Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Kerband had been frustrated lately. As the leader of the famous Wolf Troop Team, his life was not as lavish as an average person would think.

While the abilities of a large troop team after having developed to a certain extent was important, maintaining a good relationship with the other factions was the key to their survival.

Only by handling the bigger picture well could the troop team have a successive flow of missions. Their reputation would get better as they completed the missions quickly, and business would naturally flow into the troop team; Conversely, if they were to meet with obstacles along the way, such as encounter bandits eight times out of the ten times they were escorting a merchant team, they would naturally become very busy and unable to deal with all of the missions!

The Terras Forest had a vast amount of resources. With the development of the Magical Team Territory, more and more merchant teams were swarming into the territory, and the business of the troop team was naturally at an all time high. Originally, he had wanted to first establish a good relationship with the leader Yang Ling so as to lay a solid foundation for the troop team’s development in the Magical Beast Territory. He did not expect the development of events to far exceed his imagination.

Originally, he had been confident that he would be able to convince the elders using the influence and connections of the Wolf Troop Team, so as to pass the notion of setting up a branch of the Troop Association at the Magical Beast Territory. He did not expect to meet with the strong objection of managing elder Evans at the crucial moment, causing the entire plan to fail at the last hurdle.

After his plans came to a standstill, he had thought that he could find a way to repair his relationship with Yang Ling. However, the events that followed caught him completely off guard. First, Yang Ling had set up the Hunter Association. Then, he got wind of the news that the managing elders were about to attack and suppress the Hunter Association.

As a large troop team, the Wolf Troop Team mainly took up missions with generous rewards, high level missions such as those requiring them to escort large merchant teams or help a small duchy defend their borders. After understanding the core operating model of the Hunter Association, he did not personally feel threatened.

On the contrary, he thought that the Troop Association and the Hunter Association each had their strengths and weaknesses. Not only could their conflicts be alleviated, they could even engage in partnerships in several areas.

He had been put in a spot after secretly finding out the plan of the managing elders. On one hand, there was no way for the Wolf Troop Team to publicly oppose the managing elders and tip of Yang Ling; On the other hand, he did not wish to give up on the business he got from the Magical Beast Territory, as well as the chance to collaborate with Yang Ling.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, all he could do was act dumb and pretend to be oblivious of the Troop Association’s plans. Of course, he was also too embarrassed to hasten Yang Ling in his search for the relic of the giant dragon, instead formed his own exploration team to roam around the forest, hoping to find a miracle.

Even though the reward this time around was extremely generous, he was already prepared to cancel this mission if he absolutely has to. He did not expect Yang Ling to send over a man to bring over the good news just as he was about to give up.

In his surprise, Kerband had rushed to the Wissen Castle early in the morning, quickly meeting up with Yang Ling. After a few formalities, he sat down in front of Yang Ling.

“Oh, Sir, you…” Kerband soon noticed the traces of blood on Yang Ling’s clothes.

Could the Troop Association have taken action ahead of time?

Looking at Yang Ling’s pale face, seeing the traces of blood on his clothes, Kerband had a thought. Yang Ling’s abilities were exceptional, proven by how he could charge out of Montson and easily kill the assassin Flowing Venom back then.

There were definitely people that could injure Yang Ling in the Magical Beast Territory, but the number of people were far and few between. The factions that had gathered in Wissen Town were all eyeing the Divine Weapons in the relic of the giant dragon, and no one would want to fall out with the leader Yang Ling. The only explanation for his injuries was that the Troop Association had taken action ahead of time.

“Hmph, I am fine, these are light wounds!” Yang Ling let out a cold grunt, then coughed before saying in a fierce tone, “I successfully found the relic of the giant dragon at the Valenia Volcano Valley last night, but unexpectedly encountered the army of the Church. The other party launched a surprise attack in order to seal off information. Other than me escaping successfully, my dozen personal guards all met with misfortune!”

Yang Ling lied out of his mouth while maintaining a neutral expression, thinking about how many treasures he could extort out of the leader of the Wolf Troop Team. There were indeed many people who had died in the valley yesterday night, but they were either the Spellcasters and knights from the Church, or the undead army of the Angus family. Yang Ling had no relation to them.

He was taking advantage of the crisis!

Yang Ling was clear that allowing the Church to explore the relic of the giant dragon was clearly not in his best interest. The more factions he embroiled into the situation, the more advantageous the situation would become for him. It was the best time for him to take advantage of the crisis when the various factions engaged in a chaotic battle within the cave.

If that is the case, he had to leak the information to the outside world before the Church finished setting up the five Holy Light Magical Spell Formation and completely sealed off the Valenia Volcano Valley. At dawn, he had used this piece of information to obtain a mysterious jade pendant and a large batch of high-level prisoners of war from the Dark Association. Now, he naturally did not mind extorting another faction before the information became widespread.

