Chapter 12: A Drunken Bargain for Freedom

Gazing at the drunken constable before her, Bai Jiujiu recalled their earlier discussion about a collaboration in the small grove.

“Let’s work together!”

“Hah? Why would I ever cooperate with a wanted criminal?”

“If you help me get out, I can help you resolve whatever troubles you’re facing.”

“Who told you I was in trouble?”

“Then why were you crying, making a ruckus, and rolling around in the mud?”

“None of your business! I’m crazy, and I like it!”

“I understand. Sometimes I also do unbelievable things, like sleeping in a mud pit, sleeping in a bonfire, being pickled in a ceramic jar by my disciple while sleeping, or being boiled in soup… Apologies, perhaps I shouldn’t mention that last one…”

“Understand your golden ingot! Just let me go!”

“Besides, I’m serious. I just need to get out. I promise I won’t harm anyone. If you don’t trust me, I can write it down on a small piece of paper.”

“Wait… let me check… Uh… Do you have any paper?”

“Anyway, the other constables will also come looking for me. I advise you to surrender early; the Demon Suppressing Division will treat you leniently. [Whispering] After all, persuading a demon to surrender earns a reward…”

“Ah? Let me clarify something beforehand. I didn’t kill that waiter, and I’m not a fox demon. I’m a snake demon—long, soft, thick, and big, a snake that can spray mucus!”

“I know, and your description…”

“I told you I’m not… Eh? You know already! Is there a problem with my description? Never mind, it’s easier if you know. I’m just a passing little demon; there’s no such thing as a bounty on me.”

“Then why don’t you just walk out openly? Although the Demon Suppressing Division hunts and discriminates against demons, they would never arrest a demon without a bounty for no reason. This is crucial for maintaining the balance between humans and demons; even a fellow like Zhang Feng wouldn’t violate it.”

“Ah, this… Can I bribe your Demon Suppressing Division with my bounty money and have my wanted poster taken down? It’s only fifty million golden ingots. I think I have at least a cave full of them.”

“A cave full of golden… *cough cough*… Wanted posters cannot be revoked with money, but I believe you are not a murderous demon. I need to thoroughly inquire about your alleged crimes before considering a partnership. I hope you won’t conceal anything.”

“Then you agree! You must be short on money, right? I heard your whispers. I’ll provide the funds, you provide the effort, and we’ll work together!”

“No…”

“Come on, let’s go to a secluded place to discuss… *Grumble*~ Ahaha, I haven’t eaten all day…”

“You ate so much at the teahouse; did you digest it all that quickly?”

“After all, I’m a demon, hehehe.”

“Come to my place. I happen to have some porridge cooking. Although I’ve been demoted to a first-class constable, I still retain some perks of a third-class constable. At least, no one will disturb us, except for Zhang Feng.”

“Porridge! How wonderful!”

“Remember to pay for it.”

“Okay! I won’t freeload.”

“What does that mean?”

The recollection ended there. To prevent her brain from overloading, Bai Jiujiu deliberately only recalled the dialogue, clearing away any accompanying visuals from her mind as if deleting junk files.

Following that, Bai Jiujiu subtly concealed her true identity and situation. Tong Qiu was initially skeptical but, upon sensing the demon core realm cultivation energy emanating from Bai Jiujiu, confirmed that Bai Jiujiu hadn’t lied and agreed to the collaboration.

“So, Tong Qiu, how much money do you need, and how will you help me get out?”

“I need fifty million golden ingots a year!”

Tong Qiu, now thoroughly drunk, propped her elbow on the table and spread her hand wide, forming a large ‘five’.

If she hadn’t been intoxicated, she would never have been so brazenly exorbitant. At the very least, she would have been more subtle, starting with a fixed amount and then transitioning to stable income.

Alas, with too much alcohol, true feelings often spill out.

Even Bai Jiujiu was startled by the price.

She wasn’t entirely sure what fifty million golden ingots represented in terms of this world’s spending power, but Bai Jiujiu knew that her own bounty was fifty million golden ingots.

Bai Jiujiu = Fifty million golden ingots.

Fifty million golden ingots per year = One Bai Jiujiu per year.

Hmph~

Bai Jiujiu quickly calculated in her mind: this woman before her wanted one of *her* every year!

How greedy!

This would certainly not be cheap.

She only had one self, and currently couldn’t produce little snakes; otherwise, she could just give one little Bai Jiujiu each year.

The main issue was that Bai Jiujiu wasn’t sure exactly how many golden ingots were in her cave. The quantity was too vast, and with her narcolepsy, she would fall asleep after counting for only a short while.

She had asked the little rabbit demon serving her to help count, but the task had temporarily blinded the small demon for several days.

For this, a certain snake had knocked on a wooden fish for a minute.

Before descending the mountain, Bai Jiujiu had believed golden ingots were ubiquitous, the kind nobody would bother picking up even if thrown onto the street.

So, she hadn’t paid them much mind.

From the current perspective, her small cave should be sufficient, right?

But agreeing so readily might make her seem cheap. She should at least try to haggle a little.

“That’s a bit much. One of me every year is far too many!”

“Then… ten million?”

Tong Qiu realized they were now discussing money. She used the small amount of spiritual energy within her body to suppress the alcohol, bringing her mind to a clear state.

She regretted not dispelling her drunkenness earlier. Her application of spiritual energy was still lacking.

When it came to money, Tong Qiu would always be fully alert and focused.

Ten million should be enough for those little ones to survive, but perhaps it was still too high.

“Deal!”

For Bai Jiujiu, bargaining was merely a formality, a way to show she cared. Getting such a large discount was already a pleasant surprise.

After all, she had a mine at home.

“Really!”

“Could it be fake? But you need to help me get out of this small town.”

“While that’s not difficult, it might not be quick.”

With the price agreed upon, Tong Qiu didn’t leap up in excitement. Instead, she became even calmer.

Firstly, she hadn’t received the money yet. Secondly, helping Bai Jiujiu escape wasn’t hard, but it would be very troublesome.

“The Town Suppressing Banner can only be deployed by third-class constables or higher. People entering and exiting also need to be inspected, and if a demon is found, a third-class constable must continue the investigation.”

“I’ve been demoted to a first-class constable, so I’m not qualified to audit demons.”

Tong Qiu calmly explained the situation’s complexities to Bai Jiujiu, not intentionally deceiving her despite the money and the potential contract.

She understood that if Bai Jiujiu found it unacceptable and refused the cooperation, she would need to find other ways to raise money, possibly even having to agree to that scoundrel’s demands.

But this couldn’t be forced. Bai Jiujiu proposed the cooperation; it was fine if the other party didn’t want to proceed.

Tong Qiu was very open-minded.