Chapter 138: The Wolf Pack Settles In, Xu Wen Departs

Ever since the Mercenary Association members departed and Xu Wen went into seclusion, the Blood Alliance had been issuing increasingly urgent directives and raising alert levels across all its towns. Ono was kept constantly busy, striving to fortify the city defenses and manage the influx of private mercenary organizations flooding into Red薈 Town.

This was a strange phenomenon the likes of which the Blood Alliance had never seen before. It was also the most bustling period in the history of Red薈 Town.

The increasingly severe beast tide had forced this town, usually ignored by magical beasts, to bolster its defenses—that much was understandable. However, in recent times, several highly prestigious private mercenary groups had moved into the town. With experts ranging from four to eight stars, all the inns and taverns in Red薈 Town were booming with business and unprecedented vitality. Some residents even began renting out their homes to mercenaries, causing many local raiders to shrink away in fear.

Red薈 Town had entered a peak season; the streets were packed with people, many set up stalls on the spot, and the town had become significantly more prosperous.

Yet, in Ono’s view, this situation was not good at all—it was too abnormal, and frankly, too eerie. According to those mercenary groups, if they were merely looking for a safe and stable rear base to organize personnel and resist the beast tide, Red薈 Town was a bit too far. Furthermore, judging by the figures who had been calling on him, they seemed to have every intention of staying permanently.

Although on the surface this appeared to be nothing but beneficial for the town, the mercenary groups, who were increasingly visible to the local civilians, had drawn more and more attention to their presence. As the mayor who usually did everything possible to maintain the town's stability, he felt as though he were drifting further and further away from this clamorous city.

One day, while Ono was in the backyard hall discussing the matter with his personal guards, someone came to report from outside:

"Lord Mayor, Elder Xie is here to see you."

"Elder Xie?" Ono was startled, a vague, unfamiliar face appearing in his mind. "Let him in."

For the past month or so, Xu Wen had been in seclusion, and Elder Xie had also kept a low profile, rarely seen. The last time they met was when Xu Wen had asked him to inquire about the beast tide and the Qingyun Empire. That meeting had made him wonder if he had misidentified the man.

Elder Xie’s withered, terrifying face had vanished; it had filled out, appearing like that of a normal person. When at rest, he even carried a hint of kindness. The black-robed "Elder Xie" stepped into the room in silence.

"Greetings, Lord Mayor." His tone was icy, and he offered a slight nod before lifting his head. It could hardly be called polite, let alone respectful.

However, no one in the room found this surprising. After all, the man was a seven-star Dark Mage who was currently mastering eight-star magic and combat techniques gained through demonic transformation. It would be unreasonable to expect him to be subservient to a six-star Magic Swordsman.

On the contrary, Ono was quite courteous: "Haha... Elder Xie, no need for formalities. Did Brother Xu Wen send you?"

Elder Xie’s icy expression softened slightly, and he nodded. "My master sent me to ask if anything has happened in town recently." He had returned to a normal, common-looking face; even those who knew him well would find it hard to associate him with the former "Evil Elder."

"There have been some developments..." Ono spoke with a sigh, detailing the recent anomalies in the town before shaking his head helplessly. "The heads of several mercenary groups came to see me, saying they wanted to set up a temporary command post here to concentrate and coordinate their forces... Heaven knows what they are planning. Regardless, I couldn't refuse. I suspect even more people will be coming here in the future."

"Which mercenary groups?" Elder Xie raised his eyes, revealing suspicion and wariness. He had been busy mastering his eight-star magic and demonic form these past few days and knew little of outside news.

Ono knew this question was certainly not something Xu Wen would ask, but he didn't mind, slowly spitting out two words:

"The Wolf Pack."

Seeing the sudden shock and gravity on Elder Xie’s face, Ono was not surprised at all. Among the top ten private mercenary groups of the Blood Alliance, each possessed over a million official members. The "Wolf Pack" was ranked seventh, boasting two nine-star powerhouses. Known as an invincible super-mercenary group, their comprehensive strength was comparable to half of a Royal Mercenary Corps. Their power was so great that even official mercenary groups dared not take them lightly.

Even for the transformed Elder Xie, he was but an insignificant particle in the face of the "Wolf Pack." It was no wonder he was so moved.

Leaving Ono’s room, Elder Xie walked straight to another building nearby, guarded by two sentries. The two acknowledged him and stepped aside. Elder Xie entered as if they were invisible and stepped onto a small teleportation array leading to the underground training chamber. As soon as he entered, dark energy automatically surged forth, insulating his skin from the scorching subterranean heat.

"You've arrived?" A cold voice echoed in the training chamber.

Elder Xie looked up at the Black Wind Eagle circling in the low-ceilinged room and the giant tiger with a long, thin fissure opening on its forehead. He was already accustomed to seeing significant progress in both contracted beasts every time he visited.

Hearing this, he shifted his gaze to Xu Wen, who sat behind the beasts, and nodded respectfully. "Master, according to information obtained by Ono, the Wolf Pack has entered Red薈 Town, along with dozens of vassal groups. There are currently over 150,000 mercenaries in town..."

