Chapter 4

After demonstrating his capabilities in tactics, marksmanship, and training, several officials finally became genuinely convinced of Mu Xinyue, and no one believed he was unfit for a significant role

Moreover, if too many people undertake this task, the remuneration that each individual can receive will also decrease

According to the investigation, this group of goblins is believed to have migrated from the Redhuaiya Mountains in the south, which do not belong to any country

This greatly restricts the exchanges between the two regions' caravans and makes it impossible to provide complete protection for every caravan on the roads. In response to complaints from merchants, the clients—the commercial guild—demand that the mercenaries resolve the issue as soon as possible

However, most of these are playful and teasing speculations, such as "hiding in a small hotel to drown sorrows in alcohol," "running to a deserted place to cry," or "going out to the street to earn extra money by blocking traffic."

Unaware of the mercenaries, the goblins entered their respective huts, disarmed themselves, and rested, leaving only four sentinels on guard duty

To accomplish such a task, it is ideal to use superior forces to eliminate them; however, there are two major issues with this approach

Not everyone can freely seek companionship with women, so drinking has become the primary form of entertainment for most people

After the eradication of the Venomous Fang, among the special weapons discovered was a Bow of the Wind, which significantly increased both the range and power of the arrows. The leader entrusted that bow to him, further enhancing his combat strength

This time we dealt a heavy blow to the goblins, but did not inflict a fatal strike; they still retain considerable combat capability. I am concerned that they may take retaliatory action as a result, Mu expressed his views

It was not very clear, and both Noxiu and the others were well aware that there were many things left unsaid between them

What if those goblins vent their anger on the passing merchants? We cannot provide protection for every caravan, and after this battle, the same tactics can no longer be employed

Xiukela said to Noxiu: "It seems that I really should retire soon; it is truly a pity to have this young person as my deputy."

After capturing three male prisoners, Phyllia ordered the public stripping of their trousers in order to extract information in the shortest possible time

Mu glanced back at him and replied: "In the future, we should face life and death together, allowing each other a way out is preferable. If we have to worry about our backs during battle, it will be quite arduous."

One of them let out a muffled groan when struck by an arrow, and the four fell to the ground with a slight sound, yet they did not disturb the majority of the resting goblins

Seeing the two individuals praising each other, Noxiu thought that at least Mu's abilities should be reliable. Therefore, he decided to appoint Mu as the vice-captain of the Fourth Squad as originally intended

The initial operation was highly successful, as an unexpected attack dealt a heavy blow to the goblin group

When everyone had gathered, Mu took out a map he had drawn and pinned it to the wall, assigning tasks to each squad on the map

If the protection of the caravan is merely passive, it will not be possible to eliminate them in the short term

From their hiding place, they watched as the goblins passed one by one along the beast path. Many mercenaries were sweating nervously in their palms; if they were discovered now, a tough battle would ensue

The target of the attack was the lair of the big goblin, at which point the subordinates finally understood what Mu was up to

A large black bird on the nearby cliff, after quietly observing everything that transpired, flew in the direction where the elder goblin retreated.

Xiukela was well aware of his subordinates' thoughts, so he seized this opportunity to conduct a seminar on infantry operations. By the end of the seminar, their doubts were finally dispelled

After several meetings, the officials have been unable to come up with a solution.

By relying a part of one's consciousness on the shikigami, one can command the actions of the shikigami from a distance and clearly see what the shikigami perceives

The three captives remained unwilling to confess. He questioned one of the male captives again, and after receiving no answer, he severed his vital organ with a sword, causing him to faint from the pain

While explaining, he also demonstrated each action one by one, and then showcased some variations of gun techniques. Everyone felt they had gained a lot from it, including the onlooker, Xiukela.

By the time several goblins had obtained weapons, most of the goblins had already fallen in pools of blood

Philia also possesses the qualifications of a great swordsman, being the second-best swordsman in the group after Doniel

This is one of the secret teachings of Eastern Yin-Yang arts—Shikigami

They covered their noses, and upon closer inspection, it turned out that the ones who injured them were actually a few hazelnuts. It was astonishing that such things could cause their noses to bleed profusely, demonstrating considerable force in the throw.

