Chapter 119: Accept Defeat

Yet it was already beyond remedy; Vice-Captain Qi had drawn his final breath.

Only a pair of lifeless eyes remained, fixed unwaveringly upon Gu Qingli with profound unwillingness.

The Snow Tiger Corps surged forward to her side.

"Xiaoli! Were you hurt just now? You scared me to death!"

Gu Zhan, a burly man, stood tearful, the harrowing scene having truly shaken him to his core; the mere recollection sent his heart racing as if to stop.

"Father, I'm unharmed."

Gu Qingli gently soothed Gu Zhan's hand, her gaze turning icily cold as she observed Vice-Captain Qi's defiant, unyielding expression.

"You Snow Tiger fools have gone too far—daring to conspire against our Vice-Captain's very life!"

With Qi's death confirmed, the Battle Wolf Corps reddened with rage, their fierce eyes glaring venomously at the Snow Tiger warriors.

"Accept defeat with honor; he was simply outmatched. Besides, this is a battlefield, not child's play—death is inevitable!"

The Snow Tiger warriors responded with no less defiance.

A faint, knowing smile curved Gu Qingli's lips—this was a mercenary arena, not some juvenile contest sponsored by the City Lord's Mansion; loss of life here was commonplace.

"Moreover, this entire ordeal was instigated by your Battle Wolf Corps."

The two factions stood locked in bitter opposition, neither yielding an inch.

"Silence!"

At that moment, Shao Yan's authoritative voice rang out, sharp and commanding. Though seething with resentment, the Battle Wolf members dared not defy him.

"This was a mutual agreement; there is no place here for your Battle Wolf Corps to run rampant!"

Shao Yan's words left no room for dispute, implicitly condemning them for inciting conflict yet shirking its consequences.

With the mercenary guild leader's decree delivered, the Battle Wolf Corps could only simmer in silent fury.

Meanwhile, the distinguished mercenaries of Loulan City had all gathered, not only to witness the legendary so-called 'Feckless Sixth Miss,' but also to observe the outcome of the fierce contest between the Snow Tiger and Battle Wolf Corps.

As matters now stood, the Battle Wolf Corps had failed in their gambit, losing not only their Vice-Captain but also their honor before the guild leader. Unease rippled through the assembly, thoughts stirring in many hearts.

Clearing his throat lightly, Shao Yan surveyed the entire arena.

"As your guild leader, I shall not interfere unduly in conflicts between mercenary factions. But we are all men of iron will and steadfast resolve; we must bear responsibility. Accept defeat with dignity. Our guild's contests have always been fair, and I shall brook no dissent."

Shao Yan's cold gaze swept the assembly, instilling awe and silence.

"Guild leader speaks truly."

Sun Jie responded with a hearty smile.

The Battle Wolf Corps could only swallow their bitterness; having lost their Vice-Captain, they dared not cross the guild leader.

"Very well, I hereby declare the contest between the Battle Wolf and Snow Tiger Corps concluded. Victory belongs to the Snow Tiger Corps!"

As Shao Yan turned to depart, the Battle Wolf warriors cast resentful glances toward the Snow Tiger members.

"Just wait—this isn't over!"

"Bring it on if you dare! I, Sun Jie, accept your challenge!"

Hastily bearing Vice-Captain Qi's lifeless body, the Battle Wolf Corps withdrew silently, while the Snow Tiger warriors gathered around Gu Qingli.

"Xiaoli, you're incredible—ha! Even better than me!"

At this moment, Sikong Ran approached, his delicate features alight with a beaming smile.

"Do you think we're that close?" Gu Qingli longed to retort—beyond family and elders, no one had ever dared address her so familiarly.