Upon hearing Su Mo say not to come back, Haywood looked distressed: “But…”

Su Mo clicked his tongue: “But what? Reluctant to leave your territory, huh?”

“Look at the situation clearly. The Viper Gang didn’t kill you outright; they’ve seen your years of operation in the Border District and regard you as an elder, giving you some face.”

“They politely chased you away, but if you don’t leave and insist on staying here, next time they won’t just give you a warning; they’ll take your life.”

Su Mo’s words calmed Haywood down as he faced reality. He said gloomily, “Decades gone by, I never thought it would end this way…”

Su Mo replied calmly, “That’s how the Border District is—survival for the fittest, elimination for the weak. At least you’re still alive with your limbs intact, luckier than 90% of those who met their downfall.”

Haywood sighed heavily: “Alright, I have some properties in the Inner City and have saved up quite a bit. I’ll go lay low for a while… What about you? What will you do?”

Su Mo glanced at the invitation the bald man had given him.

The words on it were scribbled all over, altered here and there:

[Cordially inviting New Moon City’s Mercenary Su Min (struck through)]

[Su An (struck through)]

[Su Chu (struck through)]

[Damn it, what kind of lousy name is this, so hard to write]

[You come to Dragon Gate Restaurant at 8 PM tonight]

Su Mo chuckled: “Desperate illiterate.”

The bald man had mentioned earlier that this invitation was from “Simon.”

Su Mo had met Simon before.

Last time there was a conflict between the Crow’s Nest and Wolf Attack at the black market, Simon was the one representing the Crow’s Nest to provoke the red-haired girl Hibell.

In the game “Dawn,” Simon is one of the “Crow’s Nest Seven.”

The Crow’s Nest Seven are the seven gold-standard fighters unanimously acknowledged as the best in the Crow’s Nest.

And this Simon is a “Critical Initial Tier” Mad Corpse Blood Code Carrier, extremely powerful.

This invitation is another impact of the world line changes, not existing in the original plot, so Su Mo can’t predict what will happen next.

But one thing is certain, this invitation cannot be ignored.

After all, regardless of what happens next, the Crow’s Nest is still the undisputed “King of the Borderlands.”

If any hidden threats aren’t timely explored or resolved, it will be unfavorable for future development.

Of course, going empty-handed is not an option. Otherwise, it would be hard to escape if danger arises.

Thinking about this, Su Mo made a phone call: “Hey, Future, there’s something I need you to help me with…”

…

Regarding the invitation to Dragon Gate Restaurant, Su Mo considered whether to bring Dongdong, as more help would mean more support.

But he ultimately dismissed the idea.

The intentions of the Crow’s Nest are unclear this time, and he doesn’t know what they’re going to discuss.

Dongdong has a volatile temper, fears nothing, and should the negotiations turn sour and provoke her, the situation might spiral out of control.

Therefore, to be safe, Su Mo decided to attend the banquet alone.

“Dragon Gate Restaurant” is a famous eatery in the Border District, located in the central area.

This restaurant has a notable background, not affiliated with any group, yet protected by all factions.

Throughout the years, the major groups have constantly been in conflict. When leaders wanted face-to-face talks but feared ambushes in each other’s territories, mutual distrust made choosing a venue difficult.

Later, after negotiations among all groups, they funded the creation of Dragon Gate Restaurant and set rules — this is a neutral area, where only peace talks are allowed, and no weapons can be used, or else combined forces from other groups will eradicate the offenders.

This way, Dragon Gate Restaurant became a venue for negotiations among the powers of the Border District and continues to exist today.

Su Mo arrived at night.

Dragon Gate Restaurant boasts a rich Chinese style, its building constructed of wood, adorned with red lanterns and banners, the red glow giving a festive atmosphere.

Upon entering the main door, cheongsam-clad female receptionists sweetly welcomed: “Welcome, esteemed guests, to Dragon Gate Restaurant.”

The ancient-style lobby is elegantly decorated, filled with exquisite wood carvings, its sophisticated style clashing fiercely with the rundown nature of the Border District, even if it were in the Lakefront Business District, it would still seem harmonious.

“I’m looking for Simon,” Su Mo showed the invitation to the receptionist.

The latter took it respectfully and led the way.

Simon had reserved the golden dragon private room on the top floor.

Upon entering, Su Mo saw a large artificial mountain trickling with water, decorated with a miniature garden ecological scene, both a backdrop and a shield for the esteemed guests.

Rounding the mountain, the spacious private room held a large round table, with exquisite ceramic tableware neatly arranged, surrounded by transparent floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the nighttime Border District.

The round table was full, Simon in the main seat, and the guest across from him made Su Mo pause for a moment.

Surprisingly, it was Ou Chenyu, also invited to the banquet.

This incident didn’t exist in the original plot, and Su Mo couldn’t figure out the current situation.

Simon looked up at Su Mo, hesitating: “Su… Su what again? Su Hei Dog!”

Su Mo: “That character is pronounced Mo.”

Simon waved his hand impatiently: “Oh, whatever, sit down, you’re the last one, taking your time.”

Su Mo sat in the only remaining empty seat.

Once everyone was gathered, Ou Chenyu took the lead and spoke: “Calling over so many mercenaries for dinner, is there some big joint commission to announce?”