However, this poses a significant inconvenience for business travelers between the two locations. Therefore, the chambers of commerce in both areas have hired the Morning Star Mercenary Group to expel these goblins

Since it was the first task, Xiu Ke La specially assigned the most experienced squad leaders, Sha Fu Lang and Ba Duo La, from the Fourth Squadron to assist Deputy Mu Dang

However, in the case of a war commission, in order to meet the demands of warfare, various military branches will be consolidated for effective utilization

However, the number of Goblins is one-third more than the intelligence, which may have increased later

The joy of victory was dissolved by this passage, replaced instead by a sense of chill

Due to the emergence of monsters and demi-humans, the mercenary group has numerous commissions awaiting completion, leaving them unable to allocate too many personnel.

In order to summon shikigami without any medium, Mu applied another secret technique—poisonous insect technique—onto the shikigami, implanting them within his own body

However, each squad is currently understaffed, and their combat effectiveness is not complete

On that day, the members of the mercenary group completed their task of protecting the merchant convoy and returned to the rest house provided by the guild

Except for one sentinel being solely managed by Mu, the other three sentinels each have four or five archers simultaneously responsible for sniping

Regardless of whether the explanation is true or false, it indicates that this person is calculating and has deep foresight

Noxiu believed that since Mu wielded a spear as his weapon, he should be proficient in spear techniques. Based on this consideration, assigning him to the Fourth Squad was a very appropriate arrangement

Badola thought that Mu was feeling down because his achievements were overshadowed by his subordinates, leaving him without opportunities to showcase his talents, so he made a special effort to comfort him

Any country understands that provoking a monster capable of destroying a city in a mere fifteen minutes is an exceedingly unwise action

As for the art of poison manipulation, it was learned from an elder of the Gu clan in the East. He knows the methods for both practicing and breaking the poison but has not practiced it himself, only applying some of the methods in other areas

These mercenaries, who are usually resistant to dirt and odor, do not bathe often, and their body odor is quite strong

After the battle, the goblins left behind twenty-six corpses

However, this group of goblins outside the city of Castor is somewhat different; they belong to a subspecies of goblins known as the Great Goblin, or "Bobo Evil Spirit".

As for Mu's origins, Mu only mentioned that he had previously participated in battles in the East and that after the war, he traveled extensively.

In fact, various monsters and demi-humans have been continuously appearing around the Redhuaya Mountains since last month, indicating that Redhuaya is likely to be active again

Watching the two walk out of the tent, Galante felt a bit of sweat in his palms. He turned to the captain and said, "Noxiu, do you really think he resembles a woman? I find him more akin to a demon."

However, these immigrants faced difficulties in foraging in their new environment, which led them to engage in low-capital trades, plundering passing merchants.

Mercenaries determine positions and compensation based on ability, so the squad leaders have no objections. However, they still wonder if Mu Zhen can perform this job well

Noxiu originally intended for Mu to serve as the deputy captain of the Fourth Squad. The previous deputy captain was killed in the battle against the Venomous Fang, making him the highest-ranking officer among those who perished at that time in the regiment

Each of them is a strong warrior, and it is said that a few among them also possess some magical abilities

After the final procedures of the soul sending ritual were completed, the obsidian soared into the sky to carry out his mission

At this moment, the team members realized the thoughtfulness of the deputy squad leader, and several squad leaders were particularly impressed by the commander who could notice such details and easily outmaneuver the opponent

When the wine flows freely, discussions turn to women, such as which maid has a beautiful face or which courtesan has a voluptuous figure

However, in order to avoid disputes, Galante prohibits members from gambling

How is it? Are you unable to help me find it?

Mu then realized that after completing a task, one could request an increase in remuneration if there was a discrepancy between the difficulty of the work and what the client had stated.

