Subduing the Sand Mercenary Group, Dominating Shimo City

When Xiao Ce and the Moti Mercenary Group returned to Shimo City, the entire city immediately erupted into noise and excitement.

The mercenaries passing through the streets looked at the high-spirited members of the Moti Mercenary Group, then at the battered Sand Mercenary Group members behind them, who looked like beaten dogs, their faces filled with shock.

What was going on?

Why did the Sand Mercenary Group members look as though they had just been through a bloody battle?

"Gasp—"

"Aren't those members of the Sand Mercenary Group? That's Wen Hao, captain of the Sand Mercenary Group's Sixth Squad!" startled cries erupted from the crowd.

"His injuries look serious. Who wounded him? Could they have been attacked by the Snake-People Tribe?"

"That's possible. Other than the Snake-People Tribe, who in all of Shimo City would dare lay a hand on the Sand Mercenary Group? It couldn't possibly have been the brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, could it?"

"Why couldn't it have been them? Wen Hao is only a Two-Star Doushi. If Xiao Ding and Xiao Li joined forces, they might not necessarily lose to him."

"How foolish. Do you think everyone is as brainless as you? The brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li offended Captain Luo Bu long ago by refusing the Sand Mercenary Group's recruitment. They've been keeping their heads down these past days. How could they possibly dare attack Wen Hao? In my opinion, Wen Hao and his men most likely encountered an attack by the Snake-People Tribe and suffered heavy losses. Xiao Ding and Xiao Li probably helped them to ease their relationship with the Sand Mercenary Group."

"Brother, that analysis makes sense!"

Many people speculated about what had happened. It was not until the massive group arrived at the Sand Mercenary Group's headquarters that they realized things might not be as simple as they had imagined.

Seeing the aggressive Moti Mercenary Group members, the guards at the entrance to the Sand Mercenary Group's headquarters immediately became wary and drew their weapons.

Then they spotted the bedraggled Wen Hao at the rear of the Moti Mercenary Group, and their expressions changed.

One of them asked in a low voice, "Captain of the Sixth Squad, what happened here?"

A gleam flashed through Wen Hao's eyes. Dou Qi surged throughout his body as he charged out of the crowd.

"Quick, notify the captain! The Moti Mercenary Group has gone mad! Not only did they attack me, they want to declare war on the entire Sand Mercenary Group!"

A deafening roar burst from Wen Hao's mouth.

Earlier, he had played along with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li and pretended to surrender in order to save his life.

Now, after his shout, half of the other surrendered Sand Mercenary Group members chose to turn against them as well.

The Sand Mercenary Group's power had long been branded into their minds.

They had not dared resist before, but now that they had returned to their home ground, they were no longer afraid.

The Moti Mercenary Group members' expressions changed.

"Wen Hao, you're courting death!" Xiao Li roared fiercely. With a shake of his spear, arcs of lightning danced over its tip, radiating a dangerous aura.

Wen Hao rushed to the front and laughed disdainfully.

"Xiao Li, I am the dignified captain of the Sand Mercenary Group's Sixth Squad. Did you really think I would surrender to a tiny Moti Mercenary Group like yours? What a joke!"

"Once the captain comes out, it will be your day of death!"

Xiao Ding remained calm, not particularly surprised. With Xiao Ce and Elder Hai holding the field, the more wildly Wen Hao jumped about now, the more miserably he would die later.

From the moment he defected, he had lost any right to regret it. He would make a perfect example for the others, showing the Sand Mercenary Group what happened to those who turned against them.

The instant Wen Hao shouted, the guards at the gate immediately erupted with Dou Qi and entered combat stance.

One of them even rushed into the headquarters to call for reinforcements.

Xiao Ding looked at Xiao Ce. "Should we charge in and kill them directly?"

As soon as he spoke, Xiao Li also looked eagerly at Xiao Ce, waiting only for his command.

But Xiao Ce remained calm and composed.

"No hurry."

"Wait until they have all gathered. Suppress their leader in full view of everyone, crush their will, then make an example of them to eliminate any thoughts of betrayal and absorb them completely."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li nodded slightly.

At the same time, a loud shout rang out from within the Sand Mercenary Group's headquarters.

"What nerve! The Moti Mercenary Group actually dares cause trouble at my Sand Mercenary Group!"

A huge crowd of mercenaries streamed out through the gates of the Sand Mercenary Group's headquarters.

A middle-aged man emerged last. He was of average build and had an unremarkable face, yet he exuded the imposing air of one in authority.

This man was Luo Bu, captain of the Sand Mercenary Group.

Five figures of varying heights and builds stood beside Luo Bu. They were the five squad captains of the Sand Mercenary Group.

"Captain!"

The moment Wen Hao saw Luo Bu, his eyes lit up. He hurried to his side and glared resentfully at the brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

"Captain, the Moti Mercenary Group has gone mad. They actually intend to declare war on our Sand Mercenary Group. If I hadn't played along with them, I'm afraid I would already have fallen victim to their hands."

A skinny, wretched-looking man beside Luo Bu sneered. "Wen Hao, you're really getting worse with age. You couldn't even beat two boys who haven't grown all their hair yet."

"Mo Xing, stop mocking me here. Your strength is no better than mine. If it had been you, you might not have been their match either."

"Besides, I suspect those two brothers have found some powerful backing. Otherwise, where would they get the confidence to declare war on the Sand Mercenary Group?"

"Hmph. So what if they have backing? The captain is a Three-Star Da Dou Shi. Is he supposed to fear them?" one of the captains snorted after Luo Bu's words.

Everyone was discussing the matter, but Luo Bu alone remained silent.

The moment he saw the Moti Mercenary Group, cold sweat had already formed on his forehead.

Although perception could not reveal an opponent's exact realm, it could still roughly gauge their level.

For instance, among the Moti Mercenary Group, Xiao Ding and the young woman in the pale violet dress, whose beauty was pure and refined, did not seem particularly strong. At most, they were comparable to Wen Hao and Mo Xing.

But the handsome, upright young man wearing blue-and-white cloud-patterned combat clothes possessed a far deeper aura. Even if he was not a Da Dou Shi, he could not be far from it.

Luo Bu did not take those three seriously. But the old man beside that unfamiliar young man made him feel as though he faced a formidable enemy.

He could not see through the old man's strength at all. The man appeared to be merely an ordinary elder, but would an ordinary elder be here?

The fact that Luo Bu could not see through him could only mean that the elder's strength far exceeded his imagination.

The pressure in Luo Bu's heart surged, and his expression gradually turned grave.

He stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Hai Bodong, and asked in a deep voice, "Sir, may I ask why you and the members of the Moti Mercenary Group have come to our Sand Mercenary Group?"

Hai Bodong smiled faintly, his voice carrying a trace of teasing.

"Don't ask me. I'm not the one in charge!"

Luo Bu's pupils suddenly contracted.

He could not even see through this man, yet he was not the one calling the shots on this trip?

Then he heard the young man in blue-and-white cloud-patterned combat clothes say to Xiao Ding, "Cousin Xiao Ding, tell Captain Luo our purpose."

Xiao Ding nodded slightly and stepped forward.

"Captain Luo, let's not beat around the bush. We came here today for only one thing!"

"What is it?" Luo Bu narrowed his eyes. He had vaguely guessed Xiao Ce's group's intentions, and his expression darkened.

"To absorb the Sand Mercenary Group and dominate Shimo City!"