Life Drain System

    .... Seeing this the guards in the room ready their spears, and the king sitting on his throne without even looking at the group and just focusing on his paper work says in a nonchalant voice. "At ease, and arise. Guntram, you know what to do."

    "Understood your majesty." Guntram replies with a bow, as he looks towards the group of people and continues. "Yueliang please come to the front, the rest of you step back and take a seat. State your name and purpose here."

    Yueliang walks forward as the rest including the tiger walk over to one of the tables to take a seat as they wait. He then says. "Hello your majesty, as you heard my first name is Yueliang. Anyways, to get to the point, I am hoping that our two territories could become allies. Well the main point is, I would like to establish a trade route and friendly ties with your people. Also even if that does not work out, I would like to formally invite you to my town for an auction being held there." 

    "I am King Chilperic, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. While you have come all this way, I must say, I am not certain about forming ties with any place that uses magic. There have been many cunning schemers in our history either extorting or using us." King Chilperic spoke in a nonchalant voice, as if he did not care about the situation at all.

    "King Chilperic, while you may think I am like those others, just hear me out first. I will not ask you to fight for us, even in a war time. All we ask is just a trade route, so that we can sell our products to your people, while you also sell some of your specialty products to us. Also before you refuse, our products are unique in the fact that you will not find them anywhere else. However if you still refuse, I understand and will not trouble you anymore." Yueliang explains his purpose a little more.

      "Before I give my answer, take this and point out your territory. I know of all the rulers on this continent, yet I have never seen nor heard of you. Going to your place would be just one of a few verifications that your words are true." King Chilperic answers while throwing a scroll at him while seated.

      Yueliang catches the scroll, and unraveling it, he marks it quickly before throwing it back and saying. "Here you are, also, yes I know that I sit between four continents. Regardless, to bring up my offer again, you should come to my town in 4 days for the auction. The four surrounding countries should be making an appearance as well, and thus you could verify my claims."

    "Hmm, that is an interesting offer. Alright, I shall see this place, and your supposed unique products when my people and I go to this auction. That will not be a problem right?" The king offers as one last chance to take back his words.

      "My subordinates and I look forward to your appearance. Now that this is settled, unless you have anything else to talk to me about, I shall be heading back home. There are many matters that are still in progress, as I am sure you know a kings work is never done. Hahaha." Yueliang excuses himself.

      "You are right, however before you leave why not stay a night? You may as well see our hospitality before you leave." 

      "You are too kind, however as I said, I must be heading back. If you really have something you want to know or do just ask." 

    "Alright, well then, how about you take Number 1 with you when you head back. I would rather not waste a trip before knowing you are actually the leader of said place." King Chilperic replies.

    "I do not mind taking someone, however instead of Number 1, how about I take the tavern owner Qing." Yueliang replies as he does not have the best impression of Number 1 just yet.

      Everyone in the room nearly dropped their jaws hearing this except the king who just burst out laughing and says. "You want to take her? I was trying to be nice by having a peasant follow you, however since you want a noble so be it. Have fun on your trip back, also be careful as she is a lot stronger than she looks hahaha."

      "Thank you for your care, I shall be leaving now." Yueliang replies still hearing him laughing and seeing a tear or two on his face from laughing so hard. He then proceeds to walk out of the room and with a light whistle Shen Hu gets up and follows knowing that it is time to leave still maintaining his tiger form.

      While walking through the hall with one of the servants leading the way out as they do not want outsiders wandering Yueliang asks Shen Hu in a calm tone. "Just curious why have you not used the illusion arm bands ability to make you appear as human while we are here? I am not angry, just curious."

      Replying after a few seconds Shen Hu answers. "There are a few reasons, one being that you look stronger having a divine beast following you, thus increasing our chances of success. Another reason being, what human rides another human? Also, even without those, I figured the main place you wanted it in use was the town to put visitors at ease." 

      "I like your reasoning, quite sound logic. Anyways, what do you think? Will they keep true to their word, or will they be another threat?" Yue asks.

      "While I can guarantee nothing about whether or not they will be a threat, I can say these are honorable people. Also while intelligent they choose to live a simple life to keep themselves humble and happy. Although I must admit, whilst the king did act like he did not care, his word choice was another matter. He seems quite interested in you and your products." Shen Hu replies during their long walk out of this villa that seems to have been designed as a maze.

      The two continue talking for about another 10 minutes before they finally make it back to the entrance. As they walk out of the building, the servant heads back inside to get back to his work. Yueliang climbs on Shen Hus' back and without saying a word, the two race forward towards the tavern.

---- Roughly 30 Minutes Later ----

    Arriving before the tavern, the two head in and seeing someone at the desk, they wait by the side until that person is done. "Shen Hu, I forgot to ask before, and I am genuinely curious. Why does it seem you only eat for satisfaction, rather than to live?"

    "Pft, so that is what has been on your mind? Well for divine tigers, the more pure our bloodline, the less we need to eat to live, as at that point we would literally be a divine creature. Thus before I actually had to eat once every few weeks to live, however if there is delicious food, would you really choose not to eat?"

      "Good point, anyways, that person is gone now, we should head up next." Yueliang points out.

      "Okay." Shen Hu replies nonchalantly while strutting towards the desk. 

      "Hello, ... I did not expect to be seeing you again so soon." Lady Qing replies then continues. "How may I help you today guest?"

      "I was wondering if you wanted to come with us back to my town? Also, thank you for not calling me little anymore." Yueliang says happily.

      "While that sounds like fun I should not leave my shop, sorry." 

      "Well, I was hoping I did not have to bring this up. The king Chilperic, wants someone to come with me to prove my words, although he was going to send Number 1, I asked for you, and he agreed. However if you do not want to go, I am sure I could just ask Number 1, I do not want to force you." Yueliang says in a kind of let down voice.

    "Well, since the king agrees, I will leave the shop in one of my subordinates hands. Sorry about before, it is just that if we fail to take care of our shop without the king assigning us something, we are likely to be punished heavily in one way or another." Qing explains as she starts cleaning up the counter and then says. "Number 1, come out here. I am leaving the shop in your hands while I am gone, remember if things go bad, it is your head before the king! Got it?"

      The servant that she called seems to have become terrified hearing that, and just nods in response. Then Qing lifts the counter entrance and closes it behind her before saying. "Ready to go when you are."

      "Great, then let's be on our way." Yueliang said as they start walking out the door.