7: Bandits

“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 mercenaries 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 ranks, a hired mercenary and the butler, while the rest are B~D rank.”

“With our current force, we'll be at a disadvantage. I'll ask for reinforcement first from the stronghold, then we'll attack this caravan tomorrow evening.” Brother Shi said before leaving.

The next morning, Fatty Ma didn't have any courage to talk with Feng Shaotian. Not because he was afraid of Ding Bang, but because 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. Some of their carriages were damaged from attacks, not by humans but by magical beasts.

Unlike their group who have Ding Bang's deterrence making their traveling time much faster than theirs.

“Boss! There are caravans 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 urged the horse to pass by. However, a group of people wearing mercenary robes in different colors blocked their path.

Fatty Ma frowned, then asked, “What's the meaning of this?! Why are you blocking our way?”

“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 needed to ask Feng Shaotian for permission, he hastily called out.

“Boss…”

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

"...."

“Follow me.” Feng Shaotian 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 an attitude, he must be someone strong.’

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 side.

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 a thing happen. Someone like their captain becoming respectful and standing up just to welcome strangers was 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 experienced lot's of killings from the battlefield and became the youngest captain in the history of mercenary.

He has bright eyes that contain knowledge and experience, an oval face with a build like an ox. There's also 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 forgot his name a long time ago. Instead, he uses an alias, Shadow Killer.

Feng Shaotian was surprised that this old man seemed to blend with the surroundings, 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, a maidservant came in with herbal medicine tea. Tasting the tea, Feng Shaotian's eyes sparkled in surprise. He can feel his whole body relax as if he was floating in the clouds.

“How do you find our tea tastes like, young man?” Shadow Killer asked, smiling.

“It's good. May I know the name of this tea?” Feng Shaotian replied, asking courteously.

“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 men meeting a group of unknown people.”

“If I guess correctly, they should be the bandits residing in this part of the forest.”

“Because of his betrayal by giving information to those people about our strength, I have a feeling that we'll be in danger if we don't take any countermeasures.” Tang Jun added.

“We are inviting adventurers to help us defend from any possible attacks by giving them money as compensation.”

“Are you saying that you want us to help you? Sorry, but we’re 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 so?”

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

“Alright, enough feigning ignorance. You're an intelligent young man, you must've known the reason why we called you here, 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 ask 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, weighing the pros and cons in this situation. Seeing Feng Shaotian's pondering look, Fatty Ma couldn't take it and whispered into Feng Shaotian's ear.

“Alright then, what's your plan? As long as it's within my ability, I promise to help you out of your predicament.” Feng Shaotian replied after hearing what Fatty Ma had whispered.

Tang Jun and Shadow Killer smiled happily as they were able to ask for help from a strong party.

‘This young man…’ Mo Zhen thought while staring fixedly at Feng Shaotian.

Shadow killer explained the plan to everyone about their role in 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 when they finished laying off the plan, Feng Shaotian's group 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 a 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 respectively. 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 stared at his brother, disbelief written on his face.

“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 might be someone from a hidden family. To have a servant who's stronger than an S rank can only be a friend.”

“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 an outsider to get involved, however,” he paused for a moment while looking around cautiously.

“These bandits are backed up by the underground faction. Their secretive leader was also a triple S ranker.”

“Even if our Red Tulip Chamber of Commerce attacks with all our power. Only one outcome is evident and that would be the annihilation of our Chamber of Commerce.”