Even though the Snow Fox is a beast belonging to a very rare ice attribute, its strength is still in rank-3 and could contest against a 4-circle realm expert when it doesn't use any skills.
In normal situations, it was something that can't be feared but when facing the bandits where most of them aren't even Spirit Warriors, it was invincible.
Mark didn't stop there. To intimidate them further, he summoned the thunder lion.
Each of them will drain him about 1000 ether points per minute but at present, he possessed enough ether energy for them to sustain long.
As the bandits were taken by the sudden turn of events, Mark spoke, "I'll just give you one breath of time. Either scram away or kneel on your spots. Those who tried to resist will be killed."
In a fraction of seconds, all the bandits decisively fled away in different directions including the captain that aimed the revolver at Mark's head earlier.
The moment they saw the beasts, they knew that their prey isn't a simple man, and these Kunyu bandits only make safe bets.
Mark, who was surprised by their decisive action, shook his head and went back into the carriage while the thunder lion and snow fox were guarding him.
About ten minutes later, Alina returned while dragging an injured man by chains. The thunder lion moved from the spot as Alina passed it and knocked on the door.
"Big Brother, mission completed." She reported him.
Mark opened the door and stepped out again only to be surprised once again as he saw the man caught by the energy chains. He quickly activated Sage's eye and inspected him. A smile appeared on Mark, "I knew it."
The man also looked at Mark and was taken aback, "Owner Lu?"
It was none other than Feng Wu, the mysterious archer who came to his store, a while ago. Feng Wu never expected that the storekeeper has an expert by his side, more powerful than Allen.
Mark ordered Alina to free him.
As Alina dismissed the chains, Mark said, "don't worry, I come here in peace. That's why I only warned your comrades and didn't take their lives even though a subordinate of yours put a gun at my head."
"Thank you." Feng Wu nodded in understanding. After he was soundly defeated, he was informed the same. Or else, he would rather commit suicide instead of getting captured by an enemy.
Mark then said, "Before I get to the matter, just let me confirm your identity. Are the Kunyu bandits really the former soldiers and citizens of Western Yan? If yes, then, take me to your leader. If not, then, I will return as I don't have any business with some bandit group."
Feng Wu stayed silent, clearly hesitating whether he should speak or not.
Meanwhile, Mark patiently waited for the answer. The moment he confirmed that Feng Wu was a Kunyu bandit, everything became clear to him.
After all, it wasn't a secret that Western Yan was once ruled by Feng Clan, and the person before him was confirmed to be Feng Wu.
And once he confirmed Feng Wu's data by inspecting him, Mark received all the answers even without asking anything. But, still, he can't expose his secret.
Since this archer never mentioned his real name, Mark could only act ignorant and put up an act that he had suspicions about and is in the middle of connecting the dots.
Feng Wu thought for a while. He stared at Mark and then, the lion, fox, and Alina. He was tempted to take Mark hostage after sensing that the beasts were only in the 3-circle realm but he was wary of the peerless beauty. After all, he just saw her power. In his eyes, she didn't even use ether energy but still defeat him. So, it's likely that she's at 7-circle. If anything goes wrong, he cannot escape alive.
After thinking for a while, he questioned, "Let's assume that we are what you think we are. What then, Owner Lu?"
Mark naturally understood the meaning behind his words. Since they were his future allies, he would see them differently and wouldn't get offended by every little thing that annoys him.
He replied, "If you are Western Yan's former soldiers, and if any of your princes is still alive and willing to take back the kingdom, I'll provide help."
"Eh? You'll help us?" A trace of surprise appeared on him. He didn't expect this person would side with him. He probed, "How?"
"By supplying weapons, naturally." Mark shrugged his shoulders and explained further as he already knew that Feng Wu is the former prince of Western Yan. "I have more advanced weapons than those single-shot pistols and revolvers. I will also constantly supply bullets and ammunition. Of course, they will be expensive but I'm willing to provide them on credit. Your leader or the King can repay the principal amount after claiming the kingdom. Until then, just need to pay a tiny interest.
So, if you like this deal, then, fulfill these three simple conditions. One, take me to the leader. Two, I also need to meet the person that will take over the throne. Three, I need solid proof that you are indeed the former soldiers of Western Yan who became bandits after your kingdom was occupied by the Shang Dynasty."
Feng Wu fell into thoughts. No matter how he thinks, this deal was a favorable one for them. Their overall strength already improved a bit after the purchase of firearms.
But then again, he just couldn't trust a stranger into their hideout and expose the location. Moreover, there's also a threat of assassination to their leader.
After thinking for a bit, he asked a final question, "Why do you want to help us? Do you have any enmity with the Imperial Palace?"
Mark expected this question long ago. He calmly answered, "Let's just say I became a victim of a certain incident caused by an Imperial family member."
"Revenge? Is it the Emperor? Crown Prince?" Feng Wu wondered for a while before he replied truthfully, "I can fulfill two of your conditions but I'm afraid I can't let you meet our future King until I was sure that I can trust you. I hope you understand."
The conditions were just excuses for Mark. In fact, he doesn't need to know them as he already found the person he was looking for.
As Mark nodded in agreement, Feng Wu revealed his identity, "The leader of Kunyu Bandits is actually me. My name is Feng Wu, and I'm the second prince of Western Yan."
"No wonder you have 10 thousand gold coins of bounty on you," Mark commented right away, alerting the person quickly. Feng Wu panicked a bit, thinking that it is indeed as he first thought."
But then, in the next second, Mark waved his hands, "don't worry. That small amount doesn't interest me, anyway."
Feng Wu didn't relax a bit despite Mark's assurance. He was wary of him even more and glanced around to escape at any moment.
Mark didn't know what is going on inside Feng Wu. Now that he already revealed his intentions, he felt that it is time to impress him.
Mark started his display of the weapons. His 9 points charms worked in full effect, impressing this exiled prince.
"Oh, this one can kill a 3-circle Spirit Warrior, huh." He took the shotgun into his hands and tried it.
*bang*
The shotgun pellet completely blasted away the rock that was about 1 meter big. "This one's good." He was impressed with the power. He could imagine his subordinates blowing up the people's heads with it.
"Did you say this one costs 50 gold coins?" He asked him.
Mark nodded, "it's an exclusive weapon for the customers whose transactions with our store cross 10,000 gold but if it was me, I would choose this one to replace the revolvers and single-shot pistols. The damage is the same but one can shoot 21 times in a row. It's best if one is running. Moreover, its range is also higher."
As Feng Wu tried it and acknowledged that the 20-round handgun had a better grip and was very light, Mark finally took out his trump card from the inventory, "now, I'm going to show you the thing that will be useful in the war."
He summoned a battle tank painted in black. It was about 4 meters in length, 2 meters wide, and a little above 1.9 meters in height. Instead of a 120mm cannon, there were only two machine guns at the top.
"Behold the Panzer." He raised his hand and pointed at it while Feng Wu stepped back instinctively. The latter was stunned upon seeing it.
