Helping each other with countless me.

Chapter 562 Alliance
The stench of blood lingered in the enormous cave, pressing down on everyone's hearts like heavy lead weights.

Standing atop the altar piled with corpses, Li Zhongren felt the life essence surging within him from dozens of elite mercenaries, as well as the unique aura emanating from the twenty-seven extraordinary warriors who had just emerged from their cocoons, as seen from the perspective of the war.

Despite having the power in his grasp, Li Zhongren's eyes remained unusually clear.

He surveyed the killing maze he had built with his own hands, and the few remaining warriors around him, their bodies wreathed in a deathly aura.

"Clean up the battlefield and collect all valuable loot, especially magic crystals, weapons, and magical items."

Li Zhongren's voice broke the silence, steady and powerful.

“Take our fallen brothers back to their hometown for burial.”

"Yes, sir!"

The twenty-seven newly promoted extraordinary individuals responded in unison, their voices hoarse yet filled with unprecedented determination.

They knew that their lives were bought with a huge price by their superiors, and even more so with the blood and flesh of their fallen comrades.

Their hometown, and their loved ones struggling to survive on that barren land, are the deepest concern in their hearts right now.

Aaron West emerged from the shadows of the passageway, his face still pale, but his fervor was even more intense.

Just as he was about to offer his congratulations or express his shock, Li Zhongren's gaze turned to him.

"Mr. Aaron."

Li Zhongren's voice is beyond question.

"Please inform Her Highness through your channels that I have proven my worth, but I will not stay here to wait for her 'inspection'. The Third Prince Keynes is a sore loser and a madman. Next time, it will not be mercenaries, but the Empire's regular army, or even the court mage corps. Staying here to fight head-on is not worth it."

"You...are you leaving?"

Aaron asked.

"It's a transfer."

Li Zhongren corrected him.

"First, my hometown, 'Greystone Village,' and as for what comes next, we'll talk about that later."

The captured Shadow Daggers squad was brought before Li Zhongren.

Seeing the complex expressions on the faces of these former elite mercenaries—fear, confusion, and a hint of relief at surviving—Li Zhongren didn't waste any words.

"Now you are free."

Li Zhongren removed the magic-suppressing shackles and the sealing runes from their bodies.

"Although we've had our disagreements, I'm satisfied with how well we've cooperated since then. I hope that when we meet again, it won't be as enemies."

"Who would want to be your enemy?!"

Evelyn looked at the ravaged battlefield, her little hands trembling slightly.

Barton silently gave a mercenary salute, and then, along with his equally silent team, quickly disappeared into the intricate network of passageways.

They knew that they would be the ones to spread the terrifying legends about "Lord of the Mist" Li Zhongren to the mercenary world.

Without a moment's delay, Li Zhongren, along with the remaining twenty-seven extraordinary warriors, Karenina, and Aaron, who served as an important "supply transit point" and "cultural instructor," embarked on their journey home.

Like the most elite special forces, they sped through the misty forest, shaking off any potential pursuers.
-
Dividing line

In Graystone Village, a poor and isolated village, the sudden appearance of Li Zhongren with a group of menacing and imposing "big shots" plunged the entire village into panic.

But when the villagers recognized that the leader was Li Zhongren, who had come from their village, and learned that he had returned to take away all the soldiers' families, their panic was quickly replaced by unbelievable joy and gratitude.

Like tigers returning to their nest, the twenty-seven soldiers quickly found their own and their comrades' families and conveyed Li Zhongren's promise and the urgency of the situation.

After a brief period of chaos, the entire Graystone Village burst forth with astonishing efficiency.

Women, children, and the elderly packed their meager belongings. Although their eyes showed sorrow at leaving their hometown, they also had hope for the future and absolute trust in Li Zhongren.

Even soldiers with 100% loyalty have families who blindly trust Li Zhongren.

The night was dark.

The power and endurance unleashed by the twenty-seven extraordinary individuals were unimaginable. Using manpower to pull the carts, they transported all the families to the border of the Fifth Princess's territory in just three days.

There, a well-equipped light cavalry unit bearing the princess's banner was already waiting.

When Li Zhongren arrived, the ranks parted to the sides.

A carriage, though not luxuriously decorated, exuded an air of nobility and was slowly pulled out.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Princess Carlos Baikal stepped down in person.