Simon picked up his glass, smiled, and gave a toast to Ou Chenyu: “There’s no commission, just heard so much about you mercenaries, thought we’d get together for a chat.”

Ou Chenyu said lightly: “Not that simple, is it? Many of the great mercenary corps aren’t here, instead, you’ve invited a few unknown small players, your guest list is quite intriguing.”

Simon finished his drink and spoke bluntly: “Since Grand Captain Ou has spoken, I won’t hide it.”

“I didn’t invite those major mercenary groups because they’re quite well-behaved, whereas all of you are new mercenaries who have been extremely active in the border this year.”

“Bang!”

Suddenly, a man with a bun next to Ou Chenyu slammed the table and said in a harsh tone, “Who are you calling new mercenaries? Don’t underestimate our Tiger Fang, Kunoya Road.”

Su Mo recognized him. That was Xiaotian You, the number three of the Tiger Fang Mercenary Corps.

After the death of Gao Hai, the number two, he should have taken over the position of deputy leader.

Xiaotian You spoke rudely, and Simon’s expression became a bit stiff.

Ou Chenyu said displeased: “Xiaotian, let Brother Simon finish talking.”

“Hey.” Xiaotian You responded.

Su Mo wanted to laugh at the sight.

Xiaotian You is a quiet and honest person, never acting on his own initiative, his words and deeds just now were definitely under someone’s instructions.

This Ou Chenyu had Xiaotian You play the bad guy while he acted as the good guy, really sly.

Simon calmed himself and continued: “As everyone knows, ever since New Moon City’s authorities issued the ‘Border Isolation Act’, in the past 50 years, the border district and the inner city, though both part of New Moon City in planning, have become two different worlds.”

“The authorities built the Rust Wall and no longer interfere in the affairs of the border district. But since the beginning of this year, there have been over a hundred attacks on border groups by inner city mercenaries, resulting in the dissolution of six groups.”

“Take the recent events for example, the Red Blade Association and Anqing Association have been destroyed, and not a single member survived. I don’t know what these two groups did to you, care to explain? Su Hei Dog, Grand Captain Ou?”

“That character is pronounced Mo.” Su Mo coughed lightly, pretending to be respectful, “I’m just a small mercenary, how would I dare to speak, let the Grand Captain Ou explain.”

Seeing Su Mo pass the ball over, Ou Chenyu said lightly: “Are these two groups close to the Crow’s Nest? From my background research on Anqing Association, they seem to have nothing to do with Crow’s Nest.”

Simon’s voice rose: “There’s no relation. But they are border groups after all, and the incidents occurred in the border, do you think we should intervene?!”

Xiaotian You slammed the table again: “Damn! Mercenary business, it’s not up to Crow’s Nest to meddle!”

Simon’s breathing became heavy, veins popping on his forehead: “Ou Chenyu, don’t you think you ought to control your people?”

“Xiaotian, don’t interrupt, it’s really inappropriate.” Ou Chenyu feigned a scolding of Xiaotian You, then spoke gently, “Simon, you also know our mercenary code – we handle matters for money, without asking the right and wrong.”

“Why Su Mo wiped out Red Blade Association, I don’t know. Anyway, we have no personal grudges with Anqing Association, it was purely business, we just took the employer’s money and did the job, they were just unlucky to provoke someone they shouldn’t have.”

Simon’s demeanor turned cold: “You guys do business, but you’re challenging Crow’s Nest. Crow’s Nest is recognized as the King of the Borderlands, so many groups submit to us because they believe we can manage the border well.”

“Now you’re hitting this family today and hammering that family tomorrow, coming without greetings, killing and then leaving, do you still hold us, Crow’s Nest, in your hearts?”

Xiaotian You mocked: “Hey, instead of bothering with us, maybe you should care more about your own territory. Crow’s Nest has already lost several blocks to Wolf Strike, who knows if you’ll still be the King of the Borderlands this year?”

Simon, the top enforcer, already had a bad temper.

Xiaotian You had been disrespectful several times, and Simon had reached his limit, slamming the table in fury: “I’ve put up with you long enough!”

“Boom!”

The door of the private room was burst open, and people from the adjacent room rushed in to surround the table. It was clearly an ambush by the Crow’s Nest, each of them looking coldly at the mercenaries present.

Suddenly surrounded by Crow’s Nest thugs, the mercenaries were very panicked.

These were budding newcomers, with insufficient experience, facing such a large violent group like Crow’s Nest, each of them was intimidated.

The situation had developed to this point, Ou Chenyu had no choice but to personally intervene, he stood up and said: “Simon, didn’t we agree just to have a meal and a chat? This meal lacks sincerity, inviting so many people.”

Simon said coldly: “It’s not like someone didn’t know when to stop.”

Ou Chenyu retorted: “What do you want then?”

Simon pointed to one of the thugs holding a camera and said: “I’ll give you two choices.”

“Either cooperate with us to film a video, stating you won’t interfere in border affairs in the future, and I’ll release the video to the major media tomorrow, ending this issue.”

“Or, none of you will leave today, no one goes home!”

Xiaotian You was furious: “What the hell? Who do you people think you are on this road!”

Simon flipped the table over completely: “I * Crow’s Nest! Dare to say another damn word?!”

The air was thick with tension, the Crow’s Nest thugs and the nervous mercenaries stood in standoff, the situation was on the brink of explosion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep