Giant Beast Bone Field, this land was once known as the Abnormal Beast Dungeon in ancient times.

It, alongside the famous Dragon Cliff Dungeon and the mysterious Ancestral Tomb, is one of the Empire’s three legendary dungeons.

What distinguishes it from other dungeons is the dizzying array of exotic demons.

They come in all shapes and forms, with unpredictable abilities, making it almost impossible to find identical individuals, completely different from external demon groups.

However, this miraculous dungeon eventually collapsed due to an unknown cataclysm.

Its vast internal space structure collapsed, overlapping with the rock and soil layers that were initially "displaced" by the dungeon space but returned to their original position.

During that all-consuming spatial collapse, the relatively weak exotic beasts were crushed into powder, only those with sturdy physical structures or possessing special talents had their bones survive the destructive flow, deeply buried beneath the ground.

Most of the surviving remains were giant beast bones, hence the area was renamed Giant Beast Bone Field.

These exotic beast remains possess unique characteristics not found in external demon materials.

Many bones, teeth, keratin, or crystallized organs are indispensable precious materials for crafting specific high-tier potions, performing ancient rituals, or forging special magic items.

The value of the bone field once exceeded that of a rich magic crystal ore vein.

However, two hundred years of continuous exploration and excavation have already exhausted the surface and shallow layers of this heritage.

This place is no longer the fantasy land where treasures of bones can be unearthed with just a little digging.

Although there is still production, the difficulty and cost of extraction have increased countless times, and the past prosperity and hustle and bustle have faded, leaving only a relatively deserted industrial area.

However, for the local Lord, Earl Bona, the importance of the Giant Beast Bone Field has not diminished, but rather increased day by day.

The Earl’s title came from inheritance, not from notable military achievements or personal prowess.

Since he assumed that position, he has been coveted by neighboring powerful lords due to his insufficient power.

His father’s old forces rebelled, border frictions continued, and after several open and secret struggles, he has lost nearly half of his domain, and his sphere of influence has significantly shrunk.

[Giant Beast Bone Field is now one of the few important assets under his name that can still provide stable income]

"Huh? So... miserable?"

Kleuma scratched his horn, genuinely surprised.

In the imagination of an ordinary mercenary like him, an Earl who can rule a region and own such a treasure like the Giant Beast Bone Field, should surely be a mighty and influential figure.

Unexpectedly, he turned out to be such a cornered loser.

But this left Kleuma even more puzzled: "Since his situation is already so bad, why would he still spend a lot of money to buy so much expensive Blood Jade Wine? Isn’t that just wasting money?"

The Mercenary Corps lost some Blood Jade Wine earlier, and Brother Bone Pale fought with that Earl over it.

[Hehehe]

[Precisely because it’s already a complete mess, he can’t let outsiders see even a hint of weakness!]

[Imagine, when other lords or Imperial Capital envoys visit, if the Earl can’t even offer the most renowned Blood Jade Wine to showcase his strength and taste... what does that mean?]

[It means telling everyone personally: Look, this guy is already broke, can’t even save face! He’s not even a soft persimmon but rather a glossy piece of fat meat on the chopping board!]

[At that point, it wouldn’t just be a couple of hyenas coming at him, but an entire pack of wolves smelling the blood!]

[The group that ambushed your caravan earlier... their mastermind likely has this calculation, aiming to cut off his last shred of dignity and accelerate his downfall]

Kleuma felt a chill down his spine: "So... should I remind Brother to leave here early, to avoid getting caught up in this?"

[Leave?]

[No! Not only should we not leave, but we should persuade your brother to stay!]

"Why is that?"

[Since that Earl is a piece of fat meat, why can’t you be the one to feast on him?]

"Me?"

Huang Pi quietly started stirring Kleuma’s emotions.

[Yes! Don’t you want to be called ’Earl’ too?]

"I... I think..." Following the guidance of the Yellow-covered Book, Krumah was completely immersed in his ambition, to the point where he ignored many illogical aspects.

After reaching a consensus with his good friend, the Yellow-covered Book immediately instructed Krumah to start making preparations.

...

