948 A Huge Bet! (1/2)
Translated by XephiZ
Edited by Aelryinth
At the front of Ariel Mines, a black tornado was sweeping countless White-Headed Monster Apes into the sky. The bloodshot eyes of the monster apes were glaring at the intruders like densely-packed stars.
A huge pack of them in the valley, another huge pack at the mountain waist, another huge pack at the hilltop... the Chinese mercenaries that were following Ai Jiangtu's order had wide eyes. They did not expect so many monster apes to be surrounding the mines!
The number was not something that the mercenaries could handle. If they had been here when the mines were under attack, many among them would be dead by now!
”Are you sure we're only doing a feint? Are you sure they won't come out and chase after us?” asked the Chinese Commander Wang Qi grimly.
”To be honest, I think we can withdraw now,” said Jiang Yu softly.
Another batch of White-Headed Monster Apes showed up on both sides of the mountain path. They were charging down the mountain like rolling boulders. Everyone sensed a chill running down their spines when they saw the massive cloud of dust being generated into the air by their movements.
”Retreat, retreat!” Ai Jiangtu ordered the Chinese soldiers, as even he was unable to endure the pressure from such an overwhelming number of monster apes.
Even though the squad was stacked with elites, they still stood no chance against such a terrifying formation. They were as small as a little raft in front of a giant wave.
Their legs were trembling as they immediately fled for their lives.
As expected of elites, they were able to retreat swiftly in good order. Ai Jiangtu soon led the soldiers out of the boundaries of the mines, but the White-Headed Monster Apes chased them further than they thought. They almost reached the army camp where General Mott's army was stationed.
When General Mott and his army saw the monster apes charging at their camp like a landslide, they decisively abandoned their machinery, tents, equipment, and supplies, and ran for their lives. The brave Peruvian soldiers had never felt so humiliated!
Luckily, the monster apes did not chase after them relentlessly. Otherwise, it was only a matter of time until the creatures caught up to them.
”You… what were you idiots thinking!” General Mott's face was pale from fright. It was quite a rare sight to see such a dark-skinned man with a pale face.
”It's better than not doing anything, like you and your army!” snapped Ai Jiangtu.
Ai Jiangtu was incredibly angry. If General Mott had been a Chinese soldier, Ai Jiangtu would have immediately sentenced him to death. The man was nothing but a decoration since all he could do was stand there with a dark expression. His army was rusting away as he sat comfortably in his high position. If only being useless was an offense!...
”So you're saying that what you did is going to help? How ridiculous!” sneered General Mott.
”A useless general like you can never resolve the situation!” spat Ai Jiangtu.
”So you're leaving it in the hands of those two idiots? Do you really think they can solve the problem? Our military strategist will arrive in the afternoon; stop stirring up any trouble before he comes!” hissed General Mott.
”Let's have a bet then. If we can resolve the situation, half the stakes of Ariel Mines will belong to China. If your men can resolve the situation, my soldiers will continue to provide you protection for free,” Ai Jiangtu challenged him.
General Mott knew that the young Magician before him had a strong military background. He was clearly not fooling around.
General Mott indeed owned the highest stake of the Ariel Mines. Even after he was discharged from his position, he was still in control of the mines!
He had to admit that the protection provided by the Chinese mercenaries was extremely important to the mines. It was more important than his miners and technicians. Without their protection, the mines would be in a lot of trouble. Mott obviously did not want to shut down his mountain of gold...
As a matter of fact, their contract was about to expire soon, and now, the young man had promised to provide protection for free. It would save him a huge expense, since the wages of Magicians were quite expensive!
”General, I think the bet is in our favor. Those two young Magicians will never be able to break through the surrounding monster apes, but we definitely need people to protect our mines once the situation is resolved… I've already investigated that man's background, he does have the power to make the call,” whispered his advisor Ciely.
General Mott immediately considered the odds. He had already lost his position, the mines were the last thing he could rely on. Without his military position, he would have difficulty protecting his mines. The offer to provide his mines protection for free, even for a few years, was very attractive to him!
”Fine, deal! If you can resolve the situation, I will give you half the stakes,” General Mott agreed, nodding after careful consideration.
”Lao Ai, don't be so impulsive! These soldiers who can soon go back to our country will have to stay here for another few years,” Nanyu quickly advised against it, as she believed Ai Jiangtu was being too reckless.
”It's fine, it's my decision. I'll make up for them. They can choose to stay or go back, I'll replace them with other soldiers,” replied Ai Jiangtu.
If Ai Jiangtu lost the bet, he would compensate the army for the loss. If it did not work out, he would simply hire Magicians to fill the spots. Either way, he was very angry at General Mott, and he was going to context him to the end!
”But, aren't you being overconfident of Mo Fan and Zhao Manyan?” said Nanyu.
Nanyu did not understand; why did Ai Jiangtu believe that the two would make it work? The truth was right before their eyes. There was no way they could enter the mines with so many monster apes surrounding the place. It was impossible even if Little Flame Belle could transform into the Flame Belle Empress again! The number of monster apes was higher than the number of strange birds they had fought against!
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The mountain path continued along the mountain waist. The winding path was lead to a basin between the two mountains.
Both sides of the mountain path were crawling with monster apes. It felt like the mountain was on the verge of collapsing from the overwhelming weight.
Zhao Manyan glanced around him. His legs began to tremble when he saw the muscular monster apes scattered like black rocks and the fierce look in their eyes.