In order to address this issue, merchants formed large convoys and concealed mercenaries among them for protection

Some people grumble as if they were children, wondering why they need to sleep so early! Moreover, even if they set out after noon, they would still have enough time to reach the ambush point

The person at the door heard most of the conversation upon returning, but punishing everyone is meaningless. Therefore, as a warning to others, the few individuals who reacted the slowest will be dealt with using the leftover hazelnuts from the past two days.

The study of Mu is extensive, and this Yin-Yang technique can only be considered a minor achievement. It cannot summon powerful Shikigami for battle like an orthodox Yin-Yang master can, and the combat strength of Shikigami is not particularly strong

Hearing the leader's words, Galante recalled the matter of those women and couldn't help but shiver

On the second day, before dawn, everyone was called to get up

Neither Noxiu nor Galante had a deep understanding of the gunmen, so they were both surprised to hear Xiukela say this, not expecting him to hold Mu in such high regard

After the battle, a total of fifty-nine goblins were killed following the count

After breakfast, once everyone had gathered, the first command was surprisingly for each person to go and take a shower

Regardless of what he thinks, it is certain that he is serious about everyone taking a bath, as he even prepared the ash for removing dirt.

Suddenly, someone at the door fell silent, and then most of the people quieted down, except for a few who had their backs to the door

Get lost! Try messing with me again and see what happens

Castle City is located approximately thirty miles southwest of their current location, "Ameira City" (equivalent to about 48 kilometers)

After two hours of negotiation, the chamber of commerce finally agreed to increase the remuneration by fifteen percent

Therefore, Mu can only lead four squads to carry out the mission. In reality, due to personnel shortages, there are only the equivalent of three squads, totaling sixty personnel, to complete this task

The current organization within the group consists of five squads. Typically, based on task requirements, the affiliated teams and detachments are mobilized into flexible formations.

First, they discussed the battles of the past few days, but since the situation of the engagements was truly unremarkable, the conversation shifted to other matters

Garante's martial skills are not on par with those of the other main cadres in the group, but his negotiation and conversational abilities are the best in the entire team. Therefore, he is usually responsible for negotiation work

It is still only morning, and many seasoned mercenaries feel that it is rather too early

Finding a secluded spot, Mu arranged a simple maze using stones and trees to avoid detection. Even if the opponent could break through the maze, it would at least buy some time for escape

On the day following his formal appointment as the Deputy Captain of the Fourth Squad, Mu received his first assignment

Later, I became acquainted with Western merchants and developed a keen interest in the customs and culture of the West, which led me to accompany a trading ship to the West

However, Mu then said: "In fact, my understanding of the use of Western infantry is far inferior to that of Mr. Shukola, and I still have much to learn from him. Moreover, as a newcomer, I have yet to achieve any tangible results to gain the trust of others, and it is truly daunting to hold a high position."

After leaving the mercenaries, Mu set off alone with simple equipment to the area where the elder goblins were known to appear

Due to the dangers of their work, often in close proximity to death, many mercenaries without family ties seek out stimulation to alleviate their stress

Although they did not witness it, they had already heard about the competition that took place yesterday. They were simply surprised that such a young foreigner could defeat the expert Shebur in the group

As he recited the incantation, the black patterns on his hand gradually expanded away from his body, beginning to coalesce into shape. When the incantation concluded, it formed a large black bird with a wingspan of six feet, resembling a vulture but possessing a long tail.

He knows that when the conversation comes to an end, the other party's guard is at its lowest, making it the easiest time to reveal their true intentions, or at the very least, they will not have time to concoct a perfect lie

And these provocations are nothing more than drinking, gambling, and seeking women

Most of what he conveyed was inherited from the sages of the East, while a small portion was his own inventions based on personal experience

Several individuals were discussing marksmanship, the use of infantry, and tactics with Mu in the tent. The various applications of infantry, weapon improvements, and special formations mentioned by Mu were, surprisingly, things even Xiukela had never heard of.

