Politely Declining the Mercenary Guild's Invitation

On-site, the two sides sized each other up, then introduced themselves.

Jacob was one of the directors of the Mercenary Guild and the president of the guild's branch in the Oulai District. Taiga and Gude were also cadres of the Mercenary Guild, dispatched from headquarters to assist Branch President Jacob.

"Boss Long, on behalf of the Mercenary Guild, I sincerely invite you to join us," Jacob said to Long Fei with genuine sincerity.

"If we join the Mercenary Guild, what benefits and advantages will we receive?"

"You can use our Mercenary Guild's commission network. Countless corporate groups will post their commissions on our network, and mercenary groups that are members of the Mercenary Guild can accept missions according to their rank."

"Anything else?"

"For example, if you complete a mission and don't receive the full payment, the Mercenary Guild will provide free legal aid to help you sue and recover the remaining funds."

"Oh, with such benefits, there must be a corresponding price to pay for joining the Mercenary Guild, right?" Long Fei showed a playful smile, not believing there was such a good deal.

"As Boss Long said, there are indeed some corresponding prices to pay. Every member of a mercenary group in the Mercenary Guild must pay an annual membership fee. The amount of the membership fee, based on rank, means that those with higher ranks, while paying more annual membership fees, will receive corresponding benefits. For example, when there are good asset auctions, we will also notify higher-ranked mercenary group members about the auction. The entrance fee for the auction will be paid directly by our Mercenary Guild."

"Is that so? I think there's something else, you should continue explaining."

"For any mission issued by the Mercenary Guild, once a mercenary group member completes it, 10% of the earned reward must be submitted to the Mercenary Guild. If it's a private job you take on, as long as it's not illegal, our Mercenary Guild will not interfere or demand a commission."

After hearing Jacob's explanation, Long Fei already had a clear understanding.

As the saying goes, no one visits the main hall without a reason, especially the Mercenary Guild. Choosing today and this location to come here, their motives were clearly impure.

He guessed these guys were already eyeing the military technology he had developed.

His development was now soaring, and the Skywing Mercenary Group's prominence in the past few months had indeed been dazzling, attracting many businesses to approach them proactively.

Some companies had directly signed long-term contracts with the Skywing Mercenary Group. For 12 months of the year, one day each week, a certain company would have one of the Skywing Mercenary Group's fleets provide escort services.

This showed that these companies had great trust and confidence in the strength of the Skywing Mercenary Group.

This not only made many competitors jealous, but it also had some impact on the Mercenary Guild's business. The branch of the Mercenary Guild in the Oulai District (including dozens of countries, the Mika'ang Kingdom among them) was the most affected.

As one of the directors of the Mercenary Guild and the president of the Oulai District's branch, Jacob did not see the rise of the Skywing Mercenary Group as good news for him.

If a powerful mercenary group could become self-reliant without needing to join the Mercenary Guild, it would significantly impact the Guild's influence.

Therefore, Jacob wanted to pull the Skywing Mercenary Group into the Mercenary Guild before it became even stronger and then find ways to suppress its development.

Long Fei also roughly understood Jacob's intentions. He himself adhered to a principle: rely on mountains and they will fall, rely on people and they will run; it's better to rely on oneself, and self-reliance is the true way.

"I am very grateful for Branch President Jacob's regard and favor. However, I am more accustomed to working alone. Regarding Branch President Jacob's invitation, I have not yet considered joining the Mercenary Guild. Of course, this is only for now. Perhaps in the future, I might want to join. At that time, I will send someone to visit Branch President Jacob and request to join the Mercenary Guild."

Taiga and Gude exchanged glances. Their eyes revealed not surprise, but anger, because they understood Long Fei's meaning. Although he hadn't explicitly refused, they understood his intention was to decline the invitation to join the Mercenary Guild.

The Mercenary Guild was jointly controlled by the four major families of the colony. Mercenary groups that dared to refuse the Mercenary Guild's invitation usually met a terrible end.

As individuals from wealthy families, the two found it hard to accept Long Fei's attitude. After all, no one had ever dared to refuse their invitation before; today, they had encountered one.

They were already contemplating how to deal with Long Fei and seize all of his tantalizing military technology.

Jacob, who was more adept at handling situations, did not show the anger flashing in the eyes of the other two. Instead, he stood up with a smile.

"We were indeed presumptuous to suddenly come and invite Boss Long. It was our mistake to cause Boss Long any trouble. If Boss Long has made up his mind, you are welcome to come and join our Mercenary Guild. Our doors are always open for Boss Long."

After speaking, Jacob walked up to Long Fei and extended his right hand.

Long Fei also stood up and shook Jacob's hand, then shook hands with Taiga and Gude. He then instructed the Colonel to see them out on his behalf.

"Boss, since we've directly rejected their invitation, aren't you worried they'll try to trip us up?" Li Jiaming asked with some concern.

"If we join now, these guys will definitely try to find ways to hinder our development. Instead of that, let them cause trouble first. Then we'll slap them in the face and show them who's boss, letting them know we're not to be trifled with. Even if we join them later, the Mercenary Guild won't dare to mess with us anymore."

"Then Boss, when do you think they'll make a move?"

"That Jacob, I can't say for sure, he's an old fox. As for the other two, although they concealed their expressions just now, I could still see their anger and displeasure. These two guys are definitely used to being high and mighty and can't stand it when a nobody like me dares to refuse them. I estimate these two will make a move in a few days. Have someone secretly monitor them."

"Boss, are you returning to the Albion MS Mothership today?" Li Jiaming asked.

"Not today. Anyway, today is the first day this branch base is officially open for business. There will be a banquet tonight, so I'll stay here tonight. I plan to take some leisure time these few days."

After leaving the Skywing Mercenary Group's branch base, Jacob and his entourage left in their luxury cars.

Taiga and Gude were each in their own luxury cars, communicating via video call.

"Gude, that kid really needs to be taught a lesson, otherwise he'll never know how high the sky is or how thick the earth is?"

"I think so too. What do you think we should use..." Before Gude could finish speaking, both of their phones received messages.

They looked at the messages on their phones simultaneously and then glanced at each other.

"Someone has sent me an invitation."

"Is it the Long Family from Hanxia Nation?" Gude asked tentatively.

"That's right, yours too."

"Yes, I just don't know why this esteemed family from Hanxia Nation would approach both of us at the same time?"

"So, what are you planning to do?"

"And you, are you accepting the invitation?"

"I'd like to know why the Long Family invited me. I have to go and see for myself." Taiga decided to accept the Long Family's invitation.

"Alright, since you're going, I'll go too."