Qi Xu couldn't let her take advantage of him—this woman was far more cunning than her outward appearance suggested. Now that he knew the sector where Warwolf 004 was located, he could always find another way later.
Besides... this deal wasn’t entirely impossible.
"You’re so cruel. Warwolf 004 would be heartbroken if he knew!"
Kissed Ember Moonbeam deliberately said this, also wanting to gauge the relationship between Warwolf 004 and Black Tornado.
Though they were close in age, there was no way they were lovers. Black Tornado didn’t have an aggressive look, but she carried an aura that shut out romance—more like a boss lady who treated men as underlings.
This was precisely why Kissed Ember Moonbeam had taken a liking to Invincible Black Tornado. Not only was she strong, but also sharp and rational.
Qi Xu cut straight to the point. "You’re already tempted. Just be honest about it."
Kissed Ember Moonbeam was indeed tempted, but she didn’t want to agree so easily. Mostly, she wanted to test Invincible Black Tornado’s limits—and, admittedly, she kind of enjoyed the back-and-forth.
Warwolf 004 wasn’t easy to control. He had an overwhelming sense of justice and was completely incompatible with her. Sometimes, he’d even openly curse her in the chat hall.
Uncooperative, unkillable, and just an eyesore in the sector—Kissed Ember Moonbeam had long wanted him gone. If she could trade him for some benefits now, it’d be a great deal. But negotiations were negotiations. Just because the other party was a beauty didn’t mean she’d go easy.
Just as the two were locked in their standoff, the little goblin opened the door.
Without even glancing at Kissed Ember Moonbeam, he turned to Qi Xu and said, "Heard you ages ago. Why aren’t you coming in?"
"On my way."
Qi Xu grinned, turning to follow the little goblin inside without hesitation—leaving Kissed Ember Moonbeam shut outside.
"The heartless woman..." Kissed Ember Moonbeam muttered to herself.
Then she blew lightly on her fingertips. A thin mist spread through the air, black powder dissolving slowly.
The little goblin made a quick hand seal before speaking. "Why bother chatting with that poison woman? She’s got nothing but toxins. She was just trying to harm you."
Qi Xu tilted her head with a smile. "Oh, the most magnificent, unparalleled master of weaponry—are you worried about me?"
The little goblin grimaced. "Be serious, will you?"
Qi Xu made herself at home, plopping into a chair. "I know. But she didn’t even touch me. If she really wanted to harm me, she wouldn’t have been so obvious. More like she was testing me.
As for talking to her... well, I need her help. A friend of mine is stuck in her sector, and right now, she’s the only way I can reach him."
The little goblin blurted out, "Then why didn’t you just agree to her terms? You could’ve asked me to forge a weapon for her!"
"That’s a separate matter. My friend’s important, but so are you. Who you forge weapons for is your choice. Here, have a cotton candy—strawberry outside, grassy filling inside. My favorite flavor."
Qi Xu pulled out two cotton candies, handing one to the little goblin.
"Stop calling me ‘unparalleled master of weaponry’ like I’m showing off. My name’s Iron Doudou!"
"Doudou, baby! Wow, your name is so pretty!
I picked ‘Invincible Black Tornado’ on a whim when the game started, and I’ve regretted it ever since. It’s so embarrassing! People keep mocking me, even threatening to leave bad reviews just because of my username. I wish I had a name as charming as yours."
Qi Xu couldn’t help but slip into her dramatic act.
The little goblin was stunned. "D-Don’t be sad! ‘Invincible Black Tornado’ is cool too! Invincible, black, and a tornado—sounds powerful!"
Qi Xu’s lips twitched violently. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Never mind, Doudou. If you can’t comfort people, just don’t."
"Hahaha."
The little goblin scratched his head awkwardly. But the exchange somehow made them feel closer.
He spoke up first. "Just agree to that woman’s terms. I’ll craft her a weapon if she lets your friend go."
"No need. The conditions I proposed earlier will be enough for her to agree."
Qi Xu was confident about this. Unconventional minds understood unconventional logic. No matter how much she pretended, he could tell she was already sold.
She probably had issues with Warwolf 004 anyway.
"Seriously, just agree. She’s come here nine times already. I’ve got quotas to meet—if someone visits ten times without crossing any lines, I have to say yes."
Of course, if Qi Xu had agreed to the woman’s demands right outside, the little goblin wouldn’t have said this. It was all about reciprocity.
Qi Xu’s eyes lit up. "Doudou, I’ve got a few other friends who’d love weapons too. Name your price—they’re loaded and easygoing, no haggling or drama. If you’ve got quotas to fill, why not pick them?"
The little goblin was visibly tempted. "Five a month max—and that includes the one outside."
"Perfect! Doudou, how are you so amazing and kind at the same time?" Qi Xu gazed at him adoringly, launching into a 5,000-word praise spree.
Iron Doudou felt like he’d become immune to flattery for life...
"Oh, I actually came for something else too."
"What is it?"
"You know the Black Frost Serpent, leader of the Assassins’ Guild?"
"Nope. But isn’t he in that group chat you made? Ugly avatar, looks like a nobody."
Qi Xu answered bluntly, "Yeah. He wants to buy a huge batch of Purpleheart Grass from you. He’s got the money, but wasn’t sure if you’d agree, so he asked me to check first."
The little goblin nodded excitedly. Dealing with human players came with reservations, but between work monsters, there were no issues. The catch was they couldn’t communicate directly—only through humans. Rules were rules.
So the little goblin agreed immediately.
"Awesome! I’ve got way too much Purpleheart Grass anyway. I’ll sell it to him. What price should I set?"
Qi Xu was baffled. Buddy, it’s your stuff—why ask me? Trying to force me into being a middleman?
But he really didn’t want to profit off this. Both sides were friends—getting involved as a broker felt wrong.
"You’re both my friends, and both sincere. Why not talk it out? Business is business—if both sides agree, it’s a deal. He’s really eager to work with you too. Just chat and get familiar. No worries."
Qi Xu never thought he’d end up playing matchmaker for two monsters...
.........
