Chapter 251: Tough

Dainien Stacy's tightly furrowed brow relaxed slightly as she spoke with admiration: "BOSS, it seems your subordinates are also very powerful fighters. And Major Adams truly deserves his reputation as the genius commander of the Red Scorpions."

She knew that Adams's team included several Outlaws and over a dozen fighters whose combat prowess was no less than Outlaw-level, making it the second strongest combat unit after Sampson's. Yet their opponents' strength was not much inferior.

According to their estimates, the number of Outlaws in this base was likely close to thirty. Even though some had been eliminated in Warehouse No. 2 and others were pinned down by the Knights of the New Light at the Blazing Club, she estimated that there were no fewer than ten Outlaw-level fighters in this underground base.

In addition, they had a Level 17 magical energy defense array—even though it had been severely damaged after the large-scale explosion, it was still enough to provide powerful support for the Dragon Witch Cult's warriors.

"Of course!"

Li Mochen couldn't help but lift his chin slightly upon hearing this: "Incompetent people are not worthy to be my subordinates."

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart. Dainien's heart stirred again, wondering: Could this really be her BOSS? What was going on?

For a moment, she even felt the urge to call someone and ask for the truth. But then Dainien remembered that the Styx Contract she had signed contained a clause prohibiting the disclosure of any information about the employer.

She hadn't paid much attention to it at first—such clauses were common in the mercenary world. But now, as Dainien recalled it, she realized those clauses were unusually thorough.

It was clear that Li Mochen had to guard against far more than just the illegal evidence against him.

"—Report, Shaft 4 has completed fire suppression. We killed six and captured a meeting room here, and are now working to destroy their magic energy array. We lost two brothers, and four are wounded."

"Shaft 1 requests reinforcements. The enemy's firepower is very strong. We have five casualties and are temporarily unable to advance. We suspect there is an important target twelve meters away, as they have deployed heavy forces in this direction."

Just then, Li Mochen's expression shifted slightly, and with a flash he dashed toward Shaft 1.

At the same time, the voice of Sampson Brut came through his walkie-talkie.

"Mr. Li, we are approaching the core of their outer formation. The enemy's firepower has increased, and there are three figures suspected to be Calamity Apostles. They are very powerful and have already caused two of our combatants to be killed or wounded. I have already seen the Mad Blood Aangzo—"

Dainn Stacy and Howard Eisenhower exchanged a glance, then without hesitation, followed Li Mochen as they plunged into Shaft No. 1.

Li Mochen's rescue was timely; when he arrived, it was just as Aangzo launched his charge. Samson Brut was the first to bear the brunt. Though he managed to parry with his long blade, avoiding being split in two, he was still sent flying by Aangzo, crashing heavily into the wall behind.

At that moment, another magic-energy swordsman wielding twin swords had already flashed in front of Aangzo, his pair of magic-energy blades mere inches from Samson's throat.

However, Li Mochen's controlled 'Sun-Moon-Star Celestial Star Sword' had arrived first. Not only did it block the fatal attack, but it also sliced and shattered the bullets flying toward them.

All three hundred and sixty flying swords formed a massive circulating circle, standing like a shield in front of Sampson. After the collision, he was momentarily dazed but quickly recovered, dodging to the side under the cover of the hundreds of sword blades, finding new shelter in a corner on the other side.

At this moment, Li Mochen's flying swords had all shifted from defense to offense. The three hundred and sixty swords, like a downpour of rain, continuously struck and slashed toward the magic swordsman. But the effect was minimal; as layers of protective magic unfolded before the magic swordsman, most of the swords were repelled. Even those that managed to pierce through were spent arrows, unable to penetrate the magic swordsman's armor.

"Whoa! You almost destroyed the formation core here. No wonder you're Steelbone Sampson, unrivaled in mobility among the Red Scorpion commanders."

Just as Li Mochen's men arrived beside Sampson Brut, a sneering voice came from the corner of the corridor ahead—Edwin Antonio's.

"But a loser is always a loser, Sampson. Remember your wife and daughter? My brother Clement—yes, Blacktooth Clement—said they tasted good. He had great pleasure with them. Today, I'll send you to the Radiant Heaven to reunite with them and hear all they've been through."

Li Mochen frowned, about to step past the corner, but Sampson Brut grabbed him. The latter's eyes were bloodshot, yet his voice was calm.

"Boss, wait, okay? That guy over there is trying to make me lose my cool. He's set a trap, waiting for us to charge in."

Li Mochen's eyes turned displeased, his gaze sharp as a knife fixed on Sampson Brut. He thought that the bunch of clowns around the corner would just cost him a bit more effort and a bit more price.

But Sampson met his gaze without any intention of letting go.

"Listen to me, Boss. This formation core is important to them, probably tied to the resurrection ritual of the Disaster Flame Dragoness below. This is their must-defend ground; the seven Disaster Flame Apostles have to hold here! But Major Adams has already broken through—that will be a dagger thrust into their heart, a threat they must deal with. Please trust Major Adams, okay? I think the one who can't sit still in the end will be Antonio, not us."

In their standoff, a hint of appreciation actually flickered in Tianxin 'Li Mochen's' eyes. He thought he still had some eye for recruiting subordinates.

"I think the commander is right."

Elisa Targaryen also chimed in from behind: "If we can take this base with less cost and an easier way, why not? If we go for a frontal assault, A Mo, you might have the certainty to annihilate them, but how many casualties would we suffer?"

She had been assigned to Sampson's Outlaw Group and was following him, with blood on her shoulder.

"Fine."

He flicked his sleeve, forcefully brushing off Sampson's hand.

"Then I'll wait a bit longer."

After he gave up the idea of a forceful breakthrough, Sampson didn't idle either. He rearranged the firepower net here, reinforced the cover at various positions, and prepared for demolition.

The commander's thinking was simple: their goal was to destroy the outer formation core, not occupy it. And at this distance, it was already enough to damage or disrupt this key array hub.

A minute later, Thompson Adams' voice came over the walkie-talkie again: "Report, we've linked up with the No. 4 shaft combat team and are proceeding to demolish their main generator room."