Chapter 712: Section 499: The Squad Leader Should Be Zong Ge
Chi Lai entered the restaurant.
Inside the restaurant, at each end of the long dining table sat a Transcendent.
One of them was the City Lord of Snowbird Port, who sat in the place of honor.
The other was a male Sea Elf. His ears were like scallop-shaped fins, and his body bore fish scales, possessing the distinctive elegance of the Elf Species. However, his somber gaze diminished his otherwise charming appearance.
After a quick glance around, Chi Lai fixed his gaze on the City Lord.
He bowed and, with the words he had prepared, sought assistance from the City Lord of Snowbird Port.
A gleam of sharpness flashed in the City Lord’s eyes.
From the subordinate’s report of Chi Lai’s visit, he had already known his purpose.
In fact, the City Lord had always kept an eye on the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. Therefore, he was well aware of the news that the mercenary group’s caravan had been attacked by a Golden Level powerhouse, resulting in the loss of both people and goods.
"The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps is my ally. Without your help at the time, I wouldn’t have had a suitable pretext to eliminate the Saber Gang, nor would Snow Bright Port enjoy the scene it has now."
The City Lord of Snowbird Port was willing to help.
On one hand, he was eager to find the arms dealer behind the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. On the other hand, Lan Zao, also known as Hen Fa, had already infiltrated Anqiu.
Thus, maintaining his relationship with the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps would be very beneficial for the City Lord of Snowbird Port.
After pondering for a while, the City Lord offered his solution.
Not only that, he also provided many supplies to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps in his own name and expressed his concern and condolences for the recent significant loss they had suffered.
Chi Lai expressed his gratitude, returning with his mission accomplished.
Only the City Lord of Snowbird Port and his guest remained in the restaurant.
The City Lord smiled and introduced the Sea Elf across from him, "The Silver Level fighter who just came in is one of the members of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. This mercenary group is the most prominent in our country. Although their squad leader Long Fu is only at the Silver Level, he publicly slew a Golden Level adversary. Now, the name Long Fu is known to every household!"
The Sea Elf shook his head, "All of this is irrelevant to me. What concerns me now is whether I can create a Sea Banquet during the Kingdom’s celebration that will satisfy me."
"You know why I am here, right?" the Sea Elf said, looking at the City Lord.
"Of course," the City Lord responded without hesitation.
He then summoned someone from outside the door.
This was his chef, always responsible for the Lord’s food and drink.
The chef was a member of the Human Race, ordinary in appearance and portly, a Silver Level Magic Chef.
"Are you Mei Landu?" the Sea Elf inquired, sizing him up.
The Human Race Magic Chef nodded and bowed, "Lord Ci Haishen, greetings, I am indeed Mei Landu."
The Sea Elf Ci Haishen nodded, his gaze focusing on Mei Landu’s stomach, "I will be attending the Kingdom’s celebration this time. How about it? Would you like to join me in attending such a grand event?"
"I need you to be one of my assistants to help me complete the Sea Banquet."
"After the success, I will teach you our unique Golden Level recipes of the Sea Elf Clan!"
However, Mei Landu shook his head and declined the invitation.
The Human Race Magic Chef looked at the City Lord of Snowbird Port with loyalty in his eyes, "In my whole life, I only wish to follow the City Lord. Being able to provide food and drink to the City Lord every day is my greatest joy and the most meaningful part of my life!"
At first, Sea Elf Ci Haishen thought Mei Landu was merely holding out for a better offer and volunteered to increase the price a few times.
But each time, Mei Landu immediately refused, his stance consistently firm.
Eventually, Sea Elf Ci Haishen understood his true desires and decided to let it go for the time being.
After Mei Landu stepped back, Ci Haishen asked the City Lord how he might persuade Mei Landu to become his assistant.
The City Lord also shook his head, "Mei Landu is not my slave. I greatly respect his personal wishes!"
Ci Haishen, still not content, tried to raise the price again but was once again refused by the City Lord.
Finally, with a cold huff, he stopped speaking, his demeanor clearly displeased.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port became even more enthusiastic, smiling and showing a great understanding of the other party’s poor mood.
He initiated the conversation, complimenting Ci Haishen, believing him to be the most formidable Magic Chef at the Ice Sculpture Kingdom celebration.
