Chapter 144: Confusion (2)

Setting aside these matters, Ye Lang now faced what seemed to be the most pressing issue: when exactly would the employer for this handover task arrive?

The question did not linger long in his mind, for soon someone came to announce that the employer had arrived and invited everyone to share a meal together.

Thus, Ye Lang followed the mercenaries to the employer’s estate—a mountain villa, isolated with no villages or shops nearby. Upon arrival, Ye Lang remarked, “This place is quite remote. Why live here? Could it be that you’re up to something underhanded?”

“Frank! Don’t say such things. Once we go inside, don’t utter another word!” The mercenary captain’s response was sharp, and the others shot Ye Lang a warning glance, clearly embarrassed by his bluntness.

“Why? I’m not wrong…” Ye Lang defended himself, insisting on his right to speak. The captain cut him off, “You’re not wrong, but it’s not something you should say. Understand?”

“No,” Ye Lang replied firmly.

“In short, no matter what happens—even if we kill you—you must keep silent!”

“Why not kill you instead?” Ye Lang retorted.

“Fine, even if we all die, you still can’t say a word. Happy now?”

“Mm,” Ye Lang nodded in acquiescence.

After entering the villa, Ye Lang truly did remain silent. Even if everyone else perished, as an unimportant figure, he was seated in the main hall alongside other low-ranking mercenaries, partaking in the prepared feast.

The mercenaries ate heartily—chunks of meat, bowls of wine—savoring the meal with abandon.

Meanwhile, the mercenary captain and other key figures carried the mysterious box inside to meet the employer for the handover.

At first, the employer remained in a dimly lit area, barely visible to the mercenaries. Only later did he step into view, revealing a strange sight: a black mask obscuring the upper half of his face and a black cloak emblazoned with the number thirteen.

His appearance was odd and suspicious.

But suspicion extended beyond his visage. If this was truly the employer’s domain, why had they been kept waiting for days before being summoned here? Why had they been barred from coming earlier?

As Ye Lang suggested, could this be a place for secretive, illicit dealings?

Had Ye Lang been in their position and not been careless, he would have sensed something deeply amiss. The employer seemed indifferent to the mercenaries’ opinions. Either he was unafraid of being discovered, or he simply did not care.

“Have you seen what’s inside?” the employer asked abruptly, ignoring other matters.

“Boss, you don’t trust us? We’re disciplined mercenaries. We wouldn’t do such a thing,” protested the mercenaries, clearly displeased.

“Fine, I trust you. Put the goods on the table. Your payment is right there,” the employer said, pointing to the table in the room.

Without hesitation, the mercenaries set down the box and opened the money pouch on the table.

Suddenly—*spray!*—the pouch exploded, releasing a cloud of fine dust that immediately filled their mouths and noses. Even holding their breath was futile.

“You…” The mercenaries gasped in shock as they began bleeding from every orifice, collapsing to the ground. One, in defiance, pointed accusingly at the employer.

“Don’t blame me. Blame your own stupidity for failing to see through such a simple trap. Small-time mercenaries are just small-time mercenaries!” the employer sneered coldly.

As the employer had said, had these mercenaries been more experienced or sharper, they would not have died here. Many signs had warned them something was wrong.

This group was nothing but a gathering of insignificant mercenaries—precisely what the employer had sought. Easy to manipulate and unlikely to raise suspicion.

Such low-level mercenaries would only be entrusted with trivial cargo; no one would risk giving them anything valuable.

“Do you know why I didn’t seal the goods? Because it doesn’t matter if you see them. You’re all going to be dead soon, and even if you do see, you wouldn’t understand what they are!” The employer’s lips curled into a confident smile.

This was why he could remain so composed. He trusted that, aside from himself, no one in the world could comprehend the contents.

“Darling, you’re finally back! It’s all that Gao Fei’s fault—he lost his kingdom to the thirteenth young master of the Ye family. My plans have been disrupted, can’t continue there anymore!” The employer caressed the contents of the box as if touching the most precious treasure on earth.

From his words, it was clear he had intended to exploit the unique qualities of Tianjiu City for some scheme. But with Ye Lang’s victory over Tianjiu City and the Ye family’s large-scale takeover, his plan was abruptly stalled. Now, he had to move the unfinished business elsewhere to continue.

He leisurely admired the goods, unconcerned about the mercenaries outside, for he had already poisoned the meal with a lethal toxin. Confident that by the time he emerged, all outside would be dead.

Dead—what was there to fear? No need to worry how long they waited outside—they were already dead.

After savoring the moment, he planned to burn the villa to erase all traces.

No one would notice what happened here. This villa was isolated; even if it burned down, no one would know.

And these low-level mercenaries—who would care where or how they died?

Mercenary work was inherently risky. They all accepted that death could come at any moment, that they might leave this world without warning.

If they held such a mindset, others would care even less about their fate.

He did not worry that the mercenaries would detect the poison in the food, confident in his concoction—a colorless, tasteless toxin that took time to activate. Perfect for this occasion; it wouldn’t arouse suspicion by acting immediately.

This was also why he had waited—to let the poison take effect.

“Time’s about right. Time to get down to business. Darling, I’ll see you again soon,” the employer said, carefully packing the contents of the box into a small backpack before stepping out.

(To be continued)