Chapter 510: Rime City & Igloo City

Deep within the Ice Sculpture Kingdom lay Rime City.

Inn 521.

The messenger, looking thoroughly worn from travel, paid his respects to Zi Di and Zong Ge: "I finally caught up with you. Urgent intelligence!"

The messenger's journey had taken even longer than Tripleblade had estimated.

The intelligence was encoded within a cryptographic letter, and the courier himself was unaware of its contents.

This encryption method was a standard practice among mercenary groups. It could be deciphered, but it demanded significant time and manpower.

Of course, this wasn't the only layer of encryption.

Zi Di retrieved a pair of alchemy spectacles and donned them. The text within the letter was transformed once more.

This was another layer of encryption, one far more reliable.

The reason was that the design blueprint for this compact alchemy device originated from the War Merchant's database.

Its inclusion in the War Merchant's archives meant it possessed unique merits.

“Could this be news about the commander?” Zi Di felt a surge of hope, but as the decryption was completed, she saw the true content of the intelligence.

Disappointment washed over her, followed by a sudden tightening of her expression as she grasped the gravity of the situation.

She scanned the decrypted intelligence a second time before handing it to Zong Ge beside her.

Zong Ge took it, read through it, and immediately furrowed his brow.

The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' caravan, despite being under the protection of the Axe Gang, had been attacked.

Two gold level fighters had appeared, and a fierce battle had ensued.

Clearly, the enemy had struck!

What kind of force was this? It was far too powerful! They had dispatched gold level fighters once again! Moreover, the one who arrived later might also be one.

This was definitely not an ordinary gold level force.

Groups like the Bayonet Gang were typical gold level forces, possessing one or two gold level fighters.

But this group? First they took out Teng Dong Lang, then three more fell in one go, and they could immediately deploy another gold level, maybe even two!

“Is this an alliance formed between gold level factions?” Zong Ge speculated inwardly.

Earlier, he'd guessed that this alliance likely had military connections. But now, Qing Hong Yan's appearance had thrown Zong Ge's suspicions into disarray.

Even rabbitmen had appeared. This organization's membership was far too broad. The combat power they had revealed alone was deeply unsettling.

How much more strength lay hidden beneath the surface?

“They're tough to deal with!”

“Not only do they vastly outmatch us in strength, but they've also responded correctly.”

"We traveled from Snow Rabbit City to Rime City, a considerable distance, yet we faced no attacks. Not even a single probe."

“Until they understand our group's methods, I doubt they'll attack again.”

Zong Ge's analysis earned a slight nod of agreement from Zi Di.

To be fair, Zong Ge's feat of defeating three opponents single-handedly was indeed formidable. The battlefield bore few traces, their clash erupting with minimal light or sound.

Zong Ge's swift victory had caused the enemy to severely overestimate their combat strength.

The foe hesitated yet did not cease their pursuit. Instead, they adopted the correct tactic - attacking the enemy's weak points!

Zi Di now felt profoundly distressed.

The commercial venture she had designed and spearheaded targeted the entire Ice Sculpture Kingdom market.

The massive cash haul seized by the survivors on Two Eyes Island formed its foundational strength. The assessments of the situation by the young commander, Zi Di, and others, along with considerations for future retreat routes, had led Zi Di to decisively execute this plan.

Originally, she believed: the alliance with the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord had made Snow Bird Harbor the best starting point for the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. Collaborating with the Li Jian Clan had paved the way, giving them a powerful guide.

Unexpectedly, the actual execution would encounter such immense difficulties.

“The enemy is too powerful!”

“Even if Father were still alive, the Wisteria Merchant Alliance at its peak wouldn't dare provoke such a force.”

“The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps is still weak. We haven't fully developed yet, and now we've made mortal enemies with this power.”

“Ah, where are you, commander?”

Zi Di frowned deeply, weighed down by immense pressure.

“Fortunately, we still have one genuine gold level member here.”

Zi Di shot a subtle glance at Zong Ge.

She believed that in this situation, Zong Ge advancing to gold level would undoubtedly bring more benefits than drawbacks.

“But we can't rely solely on Zong Ge...”

Zong Ge shared Zi Di's assessment. “Even if I reach gold level, I alone could never take on such a massive hostile force.”

“The most critical point is this: the enemy organization lurks in the shadows, revealing nothing. That prevents us from launching a preemptive strike.”

So far, the survivors only knew that the Bayonet Gang, the Axe Gang, and the exposed rabbitman Qing Hong Yan were all members of hostile factions. As for Gu Dong, it couldn't be ruled out that he was acting alongside Qing Hong Yan; suspicion remained.

The survivors didn't even know the names of the enemy factions!

Well as a matter of fact, someone within the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps did know.

That person was Lan Zao.

The young man had followed the remnants of the Bayonet Gang into Tranquil Hill, effectively entering the enemy's stronghold.

He had even seen the tombstones at the summit of Tranquil Hill, recognizing many of the names inscribed there.

Among those names were enemies who had attacked the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!

But Lan Zao remained unaware that the two sides were adversaries currently locked in conflict.

Even if he did know, he had no way to relay this invaluable intelligence back.

Zong Ge first sent the messenger to rest, then discussed the situation with Zi Di in a grave tone: “The situation is extremely unfavorable for us.”

“We're completely on the defensive.”

“Even if we wanted to attack, we couldn't find a target.”

"Conversely, since the enemy adopted a strategy of attacking our weak points and succeeded the first time. Even if we suffered few tangible losses, the fact remains exposed, our defenses in this area are inadequate."

“Next, the enemy will undoubtedly target our weaknesses and strike relentlessly.”

