"Let's go. No matter what you say, we won't agree to you coming with us," the Mercenary said impolitely.
Seeing how resolute the other party was, Zhang Hao felt helpless. Since they were unwilling, he couldn't insist. He turned to leave.
"Wait a moment!"
A pleasant female voice came from a carriage.
Immediately, a masked woman in a blue dress stepped down from the carriage.
"Miss Hai Lan, why did you come down?" A middle-aged Mercenary looked at the woman and smiled.
"Uncle Ku Er, I heard a sound and came down to take a look," the Miss called Hai Lan smiled slightly.
Zhang Hao turned to look at Hai Lan. Although she was wearing a mask, judging from her figure and voice, she shouldn't be old. At most, in her twenties.
"Were you attacked by bandits in Black Demon Ridge?" Hai Lan gently asked, sizing up Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao lowered his head and looked at the bloodstains all over his body. He knew the other party had misunderstood. In fact, these bloodstains were left from killing magical beasts in Black Demon Ridge. Since there was nowhere to bathe, he could only remain like this for now.
"Yes, as soon as I arrived here, I encountered many bandits. They stole my belongings," Zhang Hao said pitifully, as if inspired.
Hai Lan believed Zhang Hao after hearing him say this, and pity appeared in her eyes. Because Zhang Hao indeed wasn't carrying anything. Someone traveling couldn't possibly not bring any luggage. Most obviously, there were many bloodstains on Zhang Hao's body. It was clear he had gone through a fierce struggle.
"Then come with us!" Hai Lan said softly, looking at Zhang Hao.
"Miss Hai Lan, aren't you worried about his background? What if he has ill intentions?" Uncle Ku Er glanced at Zhang Hao cautiously.
Hearing this, Hai Lan shook her head and insisted, "I trust my judgment. Besides, he's just one person. No matter what, he can't cause much trouble."
Perhaps Hai Lan's words made sense. Furthermore, Zhang Hao was alone. The Mercenary Group had hundreds of people. Naturally, they wouldn't be afraid of Zhang Hao alone. Moreover, after using Gathering Breath Art, Zhang Hao's apparent cultivation was only Martial Warrior Ninth Heaven.
"Little brother, are you coming to Black Demon Ridge to go to Tianfeng Kingdom?" Hai Lan asked curiously, her beautiful eyes fixed on Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao nodded, feigning helplessness, "Yes, because I wanted to take a shortcut, I went through Black Demon Ridge. I didn't expect to be unlucky and encounter a bandit group who stole everything I had."
"Mm, we also need to go to Kaiyang City, the capital of Tianfeng Kingdom. What about you?" Hai Lan asked again.
"Me too!" A hint of joy appeared on Zhang Hao's face.
"Hehe, then come with us! It's on the way," Hai Lan said with a smile.
Zhang Hao didn't expect his luck to be so good. This merchant group was heading to the capital of Tianfeng Kingdom. This would save him a lot of trouble. Because the Zhang Family was also in Tianfeng Kingdom. It wasn't that Zhang Hao was afraid of danger, after all, he was directionally challenged.
"Miss Hai Lan."
Ku Er still wanted to persuade her. But Hai Lan waved her hand and said, "It's decided."
Ku Er was helpless. After all, Hai Lan was the employer. The Mercenary Group still needed to respect some of the employer's wishes.
Ku Er's sharp gaze fixed on Zhang Hao's face, but Zhang Hao remained very calm. This made Ku Er feel even more that there was something wrong with Zhang Hao. After all, the pressure he, as a Martial Master of the fourth level, emitted was definitely not something a Martial Warrior below the Martial Master stage could withstand. But Zhang Hao acted as if nothing was happening. How could this not make Ku Er uneasy? However, since Hai Lan had already decided, Ku Er couldn't object further at this moment. He could only remind himself to be careful of this person.
Zhang Hao was still very grateful to Hai Lan for inviting him along. Inside the carriage, through chatting with Hai Lan, Zhang Hao learned that Hai Lan was from Tonghua Merchant House. She came from the Iron Meng Duchy of the Sixteen Kingdoms in Xijiang. As for the so-called Tonghua Merchant House, Zhang Hao had never heard of it. It should be a small merchant association. Hai Lan intentionally or unintentionally inquired about Zhang Hao's background. Zhang Hao knew Hai Lan was also testing him. Therefore, he answered carefully. He only told Hai Lan that he came from a certain unnamed small Family. This trip was for experience.
Zhang Hao also gained some understanding of the Mercenary Group hired by Hai Lan outside. He knew this Mercenary Group was a D-rank Mercenary Group called Heavenly Might Mercenary Group.
Don't think that D-rank Mercenary Groups seem weak. But you should know that there's a big difference between rated Mercenary Groups and unrated ones. D-rank Mercenary Groups require application from Advanced Mercenary Groups. And before Advanced Mercenary Groups, there are beginner and Intermediate ranks, which all require slowly accumulating experience through missions to upgrade. Therefore, D-rank Mercenary Groups are already large Mercenary Groups that many others look up to.
After asking a few questions and not getting any useful information from Zhang Hao, Hai Lan stopped talking. She simply sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and adjusted her breathing.
Gradually, the merchant group entered the latter half of Black Demon Ridge. This was where mountain bandits and robbers frequently appeared. Even large Mercenary Groups had to be constantly careful when entering here. After all, some mountain bandits and robbers didn't play by the rules.
Along the way, the merchant group encountered some small-scale bandits. But before the might of the merchant group, those mountain bandit groups couldn't stir up any big waves.
However, Uncle Ku Er's dissatisfaction with Zhang Hao grew stronger and stronger. Because whenever these mountain bandits appeared, Zhang Hao stayed inside the carriage and didn't make a move; it was all left to the mercenaries.
"Another half day's journey ahead and we'll be out of Black Demon Ridge. Everyone, hurry up and travel," Ku Er said.
The merchant group knew it was not advisable to spend the night in Black Demon Ridge. The merchant group planned to leave Black Demon Ridge before dark. Moreover, on both sides of Black Demon Ridge were continuous mountain ranges, with only the middle being a passable valley. Camping in this place was a very dangerous act. Experienced merchant groups would not do such a foolish thing.
But sometimes things often turn out contrary to one's wishes.
Zhang Hao, who was sitting in the carriage with his eyes closed and adjusting his breathing, seemed to sense a dangerous aura and opened his eyes.
"Everyone, stop!" Uncle Ku Er's expression was solemn.
Hai Lan knew something was wrong and quickly asked, "Uncle Ku Er, what happened?"
"Miss Hai Lan, something is wrong ahead," Ku Er frowned slightly.
"What's wrong?" Hai Lan quickly asked.
"It's too quiet. Normally, even if it's quiet here, it wouldn't be like this. It's too abnormal. There must be someone ambushing ahead!" As expected of a veteran Mercenary Group leader, Ku Er immediately detected the situation.
"What should we do then?" Hai Lan's expression changed.
"Let's first assess the situation," Ku Er said solemnly.
Just at this moment, roars of magical beasts suddenly came from all around.
"Damn it, why are there so many magical beasts? Didn't we already leave the magical beast area?"
The Mercenaries of the Heavenly Might Mercenary Group were all shocked at this moment, looking at the magical beasts surrounding them, their faces somewhat pale. There were at least a thousand of these magical beasts, a dense mass stretching endlessly, bringing heavy pressure upon the Mercenaries of the Heavenly Might Mercenary Group.