Chapter 373 Crimson Fire Mercenary Group: Surrender and You Will Not Be Killed!

The Red Fire Mercenary Group base.

Blood rained down.

Several mangled corpses slammed into the ground, splashing a shocking patch of crimson blood.

The entire base instantly fell into chaos!

"Enemy attack!!!"

"Quick! Notify the vice commander, now!"

"Has the damn Blood Thorn Mercenary Group gone mad?!"

Cries of alarm, angry curses, and the roars of battle beasts blended into a single cacophony.

Countless figures rushed out from everywhere, quickly assembling.

Every single one of them was at least Amethyst Rank!

There were at least a hundred of them!

Each one had a fierce Aura and ruthless eyes—desperadoes clearly accustomed to living life on the edge of a blade.

And in the sky...

He Yuanming stood with his hands behind his back, looking down coldly.

Behind him, six Diamond Rank experts were lined up, their Aura as vast as a rainbow.

Further back, thirty Amethyst Rank members stood in formation, ready for battle.

Jiang Yun stood beside He Yuanming, his gaze sweeping over the crowd rushing out below.

Simultaneously, his Entry Manifestation talent quietly activated.

[Name]: Iron Mountain Liu

[Realm]: First Stage of Meteor Rank

[Battle Beast]: Crimson Flame Demonic Tiger (First Stage of Meteor Rank)

[Name]: Zhou Ba

[Realm]: Diamond Ninth Tier Peak

[Battle Beast]: Iron-backed Azure Bear (Diamond Rank Nine)

[Name]: Wang Lie

[Realm]: Diamond Eighth Tier

[Battle Beast]: Raging Flame Lion (Diamond Rank Seven)

...

Lines of information flashed through Jiang Yun's eyes.

His pupils contracted slightly.

One First Stage of Meteor Rank.

One at the Diamond Ninth Tier Peak.

Three at Diamond Eighth Tier.

And over a dozen below Diamond Rank Seven.

Plus those forty-odd Amethyst Rank members...

A trace of surprise welled up in Jiang Yun's heart.

The foundation of this Red Fire Mercenary Group was much stronger than he had imagined!

He had originally thought that after Lie Yunkong's death, the rest would just be a defeated rabble.

He didn't expect they would actually have a vice commander at First Stage of Meteor Rank hidden away!

He turned his head and gave He Yuanming a deep look.

This old fox.

As expected, he didn't have good intentions.

Asking him to subdue the Red Fire Mercenary Group?

If he hadn't been cautious and made He Yuanming take the lead, the one being besieged today would probably have been himself.

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Yun's eyes.

On the surface, however, he remained impassive.

I want to see how He Yuanming will wrap this up.

However, with He Yuanming's strength at Meteorite Level 3...

Dealing with these people should be more than enough.

Below.

The crowd parted.

A burly figure strode out from the depths of the base.

It was a middle-aged man in his forties, built like a bull with a face full of scars.

His eyes were as fierce as a tiger's.

This was the vice commander, Iron Mountain Liu.

First Stage of Meteor Rank.

Behind him followed over a dozen Diamond Rank experts.

Each one had a powerful Aura and unfriendly eyes.

Iron Mountain Liu looked up at He Yuanming in the sky.

A flash of fury crossed his eyes.

"He Yuanming!"

His voice was like a thunderclap, echoing throughout the base.

"Are you fucking tired of living?!"

"You dare kill people on my Red Fire Mercenary Group's territory?!"

He Yuanming looked down at him from above, his expression calm.

"Iron Mountain Liu, long time no see."

The fire of anger in Iron Mountain Liu's eyes grew even stronger.

"Cut the bullshit!"

He pointed at the corpses on the ground.

"If you don't give me an explanation today, I'll make your Blood Thorn Mercenary Group disappear from Black Rock City!"

As his voice fell.

The battle beasts of the Diamond Rank experts behind him all released their Auras simultaneously!

Boom!!!

Over a dozen Diamond Rank pressures soared into the sky!

They bore down directly on He Yuanming's group in the air!

And the hundred-plus Amethyst Rank members below also released their Auras at the same time!

Over a hundred Auras converged, forming a terrifying sense of oppression!

The faces of the six Diamond Rank experts behind He Yuanming changed slightly.

The thirty Amethyst Rank members were even more tense.

This force was much stronger than theirs!

However.

He Yuanming merely smiled faintly.