"What about the Qingyun Empire?"

"The war continues; Qingyun has completely fallen into chaos."

"..."

Xu Wen, who had been sitting quietly beside the little tiger, finally opened his eyes. A faint shadow of sorrow crossed his clear gaze as he murmured, "The chaos in the Qingyun Empire has yet to be quelled, yet trouble is brewing here in the Blood Alliance. It seems that news did not garner enough attention from the Blood Alliance's upper echelons." The news that the Dark Empire possessed an artifact was something he had leaked through "Oldest."

"If it were me, I wouldn't believe that rumor either," Elder Xie replied with lowered eyes. Through these days of interaction, he had gained an understanding of Xu Wen’s temperament and knew he was not a man to vent his temper without cause.

Xu Wen smiled slightly. "Elder Xie, I know you are curious, but don't try to goad me into revealing the source of the rumor. That is a realm you cannot peek into. If you knew, it would only bring you mortal danger."

"..." Elder Xie shuddered and answered, "Yes."

Ignoring Elder Xie’s reaction, Xu Wen remained with his back to him, his tone calm yet tinged with worry. "If the Blood Alliance does not take this news seriously, they will sooner or later follow in the footsteps of the Qingyun Empire, falling into a long period of war and eventually being defeated by the Dark Empire."

Elder Xie frowned but said nothing. To him, the Blood Alliance was the most powerful nation on the Soul Continent; even if their opponent was the Dark Empire, it was absolutely impossible for them to be defeated. Xu Wen’s claim was simply too sensational!

However, Xu Wen did not find Elder Xie's silence strange. He stood up from the floor. "If you don't believe me, there is nothing I can do." He turned around and said decisively, "But this place is no longer suitable for us to stay. Prepare to leave."

"Where to?"

Elder Xie did not want to stay in Red薈 Town either. The anomalies here made him uneasy, and there were many talented individuals in the Wolf Pack; if they discovered the secret of his demonic transformation, it would surely cause unnecessary trouble.

"Leaving here is the right choice." Xu Wen had no specific destination in mind. He tidied up briefly, put away his contracted beasts, and left the underground training chamber without the slightest hesitation. Although this was a significant departure from his original plan and his cultivation had not yet reached the seven-star level, Red薈 Town was no longer the remote, quiet place it once was.

"Lord Xu."

"You've finished your seclusion? That's great! I'll go call the Mayor!"

The two guards outside the door were overjoyed and immediately prepared to notify Ono, only to be stopped by Xu Wen.

"No need. Help me give this to him." Xu Wen pulled a bottle of 'Marrow-Cleansing Liquid' from his treasure belt and said to them, "This item will be of some help to a Magic Swordsman. Consider it a repayment for his hospitality these past days. Also... help me relay a message..."

After speaking, a massive black bird appeared in the courtyard. The Black Wind Eagle spread its steel-like wings and let out a long cry, carrying Xu Wen and Elder Xie, who had climbed aboard, as it ascended and left.

By the time Ono received notice, the Black Wind Eagle was long gone.

"Why didn't you stop them... Sigh, never mind." Ono held the Marrow-Cleansing Liquid, his expression a mix of frustration and helplessness. Since Xu Wen was in such a rush to leave, how could his guards have dared to stop him?

"You said he relayed a message? What was it?" Ono asked the two guards.

After the guards answered, Ono pondered the words in bewilderment for a long time. Finally, a message was sent out from the Mayor's residence: "The Mayor is critically ill and will see no visitors. All defense matters are to be handled by the subordinate commanders."

...

The Black Wind Eagle spread its wings in the sky, its five-star, fourth-stage flight speed far surpassing that of a cat-hawk of the same level. In a short while, Red薈 Town became a small black shadow behind them, rapidly disappearing over the horizon.

Elder Xie, however, watched Xu Wen, who stood proudly on the eagle's back, with a strange expression. He was still repeating the meaning of the warning Xu Wen had given Ono—"In these extraordinary times, do not put yourself in the eye of the storm; avoid it whenever possible."

Looking at Xu Wen’s increasingly handsome and mature profile, Elder Xie sometimes truly wondered: was it this child who had subdued him, or that indescribable aura and mystery?

After a long silence, Elder Xie noticed that the Black Wind Eagle seemed to be heading toward a certain magical beast mountain range. Recalling the news sent back by the Mercenary Association during this period, his expression tightened, and he couldn't help but ask:

"Master, where are we going?"

"Haven't you always been curious about my strength?" Xu Wen didn't turn his head. "I intend to do something now, and it will let you know a secret that has never been known to anyone else. There is no way to avoid involving you in this..." He paused, seeing a hint of unease in Elder Xie’s eyes, and smiled slightly. "Of course, that is because there is no need to avoid it. You won't speak of it, and you wouldn't dare to."

The confusion and unease in Elder Xie’s eyes deepened. Having traversed the mercenary world for so many years, he knew well that some secrets could be known, while others could not. Although the latter might satisfy one's curiosity, it would certainly require paying a heavy price.