Chapter 423: Chapter 289: Forceful Protection

Master Wen’s deep voice resonated in the private room, causing everyone to cast a slightly mocking look at Su Mo.

Master Wen snorted coldly and continued with a stern face, "The Mercenary Realm has its own rules, no bounties on active mercenaries."

"But she’s already retired and abandoned her mercenary identity, so whoever places a bounty on her, it’s all legitimate and compliant; she can only face this calamity herself."

"Director Su, I’ve heard of you before, and I know you’re a righteous person. But don’t just meddle in everything. If she asks you for help, you can completely refuse, no one would intentionally have a grudge with Edge."

Su Mo calmly said, "I’ve been educated, but you seem to misunderstand, what do you mean she asked me for help?"

Master Wen looked a bit puzzled, "Isn’t she hiding in Edge Mansion?"

Su Mo: "She’s hiding in Edge Mansion, but it’s not her request, it’s something I decided to do myself."

Everyone was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.

At first, everyone thought Su Mo was responding to Nuobai’s plea for help, saving her for the sake of their past friendship.

But the truth was actually...

Master Wen squinted his eyes and asked, "You’ve confused me. She didn’t ask you for help, you voluntarily sheltered her in Edge Mansion?"

Su Mo: "Yes."

Master Wen: "Don’t you know doing so makes you a target?"

Su Mo: "I know."

Master Wen: "You know, and you still do it?"

Su Mo looked at everyone present and said deeply, "All of you here know that I have some connection with Nuobai. But I guess you might know nothing about what kind of connection it is."

"Let me put it this way, we went through difficult times together, she saved me, twice."

"The first time she saved me, I was very weak. I had no money, no power, and was afflicted with a vile disease, more wretched than a stray dog, anyone could come up and kick me."

"I was lying on the ground, nearly dead; she had every reason to ignore me. Even if she saved me, she would gain nothing, but she still selflessly extended a helping hand to me."

"The second time she saved me might have been unintentional, but the result was if not for her unintentional kindness, I wouldn’t even have the chance to sit here today."

"Later, she helped me one more time; it’s something known to everyone when we eradicated the Tooth Tigers and hunted Ou Chenyu last year."

"At that time, I had a huge vendetta with Ou Chenyu. It was the kind where it’s either you die or I die. I didn’t want to die, so I contacted many people for help, including Nuobai."

"By then, Nuobai had been retired for a long time, no longer involved in the business of killing. The hunt for Ou Chenyu had nothing to do with her, and she owed me nothing. She could have completely refused me."

"But she told me—we are friends. If you have trouble, just tell me."

Su Mo hammered his chest with his fist, speaking forcefully and heavily, "Twice saved, once assisted...the three greatest tribulations in my life, she helped me through them all."

"So I ask you, should I repay her kindness?!"

The resounding words echoed in the hall, and a deep silence enveloped the surroundings.

Su Mo stood up from his seat, cupping his fists to the crowd, his voice full of sincerity, "So, I earnestly plead with everyone to spare Nuobai, give her a way out."

"If you give me face today, in the future, I’ll repay you tenfold, a hundredfold!"

The mercenaries present looked at one another, unsure how to respond to the genuinely emotional Su Mo, and all turned their gaze towards the organizer of this talk, Master Wen.

Master Wen rubbed his forehead, his fingers slowly massaging his temple, deep in thought.

After a while, he slowly began, "Director Su, your sense of loyalty refreshes my perception once again. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such an emotionally invested mercenary."

"You should understand, the Mercenary Realm is harsh, profit is priority, and emotion is a luxury. No matter how good your relationship with her is, that’s between you two and has nothing to do with outsiders."

"But I, Master Wen, admire you, value you, and today I’ll set aside my old face to give you a favor."

Master Wen swept the mercenaries present and said in an indisputable tone, "I agree for Nuobai to temporarily remain in Edge Mansion, no one is to disturb her before she’s recuperated."

"During this period, if anyone dares to act recklessly, they will be going against me, Master Wen, and will face the consequences themselves."

The mercenaries couldn’t help but frown. Even someone as overbearing as Lucifer had to hold his tongue in the presence of this living legend.

"However." Master Wen shifted his tone and looked deeply at Su Mo, "Rules are rules, bounty postings on the dark web are legitimate, I can’t keep interfering indefinitely."

"I will personally send someone to supervise Edge Mansion and monitor Nuobai’s condition as a notary."

"Once Nuobai has recovered, your debt of gratitude to her will be considered repaid."

"By then, I’ll tell her, if she still considers you a friend, she should sever all ties with you, leave New Moon City, and not implicate you further; her future, whether life or death, will be none of your concern."

Upon hearing this, the mercenaries who had been troubled began to smirk.

Lucifer led the applause, chuckling lightly, "Master Wen is indeed Master Wen, a move that benefits both sides. It respects Su Mo’s dignity while observing industry rules, I agree."

Soon, the other mercenaries expressed their stance:

"Well said, I agree."

"Very well, I agree too, it’s the New Year, let’s take a break, I haven’t even finished my kimchi, we’ll resume fair competition after the holidays."

"I agree with my brother."

"Since you all agree, I have no choice but to agree too~"