Chapter 618: Section 405: Mane Purple Divergence
Xu Ma’s Level was simply too low.
He was only Bronze Level.
This place was the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, which although it didn’t compare to the Holy Bright Empire, it far surpassed Snake Rat Island and Twin Eyes Island.
Almost all the large towns in the Kingdom had Golden Level guards, and major trade ports like Snowbird Port had more than one Golden Level at the top of the power hierarchy.
Cold Wind Valley could be considered the wilderness, but those who could survive in the wilderness were naturally not weak.
Bronze Level was just the lowest tier among the Transcendents.
A Bronze Level individual like Xu Ma could have a small stature on Snake Rat Island and be somewhat effective on Twin Eyes Island, but in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, he was out of his depth.
The situation was the same for Sanda.
Sanda was Black Iron Level, a Level that held a significant position on Snake Rat Island.
However, with the addition of Chi Lai and Menshi, Sanda’s importance had greatly diminished.
Now in Snowbird Port, his Level wasn’t enough to be the visible head of a Mercenary Group branch, so he had to operate from behind the scenes, allowing the roles of primary and deputy leaders to fall to Menshi and Chi Lai.
It was different for the Dragon-man youth and Zong Ge, who were Silver Level, which was quite fitting.
If they progressed one step further to reach Golden Level, it would be very detrimental to their subsequent actions.
Golden Level was considered the core force among Transcendents worldwide. In a world where Transcendents could battle entire armies alone, Golden Level was given much more regard than Silver Level.
Traveling in foreign lands with Golden Level strength would attract many outsiders’ gazes, bringing with it vigilance, wariness, and precaution, as well as attracting focused surveillance.
A key reason the Snowbird Port City Lord had decisively cooperated with the Dragon-man youth to eliminate the Saber Gang was that the Dragon-man youth was not Golden Level. Had he been of the same Level, the City Lord of Snowbird Port would not have been so at ease.
Zong Ge did not blame Xu Ma for failing to detect the ambush. This was quite normal.
It had always been part of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ plan to come to the Ice Sculpture Kingdom and enter the Royal Capital, and they had naturally made many preparations.
On the surface, Xu Ma, the Bronze Level, was responsible for reconnaissance.
In reality, though, the main reconnaissance force was the Reconnaissance Alchemy Puppets.
After Bu Quan and Zhongyong, along with several other Silver Level individuals, joined the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, they had managed to quickly produce several Reconnaissance Puppets while also being involved in alchemy.
These Puppets were far superior to those crafted by Zi Di in the past.
Zi Di’s alchemy skill was far inferior to theirs.
Another point was that Bu Quan had given all four of his Alchemy Workshops to the Dragon-man youth. Therefore, the alchemy tools were also much more advanced than what Zi Di had originally.
And the blueprints for these Alchemy Puppets all came from the War Merchant, guaranteeing high quality.
The only Silver Level Alchemy Puppet that Zi Di had hurriedly produced was also covered with Deception and Disguise Skill, as well as an Anti-Intelligence Prophecy Skill.
After leaving Snowbird Port, Zi Di spread out the Reconnaissance Puppets that she controlled to scout the surroundings. During rest stops along the way, she would recall them to replenish their Mana Crystal Stones, then release them again.
The Silver Level Reconnaissance Puppet model was called Hidden Breaker, which had longer endurance and whose reconnaissance capability far exceeded the other Reconnaissance Puppets. This time, it was the one that detected the people lying in ambush.
Zi Di provided more detailed information to Zong Ge, “There are a total of two people in ambush, one Silver Level and one Golden Level.”
“The Golden Level is a fighter, while the Silver Level is a mage.”
Zong Ge’s expression turned stern as he fell into deep thought.
Although there were only two people in ambush, their levels were too high.
Golden Level could already serve as the lord of a city, yet here they lay hidden, engaging in petty acts. What could their intention be?
And the Silver Level… might well be more troublesome than the Golden Level. A mage’s repertoire is too vast!
“While Cold Wind Valley does have a trade route, it is not the main thoroughfare. The valley isn’t large; it’s difficult to hide, lacking persistent bandits. Why would these two ambush here?” Zi Di expressed her opinion.
“They probably aren’t targeting us.”
“To be safe, we could take a detour.”
Zong Ge didn’t respond immediately; he stared at the valley’s exit for a while before slowly shaking his head.
