What do you think you are?

Sand Mercenary Group.

A dozen or so people were gathered in the main hall, all of them mercenaries who had just fled back.

They were all wounded, their clothes stained with blood; some had lost an arm, while others limped on a broken leg.

Luo Bu sat in his chair, watching them with his brows tightly furrowed.

"Commander, you must seek justice for us." A mercenary knelt on the ground, his voice hoarse. "The people from the Desert Iron Mercenary Group wounded us and killed over a dozen of our brothers."

Luo Bu's expression darkened. "The Desert Iron Mercenary Group?"

"Yes," another mercenary said. "The one who attacked was a youth; we heard he is the younger brother of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's two commanders."

Luo Bu's fingers tapped against the tabletop, producing a dull, rhythmic sound.

The younger brother of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li?

He had been in Desert Rock City for so many years and had always kept out of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's way. That fellow Xiao Ding usually acted within the rules, and while Xiao Li was a bit impulsive, he had never dared to touch his men.

And now, a mere greenhorn had arrived and killed his men?

"What is that youth's strength?" Luo Bu asked.

"We don't know," the mercenary replied, keeping his head low. "We were no match for him at all; he could kill one of us with a single palm strike."

Luo Bu remained silent for a moment. Killing an ordinary mercenary with a single palm strike was something he could do as well; there was nothing to be surprised about.

"Commander, this matter cannot just be let go," a mercenary said, looking up. "Our brothers cannot die in vain."

"That's right, we have to show the Desert Iron Mercenary Group a thing or two," another mercenary chimed in.

"Let them know who really runs Desert Rock City."

Luo Bu stood up, took a large blade from the wall, and hung it at his waist.

"Let's go."

"Commander, where to?"

"The Desert Iron Mercenary Group," Luo Bu said coldly.

Outside the gates of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

The sky had already darkened.

Two guards stood at the entrance, and when they saw a group of people approaching from a distance, their expressions changed instantly.

Leading them was Luo Bu, followed by dozens of skilled fighters, all of them exuding a murderous aura.

"Go report to the commander quickly," one guard whispered.

The other guard turned and ran into the courtyard.

Luo Bu walked up to the gate and looked at the guard in front of him. "Tell Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to come out."

The guard straightened his back. "Our commanders are not here."

Luo Bu raised his hand and struck the guard in the chest. The guard's body flew backward, slammed into the door panel, and slid to the ground, lifeless.

"Charge in," Luo Bu commanded with a wave of his hand.

The men behind him immediately rushed through the gate. The mercenaries of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group heard the commotion and rushed over, and the two sides began to clash inside the gate.

Luo Bu's men were all elite fighters of the Sand Mercenary Group with no lack of strength; the ordinary mercenaries of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group simply could not hold them back.

Screams, the clashing of weapons, and pleas for mercy were all mixed together.

In a short while, over a dozen members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group lay on the ground; some were dead, some were wounded, and others were unable to get back up.

Luo Bu stood in the center of the courtyard, looking around. "Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, get out here!"

A mercenary from the Desert Iron Mercenary Group took advantage of the chaos to run into the main hall.

Inside the hall.

Xiao Ding was sitting in a chair drinking tea, while Xiao Li stood by the window.

"Commander, it's bad!" The mercenary ran in, panting heavily. "The people from the Sand Mercenary Group have attacked our base."

Xiao Ding set down his teacup. "How many?"

"Dozens of them, and the one leading them seems to be their commander, Luo Bu," the mercenary said. "The two guards at the gate have already been killed."

Xiao Li's expression changed. "That old bastard Luo Bu dares to touch our men?"

"He said he wants to find the two commanders' younger brother," the mercenary said. "He wants to kill him."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance.

Looking for Little Yanzi?

"Where is Little Yanzi?" Xiao Ding asked.

"The Third Commander is in the backyard," the mercenary said. "He hasn't come out yet."

"Don't let him come out," Xiao Ding said as he stood up. "We'll go handle this."

Xiao Li stood up as well, taking his weapon down from the wall.

The two walked out of the hall and headed toward the main gate.

