Amber Sword

As for Erune and Kruz, there are quite a few Nine Phoenix Clan members walking around, like the elves from the North. Whether due to traveling, pilgrimage, or simply seeking adventure, coming to such a far-flung place is not uncommon in this world.

Brand touched his forehead, vaguely feeling that this name was somewhat familiar.

However, he still shook his head at Yura's request: "I'm sorry, we can't help you. In fact, I can be open with you all — these Black Fire Sect cultists can't create too much trouble for your squad leader, but if 'Mane Wolf' Macaro is wise, or if I were him— I would leave here immediately."

"You..." Redi raised his head, glaring at him like he wanted to eat him: "We have an agreement, you can't just leave. The Mercenary Code says..."

But 'Hu Que' punched him in the stomach, causing the white-haired young man to bend over in pain. Then he shook his head disdainfully and said, "Your squad leader probably doesn't care about this agreement, even now you have to admit that."

"So do you understand?"

Yura nodded.

"Mr. Brand, what do you want?" she asked, "Money? Or power?"

Brand was slightly stunned, but he immediately shook his head: "I'm interested in those things, but more than money and power, I don't want to get involved in a hassle. I'll give you another hint, the ones behind the Black Fire Mercenary Group are the Shepherd Tree Men, do you know them?"

Yura and Redi's faces both changed.

"How did we get noticed by them?" Redi asked incredulously.

Yura's face changed again, and she lowered her head.

Antitina poked him from behind and asked softly: "Lord, the more you scare them, the more you'll clearly make them beg for your help, won't that result be the opposite of what you want?"

Brand shrugged: "I'm not good at lying."

Facing the extremely doubtful look from the noble daughter, he could only further explain: "Helping them is not impossible, but I won't involve myself. I'm just stating that point."

"What should be done then?" Romantic blinked and asked.

"Leave it to them."

"Can they really?" Miss Merchant clearly didn't believe it.

"Of course."

"Mr. Brand, what should we do?" Yura heard the three's conversation and understood that Brand was intentionally reminding them. She hesitated, as if considering whether to trust them. However, Brand knew that the 'Shepherd Tree Men' bomb was absolutely extraordinary — compared to the small-scale subversive actions of the Unity of All Things group in the shadows, the Shepherd Tree Men had once single-handedly stirred a bloody storm during the First Holy War, and that story was probably a terrifying shadow for most people living in this era.

Of course, this was a side note, Brand didn't have the time nor the inclination to explain how terrifying the Shepherd Tree Men were to these two rookies. Anyway, their generation had grown up listening to bedtime stories about the First Holy War, Yura might be slightly better, but the white-haired young man Redi would certainly not have a good impression of such a name.

He turned back and saw the young man, indeed, looking as though he had crashed, confused and at a loss.

"Didn't I say," Brand replied, "go tell your squad leader to retreat immediately and leave this place. Given the current situation, the Shepherd Tree Men are probably watching you all, but they have a habit — once they sense you may have discovered their plans, they'll likely withdraw and replan."

"This way, you'll gain valuable time. As for what to do next, I think your squad leader will have his own judgment."

Rather than saying that Brand's analysis was detailed, it was more like he was reciting from a script. Although he had edited the details of that strategy guide, the overall direction was clear — the Shepherd Tree Men targeting the Gray Wolf Mercenary Group was a certainty, but as for why, Brand naturally wouldn't know.

However, not knowing didn't mean he had no means, he had spent as much time dealing with the Shepherd Tree Men as dealing with those Bone Skeletons from Madara. He had plenty of tactics to handle these guys.

Yura and Redi exchanged a glance.

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Redi furrowed his brow and muttered.

"I'm not forcing you to believe." Brand said.

"You're being too irresponsible…" The white-haired young man snorted.

"We don't have any responsibility to bear in the first place. Do you understand the current situation? The Lord is kindly helping you. Of course, you can choose not to accept, if you're so brave—" Antitina had long been unimpressed with this guy, and finally couldn't hold back and sarcastically said.

After speaking, she realized her slip and glanced apologetically at Yura, kneeling on the ground: "Sorry, I mean..."

"Don't mind it." Yura shook her head, she had been lowering her head, pondering over something, then said: "So Mr. Brand, you are intent on leaving this troubled place, right?"

Brand nodded.

"Even if we try to keep you?"

Brand nodded again. He had his reasons; he was already entangled in one problem with the Unity of All Things cult, and getting involved with the Shepherd Tree Men would be a hellish scenario. However, on the other hand, he knew Bujia and Macaro wouldn't die in this plot, so although he understood he didn't have the strength to recruit them now, he still wanted to express goodwill.

Taking a step back, even if he chose to leave under such circumstances, he wouldn't feel any guilt towards the Gray Wolf Mercenary Group. The agreement between them was always fragile, just as it appeared on the surface. But if he leaves, it would be a hassle to rekindle this connection in the future.

Whether for these two strong men or for future 'Courage' quest lines, he didn't have to necessarily establish a good relationship with them now.

Whether these benefits were worth the risk, as a veteran player, Brand had long weighed them in his heart.

"Mr. Brand, are you willing to let us go?" Yura asked again.

"I never intended to capture you, I was actually saving you before, Miss Yura, you should understand that." Brand replied.

Yura nodded: "But, aren't you afraid that if you let us go, we will expose you?"

Brand smiled confidently: "You won't catch us."

He wasn't joking, at least the strategy guide marked more than four shortcuts and hidden paths in this area. Although the map was somewhat rough, it wouldn't stump this veteran player.

Redi glanced at him, didn't reply, but his expression clearly showed that this proud white-haired youth didn't believe a word he said, thinking he was just bragging.

Although Brand's previous words had startled him, he recalled the previous embarrassing moments of this guy, like saying to go east when he was clearly a novice. This thought had a calming effect on him, and he decided that he must persuade Yura later, ensuring she wouldn't be fooled by this guy.

...

(PS. A real strongman, fighting desperately to get a chapter out before midnight. I'll strive to get another chapter out after this, please support me.)(To be continued, to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, there are more chapters, support the author, and support legitimate reading!)