However, Ci Haishen shook his head. Although he possessed the pride of the Elf Species, he had not lost self-awareness.
He said, "The Earth Banquet by the giant Magic Chef Da Dou, and your Kingdom’s Snow Sakura’s Snow Feast, can both pose a serious threat to me. Moreover, this is the Ice Sculpture Kingdom’s centennial grand celebration, which is likely to attract other powerhouses."
"When the head chefs’ skills are similar, the role of the assistant chef becomes crucial to the overall result."
"With so many ports in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, I specifically chose Snowbird Port to enter your Kingdom, just for your subordinate, Mei Landu."
The City Lord of Snowbird Port gave a wry smile and shook his head, indicating Mei Landu, although willing to follow him, was indeed very special. The City Lord of Snowbird Port was unwilling to forcefully command him to do something he did not wish to do.
At this point, the Sea Elf Ci Haishen’s mood turned icy, no longer uttering an extra word.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port seemed not to notice and maintained his demeanor. Even if Ci Haishen did not engage in the conversation, he could talk to himself, keeping the atmosphere warm.
After the banquet ended, Ci Haishen left with a sour face, decisively declining the City Lord of Snowbird Port’s invitation and choosing not to stay at the City Lord’s residence.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the departing figure of Ci Haishen below.
In the shadow behind him, the figure of Mei Landu gradually emerged. He, too, looked toward the retreating figure of Ci Haishen and lamented, "What a pity, if it weren’t for significant progress in the Anqiu mission this time. I could have followed Ci Haishen and slipped into the celebration."
The City Lord of Snowbird Port slightly shook his head, "Anqiu comes first!"
Snowbird Port dock.
Chi Lai was just about to knock when the door opened.
Sanda greeted Chi Lai warmly and invited him to take the seat of honor.
"You have finally returned," Sanda said.
While Sanda was only at Black Iron Level, Chi Lai did not belittle him.
On one hand, Sanda was a confidant of Lion Flag, and underestimating Sanda could easily offend Lion Flag. The latter was the second-in-command of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
On the other hand, Sanda had recently managed the affairs of the Mercenary Group in an orderly manner, displaying talent that made Chi Lai take him seriously. This also made him understand why the leadership of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps would entrust the command of a branch to Sanda, a Black Iron Level fighter.
"I believe I haven’t let you down, this trip was quite fruitful," Chi Lai relayed the specifics of how the City Lord of Snowbird Port had helped.
Sanda’s face lit up with joy.
"The Peak Commerce being secretly controlled by the City Lord of Snowbird Port, using their transport team, we can continue transporting Magic Potions."
"Alas, this indeed solves a pressing issue."
"Since the transport team was attacked by a Gold Level power, all the major Guilds have been on the lookout. Previous negotiations to utilize their transport teams were unsuccessful."
"This assistance from Peak Commerce, if discovered by the enemy, their convoys too will face annihilation. The City Lord of Snowbird Port has taken a great risk to help us this time."
"And he has also funded us with a large amount of supplies... Well, we will never tell him the truth about our minimal losses."
Sanda genuinely heaved a sigh of relief, "You’ve done an excellent job, Chi Lai, you have really stood out this time."
Amidst his praise, Sanda held Chi Lai in high esteem.
Chi Lai, originally from the Imperial Navy and more pragmatic, shook his head, "It’s not that I stood out, but the squad leader Long Fu. I believe that the City Lord of Snowbird Port was eager to help because of Long Fu’s face. I merely did some insignificant tasks."
Sanda nodded, "You’re right to think that way, but your personal contributions should not be erased. According to our group’s rules, we’ll record the contributions you’ve won."
After Chi Lai left, Sanda curled his lips.
He had different thoughts about Chi Lai’s admiration for Long Fu, "The squad leader has been missing for a long time. He’s really incompetent."
"Although the reason is to retrieve Lan Zao, the fact that he’s been negligent cannot be erased!"
"Currently, Long Fu is being impersonated by Zong Ge. Only Zong Ge can resolve the current crisis."
"Even though Zong Ge has no such intention, he should be the squad leader of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, the leader of all of us survivors!"
"Only he is Gold Level, if he’s not the leader, who else could be?"
"As long as he demonstrates the Extraordinary Level of Gold Level, the outside world will truly regard our Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps as a Gold Level force!"