"Alright, our meeting is fate. These are the elixirs and crystals I extorted from Hasal. Keep them and increase your strength as quickly as possible!"
On the other side, seeing Miller visibly moved, Ye Cangtian decided to press his advantage, taking out some crystals and elixirs and tossing them over.
*Thump!*
The next moment, Miller knelt directly before Ye Cangtian.
For a Legion Commander like him, obtaining these crystals and elixirs was no easier than ascending to heaven.
Every operation by the Dark Association required these items to be handed in. After the mission concluded, someone of his rank would only receive a single white crystal.
As for elixirs, they were simply nowhere to be seen!
This time, the crystals provided by "Poxiao" were an astronomical sum in his eyes, and there were even elixirs. He was completely subdued.
"Thank you, sir. From now on, my life belongs to you. Whatever you command, I will obey without fail…"
…
"Report!"
Anxious footsteps echoed from outside the main tent. Hasal, who was leisurely enjoying his breakfast, frowned deeply.
"What kind of chaos is this! Don't you understand the principle of remaining calm even if the sky falls!"
"You're becoming more useless by the day!"
Hasal glared at the mercenary who rushed into the tent. His good mood was ruined by the sudden exclamation.
He couldn't fathom what could have caused the mercenary to be so flustered!
"This subordinate admits his mistake!"
"This subordinate has just received news that the Caesar Mercenary Group has landed on Ten Thousand Serpent Island…"
What!
With those words, the knife and fork in Hasal's hand instantly twisted and deformed. He sprang up from his seat.
Following this, his expression turned as ugly as it could possibly be.
"What's going on!"
"Why did the Caesar Mercenary Group land on Ten Thousand Serpent Island! Did they engage in combat?"
Hasal questioned with fury, suppressing his anger to maintain composure.
"No, I don't know what's happening."
"But there shouldn't have been any engagement. The Caesar Mercenary Group landed smoothly and wasn't met with any resistance…"
Seeing Hasal's furious demeanor, the mercenary trembled in fear and spilled out everything he knew.
Reportedly, the scouts in front not only saw the Caesar Mercenary Group land successfully but even witnessed people from the Rattlesnake Mercenary Group warmly welcoming them…
"Stop talking!"
Upon hearing this, Hasal punched the reporting mercenary, sending him flying out of the tent.
He had transformed into a raging beast, as if he were about to tear everything around him apart.
Even Puss, a Legion Commander by his side, felt a shiver down his spine.
He understood Hasal's anger, and precisely because of that, he dared not speak.
Based on their strength, it wasn't difficult for the Tamu Mercenary Group, led by Hasal, to destroy the Rattlesnake Mercenary Group.
Why, up to this point, had they only besieged without attacking proactively?
Were they afraid of affecting the situation in Dongying?
Of course not, they had another purpose.
The purpose was very simple: to keep a sliver of hope for the Rattlesnake Mercenary Group, and then slowly wear down their morale and resolve.
This would allow for their effortless annexation.
This would undoubtedly result in far fewer casualties than a direct assault for merit.
However, now that the Rattlesnake Mercenary Group had suffered heavy losses and their morale was gradually fading, the Caesar Mercenary Group had seized the initiative and annexed them first.
Didn't this mean that the Tamu Mercenary Group's losses were all for naught? They had paved the way for the Caesar Mercenary Group in vain!
Who could tolerate this?
Combined with the previous mockery by Poxiao towards Hasal, it was understandable that Hasal couldn't control his emotions.
"Puss, gather the troops and launch a full-scale attack on Ten Thousand Serpent Island immediately!"
"Even if I can't take Ten Thousand Serpent Island, I'll make it a wasteland!"
Finally, Hasal could no longer bear it and roared.
Forcing him to relinquish his prey was impossible. Even if he couldn't have it, Poxiao shouldn't have it either!
Upon hearing this, Puss quickly stepped forward and said, "Lord Hasal, you must calm down. We are not facing only the Rattlesnake Mercenary Group now!"
