Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land-Chapter 765 - 15: A Bunch of Pretty Boys

"A disgraceful relationship? Could it be that word leaked from the gambling house?" Using Dark Pill to buy recommendation rings, indeed, that would sound quite bad if word got out.

"It’s not news from the gambling houses, but instead... some indelicate secrets about you, Captain, and Madam Xileng," Compass cracked a grin, looking all gossipy, making Yue Jinghua’s skin crawl.

"Rumor has it that both you and several other male mercenaries in our team are gigolos kept by Madam Xileng. You’ve allegedly traded your charms for these rings," Shalman managed to hold back a burst of laughter.

The marriage between the Xileng Family and the Bo Sai Mercenary King was in name only, and in recent years, Ten-Thousand Treasures Pavilion had alienated many in the Mercenary World due to its casino operations and the underpricing of mercenaries’ services.

The July Mercenary Team obtained their recommendation by leveraging the Xileng connection, particularly since its male members were notably handsome – a perpetually icy Qin Dongting, a robust and sturdy Feng Buhui, and the bewitchingly androgynous Yue Jinghua in men’s garb. As for Compass, although not much to look at, he could at least serve as an amusing jester.

Yue Jinghua rolled her eyes; the July Mercenary Team had inadvertently gained fame, although it was not a particularly favorable reputation.

"So, what’s the result? If the Xileng Family can’t produce the rings, they’ve broken the agreement with me, and I’ll need to collect the debt," Yue Jinghua was clearly dissatisfied; her free ticket to the competition had just gone down the drain.

"That’s precisely what we were discussing," said Chi Xi and the others, who didn’t wake Yue Jinghua earlier, knowing she had been running around the day before, "Madam Xileng did keep her word. Although she didn’t get all the recommended rings from the Mercenary Headquarters, she sent over one belonging to her, a ring of the Mercenary King. We suggest giving this ring to Qin Dongting, as he was originally entitled to a recommendation."

But Qin Dongting refused to accept the ring; associated with the Xileng Family, it was a constant reminder of his deceased mother.

"Give the ring to someone else; I’m willing to join you in the mercenary elimination tournament and strive to win the ’Geyue Eagle’ ring from the Mercenary Headquarters through sheer prowess," Qin Dongting said resolutely.

Accompanying the Xileng Family’s ring was also a compromise negotiated with the Geyue Mercenary Association, a solution that would neither offend the Xileng Family nor appease the agitated mercenaries besieging the Geyue Mercenary Guild.

Yue Jinghua and her teammates were lucky; quite a few unexpected events occurred during the Mercenary Newcomer King Competition, resulting in many pre-qualified newcomer mercenaries being injured or missing.

Out of the fifty recommended newcomer mercenaries, thirteen were unable to register on time, meaning only eighty-seven of the one hundred slots for the upcoming Xuyang Trial were filled, leaving thirteen openings.

To fill these spots, the Mercenary Headquarters had no choice but to unveil the ’Geyue Eagle’ rings, long archived at the Headquarters, to replace the missing ones.

And to ensure fairness, the stewards of the Mercenary Headquarters proposed an additional challenge round. All aspiring participants in the Mercenary Newcomer King Competition would have the opportunity to challenge the top fifty mercenaries from the current Newcomer King Elimination Tournament.

"It will be decided by a draw from the Mercenary Headquarters. Anyone who can defeat the chosen mercenary will earn a ’Geyue Eagle’ ring and advance to the next round of the Xuyang Trial. We were just discussing whether to partake in this upcoming challenge," Aunt Chi Xi explained, after which all eyes turned unanimously to Yue Jinghua.

Yue Jinghua was their backbone; they would follow her command without any complaints, whether to join the challenge or not.

"Do we even need to say it? When the arrow’s on the bowstring, it must be shot. It’s about time those guys learned who the real pretty boy is," Yue Jinghua said without a moment’s hesitation.

After several discussions, they ultimately decided to leave the "Xileng Family" ring, which was akin to a fast pass, to Qian Luo.

Qian Luo was an Array Master, her strength was not as prominent compared to the others, hence everyone unanimously agreed to let her directly earn a recommendation and enter the Xuyang Trial.

"That settles it then, let’s set off immediately to find Madam Xieleng. I believe she has a way to get us all into Geyue Town," Yue Jinghua said, leading the seven members of the July Mercenary Team to Geyue Town.

Madam Xieleng indeed came up with a method, allowing everyone to enter Geyue Town smoothly without worrying about the "only those in the Dark Earth Realm are allowed to enter Geyue Town" restriction.

"Up ahead is the Geyue Mercenary Association, and this is where the greatest number of affiliated mercenaries and the most powerful mercenary strength lies on the whole continent. I will lead you up to here; to avoid suspicion, it’s best if I do not accompany you inside the headquarters," Madam Xieleng pointed out, noticing a large number of mercenaries still lingering around the Mercenary Branch.

After handing over her ring to Qian Luo, she left with an air of cold pride.

Madam Xieleng’s appearance and demeanor were outstanding, and although she only stayed outside the Mercenary Headquarters for a moment, many people still recognized her.

The mercenaries naturally also recognized the members of the July Mercenary Team who had come with Madam Xieleng.

"It’s them, the so-called July Mercenary Team,"

"Shameless, climbing the ranks through connections,"

"I heard all those guys are underlings of Madam Xieleng. Just look at them; they’re not that great. I’m even better than they are. Do you think I have a chance of catching Madam Xieleng’s eye?"

"They want to participate in this challenge too?"

"Drive them out, a bunch of lowlifes, they’re totally disgracing our fellow mercenaries!"

Anger and envy spread like an invisible plague among these greenhorns, easily roused and provoked. Upon seeing Yue Jinghua and others approaching the Mercenary Headquarters, they surged forward, filled with righteous indignation, blocking Yue Jinghua and his group from getting any closer to the Geyue Mercenary Association.

Yue Jinghua and the others were immediately pushed out by the crowd, and some even started a physical confrontation with Feng Buhui and Qin Dongting. A chaotic brawl seemed imminent.

"Captain, hold off on acting for now. Let me, Little Panpan, have a little show. They’re just a bunch of nobodies; I can knock them all down with a flick of my finger," Fatty Luo said, not flustered but rather smug. Having been with Yue Jinghua for a long time, he had also learned Yue Jinghua’s sly smile. Fatty Luo pulled back Feng Buhui and Qin Dongting and tore at his chest armor to reveal his hefty, pale flesh.