Chapter 550: On The Horns Of A Dilemma

“What did you just say?” Aamir found it hard to believe what he had just heard.

“It’s true! Both Yin Tianzong and Wang Tong had disappeared. Well, truth be told, we haven’t been able to locate any of the high-level warriors from the Battle Wolf since last week.”

“How is that possible? The city is only this big… They can’t hide half a dozen people without anyone noticing it. Where could they have gone anyway?”

Aamir puffed a cloud of smoke as he wondered what Wang Tong was up to this time. Ever since Battle Wolf conquered the Maersa City, Wang Tong had been in everyone’s radar. His every move was closely watched by the other factions.

Like Aamir, Wang Tong’s disappearance had perplexed Marcos. The recent activities of Battle Wolf were so strange that he found them hard to comprehend. Since Wang Tong had claimed the city for himself, why wouldn’t he expand his army as quickly as possible to get the most out of his labor? Battle Wolf had always been an insignificant player, even more so before Bu Zhihuo switched alliances.

The fact that Bu Zhihuo had made such an unreasonable decision was a sign that he lacked the basic judgment as a leader. With proper management, the Flame Squad should have become one of the most powerful factions on Mars. However, due to an idealistic leader, their ranks never increased.

With only two thousand or so soldiers, Battle Wolf would slowly lose control over the Maersa City.

“What is Wang Tong up to this time?” Marcos pondered for a while but failed to find an answer. Li Xiu was Marcos’s most trusted adviser, and he was the first to have noticed the unusual quietness inside Battle Wolf.

“In my opinion, Wang Tong is definitely up to something big, but I don’t think that we are his target.”

“What do you mean by it?”

“Captain, can’t you tell that Wang Tong is after something much bigger than just the Maersa District? To be frank, I don’t think he considers us worthy opponents. His real enemies are the Zergs, and the Zergs want him dead as well. I am confident that the Zergs are preparing for a comeback sometime soon. Defeating Wang Tong is the best way for Moye to prove it to Patroclus that he is still the most powerful Zerg lord.” Li Xiu explained.

Although Li Xiu was not a powerful warrior, he possessed exceptional analytical skills.

Marcos frowned and then said: “Do you mean that there is a possibility that we will suffer collateral damage?”

“Although I am not sure where all the elite soldiers from the Battle Wolf have gone, I am certain that they don’t think Maersa is even worth defending.”

“You mean… he had intentionally let us grow stronger so that we could be his shield in front of the Zergs?”

“Hehe, I am not sure about that. But regardless of whether that is true or not, there is no harm in expanding our forces.” Li Xiu did not know the real intention of Wang Tong, so he improvised an answer to console Marcos who were unnerved by the report.

But, what exactly was Wang Tong up to? Assassination? No, the number of missing persons would make the most ostentatious assassin team.

When the other factions were busy carving out their territories, Battle Wolf spent all of their time on training. Not only were the original Battle Wolf soldiers well trained and disciplined, but the new additions from the Flame Squad were as well. They came to Wang Tong’s service voluntarily, and had never hoped of getting rich by joining them.

“Brother Wang, you are very good at concealing your power, aren’t you?” On the screen, Syracuse said with a knowing smile.

“Haha, it was just luck!” Wang Tong replied.

Syracuse didn’t press Wang Tong for his fake modesty. Instead, he changed the topic and got down to the point: “Do you need anything from me?”

“Hehe. You know our situation, so I will make it short for you. The Zergs left nothing but their eggs for us in the city, but the dark ones had left some luxury items. I am wondering if I can exchange those fancy trinkets for some supplies with you. ” Wang Tong asked.

Syracuse appeared to be distressed by the question. “Brother Wang, you know better than me that these things are almost impossible to sell.”

‘Undervalue the goods to be bought’— Wang Tong knew that this was an old business tactic, so he replied, “Of course we will compensate you for the trouble handsomely. The Zergs are planning a counterattack, and if we lose the Maersa District, Battle Wolf will lose everything, and be unable to fulfill any promises we made with you. However, if you help us win the battle, we will give you the sole rights to sell our crystals from now on.”