He raised his hand.

And gave a gentle wave.

In the next instant.

A terrifying Aura erupted from his battle beast!

Meteorite Level 3!

That Aura was like a massive mountain, crushing down ruthlessly!

Boom!!!

The First Stage of Meteor Rank Aura released by Iron Mountain Liu's battle beast was instantly suppressed!

The Auras of the dozen or so Diamond Rank experts behind him were even more like paper, collapsing instantly!

As for the Auras of those Amethyst Rank members, they didn't even have the qualification to resist; they were crushed directly!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

One figure after another fell from the sky like dumplings being dropped into a pot!

Those were the Diamond Rank experts riding flying battle beasts!

Under the pressure of a Meteorite Level 3, they didn't even have the ability to fly and were pressed directly into the ground!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

One by one, they slammed hard into the earth!

Smashing out large craters!

Dust flew everywhere!

And those Amethyst Rank members who were already on the ground felt their legs go weak, their faces turning deathly pale!

Some knelt down directly!

Some sprawled on the ground, their entire bodies trembling!

The suppression of a Falling Star Rank against those below Diamond Rank was absolute!

The entire Red Fire Mercenary Group, over a hundred people!

At this moment, only one person could still stand.

Iron Mountain Liu.

He stood amidst the ruins, his face ashen and his body taut.

His First Stage of Meteor Rank Aura was still barely holding on.

But that pressure coming from He Yuanming's battle beast was like Mount Tai pressing down, making it difficult for him to even move.

Veins bulged on his forehead.

His legs were trembling slightly.

He knew that if He Yuanming attacked now...

He would undoubtedly die.

Meteorite Level 3 against First Stage of Meteor Rank.

The gap was too large.

But he still didn't panic.

He raised his head and stared fixedly at He Yuanming.

His eyes were full of fury.

"He Yuanming! What is the meaning of this?!"

His voice was hoarse and low.

"Do you really think our Red Fire Mercenary Group is easy to bully?!"

"When our commander returns, you're fucking dead!"

Hearing this, He Yuanming laughed.

That smile carried a hint of mockery.

"Your commander?"

He shook his head.

"Iron Mountain Liu, don't you know yet?"

"Your commander isn't coming back."

Iron Mountain Liu's pupils shrank abruptly!

"What did you say?!"

He Yuanming stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at him.

"Lie Yunkong is already dead."

"He died in the Secret Realm."

"He died at the hands of my new commander."

His voice wasn't loud.

Yet it was like a thunderclap, exploding in the ears of every member of the Red Fire Mercenary Group!

The entire area instantly fell into a deathly silence!

Everyone was stunned!

Eyes wide!

Mouths agape!

They looked at He Yuanming in disbelief!

The... the commander is dead?!

Commander Lie Yunkong, a Meteorite Level 4, is dead?!

And he was... killed by his new commander?!

This is impossible!

Absolutely impossible!!

Iron Mountain Liu's face instantly turned deathly pale.

His body trembled violently.

"Im... impossible..."

He murmured, his voice shaking.

"Our commander is Meteorite Level 4! Meteorite Level 4!"

"In Black Rock City, besides *that* person, who could kill him?!"

"He Yuanming! Stop trying to fool me with your bullshit!"

He stared fixedly at He Yuanming, his eyes bloodshot.

"When our commander returns, not a single one of you in the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group will live!"

The Diamond Rank experts behind him also snapped back to their senses.

"Right! It's impossible for the commander to die!"

"He Yuanming! Don't you dare try to deceive us!"

"Our commander is Meteorite Level 4! Who could kill him?!"

"When the commander returns, all of you will die!"

Angry roars rose one after another.

But mostly, there was fear.

Guilt.

And a forcibly suppressed unease.

Because they knew.

He Yuanming seemingly had no reason to lie to them.

Moreover...

This new commander He Yuanming spoke of.

Who was it?

Could it be some powerful expert he had in mind?

Someone even stronger than their commander?

The crowd searched around He Yuanming.

Finally, their gazes landed on the youth standing beside He Yuanming.

Everyone's eyes looked toward Jiang Yun.

In their eyes was nothing but disbelief.

Him?

This sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth?

Killed Commander Lie Yunkong, a Meteorite Level 4?

What kind of joke is this?!

Even the members of the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group behind He Yuanming were stunned at this moment.

They looked at Jiang Yun, their eyes equally filled with shock.

