Free Web NovelChapter 525: Chapter 342: At a Loss
However, the reality is, ever since the Edge Mercenary Corps emerged, Mo Xue has been completely overshadowed.
Su Mo had not been in the industry for long before he became a star in his own right, enjoying the support of the authorities and various resource allocations, surpassing all the accumulations of Mo Xue in a few months.
The saddest part is, it’s not just that they can’t compete with Su Mo; the great Captain Mo Xue can’t even compete against someone else’s second-in-command.
Lucifer, whom Shangguan Li once had to use all her strength to fight to a draw, was directly and brutally defeated by Dongdong, who was still not of age, and the second level of overload burst stunned the whole city.
Not to mention later when the Edge Mercenary Corps allied with the big shot Zhao Yiming, reborn in the Fools’ Association incident, soaring like a phoenix, leaving Mo Xue farther and farther behind.
Mo Xue’s dream shattered.
Now, when people talk about the New Moon City Mercenary Corps, they only know about Edge and Scythe of Death.
Talking about the former New Moon Seven Stars, they only know about Edge.
Mo Xue’s reputation has fallen to the level of Sakura Celestial Guardian, no one looks up to them, they can only keep lowering their value, picking up the second-rate commissions that Edge and Scythe of Death are too lazy to take.
Mo Xue and Edge have a good relationship, that’s true, but they’re mercenary corps after all.
Even blood brothers calculate the account clearly, let alone two mercenary groups.
Dolan’s words not only represent himself but also Shangguan Li, representing the discontent of every Mo Xue Mercenary.
After hearing Dolan’s words, Dongdong was completely bewildered, looking unfocused at the silent Shangguan Li: "Master... you... is this what you think?"
"In this critical moment, what you think is... taking Edge as a competitor, seizing every opportunity to surpass us?"
Dolan’s voice rose, saying righteously: "What’s wrong with that? Our two groups have a good relationship, sure, but we’re also in the same trade, competitors. What, only you are allowed to grow, while we can only follow and pick up leftovers?"
Dongdong waved her hand desperately, her emotions somewhat breaking down: "I didn’t say it’s wrong! Surpassing Edge is okay! We’ve never regarded Mo Xue as a threat, the boss likes you all in Mo Xue!"
"Do you believe that with the boss’s character and attitude, if one day Mo Xue, on its own merits, catches up, becoming strong enough to threaten or even surpass Edge, he would be happy enough to personally host a celebration banquet for you!"
"We at Edge never said we have to be the only dominant force, nor did we say Mo Xue couldn’t rely on major enterprises, but... everything has its priority, people should have some principles, right?"
"What time is it now? At the moment when millions of lives are at stake, and you’re telling me this is what you’re thinking?"
Dolan was momentarily at a loss, not knowing how to respond, unable to speak.
Dongdong looked at Shangguan Li with a sorrowful gaze, her lips slightly trembling: "Master, do you remember when we practiced martial arts before, you told me many martial arts stories."
"You told me—Xia is, Xia with gallant and righteous guts, Xia with noble integrity. The character Xia, its left is benevolence, its right is righteousness."
"These are what you taught me! You think I am uneducated, didn’t go to school, barely recognize a few words, can’t listen to what you said? I have earnestly remembered everything in my heart!"
"What you taught me... is it all false? Do you yourself not believe it at heart, think the so-called Xia is just a hypocritical joke? Then why did you teach it to me?"
Shangguan Li’s head hung lower, facing her disciple’s questioning, she couldn’t say a word.
"Don’t stay silent! I want you to say it yourself! Speak!" Dongdong rushed forward to push and hit Shangguan Li, but was stopped by Dolan and others.
At this time, the Death Scythe Mercenaries had already lost patience, saying coldly: "Shangguan Li, give a definite answer, are you coming or not? If not, say it now, I’ll go find another mercenary corps."
"Besides, I want to remind you, what the guy next to you said is right, if you even disrespect Iron Blood’s face in this small matter, they probably won’t come to you in the future, it’s up to you."
