Leo pointed to a few points he thought were important to the Capital.


    His visit didn''t just end with getting the artifact, taking Sherly, and talking with Ming Yuchan. He also scouted the entire region and created a map.


    Knowledge was important, and he made sure that his team didn''t miss anything.


    "Food storage, an important establishment, and there were still some ces that we could attack. Don''t call this strategy cowardly. I have to admit that Murim residents are strong. They are a force to be reckoned with, and I have no intention of underestimating them. But..."


    Leo tapped the table and smiled. A video of war yed at the same time, disyed clearly on the hologram screen in front of Tang Jiaofu and Nabi.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And it wasn''t just a normal war, but an all-out war. It wouldn''t end until one side dered surrender or got destroyed. And that condition was… not exactly a good condition for war.


    Thousands of people participated. All of them were wearing bodysuits and had superhuman strength. They marched together, using all kinds of technology and weapons.


    After that, the screen changed and showed the battle. Corpses littered everywhere with a sh or bullet wounds. Blood filled the ground and a man in ck and gold bodysuitughed maniacally as he raised his sword high.


    People holding swords and guns ran and killed each other.


    Chaos was the perfect word to describe the situation. Screams, explosions, and cries echoed in the background. No one was safe.


    "We''re the best and more experienced when ites to war."


    Hallowed Insect members, Shui, appeared on the video. He dropped from the sky and began to run, his sword in his hand. His body was covered in oriental suit and armor.


    Each of his swings was precise and deadly. The enemies didn''t stand a chance.


    Following that, the screen once again changed to show Anya. The blonde assassin moved through a dark space. The narrow corridor didn''t stop her from running faster than a car. She was wearing a white bodysuit and her wed hands didn''t make any sound.


    Soon, a light appeared in the distance. Anya raised her ws and destroyed a metal door, revealing aboratory.


    Inside theb were various chemicals and a group of scientists wearing white coats.


    "This is..."


    Nabi''s eyes widened, and she couldn''t help but look at the screen.


    "Ssh! The fun partes now." Leo smirked and pointed at the screen.


    It was the beginning of the battle. Anyanded on the ground and immediately massacred the men wearing white coats. They tried to awaken something from within the tube, but Anya gave them no time.


    In less than a minute, everyone was dead, and the tube was broken.


    The screen changed outside once again, showing the army retreating with the tank, jeep, and ne. Everything stopped and ended just like that.


    "We won."


    The narrator''s voice was cold and indifferent, but everyone was excited.


    With just one key action, the war had ended.


    "With nothing to protect, the soldiers lose their will to fight. No matter how strong martial artists are, they are still human. And to be better at something, humans need experience. Experience that we have."


    Leo exined, his voice steady and firm.


    "We will attack their base and their weak point. Maybe they will brand us as Unorthodox or Evil, but everything is just an opinion thates from one mouth, one source. No matter what, the winner will be able to twist the story to their liking. And I don''t care about that. What I care about is winning and staying alive."


    Leo stood up and walked to the window, looking outside. The weather was nice. And far from Butterfly Pavilion, Jack and Anya must''ve been trying to keep assassins away. Chiaki must''ve worked hard too.


    He knew what they were doing from the small disy in his smart lenses.


    ''The Alliance is not the enemy that I fear the most. But they are so annoying.''


    There were more things that he had to face.


    Xue Wang, the Supreme Evil, and other organizations.


    But, it wasn''t like he was scared.


    ''Establishing Mercenary Union is just the first step. We will survive this and build a powerful organization that will be hard to shake. Even if I have to kill, cheat, or manipte, I will do it.''


    "We have no intention of being a pawn in someone else''s game. At least I don''t want to. But... If you two are going to stop here, I won''t me you. Going against the Murim Alliance is indeed a danger, a big one. You may need to sacrifice something in order toe out victorious."


    "That''s true."


    Nabi agreed, her eyes fixed on the hologram. She knew that she couldn''t make a decision for Tang Jiaofu. However... She had made her decision.


    She reached out for the drink on the table and took a sip. Her lips curled into a crescent moon shape, and she closed her eyes.


    "If this is the only way to go forward, then I will follow."


    The leader of the Hao Sect made her choice.


    "Tang n has lost their trust toward the Alliance and the other Sects and ns." Tang Jiaofu said, "Tell me. Are there any Supreme Evil followers within the Murim Alliance?"


    Leo looked at the Tang n''s patriarch, who nodded slowly.


    "I can''t confirm many, but there are some. As for among the Elders... I am not sure. I need to gather more information."


    "Then my answer is clear." The patriarch crossed his arms and frowned. "Hallowed Insect will be our ally, and we will help you fight the Alliance. The time for us to choose has arrived."


    Hearing that, Leo nodded. He knew that the Tang n and Hao Sect would not abandon him.


    "Then, let''s begin our counterattack."


    Leo took out a small Coco and put it on the table. It sat on the surface and opened its mouth, ready to ry the message from the other sides.


    "Anya, tell us the situation."


    "Yes, yes! Anya here! No enemy sighted in the area. We have sessfully cleared the perimeter. Jack and I have found a lot of hidden weapons and supplies in one of the houses within the forest. It seems like they were preparing for a long-term infiltration. However, we noticed them first and dealt with them."


    "Good. Anything else?"


    "Of course! Astrid told me that the people from Outcast Vige are willing to join in this war. They are around 80 people in total, but their strength averages from 5 to 6 Stars Martial artists. There is also a 8 Stars martial artist among them. You will be surprised when you meet that guy, Leader!"


    Both Nabi and Tang Jiaofu were surprised when they heard that there were 8 Stars martial artists willing to help them in this war.


    There weren''t that many 8 Stars martial artists in the world. Most of them were also famous for their own achievement as well as their power. Even Tang Jiaofu was only at the edge of 8 Stars, not officially entering the realm yet.


    For one of them to be willing to join their side...


    "Hmm, this is indeed a surprise." Leo nodded, his eyes fixed on Coco. "We will begin our n soon. I will have you coordinate the Outcast Vige group and go to the Capital. Prepare yourself and the others. I will give you the detailed exnationter."


    "Yes, Leader! Understood!"


    With that, themunication ended. Following that, Nabi asked a question she had in her mind.


    "Outcast Vige?"


    Leo smiled and began his exnation.


    "I have made an agreement with a hidden vige that Murim Alliance doesn''t know about. They are a group of Outcasts that live far away from civilization, sent to the deep of the forest by the Murim Alliance because they were different from others."


    "Different? What do you mean?"


    "They had a different world view and tradition. As their values sh with the Murim Alliance, they are driven away and forced to live in a secluded ce."


    "But why are they helping us now?" Nabi asked, curious.


    "They are not helping us for free." Leo smiled wryly, "The details are a secret, though. Just know that they are a good help and not a problem. Then, let''s begin our preparation."


    Leo said, and Jessica nodded.


    "I will contact the others and tell them about the n. Please excuse me first."


    With that, she left the room.


    "So, the war will begin soon, huh?" Tang Jiaofu mused and rubbed his chin, "This is going to be a bloody battle. I will have our n prepare for it, so I will also excuse myself first."


    "Fufufu, Hao Sect will be busy controlling the information now. I shall go and gather some informants and tell the people that the Mercenary Union will protect the economy and the Capital. We will take care of the information war against those beggars."


    "Alright. I am counting on you." Explore more adventures at empire