7. Bandits, Underground Faction

"Yeah.. It has been a long time brother Zhao" the leader of the group replied with a bright smile. "So, what's in the caravan? How many mercenary and guards do they have and what are their ranks?".

"There's no need to worry Brother Shi, lot's of gold coins will be piling up in our stronghold soon enough kekeke" brother Zhao said laughing sinisterly, "there are 12 artifacts inside the carriage ranging from rank C~A, Crops and herbs, and other good stuff, they have 2 A rank, a hired mercenary and the butler, while the rest are B~D rank".

"With our current firepower, we'll be at a disadvantage. I'll ask for reinforcement first from the stronghold then we'll attack this caravan tommorow evening" Brother Shi said.

***

The next morning, Fatty Ma doesn't have the courage to talk with Feng Shaotian. Not because he was afraid of Ding Bang instead he was ashamed to show his face after what happened yesterday evening.

He still remembered how Feng Shaotian ridiculed him nonstop while explaining everything about Ding Bang. As he was already in a contract with him, Feng Shaotian didn't feel the need to hide this information.

A few hours later, Fatty Ma saw a group of Caravans up ahead travelling. Some of their carriages were damaged from attacks, not by human's but Magical beast. Unlike them who has Ding Bang's deterrence so their traveling time was much faster than them. 

"Boss! There are caravan's ahead, I think they're going to Huangshan City like us. Should we join them?" Fatty Ma inquired.

"Just pass through them, I'm in a hurry" Feng Shaotian replied indifferently.

"Yes boss!"

Heya! 

Fatty Ma urge the horses to pass by, however, a group of people wearing mercenary robes in different color blocked their path. 

Fatty Ma frowned, "What's the meaning of this?! Why are you blocking our way?" he asked.

"Sorry to trouble you good sir but our Captain and the Butler of the Red Tulip Chamber of Commerce wants to invite your group for a talk" a person with a big build spoke. His name was Mo Zhen, Vice Captain of Blood Dragon Mercenary Group.

Thinking that he need to asked Feng Shaotian for permission, he hastily called out "Boss.."

"I heard what they said, there's no need to repeat“ Feng Shaotian said.

"...."

"Let's go over" he commanded and walked out of the carriage with Ding Bang following behind him. "Lead the way, make sure this is important as I'm busy". 

Mo Zhen nodded his head in understanding, 'Such attitude, he must be a big shot'.

Mo Zhen and Feng Shaotian's group arrived at a Luxuriously designed Caravan. Red Tulip flowers were engraved on it and magic cannons attached on each sides.

Inside it, two figures sitting face to face could be seen. Feng Shaotian's group entered abruptly catching their attention. Both of them had eyes wide in surprise, they then stood up solemnly while saluting respectfully.

Mo Zhen was shocked to see such thing to happen. Someone like their captain becoming respectful and standing up just to welcome strangers were a rare sight. 

Feng Shaotian nodded his head in response and sat down on the chair as Fatty Ma and Ding Bang remained standing behind him.

Mo Zhen also walked over and stood up behind the seat of his captain, Tang Jun!. Tang Jun was a middle aged man, he experience lot's of killings from the battlefield and become the youngest captain in the history of mercenary.

He has bright eyes that contains knowledge and experience, oval face with a build like an ox. He has a sword next to him shining with cold lights, and on his violet robe was an A rank marking on it.

The butler on the other hand was thin, he already forgotten his name a long time ago. Instead, he uses his alias, Shadow Killer. Feng Shaotian was surprised that this old man seems to blend with the surrounding, as if he didn't exist at all. He wore a Black Robe with an A rank marking, even though his looks were questionable, this old man still can't be underestimated.

After some time, maidservant came in with tea of herbal medicine. Tasting the tea, Feng Shaotian's eyes sparkle in surprised. He can feel his whole body relax as if he was floating in the cloud's.

"How do you find our tea taste like young man?" Shadow Killer asked smiling.

"It's good. May I know the name of this tea?" Feng Shaotian replied in courtesy.

"It's called Calming Cloud Nine Tea, made from White lotus, Calming dew, and Nine types of different precious herbs" Shadow Killer explained.

"Oh. I see" Feng Shaotian said nodding his head.

"I'll not beat around the bush. The truth is, we're in a predicament right now" Shadow killer solemnly said, "the situation is like this, yesterday evening we caught one of our people meeting a group of unknown people, If I guess correctly they should be the bandit residing this part of the forest"

"Because of his betrayal and giving the enemies information about our strength, I have a feeling that we'll be in danger if we don't take any countermeasure" Tang Jun added. “We were inviting adventurers to help us by giving them money as compensation"

"Are you saying that you want us to help you? Sorry, but I'm in a hurry" Feng Shaotian said shaking his head, "..although we want to help you, putting our lives in the line to someone we just met is a bit nonsensical right? And lastly, our strength is not sufficient enough to be of any help to you? Don't you think?" 

Tang Jun and Shadow killer look at each other and sighed.

"Alright, enough feigning ignorance. You're an Intelligent person Mr. Feng Shaotian, you must know the reason why we called you here for, am I right?”. Shadow killer said in helplessness.

“We felt the oppressive aura of your servant and knew that if it was him, our safety would be guaranteed" Shadow Killer said, "So as the manager of this caravan, I would like to ask for your help. We'll offer 10— no 15, 000 gold coins and you can asked one request from our Red Tulip Chamber of Commerce, we'll surely help as long as it's within our ability"

Feng Shaotian pondered about what Shadow Killer just said, weighting the pros and cons in this situation. Seeing Feng Shaotian's pondering look, Fatty Ma can't take it and whispered to Feng Shaotian's ear.

"Alright then, Shadow killer what's your plan? As long as it's within my ability, I promise to help you out of your predicament" Feng Shaotian said seconds later after Fatty Ma finished whispering.

Tang Jun and Shadow killer smiled happily as they were able to asked help from a strong party. 'This young man..' Mo Zhen thought shile staring fixedly at Feng Shaotian.

Shadow killer explained the plan to everyone about their role on this upcoming battle. He also shared the information they got from interrogating the spy of the bandits that the enemy have 1 S rank warrior in their group. 

After he said all that is needed, Shadow killer coolly took a sip of his calming tea. As it was already evening, Feng Shaotian and company bid their farewell first with Mo Zhen accompanying them.

***

"Good work you two" Shadow Killer and Tang Jun suddenly heard a hoarse voice near them. Turning around, they saw an middle aged man holding a battle worn staff. He wore a red robe with an S rank marking on it.

"Master!"

"Brother!"

Shadow Killer and Tang Jun called out respectfully. Hesitating for a moment, Shadow killer built up the courage and asked "Master, I don't doubt your decision but, why are we asking help from strangers? I think we can ma—” 

"I know what you want to say but, don't you ever provoke that kid. I don't even have the confidence to stay alive for a few seconds fighting that servant of his" the man said solemnly.

"Brother, does that mean..?" Tang Jun inquired.

"Yes, and that kid, you know that there are artifacts that can hide one's talent right? He might be using one. Even if it's true that he's just an F rank, this would mean only one thing," pausing for a moment, he then continued. "That kid was someone from a hidden family, to have a butler who's stronger than S rank can only be friended".

"I forgot to tell you, these bandit groups are not easy to deal with. If it's just a normal bandit group then we don't need outsider to get involve, however, " he paused for a moment while looking around cautiously. "This bandit's are backed up by the underground faction. Their secretive leader was also a triple S ranker, even if our Red Tulip Chamber of Commerce attack with all our powerhouse. Only one outcome is evident and that would be the annihilation of our Chamber of Commerce".