The mercenaries swiftly approached from their concealed positions, and it was only when they reached the vicinity of the huts that a goblin, hearing a muffled sound, came out to see what was happening

What if the target of the retaliation is not us

Xiukela introduced the officers of the Fourth Squad to Mu. The Fourth Squad is composed of five teams. Except for two members who are on a mission and have not returned, and the two vice captains of the teams that are still vacant, the other six team leaders and vice team leaders were present.

Vidian is characterized by her bold personality, treating men as consumables. Those who become entangled with her and serve as her guests often appear utterly drained the next day, struggling even to walk. Thus, she is also known by the nickname "man-eating succubus"

The next day, the team leader sent someone to find Mu. Besides the team leader and the deputy team leader, there was also the captain of the Fourth Squad, Xiukela, present at the scene

However, Mu called upon Badola to act on his behalf for three days during this time, and then he disappeared without a trace

When sending one's soul, the main body loses a part of its consciousness, which leads to divided attention, resulting in slower actions and diminished abilities. Therefore, Mu must set up a maze to conceal himself, in order to prevent any danger during this time

The mercenaries, who understood that pursuing deeply was exceedingly unwise, felt frustrated and began to complain about this type of combat that could only wait for the enemy to attack. They also started to blame the commander who had gone absent but had led them into such a battle.

Moreover, they are more adept at maneuvering through the mountains and forests than the mercenaries, thus although the mercenaries have gained an advantage, they do not dare to pursue deeply.

A commander who is skilled in martial arts is not necessarily a competent leader; after all, he appears too young, and the squad leaders believe he likely lacks experience in commanding operations

Mercenaries can be said to be in a dilemma

The goblins may have also migrated to avoid Redhuaya

What is there to worry about? If they want to take revenge, let them come! Everyone will still kill them mercilessly. At this moment, Shafran felt that Mu was too timid.

Only no one knows what method he used to find the goblin's dwelling

How are Captain Philia of the Third Squad and Captain Diane of the Cavalry?

If not cleaned properly, it is very likely that a gust of wind will blow by, causing the mercenaries to expose their whereabouts due to their body odor

Damn! Are you trying to kill me? I would rather find a man than look for them

Mu stood up and said softly, "You have misunderstood; I am not unhappy because I have not achieved anything for myself. I am concerned about something else."

If he does not join the team and continues to work alone, it is likely that no one will ever inform him

The disarmed big goblins became one-sided targets for mercenaries to slay, resembling scarecrows

The social status of women in the West is significantly higher than that of women in the East; however, the military and mercenaries still prefer not to employ female soldiers for several reasons. If women do not possess strength superior to that of their peers, it is difficult for them to rise to high positions

The task involves expelling the goblins, referred to as "little demons," from outside the city of Castor.

Upon their return, the mercenaries indulged in hearty drinking at the hotel

Mu Cai explained that while observing the goblins, he discovered that their sense of smell is extremely acute

The ogres are quite different from their close relatives; they are much taller, with some even exceeding the height of humans

Xiukela's footsteps did not cease, but he was taken aback upon hearing these words. He had also heard about yesterday's competition, and that Xie Buer was already one of the few experts within the group. The person behind him could still deliberately create a tie when facing him.

Because the practice of refining and nurturing poison insects requires a large amount of toxic substances, it is difficult to cultivate unless one resides in an area abundant in toxins

Many women are like demons; you have seen this before.

"Biz, if your spear can be thrust with a spin, its lethality will be even greater"

The second squad is the heavy infantry unit, and the squad leader is Shebur, who has competed with Mu.

After gathering relevant information regarding the areas frequented by goblins and their occurrence rates, the mercenaries held their first operational meeting

In the conference room, the book staff were reflecting on this battle, while everyone congratulated Shafran on his successful operation, Mu sat silently beside them.

