Helping each other with countless me.

Chapter 559 Question
at last.

Li Zhongren's figure slowly emerged from the darkness, his body covered in cold plate armor, his steps steady and powerful.

Behind him, there was no horde of soldiers, only Karenina standing quietly a little behind, her purple eyes gleaming with the light of black flames.

Creak~
Creak~
Li Zhongren gently shook his neck a few times, a slightly ferocious smile appearing on his face.
-
Dividing line

Everything is settled.

Barton's giant shield had shattered completely, and his massive body was embedded in the rock. His arms hung limply, and he had completely lost his fighting ability.

"Flame Hammer" Groom's roar had long since turned into a painful groan, for he had been pierced through the abdomen by his own burning fire hammer and pinned to the ground.

Hawkeye Thorin cowered on the ground as the terrifying farmer, braving a hail of arrows, approached and punched Thorin in the stomach.
at last.
Evelyn, the "Whisperer," had already obediently raised her hands. As a ranged class, without anyone to protect her, she often might not even be able to defeat ordinary soldiers.

In short, the battle ended faster than expected.

Apart from the person who could heal, who was still standing there, everyone else was either lying down or lying on their backs.

"You, take control of the anti-motorcycle handcuffs on him."

Li Zhongren ordered his subordinates, pointing to the priest in the group, to heal the injuries of the others and then put anti-motor handcuffs on them. He also instructed the priest to control every finger of the thief and the vice-captain.

"Yes, sir!"
-
Dividing line

The damp but sturdy rock cells were temporarily carved out. There were seven cells in total, and the seven mercenaries were separated and imprisoned. Their hands and feet were shackled with heavy anti-magic shackles. These specially made shackles not only suppressed the flow of battle aura and magic, but their weight was also enough to make it difficult for the superhumans to move.

However, they could still vaguely sense whether the others were alive or dead. So far, everyone was still alive, which relieved them all.

Many people say that mercenaries are people who live on the edge and are treacherous, but for some mercenaries who have fought together for years, they are true family.
However, this sense of relief is just that—a sense of relief—because they know that many times, being alive is worse than being dead.
Unfortunately, they had all become prisoners, and their lives or deaths depended entirely on that terrifying farmer.

squeak~~
The first door was pushed open.

Li Zhongren entered Captain Barton's cell.

Patton took a deep breath and prepared himself to die.

However, when Li Zhongren appeared before him, what he held in his hand was not an instrument of torture, but a stack of rough papyrus and a charcoal pencil.

"Captain Patton."

Li Zhongren's voice was completely flat.

"let us start."

"Start? What?"

Barton swallowed hard. Did this man in front of him have some other hobby?

Li Zhongren did not explain, but spoke to himself.

"My first question is: What are the most powerful known countries or forces on the mainland? What are their main characteristics and how do they relate to each other?"

"???"

Patton was stunned, his bearded face filled with astonishment.

He was prepared to be interrogated about his employer's information or the secrets of the mercenary group, but he never expected it to be like this: a geography and history lesson.
He opened his mouth, and finally, under the other party's calm but unquestionable gaze, he began to recall and recount the general situation of the Carlos Empire, the Northern Orc Alliance, the Southern Free Trade City-State, the Western Magic Council, and other forces with difficulty.

Li Zhongren took notes quickly, occasionally asking for details.

Next up is "Hound" Vic.

“Vic, your sense of smell and tracking skills are excellent. Tell me, outside the Misty Forest, what are the common types of magical beasts with economic or strategic value, their distribution areas, and their weaknesses? Also, what routes do large caravans usually take, and where are they likely to be ambushed?”

Vic blinked. He wasn't so nervous anymore because he had caught some of Barton's answer with his keen hearing. Although he was a little confused about the man's purpose, he figured he should be sensible since the man was giving him face. So he didn't hesitate to tell him everything he had to say.

From the pack-living habits of the Gale Wolves in the north to the weaknesses of the Armored Rhinoceroses in the south, and even the notorious bandit strongholds along the "Golden Trade Route," and so on...
When it was "Flame Hammer" Groom's turn, the burly man was completely bewildered.

"Groom, tell me, what are the most effective siege weapons and defensive methods you've experienced or heard of? Also, what are the advantages, disadvantages, and key points of coordination between different troop types (heavy infantry, light cavalry, archers, and mage groups) on the battlefield?"

Li Zhongren's problem remains complex.

Groom scratched his bald head, speaking in a muffled voice.

"I... all I know is how to smash things with a hammer! Siege? Use catapults to break down the gates! Defend? Pour hot oil and throw stones! Troops? Heavy armor is tough, cavalry is fast, archers are annoying, and mages... female mages are powerful!"

His answer was simple and direct, but Li Zhongren didn't mind. He picked out the useful information and wrote it down, such as the different models of catapults and their range differences.

Time passed slowly, and Li Zhongren questioned each and every one of them.

