Chapter 482: Hammer Blows
Translator: Oneshotwonder Editor: Hitesh_
The resistance forces strictly forbade cheating during public events. However, Marcos"s actions trod a thin line between cheating and cunning poly, since technically, all the contents were still inside the ten boxes.
Marcos was convinced that he had everything planned out, but he never thought that Battle Wolf would have a freak called w.a.n.g Tong, who appeared to have telepathic abilities. Marcos" plan was simple, using the super METAL as a lure to coax Guan Dongyang into using his most powerful warrior in the third round, so he could easily win the final round when Guan Dongyang no longer had any trump cards to play. However precious the super METAL was, it was the remainder of the loot that could significantly improve the overall combat capacity of Thunder Fire.
After Ye Zi left for her accommodation, w.a.n.g Tong led Tan Bu and Duo Lun toward his room. Halfway to their destination, they saw two people walking in the distance; one of them was Li Xiu, Marcos" adviser, and the other was a middle-aged man. Li Xiu hunched his back like a sycophant while talking to his company. On the other hand, the other man walked with his chin up. His stride held such purpose and pride as if he was the most powerful fighter on the Mars. Suddenly, the middle-age man paused as he saw a figure in the distance, and uncertainty flickered on his face.
"Mr. Nihlathak, why did you stop?"
"No, nothing." Nihlathak shook his head and focused at a distance again: the figure was gone.
The tournament would be carried out at the inner camp, and it was not open to the public. However, since each faction had brought a great many followers with them, the inner camp was packed with spectators nonetheless. Marcos ordered his guards to keep close eyes on the ten chests full of treasures, just in case jealousy encouraged some onlookers to cross the line.
All the attendees were well aware of the political moment wedged among the three factions. Rock Buster was on the verge of merging with Thunder Fire, and so, it was a no-brainer that these two would form an alliance against Battle Wolf. Although Battle Wolf was the smallest of the three, it was not the case in terms of its power. Not only was Guan Dongyang a potent mastery fighter, but he also had the help of House Lie.
"Captain, I have heard that Marcos has invited Nihlathak, the Hammer, as his champion."
Among many factions that came to watch the show, Blizzard was one of the largest warbands. Its leader, Aamir, was also one of the renowned warriors of Maersa District.
Aamir nodded and sneaked a sidelong glance at the middle-aged man beside Marcos. He had been keeping it to himself ever since the beginning of the meeting. Standing right beside Marcos was a skinny little fellow who plastered an amiable smile on his face; that was Marcos"s adviser Li Xiu. Thunder Fire"s rising to power was largely thanks to him.
Sometimes, in order to persuade powerful fighters, one would have to look around him. Thunder Fire knew that their hope of enlisting Nihlathak rested on his son, and the best way to strike a chord with him—a twenty-five-year-old young man—was a pretty face.
Li Xiu had sowed the seed of enlisting Nihlathak many years ago when Thunder Fire saved a young girl from the death clutch of a Zerg. This girl used to be from a powerful house, and was very beautiful, making her a rare and very useful commodity in the political arena. After a few long talks, the girl had agreed to get to know the young man that Li Xiu had been talking so much about. After having dated him for a few years, the girl finally bore the fruit of their love, and so did Li Xiu"s investments. In order to help his son secure a better position in Thunder Fire, and to give his grandson a better future, Nihlathak had decided to help Thunder Fire.
Nihlathak had always believed that everything would be fine as long as he excelled at METAL combat, but life had taught him a lesson, and so, he had to bend his pride.
For Nihlathak, deciding to come to the tournament was the hardest part. But once he was at the camp, he felt relaxed, since he knew that no one could beat him in a one on one fight.
w.a.n.g Tong and his friends were at the end of the line. Although Tan Bu was very excited about the tournament, he conceded that he would be useless on stage.
Guan Dongyang was the first in the line, seeming relaxed and calm. Even at the sight of Nihlathak, he didn"t waver.
"Brother Dongyang, we have been waiting for you! Before we start the tournament, I have two important announcements to make. First is that Mr. Nihlathak, the Hammer, will join the Thunder Fire. It is Thunder Fire"s great honor to have a legend fighting among our ranks."
Marcos paused for a second to let the news set in. He scanned the crowd and enjoyed the shocking expression on everyone"s face. On the other side, Nihlathak nodded perfunctorily.
"The second announcement is that Thunder Fire and Rock Buster will merge into one unit from now on. Mr. Randolph will become our vice-captain."
Randolph stood up and announced with a deep voice, "We are all united under the common goal of driving out the Zergs. Only together can we make the world a better place! I have decided to join forces with Thunder Fire, and I believe, we will eventually kick the Zergs out of Maersa."
The implication of the second news was even more profound than the first one. Aamir pulled a taut face; he reckoned that the combined force of Thunder Fire and Rock Buster would make them the biggest unit in Maersa. Suddenly, he felt a chill creep into his gut.
"Furface, look at Aamir"s face. Haha, he is p.i.s.sed!"
"Nihlathak? Didn"t he swear that he won"t join any faction?"
"G.o.d knows… Looks like Battle Wolf is going to have a bad time."
"Touché! I bet even House Lie would have to reconsider their approach with Thunder Fire after the merger."
"No kidding! If Guan Dongyang keeps his silence, Battle Wolf was bound to loss face this time."
"I have heard that Guan Dongyang even wanted to be the leader of all factions one day… So much for his grand ambitions."
"Hehe, let"s wait and see. This tournament is going to be rich!"
Marcos"s face was lit up with glee as he glanced at the pale face of Aamir and suppressed a sneer.
Aamir quickly gathered himself and congratulated Marcos. Following Aamir"s lead, every one congratulated Marcos for his success, and no one paid any attention to Guan Dongyang and the Thunder Fire.
However, Guan Dongyang maintained his composure under the pressure and waited for everyone to finish their words.
"w.a.n.g Tong, are you sure the last box was full of s.p.a.ce crystals?"
"Yes, I have double checked. I bet they are going to have Nihlathak during that round." w.a.n.g Tong announced, and his guess struck a chord with Ye Zi.
Ye Zi quickly reported this development to Guan Dongyang, whose face blackened as he realized that he had walked into a trap.
For the first round of the match, Battle Wolf had sent in Ross, a level fifteen warrior and the strongest METAL fighter in Battle Wolf. Thunder Fire had sent a level sixteen warrior. The one level of difference meant that the Thunder Fire warrior would have a huge advantage over Ross.
Despite Ross" effort, he was quickly defeated by the Thunder Fire.
"Father, these guys are too weak for you. I think I can finish all of them by myself." A young man sitting behind Nihlathak announced, his voice laced with conceit.
"Shut up and watch!" Nihlathak refuted.
The young fellow pouted. A beautiful girl sitting beside him tugged at his s.h.i.+rt, willing him to control his temper.
Duo Lun scanned them, and his eyes found that pregnant girl beside Nihlathak"s son, which sent a tremor down his body.
"Uh? What"s up?"
"No... nothing." Duo Lun sighed.