"Otherwise, perhaps we should take the long way around," Daly suggested. "It’s a bit further, but relatively safer."

Jack and Anna both agreed with Daly’s proposal.

At that moment, Mo Han suddenly spoke up. "I refuse to believe we can't complete this assignment. As the saying goes, money makes the world go 'round. Just wait and see."

He then turned to Daly and said, "Daly, you write; I'll dictate."

Although Daly found Mo Han's statement strange, she knew that once Mo Han decided on a course of action, nothing seemed beyond his ability. She didn't press the issue, preparing her brush and ink, nodding to Mo Han to signal she was ready to begin.

Mo Han smiled and said, "Write that we are offering a high price for the Silver Wolf King's crystal. The market rate is probably around two thousand gold coins, right? We’ll offer ten thousand. I refuse to believe there isn't a mercenary group out there with a Silver Wolf King's magic crystal. We’ll stay here these next few days and wait for news. This is a prime opportunity for an upgrade; we can't miss it. Besides, with Little Mo here, there shouldn't be any real danger."

After speaking, Mo Han looked at Little Mo, who was clinging to Anna’s embrace. "Little Mo, isn't that right? You’re already this strong—are there any magical beasts more arrogant than you? What should we do about that, huh? Shouldn't we give it a good thrashing?" Hearing Mo Han’s provocative words, Little Mo immediately leaped to the floor, letting out small cries, seemingly concurring with Mo Han’s sentiment.

Seeing this, Daly burst out laughing, chiding him playfully, "Look at you, what have you turned Little Mo into? Just as overbearing as you are! Like master, like cub."

Mo Han, instead of being chastened, wore a look of satisfaction. "That’s right. Who do you think we are? How can we let others bully us? It's good enough if we don't bully others ourselves."

The words immediately drew laughter from everyone.

After the discussion, Rock and Latin were tasked with posting the announcement at the Guild, while Mo Han, Daly, and the others waited for news at the inn.

Not long after, Rock and Latin returned. As soon as they entered, Latin huffed indignantly. "That Grey Bear Mercenary Group is too much!"

Mo Han asked with curiosity, "What happened? What's the matter?"

Latin recounted the entire incident. It turned out that when they went to post the notice, they ran into the leader of the B-rank Grey Bear Mercenary Group, Kailog. Upon seeing their assignment, Kailog and his men loudly mocked the Flying Cloud Mercenary Group for being incompetent, needing to buy their way out of a mission.

Latin, unable to contain his anger, started an argument, but since the Grey Bears outnumbered them and they couldn't win a physical fight, he and Rock had to return in a frustrated huff.

After listening, Mo Han chuckled. "Heh heh, I thought it was something serious. Don't worry. When the time comes, your boss here will take you to teach him a good lesson. Anyone who dares mock us never comes to a good end."

Hearing Mo Han’s words, Latin calmed down. He knew that anything Mo Han promised, he would deliver. He could just wait for the pleasure of beating up Kailog later.

The group rested at the inn for a day. To Mo Han’s surprise, someone came looking for them the next morning to offer the crystal. Mo Han had expected it might take several days to get a result. He sighed inwardly, realizing how true the saying "money makes the world go 'round" was.

Mo Han and the others went down to the first floor of the inn. Three people were seated in the lobby waiting. Mo Han spoke up. "Are you the ones with the Silver Wolf King crystal?" The three men immediately stood up. The one in the center bowed to Mo Han and said, "I am Handerson, leader of the Iron Blood Mercenary Group. We heard you were looking to acquire the Silver Wolf King’s magic crystal?" Hearing the name Iron Blood Mercenary Group, Daly gasped. "Are you the Iron Blood Mercenary Group from Gale City?" Handerson replied, "That is correct."

Mo Han, slightly puzzled, whispered, "Are they very famous?" Daly seemed accustomed to Mo Han’s ignorance and explained, "The Iron Blood Mercenary Group is an A-rank group. They are rumored to be the most likely group to advance to S-rank this year. Their leader, Handerson, is said to have reached the peak of the High Swordsman realm and is about to enter the ranks of the Great Swordsmen."

Mo Han nodded upon hearing this. "So they are quite famous. No wonder you’re so surprised."

He then smiled and replied to Handerson, "That would be me."

Handerson, hearing Mo Han’s confirmation, asked with some doubt, "We do have the Silver Wolf King’s magic crystal, but we heard you were offering ten thousand gold coins for it. Is that true?" Mo Han replied, "Heh heh, that is the notice we posted. That’s right. If you produce the Silver Wolf King’s magic crystal, we will pay the reward immediately."

Handerson looked a bit uncomfortable and began, "Normally, a Silver Wolf King’s magic crystal is worth at most two thousand gold coins. May I ask why you are offering such an inflated price?" Mo Han smiled and answered, "Because we took on an assignment involving a Silver Wolf King but unfortunately didn't manage to acquire the crystal, so we must buy one to complete the quest."

Hearing Mo Han's explanation, a flicker of disdain crossed Handerson's eyes. In his mind, Mo Han and his group were just spoiled noble scions with no real ability, resorting to throwing money around because they couldn't handle a task they accepted.

With that thought, Handerson pulled a Silver Wolf King magic crystal from his chest and said coldly, "The crystal is here. You may pay now."

Mo Han found the sudden shift in the man's attitude a bit odd, but he didn't dwell on it. He walked up to Handerson and took out his crystal card. "Give me your card."

Handerson handed over his crystal card. Mo Han took it and transferred the ten thousand gold coins. After completing the transaction, he handed the card back to Handerson. "It's done. You can check."

Handerson verified the transfer and nodded. "In that case, we shall take our leave." He then departed without looking back.

This left Mo Han feeling a surge of annoyance. He muttered under his breath, "Damn it, if I hadn't been in a rush to accept the quest, I wouldn't have needed him. What’s with the attitude? It’s just an A-rank group."

In truth, Mo Han was unaware that in the Dragon Ascent Continent, an era ruled by the strong, common mercenaries often held deep contempt for wealthy, powerful young nobles who caused trouble without possessing any real fighting skill.

Seeing Mo Han’s displeasure, Daly smiled and explained why Handerson had reacted that way upon hearing that Mo Han was buying the crystal to complete a quest.

This explanation made Mo Han inwardly curse his own bad luck. It was all his fault for utterly obliterating all six Silver Wolf Kings so thoroughly that not even hair was left. After Daly’s explanation, he supposed he couldn't entirely blame Handerson for speaking to him the way he did.

Mo Han picked up the Silver Wolf King magic crystal from the table and addressed the group. "Let's go. We should turn in the quest first."

They arrived at the entrance of the Mercenary Guild in Marfa City. Mo Han instructed Latin and Rock to handle the quest submission, while he, Daly, Anna, Yunxiang, and Jack lingered near the entrance, planning to accept a new mission once Latin was finished.