“The exit is within reach; if we were to take a detour, we would have to head back, leave Cold Wind Valley, and take a long roundabout route past the valley, which would delay us too much.”
“Besides, how can you be sure they set up this ambush not with us in mind?”
Zi Di’s brows furrowed slightly, “The Saber Gang has been eradicated, the City Lord of Snowbird Port is our ally, and we have entered a partnership with the Lijian family. Thanks to our squad leader, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ reputation has spread throughout the Kingdom. Even if someone wanted to trouble us, they would probably be eyeing ‘you,’ our squad leader.”
“After all, as the leader, you have defeated Golden Level as a Silver Level; for fame and fortune, it’s quite possible that many challengers would come after you.”
“And to ambush here clearly is not a simple matter of practice or challenge; there is much more malice. We are new here and don’t have such enemies.”
The survivors knew they were outsiders and had always striven for redemption. Especially Zi Di, having experienced the calamity of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce’s destruction, so she had always placed great importance on the Mercenary Corps’ foreign relations. Due to her efforts, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps didn’t have tense external relations.
After reaching cooperation with the Lijian family, their external relations could even be considered good.
Zong Ge glanced at Zi Di, then turned his gaze back to the valley’s exit.
Zong Ge spoke calmly, “My thoughts are exactly the opposite of yours, Mage Yao Ma.”
“Your analysis is sound. But that does not mean that these two people aren’t our enemies. There is no evidence to prove otherwise.”
“Often, we unwittingly make enemies. And the reasons for our enemies’ grievances, more often than not, are absurd. Hidden enemies, you may not see them either.”
“I also cannot think of a time when we’ve offended a strange Golden Level fighter, a strange Silver Level mage.”
“But it is indeed possible that these two are here specifically to ambush us!”
“Our travel route is confidential, but it’s easy for them to detect movements. With just two people, both Transcendents, not a large force, moving around is very easy. Ambushing us in advance would be no trouble at all.”
“Returning the way we came, bypassing the valley is purely evasive. If these two are indeed out to target us, even if we detour, they will try to sabotage us again. We were lucky to discover them this time. What about next time? They will be more cautious, hidden deeper, and our disadvantage will be even greater.”
“If they’re not out to get us, aren’t we just wasting time by detouring?”
“So, what we should do is verify.”
“How do you want to verify?” Zi Di asked.
“By amplifying those Alchemy Puppets with Deception and Disguise Skill, and Anti-Intelligence Prophecy Skill, dressing them up to look like our troop and walking out of the valley,” Zong Ge said.
Zi Di immediately shook her head, “That’s impossible.”
She continued telepathically, “We only have 63 Pearl Bubbles with us, and to bless so many Alchemy Puppets, the consumption would be too great.”
“The squad leader doesn’t know when he will return, and we have no idea how long this trip to the Royal Capital will take.”
“We must save as much as possible, keeping more pearls in case of emergencies.”
Zong Ge frowned, “Military supplies are meant to be used. If we don’t fully arm ourselves, in a great battle, one’s life is lost, and the supplies become the enemy’s spoils of war!”
“How many could be used to enhance those alchemy puppets? At most, three crystals.”
Zi Di simply shook her head, her attitude firm.
Once Zi Di refused, Zong Ge was really at a loss—because he wasn’t a mage.
Among the survivors, there were only two mages. After Cang Xu left the team, only Zi Di could operate the Deception Array for enhancements.
Faced with this reality, Zong Ge had no choice but to concede, his tone becoming even colder, “If you’re so reluctant, then enhance me.”
“Let me launch the surprise attack, strike first!”
At this moment, Zong Ge fully displayed the demeanor of a valiant commander.
As an excellent leader, if he discovered that there were ambush troops ahead during a march, without knowing the enemy’s intentions, what would he do?
There was nothing to think about.
Directly lead the troops into battle, eliminating all hidden threats!
Zong Ge would never risk betting whether the ambush was accidental or malicious. An ambush set up on the road ahead, even if accidental, was a threat.
Directly eliminate the threat!
Zi Di was taken aback, staring at Zong Ge in disbelief, “Are you insane?!”
In her opinion, there was no need at all.
Take a detour to avoid this risk. Even if it took extra time, they could pay a high transportation fee to save time and compensate.
Why risk your life when money can solve the problem?
You can always earn more money, but if you lose your life, what is the point of having more money?
