CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: COMPENSATION FOR DEFEAT (PLEASE VOTE AND FAVORITE)_1

Soon Clan Leader Duan’er was brought before Yan Xing, escorted by Eddie and Olaf.

Yan Xing, seated in his place, didn’t move. He looked at the ropes binding Duan’er, pondering whether he should untie him.

If he were to lose his temper at the dinner table, it would be a troublesome matter.

But Yan Xing quickly noticed Duan’er’s expression.

He appeared dejected, his gaze unfocused as he kept looking at the militia and the werewolves around him, betraying a mix of fear and envy.

Yan Xing laughed. "Didn’t I say to invite Clan Leader Duan’er politely? Why is His Excellency still tied up? Quick, untie him! Clan Leader Duan’er is our guest of the Eternal Domain... Although the Clan Leader came in a somewhat special manner, he did greet us in a way we are all familiar with. Please, have a seat!"

Olaf loosened the ropes that bound Duan’er and pulled out a chair for him.

Duan’er flexed his wrists, not daring to harbor any thoughts of violence.

He considered his strength utterly incomparable to that of this human Lord. From every perspective, his opponent held an absolute advantage.

To resort to violence would only invite humiliation and put him in even greater danger.

Preserving his tribe was what a qualified Clan Leader should be doing at this time.

"Respectable Lord Yan Xing..." Duan’er addressed Yan Xing with a respectful title. "I apologize for my offense. As Olaf said, greed blinded me. I have paid the price for my folly. Lord Yan Xing is a benevolent and merciful Lord, and I hope you can forgive the mistake I made and allow me and my tribesmen to leave safely."

At this moment, Duan’er only wished to return to the Red Mud Wetland with his tribesmen as soon as possible.

But Yan Xing said, "Now that you’re here, don’t be in such a rush to leave. As the host, I must fulfill my duties. To entertain the Clan Leader, I specifically had my personal chef prepare a lavish dinner. That’s right! And red wine. Gao Sipa, pour the wine."

"Yes, my Lord."

Gao Sipa picked up an opened bottle of red wine, poured a full glass for Yan Xing, then went to Duan’er and filled his glass to the brim as well.

Yan Xing looked at the nearly overflowing wine in the glass before him. I must train some proper attendants if I ever get the chance. Who pours red wine like this? How am I supposed to swirl the wine and show off now!

At the other end of the table, Duan’er grew nervous. This is red wine, after all! I’ve only heard of it before, never tasted it. Never even laid eyes on it. Look at this color, as red as fresh blood. And this aroma, rich and sweet. It’s said that fine red wine is extremely precious; even the wealthiest human nobles only dare pour a little at a time. Yet Lord Yan Xing has poured me a full glass, even spilling quite a lot. Indeed, he is a Lord known for his generosity. And then there’s the food on the table... Just the color coordination is already pleasing to the eye. The exquisite preparation of the dishes left the werewolves, who only knew how to roast things whole, utterly amazed. Look at that fish, its head and tail curved as if it were about to leap. That roasted duck, golden brown, its slices as thin as wings... It’s simply too luxurious, too grand.

Duan’er suddenly felt like an unsophisticated country bumpkin who had never seen the world. His heart filled with envy for, and yearning toward, this advanced civilization, along with the tension that arose from these emotions.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Yan Xing." Duan’er swallowed, trying hard not to let his saliva drip and embarrass himself at such an elegant gathering.

Yan Xing, however, lifted his wine glass and gestured to Duan’er. "Clan Leader Duan’er, I have come to this meeting with utmost sincerity and goodwill. Please, drink this glass, and we can discuss business while we dine."

Duan’er immediately held the wine glass with both hands, very carefully, afraid of spilling even more wine.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Yan Xing. At this moment, I too am filled with goodwill and respect for you."

A large glass of red wine went down. GULP. GULP.

After inviting Duan’er to try some dishes, Yan Xing then spoke, "Clan Leader Duan’er, in today’s battle, you must have realized... I spent a considerable amount of supplies and gold to prepare for this fight. What do you think should be done about these expenses?"

As Duan’er devoured the sumptuous food, he replied to Yan Xing’s sudden question, "Today’s battle has made me aware of the vast wealth at your disposal, Lord Yan Xing. I once again express my deep apologies for the trouble I’ve caused."

Yan Xing smiled. "Is an apology all?"

Duan’er was stunned for a moment. "Is an apology not enough?"

Seeing Duan’er with his mouth agape and soup dripping from the corners, Yan Xing couldn’t help but laugh heartily. "An apology alone... of course, is not enough. This banquet is my treat, and no matter the cost, I’m happy to pay for it. But the expenses incurred on the battlefield are another matter entirely. Defeat must look like defeat; victory must look like victory. You eat and drink to your heart’s content here, and then think a simple apology will let you just walk away? That’s not how it works."

Duan’er listened and felt that Yan Xing’s words made a lot of sense.

His current indulgence in eating and drinking truly didn’t resemble someone who had been defeated.

"Yes, yes, yes..." Duan’er wiped his mouth with his hand and said to Yan Xing, "Your hospitality, Lord Yan Xing, has befuddled me. Certainly, the defeated must appear defeated! I am willing to compensate for the damage caused to your domain, Lord Yan Xing. It’s just that... compared to your wealth, all the treasures of my Red Mud Wetland wouldn’t even buy a single suit of armor for one of your subordinates."

Yan Xing was very satisfied with Duan’er’s attitude. The Barbarian Tribes have their advantages too. They are straightforward and speak their minds.

Yan Xing signaled Gao Sipa to pour more wine for Duan’er, then continued, "I am well aware of the poverty of your marshes. I’m not interested in your clan’s wealth. Since Clan Leader Duan’er is willing to compensate for my losses, then I shall propose a compensation plan."

Duan’er downed the freshly poured glass of red wine in one gulp. "Please speak, Lord Yan Xing," he said.

Yan Xing gestured for Gao Sipa to keep pouring and went on, "Clan Leader Duan’er, you’ve seen the state of my domain. We are rich in supplies but severely lacking in manpower. I hope Clan Leader Duan’er can provide me with a group of werewolf laborers as a way to compensate for my losses in the war. I guarantee your tribespeople ample food, clean drinking water, and comfortable housing. Once the compensation is complete, I will return your tribespeople to you unharmed, without a single one missing."

Upon hearing this, Duan’er’s mind raced. There’s such a good deal? From this pavilion, I’ve seen clearly what they eat in the Eternal Domain! Outside, each farmer has a box of food containing meat and chicken legs. White-flour pastries are laid out for anyone to take and eat at will. Soup is free for the drinking. There are even fruits I’ve never seen before, with a share for everyone! And what do my own tribespeople eat in the Red Mud Wetland? When truly starving, they resort to gnawing on tree bark!

"Lord Yan Xing..." Duan’er could hardly believe his ears. "For a defeated party, can compensation really be made this way?"