Chapter 177: Staggering Power

"Lord, our Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps has taken this mission," Ai Mi Li Si repeated, without any hesitation, stating her intention clearly.

Tuosai Delin and Ge La Han Mu were both very surprised.

For such a momentous matter, concerning the mercenary corps' future and even its survival, Ai Mi Li Si accepted so readily without deliberation—wasn't that too arbitrary?

Only Lei En was not particularly surprised.

The first time he saw Ai Mi Li Si, he sensed in his soul that the lady seemed prepared and knew what would be discussed today.

"Lady Ai Mi Li Si's decisiveness earns my admiration," Lei En smiled, but did not immediately choose the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps.

He still knew little about the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps; both sides needed some information.

Tuosai Delin deliberately arranged for three representatives of the mercenary corps to meet together, rather than private talks in turn—first to save time, second to hire the most suitable corps.

Even buying a magic soul usually requires comparing three sellers; a deal worth tens of thousands of Gold Shields demands utmost caution.

"Ge La Han Mu, sir…"

Lei En looked at the half-beast, about to ask his decision, when Ai Mi Li Si interrupted, "Lord, you doubt the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps' strength? Rest assured, our corps has enough men to meet your domain's needs, and you need not pay a deposit; if the mission fails, I won't take a single Gold Shield."

Normally, hiring a mercenary corps requires an upfront deposit equal to one-third of the total fee.

Lei En was instantly a bit surprised; Ai Mi Li Si seemed overly confident.

He cast an inquisitive glance at Tuosai Delin.

The elven prince nodded slightly, "Lord, Ai Mi Li Si has been in Mo Du only a few years, so her reputation may not be as renowned as other corps, but her capability is unquestionable. The few missions I've overseen were completed smoothly, and the employers were very satisfied."

Lei En gleaned from her words that the lady was an outsider with a mysterious background; Tuosai Delin was also not very clear, or perhaps unwilling to speak openly.

A foreign mercenary corps, whose base is not in Mo Du, naturally does not fear local nobles' retribution.

He suddenly understood why the other side accepted the task so readily.

Seeing Ge La Han Mu still hesitating, Lei En set him aside and asked, "Lady, how many of your mercenaries are in Mo Du?"

"One hundred fifty centaurs, all adult elite warriors," Ai Mi Li Si said softly. "Additionally, sixty Iron Guard equipped with standard armor and weapons, all above level two; there are seven or eight mid-stage and above supernaturals, including three spellcasters. Besides me, there is also a legendary swordsman."

Lei En was taken aback; the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps' strength far exceeded his expectations.

Centaurs are a formidable race, roaming the Empire's northern grasslands in hundreds of tribes, and are among Ai Lun E Si's most famous nomadic peoples.

These half-human, half-horse intelligent beings possess great strength, move like the wind, have enduring stamina, and wield superb archery—born to be the finest mounted rangers.

An adult centaur warrior equals a level‑two supernatural.

A corps of one hundred fifty centaurs is almost a full army!

Add sixty elite Iron Guard and other mid‑stage supernaturals—what is Ai Mi Li Si's true background?

Lei En glanced sideways at the elven prince and the half-beast; they too wore surprised expressions, clearly unaware of the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps' true details.

"Lord, as soon as you give the order, my men can be in place today."

Ai Mi Li Si's lips curled up, "If you think these are insufficient, give me ten days and I can summon three hundred more centaur warriors."

Lei En's eyes widened at that.

Did she subdue an entire centaur tribe? Centaurs are as wild as mustangs—untamable, blood‑thirsty, brutal—hard to crush by force, how could they submit to a human woman?

"No need, the manpower is sufficient," Lei En rejected Ai Mi Li Si's suggestion and asked, "Lady, how much do you charge per month for hiring you?"

Ai Mi Li Si shook her head lightly, "I don't wish to calculate payment by month."

Lei En frowned, sensing she was about to make a lion's roar demand.

Sure enough, Ai Mi Li Si continued, "I wish to cooperate long‑term with the lord; all tasks of guarding castles, patrolling, maintaining domain order will be handled by the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps, obeying your summons. During this period, one fifth of the lord's collected taxes shall belong to the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps."

"Impossible."

Lei En flatly refused.

Ge La Morgan's annual tax revenue is about two million gold; according to Ai Mili Si's request, each year she must be given four hundred thousand Gold Shield, which far exceeds the normal commission price.

On average, the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps would cost over thirty thousand Gold Shields per month—pure fantasy.

If I accept Ai Mi Li Si's price and then deduct the portions owed to the Duke and the Empire, the lord would be left with little.

The domain is already filled with Ai Mi Li Si's subordinates—who truly is the lord?

Lei En immediately looked at the half-beast tyrant and asked, "Ge La Han Mu, sir, what have you considered?"

Ge La Han Mu knew Lei En was trying to drive the price down, but he didn't mind, replying, "The lord's hire, "Blood and Sand", is acceptable. However, my manpower isn't as large as the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps; in the short term I can only muster a little over a hundred…"

Before he finished, Ai Mi Li Si suddenly said, "One eighth."

