"Sack is the youngest in our team, and he has a different relationship with our previous boss," Bai Xiao said.
What could Qiao Ying say? She nodded: "I understand."
She couldn't chat about this anymore. The more Qiao Ying talked, the more bizarre it became. She had to quickly change the subject: "There's one thing I need to trouble Mr. Qin with."
"Please go ahead, Miss Qiao," said Qin Hanyue.
"Our previous Black Water territory was taken, and even though they returned a couple days ago, I'm planning to find another place to rebuild. I was wondering if my men could stay at your God's Army for a while?" Qiao Ying asked.
Qin Hanyue looked at Bai Xiao and the others, then generously agreed.
"Also, I see a nice spot next to God's Army that would be suitable. We could become neighbors in the future and look out for each other. So I'd like to request that plot of land," said Qiao Ying.
Qin Yan's eyes widened in surprise. You think so beautifully. Are you sure it would be mutual help instead of you taking advantage of us?
She actually had this idea. Qin Hanyue just smiled without responding.
Bai Xiao and the others looked at each other, only now realizing that Qiao Ying was finding them a protector. If they really stayed at God's Army for a while, then built their base next to it afterwards, who on M Continent would dare make trouble for Black Water in the future?
Qin Hanyue said, "God's Army has always appreciated talent, especially someone like Miss Qiao. Rather than being neighbors, why don't we take it a step further and become one family, sharing blessings and hardships together?"
What did he mean? Was he asking them to join God's Army?
Bai Xiao and the others immediately looked to Qiao Ying.
For a mercenary group their size, being actively recruited by God's Army was a dream come true.
But Bai Xiao and the others were unwilling.
They were all Nameless' former unknown subordinates. They knew Nameless' personality well. If they joined God's Army, how could they face their deceased boss?
Qiao Ying raised an eyebrow. "That's not impossible."
Bai Xiao's expression changed slightly, just as he was about to say something,
he heard Qiao Ying continue, "But I'm used to being the boss. Mr. Qin, are you giving me the position of God's Army's boss?"
In the end, Qin Hanyue gave the land next to God's Army to Black Water, and cleared out a villa for Black Water to stay in temporarily. He was also willing to provide manpower and resources to help them build their base.
Once inside the villa, Qiao Ying said to Bai Xiao, "Spread the word that Black Water is recruiting. Those willing to join Black Water, $50,000 USD per month. Talented ones get $70,000. Personal commission starting at 6% per mission." This was far better terms than other mercenary groups.
Bai Xiao asked, "How many are you preparing to recruit?"
Qiao Ying made a name for herself at the Gladiator Competition. Black Water's reputation surged again. Recruiting people was a piece of cake. Many of Black Water's old subordinates had already caught wind and returned before the Gladiator Competition.
And now they were about to become God's Army's neighbor. Qiao Ying believed that all she had to do was put the word out, then sit back and pick people.
"The more the better. If you can recruit everyone on M Continent, I'll greatly reward you," said Qiao Ying.
That was impossible. God's Army wouldn't allow it.
"Why do you need so many troops?"
Bai Xiao originally thought Qiao Ying was very similar to Nameless, their previous boss, in every way.
But with Qiao Ying's sudden leap, she was now completely different from Nameless.
Nameless was picky about everything, including his subordinates. He wanted quality over quantity.
Qiao Ying was silent for a moment, then solemnly said, "What if I said I have a blood feud with Dark Shadow?"
Bai Xiao was surprised. "You mean that Dark Shadow, ranked first in the world among assassin organizations?"
"Yes."
Actually, if Qiao Ying just told Bai Xiao and the others that Nameless was killed by Dark Shadow, they would desperately avenge her even at the cost of their lives. But she didn't want them to die in vain for her.
Whether they wanted to follow her or not was understandable. It was only human nature. If they parted on good terms, that was fine too.
She needed power to confront Dark Shadow, but she wouldn't take advantage of Black Water's feelings for Nameless.
Although it couldn't be called taking advantage, since she was Nameless and Nameless was her.
"If we feared death, we wouldn't have come to M Continent. We'd have gone home to farm instead. Our previous boss Nameless once said, Black Water values brotherhood. Since you're already our boss, then your business is our business. Anyone who dares make a move against you is making a move against all of us," Bai Xiao said resolutely.
The corners of Qiao Ying's elegant eyebrows raised slightly, imperceptibly.
She used to say such bold and stirring words too?
Qiao Ying said, "My actions at the Gladiator Competition may have caught Dark Shadow's attention, but they likely don't suspect much. Don't spread this matter for now, just be discreet. That's all."
"Alright," said Bai Xiao.
Outside the door came the sound of an engine.
Qin Yan got out of the car, "Miss Qiao, your car."
"Going out?" Bai Xiao asked.
"I'm going to find Sack," Qiao Ying waved her hand and left.
Qiao Ying drove to a scenic forest. From far away, she could see Sack sitting in front of a new gravestone. He had been missing for days.
Qiao Ying lowered the car window and saw Sack completely immersed in grief. It was clearly a solemn and sad scene, yet Qiao Ying looked at it with amusement and helplessness.
She got out of the car and walked over. On the ground were a few cups of wine. Sack sitting on the ground was mumbling to himself.
"We Chinese finish mourning in just three days. That's enough time."
Sack turned to look at the approaching Qiao Ying.
Qiao Ying said, "Cried?"
Sack frowned. "Only my previous boss and I knew this place. How did you know about it?"
Sack was with a few veteran Black Water mercenaries on a mission when they were ambushed by enemies. He was the only survivor of the team.
If Nameless hadn't arrived in time, he wouldn't be alive today either.
Nameless had rested here while carrying the seriously injured Sack on her back.
Qiao Ying squatted down and looked at the gravestone, thinking to herself that it was good this brat didn't stick a black and white photo of her on it. That would be too creepy.
"Not only am I skilled in fighting and could take on 35 opponents alone at the Gladiator Arena, your current boss, me, is also all-knowing. There are no secrets in Black Water that I don't know about," Qiao Ying said to him.
"Did my previous boss tell you?" Sack asked.
"Eh, your current boss is me now," Qiao Ying corrected.
"Humph," Sack snorted and turned his head away.
"Alright, it's getting late. Come back with me. Kid, don't wander around outside," said Qiao Ying as she stood up.
"I'm 24!" Sack was very emotional, finding Qiao Ying's pretense of maturity annoying.
Qiao Ying tilted her head and looked at him. "If you don't come now, I'll tell Bai Xiao and the others how you wet the bed until you were five."
Sack swiftly looked back at her. "You, how do you know about that?"
Sack's face grew hot.
He had blurted that out when he was injured and mumbling deliriously on Nameless' back. He regretted it to death when he sobered up the next day.
Not even his late parents knew about that.
"I just said, there are no Black Water secrets that I don't know. Are you coming or not? If not, you can walk back yourself later."
Sack stared at Qiao Ying for two seconds, then shot up abruptly. He lit three incense sticks from somewhere and handed the smoking incense to her. "I know your Hua Country people have a tradition of offering incense to the deceased."
Qiao Ying's eyes narrowed dangerously.
She thought: Kid, don't overdo it.
