The young mercenary's face lit up with hope as he eagerly said, "Then, as per our agreement..." The man in black responded indifferently, "You're smart. You didn't do anything unnecessary and didn't let greed cloud your judgment. Had you tried to take the scroll for yourself, I assure you, your fate would be far worse than these people... Take this, it's your due reward. But remember, as a mercenary, there are things you can talk about and things you must pretend not to know. Otherwise, I don't need to tell you the consequences, do I?" With that, he effortlessly lined up dozens of gold coins on the table, shining brilliantly.
The young mercenary, likely having never seen so much money in his life, gazed at the coins with excitement. Yet, after a moment's hesitation, he didn't reach for the money. Instead, he looked fearfully at the man in black, as if wanting to say something but holding back. The man in black seemed to chuckle softly and asked, "What's the matter? Not enough money for you?"
"No, it's not that," stammered the young mercenary, "I just... Sir, there's something I'm not sure whether I should say or not." The man in black replied with a nonchalant smile, "Speak your mind, there's nothing you shouldn't say."
Gathering his courage, the young mercenary said, "I might not have the keenest eyes, but I can tell that you're no ordinary man. The way you casually tossed out a Phoenix-level technique... who else but someone extraordinary could do that? Besides, I can tell you have plans. No matter what, I know this town like the back of my hand. With my help, whatever you wish to do will be much easier!"
"Are you threatening me?" the man in black seemed to scoff. The young mercenary trembled but persisted, "I know to someone like you, a nobody like me means nothing... But I'm not just any local thug, I'm a Golden Finger... I believe that could be of some use to you, sir. Please, take me in!"
As he spoke, he nervously pulled out a crystal card from his sleeve and placed it before the man in black. Surprised, the man in black asked, "When did you take this from my pocket? The first time we met, right?" "Yes... yes..." the young mercenary admitted.
"Interesting," the man in black nodded, "You managed to steal from me, proving your skill. You could be useful at times... Alright, follow me. But be clear about one thing: if you're with me, your life is not guaranteed." The young mercenary replied determinedly, "I seek fortune amidst danger. If I lacked this courage, I'd be better off farming at home!"
"What's your name?" asked the man in black. "Billy, my name is Billy," the mercenary said, his face lighting up. "If you're willing to take me in, sir, my life is yours!" The man in black revealed a young face as he pulled down his hood, "Remember this, Billy. My name is Li Yi... From now on, I am your master. You may choose to betray me, but make sure I never find out."
"Li... Li... Li Yi..." Billy stammered in shock. "Not so many 'Li's," Li Yi said casually. "You mean the waste young master Li Yi from Wanchao Li family?" "Just one 'Li' is enough. If you're talking about the young master of the Wanchao Li family, then yes, it's me."
Realizing who Li Yi was, Billy's initial shock turned into excitement, "Young Master Li! No, Master! You're my idol! A hundred steps across the battlefield, one man against a thousand! My heavens!" A swift kick from Li Yi sent Billy rolling on the ground, but without hurting him. After this, Li Yi said, "Enough with the nonsense. I have a lot to do tonight. You said you're the local snake here? Then, Local Snake Billy, let's turn Blood Wolf Town upside down tonight, shall we?"
Billy quickly got up and eagerly responded, "Just command me, Master." Li Yi pocketed the crystal card and tossed a set of black clothes to Billy, "Take the gold coins, it's your due. Wear these clothes. And remember, call me 'Young Master', not 'Master'... Do you understand?"
As night descended on the dimly lit streets, now brightly illuminated and littered with corpses, the relentless chaos continued. Strangely, the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group members, supposed to maintain order, merely watched from the corners, indifferent to the turmoil unfolding before them.