One side was the questioning of a little sister, the other side was the pressing of the Death Scythe Mercenaries, Dolan and others were upset and confused, not knowing what to say, only carefully watching Shangguan Li, waiting for the captain’s decision.
Dongdong wiped her tears forcefully, standing in front of Shangguan Li choking: "Master, how about this, I kowtow to you... you always said I didn’t understand manners, wouldn’t even greet properly upon meeting... so I’ll kowtow to you today..."
Dongdong said, kneeling down and kowtowing in front of everyone.
Her kowtow was heavy, each time accompanied by a dull sound, even leaving blood marks on the ground.
"Little sister, you..." Dolan and others were completely bewildered.
Shangguan Li stared dazedly at Dongdong kneeling, her eyes constantly unfocused.
Her most favored and proud disciple, desperately kowtowing, each time with blood.
Death Scythe Mercenaries, representing Iron Blood’s will, stared coldly, pressing Mo Xue’s future entirely upon Shangguan Li.
The tremendous pressure made Shangguan Li’s breathing tremble, her whole being seemed to have her spine removed, the normally straight posture of her back became hunched with confusion and helplessness.
Just when the atmosphere was at its most rigid, an unexpected person appeared.
A Edge Hovercar marked with the Red Umbrella Badge descended in the square, KK ran out from inside.
He saw Dongdong who kept kowtowing, paused for a moment, went over to help her up: "Dongdong, what are you doing?"
"KK?" Dongdong stared blankly at KK, not understanding why he was here.
KK, with mixed feelings, helped Dongdong wipe the dust and blood off her head, then walked to Shangguan Li, handing over a black storage box.
"Captain Shangguan, this is left for you by the boss."
Shangguan Li instinctively took the storage box, somewhat puzzled: "Left for me?..."
KK nodded: "Yes, he told me before, if he loses contact for more than twenty-four hours, or if he dies, then hand this to you."
This statement was hard not to associate with relics, Shangguan Li’s face turned pale at once: "He..."
KK interrupted her, comforting: "He’s still alive, but indeed has lost contact for over twenty-four hours, so I came."
Only then did Shangguan Li let out a breath, softly asking: "What’s inside?"
KK shook his head: "I don’t know, I haven’t opened it, he named you specifically to open it."
Shangguan Li pursed her lips, looked at the Death Scythe Mercenaries, asked cautiously: "Can you give me some time?"
The Death Scythe Mercenaries glanced at their watch, said coldly: "I’ll give you 10 minutes."
"Thank you..." Shangguan Li took the storage box into the Mo Xue Mansion.
Although KK didn’t explicitly say it, Shangguan Li assumed, since it was named specifically to be opened, it must have some concealment, so she specifically chose a secret room, closed the door, then opened the storage box.
Inside were only two items.
A Red Umbrella Badge, with a special captain’s mark, judging from the slightly worn traces, it was Su Mo’s own one that he usually carried.
The other item was a mobile chip, apparently containing some files.
Shangguan Li inserted the chip into the computer, discovering only one video.
She opened it.
This was a holographic image, with light and shadow intertwined, Su Mo’s figure appeared, with incredibly realistic resolution almost replicating every detail, as if he himself were standing there.
The image playback location was just right, Su Mo stood face to face with Shangguan Li, waved and smiled: "Shangguan, long time no see. Before watching this video, please find a quiet place, I want to talk with you alone."
Shangguan Li slightly nodded, it was right to come to the secret room.
Su Mo paused, continued: "KK handed that box over to you, I guess you must be wondering. Now I’m prepared to tell you everything that’s been happening recently."
"At this very moment, as you are watching this video, I am engaged in a top-secret project ten thousand meters underground in New Moon City."
"As for what exactly this project is, to save time, I’ll not elaborate now, I’ll tell you later."
"You only need to know one thing, New Moon City’s recent beast crisis is related to something underground, and I’m trying to shut it down."
