Chapter 591: Follow with Your Life

The secret correspondence from Zi Di and Zong Ge swiftly reached Tripleblade and Fei She.

Since deepening cooperation with the Li Jian Clan, communication efficiency within the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had skyrocketed.

Inside the cabin, Tripleblade incinerated the decrypted letter.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A knock sounded at the door.

Tripleblade knew exactly who it was: “Come in.”

The next moment, Fei She pushed the door open and entered.

Fei She's brow furrowed, his face heavy with concern. “Are we really... really leaving port to restart military training?”

“It's too dangerous. We could be wiped out entirely.”

The flickering light from the burning paper illuminated Tripleblade's face as he turned to look at Fei She. “Didn't Miss Zi Di mention this in her secret letter?”

“This is both military training and a tactical operation to lure the enemy into an ambush.”

Zong Ge and Zi Di had each sent back secret letters, delivered through the Li Jian Clan's channels to Tripleblade and Fei She.

In the letters, they outlined the branch's upcoming plans.

Fei She sighed. “The Lord Pres, President told me that we must serve as bait, and coordinate with the Li Jian Clan's ambush forces.”

“This is far too dangerous!”

"The enemy's strength is too gre, great, gold level fighters appear endlessly. Even our alchemy workshop in Snow Bird Harbor was destroyed by them."

"Those sacrificial warriors are terrifying. They'd sacrifice their lives just to destroy the alchemy workshop."

“Magicians Bu Quan, Shuang Lian, and the Honey Snow Tower remain missing, unlikely to be alive...”

“Enough, Fei She," Tripleblade cut him off, “this is Lord Zong Ge's order. We only need to carry it out.”

Fei She shook his head, utterly baffled. “We'll die!”

“We barely escaped Mystifying Monster Island after enduring such peril. Why would we willingly risk our lives now?”

Tripleblade snorted coldly. "This decoy operation doesn't concern you, Fei She. Miss Zi Di has already made arrangements for your departure."

Fei She fell silent. He stared at Tripleblade, noting the latter's unwavering resolve, and could only say, “As instructed by the President, my mission is to pose as an inspector and observe the actual conditions of shops across the region. Therefore, I won't be traveling alone, I require a group to serve as my subordinates.”

“Oh?” Tripleblade was taken aback. This detail hadn't appeared in the secret letter Zong Ge had given him.

Fei She produced his own secret letter and its translated version, handing them to Tripleblade. “These are the President's instructions. You may verify them.”

Tripleblade was inclined to believe him—after all, the letters were easy to authenticate. Still, he took the documents and scanned them quickly.

Tripleblade instantly grasped Zi Di's meaning.

He snapped his head up, fixing Fei She with a stare. “You intend to take others with you?”

The “others” here referred to the other survivors.

Fei She shrugged. "I can't leave the mercenary corps alone; it'd be too conspicuous. So, I need a legitimate mission to carry out."

“Inspecting the specific operations and ledgers of local shops is both excellent and perfectly natural.”

“But I can't handle this alone, I'll need helpers, of course.”

Tripleblade fully grasped the meaning.

Zong Ge's letter was concise, but Tripleblade possessed extensive experience leading a mercenary group.

When he noticed discrepancies between Zong Ge and Zi Di's letters, he realized a rift had emerged between them.

“They failed to reach an agreement, hence the separate correspondence.”

“Previously, there was always just one letter.”

“Zi Di wants to rescue the other survivors, after all, this diversionary tactic is extremely dangerous.”

“And since Lord Zong Ge didn't specifically mention this in his letter, his intentions are quite clear!”

At this thought, Tripleblade shook his head. “You cannot take the other survivors with you.”

“Because they each have their assigned roles. If they're pulled out and gathered together, it will arouse great suspicion.”

"In fact, the same applies to you. Your role aboard the ship is as a cook. Being assigned to this inspection team is already an exceptional arrangement."

"Externally, it could be portrayed as: you bribed higher-ups and schemed your way in. But it's impossible for everyone else to have schemed their way in too. That would make the higher-ups of our Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps look utterly incompetent, it defies common sense."

“Under normal circumstances, the inspection team must include transcendents. Having an iron level leader is most appropriate.”

"Silver level combat power is extremely valuable to the branch. Therefore, neither Men Shi nor Chi Lai can leave."

“Bronze level is too low; Iron level is the most suitable.”

“Tripleblade!” Fei She glared, "What the hell are you trying to do? They're my, our comrades!"

Bam!

Tripleblade slammed his fist on the table, leaping to his feet. “You're the one who's blind!”

“Don't you see the situation?”

“If we redeploy personnel as you, no, as Zi Di suggests, it'll be a massive vulnerability!”

“The enemy will grow suspicious!”

"Then, not only will our bait ambush plan fail, but your inspection team will be in grave danger too. The enemy will take a keen interest in you."

Fei She fell silent.

Tripleblade took several deep breaths before slowly sitting down. “I can't let these minor issues jeopardize the greater mission.”

“I'll personally select the specific personnel for the operation. You only need to participate.”

“Lord Zong Ge's arrangement is most appropriate. Miss Zi Di isn't a soldier after all. I understand, but I won't carry it out.”

