Idiot

Xiao Li was most afraid of the sudden silence, so he glanced at Xiao Ding and asked, "What were you about to say, brother?"

Xiao Ding pulled Xiao Li aside and whispered, "Do you even know who he is? You just patted Elder Hai on the shoulder like that?"

Xiao Li said innocently, "I know who he is, he's Little Yu's friend, Elder Hai!"

"He's not only Little Yu's friend, but more importantly, he's also the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong!" Xiao Ding whispered.

"What?" Upon hearing Xiao Ding's words, Xiao Li was as if he had been frozen in place. He stiffly turned his head to look at Hai Bodong, who was sitting in a chair drinking tea. Most importantly, his hand was on Hai Bodong's shoulder!

Xiao Li forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "I'm sorry, I really didn't know you were Elder Hai!"

Xiao Yu shook his head and smiled, saying, "Second Brother, there's no need for that. Elder Hai won't hold it against you. Don't be so afraid!"

However, Xiao Yu's words clearly had no effect. Hai Bodong spoke up at this moment, saying, "It's alright, the Little Fox is right, I naturally won't take these trivial matters to heart!"

Xiao Li then let out a soft breath and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Elder Hai."

Xiao Ding quickly asked Xiao Li, "Did you come in because of something?"

Xiao Li then remembered and said, "Oh right, it's like this, brother, I've already gathered all the members of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group outside. Do you want to go and tell them about disbanding the Desert Iron now?"

Xiao Ding glanced at Xiao Yu and asked, "Want to come along?"

Xiao Yu shook his head and refused, saying, "I think I'll pass. The Mo Tie Mercenary Group is the culmination of my elder brothers' hard work, and this isn't a disbandment, it's just a change in form!"

Xiao Ding didn't say much, nodded, and followed Xiao Li out.

The training ground of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group was already filled with Desert Iron members, whispering amongst themselves. They had no idea why the Second Leader had gathered them all together!

After Xiao Ding and Xiao Li entered the training ground, everyone fell silent, and their eyes all turned to the regimental commander and the second regimental commander.

Some members, unable to contain themselves any longer, asked loudly, "Leader, why have you gathered us all together now?"

"Could it be some important mission?"

"If there's a really big mission, you'd better take me with you this time. I'm counting on making a lot of money to get married!"

"Hahaha, what's wrong, even the Ha Lang wants someone to warm his bed?" Kun Shan laughed mockingly.

"What? You're allowed to Kun Shan women, but I'm not allowed to find a wife?" Ha Lang immediately dug up Kun Shan's secrets.

A group of people below were shouting and yelling. Only Xue Lan felt uneasy looking at Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's expressionless faces. This was the first time she had ever seen Xiao Ding with such an expression, not even when he was threatened by the Sand Mercenary Group!

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li walked directly onto the high platform, patted their hands down at the chaotic scene below, and the noise gradually subsided. Many people looked at Xiao Ding and Xiao Li with anticipation for the mission.

Xiao Ding glanced at the crowd below. These were the pillars of their Mo Tie Mercenary Group. It was they who had worked with him to build the Mo Tie Mercenary Group's formidable reputation. It was they who had propelled the Mo Tie Mercenary Group from an unknown small group to become the second largest mercenary group in Shi Mo City!

"Brothers, after discussing with the Second Regiment Commander, we have decided to leave Shi Mo City and prepare to go to Black Corner Region to establish a new force!" Xiao Ding finally spoke after a long silence.

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire training ground erupted in a frenzy, like a stone thrown into still water.

"Why? Commander, are you abandoning the Mo Tie Mercenary Group?"

"Black Corner Region? That's an extremely chaotic area. Going there is practically suicide!"

"A new force? What new force?"

Xiao Ding continued, "Xiao Li and I are planning to disband the Desert Iron and join the new force, the Underworld, established by my fourth brother. The Underworld will be based in the Black Corner Region. If any of you are willing to go with us, then we can go to the Black Corner Region together. If not, we will give you 100 Gold Coins as compensation. After leaving the Desert Iron, you can find the Sand Mercenary Group or the Storm Mercenary Group."

"This is our own decision, so my brother and I won't force you. If you both choose to leave Desert Iron, we won't blame you!" Xiao Li continued.

The group members below the stage began to discuss among themselves. Some wanted to leave, some wanted to stay, but most wanted to leave because many did not want to risk going to a place like the Black Corner Region. Some also believed that Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's decision was made in the hope of better development.

As Xue Lan stood below, looking at Xiao Ding on the stage, she suddenly made a decision: she would follow Xiao Ding to the Black Corner Region. She didn't want to leave Desert Iron, and she didn't want to leave Xiao Ding either. So she decided that wherever Xiao Ding went, she would go!

So Xue Lan stepped forward and said to Xiao Ding, "Commander, I'm willing to follow you!"

Xue Lan's voice quieted the noisy training ground. Xiao Ding looked at Xiao Ding Xue Lan, and for the first time, Xue Lan didn't look away but met his gaze directly. Xiao Ding suddenly smiled and nodded slightly, saying, "Good!"

With Xue Lan setting an example, Kun Shan, Ha Lang, and a small group of team members soon chose to stay, including Hamm had previously explored the cave.

Xiao Ding looked at the group of people who had stayed and said, "Those who chose to stay can go back and pack their things!"

After everyone left, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li settled the bill for the remaining 100 Gold Coins each. This time, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li spent a lot of money, more than 30,000 Gold Coins to settle the bill. However, after dealing with these matters, they both felt much more at ease, as if they had fewer worries.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a smile before returning to the hall. They arranged a room for Hai Bodong, then asked Xiao Yu, "When are you planning to leave?"

Xiao Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Three days later."

Xiao Ding didn't ask any more questions, nodded, and walked out with Xiao Li. As for Xiao Yu, it was because he had lied to Hai Bodong that the side effect of using the secret technique was losing his Dou Qi for three days, so setting off after three days was the best time!

Only Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yu remained in the hall. A struggle flashed in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes, but she finally spoke up, "Xiao Yu, I... I'm going to leave!"

Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback. "Leave here? Aren't you coming to the Jia Nan Academy with me?"

Xiao Yi Xian shook her head and said, "No, I want to go to the Chuyun Empire first, to explore there and improve my strength. When I'm strong enough, I'll come to the Black Corner Region to find you, and then it'll be my turn to protect you!" A mischievous smile flickered in Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes.

Xiao Yu chuckled, "The Chuyun Empire? That's a good choice. I'll be relying on you a lot from now on!"

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Yi Xian glared at Xiao Yu after hearing this and said, "That is indeed a good choice, humph!"

After saying that, he walked out, leaving Xiao Yu standing there in the hall, completely bewildered.

"What did I do to offend her?" Xiao Yu was a little confused.

Back in her room Xiao Yi Xian picked up Xiao Bai, who was sleeping by the bed, and began to rub it vigorously. Xiao Bai cried out in dissatisfaction, but it couldn't stop Xiao Yi Xian's actions.

While gently rubbing Xiao Bai, Xiao Yi Xian muttered under her breath, "Idiot, Xiao Yu, you Big White, you didn't even try to keep me here!" Then she looked out the window, her thoughts racing, lost in thought.