Chapter 466: Chapter 99: Skeleton Mercenary Group_3
The three skeletons looked at each other, they all knew that the Northern Sword Saint had three successive duels with the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang and each ended in a bitter defeat after about a hundred moves. The Tian Gang Sword Sect had always been their goal to surpass. Although their strength was still too weak compared to the Tian Gang Sword Sect, only those second-generation disciples over sixty could possibly defeat them, and it definitely could not be done in one move. Blood Skull laughed, a very joyful laugh. As the eldest disciple of the Northern Sword Saint, he could not back down either for his master’s dignity or for his own sister. In his heart, Ah Dai’s one-hit defeat of Ice Skeleton was an insult to the Northern Sword Saint, a grudge that could not go unavenged.
The impulsive Iron Skull, upon seeing Blood Skull’s grin, couldn’t help but shiver, swallowing back the words he was about to say to request to fight. Blood Skull always had the highest skills among the four of them, and no enemy had ever escaped from him. Iron Skull knew that their eldest brother was truly enraged this time.
The laughter of Blood Skull ceased, two cold glimmers flashed from his eyes as he said in a heavy tone, "Spread out, prepare to receive the caravan as planned. Get ready to depart."
Wind Skeleton hurriedly said, "Big brother, are we really going to let that kid go so easily?"
Blood Skull smiled, "Do you not know my temperament? The task from the Stan Empire Alliance is very important to us, they are the main source of our Mercenary Group’s income, this insult must be avenged, but not now. Do your duties, do not provoke the other party without my orders." He looked at the approaching carriage and thought: Come on, no matter how strong you are, I will have a face-off with you. Let’s have a preliminary competition for the Sword Saint rank first.
The merchant caravan arrived. The members of the Skeleton Mercenary Group immediately scattered, the Heavy Cavalry Infantry turned their horses around, facing the distance, the archery team positioned behind them formed their formation. The Light Cavalry guarded the flanks. Led personally by Blood Skull, a trusted aide corps circled to the rear of the caravan. Over fourteen hundred mercenaries arranged in an orderly manner, providing strong protection for the merchant caravan.
Ah Dai and Xuan Yue sat comfortably in the carriage, this carriage was specifically ordered by the Stan Empire Alliance for Mulat. The body of the carriage was made of hard wood, heavy in weight, with an exceptionally luxurious interior. The soft, substantial chairs covered in silk, a wooden tray protruding in the middle holding some fruits, the most unique feature was the thick springs connected to the giant wooden wheels, made of rare metals, extremely hard and highly extendable. Crafted by skilled artisans, they made the springs full of elasticity. One end connected to the axle, the other to the carriage body, ensuring a smooth ride even on very rough roads. Sitting in it was like being in a moving palace.
Xuan Yue opened the curtain to peek outside, seeing more members of the Skeleton Mercenary Group around the merchant caravan that had already left the city. Fearless as ever, her Magic Level had just advanced to the Magic Instructor Realm, so she didn’t think much of these mercenaries.
Lowering the curtain, Xuan Yue said to Ah Dai, "Big brother, I regret agreeing to this mission now."
With a puzzled expression, Ah Dai asked, "Why? Isn’t this carriage very comfortable? Its much more relaxed than us walking."
Xuan Yue replied, "But, this pace is too slow, judging by the looks of it now, it will take at least twenty days to enter the Yajin Tribe territory. It’s so boring sitting in the carriage all day!"
Mulat smiled, "It won’t be boring, when the time comes, we might have to rely on the two of you. You don’t know, at the junction between the Empire of Tian Jing and the Yajin Tribe, there is a mountain range of not very large area, we all call it Tianjing Mountain Range. It takes about half a day to pass from one end to the other. The main reason the Business Association Alliance hires so many mercenaries is to guard against bandits there."
Mulat’s words sparked Xuan Yue’s interest, "Bandits? Have you encountered them before?"
Mulat nodded, "Yes! We suffered quite a lot before. Those bandits were very arrogant, all caravans passing through the mountains had to give them half of their goods as passage money. Otherwise, they killed people and looted all the goods. To avoid bigger losses, some small caravans often gave them the goods. Alas, after one trip, we could only make very little money."
With a puzzled look, Xuan Yue asked, "Why insist on taking this route through the Tianjing Mountain Range? Can’t you take a detour?"
Mulat sighed and said, "Our Stan Empire Alliance’s biggest industry is the manufacture of spices, including food spices and common spices, these spices must be stored in special sealed warehouses, otherwise, after a long time, they will lose their original aroma. This time, eighty percent of our goods are spices, to save time and maintain the aroma of the spices, we have to take the risk to pass through the Tianjing Mountain Range. In this way, the spices can maintain their quality when they reach Andis City, and can be sold at a good price. If it wasn’t for these spices, of course we would choose to take a detour. But, now with you two here, along with the Skeleton Mercenary Group, I think, those bandits will have no way with us. I hope for a smooth journey."
