Chapter 1400

"It shouldn't take long—once the instrumental ensemble is complete, with sheet music to coordinate, and the singers trained, they should be qualified within half a year."

But reaching the level of Juqing is much harder—it will take at least several years.

Knock knock knock…

The door to Room One was knocked on; Guo Qing relayed what the serving boy said to Lin Cheng.

"My lord, the serving boy says a guest in another room needs you to come over."

"Hmm, I understand."

Lin Cheng nodded with a smile, as expected, then turned to Li Jian with an apologetic expression. "Your Highness, I'll be gone for a moment—I'll return soon."

"It's fine, go ahead."

Li Jian understood Lin Cheng was busy with affairs and couldn't possibly accompany him constantly.

"Hmm."

Lin Cheng rose and left.

Room Two.

When Lin Cheng arrived.

Bai Susu and her group were slumped in their chairs, each with a swollen belly, faces blank with utter exhaustion; their tables were a mess, having drunk no fewer than five or six drinks each. They had all considered themselves big eaters, but only now, here, did they realize that "big eater" was simply nonexistent.

Including Bai Susu and Gong Gong Bailiu, there were five mercenaries—seven in total—and they couldn't finish even one special giant burger.

Lin Cheng glanced at the table, where roughly a third of the giant burger remained, and sneered.

"Get up and keep eating—why'd you stop?"

Aside from Bai Susu, who still had enough energy to roll her eyes at Lin Cheng, the others couldn't even muster the strength to do that—they were too full.

He waved to summon a serving boy.

"My lord."

"Go get Adian and bring him here to eat—I have something to tell him."

Since he started working for Lin Cheng, his efficiency in acquiring mana crystals has been undeniable. Lin Cheng's artificial idiot almost survives entirely on mana crystals hunted by Adian—he's just a bit reclusive, speaks little, and looks decent enough, so naturally no one wants to team up with him.

Of course, since Adian works so hard, Lin Cheng naturally takes care of his food and lodging—he's not some exploitative landlord who'd starve his workers.

Adian arrived quickly, his spirit weapon—a giant axe—slung across his back.

The serving boy who led the way had an odd expression on his face; had he known the man wouldn't attack, he wouldn't have dared come near him.

The aura of slaughter radiating from him was simply terrifying.

"Boss, you called me?"

Adian wondered why Lin Cheng had summoned him.

"Sit down and eat with them—from today on, they're your teammates, just like you, hunting mana crystals for me."

"Alright."

Adian was straightforward—he sat down immediately and began eating; the mercenaries around him were ignored. More people working? To him, it mattered less than whether he'd eat well at lunch.

As for whether they'd hinder him during work—he didn't care. If they truly got in his way, he'd just chop them down with his axe.

"Why didn't you consult me about this?" Bai Susu stood up, glanced at Adian, and frowned.

Lin Cheng frowned back. "What? Is his strength unsuitable?"

Lin Cheng stood directly behind Adian, completely ignoring the shocking aura of slaughter that even Bai Susu had winced at—Adian's strength and aura had clearly grown stronger through killing.

"No."

"Then why?"

"He hasn't passed my test as captain—he must fight me and earn my approval before he can join the Bai Heng Mercenary Company!"

· ·······Requesting flowers····· ·····

Under Lin Cheng's pressing questions, Bai Susu, flustered and momentarily speechless, directly challenged Adian.

She hadn't expected Lin Cheng already had such a powerful mercenary under his command—and more importantly, she sensed this blood-soaked mercenary was the same kind of existence as herself and Gong Gong Bailiu: one who had received some terrifying legacy.

Did this mean that if Lin Cheng wished, he could instantly create powerful mercenaries to aid her—and that her own importance would thus diminish further?

No. This opportunity, hard-won, she absolutely could not let slip away.

She had to win!

"Huh?" Lin Cheng was stunned.

Even the calm, rational Bai Susu had said something so irrational—he simply couldn't understand.

"Fine, I agree."

He patted Adian's shoulder as he gorged himself; Adian paused.

"Hear that, Adian? Beat her, and you become their captain. Lose, and not only do you obey me—you obey her too."

"Totally insane!"

The next second, terrifying slaughter aura erupted from Adian—he turned his eyes crimson in an instant, smashed the table before him with a punch, then gripped his spirit weapon axe tightly, glaring at Bai Susu with blood-red eyes.

Bai Susu felt as if a monstrous beast had locked onto her.

"Thanks."

Bai Susu wasn't stupid—she instantly understood Lin Cheng's intent, her face flushed red, and she leapt swiftly out the window.

"Brother-in-law, is the boss going to be okay?" Gong Gong Bailiu also stepped forward anxiously.