Chapter 804: Chapter 592: Following at the Cost of One’s Life
The secret message from Zi Di and Zong Ge quickly reached Sanda and Fat Tongue.
Since entering into deep collaboration with the Lijian family, the communication efficiency of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps has elevated significantly.
In the ship’s cabin, Sanda incinerated the deciphered letter.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knocking sound came from the door.
Sanda knew who it was: “Come in.”
The next moment, Fat Tongue pushed the door open and walked in.
Fat Tongue frowned deeply, his face heavy with seriousness: “Are we really going to leave the port and restart the military training?”
“This is too dangerous, we could all be completely wiped out.”
The firelight from burning the letter illuminated Sanda’s face; he turned to look at Fat Tongue: “Didn’t Miss Zi Di mention this in her secret letter?”
“It’s both military training and a tactical operation to lure the enemy into an ambush.”
Zong Ge and Zi Di sent back secret letters respectively, delivered to Sanda and Fat Tongue through the Lijian family’s channels.
In the letter, they arranged and laid out the next plan for the division.
Fat Tongue sighed: “The Chairman informed me that we are to act as bait, coordinating with the Lijian family’s ambush troops. Once the enemy falls into the trap and attacks us, the Lijian family’s ambush troops will emerge.”
“Doing this is exceedingly dangerous!”
“The enemy’s power is too strong; Gold Level opponents are emerging endlessly. Even our Alchemy Workshop in Snowbird Port was destroyed by them.”
“Those death soldiers are too terrifying. They don’t care about their lives just to destroy the Alchemy Workshop.”
“Bu Quan Mage, Shuanglian Mage, and the Honey Snow Tower haven’t been found yet; it’s not looking good…”
“Enough, Fat Tongue.” Sanda interrupted, “This is an order from Lord Zong Ge; we just need to execute it.”
Fat Tongue shook his head, puzzled: “We’ll die!”
“We struggled to get out of the Mysterious Monster Island, facing countless dangers; why are we actively seeking danger again?”
Sanda snorted coldly: “This decoy operation does not concern you, Fat Tongue. Miss Zi Di has already arranged for you to leave.”
Fat Tongue fell silent, staring at Sanda, observing the latter’s determination, and reluctantly said: “According to the Chairman’s instructions, I am to disguise myself as an inspector, observing the actual conditions of shops everywhere, so I cannot set out alone and need a group to act as subordinates.”
“Oh?” Sanda was somewhat surprised; he didn’t see this detail in the secret letter from Zong Ge.
Fat Tongue took out his secret letter and the translated contents, handing them to Sanda: “This is the Chairman’s instruction; you can take a look.”
Sanda himself was already inclined to believe; after all, it’s very easy to discern the truth from falsehood in this. Yet he still took the secret letter and translation, quickly examining them.
Sanda immediately understood Zi Di’s intention.
He suddenly looked up, staring at Fat Tongue: “Are you planning to take others away?”
The “others” here referred to other survivors.
Fat Tongue shrugged: “I can’t leave the mercenary group alone; that would be too conspicuous. Hence, I must have a clear mission.”
“Inspecting the actual operation conditions and accounts of shops everywhere is very good, and also very natural.”
“It’s impossible for me to do this alone; of course, I need helpers.”
Sanda thoroughly understood.
Zong Ge’s message was brief, but Sanda had rich experience in managing the mercenary group.
When there was a difference in Zong Ge and Zi Di’s letters, he realized there was a disagreement between the two.
“They couldn’t agree, so they each sent a letter.”
“Previously, it has always been one letter.”
“Zi Di wishes to save other survivors, given that this lure-the-enemy operation is quite dangerous.”
“But since Lord Zong Ge did not specifically mention this situation in his letter, his intention is very clear!”
Thinking this, Sanda shook his head: “You cannot take the other survivors.”
“Because they each have roles to play; if they’re extracted and gathered, it would arouse suspicion.”
“In fact, even for you it’s the same. Your job on the ship is a chef; being assigned to this inspection team is already an unconventional move.”
“Externally, it could be portrayed as you bribing the higher-ups, leveraging your connections, but not every person can do that. This would make our Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps senior management seem incredibly negligent, which doesn’t fit common sense.”
“Normally, an inspection team would have Transcendents, with the leader’s Level set suitably at Black Iron Level.”
“Silver Level combat power is incredibly valuable to the division. Hence, Menshi and Chi Lai cannot leave.”
“Bronze Level is too low, Black Iron Level is the most appropriate.”
“Sanda!” Fat Tongue glared, “What are you trying to do? They are our companions.”
Bam.
Sanda slammed the table abruptly, standing up, angry: “You’re the one being foolish!”
“Don’t you know the current situation?”
“If we follow your, no, Zi Di’s intention to redeploy personnel, it creates a huge flaw!”
“The enemy will grow suspicious!”
“Then not only will our bait-and-ambush plan fail, but your inspection team will also be in significant danger. The enemy will take an interest in you.”
Fat Tongue was stunned.
Sanda took a few deep breaths and slowly sat down, “I cannot let these trivial matters ruin the big picture.”
“I will select the specific personnel for the trip; you only need to be part of it.”
“Lord Zong Ge’s arrangements are the most suitable. Miss Zi Di, after all, is not a soldier. I can understand that, but I won’t execute it.”
