Chapter 733 - 696: Special Skills for Persuasion
Staring at these three non-mission Crusader’s Tokens, Da Fei was instantly unsettled!
But with Da Fei’s current realm and wealth, no matter how valuable these three temporary Crusader’s Tokens were, he wouldn’t give up the mission to sell them. It was just the thought of his entire family fighting tooth and nail only to barely become apprentices, and yet, these three measly Demon Drivers were advancing in rank with one leap—that kind of emotional contrast really made Da Fei’s balls ache uncomfortably.
What was more ball-aching was that these three Demon Drivers might not even fancy the offer to join the Crusaders. Having Demons become Crusaders? Not to mention my disbelief, the Demons themselves probably couldn’t believe it either, right? At the end of the day, this must be Divine Punishment City’s desperate measure, right?
Fine! I’ll take it as an early reward from the system. Even the usually rigid Angels can become flexible in desperate times, not to mention three crafty little Demons! Their surrender is just the first step—if I push harder, they will definitely submit!
But how do I make them submit? Recruiting them into the Crusaders doesn’t seem reliable, and defeating this General Tasima guy seems even less so? Just now the Angel Leader reminded me not to engage Demon Generals, I must listen to NPCs at critical moments. With him being a General, there’s no need to mention his Command Power—I have no idea how many troops he has, and even if I have the nuclear option of the Divine Power Staff, I might not get close to him and would likely be drowned by his army of troops.
Moreover, for mere insignificant Demon Drivers, who aren’t peerless beauties, is it worth risking my life against a General to recruit them? Who do they think they are! It’s probably them egging me on to go to my doom on purpose.
It seems even with the intelligence of these minor characters, I cannot underestimate them. Fine, I’ve been a minor character for many years, I’ll just have to match them in a battle of the underdogs. With my Master-level Leadership Skill plus the hidden technique War Intimidation, and the newly acquired Negotiation Expert, I simply don’t believe I can’t outplay three drivers!
On the way back with Flying Eagle, Da Fei fell into deep thought.
During Da Fei’s pondering, the third batch of the Demon Caravan entered the ambush ring. Da Fei’s spirit was lifted—another delivery, haha, the feeling of breaking them one by one is so exhilarating!
Breaking them one by one? In that instant, Da Fei had another burst of inspiration!
Right, the combined smarts of three cobblers surpass that of a genius! These three Demon Drivers bolster each other’s courage when together, making it hard to deal with them, but if I separate them and interrogate them one by one?
Exactly, after the police catch a gang, they question them one by one, mind games that cause distrust within the group, leading them to confess to each other—it’s a common and effective interrogation method. Thinking this, Da Fei immediately came up with a plan to sow discord among them. Whether it works or not depends on how tricky this game is being.
But before that, let’s take care of this batch of caravans. Tachiusu has used her big move, and the Holy Vine that was lying in ambush is still too fresh, unlikely to control the drivers and tow dogs for long, so it’s time for a quick battle—direct kill! Right, I’ll have to do it in front of these three to set an example, making them realize how fortunate and hard-earned their happy life is.
Da Fei then approached the three Demon Drivers guarded by Angels and warned, "Your comrades are about to enter the ambush, it’s best if you don’t do anything sneaky."
The three snorted coldly, falling silent.
Da Fei chuckled internally. Indeed, why would Demons care if it’s not their own hide at risk? The more selfish and self-centered, the easier to sow discord!
The third batch of Demon Caravans entered the ambush ring, and this time’s camouflage was even more convincing, with the tow dog that blocked the road of the second cart yawning and growling just like a real Hell Dog, even if it was only vaguely visible through the dust, the sound was unmistakable.
Well then, I’m not polite, hahaha!
Da Fei gave a big wave, and the Demon Wolf King led the pack of wolves and foxes in a dive attack, while the Holy Vine shot out beneath the carts—without any doubt, the same opening move, the same tactics, then, the same outcome!
—System Prompt: Battle ended! You gained Experience +157,500; you gained Gold Coins +13,200; you discovered large spoils of war "Hell Giant Siege Machine Component"!
The whole army cheered, while Da Fei just sighed, it’s a pity the Holy Vine was too green to capture the drivers and tow dogs from this cart alive. Otherwise, it would be interesting to see if the drivers of this caravan were also stubbornly unwilling to surrender.
Okay, time for the show to go on. Da Fei approached the three drivers and said indifferently, "Did you see? I’ve killed them all."
The three snorted coldly, "We’re waiting for you to kill us."
