Intertribal Conflict, Part Two

Xiao Feng, Tu Gou, Rush, Pandora, the Giant, along with Chief Monda and several Black warriors, arrived at the Hula Grasslands to find the Ali tribe already assembled, waiting.

Not only were the Ali tribesmen present, but also a contingent of mercenaries numbering several dozen, mounted in armored vehicles, impeccably equipped and exuding a fierce aura.

Ali, seeing Monda's small party approach, laughed arrogantly and shouted from afar, "Monda, are you here to surrender? Coward! I knew you lacked the courage to fight!"

Monda was about to reply when Xiao Feng waved him silent. "Ignore that fool. I'll deal with him soon enough." Then turning to Tu Gou, he instructed, "Once things start, take out those armored vehicles immediately."

Tu Gou nodded knowingly.

Xiao Feng next addressed Pandora and the Giant, "You two work together to handle the Ali warriors. Avoid killing if you can."

Both nodded in agreement.

"Rush, you're with me to confront the mercenaries."

Rush smiled wryly. "Looks like you've gotten addicted to orchestrating battles, Xiao Feng. Whether in the X Legion or here, you always call the shots."

Xiao Feng scoffed, "Because I'm clever, quick-witted—naturally, I'm the one giving orders."

Pandora chuckled, "Such arrogance—I hadn't noticed before."

"I don't have time for jokes. I'm going to deal with those mercenaries first."

He stepped away from the group, Rush trailing behind.

Ali sneered boldly. "I always knew the Monda tribe was full of cowards. Since you handed over this runt, I'll forgive you."

At that moment, a mercenary captain beside Ali barked sharply, "Silence! It's not as simple as you think."

These tribal primitives had no inkling of Xiao Feng and his companions' true strength. Yet the captain's gaze hardened when he saw Tu Gou behind Xiao Feng. He recognized the armored warrior—he'd heard of them and seen them in action before. Spotting one here on this desolate plain meant these were no ordinary foes.

Moreover, Xiao Feng and Rush boldly approached unarmed, which only hinted at their confidence and ability. Suddenly, an aide handed the captain binoculars, whispering, "Captain, look at that armored warrior's chest."

Peering through the lenses, the captain froze in disbelief. "Damn... that's a Victoria Corporation mech soldier. This just got serious."

He ordered his mercenaries, "Prepare for combat. Fire without mercy. These people belong to Victoria Corporation, our rivals. No quarter!"

"Understood, Captain." The mercenaries methodically checked their weapons; machine gunners and autocannon operators ensured their ammo was loaded and belts fed smoothly.

Xiao Feng halted some twenty meters away, adjusting his sunglasses. "So, you are Hilton Corporation's mercenaries."

The captain lounged atop an armored vehicle, rifle slung, and replied, "Exactly. And you must be Victoria Corporation's."

"Wrong—only partially," Xiao Feng corrected. "More precisely, we're from the X Legion."

The captain's eyes widened in shock. "What? X Legion? They're attacking New City right now!"

"Heh, nothing surprising. Soon we'll assault the Alliance Army's headquarters. The Alliance forces will be utterly crushed by us."

The captain hadn't expected to encounter members of the far-off northern European X Legion here in the African wasteland. Though their stronghold lay thousands of kilometers away, the X Legion's reputation had already echoed through Alliance ranks.

"Our Alliance Army isn't as fragile as you think," he replied confidently. "Though I'm but a mercenary captain, I'm sure the X Legion will be eradicated sooner or later. It's just a matter of time."

Xiao Feng chuckled. "Bold words. But the Alliance Army likely lacks the power to wipe out the X Legion. What puzzles me is why Hilton Corporation's men have appeared in this forsaken wasteland."

"Hilton built a diamond mining operation here," the captain explained. "We're here to protect the site. What about you?"

"We're here to find a friend. Enough talk—are you ready to fight or retreat?"

The captain sneered. "Just a handful of you? Of course we fight! Otherwise, how shameful would that be? Fire!"

The captain's volley triggered a general barrage.

What none expected then unfolded in an instant.

Xiao Feng bent forward, arms outstretched, unleashing a powerful metal-controlling energy that irresistibly drew every bullet toward him.

The captain stared in disbelief. "An Esper..."

The mercenaries immediately grasped the dire situation.

Meanwhile, Tu Gou grinned and activated every missile launcher on his armor. "Little pests, taste my wrath!"

In unison, miniature missiles erupted from Tu Gou's back, fiery trails streaking toward the armored vehicles.

The mercenaries, still recovering from shock over Xiao Feng's power, froze again at the missile onslaught.

"Retreat!" shouted one mercenary. Soldiers began leaping from the vehicles, desperate to escape imminent explosions.

Tu Gou's barrage struck true—armored vehicles detonated almost simultaneously.

Not only Ali's warriors but also Monda and his men stood stunned.

"War God... War God... who are these people?" a warrior asked Monda.

Swallowing hard, Monda replied, "They're no mere mortals. They are gods of war..."