Mu named the summoned spirit "Obsidian," which was commonly used in the East for reconnaissance and search purposes

In terms of the mercenaries, there were only three individuals seriously injured and eight with minor injuries. However, after Mu's treatment, none of the seriously injured are in life-threatening condition, and those with minor injuries will be able to fight again after a few days of rest

Goblins are a type of subhuman race that can also wield weapons and wear armor. However, they are only about 1 meter tall. While they are not particularly strong, their large numbers can still pose a significant problem.

Xiukela is nearly sixty years old, his hair has also turned gray, and he is the most senior among the cadres of Morning Star

Both Phyllia and Diane are quite attractive, but the reason men keep their distance is due to their past deeds

The other party's straightforward response took Galante by surprise, indicating that if they did not genuinely think this way, they had anticipated his question.

After careful consideration, Xiukela discovered that these things he had never heard of before made a great deal of sense, and he inquired whether they were the methods of infantry used in the East

Although the marching speed was slow, the mercenaries completed the deployment at the ambush site according to plan, still two hours before dusk

With only minor casualties, nearly one-third of the enemy was eliminated, a victory that greatly uplifted the mercenaries, and that night every soldier celebrated with hearty drinks

A battle where a single move determines victory or defeat is intentionally drawing a tie, which is more difficult than winning. If not executed properly, one may miss the mark. Achieving this indicates that one's strength far surpasses that of the opponent

The First Squad is designated as the Assault Team, specifically tasked with challenging missions such as breakthroughs and assaults. The soldiers possess the highest quality among all squads, and the squad leader is none other than the regiment's foremost swordsman, Doniel

After washing up, everyone changed into clean clothes and set out armed.

Due to the advance notice given to the merchant convoy to refrain from leaving the city, the group of goblins that had set out to attack the convoy returned to their dwelling empty-handed as the sun was setting.

The next day, the mercenaries hid among the merchant convoy to carry out their protection mission. When they encountered an attack by a large group of goblins, the goblins immediately retreated upon discovering that the convoy was heavily guarded by mercenaries

The other two squads are composed of light infantry drawn from the Third Squad and archers from the Fifth Squad

After traveling while taking on tasks to earn travel expenses, I came across information about a mercenary group recruiting personnel. I felt that it would be more convenient to act alongside the mercenary group, which is why I decided to apply.

This task was resolved even faster than expected, and the number of goblins exceeded the information provided by the client by more than one-third. The experienced negotiator Galant additionally requested the Casdo Chamber of Commerce to increase the compensation.

Searching for the enemy is not only dangerous but also inefficient

As he stepped out the door, Galante threw out a remark: "Why did you show mercy to Shebur's subordinates yesterday and not go all out?"

What should not have happened has indeed occurred; the ambush operation has resulted in aftereffects. Originally, the Goblin group, which only aimed to seize food supplies without pursuing the fleeing individuals, has begun to retaliate by hunting down merchants.

The matters have been completed ahead of schedule and I have returned. Now, gather everyone who is not present, and let those who are drunk sober up, as we need to discuss tomorrow's operational plan shortly

Someone wanted to witness Mu's marksmanship again, so they found a venue where several individuals took turns sparring with him. After the practice, Mu began to point out the areas in which they needed to improve their shooting skills

When asked for Mu's opinion, he merely stated that he did not have enough understanding of the goblins and suggested that everyone else should decide. Consequently, the outcome of the meeting was to proceed according to Shaflang's plan

In addition, there are small units such as the cavalry, logistics team, ambulance team, and the magician team (currently consisting of only two magicians)

The remaining two individuals were left speechless, as if the scene had turned to ashes; they revealed everything. From that moment on, Philia earned the title of "The Fiery Witch"

I prefer men! What do you think of the deputy squad leader

Upon hearing this request, the mercenaries all doubted whether they had misheard. Could it be that the commander regarded today's operation as a ceremony to attend?

In general, the summoning of shikigami in yin-yang arts is conducted using mediums such as talismans, puppets, or jade objects, in conjunction with incantations and texts

However, not excessively probing into others' privacy is one of the professional ethics of mercenaries. After all, since we will be spending some time together in the future, there will naturally be opportunities to learn more.

