An Unexpected Reinforcement

Led by the two captains, Bu Le and Tian Ya, the several dozen members of the Three Scoundrels Mercenary Group hid in the darkness, as though waiting for something.

Soon, more than an hour passed. Just as Bu Le was growing impatient, a red signal flare suddenly lit up over Small Town.

At the sight, Bu Le and Tian Ya both breathed a sigh of relief. After exchanging a glance, they spoke in unison. "They've finally arrived."

With that, the two led the Three Scoundrels Mercenary Group members toward the location where the flare had been launched.

Upon arriving, they found three Soul Masters dressed in black and wearing white cloaks over their backs waiting in the darkness.

The three unfamiliar Soul Masters had similar styles of dress and clearly belonged to the same faction. The identical number thirteen on their white cloaks further proved it.

Besides those three, E Kao, who had previously separated from them, was also there, though he seemed somewhat out of place.

Seeing Bu Le and Tian Ya arrive, E Kao hurried forward. "Bu Le, Tian Ya, you're here! Let me introduce you. This is Ma Xiu, the Vice Captain of the Black Beast Mercenary Group's Thirteenth Brigade!"

As he spoke, E Kao introduced the leader of the three men to his two brothers.

Although the three Soul Masters from the Black Beast Mercenary Group wore identical uniforms, their temperaments were clearly different. Ma Xiu, the Vice Captain, exuded an uninhibited, unrestrained air in both appearance and bearing. His long black hair fell casually down his back, and judging solely by his looks, he appeared to be around thirty.

"So you're Vice Captain Ma Xiu." Tian Ya paused at E Kao's words, then quickly stepped forward with a courteous smile. "We'll have to rely on you to put in the effort for this mission."

The Black Beast Mercenary Group was a renowned force even across Douluo Dalu, and its leader was a genuine Titled Douluo.

The entire Black Beast Mercenary Group was made up of thirteen brigades, each with more than three hundred members and no fixed upper limit. It was said that every brigade captain possessed the strength of a Soul Douluo. Even those whose Soul Power had not reached the Soul Douluo level still possessed combat power comparable to one.

As for vice captains, most were around the Soul Saint level. In other words, this wild and unruly man before them was most likely a Soul Saint.

Below the vice captains were the ten Chief Officers of each brigade, whose strengths ranged from Soul Kings to Soul Emperors. Beneath them were the ordinary members of the Black Beast Mercenary Group.

To be honest, Tian Ya had not expected a Soul Saint-level Vice Captain of the Black Beast Mercenary Group to come in person.

Previously, they had posted a mission within the Mercenary Association's internal platform to deal with Shrek Academy. They had originally hoped to find some powerful assistance to help them complete their revenge.

They had never expected someone from the Black Beast Mercenary Group to take the mission, much less dispatch a Vice Captain and two Chief Officers.

Although E Kao had not introduced the other two Soul Masters from the Black Beast Mercenary Group, judging by the Soul Power fluctuations emanating from them, both should be Soul Emperor-level Soul Masters.

Soul Masters of that level would not be ordinary members even within the Black Beast Mercenary Group. At the very least, they were Chief Officers. As for exactly which seats they held, Tian Ya could not tell.

"Enough nonsense. Let's get down to business first." Vice Captain Ma Xiu clearly had no intention of exchanging pleasantries with Tian Ya. The arrogant-looking man went straight to the point. "This mission of yours isn't so simple."

"What do you mean by that, Vice Captain Ma Xiu?" Tian Ya asked. "Lao E should have already explained the situation of this mission to you clearly."

"But you didn't tell me that Shrek Academy has a direct disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and two members of the Xingluo Imperial Family. That makes this mission rather difficult." A teasing smile appeared on Ma Xiu's face.

Tian Ya's expression changed immediately upon hearing that, but he quickly regained his composure. "Vice Captain Ma Xiu, you're mistaken. They aren't the targets of our mission. We only want two ordinary Shrek Academy students with no significant background."

"Is that so?" Ma Xiu's expression remained unchanged. "But they're classmates, after all. Killing their classmates right in front of them will make this mission very difficult. And the Black Beast Mercenary Group could easily earn the resentment of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Star Luo Empire because of it. You understand—I have to consider my brothers' safety, even if not for myself. They are my dearest friends, my brothers in arms!"

"So?" Before Tian Ya could speak, Lao E impatiently cut him off and asked in return.

"We'll need more money!" Ma Xiu said without hesitation. "One million gold soul coins, and my brothers and I will get it done for you!"

As for the two "brothers in arms" beside him, they had clearly grown accustomed to their Vice Captain's style. Their expressions did not change throughout the exchange, though a careful observer could likely see the helplessness in their eyes.

"One million gold soul coins? Why don't you just rob us!" Bu Le, who had barely spoken until now, immediately exploded.

Although the Wretched Three Scoundrels were far wealthier now than in the original timeline, they still could not scrape together one million gold soul coins even if all three of them sold themselves.

"Robbing people isn't nearly this fast!" Ma Xiu replied without thinking. "Well? What do you three think?"

"We don't have that much money," Tian Ya said grimly.

"Then that's none of my concern. Figure it out yourselves. If you want us to act, that's the price!" Ma Xiu looked as though he had them completely in his grasp, infuriating Tian Ya and Bu Le.

Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, E Kao spoke once more. "We can give you the money!"

Ma Xiu did not seem surprised in the slightest by this outcome. He appeared certain that these three shifty-looking fellows could produce the enormous sum of one million gold soul coins. The smile on his face grew even wider. "That's more like it. Then, gentlemen, a pleasant cooperation."

"Wait. There's one thing we need to make clear beforehand. We can give you one million gold soul coins, but the two lives we want..."

"Don't worry, it'll be handled. If the mission fails, I won't take a single coin!" Ma Xiu promised directly before E Kao could finish.