Chapter 28: The X Mercenary Group

The guards at the mercenary camp looked curiously at the pair of old and young, especially with the long black bag slung over Xiao Feng's shoulder. His slender physique and untamed long hair were in stark contrast to the muscular soldiers around him.

Old White, still dressed in his tattered leather trench coat, politely addressed the two guards. "We're here to see Captain Rice."

The guards sneered dismissively at them and coldly retorted, "Captain Rice is busy. Do you think you can just waltz in and meet him?"

Old White smiled gently. "Rice and I are old friends. If you don't believe me, go ahead and inform him. Just tell him 'Old White is here, seeking an audience.'"

"Hmph. I don't have time for this nonsense. The captain won't see you," one of the guards scoffed, clearly looking down on the odd pair.

Old White rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a few Alliance credits, handing them to the guard. "Here, brother, take this for a drink. Please go inform him for us."

The guard took the money, flashed a smile, said nothing, and walked off into the camp.

Xiao Feng furrowed his brow, observing the exchange. "Uncle White..."

"Don't say a word."

"I never expected people here to be even more infuriating than those in District 64!"

Meanwhile, in the distant 64th Protection Zone, Kelly stood coldly in front of her off-road vehicle, her expression frozen. Thoughts of Xiao Feng consumed her; he was the first person to make her feel so humiliated. She longed to tear that b*st*rd Xiao Feng into pieces and feed him to the beasts in the monster-filled jungles.

With a sharp exhale, Kelly climbed into her car, started the engine, and sped eastward across the barren wasteland. After a short while, she spotted clear tire tracks on the ground. Following them, she quickly gave chase.

Back at the mercenary camp, Xiao Feng and Old White waited for about half an hour before the guard sluggishly returned. "The captain will see you. Follow me."

Old White and Xiao Feng followed the guard into the abandoned school. Xiao Feng, curious about the mercenaries' training, took in the sight of the various facilities with interest.

Some of the burly mercenaries cast cold, disdainful glances in their direction.

The guard led them to a room. "The captain is inside."

"Thanks, brother," Old White said with a nod before he and Xiao Feng entered the room.

Inside, they found a muscular man lounging on a sofa. He was not as large or imposing as Old White or Turner, but his body was well-muscled. His golden hair shone as he flashed a confident smile, exuding the charm of a handsome man. This was Rice, the legendary leader of the X Mercenary Group.

"Blazing Fire" Rice!

Sitting next to him were two blonde women. One was smoking a cigarette, while the other gently ran her fingers through Rice's chest hair.

Both women regarded the newcomers with seductive glances.

Rice sat up from the sofa when he spotted Old White. "Old White, it really is you! Long time no see! You look like you've aged a lot, haha."

Rice stood up. He was about ten centimeters shorter than Old White, but his aura was far more intense.

Xiao Feng stood behind Old White, observing the man. Despite it being winter, Rice was shirtless, and Xiao Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for him. Especially the tattoos on Rice's body—two fierce dragons intertwined to form the shape of an "X."

Old White chuckled, "It's been years since we last met, but you still look as handsome as ever!"

Rice laughed. "Old White, have you come here for something? Or is it just a social visit?" He then casually draped an arm around one of the women.

Old White took out a cigarette, offering one to Rice before lighting his own. "We've run afoul of an Alliance envoy in District 64 and can't stay there any longer, so we came to Godo City hoping to join the X Mercenary Group."

Rice smirked. "Ah, now you remember me, huh? How many times did I ask you to join my group before? Now that you've p*ss*d someone off, you're suddenly interested? But right now, we're not taking anyone in. Especially not you, with a kid in tow! These days, mercenary work is tough—there's hardly any game to hunt, and missions are few and far between."

Old White sighed in resignation. "I see..."

Xiao Feng, hearing Rice's dismissive tone, couldn't help but scoff. "Forget it, I wouldn't want to join your broken mercenary group anyway!"

Old White quickly pulled Xiao Feng aside. "Don't speak out of turn!"

Rice narrowed his eyes. "What did you just say, little brat?"

Xiao Feng smirked, his tone dripping with provocation. "I said, what a pathetic mercenary group!"

Rice, anger flashing in his eyes, grabbed Xiao Feng by the collar. "Say that again, and I'll kill you!" But before he could finish, Rice froze, feeling the cold, metal barrel of a gun pressing against his chin.

Xiao Feng sneered. "Don't try to intimidate me." He quickly cocked the revolver, making it clear he wasn't joking. If Rice made any further moves, he would pull the trigger.

Rice had not anticipated that this young boy would have the courage to threaten him with a gun. His expression turned ferocious as he studied Xiao Feng. The stubble on his chin began to warm up, and to Xiao Feng's surprise, the barrel of the gun, which was pressed against Rice's chin, started to turn red.

Within seconds, the barrel of the gun softened, its heat causing it to bend.

Xiao Feng quickly dropped the now searing hot revolver, staring at Rice in shock, realizing that the leader of the X Mercenary Group was also an ability user—and a powerful one at that.

Rice's body exuded an intense heat, which explained why he was comfortable going shirtless in the dead of winter.

Old White pulled Xiao Feng aside. "What are you doing, Xiao Feng? How dare you disrespect the captain like that?"

"He looked down on us first."

Rice laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. "Ha, you little brat, you have some guts. But with just this little courage, you think you're fit to join my mercenary group? Not a chance! However, I'll give you a shot."

Old White smiled warily. "This kid doesn't know any better. If the X Mercenary Group doesn't need recruits, we'll just leave."

Rice's eyes gleamed with a sinister smile. "Old White, I like this kid. I'll give you a chance. If he can beat me, I'll let you join my mercenary group. What do you say?"

Old White looked at Rice's devious grin, unsure of what the "Blazing Fire" Rice was up to. He chuckled nervously. "Rice, don't stoop to the level of a child."

But Xiao Feng coldly retorted, "Is that a promise?"

"Of course! I, Blazing Fire Rice, never make empty promises!" With that, he turned and walked outside.

Xiao Feng followed behind Rice, carrying the long black bag, and stepped onto the abandoned basketball court. Soon, a dozen or so mercenaries gathered around, their faces twisted into sneers as they pointed and whispered at Old White and Xiao Feng.

Rice stretched lazily before turning to Xiao Feng. "I'm going to beat you into the ground!"

Xiao Feng removed the black bag, shrugged off his leather jacket, and threw a few punches in the air before responding, "I'm going to do the same to you!"