Chapter 81: Farewell Banquet

After the goods were safely stored, the next period was free time for the mercenaries, giving everyone a chance to rest. However, due to the continuous travel day and night over the past few days, everyone was extremely exhausted. Once they dispersed, most people didn't even bother to eat and found a tavern to sleep, while those who were injured hurried to treat their wounds.

Jianchen secured his horse, scanned the surroundings, and finally stopped his gaze on a figure dressed in simple clothes. He cautiously looked around and then quickly walked toward that figure.

Approaching the person dressed in simple clothes, Jianchen lowered his voice and said, "Muyun, many mercenaries already know about the combat technique you possess. You should leave now while you have the chance, or they might do something to harm you."

Hearing this, Muyun turned to look at Jianchen and smiled indifferently, "Don't worry. It's not that easy to obtain the combat technique I have."

Jianchen's brows furrowed slightly, and he looked deeply at Muyun, smiling faintly, "If that's the case, I won't say more." He paused, then continued, "Since we have successfully reached the Wind Blue Kingdom, I will also leave the mercenary group. We won't be traveling together from now on. Brother Muyun, take care." As he spoke, Jianchen bowed to Muyun. Although it was their first meeting, the two had a good relationship during the journey, and they got along well. Moreover, Muyun had exposed his combat technique to save Jianchen, so Jianchen had a good impression of him, though it wasn't enough to consider Muyun a close friend.

"You take care too!" Muyun also bowed in return.

"Are the two of you planning to leave? Everyone has worked hard on this journey. We have prepared fine wine and food. Why don't we all have a big feast together?" At this moment, a deep voice suddenly sounded, and a man in black attire walked towards Jianchen and Muyun with a smile.

Seeing this man, Jianchen was slightly taken aback but quickly recovered, immediately bowing, "It's Leader Langtian!" Over these days, Jianchen had become more familiar with the members of the three mercenary groups. This man in black attire was none other than Leader Langtian, a powerful expert who had reached the Great Sage level.

Upon seeing Leader Langtian, Muyun also put down his affairs and smiled, bowing to greet him.

"Friends, may I ask your names? The attack by the Cangmang Bandit Group was indeed unfortunate, but fortunately, we successfully repelled them. During this time, we greatly benefited from your assistance. Otherwise, our casualties would have been even greater," Leader Langtian said with a gentle smile, looking like a kind uncle.

"My name is Jianchen. Leader Langtian is too polite. The greatest credit for repelling the Cangmang Bandit Group goes to Leader Langtian, who led the charge and killed the experts on the enemy side," Jianchen replied with a faint smile.

"My name is Muyun. Brother Jianchen is right. We owe our success to Leader Langtian, who eliminated the experts on the enemy side. Otherwise, we might not have survived," Muyun also said with a smile.

Hearing this, a hint of shame flashed in Leader Langtian's eyes, but he quickly concealed it. He then said, "Brothers Jianchen and Muyun, you are too polite. Regardless of the outcome, I must thank you on behalf of the entire Langtian Mercenary Group. These days, everyone has been worried about being caught by the Cangmang Bandit Group, so we have been traveling day and night. It has been tough for you both. Now that we have prepared fine wine and food, why don't we all have a big feast and rest for a few days to recover from our fatigue?"

"Alright, I've been eating dry rations for days and almost forgotten what meat tastes like. I was planning to have a big meal anyway. Since Leader Langtian has already prepared the food, I'll save a meal's worth of money," Muyun agreed readily, then looked at Jianchen, "Brother Jianchen, why don't you join us? I'm sure you're also tired of eating dry rations."

Jianchen shook his head slightly, "I appreciate Leader Langtian's kindness, but I have important matters to attend to and must leave immediately. I won't be able to join you all for the feast. If I have offended you, please forgive me."

A hint of regret appeared on Leader Langtian's face, but since Jianchen had spoken so clearly, he couldn't insist on keeping him. He bowed and said, "Since Brother Jianchen has important matters, I won't delay you. I hope you have a safe journey."