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“Awesome! We have a deal then! ”

Syracuse knew very well that there would be no problem in selling luxury items, although it might take a bit longer than other merchandise. On the other hand, the supplies that Wang Tong needed were hot sale items, and Syracuse was the latter’s only hope in getting his hands on any.

Nonetheless, Syracuse knew this was a terrific deal for him. Even if the Zergs eliminated the Battle Wolf in the ensuing battle, he would still have those luxury items to cover the cost of this transaction. And if everything went well, the exclusive rights in selling the spell crystals would make him a very rich man.

After the meeting, Wang Tong ordered Hamir to discuss the details of the deal. He knew that Syracuse was a cunning businessman, and unless it were absolutely necessary, he would not want to deal with the latter. Wang Tong had just risen to power, and therefore, lacked a comprehensive web of contacts. Syracuse was his only hope in getting any help right now.

Wang Tong knew that in many aspects, he was five years behind his enemy: Patroclus.

As he turned off the sky net, Charcoal appeared behind him. “How’s the situation out there.”

“Everything is running according to plan.” Wang Tong replied.

“Well, looks like this is a good place to spend the energy you had been cultivating for five years.”

Wang Tong nodded. In order to become a leader on Mars, he would have to establish his base first. Maersa City was good enough as his first base; however, he realized that he also severely lacked capable warriors under him. Relying only on Yin Tianzong was not enough. Wang Tong knew that once the Zergs started attacking the Maersa City, Battle Wolf would not last very long, particularly if the Zergs knew that he was in the city. That was the reason why he hid himself out here in the middle of nowhere.

“Master, we have a situation!” Charcoal announced.

“What it is?” Wang Tong pulled his mind out of his reverie.

“Zerg activity near Apollo City, one thousand and two hundred kilometers away from Maersa.”

On the screen, Wang Tong saw a blob of red dots closing in onto the city of Apollo. Meanwhile, the scene inside the Apollo City was chaotic as civilians ran for their lives.

…

“My lord, let me lead our troupes to defend our city!”

The lord of the Apollo city sat on a high chair languidly. “Are you out of your mind? Why should I care about the invasion if House Lie didn’t send in help? We all know that these Zergs are here to collect human samples of high-level warriors, I will not fall into their trap. Let the citizens hide for a while…The Zergs will be gone once they can’t find what they are looking for.”

Si Ke was very pleased with his current situation. The Apollo city was far behind the front line, and was guarded by both House Lie and the Divine Mastery Sect. Thanks to the city’s geopolitical advantage, Si Ke never had to lead his forces into a real battle, other than some small skirmishes. In the five years, Si Ke had put on fifty pounds. However, the continuous harassment on the city from the legendary level dark ones had been a thorn in his side lately. Luckily, his liege, the House Lie, never expected him to defend the city, and therefore, he was able to preserve the strength of his forces. He had heard that some city had risen to the Zerg’s invasion with the help of a legendary level warrior; however, the act had spurred the Zerg to reinforce the attack with more of its deadly soldiers.

Since the House Lie didn’t order Si Ke to defend the city and his life was not under immediate danger, he found it simply easier to just wait out the attack. In the end, he could cover up his cowardliness with the excuse of the “bigger picture.”

Sensing the anger in his soldiers, Si Ke knew he needed to placate them before his warriors saw through his ruse.

“Zhan Si, I am as angry with the Zergs as you are. But, I can’t afford to lose you out there. Without an Einherjar, going out there is a suicide! Please, think about the bigger picture.”

Zhan Si was a level twenty warrior, and he had been following Si Ke for many years. He had witnessed his leader fall from grace over the years.

“My lord, I am willing to sacrifice myself for the city. We can’t stand by and do nothing while the Zergs ravage our city and out people! ” Zhan Si announced.

“My lord, we are willing to join Captain Zhan Si! ” A dozen soldiers behind Zhan Si pleaded.

Bang!

Ke Si slammed his desk and jumped out of his comfortable seat in a fury.

“Zhan Si, don’t forget your place. I am the City Lord. Plus, do you really think you stand a chance against those dark ones? If they get their hands on your genes, it would only make them stronger! Guards! Take this ungracious b*stard to a cell. ”