“Though we've secretly partnered with the Mountain Peak Merchant Alliance, as long as our potions continue selling across the kingdom, the enemy will soon discover and intensify their attacks!”

Zi Di paced for a moment, her tone resolute: “We cannot halt our commercial plan.”

She understood all too well: the stakes were too high this time. Partnerships had already been forged with the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord and the Li Jian Clan.

Terminating it now would mean abandoning all prior efforts and investments, all of it would go down the drain.

The resulting losses would be too great, leaving the survivors severely weakened.

Crucially, there was also the cost of time!

Regardless of the outcome of the redemption plan, strengthening the survivors as much as possible was undoubtedly the right course.

But halting this business venture would disrupt their development rhythm, causing delays that would drag down too many.

Currently, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' primary funds were invested in this commercial plan.

This venture was Zi Di's initiative.

Should it fail, even with her unshakable bond to the dragonman youngster, she felt the loss would be too great.

This wasn't just her personal stake; it was the collective's capital.

Success in redemption would be one thing, but failure...

In short, she couldn't betray her comrades' trust nor bear such immense responsibility.

After rapid deliberation, Zi Di declared with resolve: “We cannot possibly overcome such a force alone. We absolutely must bring in external support.”

“The Li Jian Clan is our top choice.”

“We already have an existing partnership with them. Now is the perfect time to deepen that collaboration!”

Zong Ge pondered: "The Li Jian Clan ranks among the top three great families of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom. But even so, their combat strength level can't match our enemy's."

“None of the kingdom's three saints belong to the Li Jian Clan.”

“They might not agree to deepen our cooperation.”

Zi Di gave a cold laugh, her voice tinged with confidence: “They absolutely will!”

“Many deals fall through simply because the price isn't high enough.”

Zong Ge fixed Zi Di with a deep gaze, sensing her conviction. Trusting her business acumen, he swiftly concluded this was highly feasible.

He immediately revised their itinerary: “Next, we head to the Li Jian Clan's Igloo City!”

“Additionally, we must reinforce the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps branch's defenses.”

“The enemy has no shortage of gold level fighters. Personal ambushes are the most likely tactic. They won't launch a full-scale assault on Snow Bird Harbor.”

Zong Ge made a series of military assessments.

The hostile organization had always concealed its strength, never making any major moves.

Even Qing Hong Yan, who attacked the caravans, was a rabbitman.

Rabbitmen were a minority within the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.

Zong Ge estimated that even if they followed this lead, tracing it back to its source would yield little evidence.

Even if they attacked the rabbitman race, they wouldn't directly confront the main culprits.

Without locating the enemy's main force, only knowing of their flanking units, Zong Ge dared not launch a rash attack - this could very well be the enemy's bait!

Zi Di said, "The area around Bu Quan is also extremely dangerous right now! Our alchemy workshop where we brew potions is the lifeblood of our business plan. If it gets destroyed, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Snow Bird Harbor currently served as the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' headquarters.

Yet it remains a critical weak point, as the troops stationed there are practically useless.

Unless a gold level guardian were stationed there.

The most prominent gold level figure in Snow Bird Harbor with ties to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps is the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord himself. But surely they couldn't ask him to guard the workshop?

It wasn't impossible, but the cost would be too high, too much exposure, too great a risk.

Zi Di continued, “The branch's defenses are extremely weak.”

“To safeguard our business plan, we must prepare contingency measures. Should the alchemy workshop be destroyed, we must have a backup.”

“This trip to Igloo City to negotiate with the Li Jian Clan might secure them as subcontractors.”

“Along our route, we can also scout uninhabited areas and covertly establish alchemy factories.”

Zi Di was resolute.

She understood clearly there was no turning back. The survivors had invested too heavily in this endeavor; the sunk costs were too great.

They had no choice but to press forward.

Of course, this wasn't mere stubbornness, nor was it blind denial of reality. It certainly wasn't the reckless gambler who, having lost everything, bet everything in a desperate, irrational frenzy. Rather, Zi Di saw that the situation still held potential.

“Deepening our partnership with the Li Jian Clan could alleviate the current dire situation.”

“But this approach carries hidden risks,” Zi Di sighed inwardly.

The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was the weaker party, while the Li Jian Clan held the upper hand. Strengthening the alliance risked the weaker side being overtaken by the stronger.

Future gains would inevitably shrink significantly.

This was precisely why Zi Di had avoided such a partnership before.

After all, such a formidable hostile force hadn't yet emerged back then. Zi Di had believed the survivors' situation was highly favorable at the time.

“We must impose stricter limitations on the cooperation agreement.”

“Furthermore, since the enemy is likely to attack the alchemy workshop, we must also ensure Bu Quan's safety.”

“She's a rare talent!”

"I recall Bu Quan was highly regarded by her mentor at the Alchemy Guild. Could we leverage that connection to enlist her mentor's support?"

Zong Ge nodded. “It's worth a try.”

The enemy's strength was overwhelming; any external aid was worth considering.

Zi Di: "We outsiders know little of her relationship with her mentor. We should write to Bu Quan, explain the situation, urge her to stay vigilant, and ask her mentor to intervene if possible."

Zong Ge: "The enemy is too formidable. This time, we can enlist the Li Jian Clan to make the report through them. If we can mobilize the official forces of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom against the enemy, our situation will improve significantly."

After finalizing their plan, Zi Di hurried out of the inn and headed for the alchemist's shop in Rime City.

She intended to arrange personnel and consolidate the commercial hub in Rime City today, then depart for Igloo City tomorrow.