When Li Zhongren entered the cell where "Silver Fox" Alice was being held, the vice-captain's body tensed instantly. She had actually heard some of it, but so what? She was a woman, and as everyone knew, the tragic experiences of female mercenaries after being captured were beyond description. So, she couldn't help but lick one of her teeth with the tip of her tongue.

There lies a deadly poison.
However, Li Zhongren simply sat down opposite her and laid out paper and pen.

"Vice Captain Alice, I am very interested in your expertise in traps and poisons. Could you please explain in detail the design principles of some of the most popular and difficult-to-defend traps used in mercenary or noble assassinations? Also, which poisons are difficult to counter with common antidotes? What are their ingredients and symptoms?"

Alice was completely stunned.

A trap? Poison? That's it?

None of the scenes she had envisioned came to pass.

The other person's eyes were clear, filled only with pure curiosity and inquiry, without the slightest hint of lewdness or cruelty.

Her tense nerves slowly relaxed, and even a sense of absurdity welled up inside her.

Who exactly is this mysterious and powerful "farmer"?

Suppressing her surprise and doubt, she began to explain in detail, in an almost lecturing tone, the ingenious traps such as "Instant Ground Spikes," "Chain Poison Crossbows," and "Paralyzing Mist," as well as the characteristics of deadly poisons such as "Shadow Kiss" and "Stone Heart Powder."

Li Zhongren listened intently, nodding from time to time, like a student eager for knowledge.

Finally, there is Evelyn, the "Whisperer".

The elemental mage turned pale as she watched Li Zhongren enter. She instinctively wrapped her tattered robe tighter around herself, but this only revealed a little bit of her cleavage. However, combined with her young face, it made her look rather cute, especially her eyes, which were clear and naive, like those of a female college student.

“Ms. Evelyn, I am very curious about the magic system of your world.”

What are the fundamental principles of elemental magic? What are the essential differences in the energy sources and manipulation methods of different elements (wind, fire, water, earth, ice, etc.)?

How do magicians sense and channel magic?

"Also, how are common magical items (scrolls, staves, magic crystals) made and effective?"

Fryn was completely dumbfounded.

Is this...is this a discussion of magical theory?

She looked into Li Zhongren's serious eyes and realized that he wasn't teasing her.

An indescribable, strange feeling replaced the fear.

She took a deep breath, gathered her thoughts, and began to explain the basics of elemental affinity, mental meditation, magic circuits, and rune inscription in the clearest possible language.

Li Zhongren listened with great interest, occasionally asking very basic but incisive questions, demonstrating his astonishing comprehension despite being completely unfamiliar with the subject.

This "interrogation" lasted for several days.

Every day, Li Zhongren would take turns "interrogating" them, with questions covering a wide range of topics: continental history, religious mythology, aristocratic lineages, the supernatural profession system (warriors, mages, priests, rangers, etc.), the ecology of Warcraft, mineral resources, local customs, language differences, and even... prices and the financial system!

The mercenaries went from initial bewilderment and resistance to numbness, cooperation, and even becoming accustomed to this daily routine of "knowledge output."

The imagined torture and humiliation never came to pass.

Alice and Evelyn, in particular, completely relaxed their tense nerves, replaced by a strong sense of curiosity and confusion.

The man who defeated and captured them was terrifyingly powerful, yet like a dried-up sponge, thirstily absorbing all the common sense about this world.

He didn't commit any offenses, and his attitude could even be described as...respectful?
Because this man would even have the witch help them relieve themselves, instead of sending a few male soldiers.

This contrast sparked an inexplicable interest in the mysterious "farmer" Li Zhongren among them.

"What do you think he's trying to do?"

On the seventh day, the walls between these mercenaries were breached. Although they could not see other people, they could clearly hear their voices, so they naturally relied on chatting to pass the time.

“He’s learning.”

Alice said.

"Of course I know he's studying, I mean..."

Why did he do that?

Alice said with a smile.

"correct."

Firehammer looked completely bewildered. "Why does he need to study?"

"because."

Barton's muffled voice rang out.

"His background limited his horizons. If he wanted to go further, he needed to understand the world. That's why he let us go. Who else understands the world better than us mercenaries?"

"So this is ah."

Evelyn nodded, a clarity returning to her once clear and naive eyes.

"But, Captain, are we going to be imprisoned for life?"

"do not know."

Barton shook his head.

"In our line of work, death is like the wind, always by our side. I just hope that after he finishes his studies, he can give us a quick death."

Barton's words silenced the entire team once again.

"If you can live, who would want to die?"

But can you really expect others to let you off the hook?
Are you kidding me? They came here to kill this man. He was outmatched and captured. Now you're asking them to let you go? How can you be so shameless?

So, just like the captain said, they'll be satisfied if they can get a quick death when the time comes.

"Dong~dong~"

The sound of regular, heavy footsteps rang out, and everyone fell silent.

Because they knew that the farmer who called himself Li had arrived.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning, sir."

Patton took a deep breath.

"Your Excellency, we have told you almost everything we know. I dare not beg you to let us go, but considering how cooperative we have been with you these past few days, could you please give us a quick death?"