Fei She stared at Tripleblade: “At the very least, our comrades, our companions, deserve to know, right?”

Without hesitation, Tripleblade shook his head: "No need to inform them. Once they know, their words and actions will become telltale signs, giving us away to the enemy."

“Even though we've been holed up at Snow Bird Harbor's docks, the enemy's eyes are surely upon us.”

“Fei She, deep down you know this is the safest, most prudent course, don't you?”

“Don't let irrelevant emotions cloud your judgment!”

Fei She gritted his teeth, making one final effort: “So... we just disregard the, their lives?”

Tripleblade snorted coldly: "Isn't that the nature of military operations? How can one be so hesitant? Even in your business dealings, is every transaction guaranteed profit? Though I know little of commerce, I understand that greater risks often yield greater rewards!"

"Besides, I will remain stationed here, steadfastly executing Lord Zong Ge's orders. If they sacrifice themselves, I fear I will too."

Tripleblade lowered his gaze to the secret letter on the table, now reduced to ashes. "Lord Zong Ge faces two deadly dangers, yet he has decided to accept external challenges. He aims to continue showcasing his prowess at the Ice Sculpture National Ceremony, raising the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' banner high!"

"With our commander leading thus, how could his subordinates shirk danger?!"

Fei She was deeply moved.

In that moment, he sensed Tripleblade's unshakable loyalty to Zong Ge.

“This guy is truly risking his life to follow Zong Ge...” Fei She marveled inwardly.

He was merely a mortal; he couldn't sway Tripleblade. With no other option, he could only withdraw.

Before closing the door, Tripleblade deliberately added, “Fei She, consider carefully the predicament your President faces.”

“I believe she's been too deeply influenced by our commander, becoming overly idealistic.”

“Everything must be grounded in reality.”

“We must not be overly optimistic, nor underestimate our enemies!”

"One misstep, and we risk losing everything. What does it matter if we sacrifice our lives? The crucial point is Lord Zong Ge, and your President..."

“The laughable part is, our commander is nowhere to be found even now. He might have met with misfortune, or he might still be alive, but at least he won't be implicated.”

"Fei She, don't be so naive. If you want to save others, you must save yourself first."

“Do you want this incident to create a flaw that ultimately leads to your President's death?”

“Oh, she's already dead.”

“What I mean is, do you want her undead status exposed, purged completely by the enemy, leaving no chance for resurrection?”

Fei She's body trembled violently. With vacant eyes, he slowly closed the hatch.

Tripleblade's final warning struck deep into Fei She's heart.

He walked with head bowed, lost in thought: “Tripleblade is right.”

“If I carry out the President's orders like this, it will be a weakness.”

“It could easily be detected by the enemy, and it could endanger the President.”

This was the last thing Fei She wanted to see happen.

He was a founding member of the Wisteria Merchant Alliance, having built it from nothing alongside Zi Di's father, climbing from humble beginnings to prominence.

Through the arduous expansion of their enterprise, he and Zi Di's father had developed a deep bond and seamless partnership.

He had practically watched Zi Di grow up.

Fei She himself had no descendants.

After Zi Di's father passed away, a profound sense of responsibility naturally arose within Fei She. He sought to take his place, safeguarding Zi Di's safety.

Zi Di, disregarding the peril, became the new president of the Wisteria Merchant Alliance. Fei She was strongly opposed, but he was but a mortal, unable to sway the will of the magician Zi Di.

He could only accompany her, doing his utmost to assist Zi Di in steering the restructured Wisteria Merchant Alliance.

He could only stand by her side as they journeyed across the Wilderness Continent, to Mystifying Monster Island, Snake Rat Island, Two Eyes Island, Ice Sculpture Island...

When he discovered Zi Di had fallen for the dragonman youngster, his feelings were complex. He had tried to dissuade the dragonman youngster, but in the end, he could only offer silent blessings.

When Zi Di died, Fei She was utterly heartbroken, wishing he could have taken her place. When Zi Di became a necromancer, Fei She felt no aversion, standing steadfastly behind her. Resurrection was not only Zi Di's wish, but his as well.

And when he witnessed the astonishing business acumen Zi Di displayed, he felt immense pride. At such moments, memories often flooded back, immersing him in the passionate days when he and Zi Di's father had stood shoulder to shoulder, expanding their commercial empire.

Dark corridors always had an end.

As Fei She traversed the corridor, climbed the stairs, and stepped onto the bright deck, he emerged from his reverie.

The deck bustled with activity.

Dogmen sparred against the water pigmen.

Among the spectators, Xu Ma secretly whispered with others, seemingly placing clandestine wagers.

Bai Ya watched with rapt attention, projecting himself onto the combatants, absorbing their battle experience.

Just then, Mu Ban dragged his weary body aboard from the gangplank, he’d just completed a trivial mercenary job: repairing furniture.

He spotted Fei She at the staircase entrance, gave a slight nod, and offered a subtle greeting. After all, on the surface, their relationship wasn’t particularly close. But bonds among survivors were always incredibly tight.

Fei She returned the nod.

Warm sunlight bathed him, yet his gaze grew cold. He thought to himself: “Even if these people are companions... they're not worth putting Miss Zi Di in danger.”