Krumah’s older brother, Grey Bone, walked out of the Earl’s mansion somewhat angrily.

This is simply too much to endure!

On the official road so close to the Giant Beast Bone Field, encountering a well-prepared, well-equipped ambush, it was obvious to anyone that the attackers’ target was not the mercenaries but the Earl himself.

Now, this Earl wants to transfer all the losses and risks onto the Mercenary Corps, how can Grey Bone tolerate this?

Neither side was willing to completely tear things apart, and they argued and debated in the hall for quite a while. Eventually, just when Grey Bone was about to draw his weapon, the other party begrudgingly agreed to pay slightly over half of the originally promised reward.

Returning to the courtyard rented by the Mercenary Corps on the outskirts of the Bone Field, Grey Bone immediately gathered all the squad leaders. He intended to briefly explain the situation, distribute the meager compensation, and then lead the team out of this troubled place as soon as possible.

Upon entering the room, he noticed that Krumah was also there.

Originally, this younger brother, who had joined the team through his connections, had no right to sit there. However, perhaps because he saved everyone last time, no squad leader voiced any objections now, and Grey Bone was pleased to see this.

He succinctly reported the results of the negotiation with the Earl. The room immediately filled with sighs and curses.

Grey Bone then stated his plan to leave with the Mercenary Corps at the latest by the day after tomorrow.

At this moment, Krumah, with an old Yellow-covered Book on his lap, suddenly spoke up, "Brother, I think... we should stay."

Grey Bone looked at Krumah somewhat reproachfully.

He understood the young man’s eagerness to prove himself, but openly opposing the commander’s decision, especially when the commander was his own brother, seemed quite out of place.

However, he did not immediately reject it. This was the first time Krumah voiced his opinion in a formal setting; even if he were to be overruled, some room should be left.

Krumah provided many reasons, mostly centered around the idea that leaving immediately after such significant losses would be akin to coming in vain.

He suggested buying some local specialty materials and taking them back as an extra trading trip.

The reasons sounded reasonable and even quite pragmatic.

But Grey Bone had of course considered these points, weighing more heavily the tense situation and potential risks here, and preferred to forgo some of the profits.

What surprised him slightly was that after hearing Krumah’s words, the squad leaders who usually had many opinions all remained silent and didn’t voice any opposition, creating a somewhat subtle atmosphere.

"Brother, I’ve written down more detailed thoughts... here, take a look." Krumah stood up and handed over the Yellow-covered Book on his lap with both hands.

Grey Bone took the book, contemplating how to politely refuse this overly risky suggestion without hurting his brother’s pride.

He casually opened the pages, his gaze falling on the writing.

Initially, he only scanned it carelessly, but soon his gaze was firmly fixed on the paper.

The plan outlined there still had many omissions and naive points, and the logic was not flawless.

However, for some reason, there seemed to be a strange attraction between the lines, making the more he looked, the more hopeful the directions pointed out seemed, making it feel more correct, even the only wise choice to proceed in this way.

"No, this isn’t right..." Grey Bone shook his head fiercely, one hand holding onto his throbbing temple, a basic instinct warning in his heart struggled, "This idea... why would I..."

At this moment, everyone else’s thoughts in the room seemed to resonate in some way. All the squad leaders’ eyes seemed to subtly drift toward the book or meet each other’s gazes.

Under this invisible resonance, Grey Bone’s faint struggle and doubts in his mind quickly dissolved into nothingness.

His eyes refocused, though with less caution and doubt than before.

"Good lad! You’ve got ideas, and they’re more comprehensive than your brother’s! Let’s go with your plan!" He handed the Yellow-covered Book back to Krumah, patting his brother’s shoulder forcefully, voice resounding, "Besides, if we’re going to do it, why not go big? Perhaps we could... find a way to involve Earl Bonar in our business!"

The other squad leaders also began to propose their suggestions one after another.

In an instant, this room transformed into a grand stage.

On stage, the puppets were heatedly discussing, as if they had free wills of their own.

For a moment, everyone was passionately speaking, debating, and fantasizing, with lively expressions and engrossed eyes.

It was like a magnificent and realistic puppet show.