There were still a few days before the start of the land portion of the tournament and Baron, Yue Fei, and Guan Yu spent the time doing separate things. Baron, being the least skilled out of all of them in this aspect, decided to spend the remaining time at the hall of records where he could witness many of the recordings of the strategists before him.

Yue Fei decided to spend his time to try and catch up as much as he could in the elder rankings by taking up more community tasks. Guan Yu had gotten an invitation to meet with the Men Of Meng faction. Where Meng Tian and Meng Yi used to be a part of. Their father, Meng Wu, was the leader of this group. He had a proposition for Guan Yu. He went to the location that the invite card told him to go to.

(MA) “Hello there, could you perhaps be elder Guan Yu? Meng Ao said as he waited by the door of one of the regular rooms in the residence of the Sun Alliance housing units built for big events like this tournament.

(GY) “I am yes, and you are…” Guan Yu asked.

(MA) “I am Meng Ao, the previous leader of the Men of Meng Faction. The current leader is my son, Meng Wu.

(GY) “I see, so you are the infamous grandfather strategist. Even by my standards, you are quite the saint.”

(MA) “Oh, I didn’t think anyone would remember me or my actions anymore. After I decided to support my son, I stopped being active on the battlefield. It has been quite a few centuries now since that time.”

(GY) “My title of the generous strategist is likely derived from your title, so how could I not know of you and your ways. You are one of my role models.”

(MA) “Oh stop that, you’ll make me blush. Anyway, Meng Wu is inside this door. Just enter and you will be alone with him to discuss something very important.”

(GY) “Alright, thank you, senior, for everything.”

Guan Yu met with Meng Wu not knowing really what to expect from one of the leaders of such a powerful group. However, once the two spoke, there were no courtesies with each other.

(MW) “Ah, you’re here, elder Guan Yu. I’m so glad that you could make it.” Meng Wu said with all smiles.

(GY) “Well, how could I refuse a request from such an influential man such as yourself?” Guan Yu responded politely.

(MW) “Well, I have a little offer that you might be interested in. It is a temporary alliance with my Men Of Meng faction and your group.”

(GY) “Oh? What brings you to such a decision?”

(MW) “Well, as I’m sure that you are aware, my faction has been in decline ever since the Vesper faction has sunk their fangs into our businesses. No one wants to buy from us, and very few are willing to sell to us, not to mention the decline of strategists that want to join our faction. In fact, some of our men are even leaving so that they don’t have to be associated with us. I suppose this is one of the reasons that you waited for a long while before you decided to fully commit yourself to any group?”

(GY) “Indeed, that is one of the reasons for my choice in not joining a faction earlier.”

(MW) “If that is the case, you might not be able to understand the pain that is going through my heart right now. The many brothers that I have fought together for thousands of years are leaving me to go somewhere else. It just hurts, you know?”

(GY) “I can only sympathize with you on this point.”

(MW) “Well, sulking about the situation won’t change anything. Actions will. The Vesper faction has made it so that we no longer had anyone to rent out our business to for large events like these. As you know, my faction is primarily as a guard for hire type of situation. We would like to rent out our business to your group since all of you are already opposed to the Vesper faction.”

(GY) “Interesting point, and what would your rates be?”

(MW) “Since we are falling on hard times, we will charge you 5,000 silver coins for each member of your group.” Meng Wu gulped as he started off the negotiations.

(GY) “No way I’m paying that.”

(MW) “I under…” He started feeling an immense sense of failure and was fairly close to breaking down in tears. All of the pressure that came along with being an enemy of Vesper was taking a heavy toll on him and now he was at the breaking point.

(GY) “What are your regular rates?”

(MW) “Uh? It’s 13,000 per person per event.”

(GY) “I see, well, I’m always down to help a brother out. I accept your deal, here is 50,000 coins. There are 3 of us you need to guard.” He said as he tossed a bag full of coins to Meng Wu.

(MW) “3? 50,000? But 50,000 is almost enough for 4 peop…”

(GY) “I expect you to excel at your task, and what’s a couple grand between friends?”

(MW) “I, I. I don’t know what to say.”

(GY) “Hold on, what about the fees that you need to pay to enter?”

(MW) “You don’t need to worry about that. If you are a mercenary like we are, you don’t get awarded prizes and you don’t need to pay a fee either.” Meng Wu was once again near tears, but this time of happiness.

(GY) “That’s good to hear. If that is all, then I think I will take my leave.”

(MW) “Thank you, thank you so much.”

(GY) “Chin up, Mr. Wu. You are the leader of one of the most famous tough guy factions. Save your happiness for later.”

(MW) “Yes, yes, of course.” He said as he made himself presentable again.