Chapter 744: Warning (1/2)

There was some disapproval in the mercenary’s eyes despite his verbal deference. The neutral lands were filled with hidden talents, and there were countless among these assassins and mercenaries who possessed combat strength exceeding their cultivation. There were even some special abilities that could erupt with extreme power in special environments.

How could one kill off all these people? Even if Qianye was a fierce tiger, how could he withstand the onslaught of a wolf pack? This mercenary and his team didn’t count for anything in the neutral lands.

Of course, he wasn’t stupid enough to say this out aloud. The most important thing at the moment was to escape with his life. He might even get the five thousand gold coins since Qianye wanted him to spread the message anyway.

He clambered up slowly. He saw that Qianye had no intention of attacking and was just about to leave when Nighteye said, “Wait, take off your clothes.”

The mercenary trembled, and then said in an evidently panicked voice, “T-This isn’t too appropriate, is it?”

Nighteye’s expression turned cold. “You don’t need to leave anymore if you keep pretending. Any other person can send this message!”

The mercenary discarded any thoughts of getting through by a fluke and took off his combat attire. There was a look of pain on his face as he handed his clothes to Nighteye.

“What function does this suit have? Why does it enable you to move through the Black Grove?”

The mercenary replied honestly, “This is a product of Alloy Labs, capable of isolating the natives’ perception. Those who wear it won’t attract the forest’s attention as long as we don’t cause any damage. Such a suit costs three thousand gold coins at the very least, and is the only reason why our group dares to operate in the forest.”

At this point, he glanced at Qianye with an odd expression.

Noticing the change, Qianye asked, “What are you thinking?”

“Uh, y-you two caused quite a bit of destruction during the battle. Why didn’t the forest react at all? Don’t tell me you’re natives?” After saying this, the mercenary shook his head. “Impossible, natives won’t destroy the Black Grove and will even protect it at all costs.”

Qianye picked up a piece of burning wood and passed it to the mercenary. “Look.”

The mercenary sniffed the item and said in astonishment, “It’s wood from the Black Grove!”

He glanced over at the burning estate and suddenly thought of a possibility. “You mean the entire place was built from this wood?”

Qianye didn’t reply to the man’s question. “What’s your name?”

“Rockwell, known as Black Mosquito in the mercenary world.”

Qianye patted the man’s shoulder, saying, “When you go back, I’m sure you’ll know what you should and should not say.”

Rockwell left slowly and only hastened his steps after he was certain the two weren’t chasing after him. He thought back to Qianye’s words—there wasn’t any threat in them, but he could still feel a chill run down his spine. He knew he might have to spend the rest of his life in hiding if he were to speak too much after going back. Otherwise, he would likely lose his head someday.

Nighteye patted Zhuji. “Go, remove their combat robes.”

The little girl pouted. “Why don’t you go? Why must I do all the tedious stuff? I’m still young!”

Nighteye broke into a laugh. She knocked the girl’s head lightly and said, “Then what kind of job do you think is easy?”

Zhuji’s eyes lit up. “Fighting! I want to beat up people who can talk!”

“Off to work you go, I’ll let you fight next time.” Nighteye coaxed the girl off to work like she would a kid.

Qianye shook his head. “It looks like we have to let her join the next battle.”

“She’s still young!” Nighteye wasn’t quite satisfied.

“She’ll join secretly even if we don’t let her. Do you think she’ll watch obediently from the side? She’ll definitely remember your words.”

“Ah, this…” Nighteye didn’t know what to say. In the end, she said, “Kids these days…”

Qianye chuckled. “You must’ve been pretty disobedient when you were a kid.”

“No way! I’ve always been a lady!”

The Monroe princess, with her Eye of Destruction, was the incarnation of slaughter itself. After reaching the duke rank in the future, or even higher, her combat strength would be head and shoulders above the other major characters. Such a person was actually calling herself lady-like?

“Stop reading useless books in the future,” Qianye chided.

“Fine!” Nighteye replied with a harmless-looking smile.

Qianye had no way to deal with her. He went over to collect the spoils from the three enemies and began studying the unusual combat robes. These robes were weaved from special materials and constantly emitted a mellow fragrance that wasn’t easily discernible. Qianye discovered that this smell was similar to the core of the trees in the forest. That was probably the reason why the natives would overlook those wearing such clothes, thinking they were part of the forest.

The remainder were gold coins, munitions, and supplies—there was nothing special about them. Qianye and Nighteye had no use for these combat robes, but they would make for a small fortune when sold. The profits from dealing with this small mercenary band were quite good. Fighting and robbing was indeed the fastest way to fortune.

After organizing the spoils, Nighteye asked, “What’s the next step?”

Zhuji was also looking intently at Qianye and there was ample reason for this. The next battle would be her first formal battle. To this little fellow, it was almost like a coming of age ceremony and proof that she was now a qualified warrior.

Qianye brought out a map and studied it for quite some time. Yet, he still couldn’t form a plan.