"What's wrong?"

Pu Losi looked at Jiang Chen in confusion. Was the relationship of former lovers that important?

Jiang Chen fell silent, organizing his thoughts.

Yan Hu and the others also considered the matter Jiang Chen was worried about, especially Spirit You, who used to be one of Long Ya's men and still took pride in being associated with Long Ya.

But now, they might create an irreparable conflict between Y Country and Flame Dragon, a fact that deeply concerned a professional soldier!

Bu Langshi glanced at Jiang Chen, then at Pu Losi, and softly spoke, "Mr. Jiang, heretics deserve destruction!"

"I know!"

Jiang Chen responded heavily, "But destruction requires careful methods. I don't want to involve Flame Dragon!"

Bu Langshi paused slightly, then nodded gently.

Pu Losi was bewildered, looking at the two men with confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Mr. Pu Losi, does Si Mo'er truly care deeply about the Royal Family's image?" Jiang Chen suddenly raised a critical point, speaking solemnly.

"Of course!" Pu Losi replied without hesitation, "For the Royal Family's image, he would even bow to our faction. You could say that he's willing to sacrifice his own life for it!"

A thoughtful look appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes. Taking a deep breath, he said gravely, "Mr. Pu Losi, I would like to ask for your help with something!"

"Please go ahead, Mr. Jiang!"

"I need you to keep an eye on Si Mo'er—or, to be more specific, I want you to monitor Si Mo'er!" Jiang Chen said seriously.

Pu Losi was startled, exclaiming, "Monitor Si Mo'er?!"

Monitoring a duke of the Royal Family—if it were exposed, it could spark war between the two major factions!

"Yes!"

Jiang Chen nodded firmly. "As for the reason, I can't explain it to you for now. I only have suspicions, and those suspicions concern the security of the entire Royal Family of Y Country. We, however, are not in a suitable position to do this, so I'll have to trouble you instead!"

Pu Losi frowned deeply, looking at Jiang Chen with a serious expression.

Jiang Chen met Pu Losi's gaze head-on, his eyes reflecting sincerity.

"Alright! I'll arrange it. However, I hope that when the matter progresses further or your suspicions are confirmed, you can explain everything to me," Pu Losi agreed earnestly.

"Alright!" Jiang Chen nodded slightly.

Ding-dong!

The doorbell rang, catching Jiang Chen and the others off guard. Yan Hu got up to open the villa door.

"Hello, I'm here to find Mr. Jiang."

Yan Hu looked at the visitor with slight confusion and then turned back to the living room. "Young Master, it's Hu Da'er and Mandala."

"Hmm?" Jiang Chen murmured in surprise, then said softly, "Let them in."

Yan Hu nodded, turned back to the door, and brought Hu Da'er and Mandala into the living room.

Seeing both Pu Losi and Bu Langshi present, Hu Da'er frowned slightly while Mandala's eyes glimmered with intrigue.

"Mr. Jiang, I'll take my leave. We can talk more during the dinner party!" Pu Losi stood up to say goodbye.

Hu Da'er and Mandala were mercenaries; Pu Losi, being a Royal Family duke, had no interest in the matters of factional power and also needed to maintain an appropriate level of formality.

"Alright!" Jiang Chen replied, standing up to escort Pu Losi to the door.

Returning to the living room, Jiang Chen looked at Hu Da'er and Mandala with curiosity. "What brings you two looking for me?"

"Mr. Jiang, if I'm not mistaken, you're the boss of the three major mercenary groups, right?" Hu Da'er glanced at Spirit You and the others before locking eyes with Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "What are you trying to say, Mr. Hu Da'er?"

"Mr. Jiang, I want to hand over the Mandala Mercenary Group to you. Do you agree to take it on?" Mandala suddenly interjected.

Hu Da'er furrowed his brows, turning to glare at Mandala sharply.

Mandala avoided Hu Da'er's gaze, appearing nervous as she looked toward Jiang Chen instead.

Yan Hu and the others found this strange. Bu Langshi glanced at Mandala and then at Hu Da'er, seemingly piecing something together, his brows furrowed lightly.

Jiang Chen was surprised, asking in confusion, "Captain Mandala, what exactly do you mean by this?"

"I'm the leader of the Mandala Mercenary Group, and also its owner. I wish to relinquish the position of owner to you, Mr. Jiang. From now on, we, the Mandala Mercenary Group, would work under your command just like the Dragon Flame Mercenary Group does!" Mandala explained.

"This..."

Jiang Chen was momentarily dazed. What was going on?

He certainly didn't believe his charisma had reached the point where one of the top ten mercenary groups would voluntarily commit themselves to him!

Noticing Jiang Chen's confusion, Mandala bit her lip before pleading with hope-filled eyes, "Mr. Jiang, let me be straightforward: I hope you can protect the Mandala Mercenary Group!"

"Protect?!" Jiang Chen was even more baffled.

"Enough!" Hu Da'er barked, glaring fiercely at Mandala. "Captain Mandala, do you think my Hellfire Mercenary Corp is inferior to Mr. Jiang?"

"Captain Hu Da'er, that's not what I meant. But, if given the choice, I'd rather choose Mr. Jiang!" Mandala glanced at Hu Da'er before avoiding his gaze.

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, seemingly understanding something, before gently saying, "Captain Hu Da'er, what brings you looking for me today?"

"Mr. Jiang, I came to discuss the matter of merging forces!"

Hu Da'er spoke arrogantly, gazing at Jiang Chen. "Hellfire will reignite its flames. The entire mercenary world should fall within Hellfire's blaze—Dragon Flame, Dragon Soul, and even Dark Night Angel can serve as Hellfire's left and right arms!"

Jiang Chen frowned, glancing at Mandala, and finally understood why she had acted as such.

Looking at the smug expression on Hu Da'er's face, Jiang Chen said humorously, "Captain Hu Da'er, Hellfire might be one of the six reigning factions, but claiming to unify the mercenary world? I'm afraid that's still a stretch, don't you think?"

"If you agree to merge with us, we can definitely unify the mercenary world. By then, you'll all be founding fathers! Together, we'll create a mercenary empire—wouldn't that be ideal?" Hu Da'er spoke persuasively, smiling.

Mandala stared at Jiang Chen nervously, worry flashing in her eyes.

Jiang Chen smiled faintly and shook his head lightly. "I'm sorry, but I'm used to being my own boss. Being someone's subordinate isn't something I can accept."

"Mr. Jiang, I'm not asking you to be a subordinate. We can be partners. You'll remain the boss and reap the profits in the background while we handle the battles!" Hu Da'er continued to persuade.

Jiang Chen replied thoughtfully, "When you say 'we,' do you mean the Divine Spear Mercenary Group, the Hellfire Mercenary Corp, or Dragon Flame, Dragon Soul, and Dark Night Angel?"

"Of course, I mean all of us together," Hu Da'er replied without hesitation.

"Who would lead among us?" Jiang Chen questioned again.

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