"So that was how we t. He let us off and gave us food that night." Jack smiled as he rembered that mory. "Of course, after sis Jessica beat up. But it was a great day."
Astrid, who listened to his story, could only smile wryly.
"Jessica was... a sadistic person from the beginning, huh?"
"You have no idea." Jack shrugged and downed the last of his alcohol before putting it back down again. He leaned against the chair, and his expression turned somber.
"Life in the slum was harsh, especially in those years where the governnt cut the welfare budget to support the war. Dangerous rcenaries that lost their job in the war ca and started a gang war. There was a ti where we were so hungry we stole anything from a store just for a day of food."
"..." Astrid listened to his story silently, not saying a word.
Jack then took another deep breath and smiled. "Well, to be honest, I betrayed the Leader once."
"Huh?" Astrid looked at Jack, her eyes wide. She was shocked by his sudden confession.
"I was one of his enemies, a traitor." Jack chuckled. "Leader was kind. But and Shui got entangled with a big gang and had to work with them. We didn't know the Leader was their enemy back then."
"And then?"
Jack chuckled.
"Sis Jessica showed hell. Yet, Leader still helped us." Jack said, smiling. "The kids from the slum were taken as experint subjects. We can't save them alone, so we had to beg for help. But instead, we were used. Leader saved us, and killed everyone in that lab."
Jack sighed. He was rembering a painful mory, but his expression showed a smile.
"Sorry, but my story stops here. Just know that he had pulled from the darkest ti I experienced and that is why I'm here. We're all here because of his kindness, even when we betrayed him."
"I see." Astrid nodded slowly. She was satisfied with the story she heard.
"I have to go." Jack stood up from the seat, "If there is sothing that is not clear, just ask the Leader directly. What I can say to you is, don't throw away your family so easily. Give them a chance, the last one."
"Alright."
And so, he left the room.
***
While Astrid was busy with paperwork, Leo didn't exactly idling around and doing nothing.
In fact, as the top leader of the rcenary Union, he had sothing only he could do. A business that couldn't be replaced by anyone else.
Naly attending a banquet.
He had to go around and promote rcenary Union's service to other potential clients. It was not a job anyone could do, as they had to et the potential client directly and explain what kind of services they were offering.
It was a tough job, but he managed to do it nonetheless.
Though he said that he didn't need Peng Clan's support, he still needed to convince those with money to hire the rcenaries.
Most people in the Qin City were either rchants, martial artists, or rich people.
Of course, getting patronage from normal citizens was also important. Not every rcenary was capable of handling important tasks. In fact, most people who joined in the rcenary Union were not all strong, mainly 1 to 3 Stars martial artists.
So they had to rely on the richer people's support and get their recognition. They would have an easy job with good pay, so there was nothing to complain about.
"I am tired." He sighed and rubbed his temple, massaging the tense muscle of his neck and shoulders.
He had just finished eting the owner of a big company, an old man nad Liu who owned a large textile company. Liu had asked to escort one of his ships, which was supposed to deliver a large shipnt to a different port city in the area. But due to the increase of the cri rate lately, they had decided to hire rcenaries for safety.
It wasn't an easy task since there were many risks involved in such an operation.
"Thank you for accompanying , Ming Yuchan. I appreciate it."
Ming Yuchan smiled.
"I'm also doing my business too. Don't mind it." He replied, "I have heard that they will start trading so of my oil in the cities. I will also actively ask the rcenary Union to help with escort on top of my private guards."
"Indeed." Leo smiled.
Both n continued chatting as they left Liu's building. A carriage waited for them, so both entered the carriage and drove off to their respective destination.
After a while, the two arrived at a restaurant owned by Liu. Just to celebrate their new partnership and friendship, he invited both Leo and Ming Yuchan to have dinner with him in his restaurant.
Of course, it would also be a business opportunity for the owner.
When they arrived, Liu imdiately greeted them and led them to a private room where he had reserved for them.
"Welco! I have invited so friends of mine who were interested in your rcenary Union. Please take your ti and have so good dinner."
Liu said cheerfully. The atmosphere around him changed completely, from the strict and serious deanor to the friendly, welcoming host that greeted his guests.
"Thank you for inviting us." Leo replied and looked around the room.
There were many tables arranged in rows on each side of the hall. On each table sat four or five n dressed in fine clothing, drinking alcohol or having dinner while chatting with their companions. So even wore expensive jewelry such as rings or necklaces on their bodies. It was obvious they were rich people or rchants with good business.
The two followed Liu and walked toward an empty table near the corner of the room where he took them earlier before.
"Ah! Master Leo, we've been waiting!"
"My na is Yong Gong, it's an honor to et Master Leo."
"Hahaha! We've heard about your amazing deeds. Please have a seat and have a chat with ."
They were welcod by a few n that were waiting in the private room, with smiles on their faces. The atmosphere was lively, and everyone had fun as they conversed.
Leo and Ming Yuchan joined their conversation as the waiter ca and served food. The dishes were delicious, but not too fancy, and they tasted great. While enjoying his al, Leo glanced at the other n who sat beside Liu.
Rembering all of their nas was easy as he could just record it in his mind, so it would be easier to rember their faces later.
One by one, Leo recorded all of the guests in his head. So of them wore fancy clothes and others had simple ones, but none looked shabby at all.
However, a banquet composed of high-profiled people was bound to attract so troublemakers, and this ti was no exception. Just when Leo and the others were having fun, a commotion could be heard outside the private room.
A man could be heard shouting angrily at soone outside.
"Hey! You dare to stand in my way?! Do you know who I am?!"
The angry man yelled furiously.
"I apologize, Young Master." A calm voice answered back. "I am sorry for stopping your path. However, there is an important discussion going on inside. Please co back tomorrow."
"Hah! Do I look like soone who can be stopped so easily? I told you that it's important! I have to et him right now!"
"I am really sorry, but you can't go through."
"What the fuck?! You bastard!"
"My apologies. I will settle it quickly." Liu apologized and exited the room. Soon, his voice bood outside, "Hey! You ungrateful brat!"
"Bastard! I am here to bring urgent news and your servant stops , you old coot! How disrespectful!"
"Who are you calling an old coot?!"
Leo chuckled as he heard this exchange. His interest was piqued, so he followed Liu and went out of the room to check the situation. When he opened the door, the voice from earlier continued.
"Sothing happened in Qin City! The Lord! They found the Lord's dead body in his manor!"
Leo was taken aback by what he had heard.
"Wait. What did you say?"
The Lord was the one that governed this city, right?
So what does this an? Was he killed?
Leo was taken aback by what he had heard.
"Wait. What did you say?"
The Lord was the one that governed this city, right?
So what does this an? Was he killed?
'The Lord is... That guy, right?'
The one he saved in the past from the bastard Tang's plan.
'He should be capable of protecting himself, being a martial artist of a high caliber.'
Although not known to the general public, he had a high level, and he also had many capable subordinates under his command.
'Did soone manage to kill him? Who?'
A frown ford on Leo's face as he tried to co up with a reason why the man would die.
'Who could be capable enough to kill the Lord in the manor filled with martial artists and his subordinates?'
Then he thought about it more. He knew one particular man who had the power and ability to do such a thing.
At that mont, his communication device rang and he accepted the call. Astrid's voice rang out, and her panicked voice echoed in his ear.
"Leader! Leader! I can't make this decision alone! Help !"
"About the matter of the City Lord, right?"
"H-How do you know? I an, yes! The city Lord is dead. What should I do?! There will be chaos if I just let this spread! Leader! Help !" Astrid pleaded, and she sounded distressed and worried.
"Wait for there. I will return soon."
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