What?!

The commander said their new commander...

He... he killed Lie Yunkong?!

That Meteorite Level 4 commander of the Red Fire Mercenary Group?!

How is this possible?!

They recalled He Yuanming's respect toward Jiang Yun.

They recalled He Yuanming's cautious attitude.

They had originally thought Jiang Yun was some Young Master from a great Family, and that their commander was being so respectful just to curry favor with the other's Family.

But now...

The commander said he was the one who killed Lie Yunkong?!

Then his strength...

The way they looked at Jiang Yun changed instantly.

From their previous doubt and contempt...

It turned into shock.

It turned into awe.

It turned into... fear.

A man who could kill a Meteorite Level 4...

Must absolutely not be offended.

Jiang Yun paid no mind to those gazes.

He just quietly watched Iron Mountain Liu.

Watching the people of the Red Fire Mercenary Group.

Listening to their angry roars.

Then...

He noticed a certain issue.

“That person.”

“That person” whom Iron Mountain Liu had mentioned.

Jiang Yun's brow twitched slightly.

That person?

Is there someone in Black Rock City who could make a Meteorite Level 4 wary?

He looked at He Yuanming.

He Yuanming's expression was normal, as if he hadn't noticed this detail.

But Jiang Yun knew.

This old fox must know something.

He withdrew his gaze and continued looking down.

In his mind, however, he began to think rapidly.

Are there hidden experts in Black Rock City?

An existence capable of killing a Meteorite Level 4?

That would be at least a Falling Star Rank 5 or higher.

Perhaps even a high-tier Falling Star Rank.

Or... an existence above the Falling Star Rank?

Where would such a person be?

What is their relationship with the four major powers?

Why has no one ever mentioned them?

A trace of solemnity flashed in Jiang Yun's eyes.

It seemed Black Rock City was much more complex than it appeared on the surface.

And He Yuanming's suggestion for him to become City Lord was likely far from simple as well.

He took a deep look at He Yuanming's back.

He said nothing.

He simply buried this wariness deep in his heart.

Below...

Iron Mountain Liu was still roaring.

But his voice clearly lacked confidence now.

Because He Yuanming had done nothing but stare at him coldly from beginning to end.

That gaze was like looking at a dead man.

He Yuanming spoke slowly.

“Iron Mountain Liu.”

“I give you two choices.”

“First, submit. From today on, the Red Fire Mercenary Group merges into the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group and pledges loyalty to Master Jiang.”

“Second...”

He paused, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.

“Die.”

“Die along with these people behind you.”

His voice was ice-cold, devoid of any emotion.

Iron Mountain Liu's face instantly became incredibly unsightly.

He looked at He Yuanming.

He looked at the six Diamond Rank experts behind He Yuanming.

He looked at the youth standing high above in the sky.

His fists clenched.

Then loosened.

Loosened.

Then clenched again.

A battle was raging within his heart.

Submit?

He, Iron Mountain Liu, had run rampant in Black Rock City for so many years; when had he ever submitted to anyone?

But resist?

He Yuanming was Meteorite Level 3, while he was First Stage of Meteor Rank.

The gap was too large.

If they really fought, he would surely die.

What's more...

If Commander Lie Yunkong really was dead...

Then he...

He gritted his teeth and said word by word,

“He Yuanming, what right do you have to make us believe our commander is really dead?”

“What if this is a trap you set to trick us into surrendering?”

Hearing this, He Yuanming smiled.

He turned his head to look at Jiang Yun.

He cupped his hands respectfully.

“Master Jiang, this man's strength is decent, and keeping him might be of some help. However, to make him submit now, I'm afraid I need you to...”

He Yuanming did not finish his sentence explicitly.

Jiang Yun already understood.

Clearly, he was being asked to take action to intimidate them.

Although he still had doubts and precautions against He Yuanming...

He believed that even if He Yuanming had some scheme, he would certainly not joke with his own life.

For now, their goals were at least aligned.

He also wanted to see what He Yuanming's ultimate purpose was and what he intended to do.

Thus, Jiang Yun sent a telepathic message to Fox Immortal in the shadows.

The next moment...

A terrifying Aura flashed for a brief instant from the shadows!

That Aura lasted only a second.

Yet it was as if an ancient Vicious Beast had opened its eyes!

Iron Mountain Liu's face instantly turned as pale as paper!

