QT: Against My Will

233 4.57 – Black Sky Army – Dangerous Angels

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What else do I love about her?

She is fierce-fiercely compassionate.

– X.M.

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The Black Sky mercenaries (1) demonstrated their usefulness to the Gwala’s court (another kingdom) by suppressing the indigenous tribes that colonized the mountainous terrain between the Yellow and Red Rivers. Black Sky went through the enemy troops like a knife through butter. The Gwala authorities observed their performance with great interest. Reasoning that Ru Quan might become a useful ally in the future, they gave him a military rank in the Gwala army. Provided that he continued to act in accordance with his status as a Gwala military governor, the authorities promised not to trouble the Black Sky leader.

For this, Ru Quan was rewarded with an official military title. Secured with the backing of the court, he established a profitable extortion network along the course of the Red River, ‘taxing’ the passerby at a rate of 10% of the value of their goods. The profits acquired from this venture were so great that Ru Quan’s army began to swell in numbers, attracting to its ranks adventurers from all over the world.

The Black Sky army eventually set up a camp on the northern bank of the Red River. Not caring about the origin, they recruited men from various backgrounds to their troops as they traveled.

+—-Author’s note—–+

.....

Info Dumb?

Some reasonings why Ru Quan chooses to be a mercenary, but for some people, it may seem like a boring info dump. (I, myself, find it interesting, so yeah...)

(1) In ancient times, the monasteries didn’t have large standing armies, except the three kingdoms that tried to change their military situation. It would require withdrawing too many men out of the fields, which would cause everyone to starve. The standing armies were unable to prevail, as there was a lack of time available for training, the scarcity of materials, money, and, inevitably, political considerations. (Complicated family relationships and uncertain loyalties.) Instead, when the war happened, the monarch would issue a levy. Before being marched off to war, very rarely would the men be given any training or equipment.

Considered the second oldest profession after prostitution, mercenaries provided a shortcut to this dilemma. They had no national or ideological allegiances. They only served for money and other ways of payment rather than for political interest. They weren’t embroiled in local politics; they were foreigners, loyal only to the contractor who paid them, be it an Emperor or a Tyrant. Because their livelihood depended on it, they highly relied on their professional reputation as nobody would hire a tainted company with a history of betrayal.

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“I’ll help you to take control of the territory, but in exchange...” Inside a luxurious hotel room, Ru Quan spoke to a man sitting in front of him, while pointing at a spot on the map. “I’ll be taking this land. Additionally, over three years, six percent of the taxes will go to us.”

The dictators often stayed in power by using mercenary soldiers from outside of their respective states. A weak monarchy was often unable to stop them. Many sought Black Sky to get rid of each other. It was only a matter of who offered more.

Leaving the capital city in the evening, Ru Quan heeded to Bing Shi’s request and stopped by a specific forest to save an unconscious man, the male lead, Wang Guo.

“Take him to safety,” Ru Quan ordered his men. To make sure the female lead would find her way to him, they couldn’t move Wang Guo too far away. Ignoring his subordinate’s odd gazes, Ru Quan lied down on the ground and closed his eyes, waiting for the female lead to arrive. In this desolate place full of bushes and shrubs, he listened to Bing Shi’s precious laughter, feeling stupid like never before. Well, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his woman’s amusement.

· · — · ???· — · ·

The thundering trotters split the chirping sound of the birds as a lone stallion galloped through the thick forest.

‘Wasn’t this supposed to be a simple hunting banquet for noble ladies? Why is this place so huge?’ In a search for a prey to hunt, Mao An got lost in this deep forest. Previously a doctor with a military background, this was nothing new to her. When out of nowhere, she stumped upon the sturdy body on the ground. Looking down, she blinked her eyes, making sure that she was not hallucinating. ‘What the hell?!’

Neglecting her safety, the idea that this man could be an enemy never occurred in her mind. Placing her bow behind, she hopped down her horse, and immediately checked Ru Quan’s pulse. ‘Poison?!’

Bitting his lips, Ru Quan’s act of being in pain was worthy of an Oscar.

“Hey, can you hear me?” On a closer look, she noticed his attractive features, her jaw dropped, “Holy crap.”

Quickly inspecting the surrounding, she had to bring this man out of this desolate place! Making sure he had no other injuries, Mao An gave him a pill and was about to carry this mountain of muscles with her weak body towards the horse.

Having enough of this circus, Ru Quan decided to shorten it up. Turning around, he spewed the pill into the grass and sat up, wiping down his lips with the back of his hand. “Did you save me?” he asked, glancing at the surprised Mao An.

“Yes? Ah! No!” Shocked, Mao An checked his pulse, “Impossible...” Her pill should have taken a whole lot longer. ‘How did he recover so fast?!’

“Wait here.” Ru Quan stood up, putting his hands into his pockets, he left the confused Mao An behind and walked deeper into the forest to spend some alone time with Bing Shi. His fingers were itching to spank this mischievous fiance of his.

A few moments later...

“Payment... For saving our leader,” said Edan, sitting on her horse, her lips twitched. Having no idea what was happening either, she listened to orders foolishly. She pointed at a group of people who appeared with a dead, wild boar.