Occasionally, people emerged from the shadows, whispered something, and quickly retreated, seemingly uninterested in getting involved in the fierce slaughter unfolding before them. High atop a towering building, Li Yi's figure was concealed in the darkness. Narrowing his eyes at the blood-splattered scene below, he couldn't help but sigh, "Such foolish people. Even if you get your hands on it, how could Yin Tianjie let you leave alive with it? This is a Phoenix-level technique, after all. Not just any Blood Wolf Mercenary Group, even the imperial family of the empire would spare no effort to obtain it!"
"Young Master is wise, but these mercenaries don't understand that. They only know that if they get the scroll, their lives will be transformed!" Billy, standing beside Li Yi, was not new to such high places, but the carnage below still made his eyes twitch. In Li Yi's presence, however, he dared not show any sign of fear.
Li Yi said indifferently, "Don't flatter me, it's pointless... How long do you think this chaos will last?" Billy frowned, "Normally, the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group would have restored order by now, but tonight they haven't shown up. If I'm not wrong, they're probably waiting for these people to kill each other off before they suddenly appear and take control... As for most of these people, they'll likely be silenced, as a Phoenix-level technique would drive countless powers mad. Like those three families in Wanchao City..." He glanced at Li Yi somewhat guiltily, knowing well the young master's recent glorious and domineering days in Wanchao Li family. The situation they were witnessing was his doing, and it seemed slightly inappropriate to assume he'd covet the Phoenix-level technique.
Li Yi gave him a knowing look, as if reading his thoughts, and said lightly, "You're right. A Phoenix-level technique is like a piece of meat thrown into a pack of wolves, naturally leading to a fierce struggle... But it's too big a bite to swallow in one go. So now, Yin Tianjie must be contemplating... However, I don't think he has much time to think. After all, this technique is countless times more powerful than his Blood Wolf Decree. Stuck at the pinnacle of Fighter for years, he might have a chance to break through to King or even Emperor level if he gets this technique... Billy, what would you do in his place?"
"Definitely not give it up," Billy said through gritted teeth. "Young Master! To be honest, even now, I wish I could grab that technique for myself!" Li Yi responded with a light 'oh', a mysterious smile playing on his lips, "If you're interested, there might just be a chance... The drama tonight is far from over. Let's wait for Yin Tianjie to get his hands on it first."
Billy hesitated, then said in a low voice, "Young Master, I think the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group might not find it easy to get the technique tonight!" Li Yi raised an eyebrow, "How so? Aren't they the dominant force in Blood Wolf Town?"
Billy smirked, "You wouldn't know, Young Master, as you're not part of the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group. Normally, they are the only power in town... But I've lived here for many years and know that besides the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group, there's another huge force lurking in town!" Li Yi nodded, "I see. Then why does Yin Tianjie let them encroach on his territory?"
Billy explained quickly, "He can't help it. That force seems to be deeply connected with a major power in the imperial capital. Yin Tianjie knows he can't afford to offend them, so he tolerates their presence. Besides, they don't interfere much and have little conflict of interest with the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group... But with such a valuable technique at stake tonight, I don't believe that force will remain uninterested... Young Master, I think Yin Tianjie hasn't acted yet partly because he fears attracting their attention."
"Is that so?" Li Yi smiled, "I had no idea there was such a force in Blood Wolf Town. What's it called? Who's in it?" Billy thought for a moment, "I don't know their exact name, but I've heard the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group refer to them as 'Maple Tower'. And their leader seems to be a stunningly beautiful woman."
"Maple Tower? Led by women? A stunning beauty?" Li Yi queried. "Yes," Billy said, "Although not all members are female, their leader is a woman and apparently an incredible beauty. The late Yin Xu was one of her fervent admirers, though he never dared to force his way with her due to her formidable background."
"You seem quite interested in her," Li Yi observed with a half-smile, "What does Maple Tower usually do?" "They deal in all sorts of strange items and sell miscellaneous goods. But it seems their interest lies elsewhere, not in doing business... What they're really after, I don't know."
"Maple Tower, huh?" Li Yi nodded, "Okay... And this leader of theirs, what's her name?" "I think her name is... Wu Xinyu..."