Third Commander

"Brother Qing Mo, what wind blew you here?" Xiao Ding strode forward, surprise written across his face.

Even Xiao Li's stern face was filled with astonishment.

"Brother Qing Mo, if you hadn't helped us last time, I probably wouldn't have had the chance to stand here today."

"You two commanders know Qing Mo?!"

Before Qing Mo could speak, Xue Lan beside him widened her beautiful eyes, her face full of shock and disbelief.

She had never imagined that the newcomer she had worked so hard to recruit would actually know the two commanders. And what had she just heard? Qing Mo was even the commander's lifesaver.

Xiao Ding laughed heartily. "It's a long story, but Brother Qing Mo truly is the lifesaver of both my brother and me."

"You're exaggerating. I merely did a small favor; it hardly counts as saving your lives." Qing Mo replied politely. He had only helped buy a pill. Calling him their lifesaver was indeed a little exaggerated. Even without him, those two would have turned out just fine in the original story.

"You really saved the two commanders?!" Xue Lan stared at Qing Mo, her gaze becoming even more shocked and curious.

"Haha, Brother Qing Mo, you're being too modest. How could a life-saving favor be called a small favor?"

Xiao Ding shook his head. If Qing Mo had not bought the Second-Rank Rebirth Pill, explained the pros and cons to them, and secretly arranged for the Gale Mercenary Group to help them, who knew what might have happened?

"Not at all, not at all."

Qing Mo waved his hand. He had merely done the job for the money; he truly had not thought of it that way at the time.

"Enough, enough. Big Brother, Brother Qing Mo, stop being so polite to each other!"

Xiao Li helplessly interrupted them and turned toward Xue Lan.

"Xue Lan, how did you come to know Brother Qing Mo?"

Xiao Li asked in confusion. He had met Qing Mo before and knew that Qing Mo was not someone who liked going out. Why had he come here with Xue Lan today?

"Oh! Right, earlier today at the market..." Xue Lan recounted everything that had happened at the market, including how Qing Mo had slapped Luo Yi across the face in the street.

"Hmph! Poison Dragon Mercenary Group again."

Xiao Ding snorted coldly, a trace of killing intent flashing through his eyes. When they had first arrived, they had luckily found a rare medicinal herb, only for the passing Poison Dragon Mercenary Group to snatch it away and even send people to hunt them down. He had remembered that grudge ever since.

"Brother Qing Mo, rest assured. From today onward, you are an honored guest of our Desert Iron Mercenary Group, someone under our protection. Any mercenary group registered in Stone Desert City is protected by the City Lord's Manor. Even the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group would not dare casually start trouble here."

"That's right. Even if another mercenary group has a problem with us, they would only settle it outside the city. As long as you stay here, the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group will not dare act recklessly. You know about my brother's and my situation, so naturally we aren't afraid of offending them," Xiao Li added.

"In that case, thank you both for your kindness."

Qing Mo was somewhat moved. Although he was not afraid of the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li genuinely wanted to help him.

"Then, Commanders, does that mean you agree to let Qing Mo join the Desert Iron Mercenary Group?"

Xue Lan's eyes shifted as she said excitedly, "Can Qing Mo stay..."

"Wait, Xue Lan, you said join..."

"It was Qing Mo. He said he wanted to join our Desert Iron Mercenary Group."

"Join us?" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance, joy immediately appearing on their faces.

For such a talented young man, who was also their benefactor, they naturally wanted to invite him to join. Unfortunately, they had failed to persuade this talented youth before.

Half a year ago, Qing Mo had already been a Two-Star Dou Practitioner. After another half year, who knew how much his cultivation had improved?

"Haha, good! It's wonderful that Brother Qing Mo is willing to join us." Xiao Ding laughed boldly, patting Qing Mo on the shoulder with delight written all over his face.

"Xue Lan, notify every member of the mercenary group to gather at the square. I have an important announcement to make."

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Ding spoke to Xue Lan.

Since Qing Mo was joining their Desert Iron Mercenary Group, he naturally could not be treated like an ordinary person.

"Yes, First Commander." Xue Lan answered and turned to leave.

"Brother Qing Mo, don't stand on ceremony. Let's sit and talk."

Xiao Ding pulled out a chair and invited Qing Mo to sit.

Seeing this, Qing Mo gained a little more goodwill toward Xiao Ding. You had to admit, Xiao Ding really knew how to handle people.

The three chatted for a while.

Before long, there was a knock at the door.

"First Commander, everyone has gathered," Xue Lan said from outside.

"Good."

"Brother Qing Mo, let's go."

The group arrived at the square, where around twenty people stood. Some were gathered in groups of three or five, while others stood alone, chatting quietly in twos and threes.

"Is something happening today? Why were we suddenly summoned?"

"No idea. I was about to head outside the city for a mission when I got called over. I haven't even eaten lunch yet," one mercenary complained.

"Could it be that we've got a new major mission?"

"Impossible, right? There haven't been any major missions lately. Besides, if there were one, the commanders would have informed us earlier."

"The commanders are here. Stop talking."

When they saw the two commanders arrive, everyone immediately fell silent and turned their attention toward the raised platform at the front of the square.

Xiao Ding stood on the raised platform, swept his gaze over the crowd, cleared his throat, and said in a deep voice:

"Everyone has worked very hard lately. I know that! It is precisely because of everyone's efforts that our Desert Iron Mercenary Group has grown to its current scale in only half a year."

"We are one whole, one big family. No honor can be achieved without everyone's hard work, and I am proud of you!"

Hearing Xiao Ding's praise, the mercenaries below revealed proud smiles.

Xiao Ding paused, and his tone shifted.

"Today, I gathered everyone here because our Desert Iron Mercenary Group is about to welcome a new companion! Everyone, welcome him!"

Xiao Ding pointed at Qing Mo, a mysterious smile on his face.

Since their commander had put it that way, they naturally had to play along. Cheers immediately erupted below, accompanied by thunderous applause and waves of whistles.

Xiao Ding looked at Qing Mo beside him and smiled as he gestured for him to take the stage.

Qing Mo was having a hard time keeping his composure now, but with the arrow already on the string, he could only force himself to go up.

After giving a brief introduction, Qing Mo waited for Xiao Ding to make the announcement.

"Alright, I'm sure everyone is curious about why I specifically gathered all of you here today."

"Yes, Commander. Did something major happen?"

The expressions of those below also turned serious. In their eyes, introducing a newcomer was merely incidental to this event.

After all, when newcomers had joined before, there had never been such a grand display.

By convention, the recommender would simply bring them over, let them meet everyone, and help them become familiar faces. That was all.

It had to be said that this newcomer had joined at just the right time. Two commanders were personally backing him.

Xiao Ding swept his gaze over the crowd, taking in everyone's expressions. He drew a deep breath, and his voice rang throughout the entire square.

"I announce! From today onward, Qing Mo is the Third Commander of our Desert Iron Mercenary Group!"