At the scene, both sides sized each other up before introducing themselves.
Jacob was one of the Mercenary Guild's board members and also the president of the Mercenary Guild's Oulai District branch. Taiga and Gude were Mercenary Guild officers dispatched from headquarters to assist President Jacob.
"Boss Long, on behalf of the Mercenary Guild, I sincerely invite you to join us," Jacob said earnestly to Long Fei.
"What benefits and treatment would we receive by joining the Mercenary Guild?"
"You would be able to use the Mercenary Guild's commission network. Countless corporate groups post commissions through our network, and mercenary groups that are Guild members can accept missions according to their rank."
"What else?"
"For example, if you complete a mission but do not receive the full payment, the Mercenary Guild will provide free legal assistance to help you sue for the remaining amount."
"Oh, with terms like that, mercenary groups joining your Guild must have to pay a corresponding price." Long Fei wore an amused smile. He did not believe there was such a good deal.
"As Boss Long said, there are indeed corresponding costs. Every mercenary group member in the Mercenary Guild must pay annual membership fees. The higher the rank, the higher the annual fees, but they will also receive matching benefits. For instance, when valuable assets are put up for auction, we notify higher-ranked mercenary groups, and the Mercenary Guild directly covers their auction admission fees."
"Is that so? I believe there is more to it. You should continue explaining."
"For any mission issued by the Mercenary Guild, once a mercenary group completes it, ten percent of the reward must be handed over to the Mercenary Guild. As for private work you take on yourselves, as long as it is legal, the Mercenary Guild will neither interfere nor demand a cut."
After hearing Jacob's explanation, Long Fei had already made his judgment.
As the saying went, one never visited a temple without a reason. Especially the Mercenary Guild—they had chosen this day and this place to approach him, so their motives were far from pure.
These people had probably set their sights on the military technology he had developed.
His own development was now flourishing, and the Skywing Mercenary Group had been exceptionally prominent these past few months. This had also prompted many businesses to approach them on their own initiative.
Some companies had directly signed long-term contracts with the Skywing Mercenary Group. Every week of the year, a certain company would have one of its fleets escorted by a Skywing Mercenary Group fleet.
This showed just how much those companies recognized and trusted the Skywing Mercenary Group's strength.
This had not only made many competitors jealous, but had even affected the Mercenary Guild's business. The branches in the Oulai District, which encompassed dozens of countries including the Mika'ang Kingdom, had been hit the hardest.
As both a Mercenary Guild board member and the president of its Oulai District branch, Jacob did not regard the rise of the Skywing Mercenary Group as good news.
If a powerful mercenary group did not need to join the Mercenary Guild and could thrive through its own efforts, the Guild's influence would suffer a severe blow.
That was why Jacob wanted to pull the Skywing Mercenary Group into the Mercenary Guild before it grew even stronger, then find ways to suppress its development.
Long Fei had more or less seen through Jacob's intentions as well. He followed one principle: mountains could collapse when relied upon, people could run away when relied upon, and relying on others was inferior to relying on oneself. Self-reliance was the true path.
"Thank you very much for President Jacob's regard and kindness. However, I am more accustomed to working independently. As for President Jacob's invitation, I have no plans to join the Mercenary Guild at present. Of course, that is only for now. Perhaps I may wish to join in the future. When that time comes, I will send someone to visit President Jacob and request that we be allowed to join the Mercenary Guild."
Taiga and Gude exchanged glances. What showed in their eyes was not surprise, but anger. They had understood Long Fei's meaning. Though he had not completely shut the door in his words, they knew he was refusing to join the Mercenary Guild.
The Mercenary Guild was jointly controlled behind the scenes by the four great colonial families. Basically, any mercenary group that dared reject the Guild's invitation would meet a miserable end.
Born into powerful families, neither of them could accept Long Fei's attitude. After all, no one had ever dared say no to their invitation—until today.
The two were already considering how to deal with Long Fei and seize all of his tantalizing military technology.
More tactful in his dealings, Jacob did not show the flash of anger seen in the other two's eyes. Instead, he rose with a smile.
"We were indeed too abrupt, coming here so suddenly to extend an invitation and causing Boss Long trouble. That was our fault. If Boss Long reaches a decision, you are welcome to join the Mercenary Guild at any time. The Mercenary Guild's doors will always be open to you."
After speaking, Jacob walked over to Long Fei and extended his right hand.
Long Fei also stood and shook Jacob's hand, then shook hands with Taiga and Gude before instructing the colonel to see them out for him.
"Boss, we rejected their invitation outright. Aren't you worried they might trip us up?" Li Jiaming asked worriedly.
"If we joined them now, these people would certainly find every possible way to hinder our development. Rather than that, we might as well let them make trouble first, then slap them in the face and give them a warning. Let them know we are not easy to provoke. By then, even if we join them, the Mercenary Guild will not dare cause trouble for us again."
"Then Boss, when do you think they will make their move?"
"As for the one called Jacob, it is hard to say. That old fox is a different matter. But the other two, although they tried to hide their expressions just now, I could still see their anger and displeasure. Those two must be used to looking down on others and cannot stand a nobody like me daring to reject them. They will probably act within a few days. Have someone keep them under surveillance."
"Boss, are you returning to the Albion MS Mothership today?" Li Jiaming asked.
"No. Today is the first day this sub-base has opened for business, and there should be a banquet tonight. I'll stay here tonight. I plan to take a little time to relax these next few days."
After Jacob's group left the Skywing Mercenary Group's sub-base, they departed in their own luxury sedans.
Taiga and Gude each sat in his own luxury sedan, having a video call.
"Gude, that kid really needs to be taught a lesson. Otherwise, he truly will not know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth."
"I think so too. What do you think we should use..." Before Gude could finish, both of their phones received messages.
The two looked at the messages on their phones at the same time, then glanced at each other.
"Someone has sent me an invitation."
"It is the Long Family of Hanxia Nation, isn't it?" Gude asked tentatively.
"That's right. Yours is the same."
"Yes, but why would this Hanxia Nation family approach both of us at the same time?"
"What about you? What do you intend to do?"
"And you? Are you accepting the invitation?"
"I would like to know why the Long Family invited me. I need to go and see for myself." Taiga decided to accept the Long Family's invitation.
"Fine. Since you are going, I'll go too."
Before you continue