After completing all the procedures, the mercenaries that had been purchased were first housed in the receiving area at the gates of the city.
Seeing that it was only three o’clock, Su Mo sent Turner back to look after the exchange and continued on his stroll with Hao Qiang.
Su Mo had also incidentally figured out the drawbacks of cracking the mark while settling Hao Qiang’s identity.
In terms of the seriousness of the issue, it was not that huge.
In general, the problem only had to be considered after the contribution points stored in everyone’s marks had been reduced to 100.
When that time came, if they were within the territory, but not in Freedom City, they would be forced to “wipe the data inside the mark”. Without the majority of its data, the authority to use the template would also be locked, and it would essentially display the same problems as that of a haphazardly cracked version.
If someone else were to transfer points to the broken mark at this time, it would be forced to turn on, but its status would still be marked with a yellow warning, and a fine of 500 points would have to be paid.
This kind of situation had occurred plenty of times within the territory of the demon race ever since the mercenary system was implemented.
Hence, even two ordinary gatekeepers would dare to use their authority to forcibly erase the warning since they only needed to pay a fine.
“Leader, I’ll head over there to look around. Should we split up?”
The inner city was smaller compared to the outer city, but it was more densely packed with exchanges.
Seeing that Hao Qiang was more interested in the ordinary goods on the other side, Su Mo nodded happily after a moment’s thought. They split up after agreeing to a time and location to meet up later.
This was also due to the fact that one needed to possess, at bare minimum, a green mark, as well as a template of Level 3 or higher, in order to enter the inner city.
The strength of the individuals wandering around and trading in the inner city was not only much stronger than those outside, but the items being sold in the exchanges were also rarer.
Simply walking into an inner city exchange that sold weapons and armor, one could immediately see the rare weapons that utilized Old Era technology displayed on the cabinet outside.
Although the grade and rarity of those items could only be considered ordinary, to ordinary people, in terms of personal protection and safety, it was definitely sufficient for their needs so long as they had one or two items!
In some exchanges that sold imported products, Su Mo noticed rice cookers, hand-held pesticide sprays, water pumps, mining lamps, and other “rare” items that only humans could make.
“Lord Harl, would you like two?”
Seeing Su Mo looking around the shop, the servant in charge of sales and entertaining guests came up to him with a curious look on his face.
Due to the products’ properties, coupled with the fact that there was no market reference in which to price them, even the most common imported products were being sold at a little over 1000 points in the inner city.
For example, the price of any electronic products that reached a baseline degree of scientific and technological standard would be randomly set around 10000 points.
“These are selling well, and we won’t have stock for next time!”
He picked up something that looked like a mobile phone. After noting that the price was 48888 points, Su Mo shivered and quickly put it back.
The demon race did not know how to use mobile phones and computers. These were items that only humans knew how to use.
However, this did not prevent them from recognizing the sophistication of these objects and then trying to sell them at high prices.
At present, he had spent all the profits that he had earned from the Fire Exchange on his purchase of the mercenaries. He was now considering how the remaining funds should be managed and laid out for the future.
Turning around reluctantly, Su Mo strode out of the exchange.
“I wonder where the demon race got these goods from. How truly strange.”
“If there were 18000 individuals in the basin area, each with a steel gun in hand, we might still prefer to fight and rob others, but our current situation means that we can only find ways to make more money!”
“Perhaps I should contact the Lord of the demon race, Shi Ren, in advance?”
Memorizing the name of the exchange that sold imported products, and recalling the area Shi Ren was in charge of, Su Mo continued moving forward thoughtfully.
Based on what the previous servant said, this human, who was clearly aware of the location of the large gathering place of humans, had been on sale in the inner city of the demon race for many days. Not to mention, many people had seen him, but no one had actually purchased him due to the inherent risk of pursuing such an initiative.
As the external steward of Freedom City, who was also secretly Lord of the demon race, Shi Ren definitely would have received news of this individual before this, and perhaps had even met the person more than once.
However, he did not purchase him then, nor did he do so later. He only bought him after Hao Qiang discovered him and the news of this human gathering point.
What this coincidence implied was sufficiently thought-provoking.
“How interesting. I didn’t expect that Shi Ren would already have the intention to look for me even before I looked for him. No, he is likely not looking for Harl, but rather…”
“Almighty Su of the humans in the basin area!”
Considering the other’s motives, Su Mo only needed to briefly make some guesses before he managed to thoroughly decipher Shi Ren’s thoughts.
Harl was in contact with Almighty Su of the humans; this was information that all of those within the higher echelons of the demon race should have already been privy to.
In a situation where they did not know the strength of their opponents, they had to rely on their knowledge of their opponent’s past achievements in battle. In these individuals’ hearts, it was likely that the true strength of the basin area was not lower than that of the Light Empire. In fact, it might be even higher.
They were already facing a difficult enemy so, of course, the demon race would try its best to avoid making more enemies for themselves to avoid being attacked from both sides.
For Lord Shi Ren, he wished to tip the scales and regain his authority and control over the demon race.
To do this, he needed not only the cooperation of the internal forces under him, but also a reliable external ally to aid him.
