The Brotherhood, the Base.
A building at the center resembled a long sword, referred to by the Brotherhood as the "Sword Tower." At the top floor, at the hilt of the sword, was a spacious and bright reception hall.
Currently, in the reception hall, a middle-aged man in military uniform sat there, his face rough and one-eyed. Even without speaking, he exuded a ferocious aura.
Xia Houyan, the leader of the Brotherhood mercenary group, was a rather famous figure in the Su City, Xi City, and Ning City areas.
In terms of strength, the Brotherhood was far superior to the Battle Axe Alliance. They possessed over 40 cloud-level units alone, countless light and heavy weapons, and a total mercenary force of over 3,000 men. Their base was located along the Yangtze River, and through plundering, they had accumulated resources, becoming a city unto itself.
"Commander!"
A beautiful female officer walked in, clad in a crisp military uniform, wearing leather boots and short hair, appearing heroic and spirited. She said, "The Battle Axe Alliance people have arrived. Commander Han Feng is personally here to visit!"
"Understood."
Xia Houyan stood up. "Prepare tea and welcome our guest."
"Yes!"
Shortly thereafter, Han Feng entered with a few close followers. The moment he saw Xia Houyan, Han Feng's face was wreathed in a brilliant smile. "Elder Brother Xia Hou, it's been a long time!"
"Indeed!"
Xia Houyan stepped forward, slung an arm around Han Feng's shoulder, and exchanged pleasantries with a smile.
They sat down, and after the tea was served, Xia Houyan picked up a cup, used the lid to scrape the tea leaves, and said with a smile, "Brother Han Feng, we are both straightforward people, so let's get straight to the point. I've heard about your Battle Axe Alliance's situation. Being utterly devastated by Scarlet Moon Transport is indeed quite tragic."
"Alas..."
Han Feng frowned and said, "Indeed, good deeds never travel far, but bad news spreads like wildfire. I didn't expect the news to reach the Brotherhood so quickly... My purpose here is that I cannot swallow this insult, and I wish to lead my brothers to cooperate with Elder Brother Xia Hou and seek an opportunity to rise again."
"Certainly!"
Xia Houyan grinned and said, "However, cooperation requires capital. Tell me, how much capital does your Battle Axe Alliance have left? Are you still qualified to cooperate with our Brotherhood?"
Han Feng gritted his teeth and said, "I still have about 300 brothers following me. The Battle Axe Alliance's aircraft are all gone, but we still have over 30 modified Tomahawk launch vehicles and over 80 Tomahawk missiles, which pose a significant threat to aerial targets."
He took a deep breath and continued, "In addition, we have also refurbished some old relics from the former Soviet Union. We have over 200 Buk surface-to-air missiles, and also 15 sets of the more advanced S-300 regional air defense systems. They are all stored in our secret base."
"Even S-300s?"
Xia Houyan's eyes couldn't help but light up. This air defense system was something one could only dream of acquiring. Things from the Aryan region were not circulated in the Huaxia region.
"Yes."
Han Feng scratched his head. "Previously, my brother-in-law served in the military and obtained those missiles for us through special channels. I never expected my Battle Axe Alliance to suffer such a great loss before we could even use them."
"Understood."
Xia Houyan smiled and said, "How about this: we merge our two factions. Your Battle Axe Alliance brothers will join our Brotherhood. From now on, you will all be brothers. I will be the Commander, and you will be the Deputy Commander. Furthermore, out of the ten captains, three will be from your former subordinates. What do you say?"
"Alright."
Han Feng nodded. "Since Elder Brother Xia Hou has said so, it would be petty of me, Han Feng, to haggle."
"Also, I need to state the unpleasant truths upfront."
Xia Houyan said sternly, "After you join the Brotherhood, our Brotherhood will not be enemies with Scarlet Moon Transport. Firstly, Scarlet Moon Transport's combat power is considerable, with two Chiyou-class warships. These two warships are difficult to deal with. Secondly, do you know who Lin Zhao of Scarlet Moon Transport is?"
"Who is he?" Han Feng frowned and asked.
Xia Houyan sneered, "He has a cousin named Murong Feiyue."
"Ah?"
Han Feng trembled as if struck by lightning. "The beautiful commander of the Seventh Army Corps of the Eastern Second War Zone?"
"Yes."
Xia Houyan continued, "Murong Feiyue is Lin Zhao's only relative, and Lin Zhao is Murong Feiyue's only relative. If you, Han Feng, were to kill Lin Zhao, I can guarantee that you would be utterly destroyed within three days. Everyone knows Murong Feiyue's methods! The Seventh Army Corps behind her is the elite of the elites in the Second War Zone, equipped with the most advanced weaponry. If she is truly provoked, no one will have a good outcome."
"Understood."
Han Feng took a deep breath and said, "In any case, from now on, we are all brothers. We will share the good and the bad together. I will listen to Brother Xia Hou!"
"Good!"
Xia Houyan laughed heartily. "Open the champagne and have a drink first. Then, send people to bring your S-300s and Tomahawks back to the base. As for the feud with your Battle Axe Alliance, we'll take our time. There will always be opportunities for revenge. If we can't do it openly, we'll do it in the shadows."
"Yes!"
Han Feng nodded heavily, stood up, and gazed towards Su City with a cold glint in his eyes.
...
In the early morning, at the studio's breakfast time.
Lin Zhao ate his soup dumplings and drank his spicy soup, feeling extremely content. He scanned the room and noticed several people were missing. "Where are Ding Chi and Zhang Jun? Where did they go?"
