Strongest Soldier King

"How did the enemy know we were resting in the woods?" the Gardener suddenly said from the side.

"Yeah, if they had known earlier, they wouldn't have waited until midnight to launch a sneak attack, and sending only one person suggests that either we haven't been discovered, or the East Yi Yun Members sent that person alone. If it's the latter, they should have had a large force surrounding us from the outside. We haven't encountered any enemies on the way here, which is strange," the Farmer said in surprise, seeing that Luo Zheng was deep in thought, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Brother Luo Zheng, what do you think?"

Luo Zheng was still thinking about the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group. Hearing the Farmer's question, he forced a smile and said, "Who knows?"

"You always have good insights, why no ideas this time? What's wrong?" the Monk asked in surprise.

"Did you recognize that person?" The Scholar also noticed something was off about Luo Zheng and, recalling the previously daunting look on Luo Zheng's face, he had a feeling there was an issue at hand. He couldn't help but ask, staring intently at Luo Zheng like the twinkling stars in the night sky.

"Didn't you say it might be a mercenary? It does look like it. What should we do next? Should we try to get as far away as possible before dawn?" Luo Zheng felt it was best not to reveal the truth, to avoid causing everyone to worry. The Wild Wolf Mercenary Group was just too formidable, and any added concern could affect their fighting capability.

"That sounds good. What do the rest of you think?" The Scholar didn't press on and simply agreed, then looked at the others.

After a moment of contemplation, everyone nodded. The group rested for a few minutes before continuing on their journey. The Monk carried the wounded Farmer on his back again, the Gardener scouted ahead, and Luo Zheng brought up the rear. The team resumed their march, although at a slower pace than before. Under the dim moonlight, their figures appeared somewhat eerie.

┅┅.

In a dimly lit village, low houses stood silent against the night sky, with faint lights appearing somewhat abrupt beneath the veil of darkness. Inside a courtyard house, an oil lamp flickered in the breeze. In the yard, several men stood in dark corners, their expressions as stern as iron, fully armed, their eyes cold as the winter stars, detached and ruthless.

Inside the house, a tall man stood next to a table, his hair cut short. His face was as unyielding as granite, devoid of any expression. Dressed in camouflage, with a short gun holstered on his tactical belt, his fists were clenched on the tabletop, his brows furrowed as he poured over a map.

Behind the tall man, on one side, stood two muscular, fully-armed men, their exposed muscles astonishing, as if they possessed boundless strength. Their eyes were sharp as knives, they watched the surrounding people vigilantly, like bloodthirsty beasts ready to deliver a fatal strike to their prey at any moment.

A middle-aged man with a big beard, dressed in a black robe and a white headscarf, stood quietly next to the tall man and said, "Mr. Fox Wolf, two hours have already passed. Why is there still no word from the scout you sent out? Don't forget, your Wild Wolf Mercenary Group are the hired soldiers, and we are the employers. I do not wish to miss the opportunity for battle because of you."

The man known as Fox Wolf was the second in command of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group, cunning as a fox and fierce as a wild wolf. People in the mercenary group revered him as Fox Wolf. This time, Fox Wolf himself led the team, aiming straight for Luo Zheng. Upon learning that Luo Zheng was participating in the competition, Fox Wolf proactively approached the East Turkestan Movement and accepted the hire. In the daytime, Fox Wolf discovered one of the competing teams and sent his men to confirm their identities, however, officially it was claimed they were scouting the enemy.

"Go check it out," Fox Wolf said without a change in expression, his eyes never leaving the map. A man standing behind him like a javelin responded then left in a hurry, leaving another still standing motionless, as if he were a statue.

"Mr. Fox Wolf, I am grateful for your intervention, and I will strictly adhere to our agreement, but please act quickly," the bearded middle-aged man said with some dissatisfaction. "My men have already been breached at several lines of defense, and multiple squads have gone over, even my forward command post has been burnt to ashes. This vendetta must be avenged. As agreed, we will take action upon your reconnaissance, but of course, I will pay the mercenaries' fee. I am curious, isn't over two hours enough to clarify the enemy situation?"

Fox Wolf lifted his head, a cold, blade-like gleam flashing across the middle-aged man, sending a shiver down his spine and a chill creeping over him, making him gasp and speak in annoyance, "Mr. Fox Wolf, those people are the squad that attacked my forward command post. If you're unable to uncover any valuable intelligence, I will have to lead an attack myself. Don't blame me for breaking our agreement when that happens."

"Is that so?" Fox Wolf said coldly, a hint of sarcasm fleeting across his eyes but well concealed; his deep eyes turned towards the door as someone entered—it was the man who had just gone out, wearing a troubled expression. Fox Wolf immediately guessed what had happened, his face turned cold, and a murderous aura burst forth from his eyes.

"What happened?" the bearded middle-aged man asked, pressing for information.

"My men are dead, there's no valuable intelligence," Fox Wolf said coldly.

"Aren't you supposed to be..." the bearded middle-aged man started in surprise but was interrupted by a dismissive wave of Fox Wolf's hand.

"Since we are here, we will see the job through to the end. You're aware of the reputation of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group—no success, no survival. Moreover, now that my men have fallen here, the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group vows revenge. No matter where the enemy hides, this is known in the Mercenary World, and I believe you are no stranger to it. Now it's not just about your cause or the hiring contract, it's also about our own vendetta," Fox Wolf stated coldly. Although he was not certain if the target was among those people, another had been killed. No matter who it was, the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group had to pursue them relentlessly like a wolf, not resting until the death, which was the purpose of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group and the key principle upon which they survived.

"I hope so. What now?" Knowing the style and combat capability of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group, the bearded middle-aged man gave it some thought and couldn't help but ask.

"Inform your men to get ready, we shall bite down like wolves, not resting until death," Fox Wolf responded coldly, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits shining with a frightening killing intent.

The bearded middle-aged man thought for a moment, then took the others and hurried out the door. Watching the bearded middle-aged man leave, Fox Wolf coldly commanded, "Pass my order, we move in five minutes, pursue and track. I've already scented the target, surely among those people. Whoever kills members of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group must die, it's time for revenge for our brethren. Tell them, not resting until death."

"Yes," the two men behind replied in unison, their battle spirits boiling and mouths twisted in a bloodthirsty, cold smirk, as they marched off with large strides.