The Unparalleled Sword Emperor
Chapter 1699 - 1696: Mercenary City!

Chapter 1699: Chapter 1696: Mercenary City!

Lin Bai followed Gao Lin to the location of his friend’s base.

Along the way, Lin Bai learned many things about the Exile Lands from Gao Lin.

Among them, the one thing that caught Lin Bai’s attention the most was the Shenyu Mountains.

Three months ago, the Shenyu Mountains were unexpectedly discovered by a black-clothed swordsman. However, they were shielded by a Great Array, making entry impossible. This news quickly spread across the Three Great Families and the Exile Lands.

Within the Exile Lands, there weren’t just the Three Great Families; there were also many mercenary groups thriving in the area. Gao Lin’s friend was part of one of these groups. Gao Lin himself had once been a member, but he later returned to the Seventy-two Dynasties, leaving the Exile Lands and parting ways with the team.

Now that the Shenyu Mountains had suddenly appeared, many mercenary groups in the Exile Lands were gearing up, calling on former comrades and gathering their allies to try and gain as much benefit as possible from the Shenyu Mountains.

The Shenyu Mountains might be considered the greatest treasure trove in the entire Exile Lands, and no warrior in the Exile Lands was willing to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

It wasn’t just the Human Clan that was interested. Even the Demon Clan had its sights set on the mountains, with the Holy Kingdom of Thousands Demons sending experts to the area, aiming to uncover the rumored burial site of a Life-and-Death Realm powerhouse.

"We’re almost there."

"This place is called Mercenary City!"

Shortly after Lin Bai and Gao Lin arrived, they stood before an extremely simple city. The city was built almost entirely of random stones stacked together, with barely any defensive measures. Compared to even a third-tier city within the Seventy-two Dynasties, this place was far less sophisticated!

However, Lin Bai noticed that the warriors bustling in and out of the city were far from weak. The lowest cultivation level among them was in the Yin Saint Realm, while the strongest among them reached the fourth or fifth levels of the Yangshen Realm.

"Let’s go." Gao Lin led Lin Bai into Mercenary City and headed straight toward a cluster of small tile houses in the northern part of the city.

When they reached a small courtyard, Lin Bai could already hear the raucous chatter of many people inside the yard.

"I can’t believe the Shenyu Mountains actually exist, and someone even found it."

"Yeah, I wonder if the legends are really true. Could it be that the Shenyu Mountains are truly the burial site of a Life-and-Death Realm powerhouse?"

"Whether it’s true or not, we have to check it out. If the Three Great Families or the Demon Clan beat us to it, that would be a real shame."

"..."

Hearing the voices coming from inside the courtyard wall, Gao Lin grinned and pushed open the gate. Looking at the warriors in the yard, he cheerfully announced, "Haha! Old friends, I’m back!"

"Gao Lin? You’re finally back—we’ve been waiting for you."

"Haha, I didn’t expect our captain to call even you back this time."

In the yard, over a dozen warriors greeted him with laughter and smiles.

Lin Bai glanced around, noticing sixteen warriors in total. Their cultivation levels ranged between the first and second levels of the Yangshen Realm, with none reaching the third level.

However, there was one warrior at the fourth level of the Yangshen Realm—a blue-robed man named Yang Qingyun!

Gao Lin chuckled and asked, "By the way, where’s the captain?"

At that moment, a young man smiled faintly and said, "The captain is still resting. By the way, who’s this? Gao Lin, how could you just bring someone to our camp without asking?"

Gao Lin froze for a moment before quickly coming to his senses. "My young friend, let me introduce you," he said. "This is Yang Qingyun, and this is..."

"They are all members of our Dragon Hunting Mercenary Group."

"Brothers, this is... Dongfang Bai!"

"I don’t need to explain any further, do I?"

Gao Lin said with a laugh.

Hiss—

At the mention of the name "Dongfang Bai," the warriors around him all audibly drew in sharp breaths, their eyes wide with shock as they stared at Lin Bai in disbelief!

Seeing their astonished expressions, Lin Bai smiled faintly and said, "I am Dongfang Bai. Greetings, friends."

"You’re the Junior Sword Venerable of the Heaven-reaching Sword Sect!"

"A monstrous genius!"

"My heavens, I can’t believe I’m seeing you in the flesh."

The warriors of the Dragon Hunting Mercenary Group quickly swarmed around Lin Bai as if he were a priceless treasure, examining him with awe.

As for Yang Qingyun, his expression remained largely unchanged.

"I am Yang Qingyun, an inner disciple of the Donglan Sword Sect. It’s an honor to meet you, Brother Dongfang." Yang Qingyun offered a polite but insincere smile as he bowed to Lin Bai.

Lin Bai nodded slightly in return.

"I just woke up and heard that the monstrous genius of the Lingnan Continent has arrived," came a woman’s voice from one of the houses.

Lin Bai was stunned, turning toward Gao Lin. "Your captain is a woman?" he asked.

Gao Lin gave a knowing smile. "Not just any woman—she’s a man-eating Overlord Flower. You’ll see what I mean when you meet her..."

Cre-eak!

From one of the small tile houses, a woman stepped out. Her skin was dark yet alluring, with exquisite features and fox-like eyes full of spirit. She wore leather armor that accentuated her wild beauty.

"Captain!"

"Captain!"

Both Gao Lin and Yang Qingyun clasped their fists and offered respectful salutes to her.

Yang Qingyun’s gaze held a trace of excitement and fervor as it landed on the woman.

Lin Bai stared at the woman in amazement.

This woman... Lin Bai recognized her!

Not only did he recognize her—she was an old acquaintance!

"Haha," the woman laughed as she walked toward Lin Bai. "I am Tiehai Tang, captain of the Dragon Hunting Mercenary Group. It’s a great honor to meet a monstrous genius like you!"

Lin Bai stared blankly at Tiehai Tang, his eyes fixed on her face, unable to look away.

Lin Bai was stunned. Dumbfounded.

Never in his wildest dreams did Lin Bai expect to encounter Tiehai Tang in this place!

Lin Bai recalled how, back in Lingdong, Tiehai Tang had come to seek him out, only to be captured by the Five Poisons Sect Leader, who intended to use her as a vessel for the Five Poisons Holy Ancestor’s rebirth. Fortunately, Lin Bai had destroyed the Five Poisons Sect in time.

At that time, Tiehai Tang had been unconscious. Lin Bai had entrusted her care to his cousin Hua Yuxian. However, the battle against the Five Poisons Sect had been so catastrophic that, after the dust settled, Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao had lost all trace of both Hua Yuxian and Tiehai Tang.

Lin Bai never would’ve imagined that Tiehai Tang would end up in Lingnan!

"Brother Dongfang, why are you staring at me? Is there a flower on my face?" Tiehai Tang said with a hearty laugh.

Seeing Lin Bai’s reaction, Yang Qingyun’s expression darkened, his mood souring. He had long harbored feelings for Tiehai Tang. Otherwise, as a Donglan Sword Sect disciple and someone at the fourth level of the Yangshen Realm, he could easily have joined one of the Three Great Families. There was no need for him to remain in this relatively insignificant Dragon Hunting Mercenary Group!

Watching Lin Bai’s dazed expression, Gao Lin coughed lightly and said, "Young friend Dongfang, ahem..."

Hearing Gao Lin’s cough, Lin Bai snapped out of it. He let out an embarrassed, self-deprecating laugh and said, "I truly didn’t expect to meet you here!"

"Hai Tang, it’s been a long time!"