"So, you all really want to die?"

Li Zhongren looked at Patton with a smile.

"Hu~~"

Upon hearing this, Patton took a deep breath.

"But... will you let us go?"

"No, I'm not so generous as to let someone who wants to kill me go."

"Then you."

"Just stay here and relax for now. Of course, things might get a little more comfortable for you later."

"What do you mean?"

"Thanks to the teachings of Lady Alice and Lady Evelyn, I have mastered a little bit of magic."

Of course, in reality, Li Zhongren gained attribute points through hunting, added them to his spirit, and activated his magical talent.

"For example, sealing techniques are lighter but more complex than magic-suppressing handcuffs."

"What??"

From deep within the cell came Evelyn and Alice's gasps of surprise.

"How could that be? It's only been less than ten days."

"Sorry, I'm a genius."

"."

"How could this be? I don't believe it!!"

Li Zhongren placed sealing spells on each of the mercenaries one by one. As long as they did not leave the cave, there would be no problem. However, once they left the cave, they would explode with a bang.

Now, everyone else has been sealed away, and finally, it's Evelyn's turn.

Her clear, yet foolish eyes, upon seeing the magical runes on the group's bodies, instantly turned grayish-white; she was clearly struck by their devastation.
Of course, it wasn't just him; others felt the same way, but they were more mature and didn't show these emotions. For example, Alice's gaze towards Li Zhongren even held some peculiar emotions. Admiring strength is an inherent trait of mercenaries.
"report!"

Just as Li Zhongren was about to seal the Sealer onto Evelyn.

A new visitor was brought before Li Zhongren by patrolling soldiers.

The newcomer was dressed in well-tailored but slightly muddy traveler's clothes, and had a gentle and refined demeanor that seemed completely out of place in this rugged and bloody cave.

He wore a perfectly measured smile, ignoring the wary gazes of the surrounding soldiers.

"Your Excellency, Lord of the Mist, I, Aaron West, am here on the orders of Princess Alicia Carlos, the Fifth Princess of the Carlos Empire, to extend my sincere greetings to you."

"Lord of the Mist"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhongren put down the needle in his hand and chuckled.

"When did I acquire such a title?"

"Well, I thought of that when I came here."

The man gave an awkward laugh and said.

Li Zhongren did not answer him, but instead observed the envoy who called himself Aaron from a war perspective. The energy fluctuations on his body were very weak, like an ordinary person, but his calm demeanor was by no means ordinary.

"The Fifth Princess?"

Li Zhongren's voice echoed in the cave.

"I have no prior dealings with Her Highness the Princess. What is the purpose of her greeting?"

Aaron bowed slightly.

"Her Highness has heard of your deeds in Rolling Stone City and Misty Forest and deeply admires your courage and strength. Her Highness is broad-minded and eager to seek out talented people. She sent me here in the hope of establishing a friendship with you, and even... inviting you to become her assistant."

"Recruit?"

Li Zhongren understood.

It seems that this "insect" of mine has not only angered the irritable third prince, but has also attracted the attention of other interested parties.

He did not immediately answer Aaron's suggestion, but instead waved to the guards.

"Take him away and find him a clean cell... no, a quiet room to settle him in. Treat him well, but don't let him leave for now."

Aaron's smile froze slightly.

"Your Excellency, what is the meaning of this? I have come with His Highness's goodwill..."

"I appreciate your kindness."

Li Zhongren interrupted him, his tone calm yet unquestionable.

“But I need to see more sincerity, and I need you, and the princess behind you, to understand more clearly where my ‘value’ lies. Negotiations require strength as a foundation. Let’s talk again when I think it’s appropriate. Also…”

Li Zhongren paused, looking at Aaron's well-dressed clothes and his obviously well-educated demeanor.

"You seem like a learned man? Perfect. My bunch of roughnecks are mostly illiterate, except when it comes to fighting. While you're waiting, why not put them to good use and teach them to read, do math, and talk about imperial laws and aristocratic etiquette? As for wages... meals will be provided."

Aaron was completely stunned. He had imagined being rejected, being escorted away, or even being taken hostage, but he never expected that he, the princess's special envoy, would be temporarily requisitioned as... a teacher for literacy and etiquette classes?
This treatment is even worse than that of mercenary prisoners... dark humor!
Seeing Aaron's bewildered expression as the soldiers "politely" asked him to leave, Li Zhongren's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

"Hey, what are you trying to do?!"

Evelyn, the only one locked up, looked at Li Zhongren with curiosity. She was no longer afraid because this person would not kill them for at least a considerable period of time. Naturally, her curiosity gave way to her intelligence.

"Alright, Evelyn, don't ask questions you shouldn't ask."

Alice took the initiative to lift Evelyn's clothes, revealing her fair and smooth belly.

"Alice, you traitor, you... sob sob sob sob!"

"Please, Your Excellency, Lord of the Mist."

Then, Alice turned her head and looked at Li Zhongren with a smile in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)