Chapter 490: The Helpful Loot
Translator: OneshotwonderEditor: Hitesh_
"Yes, you can say that. Why do you two have so many questions?"
"We are just curious. We wagered that you ought to be some kind of hotshot back then?"
"I am not a hotshot. I always had been a no account. Now, buzz off!" Wang Tong refuted with a broad smile on his face.
Fearing that Wang Tong was going to increase their training load as punishment for their curiosity, Duo Lun and Tan Bu decided to stop pressing him for questions. However, neither of the two young soldiers could stop speculating his real identity. They scrapped their memory of any legendary warrior who shared the same name as furface. Wang Tong…Wang Tong! They suddenly realized that the answer was right under their noses all this while.
Could he really be the Wang Tong? If he wasn't, who else could make Guan Dongyang listen to his orders?
Wang Tong…the only person who was feared by even Patroclus himself.
"What? He destroyed the entire Zerg Army?"
"Yes, boss. I have seen it with my own eyes. He rained flaming rocks from above onto the Zergs, and the earth opened up, spitting fires and all. I am sure there had been over two thousand Zergs… All dead in a matter of minutes."
The news took the wind out of Marcos' sail, and he slumped on the armchair like a deflated balloon. Anger had driven him to disclose Guan Dongyang's itinerary to the unsavory bands of resistance forces. He coaxed them to ambush Battle Wolf, using the treasures as a lure. After Guan Dongyang deterred those raiders without firing a shot, Marcos ordered his scout to closely follow the Battle Wolf, hoping for further complications.
Seeing was believing. Still unconvinced by the report, Marcos rode out towards the battlefield where Guan Dongyang slaughtered 2000 Zergs.
The scene at the bottom of the hill churned Marcos's stomach; the report was as real as the large pile of decaying Zerg carcass.
"Are you sure the Guan Dongyang did this? Not the mechanic?"
"I swear by the gods it was him! He floated in the sky before the attack started."
Marcos's mind raced. Nihlathak had warned him about the mechanic, telling him to stay away from him. But, he didn't seem to be concerned about Guan Dongyang.
Unable to find an answer to this perplexing development, Marcos was at a loss.
The news about Guan Dongyang's victory soon spread across the Maersa district, and the sudden rise to fame had even caught him off guard.
Most people had a grasp on the power of a level eighteen METAL warrior. However, no one knew about the power of a level eighteen Mastery warriors. Guan Dongyang's display of strength had proven that the world not only needed to reassess the power of Guan Dongyang, but also the validity of the ranking system for the Mastery Warriors.
Despite the lighthearted mood and celebrations that take place in Battle Wolf's camp, life carried on as usual. When they finally unloaded the loot, they were shocked to realize what a jackpot they had just hit. There were countless pieces of equipment, too many for an only 200 strong war band.
Battle Wolf's logistical specialist, lieutenant Hamir, beamed broadly ever since Guan Dongyang returned with the loot. The loot had deepened his department's pockets, and made him one of the most important logistical specialist on Mars.
Hamir's eyes sparkled when he first saw the content inside the fifty space crystals: fifty rare high-level METAL suits for warriors ranging from level ten to fifteen. These fifty METAL suits should help the shortage of METAL suits in Battle Wolf. When the crisis was at its worst, some METAL fighters had to meet the enemies with their flesh in order to protect the Mastery casters at the back of their rank. That was how bad the situation was for normal METAL suits, and it got even worse for METAL suits with energy crystals. Most energy crystals had to be saved up for the Mastery users to cast the powerful spells, and it was not uncommon for a mastery caster to consume an energy crystal in just one or two uses.
Listening to the triumphant music around the camp, Wang Tong and Guan Dongyang enjoyed their personal spoils: wine and cheese. These products would have passed for a middle-class household's daily grocery item before the war, but right then, they were luxury items.
"Wang Tong, from now on, my soldiers' lives are at your disposal. What is your plan?" Guan Dongyang asked with a drunken voice.
"Balls! Are you really that light weighted?"
"Don't worry! I will help you, as long as you return the favor in the future."
"Thanks. We start by taking over the City of Maersa." Wang Tong studied the map in front him, which was ridden with marks that wove into a web of power.
"Right now? Don't you think I am still a bit too... weak?" Guan Dongyang had fought this war for a much longer time than Wang Tong. He knew better than Wang Tong that things took time, and rushing things might end up with him shooting himself in the foot.
"I am not just talking about the Battle Wolf. I am talking about all the human forces at Maersa. I think even if all of the factions join forces, they would still not be enough to make it across the city moat." Wang Tong said with a smile.
Guan Dongyang was taken it back by Wang Tong's assertion.
Sensing his friend's uncertainty, Wang Tong said, "Trust me. Other than a few of you in Battle Wolf, I can hardly see anyone standing a chance in a full-fledged war against the Zerg."
Although Guan Dongyang was still not sold on Wang Tong's opinion, he knew that at least the latter was serious. Guan Dongyang shrugged and then said, "Looks like you have already been training Tan Bu and Duo Lun. Otherwise, they wouldn't have improved so fast. If you are willing to teach everyone what you have taught those two, I believe we will make ourselves heard in the courtroom of the divine masters very soon."
Ambitious lights flashed in Guan Dongyang's eyes. Although Guan Dongyang was a talented mastery caster, Michaux's power and influence would have dwarfed his in a heartbeat. Their gap started at birth. Michaux was put under the best tutor as soon as he learned how to walk. Having lived for his entire life under the shadow of another powerful mastery caster had made Guan Dongyang eager to prove himself by overcoming various obstacles.
"No problem! I have prepared universal METAL tactics for the METAL warriors. As for the Mastery casters' training, I still need some time. Feel free to send me free lab mice."
"Haha, be careful what you wish for!" Guan Dongyang laughed and then said, "I think Ye Zi is starting to get suspicious about you. You won't be able to hide things from her for too long."
Wang Tong thought about it for a second and then said, "You mean I need to change my name?"
"I don't think it's necessary. Sorry to tell you this, but I don't think a lot of people still remember you any longer. Plus, your name is such a common name anyways. "
"Really?" Wang Tong asked.
"Yes, and it is especially the case on Mars. Many people had believed that you were dead. I just want you to know that you need to keep it a secret from Ye Zi. If Ye Zi knew about your identity, so would the divine master sect and House Lie. Lie Jian has changed a lot... His motives are very questionable after the Zerg invasion."