Chapter 723: Section 510: Frost Flower City - Ice House City
In the hinterlands of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, Frost Flower City.
The 521 Inn.
The messenger, faced with dust and exhaustion, paid a visit to Zi Di and Zong Ge, "I finally caught up with you. There’s urgent intelligence!"
The messenger’s journey had taken even longer than Sanda had estimated.
The intelligence was recorded in an encrypted letter, the contents of which the messenger did not know.
This form of encryption was a common measure among mercenary groups. It could be deciphered, but it required time and manpower.
Of course, this was not the only layer of encryption.
Zi Di put on a pair of Alchemy Glasses. The text of the letter she saw then underwent a transformation.
This was another layer of encryption, more trustworthy.
The reason being, the design for this ingenious alchemy tool came from the War Merchant’s database.
If it was included in the War Merchant’s collection, it naturally had its unique features.
"Could it be news of the squad leader?" Zi Di was filled with anticipation, but as the decryption was completed, she saw the true contents of the intelligence.
First, she was unavoidably disappointed, and then her expression became tight as she realized the severity of the situation.
She quickly read through the intelligence a second time before passing the deciphered information to Zong Ge at her side.
Zong Ge, after reading it, immediately furrowed his brows.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ caravan, even under the protection of the Blood Axe Gang, had been attacked.
Two Golden Level powers had appeared, resulting in an intense battle.
Clearly, the enemy had made their move!
Just what power was this? It seemed far too strong! To deploy Golden Level forces again and again! Even the one who arrived later might be one as well.
This was no ordinary Golden Level force.
Gangs like the Saber Gang were the usual Golden Level forces, with one or two Golden Level fighters.
But this one, first Teng Donglang died, then three together, and they could still immediately dispatch one Golden Level, or even possibly two!
"Is this an alliance formed by Golden Level forces?" Zong Ge speculated.
Before, he had guessed that this alliance likely had a military background. But now, the appearance of the green-and-red-eyed combatants had confounded Zong Ge’s suspicions.
With even Rabbit-men entering the fray, the breadth of the organization’s membership was staggering, and just the force they had shown was profoundly alarming.
So, how much strength did they still conceal beneath the surface?
"Very difficult to deal with!"
"It’s not just that their strength is far beyond ours, they have also responded correctly."
"We went from Snow Rabbit City to Frost Flower City and had a journey in between, but we did not suffer any attacks. Not even an attempt at reconnaissance."
"They won’t launch another attack until they have figured out the means of the people in our group."
Zong Ge’s analysis made Zi Di nod slightly in agreement.
Frankly, Zong Ge’s previous feat of killing three with one strike was truly intimidating. Mainly because there were few traces left on the battlefield; they had not caused much light or noise when they clashed.
Zong Ge’s rapid and decisive battles had caused the enemy to severely misjudge their combat power.
The enemy was afraid of harming their own interests, but they did not stop their actions, instead they opted for the correct tactic—attack where the enemy is weakest!
Zi Di felt very uncomfortable at this time.
She had designed and overseen this commercial plan, aiming for the entire market of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.
The massive amount of cash seized by the survivors from Twin Eyes Island was the foundation. The young squad leader, Zi Di, and others had estimated the situation and considered future retreat routes and so on, prompting Zi Di to execute this plan decisively.
Originally she thought that forming an alliance with the City Lord of Snowbird Port would make Snowbird Port the best starting point for the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. Cooperating with the Lijian family smoothed the path, providing them with a strong guide.
Unexpectedly, the actual operation encountered such significant difficulties.
"The enemy is too powerful!"
"Even if my father were alive, the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce at its peak would not dare to provoke such a force."
"The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps is still too weak, and we have not developed fully before establishing mortal enmity with such a force."
"Ah, where are you, Squad Leader?"
Zi Di was visibly troubled and under great pressure.
"Luckily, we have a genuine Golden Level power with us."
Zi Di cast a subtle glance at Zong Ge.
She felt that, given such a situation, Zong Ge’s promotion to Golden Level was definitely more beneficial than detrimental.
"But we can’t rely solely on Zong Ge alone..."
Zong Ge shared Zi Di’s assessment, saying, "Even if I have become Golden Level, I alone absolutely cannot contend with such a vast opposing force."
"The most crucial point is that this enemy organization hides in the shadows, revealing nothing, leaving us unable to launch a preemptive strike against them."
Up to now, the survivors only knew that the Bayonet Gang, the Blood Axe Gang, and the exposed green-and-red-eyed Rabbit-man, were all from the enemy force. Gudong too could not be ruled out as acting with the Rabbit-man, remaining suspect.
Survivors didn’t even know the name of the enemy force!
But someone in the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps did know.
That was Lan Zao.
The young man followed the remnants of the Saber Gang into Anqiu, definitely entering the enemy’s stronghold.
He had also seen the names on the tombstones at the summit in Anqiu, among which were the names of the enemy who targeted the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!
But Lan Zao was unaware that they were opponents, currently in conflict.
In fact, even if he knew, he would not be able to send this invaluable intelligence back.
Zong Ge first arranged for the messenger to rest, then discussed the situation with Zi Di with a grave tone, "The situation is very unfavorable for us."
"We are in a completely passive position."
"Even if we wanted to attack, we have no target to attack."
"Conversely, since the enemy has adopted the tactic of attacking our weaknesses and has succeeded on their first attempt. Regardless of the fact that we did not suffer much actual loss, the fact has been established, revealing our defensive shortcomings in this area."
