Chapter 1224: Chapter 105: Going Separate Ways
Ah Dai said, "We might go to the Mercenary Headquarters of the Red Charming Clan first, then travel around the continent. Blood Skull, what about you?"
Blood Skull gave a wry smile and replied, "This time our Mercenary Corps has encountered such a major setback, and after seeing the strength of the two brothers, I’ve completely changed my former arrogant thoughts. Ah—I think I need to let the Mercenary Corps rest and recover for a while. I also need to go back and study with my master. In this continent, without adequate strength, one cannot make their way. It seems that our luck has just been good in the past, and we didn’t encounter any issues, but this time we faced such a heavy loss upon meeting a real master, which is truly a humiliation. The blood of our brothers will not have been shed in vain; those bastards from the Dark Demon Clan, I will find them one day and take revenge. By the way, if you return to the Tian Gang Sword Sect, could you send the regards of my teacher, the Northern Sword Saint, to the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang? Despite their many years of rivalry, the Sword Saint is the only person my master respects. My master once said that the only one he couldn’t surpass in this lifetime is the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang. It looks like my master’s regret will be passed down to us. I’m afraid I also can’t surpass you!"
Ah Dai smiled somewhat awkwardly and said, "Brother, don’t say that, your fire attribute battle qi is still very impressive. I’m only here because of some good fortune; that’s all there is to my current power."
Blood Skull laughed heartily and said, "Sometimes, good fortune is also very important. Anyway, let’s not discuss this anymore. After we finish the mission, I’ll treat you to some drinks, and then we’ll go our separate ways."
By this time, Mulat had already come out, commanding the caravan’s workers to start moving box after box of heavy cargo into the building. After more than an hour of effort, the Stan Empire Alliance had finally succeeded in storing the goods, and both the Skeleton Mercenary Group and the Evil Sky Mercenary Group had completed their mission.
Mulat walked over to the group, smiled, and said, "All the group leaders, you’ve worked hard. Please come inside the Business Association and take a seat, and I’ll also give you the rewards you deserve."
The Stan Empire Alliance’s branch in Andis City didn’t look special from the outside, but once inside, everyone was surprised. Not only was the place spacious, but it was also luxuriously decorated. Ah Dai seemed to see again those big casinos in the Empire of Sunset City. Mulat smiled and said, "The Business Association often has to discuss some big deals here, so we had no choice but to decorate lavishly. This way, we can showcase our strength and gain greater trust from our clients."
Mulat led everyone into a large room of about thirty square meters and personally brewed tea for the five of them. He said seriously, "This time, thanks to everyone’s assistance, the Stan Empire Business Association Alliance has been able to successfully transport the goods here. I am deeply sorry for the brothers who died or were injured in the Skeleton Mercenary Group." He bowed and took out the things he had prepared earlier—two leather pouches, handing the smaller pouch to Xuan Yue, "The two group leaders have contributed greatly in this operation. Previously, I promised to give both of you a reward of one thousand Gold Coins, which is really too little. Here are forty-five diamond coins, plus the five diamond coins paid in advance, making a total of five thousand Gold Coins. If our Business Association needs anything in the future, we still hope to rely on your strong support."
Ah Dai said, "Chairman Mulat, how could we take so much money from you? Since we agreed on one thousand Gold Coins before, let’s stick to the original amount."
Mulat shook his head and said, "Please don’t refuse, group leaders. Think of the extra part as a bonus from the Business Association." Not waiting for Ah Dai to speak again, he immediately took up the other pouch and handed it to Blood Skull, "Blood Skull, here are three hundred diamond coins. The reward we agreed on in advance was twenty thousand Gold Coins, and we have already paid your group one hundred diamond coins as a deposit. Together with these, it makes a total of forty thousand diamond coins. You must not refuse to take it, Blood Skull. The losses your group suffered this time were far beyond our expectations. This extra money is a token of our respect for those brave souls who sacrificed themselves, so please accept it."
Blood Skull sighed, took the pouch, and thought to himself, what use is more money if it can’t bring back the lives of my brothers? "Chairman Mu, thank you very much. Since the mission is completed, I won’t stay any longer, as there is much to arrange back in the group. Ah Dai, are you coming with us?"
Ah Dai and Xuan Yue quickly said their goodbyes to Mulat, who personally escorted the five of them out of the Business Association. At parting, he seemed reluctant to let them go, deeply sighing.
After leaving the Business Association, Blood Skull ordered his men to gather, and said to Iron Skull, "Old Three, distribute fifty diamond coins among these brothers. They have the whole day off today, let them fully relax. Tomorrow morning, we’ll assemble at the West City Gate, and then we’ll head straight back to headquarters." Hearing that Blood Skull was giving them a day off, the members of the Skeleton Mercenary Group cheered. They had been living on edge for the past month and could finally relax.
Ah Dai watched the mercenaries slowly disperse and said to Blood Skull, "Chairman Mulat is really a good person. He’s someone with deep emotions! Giving us so much extra money this time, no wonder you’ve been cooperating with him."
Blood Skull snorted and said, "Brother, you’re still too green. That old fox Mulat only treats us well because he has use for us. It’s all an act to better exploit our efforts. If you can’t bring him profits, he absolutely won’t bother with you. Don’t forget, he’s a businessman. If I’m not mistaken, the value of the goods the Stan Empire Alliance shipped this time is probably over ten million Gold Coins. The bit of money we’re taking isn’t much. Money, to me, is just a means to provide a good life for my brothers, but for this operation, we paid with five hundred lives... forty thousand Gold Coins, huh."