After bidding farewell to Leader Langtian, Jianchen left directly. As a mercenary who joined the caravan midway, he was free to come and go as he pleased, without needing to inform anyone.

Shortly after Jianchen left, in a room of a tavern, Leader Langtian in black attire and several mercenaries gathered, discussing something in low voices.

"Kabu, are you sure that the mercenary named Muyun possesses a combat technique?" A middle-aged man in a white robe, sitting next to Leader Langtian, asked. The man was of average build, with long black hair tied back with a cord. A fierce scar ran across his bronze-colored face, still partially covered in blood, indicating it was a recent injury.

"Yes, Leader Bai Feiyun. Many people saw Muyun use the combat technique. It's definitely real," a mercenary immediately replied.

"That's right, Leader Bai Feiyun, Leader Langtian. I believe all the surviving brothers can testify that Muyun used a combat technique, and it was of a high rank," another mercenary chimed in.

Such an important matter should have been reported earlier, but at the time, they were constantly at risk of being caught by the Cangmang Bandit Group, and their lives were in danger. In such a situation, no one would have cared about the combat technique. After all, even if you obtained a combat technique, it would be useless if you didn't survive to enjoy it.

Now, however, they were in the Wind Blue Kingdom and temporarily safe. Only then did someone mention Muyun's combat technique.

Although they were mercenaries, the survival environment on the Tianyuan Continent was extremely harsh. Even mercenaries would turn to robbery and plunder when they saw something that made them envious. Such incidents were common on the Tianyuan Continent.

Hearing the mercenaries' words, the other people in the room frowned.

The middle-aged man in the white robe looked at Leader Langtian and asked, "Leader Langtian, what do you think about this?"

Leader Langtian frowned in thought and then slowly said, "I believe Muyun must know that his combat technique has been exposed. What I don't understand is why, with his Great Sage level strength, he didn't choose to leave immediately after the exposure. Why does he continue to stay with us? Does he not fear that we might target his combat technique?"

"Even if he trusts us, does he not worry that the news of his combat technique will spread from us, bringing him endless trouble and even costing him his life?" Leader Langtian analyzed, though he looked like a simple, honest man, he was not stupid.

"From what you say, this Muyun is either a fool or has some confidence that allows him to act without fear," the man in the white robe mused.

Hearing this, Leader Langtian said, "I have interacted with Muyun before. He is not a fool. He seems to be an experienced old mercenary. How could such a person make such a fatal mistake?"

"Then, do any of you know Muyun's background?" the man in the white robe continued.

"This Muyun joined us midway. He traveled with us, but we don't know much about his background. Individual mercenaries often join caravans for long journeys to ensure a smooth trip, and we don't usually ask too many questions about their past," a middle-aged man in a green robe explained. His face was slightly pale. If Jianchen were here, he would recognize this man as the one who agreed to let him join the caravan in the Gerson Kingdom.

The mercenaries in the room fell silent. After a moment, one of them finally spoke, "Leader, what should we do? If we successfully obtain the combat technique, it will be a significant wealth for us. Even if we don't use it, we can sell it for a fortune, given the value of combat techniques on the Tianyuan Continent. Moreover, this is a high-rank combat technique."

"Leader, why don't we take a chance?" another mercenary suggested, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Leader Langtian frowned but did not immediately agree. Instead, he turned to the man in the white robe and asked, "Leader Bai Feiyun, what do you think about this?"

The man called Leader Bai Feiyun frowned deeply, his eyes flickering with indecision.

After a long moment, Leader Bai Feiyun finally spoke, "Leader Langtian, do you remember the mysterious expert who secretly helped us during the battle with the Cangmang Bandit Group a few days ago?" His tone was heavy.

Hearing this, the faces of the mercenaries in the room who were unaware of the incident changed. Apart from the five who returned, no one else knew about it. They had assumed that the Cangmang Bandit Group's experts were defeated by their leaders and a few other experts. Now, it seemed the situation was different.

Leader Langtian's expression changed, and he said solemnly, "Of course, if it weren't for that mysterious expert's help, we might not have survived."