Su Mo left the Moonlight Mansion, driving towards the “Municipal Center District” adjacent to the Lakefront Business District and arrived at the entrance of Royal Street.

The “Municipal Guard Team” directly under the City Council had already blocked the area, and Dress personally greeted Su Mo in with a pass.

On the way, Dress advised worriedly, “Old Su, I don’t know what’s on your mind. Maybe you think this is a good opportunity to expand your connections, to meet other big shots in the Mercenary Realm, or to gain some exposure for yourself.”

“It’s all fine, but you must remember, this is a serious occasion.”

“You can do whatever you want after the meeting, but during the meeting, keep silent unless Representative Sikinkov asks you or I tell you to speak. Do you understand? Don’t cause any trouble!”

Su Mo said, “Of course, I won’t cause trouble.”

In his mind, he thought: Bullshit, I’m here to cause trouble today. Sorry, Old D, but I’ll try to make it beautiful.

The two entered the City Hall located in the central area, and stepped out of the car into the building that symbolized the highest administrative institution in New Moon City.

At this moment, the City Hall was extremely busy, with a tense atmosphere pervading the corridors. Uniformed personnel walked briskly across their posts, anxiously discussing recent events, as phones rang incessantly.

Soldiers from the Municipal Guard Team stood at each entrance, armed and ready with defense measures in place, prepared for any potential emergency.

“This is someone I brought, don’t be nervous.” Dress repeatedly showed his pass and explained to the soldiers at each checkpoint, saying the same sentence a dozen times.

He took a deep breath at the door of Conference Room No. 1 and pushed the door open.

The attendees were already there.

Sikinkov sat at the head of the conference table, Ivan was seated next to him.

Other positions were occupied by the most famous intermediaries and Mercenary Corps Leaders of New Moon City.

A holographic projection in front of them displayed the blueprint of Moonlight Mansion, with a plethora of intelligence information and data floating over it.

Su Mo glanced around at everyone, feeling a bit sentimental; they were all “familiar faces.”

Present were all important NPCs from the original plot, and the sense of “reunion” was very subtle.

Audiana was also there. Seeing Su Mo, she was taken aback, slightly perplexed, not understanding why he would appear at this meeting.

Ou Chenyu, sitting in the corner, also glanced at Su Mo, always feeling that this guy was like a haunting ghost, seemingly encountering him at various important occasions.

Sikinkov scrutinized the unfamiliar Su Mo, questioning Dress, “Who is this?”

Dress explained with a smile, “This is Su Mo, everyone can just call him Xiaosu. He is the leader of the Edge Mercenary Corps, uh… it’s a newly established mercenary group, you probably haven’t heard of it…”

Sikinkov expressed confusion, “Why did you bring him here? I didn’t invite him, did I?”

Facing several pairs of eyes, Dress braced himself and replied, “Xiaosu just started out but shows excellent capabilities. I thought an extra person would be an additional help; he might be able to offer some assistance, so I brought him.”

Ivan asked impatiently, “My God, do you mercenaries treat the City Hall like a marketplace? Bringing people who aren’t on the invitation list? Do you have any sense of secrecy?!”

Dress now wanted to dig a hole to hide; he didn’t know what to say, so he could only stand there awkwardly with a forced smile.

Audiana quickly stood up to mediate, “I also know this mercenary; he is indeed a promising newcomer with good capability and character. He won’t leak anything; I can vouch for him.”

Sikinkov sighed helplessly, “Let him in then. There’s no arrangement for his seat here; let him stand behind Dress.”

Dress thanked repeatedly, leading Su Mo to stand by his side.

Audiana was seated next to Dress. She frowned and asked, “D, what are you up to?”

Dress rolled his eyes, “I have nothing to say. Ask him yourself after the meeting.”

Audiana looked at Su Mo in confusion.

Su Mo greeted her with a nod, revealing a mysterious smile.

With everyone present, the meeting began.

According to World Government regulations, the two ends of the long table in the conference room belonged to the two highest-ranking individuals.

Facing Sikinkov sat a robust middle-aged man with a silver buzz cut and piercing eyes; his name was Zhou Hanyan, nicknamed “Silver Wings” in the industry.

Zhou Hanyan is the chairman of “Death Scythe Military Industry Group Co., Ltd.” and the leader of the eponymous “Death Scythe Mercenary Corps.”

Death Scythe Military Industry has divisions in every major city, with its headquarters located in New Moon City, employing over 160,000 people, possessing a complete military production chain and core technology capable of independently producing all light and heavy equipment necessary for conventional warfare.

Death Scythe Mercenary Corps has 57,000 registered combat mercenaries, making it the undisputed leader in New Moon City’s Mercenary Realm, with the capacity to undertake a large-scale proxy war.

If Crow’s Nest is the “King of the Borderlands” in New Moon City, then Death Scythe Mercenary Corps is the “King of Mercenaries.”

Sikinkov got straight to the point, saying in a grave voice, “Everyone here is well-informed about the event happening in New Moon City, so there’s no need for me to elaborate further.”

“We’ve gathered to discuss a cooperative plan to rescue the 314 hostages trapped in Xinghai Cinema.”

Zhou Hanyan interlaced his fingers, resting his thumbs on his chin, and spoke deeply, “Mr. Sikinkov intends to bypass the official troops and commission mercenaries to resolve this crisis?”

Those in attendance were insightful, and there was no need for veiled words; Sikinkov also appeared candid, “Yes, this will be a secret, non-public commission, without a paper contract, everything secured by reputation, and orally agreed.”

“The commission is simple: mercenaries will substitute the authorities’ armed forces to initiate a forceful rescue on Xinghai Cinema, and will have to bear the potential consequences of this action.”

Various mercenaries and intermediaries discerned the implication in his words.

To put it plainly—find someone to take the blame.

Sikinkov did not want to bear the brunt, yet someone had to, and mercenaries were naturally the best choice.

Zhou Hanyan’s eyes narrowed slightly, “You should know, mercenaries are very practical; they act according to the pay. On the contrary, this goes the same way.

“To have mercenaries handle such a significant matter, what compensation will you offer?”

Sikinkov answered straightforwardly, “No matter how much, it’s not an issue. Billions, dozens of billions, the City Council’s financial situation can allocate the funds.”

“But I must remind you that this goes beyond the issue of money alone.”

“If this crisis is managed properly, I will owe the involved parties an immense favor, so large that I’d be willing to spend the rest of my life repaying it.”

Zhou Hanyan retorted, “Provided that after this crisis, you remain in this position or attain a higher one, otherwise it’s meaningless.”

Those words were direct, yet truthful.

If Sikinkov were to be eliminated following this event, promises of material compensation would mean nothing.

If someone bears such a significant responsibility without major figures above shielding them, then even if offered tens of billions, could they take it and have the life to spend it?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep