Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Milo continued, "Beyond the oral and topical versions, there's also a scented one. This is an aphrodisiac incense we developed based on the lord's descriptions, incorporating ingredients effective for female insects. The two components don't conflict, are harmless to the body, greatly aid in arousal, and significantly promote the reproduction of the Insect People..."

By the end, even Milo felt their research had nothing to do with mere pleasure products—after all, this was a matter crucial to the reproduction of their species!

So far, they had only developed three types, but these were already the most effective and completely harmless products they had created.

Lu Cian nodded. "These are good products, but the variety is a bit limited. You could try developing some flavor variations."

Milo was baffled. "Flavors? Why different flavors?"

Joseph wore the same expression. Adding flavors wouldn’t enhance the aphrodisiac’s effects and might even interfere with its efficacy. What was the point?

Lu Cian sighed inwardly—these people really didn’t understand business.

"Male insects are pampered and spoiled. If the taste isn’t good, would they buy it?"

"For the two oral versions, you could make sweet, tangy, or creamy flavors. We can keep improving them later."

Hearing that even an aphrodisiac needed so many flavor options, Milo was stunned. And yet, Lord Lu still wasn’t satisfied and planned further refinements?

"The topical aphrodisiac ointment also needs adjustments—like color, texture, and fragrance. The effects should be tiered too. The milder version could be sold as a fragrant balm for female insects, to attract male insects. Of course, we could also develop a perfume version... More variety means more choices for customers, making them more willing to buy our products."

"The aphrodisiac incense is the same. It could come in powdered burning incense, candle form, or even as an aroma diffuser. Don’t be so rigid."

Though they were essentially the same product, more variations would make it feel like multiple offerings.

Actually, marketing them as a product line would work well too.

"And," Lu Cian added, suddenly remembering something, "the versions sold to male insects must be high-end. We’ll need to carefully design the packaging."

Milo: "..."

Joseph: "..."

They were just researchers—why were they discussing sales strategies with the lord?

Nair Inan added, "That’s a good idea. We can discuss it further with Wawen and the others when we return."

Lu Cian nodded in agreement. "We definitely need Wawen. He frequents online forums and must have plenty of ideas. And there might be other tribes with insects who enjoy business. We should find a few more to manage this area..."

Lu Cian became increasingly animated, his eyes shining with confidence as he immersed himself in the excitement of uncovering a business opportunity.

What he didn’t realize was how captivating he looked in that moment.

Nair Inan listened quietly, while the two forgotten onlookers stared blankly.

By the end of their discussion, Lu Cian and Nair Inan were completely absorbed. This was Lu Cian's first real chance at a major business venture, and he was so excited he wanted to immediately find reliable insects to develop a comprehensive plan.

Characteristically, Lu Cian was ready to go find Wawen right away.

But Nair Inan stopped him, remembering a suitable candidate. "No need to find Wawen. Let’s go meet the Lam Tribe."

"The Lam Tribe?" Lu Cian was surprised—he knew of them.

Aside from the Harper Clan, the Lam Tribe was one of the smallest remaining groups among the tribes.

If they were to uncover all the hidden tribes within the empire, the numbers would surely be higher. But those who had escaped lived under assumed identities, afraid of exposure and imprisonment.

Some had even sworn allegiance to the royal family, settling on other planets, raising descendants, and fully integrating into the empire.

To the tribes that still held onto their identities, those insects were seen as traitors who had dishonored their ancestors and forsaken their tribal pride. They were no longer worthy of their tribal names and had been excommunicated from the tribe.

Lu Cian, however, felt their reactions were excessive. Those so-called "traitors" might simply be biding their time.

Once their new stellar territory grew stronger, these scattered remnants might return to the fold.

Thinking of the Lam Tribe’s plight, Lu Cian sighed inwardly.

The Lam Tribe was highly skilled with their hands and possessed keen intellects, specializing in crafting powerful weapons.

A race like this—intelligent, diligent, though not physically strong—should have been highly valued.

But because they refused to become vassals of the royal family, the Insect Emperor fabricated charges against them and swiftly arrested them.

The Lam Tribe’s constitution was naturally weak, and their full-blooded members were already small. Many died during the arrests, leaving very few survivors today.

In truth, few groups in the empire still identified as tribes. Most ordinary insect citizens lived in integrated communities, many unaware of their own lineage. With so much intermingling, distinct racial traits had faded.

The royal family suppressed the tribes because they valued bloodlines—and strong bloodlines were more likely to evolve powerful abilities.

But Lu Cian didn’t know this. His mind was still fixed on how to sell these products faster and better.

The Lam Tribe was indeed impressive. The insects they had rescued were all highly capable.

Beyond crafting devastating weapons, the Lam Tribe conducted diverse research and excelled at commerce.

Because of their weak physiques and overall frailty, they had to thrive in every industry to protect their tribe from oppression.

Many of the prominent figures across various fields were unknown to the public—likely Lam Tribe members working behind the scenes.

"Business?"

The Lam Tribe insects were stunned. When Nair Inan approached them, they expected their first task to be researching a superweapon or launching an assault on the homeworld to fight the royal family—not discussing business!

They thought they must have misheard.

Lu Cian could guess their thoughts. "Yes, business. We have a grudge against the royal family, not the entire empire."

"Trading with them, earning their star coins, and using those resources to strengthen ourselves—where’s the conflict?"

Lu Cian’s words were somewhat disingenuous. Invading the capital world to fight the royal family had never crossed his mind.

Such violence—wasn’t it better to cherish the lives they’d fought so hard to keep?

Of course, he understood their hatred. For them, survival was only worthwhile if it led to the royal family’s destruction and the Insect Emperor’s death.

But there was only one Insect Emperor. This tribe wanted to kill him, that tribe wanted to kill him—he couldn't be killed multiple times.

In other words, the Insect Emperor would die sooner or later. If that was the case, why not let him live in torment?

Naturally, voicing this directly to the survivors would get him beaten.

The Insect Emperor remained sequestered on the homeworld. Without extracting him for punishment, how could they ensure his suffering?

So Lu Cian opted to first persuade these Insect People to work for him, arguing that strength was necessary to oppose the royal family.

This wasn’t entirely a lie. If they truly developed such power, the Insect Emperor would know true suffering.

With a powerful enemy lurking in the shadows, how could he possibly live happily?

Perhaps if the Emperor were angered enough times, he might even die young from rage.

The Lam Tribe indeed was skeptical of Lu Cian's proposal, but their capabilities were limited, and they now had no other options except the Shelley Clan.

Whatever was asked of them, they had no choice but to follow orders.

Perhaps this lord wasn’t leading them on after all?

"Your words are wise, my lord. We will follow your instructions and put together a plan as quickly as possible," Timothy said.

Lu Cian nodded approvingly, pleased with Timothy’s quick understanding.

"Aside from a feasible plan, I also have some ideas regarding..."

Though Lu Cian hadn’t systematically studied business before crossing over, he'd picked up enough through observation to share his thoughts.

As he listened, Timothy’s eyes lit up, and his initial impression of this supposedly spoiled, incompetent noble began to shift.

"Your ideas are truly innovative, my lord. If our final products turn out as you described, they will undoubtedly be adored by many and fly off the shelves!"

Lu Cian: "That’s exactly the effect we want. After selling out, we won’t restock immediately—artificial scarcity will make our products even more mysterious and sought-after!"

Timothy had also considered this and was impressed that Lu Cian recognized it as well.

The Lam Tribe had male bugs too, and when it came to buttering them up, Timothy was a natural: "You’re truly remarkable, my lord. The so-called genius male bugs on the home planet are nothing compared to you!"

"You shine like the radiant sun—how could the flicker of fireflies ever compare? Even among gems, you are the most dazzling, the most brilliant, the most beautiful..."

Lu Cian was getting flustered by the praise.

Though he knew he wasn’t that extraordinary and that Timothy was just sucking up, he couldn’t help but smile.

Who didn’t enjoy compliments? Even his father, whenever other executives praised him for raising such a capable son, would beam for hours—let alone Lu Cian himself.

"You're too kind, I’m not that impressive."

Timothy continued his flattery: "I’m not exaggerating in the slightest, my lord. You truly deserve these praises—you’re extraordinary!"

Just as Timothy was about to add more, Nair Inan cut in between them and said, "He is indeed remarkable—the treasure of all of us."

Timothy, eyeing the Shelley Clan Heir who stood at roughly his height but whose strength far surpassed his own, awkwardly took a step back.

Inwardly, however, he was wildly speculating. The rumors he’d heard claimed this Heir Apparent despised male bugs—so why was he so fervently jumping to defend one now?

Timothy blinked, a startling suspicion forming in his mind.

Could it be... this Heir had actually fallen for this lord but, believing himself to hate male bugs, remained unaware of his own feelings?