The Diamond Rank experts behind him felt their legs go weak, and they collapsed to the ground!

What was that?!

What level of existence was that?!

Diamond Rank?!

No!

Stronger than Diamond Rank!

Was it... was it Falling Star Rank?!

No!

Something was very wrong!!!

The pressure contained in that Aura was practically comparable to a high-tier Falling Star Rank!

How is that possible?!!

How can this be?!!

Is this the strength of this youth?!!

A sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth!

To actually possess such terrifying strength, could he be a peerless Prodigy from some Hidden Family?

Or perhaps a monstrous Genius from the Central State?!

Regardless of which it was, he was an existence they dared not provoke.

Countless thoughts flashed through Iron Mountain Liu's mind.

In the end, only one remained.

Commander Lie Yunkong... really is dead.

Died at the hands of the owner of that Aura.

Died at the hands of this youth.

He looked at Jiang Yun.

His eyes were filled with fear.

And Jiang Yun just looked at him quietly.

He spoke indifferently.

“Now, do you believe?”

Iron Mountain Liu was stunned.

He stood there like a stone statue.

Cold sweat slid down his forehead and cheeks, dripping onto the ground with a soft sound.

That Aura had lasted only a moment.

But in that moment, he felt as if his Soul had been frozen.

What level of existence was that?

Low-tier Meteorite?

No, a low-tier Meteorite definitely wouldn't have this kind of pressure.

Mid-tier Meteorite?

That wasn't right either; He Yuanming's Aura just now had already made his heart palpitate.

However, this pressure was many times stronger than that.

Countless thoughts flashed through Iron Mountain Liu's mind.

But none could explain the Aura from just now.

He only knew one thing.

If the owner of that Aura wanted to kill him...

He wouldn't even have a chance to run away.

An instant kill.

An absolute instant kill.

And such a terrifying beast-taming existence was actually in the hands of this youth.

He raised his head and looked at Jiang Yun.

That young face now looked like a demon's in his eyes.

His legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

The Diamond Rank experts behind him had long since collapsed weakly to the ground.

Zhou Ba, at the Diamond Ninth Tier Peak, was currently sprawled on the ground, his whole body shaking, his face as white as paper.

His Iron-backed Azure Bear huddled beside him, letting out low whimpers as if facing its natural enemy.

Wang Lie, a Diamond Eighth Tier, was now kneeling on the ground with his forehead pressed against the dirt, not even having the courage to look up.

His Raging Flame Lion lay beside him, its fur standing on end, yet it dared not move an inch.

The other Diamond Rank experts were in even more pathetic states.

Some sat paralyzed on the ground, eyes vacant.

Some leaned against walls, their legs knocking together.

Some simply fainted outright.

And those Amethyst Rank members had already fallen to their knees in a large group.

No one dared to speak.

No one dared to move.

The entire Red Fire Mercenary Group base was deathly silent.

Only the wind blew through the ruins, bringing a slight rustling sound.

Iron Mountain Liu opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

But he found his throat so parched that he couldn't utter a single word.

He could only look at Jiang Yun.

Watching that youth look down at him from above.

Those eyes were terrifyingly calm.

Devoid of any emotion.

As if that terrifying Aura just now was merely a trivial matter.

A massive fear surged within Iron Mountain Liu's heart.

He finally understood.

Everything He Yuanming said was true.

Commander Lie Yunkong really was dead.

Died at the hands of this youth.

Died at the hands of the beast with that terrifying Aura behind him.

And he, Iron Mountain Liu, had been clamoring just a moment ago.

Threatening.

Saying they would wait for the commander to return.

Ridiculous.

So ridiculous.

He lowered his head.

His legs went weak.

He crashed to his knees.

“Iron Mountain Liu... is willing to submit.”

His voice was raspy and low.

Carrying endless fear.

And deep despair.

Behind him, the Diamond Rank and Amethyst Rank members also lowered their heads one after another.

“Willing to submit...”

“Willing to submit...”

The voices rose one after another, all of them trembling.

At this moment, they only wanted to live.

In the sky.

Jiang Yun watched this scene, his expression remaining calm.

He spoke indifferently.

“Rise.”

“From today on, the Red Fire Mercenary Group is merged into the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group.”

“If anyone harbors double intentions...”

He paused.

He didn't continue.

But everyone knew what that meant.

Iron Mountain Liu's whole body shuddered.

He lowered his head deeply.

“Yes.”