"To the base."
Chen Xue said, "Those two logged off early last night and went to the base at six o'clock this morning. Huo Dao is personally training them in the application of the Yan Emperor-class combat armor and various tactical maneuvers."
"Oh."
Lin Zhao chuckled. "That's good. Those two finally have some drive."
He looked at Chen Xue. "Are there any movements from the Battle Axe Alliance?"
"Yes."
Chen Xue replied, "According to our drone reconnaissance, Han Feng did not die in the last battle, and the Battle Axe Alliance still has several hundred remnants. Just yesterday morning, Han Feng led his men to the Brotherhood mercenary group's base at the Taicang old site. He has likely joined the Brotherhood."
"The Brotherhood, what's their background?" Lin Zhao frowned.
"They are also a mercenary group, but their overall strength is much greater than the Battle Axe Alliance."
Chen Xue said, "When I was serving under Sister Feiyue, I had dealings with some people from the Brotherhood a few times. They are not good people, just scum wandering in the gray areas."
"Pay more attention to the Brotherhood's movements from now on."
Lin Zhao instructed, "Keep one of our Chiyou-class vessels airborne every day to protect the flight paths. Even if it consumes more fuel, it doesn't matter. Ensuring the safety of the flight paths is the most important thing."
"Yes, I understand."
Chen Xue smiled slightly. "I'll tell Huo Dao about it later. You don't need to worry about it."
...
In the early morning, at the Mountain Peak Villa.
Around Tian Ran Ju, dew dripped like raindrops in the bamboo forest, the pitter-patter creating a sense of tranquility. Lin Zhao held a bowl of spiritual rice porridge. After finishing it, he began to continue practicing the Eternal Sword Scripture.
Just as he sat cross-legged by the lotus pond and was practicing his sword for half an hour, the earth suddenly trembled. Immediately, Lin Zhao felt a premonition, and he quickly rose into the air, looking towards the northwest.
He saw streams of chaotic and mixed sword intent rising to the sky. This phenomenon flashed and disappeared, but in that spot, a wisp of magnificent martial destiny lingered.
"What's going on?" Lin Zhao frowned and asked.
Beside him, Xu Zhi floated over. "It seems... a ruin has spontaneously opened."
"Indeed."
Huang Tingyu, with his arms crossed, took a deep breath and said, "Indeed, a ruin has opened. Shall I go and take a look?"
"Alright."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Be careful and return early."
"Yes."
...
In the evening, Huang Tingyu returned, just in time for dinner. He sat down and picked up his rice bowl to start eating.
"Don't rush to eat, tell us about the situation over there first." Lin Zhao said.
"Alright."
Huang Tingyu took another spoonful of rice and said, "An ancient ruin, which had drifted for an unknown time in the river of time, suddenly descended upon the mortal world and officially opened. I heard from some of my elder brothers among the demon race that it seems to be the manifestation of the ruins of the Fist Saint Zhong Bailu."
He frowned and continued, "The location of the ruin is at the border between the human world and the demon world, not far from Snow Region Heavenly Pool, and not too far from Ancestral Mountain. Many martial artists from the human and demon races have already gone there. Relying on my high cultivation, I made an agreement with people from the demon race to jointly observe the residual fist intent within the ruin, without attacking each other. The Ancestral Mountain of the demon race has also agreed to this."
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly. "Since that's the case, the martial artists of our Mountain Peak Villa shouldn't be idle either. Let's go and join the fun. Perhaps we'll stumble upon some great opportunity."
As he spoke, he began to name people. "Chen Ben, Yu Wanling, Chu Yu, Mu Jue, Zhuang Yirong, prepare yourselves. We'll depart after dinner. Huang Tingyu, Xu Zhi, you two will accompany us and serve as escorts, protecting the martial artists of our Mountain Peak Villa."
"Okay."
Huang Tingyu and Xu Zhi both nodded readily.
"What about me, Mountain Master?"
The dishevelled man Tang Guangjun put down his rice bowl and respectfully cupped his fists. "There's something I've never told the Mountain Master. In fact, I, Tang Guangjun, am only one step away from the thirteenth realm."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao was surprised. "What do you mean by one step away?"
"It means..."
Tang Guangjun scratched his head. "I can break through at any time I wish. I haven't broken through because I'm abiding by the rules set by the Confucian, Military, and Taoist schools. If it's truly necessary, I can break through with a determined effort at any moment. The difficulty is not much higher than passing gas."
"We're eating."
Yu Wanling said somewhat helplessly.
"Alright."
Lin Zhao laughed. "Since you are already a Great Sword Immortal at the half-step Ascension realm, then there's nothing more to say. Remain here to guard the Snow Region Heavenly Pool, keep an eye on the movements of the Fist Saint Zhong Bailu's heavenly descent ruins, and draw your sword whenever necessary."
"Yes!"
Tang Guangjun cupped his fists. "I shall obey the Mountain Master's command!"
...
After dinner, Lin Zhao repaired his equipment, and everyone packed their belongings. Then, within a sword light conjured by Huang Tingyu, Lin Zhao, along with a group of martial artists from Mountain Peak Villa, left the Snow Region Heavenly Pool and headed straight for the location where the Zhong Bailu ruins manifested.
The manifestation of an ancient Fist Saint's fist intent would undoubtedly present a significant opportunity.
In fact, Lin Zhao also had some selfish reasons. He was, after all, a martial artist himself, and having more foundation was never a bad thing.