“The dwarves are now expanding their territory at a rapid pace. They are relying on the large population to seize more resources, and they definitely have no intention of involving themselves with the strife within the demon race.”
“The Ents are too far away, plus they are arrogant and difficult to negotiate with and control. Not only that, their combat effectiveness is limited once they surpass the boundaries of their territory, so they won’t be good partners either.”
“Among the neighbors of the demon races, it seems that only the basin area is the only suitable candidate.”
“And if he wants to make contact with the basin area, then this Shi Ren…”
Owing to the obstruction of communication, and the two not having seen each other since their last meeting, Shi Ren definitely would not have imagined that Su Mo would have completely seen through his motives before they had even met again.
“It seems that my plan for occupation can be put into motion in advance!”
“I’ll have to immediately find a way to kill Shi Ren and replace him once I’ve accumulated the 20000 survival points required to transfer his mark!”
After mapping things out mentally, Su Mo no longer bothered with his shopping excursion.
After he returned to the agreed upon location and mulled over a few other details, the two met up and began to walk toward the outer city.
With the staff having already made settlements in advance, the seven mercenaries had already been waiting for a long time by the time Su Mo reached the city gates.
With the seven individuals, the group began making their way back.
Swoosh!
Passing through the familiar detector, the barrier of the inner city disappeared, revealing the original color of the sky of the wasteland.
It was already 6 pm due to the delay, and it was time for the exchanges in the outer city to close.
Relying on the afterglow of the sunset in the sky, foot traffic flowed from inside Freedom City; some returning home, while others were leaving the city.
“How about it? Don’t you feel like you’ve been reborn?”
It was a familiar yet unfamiliar scene. For all mercenaries, it was like a completely different world.
Hearing Su Mo’s amusing query, everyone nodded somewhat numbly.
However, the moment Su Mo uttered the next line of words, their eyes shone with a faint trace of light instead!
“Come on. Let’s go home!”
Home.
It was a strange term for mercenaries.
For them who were burdened with resentment and missions, it was an extremely luxurious thing!
Seeing that Su Mo was already walking forward with large strides, everyone stumbled for a moment. After glancing at the gateway stones that were already glowing faintly behind them, their steps became more hurried as they rushed to catch up.
Looking at it from the outside, it did not seem to be much different from when they had left the exchange where they had been purchased.
However, from their subtle movements and expressions, one would be able to notice a trace of something that was very difficult to find in other mercenaries…
Hope!
…
“My lord, you have returned!”
“These are…”
From a distance, he noticed that Su Mo had brought seven new faces back with him. A glimmer of doubt flashed across the gaze of the Ent who was in charge of housekeeping.
He subconsciously sent messages directly through the mark simultaneously.
However, unlike when he usually sent messages before, the other side replied instantly.
This time, even though Su Mo walked into the exchange after his long absence with a smile, it felt like there would be something ominous happening!
He seemed to realize something in that instant, and the Ent immediately became a little flustered.
However, seeing his seven new colleagues wearing the same smile as Su Mo, he roused his spirit and greeted them.
“Everyone, I suppose you’re all new here? Let me introduce you to the rules of our exchange.”
“This is…”
“There’s no need for that. Come on in, everyone. There is something I need to announce!”
Before the Ent could finish speaking in his slightly trembling voice, Su Mo’s voice had already rang out across the outer hall.
In that instant, although the situation had yet to sink in completely, the Ent subconsciously started moving.
However, in his field of vision, his seven new colleagues immediately surrounded him. He could sense that they would immediately attack him the moment he moved.
Looking at the malicious intent in the gazes of these individuals, the Ent went cold, but he still forced a tearful smile to his face.
“What is this? What are you all doing? We’re all part of the same family here!”
“Let’s go, let’s go. I’ll show you the way!”
Like a kidnapped victim, the moment the Ent was surrounded, the mercenaries in the rear quickly closed and bolted the door.
As he was being “escorted” all the way to the courtyard, the Ent’s legs went soft, and all his branches and leaves shivered when he saw the other mercenaries who were already kneeling on the ground.
“Eighteen people, very good. Everyone in our family is more or less together now.”
“Come now, let’s talk about it. Which “lord” did you all divulge information about us to?”
“Right, don’t think about asking for help from the people behind you. I think they should know better than you what’s happening now.”
On the journey back with the mercenaries, Su Mo did not choose to traverse the small, secluded alleys, nor did he choose to move in separate groups.
In plain sight of the end-of-day crowd, he had led the seven through the streets.
He did not deliberately avoid the main street or return from a different direction.
Su Mo did not have a single scruple when greeting some random folks along the way. He introduced them to the “experts” who he had spent a lot of money on, just like a vendor!
This performance of his had achieved pretty good results.
Up till now, all 18 were still standing here, and no one had left.
It was kind of like a “choice” and “compromise” made by the people behind them.
“I’ll talk, I’ll talk. Master Harl, please don’t kill me.”
After sending more than a dozen messages in a row and ascertaining that the opposite party had blacklisted him, and that there would be no reply, several of the chefs who were in charge of meals immediately knelt to the ground, kowtowing, pleading, and even begging.
