Under the blazing sun, everything seemed lifeless, listless and dejected. However, Green Mountain Town at the foot of the Monster Mountain Range was a stark contrast, bustling with activity.
"Silence! Everyone knows the rules of our Wan Yao Zhai for this herb-gathering trip. We recruit one hundred mercenaries each time, requiring a level of two-star Dou Zhe or higher. The commission is five hundred gold coins, half paid upfront, and the remainder settled upon completion of the mission. No withdrawals are allowed midway." At this moment, a middle-aged man in front of Wan Yao Zhai explained the requirements of the hiring mission. Seeing no objections from the crowd, he announced the official start of the herb-gathering hiring.
"Boom!" As the middle-aged man's words fell, the mercenaries present erupted in excitement.
Everyone knew that Wan Yao Zhai's hiring missions were the most cost-effective, offering generous rewards and generally not too difficult tasks. This was because Wan Yao Zhai's herb-gathering routes were fixed and continuously cleared over the years, although occasionally some reckless monsters would wander in.
However, for mercenaries who spent years venturing into the Monster Mountain Range, risking their lives, this risk was practically free money. Therefore, the mercenaries were extremely enthusiastic.
Looking around, the mercenaries lined up obediently, none daring to disobey the rules of Wan Yao Zhai. In the past, some had been reckless, but Wan Yao Zhai had immediately expelled them and declared they would never treat them again. This was a serious matter for mercenaries who lived on the edge of death, constantly navigating the Monster Mountain Range. Without a healer, they were practically facing certain death.
Realizing the situation, the mercenaries packed their belongings and left Qingshan Town that very night. Although they didn't kill them outright, it was tantamount to killing them. From then on, no one dared to act recklessly in front of Wan Yao Zhai.
The recruitment drive continued, but no mercenaries who hadn't reached the two-star Dou Zhe level stepped forward, as Wan Yao Zhai's testing personnel weren't fools.
Suddenly, a sinister voice came from a corner. "I wonder if my strength meets the hiring requirements of Wan Yao Zhai?" At this moment, a man cloaked in black stepped out from the crowd. His voice was deep and hoarse, exuding a venomous aura, while the strength emanating from him was clearly that of a nine-star Dou Zhe.
The surrounding people suddenly felt a chill and shivered, then turned to look, and a murmur of discussion arose.
Despite this, no one stepped forward to stop him. Don't be fooled by the burly appearance of these mercenaries; they weren't stupid. This cloaked man was clearly not someone to be trifled with, and since they hadn't been hired, who would dare to step forward? This was mercenaries—real and ruthless. Not everyone was like Scarface, driven by lust and wanting to have sex with someone else. (Scarface has only been dead for two chapters, he's not really dead yet, we have to drag him out and whip his corpse, hehehe)
The middle-aged man from Wan Yao Zhai who was explaining the mission requirements saw this and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he still nodded slightly, signaling the man to join his team. He didn't believe anyone would dare risk offending Wan Yao Zhai just to make fun of him.
Half an hour later, the recruitment of one hundred mercenaries was complete. Just as the middle-aged man finished consulting with the physician in the group and was about to depart, a loud shout stopped him in his tracks.
"Wait! How could Wan Yao Zhai recruit mercenaries without the participation of our Wolf Head Mercenary Group? Does Wan Yao Zhai look down on our Wolf Head Mercenary Group?" A group of mercenaries escorted a young man and woman towards him, with the burly man who had just shouted—Hemon—beside them.
He bowed and scraped beside Lin Feng and his companion like a lapdog, but when he looked up at Wan Yao Zhai and the others, he exuded arrogance, a smug and self-satisfied air.
He remembered that day when he perfectly completed the task assigned by Lin Feng, Lin Feng, in his delight, had casually bestowed upon him a bottle of Grade One Qi-Returning Pills. To his delight, he learned that Lin Feng was an alchemist, and from then on decided to devote himself wholeheartedly to the alchemist's command, obeying his every command, even if he had to be a dog, he would still be the alchemist's dog.
Even the Wan Yao Zhai, which they hadn't dared to offend before, now had Lin Feng as their backer and were shouting and behaving arrogantly, showing no respect whatsoever. Not to mention, after noticing Lin Feng nod, they became even more arrogant.
In reality, Lin Feng didn't care about his life or death at all. It wasn't that he was heartless; this He Meng, at such a young age, hadn't even advanced to the Dou Shi level. Even if Lin Feng used a lot of pills to bombard him, he would at most reach the Dou Ling level in his lifetime. Without any relatives or connections, he was at best a sycophantic lackey. There were plenty of people wanting to be his lackey; he was utterly worthless. Of course, considering his diligent service, he would still receive benefits when Lin Feng left.
The scene shifted to the middle-aged man's face, where his expression was visibly grim. "This sir, our Wan Yao Zhai has already reached the required number of mercenaries. If you wish to join, I must first request permission from the Zhai Master."
Although the middle-aged man was sweating profusely, he still forced himself to ask Lin Feng for permission. As for Hermon, he didn't even glance at him. If it weren't for Lin Feng, who had recently killed Mu She and forcefully taken over the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, being present, he would have already retaliated against Hermon's unreasonable words.
"You—" Seeing the middle-aged man's almost dismissive attitude, Hermon was furious and immediately tried to attack.
"Step back." Lin Feng, standing in front, waved his hand, and Hermon's angry face instantly turned into a servile one. He immediately stepped back, but still glared fiercely at the middle-aged man, indicating that he would remember this grudge.
"Doctor Li, rest assured, our Wolf Head Mercenary Group doesn't need the commission from Wan Yao Zhai. We're just following your mining route into the Monster Mountain Range. Of course, if you need our help, we'll still pay the due commission. How about it?" As soon as Lin Feng finished speaking, his eyes narrowed, and an aura of a high-level Battle Master seemed to be uncontrollably released as he spoke.
Instantly, everyone present, except for those from the Wolf Head group, involuntarily took a few steps back, their faces turning ugly.
"This is a high-level Battle Master!" Doctor Lin, feeling the powerful aura, opened his mouth, speechless, only managing to utter these few words. The surrounding mercenaries, members of the Wan Yao Zhai, and the Wolf Head Mercenary Group were also horrified.
Although they knew Lin Feng's ability to instantly kill Mu She indicated considerable strength, who could have imagined he was actually a high-level Battle Master? Moreover, who knew if this was his full strength? Considering this, and Lin Feng's age, everyone's gaze towards him unconsciously carried a hint of awe. Even the cloaked man seemed to unconsciously bow slightly.
"Hahaha, Lord Lin Feng's arrival is an honor! Who would dare not welcome you? I was busy handling matters earlier and didn't come out to greet you immediately; that was my fault. Therefore, from now on, whenever you patronize Wan Yao Zhai, you will receive a 10% discount—no, a 20% discount!" A well-dressed middle-aged man emerged from Wan Yao Zhai and cupped his hands in greeting to Lin Feng.
Haha, don't blame Lin Feng for looking like a villain; you can't stand firm without being ruthless, especially on this Dou Qi Continent. Of course, he wouldn't bully others for no reason. Of course, by bullying, I mean things like murdering someone's parents, stealing their opportunities, avenging someone's death, or taking someone's wife. As for the Wan Yao Zhai incident, well, that's pretty commonplace on the Dou Qi Continent, haha.