Her deep blue eyes and her hunting attire, which allowed her to move freely, made her look even more dashing.

Her gaze immediately locked onto the man at the very front of the crowd, Li Zhongren, who wore blood-stained plate armor and exuded an aura like a dormant volcano.

"Lord of the Mist, Li."

Alicia's voice was clear and melodious, carrying a perfectly appropriate hint of appreciation.

"Three thousand mercenaries have been wiped out. Your reputation has shaken the entire duchy. I have come to greet you personally."

Li Zhongren bowed slightly.

"It is an honor to have Your Highness here."

Then he looked at his subordinates.

"Follow Her Highness the princess's soldiers to escort your families to the designated location."

"Yes!"

The procession marched towards the princess's territory, and soon only the princess, her personal guards, and Li Zhongren remained.

"You guys step back first."

Yes, Your Highness.

Carlos Baikal raised his hand, and Li Zhongren gently supported him as the two walked into the depths of darkness. This was a customary practice within the Baikal Empire, and also a hint that the two were about to discuss some private matters.

Finally, the two stopped at the edge of a cliff. Of course, the cliff wasn't very high, only about ten meters high, and below was the beach.

The waves kept washing over the beach, and a bright moon hung high in the sky, its reflection shimmering in the seawater. This reminded Li Zhongren of a poem from his previous life.

Who first saw the moon by the riverbank? In what year did the river moon first shine on humankind?
"What are you thinking?"

Carlos Baikal smoothed his wind-blown hair, turned slightly, and looked at Li Zhongren, who was staring blankly at the moon.

"The view before my eyes."

Li Zhongren shrugged.

"Who do you think was the first person to see the moon?"

"Heh, are you contemplating philosophy?"

"Maybe."

“You don’t seem like a farmer, and this isn’t something a farmer would think about.”

Carlos Baikal also looked at the distant moon and spoke to himself.

"However, everyone has their own secrets, which I have no intention of prying into. But this does increase the chances of us cooperating. If you become my right-hand man, I will bestow upon you the noble surname of Baikal, grant you the title of count, and allow you to rule over a region, and even..."

Her voice was low, with a subtle, almost imperceptible fluctuation.

"I am willing to marry you, share the power of the empire, and rule the world together in the future!" She finally spoke the words of the marriage proposal herself!

"Marriage alliance."

Li Zhongren looked at the woman in front of him.

He had to admit that, in terms of appearance, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen since he came into this world. And it wasn't just about looks; even the best appearance is just an empty shell. It's like how few people appreciate a plastic doll. Living people have a unique aura that is impossible for anything else to imitate. And the Fifth Princess before him exuded an aura that was unique, beautiful, and dangerous.
After a long silence, Li Zhongren shook his head.

“I am grateful for Your Highness’s kindness, but what I seek is neither power nor fame, much less dependence.”

His voice was clear and firm, carrying an undeniable power.

“What I want is true freedom, power that is not subject to others. Joining Your Highness’s ranks now would be ostensibly to assist you, but in reality, it would make me a vassal, which is not what I desire.”

"And what is your intention, sir?"

"alliance."

Li Zhongren uttered two words.

"An alliance of equals. Your Highness provides me with intelligence, supplies, and a safe haven for the rear. In return, I will become the sharpest and most concealed knife in Your Highness's hand, dedicated to clearing obstacles and gnawing the toughest bones—such as the Third Prince."

He paused, his gaze sharp.

“When I, Li, have eliminated Your Highness’s powerful enemies and my army is strong enough to rival Your Highness, that will be the day when we truly form a ‘powerful alliance’. At that time, we can discuss whether or not to form a marriage alliance.”

"hehe."

Carlos Baikal smiled.

"Wouldn't I be creating an enemy? Using my power to strengthen you, and what if you turn against me later?"

“I will recruit soldiers in your territory, and the soldiers’ families will also be in your territory.”

Li Zhongren gave the final answer.

"Just like this time, I moved all the families of my soldiers to your territory. This is my pledge of allegiance."

Carlos Baikal fell silent. Clearly, she was unaware that Li Zhongren possessed a system, and even less aware that once loyalty reached one hundred, these soldiers would never betray her. Therefore, in her view, Li Zhongren's assurances were simply a way to cultivate power for her.

