped into the tent, a strong smell of animal hides and charcoal filled the air, creating an unusually heavy atmosphere. Axel sat in the center on a leather chair, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as he stared at them.

"Hmph, you two are finally back." Axel's voice was cold and mocking. "I thought you had been captured by the lizardmen and made into their dinner. I was even ready to send my men to bring your corpses back."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu raised an eyebrow and retorted without any politeness, "Oh? Is that so? Then we really have to thank Chief for his concern. However, we are not the kind of prey that can be easily caught. But you, Chief, did you even think before you said that?"

Axel's face instantly darkened. He stood up, his imposing figure pressing down on the entire tent like a mountain.

He walked towards Cheng Yu step by step, each step seeming to leave a deep crater in the ground. "What an arrogant brat!"

Axel roared, "You think you can be arrogant in front of me just because you completed such a simple test? Besides, that test was for Evand, while your test was to withstand my attacks for three minutes! Today I'll show you what true power is!"

Upon seeing this, Evand felt a pang of anxiety. Although he didn't know the exact extent of Axel's strength, as a chief, he was undoubtedly one of the best in the tribe. Evand was worried that Cheng Yu would suffer a loss and was preparing to take Cheng Yu away.

However, Cheng Yu remained unfazed, smiling slightly as if he were confident. "Chief, since you are so eager to see my abilities, then let's begin."

He said provocatively, "But I must remind you, I have many stories, and each story brings me endless possibilities."

Axel laughed in fury, then threw a punch that seemed to tear the air apart. However, just as his fist was about to strike Cheng Yu, Cheng Yu suddenly vanished.

“This is…” Axel stared in surprise at the empty space ahead, looking around for Cheng Yu.

Just then, Cheng Yu's voice suddenly rang in Axel's ears: "Chief, stop looking, I'm here."

Axel whirled around, only to see Cheng Yu holding a longsword that gleamed with a cold light, its tip pointed directly at his throat. This sword, summoned by Cheng Yu through his storytelling ability from the legends of ancient heroes, was incredibly powerful.

"What...what's going on?" Axel took a step back in fear; he had never seen such a miraculous method before.

“That’s the power of a story,” Cheng Yu sneered. “In this story, I am the master, and you are just a character I created.”

Having said that, Cheng Yu swung his longsword and launched a fierce attack on Axel. Each swing of the sword seemed to carry the force of a thunderbolt, leaving Axel overwhelmed. However, no matter how hard he tried to dodge and defend, Cheng Yu could always easily see through his movements and accurately strike his vital points.

Axel was being driven back in defeat, his heart filled with fear and despair. He had never imagined that anyone in this world could possess such incredible power.

However, just as Axel was about to be defeated, Cheng Yu suddenly sheathed his sword, smiled slightly, and then stopped in front of him.

Just as Axel was about to take this opportunity to punch Cheng Yu, Cheng Yu's figure transformed back into Tarn's.

“Father…you…” Cheng Yu, now transformed into Tarn, spoke in a voice that was exactly the same as Tarn’s.

The fist that was about to hit Cheng Yu's face stopped instantly. Axel looked at "Tahn" in front of him in surprise. Although he was strict with his son, he really couldn't bring himself to hit him. He would hit his son, let alone hit his son's face.

"Hehe... Father, you are so kind, tsk tsk tsk~" After saying this, Cheng Yu disappeared from Axel's sight again.

When Axel saw Cheng Yu again, he was surprised to find that Cheng Yu had transformed into his appearance, with the same physique, face, and even aura.

“This…how is this possible?” Axel exclaimed.

“In this story, I can become anyone,” Cheng Yu said in Axel’s voice, “including you, Chief.”

After speaking, Cheng Yu stepped out of the tent as Axel. His orders commanded the tribe's warriors to treat him with utmost respect, and no one doubted his identity.

Evand watched this scene with a sense of awe. He knew that Cheng Yu's abilities had exceeded his imagination; he could easily take control of the entire Minotaur tribe in this way.

However, Cheng Yu did not do that. He transformed back into his original form and returned to the tent.

"Chief, I've won," Cheng Yu said with a smile. "Now, we should both be able to join your alliance, right?"

Axel looked at Cheng Yu, his eyes filled with fear and dread. "You won."

But he quickly calmed down. As the chief of the Minotaur tribe, he shouldn't show that expression: "Your abilities are indeed very powerful. I have never seen such amazing power. You and your companions are already our allies..."