At Shao Yan's words, Vice Commander Qi broke into a smug, cunning grin, his eyes brimming with triumph and deceit.
He even cast a taunting glance toward Gu Qingli, his expression seeming to say, Well then, little brat, do you see now?
Gu Qingli's gaze turned glacial, a flash of murderous chill flickering within. Though she remained composed, the desire to strike him down surged within her.
Once again, she was reminded that on this continent, only strength and power shield one from humiliation—only the mighty live unburdened.
"President, your wisdom is truly admirable. Since this matter was provoked by me, naturally, I should be the one to bear the consequences. It would be improper for my comrades to intervene on my behalf. The Snow Tiger Regiment, so powerful and influential, will surely understand my reasoning."
Vice Commander Qi wore a face full of slyness, as if implying that any refusal would only reveal the cowardice of the Snow Tiger Regiment.
Disdain rippled through the crowd as contemptuous eyes turned upon him. Just moments ago, he was bullying a young girl while the odds were in his favor—and now, having lost, he resorted to petty tricks.
And this was the vice commander of a mercenary regiment?
Shao Yan cast a fleeting glance at Qi. Witnessing his brazen arrogance cloaked in false bravado, he gave him a cold, penetrating stare, his distaste evident.
Sun Jie was seething with fury, eyes blazing.
"If it's a duel you want, then I'll take you on!"
Qi sneered in contempt.
"Do you take me for a fool? If it's a duel, then send someone of equal rank. Otherwise, the Snow Tiger Regiment is nothing but a pack of cowards."
"You bastard!"
Sun Jie nearly lost control, his hand twitching as if ready to strike. If Gu Zhan hadn't held him back with all his strength, blood would already have been spilled.
Gu Zhan frowned, listening to the crowd's murmurs. He understood that while Qi's reputation might plummet, the man no longer cared. He had nothing left to lose.
But in the world of mercenaries, might makes right.
If Qi pressed this hard and the Snow Tiger Regiment refused, their own reputation would suffer. And if they accepted and lost, the disgrace would still cling to them.
That was exactly why Qi wore such a smug, victorious look.
Sun Jie clenched his teeth.
"The Snow Tiger Regiment accepts your challenge."
Even knowing the odds favored Qi, they had no choice but to answer the provocation.
"Hahaha! Excellent! Now that's a man with guts! Three days from now, we'll settle this in the arena. Don't go running off, Snow Tiger Regiment!"
Vice Commander Qi laughed madly, drunk on arrogance and glee.
Gu Qingli's elegant brows furrowed slightly. She sighed inwardly but said nothing.
It was clear that the odds were not in the Snow Tiger Regiment's favor, and yet they had no choice but to play along.
With a final mocking glance at Gu Qingli and Sun Jie, Vice Commander Qi departed, the men of the Wolf Fang Regiment laughing raucously behind him.
"President, you certainly enjoy a relaxed post—barely lifting a finger while chaos unfolds," Gu Qingli pouted, her crimson lips curling slightly as she cast a glance at the ever-composed Shao Yan.
"Haha, it cannot be helped," he replied with a smile. "Such is the way of mercenary life. Without conflict, there can be no growth."
Though Shao Yan bore no fondness for the Wolf Fang Regiment, he had never sought to suppress them.
But now, because of this gifted girl—barely twelve, yet brimming with talent—his thoughts began to shift.
"Xiaoli, don't speak so," Gu Zhan said respectfully. "The President is a good man, but he too has his own burdens to bear."
"But I thought the President Uncle would be a knight in shining armor," she murmured.