Chapter 515: Conflict

"In fact, the sooner the 'Blood Hunt' plan begins, the better."

After the operational plan concluded and everyone gradually dispersed, Michael Wood said somewhat helplessly to Li Mochen: "I think Mr. Banfield has already reported to you about the situation over there? The current situation is indeed urgent. And our chief of staff, as well as the logistics department, have actually made sufficient preparations. The equipment, ammunition, field rations, and other supplies piled up at Saint Stone Fortress are enough to support our operations for three months."

"I know, but we can afford to delay these three days. Besides the Arcane Demon battle armor, I also ordered fifty land-combat versions of 'Demon Refiner,' ten 'War Demon,' forty F41 variant fighters, and ten B34 Flying Fortress bombers. These will also be delivered in the near future. You need to give our combat personnel more time to familiarize themselves with the equipment."

"Whoa."

Michael Wood was truly stunned by the news: "Boss, why didn't you mention this before? You caught me off guard, and now I'm starting to worry about your finances."

He knew that Li Mochen had obtained fifty billion in cash from the war with the Dragon Witch Cult, and then selling the two money-laundering hotel and restaurant groups had netted him thirteen billion after taxes.

However, in the five months after the war ended, the Rising Sun Group had been recruiting aggressively. Just purchasing equipment for six armored regiments and two mechanized infantry brigades had cost over twenty billion. Then they had recruited numerous legends, reinforced the defense system of Saint Stone Fortress, and built three magic towers, among other things.

The funds this man had spent over half a year definitely exceeded sixty billion.

And a single 'Demon Refiner' magic-powered battle armor cost over twenty million gold shields, while the 'War Demon' cost ninety million. As for the F41 variant fighter, the military's procurement price was one hundred forty million gold shields, and it was estimated that Li Mochen would have to pay even more.

As for the 'Arcane Demon'—a magic-powered battle armor that could turn an ordinary professional into a 15th-level arcane mage—its base price started at eighty million.

"They were all temporarily transferred by Anthony; some clients failed to fulfill their previous order contracts. As for funds, it's indeed a bit tight, but after all, we have the Wiltonsbank and the Atlantic Intercontinental Bank, so there's no need to worry for now."

Li Mochen said casually: "But these are secondary reasons. The main reason I set the start time of the operation here for three days later is that before the war begins, I have some unfinished business from before to deal with. I'm not sure if this will trigger an all-out war between us—"

He fixed his gaze on Michael: "It might not require reconnaissance by fire here; we could enter a state of war directly. So, do you understand what to do, Michael?"

...

A day later, Li Mochen, clad in Light Demon No. 8, set foot in the boundless void.

To his left was 'Blood-Eyed Angel' Robert E. Yvonne, and to his right was 'Void Night Lord' Delfinia Ederick. Beneath his feet was the small dragon vein.

"Is this the place?"

Delfinia gazed into the distance and soon found the magic tower Li Mochen had mentioned, which had sealed itself within the river of time. But she immediately noticed several legendary arcane mages surrounding it, along with a few slightly shorter magic towers.

Then Delfinia sensed two demigods, which made her frown deeply: "Two demigods! Andre, you have to give me one billion this time, or I won't accept."

She felt that the spiritual contract she had signed was a trap set by Li Mochen.

It said there were only two mandatory missions per year, but this man, relying on his abundant wealth, kept dragging her deeper into the pit.

For instance, this direct confrontation with the Medici family would undoubtedly greatly offend them. But Li Mochen had the right to compel her to carry out the mission, leaving her no way to avoid it.

So Delfinia, after much thought, decided to take some money from Li Mochen. But when she thought that taking just a few hundred million gold shields from this guy would mean fighting the Medici family for him, she felt it was too much of a loss.

"I don't need you to fight them head-on, OK? Two hundred million gold shields, just for you to break the outer spatial barriers of those magic towers."

Li Mochen rolled his eyes at Delfinia: "I can handle the two demigods myself. It's a trivial matter. Who makes money easier than you?"

"One billion!"

Delfinia's tone was firm, unwilling to budge: "I know that within a month at most, the war between you and Philip I will begin. You still have one mandatory authority left for this year, and you're probably planning to save it for then. By the way, I also want half the spoils. If you bargain with me again, I'll ask for more than that."

Li Mochen then looked at this woman with great surprise, thinking: when did this foolish Void Night Lord suddenly become so smart?

Too bad she wasn't thick-skinned enough; if it were him, he would have asked for three billion.

His eyes showed hesitation, and after a moment of thought, he snorted: "Eight hundred million! You can share the spoils, but you must contribute in this battle."

Delfinia's face lit up with joy: "Deal!"

She thought that since she would offend the Medici family anyway, there was no need to insist on the principle of not participating in combat.

Li Mochen then lowered his visor, guiding the dragon vein toward the magic tower, while the ever-smiling Robert and the Void Night Lord followed closely behind.

As the three approached, a massive fire griffin, exuding a dense demigod aura, appeared before them.

Robert's gaze sharpened—this was a demigod-level druid, and he was blatantly displaying his fire divine authority.

"Andre L. Wiltons?"

The griffin's eyes were as sharp as knives, and its surging, overwhelming will was filled with malice: "Turn back, you little brat of the Hohenstaufen family! I'm in a good mood today, so I don't want to tear you apart."

"I think the one who can tear me apart hasn't been born yet."

Li Mochen looked ahead with a smile, where the several magic towers were outlining a hexagonal star array in the astral realm. This was a time-space recall array, intended to pull Douglas Duncan's magic tower back into the current timeline.

"Whoa, I can't just sit by and watch you try to rescue my enemy."

"Professor Douglas Duncan is the magic consultant and guest of the Medici family!"

The fire griffin's body erupted with flames, and its voice carried powerful source force, hammering like a heavy mallet against the minds and souls of Li Mochen and the other two.

"Don't go too far, lucky Andre. The Medici family hasn't settled the score with you over Radia Medici's death. You killed him, didn't you? Killed a noble blood descendant of the Medici family?"

At this moment, another figure, a woman holding a staff with six pairs of pure white wings behind her, also appeared behind the fire griffin.

"Get back! Andre L. Wiltons! The Medici family has no intention of fighting you now, but if you don't know your place today, we will be happy to bury you in the astral realm."

"Arrogant declarations."

Li Mochen shook his head dismissively: "Three of you! Let me leave, but can you guarantee that you won't interfere in my war with Philip afterward, and that you won't disturb Anqi anymore?"

But the response from the other side was silence and stillness.