Chapter 26: A Debt of Gratitude as Vast as the Heavens

"The Su family?"

"The eldest young master of the Su family from the capital?"

Song Hui was stunned when she heard this. Then, she snapped back to reality, looked at Su Mu, and burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"So that's it! You are just like him! Both of you are pathetic wretches!"

To outsiders, someone with such peerless talent and a prominent background is a clear-cut winner in life. But only they knew the truth: this so-called background is the most lethal blade of all.

Su Mu picked up his wine cup and said resolutely, "But I crawled out from a pile of corpses! I did not die!"

"Now, there is only one thing I must do: reorganize the remnants of the Tiger Might Battalion. I will lead them so that in these chaotic times, we can preserve our own lives. This is not just for me, but for you as well."

Song Hui let out a sigh of melancholic resignation, her eyes turning exceptionally deep. At this moment, she had also collected her thoughts.

"Su Mu, is it? You want me to return to the Tiger Might Battalion and help you rally the old comrades?"

Su Mu nodded. "I know that the former Tiger Might Battalion was certainly an elite force, but in my eyes, they can only be considered average."

As soon as Su Mu said this, Song Hui’s eyes narrowed, and she glared at him with clear hostility. What arrogance! She had seen many conceited people over the years, but Su Mu’s arrogance was truly one of a kind.

"Oh? You think their capabilities are only average?"

Su Mu toyed with the white jade wine cup and chuckled. "Just a few days ago, I led a five-man squad I assembled, along with a child, deep into the heart of the barbarian territory. We burned a month’s worth of supplies for their hundred-thousand-strong army! And I personally dealt a heavy blow to their High Priest!"

"Could the former Tiger Might Battalion have achieved any of these feats?"

Song Hui’s pupils contracted as if struck by an earthquake. She looked at Su Mu in disbelief. What? Deep into barbarian territory? Burning their supplies and severely wounding the High Priest? If anyone else had said such things, she would have dismissed them as nonsense. But with Su Mu, it was different. She suddenly recalled that a few days ago, the barbarian Tiger-Wolf Cavalry had been poised to strike Qinghe Town, but at that critical juncture, they had retreated in a most bizarre fashion.

Perhaps this was inextricably linked to those two events. At this moment, she believed him.

"Then, what is your purpose in coming to me?" Song Hui asked, looking at Su Mu with a solemn expression.

Su Mu nodded firmly. "Partnership! To build an army, one needs a massive amount of silver. Currently, I am penniless; trying to raise such a force would be a pipe dream. Therefore, I need you to invest in the Tiger Might Battalion—the first step being the injection of funds."

"Secondly, I need you to help me recruit capable people to handle the battalion’s personnel matters and supervise the subsequent routine training."

"Third, and most importantly, I need the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion to provide me with intelligence. In war, information comes first; if you are one step faster, you stay ahead at every turn."

Song Hui couldn't help but smile upon hearing this. "According to your words, no matter which part I look at, there is no benefit for me. You want me to cough up money and act as your recruiter, so what do I stand to gain?"

Su Mu was not surprised by her reaction. After all, if it weren't for the history between Song Hui and that person, he might have been thrown out before he even finished speaking.

"As long as you invest, I can promise that in the future, I will make the name of the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion resonate throughout the entire continent! And I will ensure that everyone who was responsible for the death of the young master of the Jiang family pays a heavy price!" Su Mu said with absolute seriousness.

Upon hearing this, Song Hui took a deep breath and rose to stand by the window. "I can agree to form an alliance with you. However, I have one condition! You must help me kill someone."

Song Hui turned back to look at Su Mu, her eyes icy cold.

Su Mu raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Jiang Changhong."

Her eyes were filled with hatred. If it weren't for him, her beloved would not have died! Why should her loved one be dead while this villain lived such a carefree life?

Hearing this, Su Mu tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "I can kill him for you, but not now. If Jiang Changhong dies now, Battalion Commander Li will undoubtedly be executed in the dungeon!"

Su Mu stood up, walked over to Song Hui, and looked her in the eyes, his demeanor grave. "Therefore, as soon as Battalion Commander Li is rescued, I will kill Jiang Changhong!"

Song Hui looked at Su Mu’s hand, let out a sigh, and bit her lip. "Very well!"

With this alliance confirmed, Su Mu felt a weight lifted from his heart. Everything would begin here in Qinghe Town! In the future, Su Mu had only one goal: to become so powerful that no one could dictate his life or death!

"I will have the silver and the corresponding supplies sent to you as soon as possible," Song Hui said earnestly. "As for the old troops, I will also help you rally them and do my best to select some high-quality new recruits."

Su Mu smiled. "Then I thank you!"

Song Hui looked at him, feeling quite curious. "By comparison, I want to know how you plan to rescue Fatty Li? You must realize that this so-called Inspector is one of the Chancellor's men. For them, taking a man's life in Qinghe Town is as easy as breathing! Even if your methods are heaven-defying, how will you resolve such a difficult situation?"

Su Mu gave a playful laugh and looked at Song Hui. "Actually, it's quite simple! Before this, all of you were trapped in a misconception. To save the Commander, clearing his name is the first step. You have to make everyone know that he served the Great Liang with total devotion until his dying breath. Under the pressure of public opinion, the Inspector will be forced to re-examine the case."

Song Hui hesitated, then nodded. "And then? Are you pinning your hopes on the Inspector?"

Su Mu shook his head and chuckled. "It is actually very simple! What if I grant the Inspector a massive favor that allows him to rise rapidly in his career? Do you think he would forgo such benefits just for one Fatty Li?"

A massive favor? Song Hui wanted to refute this, but the next second, Su Mu looked into her eyes with intense seriousness.

"This massive favor is the fact that I severely wounded the barbarian High Priest, buying a month of peace for all the soldiers at the border! As for what happens after a month, if you and I are still alive, no one will be able to pose a significant threat to us anymore."

Song Hui looked at Su Mu and shook her head in amazement. "Very well! Then we shall do as you say!"