"Next, the enemy will certainly target our weaknesses and continue their fierce attacks,"
"Although we’ve secretly cooperated with the Peak Commerce, as long as the Kingdom continues to sell our magic potions, the enemy will soon discover us and keep striking!"
Zi Di paced for a while, her tone resolute: "We cannot stop our business plan."
She was all too clear: This time they had invested too much, and the cooperation with the Snowbird Port City Lord and the Lijian family had already been established.
If they stopped now, all their previous efforts and investments would have been in vain.
By then, the survivors would have suffered too much loss and would be grievously weakened.
Time cost is the key!
Regardless of the outcome of the grand plan of redemption, it’s definitely right for the survivors to grow as strong as possible.
But if they ceased the business plan now, the rhythm of the survivors’ development would be disrupted, causing delays and affecting too many.
Currently, the main funds of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps were tied up in the business plan.
This business plan was proposed by Zi Di.
Should it fail, even if her relationship with the Dragon-man youth was stable and unshakable, she would still feel a huge loss.
It wasn’t just her individual money, it was the collective’s.
If the redemption succeeded, well and good, but if not...
In any case, she could not let down the trust of her companions, nor could she bear such a heavy responsibility.
After some rapid thinking, Zi Di announced decisively: "We alone will definitely not be able to withstand such a force; we must seek external support."
"The Lijian family is our first choice."
"We’ve already cooperated with them, now we can deepen our cooperation!"
Zong Ge pondered: "The Lijian family is one of the top three families in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom. But even so, in terms of Golden Level strength, they are no match for our enemies."
"None of the three holy figures of the Kingdom are from the Lijian family."
"They may not agree to deepen our cooperation."
Zi Di sneered, carrying a hint of confidence: "They certainly will!"
"Many cooperations fail to materialize simply because the price isn’t high enough."
Zong Ge stared deeply at Zi Di, sensed that confidence, and quickly assessed the feasibility of her proposal based on his trust in Zi Di’s business acumen.
So he started to modify their plans at once: "Next, we’ll head to the Lijian family’s Ice House City!"
"Additionally, we must strengthen the defense at the branches of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps."
"The enemy lacks not Golden Level powerhouses, and individual raids are the most likely tactic they will adopt. They won’t launch a major attack on Snowbird Port."
Zong Ge made a series of military assessments.
The opposing organization had always kept their strength hidden, never making big moves.
Even when attacking trade caravans, they picked on the Rabbit-men.
Rabbit-men are a minority group in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.
Zong Ge estimated that even if they followed this clue, it would be difficult to find evidence.
Even if they troubled the Rabbit-men tribes, they couldn’t directly find the real culprits.
Without knowing the enemy’s main forces, just a flanking division, Zong Ge didn’t dare to attack rashly—it might be the enemy’s bait!
Zi Di said: "Bu Quan’s side is also in great danger right now! Our magic potion Alchemy Workshop is the source of our business plan. If it’s destroyed, the consequences will be dire."
Snowbird Port is currently the main base of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
But it’s a critical weakness, and the people stationed there aren’t much help.
Unless guarded by Golden Level forces.
And the most related to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps among the openly known Golden Level forces in Snowbird Port is the Snowbird Port City Lord. But it’s not like they can ask him to do security for the workshop, right?
Technically not impossible, but the cost is too high, the exposure too great, the risk too severe.
Zi Di continued: "The defense at the branches is very weak."
"To ensure the business plan, we need to have contingency plans in case the Alchemy Workshop is destroyed, we still have backup options."
"This trip to Ice House City, we might be able to have the Lijian family do some subcontracting."
"On our way there, we could also discreetly set up Alchemy Factories in some uninhabited areas."
Zi Di was very decisive.
She understood all too well that there was no turning back. The survivors had invested too much, the sunk cost was too high.
They could only push forward, come what may.
Of course, it wasn’t just blind stubbornness, nor was it a failure to grasp reality, let alone the irrationality of a gambler who, having lost money, becomes desperate. Zi Di saw that there was still room for manoeuvre in the situation.
"Deepening cooperation with the Lijian family can alleviate the current dire situation."
"But doing so also has its risks," Zi Di sighed inwardly.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was the weaker party, the Lijian family the stronger. In a deepened cooperation, the weaker party is easily dominated.
In the future, the profits would be greatly reduced.
This is why Zi Di had not cooperated in such a way before.
After all, at that time, there hadn’t been such a formidable opposing force. Zi Di had believed that the survivors’ situation was very good.
"We must add more restrictions in the cooperation contract."
"Moreover, since the enemy is likely to attack the Alchemy Workshop, we must also pay attention to the safety of Bu Quan."
"He’s a rare talent!"
"I remember that Bu Quan was highly favored by his teacher at the Alchemy Guild. Can we leverage this somehow to influence his teacher’s power?"
Zong Ge nodded: "We can give it a try."
The enemy’s power was too strong, any potential support was worth considering.
Zi Di: "The inner workings between him and his teacher are not something we outsiders understand. Let’s write back to Bu Quan, explain the current situation, ask him to be vigilant about his personal safety, and try to enlist his teacher’s support."
Zong Ge: "Given the strength of the opposing force, we can use the Lijian family, through them, to make a report. If we can draw the official power of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom to deal with the enemy, our situation will be much better."
After the two concluded their discussion, Zi Di hurried out of the inn and went to the potion shop in Frost Flower City.
Today, she must make arrangements for personnel, reinforce the business nodes of Frost Flower City, and then set out for Ice House City tomorrow.