This battle was won easily, primarily due to the clear intelligence gathered on the goblin lair. When asked, Mu simply stated that it was obtained by tracking the goblins.

However, this statement clearly indicates that yesterday's competition was a deliberate concession, and his true abilities are far beyond this.

"Deputy Squad Leader, weren't you supposed to return tomorrow?" Badola spoke up to break the awkward silence

However, every time the Goblin Brother launched a probing attack and discovered a large number of mercenaries protecting, he would immediately retreat; conversely, if he found no such protection, he would launch a full-scale attack

Typically, after three cups, conversation becomes more abundant, and today’s topic, of course, is this victory

"If you want to conserve your strength, this is not the way to do it! Marching at this speed, it's no wonder we have to set off so early." This is what each of the veterans thought.

However, when the topic shifted to the commander, who had not been seen for two consecutive days, everyone began to speculate about where the deputy squad leader had gone and what he had been doing

After everything was arranged, he sat cross-legged and untied the cloth strip that was wrapped around his left elbow

"Hey, I see you always spend money on women, why not just marry a wife instead."

The Third Squad is a light infantry unit, and the squad leader, Phyllia, holds the highest position among women in the regiment

At this time, someone asked again why everyone should take a shower before setting off

"This... This situation shouldn't happen, right?" However, it was evident that Chafron lacked confidence when he said this.

The reason the Redhuaiya Mountain Range does not belong to any country is solely because it is the habitat of the fire dragon—Redhuaiya

When he employed the secret technique of Eastern Qi cultivation to concentrate the Qi in his left elbow, the normally covered and pale elbow unexpectedly revealed black patterns.

The squad leader of the Fifth Squad, Kang Bot, inquired: "What matter is worth your concern like this?"

As for the fourth squad, it is equipped with infantry. Although Xiuke La is the oldest among the officers, he has not neglected his martial skills. In terms of military strategy, he serves as Noxiu's advisor and is a respected veteran among the members of the regiment

When those few individuals sensed something was amiss and turned around, the bridge of their noses was struck by something, and then a warm, moist liquid with a metallic scent gushed forth from their nasal cavities

At this time, each goblin had to face several times the number of enemies, and thus these sporadic resistances quickly fell silent.

The mercenaries sustained only six minor injuries, which can be described as a resounding victory

As for the slow march, it is also to avoid generating a sweat odor that would alert the goblins

However, the group did not walk for long before taking a break; they walked and stopped along the way, making it feel more like an outing even to the less experienced mercenaries

Since he has considerable knowledge not only in marksmanship but also in formations and tactics, he should be quite competent and pleased to serve as the deputy captain

After explaining all the steps and actions of the attack plan, Mu instructed everyone to go back to sleep immediately, as they would need to wake up early the next day

The squad leader Shafulang proposed to disguise themselves as a merchant convoy to ambush the goblin group. Several officers believed this was the most ideal method, as searching for goblins in the wilderness is not an easy task

However, in order to conduct a thorough investigation, it is also necessary to employ another secret technique—soul transference

They traveled for a whole day before reaching their destination, where they first stayed in the temporary accommodation provided by the Casdo Chamber of Commerce, while also gathering information about the situation

After the discussion, Xiuke La will take Mu to see some items from the Fourth Squad and introduce him to several squad leaders currently remaining in the regiment.

After having a few glasses of cheap, low-quality liquor in the lounge, everyone began to talk more animatedly, fueled by the effects of the alcohol

"This is a punishment for your lack of vigilance; remember to be more alert next time," Mu said as he continued to walk forward

What does this mean? Badora began to feel that something was amiss

"Bowasen, your waist and leg strength are not being fully utilized. If you can correct your movements, your strikes will be faster and more powerful"

Intelligence indicates that this group of goblins is acting collectively, with an estimated number of around sixty.

The archers are assigned to the fifth squad, led by Captain Ryan, a renowned marksman. His rapid, fierce, and accurate shots have left many thieves and monsters lying dead beneath his arrows