Fat Tongue stared at Sanda, “At least, our comrades should have the right to know, shouldn’t they?”
Sanda didn’t think and immediately shook his head, “There’s no need to inform them. Once they know, their behavior will be a flaw, noticed by the enemy.”
“Even though we have been holed up at the dock of Snowbird Port, the enemy’s attention will surely not be lacking.”
“Fat Tongue, you actually know very well inside, this is the safest, most secure way, isn’t it?”
“Don’t let irrelevant emotions interfere with your decision!”
Fat Tongue gritted his teeth, making one last effort, “So, will you disregard their lives like this?”
Sanda snorted coldly, “Aren’t all military actions risky like this? How can there be such worries? Even in business, is every transaction a sure profit? Although I don’t know much about business, I also know that the greater the risk, the more you often earn!”
“Besides, I will also stay here, steadfastly carrying out Lord Zong Ge’s orders. If they sacrifice, I’m afraid the same will happen to me.”
Sanda looked down at the secret letter already burnt to ashes on the table, “Lord Zong Ge is bearing two deadly risks, yet still decided to start accepting external challenges. He strives to continue showing his prowess in the Ice Sculpture National Ceremony, raising a high-flying flag for the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!”
“If the chief commander does so, how can subordinates avoid danger?!”
Fat Tongue was moved.
At this moment, he felt Sanda’s unshakeable loyalty to Zong Ge.
“This guy truly follows Zong Ge with his life…” Fat Tongue couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.
He was just a mortal, unable to persuade Sanda, helpless to only retreat.
Before closing the door, Sanda specially said, “Fat Tongue, consider the situation of your guild chairman carefully.”
“I think she’s been too deeply influenced by our squad leader, too idealistic.”
“Everything must start from reality.”
“One cannot be too optimistic, nor underestimate the enemy!”
“If we make one wrong move, we will lose everything. Our lives dedicated mean nothing? The key is Lord Zong Ge, and your guild chairman…”
“The funny thing is, our squad leader has no trace until now. He may have encountered misfortune, or he might still be alive, but at least he won’t be implicated.”
“Fat Tongue, don’t be too naive. To save others, you must first save yourself, right?”
“Do you want to, because of this time, create a flaw that ultimately leads to your guild chairman’s death?”
“Oh, she is already dead.”
“What I mean is, do you want her undead status to be discovered, and be completely purified by the enemy, with no possibility of resurrection?”
Fat Tongue’s body and mind trembled violently, as he slowly closed the cabin door in a dazed state.
Sanda’s last advice struck deep into Fat Tongue’s heart.
He lowered his head, walking while pondering, “Sanda is right.”
“If I carry out the chairman’s order like this, it will be a flaw.”
“It could easily be detected by the enemy, could easily implicate the chairman.”
This is something Fat Tongue absolutely does not wish to see.
He is a veteran of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce, having fought alongside Zi Di’s father from nothing to something, from low to high.
In the difficult business ventures, he and Zi Di’s father cooperated tacitly, having a deep friendship.
He practically watched Zi Di grow up.
Fat Tongue himself has no descendants.
After Zi Di’s father died, Fat Tongue naturally developed a strong sense of responsibility. He wanted to replace Zi Di’s father and protect Zi Di’s safety.
Zi Di, despite the dangers, became the new chairman of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce. Fat Tongue was very opposed to this, but he was just a mortal and couldn’t change the mage Zi Di’s will.
He could only accompany, providing as much assistance as possible to Zi Di, managing the reorganized Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce.
He could only accompany Zi Di, traveling to the Wilderness Continent, on Mysterious Monster Island, on Snake Rat Island, on Twin Eyes Island, on Ice Sculpture Island…
When he discovered that Zi Di fell in love with the Dragon-man youth, his feelings were complicated, though he advised the Dragon-man youth and eventually gave his silent blessings.
When Zi Di died, Fat Tongue was heartbroken, wishing he could take her place. After Zi Di became an Undead Mage, Fat Tongue did not recoil and remained adamantly standing behind Zi Di. Resurrection was not only Zi Di’s wish but also his own.
And when he discovered Zi Di’s astounding business acumen, he was incredibly gratified. Each time, past memories would flood in, immersing him in the passionate days of yore when he stood shoulder to shoulder with Zi Di’s father, expanding the business landscape.
The dark corridor always had an end.
When Fat Tongue walked through the corridor, climbed the stairs, and reached the bright deck, he was already out of his contemplative state.
The deck was lively.
The Dog Tribe people were sparring with the Water Pigman.
Among the onlookers, Xu Ma was secretly conversing with someone, as if betting discreetly.
Bai Ya watched intently, constantly putting himself in the place of those fighting, absorbing others’ combat experiences.
At this moment, Mu Ban, dragging a weary body, stepped on board from the gangplank—he had just completed an insignificant mercenary task—repairing furniture.
He saw Fat Tongue at the top of the stairs, nodded lightly, and discreetly greeted, given that on the surface, they were not close. But relationships among survivors have always been incredibly tight.
Fat Tongue nodded in response.
The warm sunlight shone on him, yet his gaze became cold, and he told himself in his heart, “These people, even if they are comrades… they are not worth Miss Zi Di taking any risks.”