Regardless of whether this man will defect to her in the future, if he harbors any disloyalty and she gains leverage over him, she can use his family members to blackmail him. Then his soldiers will be in a difficult position.
However, she also knew that since this man dared to do this, it meant he probably had something to rely on. But she was equally confident. So, this was a high-stakes gamble. If she won, she would make a fortune; if she lost, she could simply become a queen and marry him. After all, her initial fate was also to be sent for a political marriage.
"Okay, I promise you."

A moment later, Carlos Baikal extended his hand, and Li Zhongren also extended his hand, gently shaking hands with the princess.
-
Dividing line

After settling all his relatives in Oaktown, Li Zhongren did not immediately begin his revenge.

He needs time to consolidate his strength and train the new army.

So he set up camp somewhere on the border of the Third Princess, and then dispersed his twenty-seven soldiers, promising them that they could recruit people in the princess's territory, and that they would be promoted and become leaders depending on how many people they could recruit!
Naturally, these twenty-seven soldiers, as if they had taken stimulants, left the camp like the wind.
So, for the time being, only Li Zhongren, Karenina, and some farmers who had built the camp remained in the camp, since the training would be conducted there.

"call"

Under the sunlight, Li Zhongren lay quietly in a rocking chair.

These past few days have probably been the most comfortable time he's had since he transmigrated.

Beside him, Karenina sat quietly, peeling the glistening grapes with both hands and stuffing them one by one into Li Zhongren's mouth.

"Damn it!"

Suddenly, a voice broke the tranquility.

A woman wearing a dark blue star-patterned robe and with long, light blue hair floated out of the woods, with a broom-like object beneath her bottom.

After landing on the ground, the woman—no, the girl—glared angrily at Li Zhongren.

"You people, all you know is how to exploit my fellow countrymen who have witch blood!"

"Let me tell you, man, I now represent the Aetriel Witch Academy. I expect you to release my notice immediately, or you will face Aetriel's wrath!"

As she spoke, the witch looked at Karenina again.

"Fellow countryman, don't be afraid, I will definitely rescue you!"

"??"

Karenina looked at the girl opposite her, then at Li Zhongren who had sat up beside her, her face full of question marks.

"Li, this is..."

"I don't know either, but it's probably a witch."

Li Zhongren stood up, and in an instant, an indescribable aura swept over him, causing the witch opposite him to take a few steps back, even appearing somewhat fierce but actually weak.

"Da~"

Li Zhongren, too lazy to waste words, simply snapped his fingers.

Under his control, the power of the earth's veins surged instantly, and the power from the earth transformed into a giant hand that grabbed the witch and firmly fixed her in place.

"Alright, Nina, go ask her what's going on."

"I?"

"If I get close now, she'll probably faint from fright."

"So, you just happened to hear that there were witches here, so you came to check it out?"

After some conversation, the blue-haired witch and Karenina had resolved their differences, and now the witch was sitting opposite Li Zhongren, her face flushed.

"I was out doing an assignment from my teacher, and when I heard there was something here, I came over."

"Alright, no need to be nervous. Karenina did suffer inhumane treatment before, but that's in the past. To me, she is a partner, a comrade-in-arms, and in the future, she may also be my lover."

"Pfft~~"

Karenina's face flushed instantly, but she didn't refute it. After all, since learning the truth, she no longer felt awkward. Gradually, she found herself attracted to this man as well.
"However, I am quite interested in your college."

Nina.

"how?"

"I want you to leave with her."

"You don't want me anymore?"

"No."

Li Zhongren waved his hand, both amused and exasperated.

"I hope you will go to the academy for further studies. After all, only there can your witch powers be fully developed. Of course, we won't take advantage of you."

As he spoke, Li Zhongren took out a letter.

"This letter is for your dean."

“I think we can cooperate. The ‘dirty work’ that your academy is not comfortable doing, such as eliminating certain extreme nobles who are hostile to witches, obtaining certain dangerous magical materials, and even… securing a safe autonomous enclave for you within the empire, can all be entrusted to me. In return, I need your academy to wholeheartedly teach Karenina, and at the same time, to provide us with magical support when necessary.”

"it is good."

The witch looked at Karenina's tearful eyes and felt relieved. The witch didn't fall in love easily, but if she did, that person was definitely genuinely good to her. This was the witch's ability, and she had never been wrong about it.

So she accepted the letter.

"I will personally take this letter back to the academy. As for cooperation, I think the dean will seriously consider it."

(End of this chapter)