Da Fei nodded, "Good to know you’re prepared. Now, I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is, I don’t think I can defeat this General Tasima you mentioned, so I’m sure to run away before he arrives. The bad news is, you might no longer have any value—"
With that, Da Fei carefully watched their expressions, only to find that these three didn’t change their faces at all? Damn, just three drivers, and they’re unfazed in the face of death? Or did they not understand what "no longer having any value" meant?
So Da Fei continued, "However, there’s still one important matter I need to discuss with you—"
At this point, Da Fei pointed at one of the drivers, "You, come with me!"
Thus, under the custody of a group of troops, the first driver followed Da Fei to a secluded area behind some rocks.
Da Fei took out a shimmering silver cross: "My superiors have instructed that those willing to surrender will be granted the title of Crusader! What do you think?"
The driver laughed uproariously, "Ridiculous! It’s absolutely ludicrous! Bestowing a Crusader title on a Demon? This is the most laughable and absurd thing I’ve ever heard—"
"Shh!" Da Fei immediately gestured with his index finger and shushed him quietly, "Keep it down! I know you must find it absurd, and frankly, so do we. That’s why the superiors decided to test the waters by issuing only one—meaning, only one of the three of you can survive. Have you thought this through?"
The driver kept laughing wildly: "No need to think, just kill me if you want!"
Da Fei raised his finger in approval and said, "Good, fearless of death, impervious to temptation, we really admire such talents!" Then Da Fei showed him the Space Marker, "Let me make this clear again, don’t think that you Demons control this space, we can always escape at any time! In other words, the person who surrenders can safely return to our headquarters without fear of being executed. Either way, I will give each of you a chance to choose!"
Having said that, Da Fei then told Billbo, "Take him down and keep him in solitary confinement. Let him think it over by himself!"
The driver remained defiant, "No need to think, just kill me if you want!"
Da Fei put up his thumb again with a smile and praised, "Sacrificing oneself and giving chances to others, truly the selfless talent we admire most, I’m liking you more and more!"
Then, he waved his hand, "Next!"
When the second driver was brought over with a puzzled face, Da Fei repeated the same trick with the Crusader’s Token, "Only one issued by the higher-ups, only one of you can survive..."
The second driver also responded with mockery and firmness, unshaken. Da Fei kept up the praise and patience and continued to have him taken away for solitary confinement. The same went for the third driver.
Right! Isolating prisoners for individual interrogations, not allowing them the chance to collaborate or conspire, puts each one of them under a huge psychological test and the immense challenge of whether or not to trust their comrades; it’s a highly effective interrogation tactic. Few groups withstand this challenge.
And why did Da Fei mention only one Crusader’s Token when there were clearly three? This is also an ancient and effective psychological tactic.
For instance, many businesses promote sales, like offering valuable gifts to the first 10 customers, which makes everyone rush for it, thereby naturally boosting the business’s sales.
Take the famous idiom "Two Peaches Kill Three Warriors," if there was one peach per person, everyone would be content without much fuss, and the three might not even care for those pitiful peaches. The brilliance lies in having only two peaches for three people. Although peaches themselves are not a big deal, the challenge to one’s pride means faces must be saved at all costs.
In short, the goal is to provoke competition, even for a pile of dung; it gains value as long as people compete for it. So, Da Fei considered that the Demons probably wouldn’t even care for the Crusader title, and thus coaxing them to surrender wouldn’t work well, which is why he claimed there was only one to incite rivalry! Moreover, Da Fei wanted to save the other two Crusader’s Tokens. If there was time, it would be better to sell them off rather than waste them on the driver.
Now, the three drivers have been locked up separately, and Da Fei can only wait patiently. He couldn’t believe that these selfish Demons would not be tempted at all. Even humans will vie for dog feces if it means saving their lives, let alone an honorary title from our army!
Seconds ticked by, and Da Fei continued to have the Demon Fox harass the caravan up front. The entire convoy was trapped in the mountains, unable to move an inch. Right, this was the desired effect; as long as the convoy behind couldn’t keep up, there would be no pressure on the frontlines of Divine Punishment City. Brother could then harass in relative ease.
And while waiting, the fourth group of the caravan unwittingly entered Da Fei’s ambush zone. Da Fei chuckled; this was almost too easy.
Speaking of which, Brother had just taken control of three vehicles. If these three drivers surrendered, that would be perfect to steal three vehicles and assemble a complete Siege Machine out of them! How much longer would these three drivers need to think it over? Were they really going to be stubborn until they saw the coffin?
Now there was nothing else to say but to continue dismantling the caravan below.
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