A War of Words

Stone Desert City, Mercenary Association.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li sat side by side. Xiao Ding's face was as still as water, his eyes as calm as an ancient well, betraying not the slightest emotion. Xiao Li, meanwhile, had his fists clenched tightly, his gaze sharp, his chest heaving violently.

Across from them sat two people as well.

One was a somewhat plump man of around fifty, wearing a hypocritical smile. He was Luo Tai, the Five-Star Battle Master and leader of the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group.

Beside him sat a sinister-looking man in his thirties, Luo Tai's adopted son, Lin Qi.

Lin Xiao, seated at the head of the table, looked at the tense standoff before him and felt his head beginning to ache.

Xiao Ding looked at Lin Qi, who still showed no remorse, and said with restrained anger, "Although we were locked in a hard battle at the time, we were far from being driven into a corner. If you had supported us from the side, we were fully confident that we could have turned defeat into victory. But you..."

"I've already made it very clear! We were already at the end of our strength then and could no longer fight!"

"So you ran away?"

Under Xiao Ding's icy stare, Lin Qi's face alternated between green and white.

"Captain Xiao, that is a rather harsh way to put it. How could that be called running away?"

Luo Tai finally spoke unhurriedly from the side. He picked up his teacup, gently blew at the floating leaves, and said mildly:

"Although Lin Qi's decision was hasty, under those circumstances, it was also the right choice. We withdrew both to preserve Stone Desert City's remaining strength and to avoid becoming a burden to your Desert Iron Mercenary Group."

"If all our men had died or been injured as well, who would have reported the news for you? Our Poison Dragon Mercenary Group was acting entirely for Stone Desert City's overall interests!"

"Utter nonsense!"

Xiao Li slammed his palm against the table, and the lightning-attributed battle aura within him erupted.

Spiderweb-like cracks instantly spread across the heavy redwood tabletop.

Pointing at Luo Tai's nose, Xiao Li shouted, "So according to you, the brothers of our Desert Iron Mercenary Group deserved to die? They deserved to become sacrifices for your so-called greater good?"

"Captain Xiao Li, I never said such a thing."

Luo Tai remained as calm as ever. The more composed he was, the angrier Xiao Li became, until he burst into curses:

"You shameless old bastard!"

"How dare you!"

Lin Qi rose to his feet as well, glaring furiously at Xiao Li. He was just about to curse back when Luo Tai raised a hand to stop him.

Looking at Xiao Li, Luo Tai revealed a smile he considered kindly. "Captain Xiao Li, young people should not be so hot-tempered. I know you are grieving for your fallen brothers. I understand."

"But you have cursed enough. Your anger should have subsided by now."

"Our Poison Dragon Mercenary Group deeply regrets this matter, but under those circumstances, we had no other choice. Besides, after our people returned, they immediately reported the information to the Mercenary Association. We did not simply abandon you."

"You..." Xiao Li trembled with rage and wanted to curse again, but Xiao Ding pressed a hand onto his shoulder.

"Enough. Everyone, say less and listen to me!"

Lin Xiao, seated at the head of the table, finally spoke.

"I know both captains are deeply saddened right now, but I did not invite you here today to argue."

"We all sympathize deeply with what happened to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, but now is not the time to debate this matter."

This incident had caused great panic in Stone Desert City. If this continued, the city would fall into chaos!

Lin Xiao turned his gaze toward Luo Tai.

"Captain Luo Tai, to be fair, your Poison Dragon Mercenary Group cannot escape blame in this matter. Deputy Captain Lin Qi's decision may have been understandable, but it caused the Desert Iron Mercenary Group severe losses!"

"How about this? As long as your Poison Dragon Mercenary Group publicly apologizes to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group under the Mercenary Association's witness and promises never to repeat such a mistake, we shall let this matter rest for now. This will both soothe the emotions of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's brothers and give all the mercenaries in the city an explanation. What do you think?"

"Impossible!"

The moment Lin Xiao finished speaking, Lin Qi and Xiao Li refused in unison!

"We have already given them thirty thousand gold coins as compensation! We have done more than enough! And now you want us to apologize in public? Absolutely impossible!"

Lin Qi sneered, his face full of arrogance.

For the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group to bow their heads to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group would be the ultimate humiliation!

"Heh, you think a mere thirty thousand gold coins can buy the lives of more than ten of my brothers? You think that settles this matter? You are taking things far too lightly!" Xiao Li stared at Lin Qi, his eyes brimming with killing intent.

Lin Xiao's face darkened at the sight.

The reason he had been trying so patiently to persuade them was largely out of consideration for Qing Mo.

Lin Qi had been cowardly, fleeing from battle at a critical moment. An apology was only right.

As for Xiao Li, Lin Xiao felt he did not know when to stop. The Desert Iron Mercenary Group had suffered a great loss in strength, while the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group was, after all, a major mercenary group with a Five-Star Battle Master overseeing it. How could they possibly fight them?

Obtaining a public apology and preserving their dignity was already a very good outcome.

Just as the situation reached a deadlock, Luo Tai's even-toned voice rang out.

"Heh, Vice President Lin Xiao is right. We did handle this matter somewhat improperly, and we should indeed apologize."

At these words, both Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were somewhat surprised. They clearly had not expected the old man to agree to yield.

Lin Qi looked at Luo Tai in even greater confusion.

Luo Tai gave him a look telling him to remain calm, then turned to Lin Xiao and said sincerely, "For the peace and unity of Stone Desert City, suffering a little personal grievance is nothing. I am willing to represent the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group and offer our most sincere apologies to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group."

A smile immediately appeared on Lin Xiao's face. He turned to Xiao Ding and said, "Captain Xiao Ding, look, Captain Luo Tai has already agreed. How about we let this matter rest for now?"

Xiao Ding said nothing. He merely slowly raised his head and glanced at the pendulum clock in the corner of the council hall.

Judging by the time, it should be about right.

Xiao Ding withdrew his gaze and looked at Luo Tai again. His face showed not the slightest emotional fluctuation.

"There is no need for an apology. Mercenary groups have their own ways of settling matters, don't they?"

"Captain Xiao Ding! You had better think this through!"

Lin Xiao's brows instantly furrowed deeply. He had not expected Xiao Ding to remain so stubborn even after Luo Tai had already yielded!

Even if they absolutely had to avenge this grievance, they could wait until they became stronger. There was no need to clash head-on at a time like this.

"Senior Lin Xiao!" Xiao Ding's tone grew solemn. "I respect you as a senior, but some matters cannot be resolved with a casual apology. The blood of my brothers cannot be shed in vain!"

They had long held grudges against the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group. Today, they were merely settling old and new scores together!

"Enough! Enough!"

Seeing this, Lin Xiao knew that saying anything further would be useless.

He shook his head and rose from his seat. "I will not involve myself in your grievances! Settle them however you wish in private; I cannot control that! But I warn you: whoever breaks the rules by making a move within Stone Desert City, do not blame me, Lin Xiao, for showing no mercy!"

With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

"Of course." Xiao Ding looked at Luo Tai's face, still wearing that hypocritical smile, and could not help sneering. "After all, our Desert Iron Mercenary Group cares about its reputation too."