Outside the gate.

Luo Bu stood amidst the corpses, his men having already seized control of the entire front courtyard.

The mercenaries of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group were forced into a corner, none daring to move.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li walked out, their expressions turning grim at the sight of the bodies on the ground.

"Commander Luo Bu, what is the meaning of this?" Xiao Ding asked coldly.

Luo Bu looked at him, his face full of disdain. "What is the meaning of this? Your brother injured my men and killed my men—you tell me what the meaning is."

"Hand that brat over, and I will spare your lives."

Xiao Li was furious. "Go to hell."

Luo Bu's gaze shifted to Xiao Li. "You must be Xiao Li?"

"And what if I am?" Xiao Li retorted.

"I heard your strength is decent," Luo Bu said. "Come, let me see what you're really worth."

Just as Xiao Li was about to charge, Xiao Ding held him back.

"Big Brother, move aside." Xiao Li pushed Xiao Ding's hand away.

"You are no match for him," Xiao Ding whispered.

"So what?" Xiao Li said. "Are we just going to let him shit on our heads?"

Xiao Ding fell silent.

Xiao Li drew his weapon and walked toward Luo Bu, who stood his ground without moving.

As Xiao Li rushed before him, Luo Bu raised a palm. Xiao Li swung his blade, but Luo Bu dodged to the side and struck Xiao Li in the chest.

Xiao Li's body flew backward, and he spat out a mouthful of blood as he hit the ground.

"Second Brother!" Xiao Ding hurried forward to help him up.

Luo Bu stood where he was, watching them with a mocking smile on his lips.

"With only this much strength, you dare to bark in front of me? The Desert Iron Mercenary Group is nothing more than this."

Xiao Li gritted his teeth, trying to stand, but the pain in his chest left him powerless.

"The Desert Iron Mercenary Group has only survived in Desert Rock City this long because of luck, right?" Luo Bu said. "Xiao Ding, your brother has so little ability; how dare you let him come out and embarrass himself?"

Xiao Ding's face turned livid, but he remained silent.

Luo Bu took a few steps forward. "Hand that brat over, or none of you are leaving here today."

Xiao Ding raised his head, about to speak, when a voice came from behind him.

"No need to look for me."

Everyone turned toward the source of the sound. Xiao Yan walked out from inside the gate, his face devoid of expression.

Xiao Ding's expression changed. "Xiao Yan, what are you doing out here?"

"Go back," Xiao Li also said. "You don't need to get involved in this."

Xiao Yan ignored them and walked up to Luo Bu. Luo Bu looked him up and down. "You are the younger brother of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li?"

"I am," Xiao Yan said.

"You injured my men and killed my men," Luo Bu said. "Tell me, how should we settle this?"

"How do you want to settle it?" Xiao Yan asked.

Luo Bu sneered. "Kneel down and kowtow to me three times, then hand over that woman named Qing Lin, and I might spare your life."

Xiao Yan looked at him. "Say that again."

Luo Bu's brows furrowed. "I said kneel and kowtow to me three times, and hand over Qing Lin. Are you deaf?"

Xiao Yan said indifferently, "What kind of thing do you think you are?"

Luo Bu's expression darkened completely; in all his years in Desert Rock City, no one had ever dared to speak to him like that.

"You dare insult me?"

"So what if I insult you?" Xiao Yan said. "Do you really think a piece of trash like you is worthy of barking in front of me?"

Luo Bu was enraged and struck at Xiao Yan with his palm. He used his full strength, his Dou Qi condensing in his palm with a fierce, cutting wind.

Xiao Yan stood his ground without moving. As Luo Bu's palm reached him, he raised his hand and gave a casual flick.

"Bang."

With a dull thud, Luo Bu's body flew backward, crashing to the ground as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

The men of the Sand Mercenary Group were all stunned. Their commander was a Dou Grandmaster—how was he sent flying by a single strike?

Luo Bu climbed up from the ground, his face deathly pale. He looked at Xiao Yan, his eyes filled with shock.

"You... exactly what is your strength?"