Encountered the surprise attack of the Church’s army?

Kerband had an epiphany after hearing Yang Ling’s explanation and understanding what was going on. According to reliable sources, the Church had mobilized a large number of elites in their mission this time. Amongst those elites included the mysterious White-robed Cardinal Bishop.

It was normal for a person to suffer heavy casualties after suffering from the fierce attacks of the Church. In fact, it would be abnormal if Yang Ling was unharmed. Yang Ling being able to return to Wissen Town alive was in itself a miracle!

Looking at the pale Yang Ling coughing from time to time, as if severely injured, Kerband knew that this piece of information was one that the other party had risked his life to obtain. He deliberated for a moment before taking out a thin piece of crystal card from his robes, “Sir, this is a Purple Crystal Card that can be used anywhere in the Tailun Continent. You can exchange it for a million Purple Crystal Coins at any human populated city.”

A million Purple Crystal Coins?

Even though it was not a rare treasure, a million Purple Crystal Coins was good enough! Yang Ling let out a faint smile after fetching over the Purple Crystal Card. He was immensely satisfied by this transaction, but did not show any emotion.

“Sir, this… The amount of crystal coins is a little less, take it as the compensation for the soldiers that have met with misfortune!” Seeing Yang Ling’s unchanging expression, Kerband had thought that Yang Ling had found the amount too little. He let out an awkward laugh, then clenched his teeth after a moment’s deliberation, “Sir, if it’s convenient for you… It’s best you do not head out in this period of time, and find another place to stay in!”

Find another place to stay in?

Looking at the stammering Kerband, then thinking about his status, Yang Ling had a thought. He knew that Kerband must have heard about some news. It looks like the Troop Association would take action in the near future, and their target was the Chief Elder of the Hunter Association, Yang Ling himself.

After taking a sip of ice-cold rum, Yang Ling let out a cold smile, “Hehe, Sir Kerband, when that time comes, it’s best that you rest for a few days in an inn and instruct your subordinates to not roam around unless they absolutely have to. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee their safety!”

There’s a solution to every problem!

Since the Troop Association had decided to take action, Yang Ling did not mind showing the other party how strong he was. Even though he could not find a way to deal with the managing elders at the headquarters of the Troop Association for the time being, he was confident in dealing with the people they sent to attack him, as well as find out who the troops in his territory that have been feeding them with information were.

Kerband naturally understood the meaning behind Yang Ling’s words, seeing his ice-cold gaze. Since the Troop Association had decided to take action, Yang Ling would naturally not hold back. With his abilities and his many powerful warriors, the troops that were coming to the territory were going to suffer.

“Sir, actually, there are ways to reconcile the differences between the two associations. In fact, we can even collaborate with each other!” After a moment’s deliberation, Kerband continued, “According to what I know, the mission this time had created a large argument within the circle of elders. Perhaps, I can find a way to let you have a face to face discussion with the elders that have objected to this mission. Of course, this requires a little bit of time!”

Collaboration between the two associations?

Yang Ling’s eyes lit up when he heard Kerband say this. The reason he set up the Hunter Association was to create a faction belonging to himself. Even though there were conflicts with the Troop Association, going against them was never his original intention, nor in his best interest. Originally, he had wanted to collaborate with the Troop Association, but had lacked a middleman.

The two reached an understanding immediately!

Yang Ling wanted a stable environment to develop his abilities and expand the influence of the Hunter Association as soon as possible; Kerband hoped to further the influence of the Wolf Troop Team by reconciling the differences between the two associations, solidifying his relationship with the leader Yang Ling so as to establish a solid foundation for receiving missions that brought about huge profit.

Kerband left quickly after negotiating some of the specific details. He was going to get influential figures to persuade the managing elders so as to reconcile the conflicts between the two associations; More importantly, he was going to mobilize his troops and rush to the Valenia Volcano Valley.

Kerband had just left when Yang Ling instructed Orlando to get Goode over to meet him. He instructed Goode to set up an elite team of explorers, prepared to take advantage of the chaos behind the various factions.

“Goode, remember, other than quickly gathering the elite warriors, release the information immediately after the sun sets today. We cannot release the information any sooner than that, but we have to make sure that most of the factions knows about it. Furthermore, you have to do it in secret. No one should find out that we are the ones spreading the information.” Yang Ling left quickly after giving the instructions, wanting to rest up before taking action.

He had to act in the interests of the people he obtained benefits from!

He had just revealed the information to the Dark Association and the Wolf Troop Team and naturally could not release the information to the public immediately. Otherwise, the Church, Dark Association and the Wolf Troop Team would not have to spend too much effort to know that he was the one behind all of this.

But it was a different story if some time had passed. Someone who’s intent on finding out about the information would have noticed the strange activities of the Dark Association and the Wolf Troop Team. Then, even if the information was known by everyone on the streets, the various factions would not doubt him in the slightest.