Chapter 52: Mercenaries

Chapter 52: Mercenaries

Xue Tie begins the long journey towards the former XuanShang kingdom. He brings with him an entourage of 120 people as he only has that many which are above spirit elder. Anything less would have been simply cannon fodder. A good number had to stay behind to ensure the safety of the bases but he at least took along

For preparation, he had boosted all members' rings by a few hundred years which is not a major power boost but the later the ring, the larger the boost and it's all rings at that. For 120 people, at least 480 rings were strengthened. In fact, it's more than that since spirit elder (4 rings) is the minimum requirement.

Xue Tie did this to inspire the rest of his members to train harder and build up more merits as an announcement is made that those selected for any war will have their rings strengthened. It made his people a bit more of like warmongers but that is a small price to pay for their devotion. It's not as if Xue Tie doesnt have protective measures in case they betray him but that is a secret for later.

It is a 2 week journey to reach the fallen kingdom. Passing by many Heaven Dou empires' villages which are on the outskirts of the empire as well as a few villages belonging to XuanShang Kingdom. They look the part of lower quality medieval villages like those that Tang San is from as Xue Tie had little dealings in the food industry here.

Afterall, they were poor.

Too poor for even Xue Tie's tastes and he made his sweets and other treats to be far cheaper than regular bits of food sold before his time. To his knowledge, it's mostly the blackmarket which had been supplying the kingdom but that was before the revolt. He has no clue how they are supplying food for themselves nowadays. He sees the villagers are calm as compared to being in uproar.

'Hmmm, did they already have some sort of temporary measures for supplying food to the people? Unless they found some sort of hidden reserve of money, they shouldn't be able to hold on for long. Even if there is a hidden reserve it shouldn't be so big that it can last months of time. Especially with a war on the horizon. A cruel smile on his face.

"HALT" a yell rings out which knocks Xue Tie out of his mental deliberations. He looks up to see a distant figure yelling out with a bow in hand. From the energy signature, it's not a martial spirit but an artifact which means that this is likely to be a trusted underling for the two newly made Titled rebels.

Xue Tie raises his hand for the troops to stop. The figure jumps down a few times to land on the even ground just on the outskirts of the village Xue Tie and his group are passing through. Some roughly 200ft away is the bow figure. He appraises the group and is intimidated as he is at most a Spirit King himself but he senses at least 40 spirit elders, 30 spirit kings, a few low grade emperors and he can't sense the leader's power but it's immense.

"For what purpose have you brought an army to the Sun Moon kingdom?" The archer questions.

"Oh, so the new name is Sun Moon kingdom, We were not aware. As for our purpose. It is for war"

The archer frowns and summons his martial spirit. A single arrow. But 2 yellow and 4 black rings arise under his feet. He knocks the arrow into his artifact bow and is about to fire when a hand grabs the bow and stops him.

This hand belongs to Xue Tie who had rapidly rushed up to grab it. His natural strength is enough to stop the archer but not to hurt him.

"I apologize for stopping you, but you should truly let me finish my sentences. '' He says with a grin that can't be seen as Xue Tie is wearing his external drake skull bone to hide his identity. It's more effective as compared to the simple shadow effect of his armor. The archer pales when he finds he can't escape or fire his arrow under the grip of this figure.

"We have come for war against Heaven Dou Empire. We brought plenty of treats to show our sincerity after all." Xue Tie snaps his fingers while taking his hand off the bow and the carriages that they had been traveling with showcase tons of food which had been flash frozen by the organization's spirit masters. This helped preserve the food for the long distance journey and is the reason for the long travel time.

"You could have sent a messenger first." The archer says as he stores away his arrow.

"Can the Sun Moon Kingdom afford delays just for a messenger to travel back and forth. This is more persuasive"

"Humph, follow me, And don't stray. I can't make the decision to allow you in or not" the archer says and guides the way, Xue Tie simply shrugs and with a wave of his hand, the march resumes and after a few hours, they all arrive at a castle city which is still in good condition.

'It seems the Sun and Moon Douluos were able to precisely make a move when they revolted. Instant and concise. Smart people. I look forward to meeting them'

Xue Tie was allowed to enter so that he may meet the two kings. The rest of his people are setting up camp outside as they believe in Xue Tie to not get them killed.

Xue Tie is brought up to the main palace inside the city. Xue Tie only has a regular cloak other than his skull bone. He eventually arrives at a throne room that has 2 chairs. One slightly lower than the other. It seems they haven't had the chance to change out the chairs as the moon Douluo is sitting in the queens spot. Xue Tie is able to successfully hold back a chuckle as he comes face to face with two newly made titled douluos.

"Xian, what is the meaning of this person's presence?" The spirit master in the king's seat speaks up with a heavy presence.

"My Liege, they claim to be mercenaries and bring food to show their attitude to work for you They have more than 120 people with above Spirit Elder strength but other than this man, I did not detect anyone at Spirit Saint or higher." Xian, the archer explains the situation which arouses the interest of both spirit Douluo's. They look to each other before dismissing Xian so they may have a private conversation.

"What is truly your reason for coming here?" The Sun douluo asks

"My people and I are outcasts of clans and rejects of Heaven Dou empire and Star Luo. We are not lacking in talent but a home and resources. We hope to help you so that we may acquire our own foothold in this world and showcase our might. The battlefield is the perfect place for this"

Xue Tie makes a simple lie while the latter half is true. This confuses their senses as they sense only a tiny bit of falsehood.

(it's likely that some of them are outcasts or rejects amongst his people but he himself is not. They don't lack talent and small scale bases arent a proper home and for a growing organization, resources are always needed. The rest is true)

The two think for a moment before a flash of light occurs and Xue Tie is thrown against a wall with a hand on his throat. This hand belongs to the Sun Douluo.

"With your meager strength, you wish to help us fight off Heaven Dou. They have multiple titled douluos and who knows how many lower level combatants. Your 100-some people are just walking into the slaughterhouse. We can just kill you all and take your resources" He says with a malicious and greedy glint to his smile.

"Oh? But can you handle the consequences of your own words?" Xue Tie grabs the hand, choking him with both of his and slowly...wrings it off while his body is covered in his armor, he quickly activates his 6th ring and just clenches the fire to boost himself. His ring suppresses the energy signature of him activating his ring which makes him look like he was provided an instant boost in power as he knocked away the hand on his throat. Both Titled Douluos are shocked by the arrangement of his rings. 4 black and 2 ring rings. A thick smell of blood and fire wafts from him

"And by consequences, I mean from the person who made…..Me"

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Warning to all readers, I shall not be publishing a chapter tomorrow due to taking my anti-Brain meds just like last month. In fact I barely got to even 900 words for today's chapter but I kept going for yall.

I shall attempt to resume on saturday but if the aftereffects of my meds persists then ill restart sunday

Also are there any recommendations for the name of our organization? I have some ideas but they are a bit too edgy for my liking