“It was a werewolf who found us. His name was Ha Jin and he promised the three of us a hundred contribution points a day.”
“Our task was to report what the master ate, where he went, and…”
Turner, who was standing to the side, came forward abruptly. “And what?”
“And when necessary… commit arson!”
Wow!
Hearing the word “arson”, Su Mo’s heart went cold despite already having some speculations about the matter.
They were like racketeers who would set fire to their enemy warehouses.
It was very obvious that the other party also knew where the Fire Exchange’s weaknesses were.
They had relied on their identities as cooks; so long as three turncoats pretended to slip up a little, the entire place would instantly turn into a sea of fire.
All their materials, as well as the house they inherited, would all turn into ashes in the sea of fire!
When that happened, Harl and Turner would be without money or status. They would just be ordinary Level 3 template users.
The masterminds behind them, of course, would be able to utilize powerful means to suppress them!
“Master, we are also willing to confess, the people who hired us were…”
After the three mercenaries spoke, the others gave up as well. They revealed their collusion with the outsiders clearly like pouring beans from a bamboo barrel.
There were 17 individuals, and 11 forces behind them.
The seven mercenaries who had just been purchased could still maintain their composure while the few people in the front were talking.
However, when they reached the end, when these people revealed more and more insidious means, even they could not help but display murderous intent in their eyes.
The three who were in charge of maintaining order were usually responsible for recording the latest activities within the exchange, transmitting the information promptly, and then immediately aiding the relevant individuals in creating trouble during critical moments.
The five who sorted the goods coming in and out were usually responsible for recording and reporting the sales of goods, replacing them during critical moments with shoddy goods, and even stealing valuable goods, which would lead to Fire Exchange gaining an unsavory reputation.
The door guards were responsible for soliciting the five who received guests, sorting out the Fire Exchange membership list and reporting it during ordinary times, and transferring stolen copies of the contract placed in the store during the critical moments to reap huge benefits!
When it came to the two in charge of cleaning up the courtyard, their means were even more ruthless!
Usually, they would be in charge of keeping an ear out for information on whatever the two brothers spoke of, about what they did, and report them to the top word for word.
When it came to the critical moment, they would immediately strike by using the poison and destroy all the evidence of criminal activity!
Like a hidden blade, all 18 individuals had made preparations to destroy the entire exchange and the people living in it.
With the convenience of communication through the marks, whatever the people living in here said this second would possibly be picked up by them and reported to those behind them the very next second.
“Very good, very good. You’re all very good!”
After recording everyone’s crimes on paper, Turner shivered with anger. His face was even twitching involuntarily as he looked at these “blood-stained” words.
“L… let me ask you, do all of you not know… who the big shots are behind these people?”
“Why would you choose to betray us?”
“Did you really all believe their words blindly, thinking that they would protect you all?”
Faced with Turner’s angry questions, all 18 were silent.
It was a huge gamble, where the two ends of the scale were freedom and wealth, or death.
From the beginning to the end, no one could blame these gamblers for making the wrong choice.
If one had to put the blame on someone, they could only blame Fire Exchange for rising too late, or perhaps too “early”.
Who would have thought that a destitute, substandard exchange that lacked backing would have risen to the top 20 after just a short period of time?
In addition, who would have thought that Harl, who had initially failed to explore the basin area, could continue building connections magically, and even become a close business partner of the city guard?
“Alright, Turner. Send them on their way!”
“Having made the gamble, they naturally have to reap the resulting consequences!”
He put away the evidence that recorded everyone’s crimes, then turned around and looked at everyone present deeply. Su Mo unleashed the restrictive force from his mark.
As the owner of that group of mercenaries, everyone instantly lost physical control of their bodies and became lambs awaiting slaughter under the restrictions of his mark’s authority.
Filled with anger, Turner licked his lips and stepped forward, machete in hand.
With the first strike of the machete, blood sprayed everywhere. Su Mo nodded his head and the seven mercenaries wisely came forward.
“You guys don’t have to worry!”
“We’ll be a family from now on!”
“Whoever betrays me, even if they were to escape to the ends of the earth, I will personally catch up with them and take back the life I’ve given them.”
“But for those who are loyal to me, I will give them freedom. I will give them strength and help them to fulfill all their wishes!”
A carrot and stick approach was always the best way to control people.
Listening to the screams behind them, all the mercenaries shrunk their necks; there was a sense of fear in their eyes.
However, just as Su Mo was about to continue speaking, a knock sounded from the closed door, eliciting a clattering noise.
“So soon?”
No ordinary trader could be knocking on the door at this time.
He realized that only two of the mercenaries at the back had been dealt with, but somehow the person who would compensate him for the gambling debt had already come to the door. Su Mo frowned and motioned for Hao Qiang, who was standing at the side, to open the door.
Clack!
When the bolt on the door was removed, the door was slowly pushed open from the outside.
After looking at the two faces at the door, Su Mo’s face instantly burst into a brilliant smile after a moment of stupefaction.
“Oh, it is indeed a rare guest!”
“Steward Shi, quickly, please come in, please come in!”
