Chapter 564 - 362: Ancient
After Su Mo, Shangguan Li also picked up another small knife, cutting open his palm and dripping his blood into the bowl.
Their blood mingled together just like that.
Finally, they each dipped their fingers into the bowl, covered with the mixed blood, and smeared it by their mouths.
The blood left a crimson mark on their faces, binding their fates closely together.
A blood pact.
This is an ancient ritual of an extremely long-standing history.
In this modern era of advanced technology, ancient practices are often out of trend, yet the mercenary realm with an equally aged history enjoys such customs.
In the mercenary realm, when two mercenary corps leaders perform a blood pact, it signifies that their teams are thus bonded in a blood alliance, advancing and retreating together, sharing honor and disgrace.
The blood pact ritual is not uncommon; many mercenary corps with good relationships perform this ceremony.
Of course, in this interest-driven industry, those who can truly uphold the promise of a blood alliance are few and far between.
When there is mutual benefit, everything is naturally fine.
However, as soon as there is a conflict of interest, it is all too common to see the face-off within a blood alliance, and when disaster strikes, each flies away on their own.
In the past, a blood pact between Su Mo and Shangguan Li would have only been seen as a normal ceremony, without attracting such attention.
But after the recent beast crisis, everything is different.
Anyone who personally experienced the disaster would never forget that scene.
In the moment when all hope seemed lost, Mo Xue and the Edge Mercenaries resolutely stepped forward, like raindrops landing on the battlefield, standing side by side to protect the city.
Moreover, it must be noted that at the time Su Mo’s whereabouts were unknown, Shangguan Li was simultaneously wearing the badges of Mo Xue and the Edge, directly commanding these two mercenary corps.
This is an extraordinary level of strategic trust, indicating that Su Mo could already entrust his life entirely to Shangguan Li, and presumably vice versa, both truly inseparable.
Under such circumstances, no one can question the credibility of this blood pact ritual.
More importantly, is the meaning behind this blood pact ritual.
At that time, Mo Xue and the Edge stepped forward to protect the citizens, in contrast, New Moon City’s most powerful, led by "King of Mercenaries" Zhou Hanyan’s Death Scythe Mercenary Corps, chose to help the elites to flee.
This enormous contrast has already created a popular discourse in New Moon City’s folk—Death Scythe is no longer fit to stay in its position, Zhou Hanyan no longer deserves the title of King of Mercenaries.
Yet, to truly topple Zhou Hanyan, this industry legend, any individual junior is still too young.
Su Mo and Shangguan Li making a blood pact at this time, establishing an unbreakable blood alliance vow, has a profoundly intriguing meaning.
Many believe this is a signal of sharp ambitions.
The best newcomer of Dawn 151st Year, Dawn 152nd Year’s best newcomer, the two supernovas are uniting their strength, launching a challenge against the King of Mercenaries.
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Lately, hot events have been emerging one after another, undoubtedly bringing joy to various media companies.
Previously, when there was not much to report, they had to rack their brains for topics, chase trends, and sometimes reluctantly fabricate fake news for KPI, which was truly a painful situation for media editors.
And the recent occurrences, especially the phenomena during the beast crisis, not only brought enough topical discussions but any random pick could lead to fervent debates for half a month.
This morning, "New Moon Morning" arranged a special edition talk show.
Two highly popular hosts and guests were sitting in front of the camera, vividly discussing matters related to the recent beast crisis.
The host slowly said: "Since the end of the beast crisis, because the Border District suffered severe damage, it’s no longer suitable for habitation before repair and reconstruction, so the border refugees are currently settled in the Rust Wall District inside the Inner City."
"Among these refugees, besides ordinary people, there are naturally also many members of violent gangs."
"Just yesterday, according to our reporter, several thugs were arrested in the settlement area for robbing women. Upon investigation, they were all members of Nest Crows and Ashen Gang."
"Recall back then, Nest Crows and Ashen Gang once were on the throne of ’King of the Borderlands’, well-equipped and brutal, making the entire border tremble under their tyranny."
"But during the beast crisis, these two violent groups’ performance was truly disappointing. Their leaders Hong Chenle and Abraham fled overnight once the disaster erupted, and the other thugs fled, those who couldn’t escape mingled among the crowd to eke out an existence, indeed vile behavior."
The guest timely interrupted the host: "Hey, pal, no need to put it so tactfully, let me say it."
Upon finishing the sentence, he raised his thumbs to the camera, directly spouting profanities: "You bunch of wastrels fed by ’Civilized Border’, dare to call yourselves King of the Borderlands, I’ll be the King of your ’Civilization Crescent’!"
"A group of spineless newborns, I reckon you’ve been gobbling ’Civilized Dawn’ too much in midnight bathroom trips, get out of New Moon City, you’re not welcome here!"
The host delightfully covered his heart and laughed: "Good scolding, my circulation is all clear."
The audience immediately erupted in laughter, maximizing the show’s effect.
After the laughter subsided, the host’s expression became serious, and he said with bright eyes: "Where there is darkness, there is also light. In the face of disaster, there are cowards who eke out an existence; naturally, there are also heroes who step forward."