Puss, mustering his courage, stepped forward to explain.
While the Caesar Mercenary Group had only sent one legion, and their numbers were inferior to the Tamu Mercenary Group, their combat effectiveness was not weak.
Coupled with the remaining forces of the Rattlesnake Mercenary Group, they were fully capable of directly confronting the Tamu Mercenary Group.
Not to mention that they occupied a natural stronghold and relied on advantageous terrain for defense.
A forced attack would only result in heavy casualties for the Tamu Mercenary Group.
"Then what do you suggest!"
Although furious, Hasal did take some of Puss's words to heart, but he was unwilling to accept this!
If he didn't vent this anger, he might die of suffocation.
Puss frowned, his face filled with bitterness. How would he know!
After thinking for a long time, he finally said with difficulty, "Perhaps we can try to negotiate with Poxiao. After all, we made the first move, and their arrival to snatch the fruits of our labor is inherently unjust!"
"You don't have a brain, do you!"
"That's the Dark Association, not a Chinese faction! Have you ever seen the Dark Association uphold justice!"
Hearing Puss's idea, Hasal immediately became enraged.
However, he also knew that there was likely no other way. He could only try his luck.
The next moment, he suppressed his anger and said, "Send someone to contact them. I want to see Poxiao!"
"Alright, alright."
Although Puss readily agreed, he inwardly despised Hasal.
…
Ten Thousand Serpent Island.
The Caesar Mercenary Group was busy setting up tents. Although they had landed on the island, they had not harmed the Rattlesnake Mercenary Group in the slightest, nor had they interfered with their defense system.
Seeing this, Kezelia was truly relieved.
The fact that they did not intend to control the defense system meant they had no ambitions for Ten Thousand Serpent Island.
At this moment, Kezelia was chatting with Poxiao in the command tent. Their main topic was whether Hasal would swallow this insult.
If he swallowed it, then it would be for the best.
But if he couldn't, it would likely be a disaster for both sides.
Therefore, in such a situation, they had to prepare in advance and arrange countermeasures as soon as possible.
Report!
Just then, a mercenary walked in and approached them directly, saying, "Reporting to both lords, someone from the Tamu Mercenary Group has come with a letter."
Kezelia took the letter directly, but the next moment his expression turned grim.
The envelope was inscribed with four large characters: For Poxiao's Eyes Only.
This was his, Kezelia's, Ten Thousand Serpent Island, and he was the master here. Poxiao had only officially landed today.
And for them to directly contact Poxiao, wasn't this disregarding him, the master?
It felt more like the Rattlesnake Mercenary Group had been annexed and had become a dog of the Dark Association, and they naturally didn't care about the dog's feelings…
"Poxiao."
Though he thought this in his mind, Kezelia still handed the letter to Poxiao.
Ye Cangtian took the letter and began to read it, a playful smile appearing on his face.
"Go back and tell them I will attend the meeting on time."
"Also, prepare a speed boat for me."
As Ye Cangtian spoke, he handed the letter to Kezelia.
Kezelia glanced briefly at the letter and immediately said, "Poxiao, you need to think carefully! This could be an ambush!"
After all, what good could come from Hasal summoning Poxiao?
What if Poxiao was calculated by Hasal and lost his life at sea? That would not be good for Ten Thousand Serpent Island.
Without Poxiao, who could stop Hasal?
Moreover, without Poxiao in command, would the Caesar Mercenary Group still be so compliant? It was hard to say!
"It's alright. If Hasal wants to kill me, he's not capable enough yet!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at Kezelia and said faintly.
"Why don't you bring the Caesar Mercenary Group with you? It would be safer," Kezelia said after a moment of thought, seeing that Poxiao's mind was made up.
Ye Cangtian waved his hand and smiled, "No need. That would be giving Hasal too much face. I only need a speed boat pilot, and that will be enough."
Hearing Poxiao refuse again, Kezelia sighed helplessly and arranged for it.
…