Now, not only did Zong Ge want to avoid the risk, but he actually wanted to provoke a fight? This was outrageous!
Zong Ge shook his head, utterly disappointed in Zi Di, “Miss merchant, don’t fear difficulties and challenges.”
“If they set the ambush for us, they’re surely our enemies. They don’t know they’ve been exposed now. With my Deception and Disguise Skill, I can launch a surprise attack and gain a significant advantage, catching them off guard.”
“If they’re not our enemies, they won’t fight to the death with us after my surprise attack. They’ll likely retreat voluntarily because they’ve missed their target and are now exposed.”
Zi Di interrupted him, “You said it yourself, it’s only likely. So they could also be furious and battle you with full force. After all, you would have spoiled their plans. And you are only Silver Level, not our squad leader; how could you fight them?”
“I don’t get it. If we do this, what’s the benefit for us? We’re more likely to make more enemies unnecessarily!”
Zong Ge snorted coldly, “The benefit is obvious! No one would dare set an ambush on our path anymore. If they want to set one up, they will be much more cautious.”
“That’s the benefit?!” Zi Di glared at Zong Ge, “Once a battle starts, the two of us might escape, but what about the others? They have to die!”
Zong Ge humphed, “Miss Zi Di, do you think our journey to the Royal Capital will go smoothly?”
“The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps is known throughout the Kingdom. Who knows how many will be waiting to engage in glorious combat with us?”
“Only by showing strength can we intimidate others and preempt many troubles.”
“One who leads should look to the future!”
Zi Di, impatiently, “All I know is that you’re looking for trouble right now, and it’s big trouble!”
“You have a point that we need to show strength and clear some hurdles early.”
“But facing a Golden Level fighter and a Silver Level mage together, do we have that kind of strength?”
“We can fight,” Zong Ge mused, “Even if we aren’t strong enough, we must appear tough enough. In this foreign land, we are outsiders, yet our name is widely known.”
“Only by showing sufficient toughness can we make others realize, even if they manage to take us down, they’ll pay a heavy price. They will be cautious, they will think twice, and we will have fewer enemies.”
Zi Di scoffed, “Your toughness will likely cause serious casualties amongst our people. If the squad leader were here, he would never cavalierly use his subordinates as disposable pawns.”
Zong Ge furrowed his brow, “So, I think our squad leader is too merciful. Many times, sacrifices are inevitable. We might even have to sacrifice proactively to win a better situation.”
“If you really care about those pearls so much, then let’s have the Reconnaissance Puppets disguised as the two of us, lead these people out of the valley.”
“If this triggers an ambush, then it proves they’re enemies, and we can fight then. If not, we can continue on our way and avoid disputes.”
Upon hearing Zong Ge disparage her loved one, Zi Di immediately bristled.
Then, as she heard Zong Ge “heartlessly” using the other mercenaries as bait, a chill grew in her heart.
Her anger rose, “Sanda isn’t here, and the two squads you worked so hard to train were left at Snowbird Port, so you think you can just sacrifice the others?”
Zong Ge took a deep breath, also fuming.
He didn’t like verbal negotiations and was not skilled at this type of social interaction.
He suppressed his rage, trying for one last effort at communication, “You’ve misunderstood me. Even if Sanda were here, I would make the same arrangement. Those two squads aren’t immune to sacrifice. Even myself! As long as the sacrifice is valuable…”
“Enough!” Zi Di shouted over him in a low voice, “I will not agree to your plan, it’s utterly foolish. Let’s turn around and head back right now!”
Zong Ge closed his eyes, then opened them again.
He looked down at Zi Di for a moment, then loudly ordered, “Stay put, everyone on guard!”
Then, he turned and left.
Zi Di stood dumbfounded for a moment, then immediately called out to stop him.
But Zong Ge wasn’t interested in talking anymore; he started running toward the end of the valley.
Xu Ma and the others were bewildered, “What caused the squad leader to argue with Mage Yao Ma, and for the squad leader to be driven away?!”
But in the next moment, those lying in ambush boldly struck.
They attacked Zong Ge, full of killing intent.
The sky filled with the brilliance of spells, enveloping the exit of the valley.
Amidst the dazzling lights, a figure shrouded in Golden Fighting Spirit charged straight towards Zong Ge.
Zi Di felt her heart sink to the bottom of the valley.
Clearly, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was their target.