She instantly reduced the tax share from one fifth to one eighth.

Lei En gave her a look and shook his head firmly.

"A little over a hundred is enough; within the domain we shouldn't face large‑scale frontal battles with enemies. I only need you to fill some gaps in guard strength."

"It won't take long; within a year and a half I will have built my own armed force."

Lei En continued negotiating with Ge La Han Mu, asking, "What is the fee for Blood and Sand?"

"Twelve thousand Gold Shields per month," Ge La Han Mu quoted cheerfully.

Lei En nodded slightly; the price was close to what Fabien had mentioned—still a bit high, but within an acceptable range.

Seeing him seem ready to agree, Ai Mi Li Si finally grew anxious.

She stood up hurriedly, "Lord, I only require one tenth of the tax, and my manpower will be twice that of Blood and Sand. If you're still unsatisfied, within a week I will expand the corps to three hundred, including myself, guaranteeing obedience to your summons without any hesitation."

"Including yourself?" Lei En was somewhat intrigued; the lady's strength was undeniable.

Moreover, the Dragon Stone Mercenary Corps still has a legendary swordsman.

One tenth of the tax is about two hundred thousand Gold Shields; hiring two legends plus a three‑hundred‑strong force would be a very profitable deal.

"Yes, including myself."

Ai Mi Li Si nodded solemnly, as if recalling something, her face flushing slightly, and quickly added, "Limited to the tasks specified in the hire contract; personal life is excluded."

"Ha ha, of course," Lei En laughed.

The men in the private room all wore ambiguous looks, but they only thought about it; no one dared to speak out and tease a legendary strongman.

Ai Milisi's petite body faintly exuded a threatening aura, like dragon might, making one's spine chill and heart uneasy.

She gazed at Lei En, "Lord, what do you think?"

Lei En was completely immune to her dragon aura, his expression unchanged, his mind racing with thoughts.

Ai Milisi's price had been driven down to the lowest; based on the mercenary group's numbers, the average fee was clearly far cheaper than Ge La Han Mu's, and there were two legendary strongmen, making it very affordable.

However, Ai Milisi's background is mysterious, and she seemed overly eager on this mission.

Lei En suspected she had another motive, which might bring trouble to him.

He quietly examined Ai Milisi's soul again; its color was normal, showing no hostility, and no malice toward him.

It must be that she seeks something else.

Lei En pondered for a few seconds, unable to resist the lure of current profit, then nodded, "Fine, I agree. Pleasant cooperation."

Ai Milisi's dragon aura suddenly vanished, and a smile blossomed on her delicate face; her two long eyebrows seemed to come alive, pressed together, looking comically funny, greatly lowering her attractiveness.

She extended her hand to shake Lei En's, "Lord, pleasant cooperation."

Lei En felt that her slender, fair hand contained immense power, like a humanoid giant dragon; he gave it a gentle shake twice and quickly let go, lest she think he was taking advantage.

"Mr. Ge La Han Mu, my apologies," he said to the half-beast tyrant.

"It's fine, I think there will be opportunities later." Ge La Han Mu was not very disappointed; instead, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he couldn't take this mission and the business opportunity worth over a hundred thousand Gold Shields slipped away, it might actually be a blessing, as he no longer has to oppose Mo Du aristocrats.

The half-beast did not linger, stood up and bid farewell to the crowd.

The group of enslaved transcendents outside the private room also followed him out.

As the intermediary, Tuo Sai De Lin skillfully drafted a contract for both parties; after Lei En and Ai Milisi confirmed, he signed his name and attached a faint soul-force seal.

He folded the contract, and Lei En produced a gold note worth five hundred Gold Shields, handing it to Tuo Sai De Lin.

Ai Milisi did the same.

This is the fee for Tuo Sai De Lin's mediation.

The Elf Prince smiled as he accepted one thousand Gold Shields; the money was earned easily, putting him in a very pleasant mood, so he wasn't in a hurry to see off guests and chatted leisurely with the two major clients in the private room.

It was his first encounter with Lei En, hoping to build a good relationship with the lord.

After a brief talk, Tuo Sai De Lin was surprised to find that this young lord possessed extremely extensive knowledge, not only broad in scope but also fluent in many languages; on many matters he offered unique insights, and sometimes a simple one or two sentences were rich with profound wisdom, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

This gave him the illusion that the person before him was not a young man but a legendary Wizard who had lived for centuries.

Not only Tuo Sai De Lin, Ai Milisi also felt the same.

In fact, Ao Xi Li Ya, hidden in the corner, was also listening intently, her eyes full of wonder.

Lei En silently put on a tough act, smiling without words.

Seeing the moment was near, he feigned casualness and asked, "This afternoon, the gladiator Xi Ka Liu Si's combat skills are astonishing; I wonder if I could have a meeting with him?"

Sweat! I overestimated my strength; even spitting blood couldn't reach the third watch… missing a chapter, will try again tomorrow!

(End of chapter)