Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Chapter 416: Chapter 416: I Will Support You from Behind

”The elves favored by the goddess possess extraordinary recovery abilities, and I am sure they can withstand the potent effects of your potion, sir, giving you a satisfying result. Sir, what do you think, could you give us this opportunity?”

A brief silence fell over the scene, with Qing Cong breaking out in a cold sweat on his forehead. If even this initial request couldn’t be fulfilled, no matter how extravagant the research institute behind it might be, it wouldn’t impress him.

Qing Cong knew his father Big Pancake Face’s thoughts, but he didn’t believe that convincing the Red Blood Rose would secure this business deal.

His intuition told him that the man before him was the key player who could lead this deal.

Since his father had said to accommodate the Plague Company’s requests as far as possible, taking him to the underground chamber to see the frail elf and use it as a test subject should be entirely plausible.

As long as no lives were taken, everyone would be more than happy with the outcome.

Indeed, he had gambled correctly this time. The man in the mask and bandages in front of him laughed again, this time not with a sinister or frightening tone, but with a joy that stemmed from deep within.

”Indeed, your commerce association has not disappointed me. Elves are prime subjects for testing; the Holy Light within them is quite abundant, allowing them to recover rapidly from injuries.

I’ve thought before that if I also had an elf slave, I could test potions anytime and anywhere. However, the prices are too high, and the care too bothersome, so I gave up on the idea.”

Qing Cong proved to be more astute than anticipated, sparing Yang Yu the effort of further persuasion. This time he got straight to the point,

”Take me now to see that weak elf. After I administer the potion to him, we can visit the research institute here. By the time we return, we’ll see if there are any effects.”

Qing Cong’s lips curled up slightly, pleased with his decision, and he immediately led Yang Yu toward the dim underground chamber used for storing bait.

The chamber was spacious and brightly lit by magic lamps, illuminating the expansive room.

Various items were displayed around the room, yet not a speck of dust rested on them. A large space was cleared in the middle, where three men idly sat beside a giant black cage, drinking and playing a game similar to backgammon.

Inside the cage, a blond elf boy with shoulder-length hair was imprisoned. He wore tattered clothes, his small frame curled up in a corner of the cage, his face buried in his knees, completely unaffected by the merry atmosphere outside the cage.

The trio playing and drinking likely didn’t expect Qing Cong to visit; two of them quickly hid their dice in their sleeves and stood up straight.

The remaining young man casually tossed the dice, took a sip of alcohol, and then slowly stood up,

”Isn’t this my dear cousin? What wind has blown you here, and who might this be...”

”Big Pancake cousin, be serious, don’t drink in broad daylight,” Qing Cong said sternly, his face set, ”This is an important guest, crucial to the future development of our commerce association. Please treat this matter seriously.”

Hei Dou eyed Yang Yu, dressed in strange attire, and smiled slightly, ”This sir is quite fashionable. Not sure what brings you here though.”

”I’m sorry, Mister from Plague Company, my cousin has had a bit too much to drink. He’s been dealing with some troubling matters lately, hence his condition. Please forgive him.”

Qing Cong bowed in apology to Yang Yu, while Hei Dou pursed his lips, unconcerned.

Yang Yu also curled his lip, ”No need to apologize, it doesn’t matter what kind of person he is; all I need is a test subject anyway. Hurry up and open the door, let me start testing my potions.”

Upon hearing ”test subject,” Hei Dou immediately became interested. Ever since he had been reprimanded for throwing cold water last time, he dared not bully the elf in the cage anymore.

But if this guest wanted to bully, that wouldn’t be an issue at all.

From the way this guest was dressed, it was clear he was not a good guy; the experiment he wanted to conduct was surely not a legitimate one.

Hei Dou took out the key to the cage, downed the bottle of liquor in one gulp, and began twirling the key ring around his index finger in front of Yang Yu,

”Sir, you want to use him as your test subject... What exactly is the experiment? If you don’t explain what it is, I can’t open the door for you!”

”Stop messing around, Cousin Hei Dou. Just open the door, stop challenging this noble. Otherwise...”

A chill flashed in Qing Cong’s eyes. If it weren’t for the fact that Hei Dou was his cousin and that he secretly admired Asuna, who was devoted to the Commerce Association, he wouldn’t have assigned such a useless cousin to this leisurely job of overseeing slaves.

It seemed that, no matter how short-staffed the family was, they could not afford to keep such a person around just to loaf around; when he got back, he would ask his father to dismiss him from his position.

Fortunately, now during this safe period, he had discovered his cousin’s shortcomings. If in the future his cousin’s careless manner messed things up, that would truly be regrettable beyond redemption.

Hei Dou’s face showed no remorse, even with a bit of taunt, ”Don’t threaten me. I’ve had enough of this job where I only look and can’t do anything. You know the only person I’m afraid of is the Commerce Association President.

Either call the Commerce Association President over, or just tell me the details of the experiment, otherwise, I’m not opening the cage.”

”That’s your choice, don’t regret it.”

Qing Cong was about to blurt out these words, when Yang Yu once again let out a bone-chilling laugh and took out a purple potion from his system. He then took out a small cup and poured a quarter of the potion into it.

”The content of the experiment, simply put, is to test the effects of this potion. What kind of medicinal effect this potion ultimately possesses, wouldn’t you like to try? Hey hey hey hey, should I say, do you have the guts to try?”

The hand swinging the keys abruptly stopped. Hei Dou snatched the cup from Yang Yu’s hands, ”What’s there to be afraid of? It’s just this much; I’m not scared at all.”

After saying this, Hei Dou drained the potion in his hand. Within two minutes, a heartrending pain radiated from Hei Dou’s chest. He clutched his shirt tightly, gasping heavily, as large beads of sweat dropped one by one.

He gritted his teeth and endured the pain; after half a minute of agony, Hei Dou exhaled a turbid breath, and his body unexpectedly relaxed.

”Although it has some effects, this sensation is too painful, isn’t it? But this pain is just right...”

This excruciating feeling is something he definitely needs to experience. After all, I’m not the one who did it, so any issues afterward won’t be traced back to me.

Besides, the potion’s only effect is to enhance Magic Power, even if that kid uses it, it won’t make his body any better.

Resolved, Hei Dou tossed the keys to Yang Yu, ”You really are a Magic Potion Maker. Since the Commerce Association President agrees, however you want to test it, go ahead! I will silently support you from behind.”