Chapter 196 - Chapter 196: Chapter 191 Zhong Si_i (2/2)

Qin Niu did not mention a price at all.

He only discussed how challenging the task was.

If the other party understood what was implied, they would certainly offer a price that could tempt Qin Niu.

“I understand the difficulty Master Qin faces! How about this: we set up another defense line in front of Master Mo’s and your job is only to handle these special locusts. For every one you eradicate, the Yan Family will pay ten Wen Money.”

This price was already quite high.

Given the current situation, if a hundred special locusts appeared per day and

Qin Niu took care of all of them, the Yan Family would have to pay one thousand Wen.

Which is to say, One Tael of Silver.

The Yan Family was very shrewd.

The several hundred acres of land behind had already been cleared of pests once over with Qin Niu’s efforts.

As for the few scattered locusts that strayed onto their fields afterward, they could no longer pose a threat.

By having Qin Niu guard the front line against the special locusts and with Masters Mo and Shi defending the second line, the safety of the fields would be absolutely assured.

“This…”

Qin Niu was weighing the risks involved.

He was mainly afraid of attracting the attention of the Nine Insect Gang’s experts.

“If Master Qin still feels the amount is inadequate, I can add one more Wen. For every one eradicated, the Yan Family will pay eleven Wen Money,”

The young master of the Yan Family clenched his teeth and raised the offer again.

“There’s no need. I’ve known the Yan Family for more than a day or two and I don’t engage in kicking someone when they’re down or extortionate price hiking. We’ll go with the price you’ve stated, Young Master Yan, ten Wen Money each. I can only try my best and if I cannot hold the line, then you’ll simply have to find someone more skillful,”

Qin Niu agreed to the deal.

He thought taking advantage of this opportunity to train his troops would be beneficial.

Calculating the time, the first batch of thousand eggs laid by the Ant Queen would become adult ants in a day or two.

Afterward, there would be an additional one thousand termites each day.

With such a strong force at his disposal, it would be a waste not to make some money when the opportunity arose.

Taking on this job had a deeper meaning as well.

If the Nine Insect Gang did set their sights on him, they’d see him working for the Yan Family for a mere One Tael of Silver a day, which wouldn’t make them suspect he had killed Old Master Huang.

“I knew Master Qin was a man of principle. I’ll drink to that, and if Master Qin ever faces any difficulties, as long as the Yan Family can help, we won’t just stand by,”

Upon hearing Qin Niu’s agreement without any need for an increased price, the young master of the Yan Family joyfully raised his glass in a toast.

“Since you’re putting me on the very front line, then I will be the one to set it

I will also need the Yan Family to dispatch some strong laborers to build a new defense line according to my specifications, as quickly as possible,”

“That’s not a problem at all. After we finish dinner, I’ll accompany Master Qin to the front line. Just tell me your requirements, and I’ll have people work through the night to complete the defense line,”

Young Master Yan readily agreed.

After finishing the banquet, Qin Niu, accompanied by the young master of the Yan Family and Steward Yan Qi among others, headed to the front line.

“Build the defense line right in front of this pond! About ten meters or so should be enough,”

Qin Niu voiced his general requirements.

Trouble Young Master Yan to arrange for a straw hut to be built here; I can

stay in it at night. Even if I am not here during the day, I will have my insects guarding this place. So make sure no one enters this defense line, to avoid my insects accidentally injuring them,”

Locusts are afraid of water; having a pond behind them can effectively force the locusts to stop at the shore and then take off again to fly over the pond.

Because locusts can’t fly far in one go.

They need to land after flying a dozen meters or so to rest before taking off with a leap again.

“No problem! I’ll have someone build it overnight,”

Right there and then, Young Master Yan instructed Steward Yan Qi to gather people to construct a new defense line.

Qin Niu remained on-site to observe the terrain and the locust situation.

In the short time since, even though it was dusk, he could still see locusts migrating from afar in groups of three or pairs.

They were very clever; they either circumvented the pond completely or flew straight from the shore, crossing over the pond.

“Chirp, chirp!”

The high-pitched cry of insects carried over from a distance.

A large swarm of locusts, at least two to three hundred strong, approached from far away.

Qin Niu saw a special locust captured by Master Mo leading the way at the front.

It constantly vibrated its wings, emitting a piercing shrill that beckoned a massive following of locusts.

This special locust was like a valiant general on the battlefield, leading a troop of soldiers in a charge, its momentum incredibly formidable.

No wonder Master Mo said these locusts might be few in number but were extremely fearsome.

“Fourth, can you take care of it?”

“Yes.”

The answer from Fourth was absurdly relaxed and casual.

Only its single horn was directed at the insect, and it didn’t even need to deploy the power of the ant swarm. As soon as that special locust entered its range of spiritual power attack, the insect trembled and then froze.

In front of Fourth, it couldn’t muster any resistance at all and was immediately controlled.

“Come on in!”

Qin Niu took out an Insect Jar, and the special locust flew in obediently.