Xiao Ding

The crowd that had been packed tight immediately parted, and the surrounding mercenaries all looked at Lei Luo with great apprehension.

Some of the more timid ones had already backed away and vanished down the street.

It was at that moment that a young man in white robes entered with a frown.

At the sight of him, those who had been stirring things up just now scattered in an instant.

After all, he was someone they could afford to offend even less.

He might look refined and gentle on the surface, but anyone who could build such a foundation in Rock Desert City was no easy person to deal with.

"Hehe, it's quite lively here. Is there some happy occasion today? Would you all like to come sit in my Desert Iron Mercenary Corps?"

The moment he spoke, the remaining onlookers dispersed in a rush. This stretch of street actually became empty for a brief moment.

Seeing Qinglin hiding behind Lei Luo, Xiao Ding could not help but feel somewhat surprised.

With a warm smile, he walked over to Lei Luo.

"I am Xiao Ding of the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps. Thank you, brother, for protecting this little girl."

As he spoke, he shook his head with a bitter smile.

In truth, this sort of situation was all too common.

Even within the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps, those rough men had never treated Qinglin kindly. They often mocked and cursed her.

That was only because he and Xiao Li kept them in check. One could easily imagine the attitude of the mercenaries in Rock Desert City.

Looking at the young man before him, who somewhat resembled Xiao Yan, Lei Luo could not help feeling a little mischievous.

When Xiao Yan arrives and finds out that I'm an honored guest and good brother of his eldest and second brothers, his expression should be quite entertaining, right?

As for how to infiltrate the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps, the method was actually quite simple.

Surely no faction would refuse the addition of an alchemist.

As for how to casually reveal his identity as an alchemist, that would depend on Lei Luo's acting skills.

Upon learning that Lei Luo was also from Wutan City, Xiao Ding's gaze gained a touch more warmth.

And when he introduced himself as Xiao Ding, a flicker of surprise passed through Lei Luo's eyes.

Xiao Ding, skilled at reading people, caught that flash of surprise and asked with a smile, "What is it, Brother Lei Luo? Have you heard of the Xiao surname?"

Lei Luo shook his head with a laugh. "You jest, Brother Xiao. As someone from Wutan City, wouldn't it be a complete joke not to know the Xiao Household?"

Hearing the flattery in Lei Luo's words, Xiao Ding could not help bursting into laughter.

After all, meeting someone from one's hometown in a foreign land was already something worth celebrating.

Lei Luo's deliberate yet casual praise made Xiao Ding even more delighted.

Then Lei Luo began setting up his big move.

"Come to think of it, Brother Xiao and I can actually be considered somewhat related."

Xiao Ding was surprised by Lei Luo's words. "How so?"

Seeing his confusion, Lei Luo knew the fish had taken the bait.

"As the eldest son of the Xiao clan head, Brother Xiao should be familiar with Xiao Yu, right?"

Xiao Ding smiled. "Of course. That girl was quite the little devil back then."

"Brother Lei Luo, you and Xiao Yu...?"

"Hehe..." Lei Luo gave an intentionally bashful dry laugh.

Xiao Ding's expression immediately became interesting.

"You two... couldn't possibly..."

As he spoke, he waggled his eyebrows at Lei Luo.

"Mm... Xiao Yu and I have already privately pledged ourselves to each other."

That statement gave Xiao Ding quite a shock, leaving him frozen where he stood.

"That girl... No, that can't be right. Didn't I hear she went to Canaan Academy to study?"

Faced with Xiao Ding's confusion, Lei Luo could only shrug. "We happened to meet when she returned home to visit family. She should count as my senior now..."

"Heh, wonderful! Then doesn't that make us somewhat related?"

"Come on, come on, don't stand outside. Let's go in and have a proper chat."

With that, Xiao Ding brought Lei Luo and Qinglin into the main courtyard of the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps.

"Second Brother! Second Brother! Come out, I have someone to introduce to you!"

As they crossed the courtyard, the mercenaries around them could not help feeling curious at their commander's unusual excitement.

They all sized up Lei Luo, this unfamiliar face, and whispered among themselves.

After following Xiao Ding into a hall, Lei Luo saw a young man dressed in mercenary attire, his eyes carrying traces of laziness and ruthlessness.

This was Xiao Yan's second brother, Xiao Li, known as Evil Wolf!

Seeing his elder brother, who always prided himself on being composed, acting so out of character, Xiao Li rose from his seat and asked with a smile,

"What is it, Big Brother? Who is this?"

Xiao Ding grinned and introduced him. "This is Brother Lei Luo. He's also from Wutan City."

Xiao Li tilted his head.

He still carried a trace of doubt in his heart.

Even if they were fellow townsmen, it should not have been enough to make his elder brother this excited.

But Xiao Ding did not keep him guessing. He continued in a mysterious tone, "Lei Luo and our cousin Xiao Yu are..."

As he spoke, he even revealed an expression that any man would understand.

Xiao Li immediately came to a realization.

He gave Lei Luo a once-over, rubbing his hands together as he said, "So that makes us relatives too?"

Even with Lei Luo's thick skin, being stared at like that by two grown men made him feel uncomfortable.

He could only wave his hand awkwardly. "Please stop teasing me, Big Brothers. Xiao Yu and I only made a private agreement. Nothing has been set in stone yet."

"Tsk, that's no issue. Besides, listen to how affectionately you call her 'Yu'er'!"

"If you said there was nothing between you two now, we wouldn't believe it!" Xiao Ding teased.

Xiao Li at the side nodded repeatedly.

"But Brother Lei Luo, why did you come all the way to this desert to suffer instead of continuing your studies at Canaan Academy?"

Lei Luo put on an arrogant air. "This little brother barely broke through to the Dou Master realm, so I asked my instructor for a year's leave to train and broaden my horizons.

And so, the Snake-People Desert is the final stop of this training journey."

Upon hearing Lei Luo's words, the Xiao brothers naturally focused on the Dou Master realm.

"Hiss! Lei Luo, you're not even twenty yet, are you?"

"I just turned eighteen," Lei Luo answered.

The two began looking at each other. They seemed to have a bellyful of things to say, yet neither spoke a word.

"Hey, doesn't that mean Xiao Yu is three years older than you?" Xiao Ding asked curiously.

Hearing his elder brother's words, a strange, auntie-like smile appeared on Xiao Li's usually stern face.

"Older is good, older is good..."

Xiao Ding looked awkwardly at Lei Luo, then gave Xiao Li a knock on the head.

"At your age, can't you speak properly?"

Naturally, Xiao Li was unconvinced. Raising his voice, he protested, "Big Brother, I meant that an older woman brings fortune! What were you thinking?"

Xiao Ding...

After chatting for a while, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li also prepared to head out.

Only after instructing Qinglin to attend to Lei Luo properly did Xiao Ding say apologetically, "Sorry, brother. There are some urgent matters in the corps that we need to handle, so we'll have to leave you to your own devices for now.

Tonight, we'll definitely give you a proper welcome feast. We won't stop until we're drunk!"