Mercenary Harem in Murim Novel-Chapter 215 - – Hiding

His words surprised both Astrid and Leo.

"What did you mean?" Astrid asked, "Are you sick?"

"Not really." He sighed, "But I feel like there is someone targeting my life."

"Oh?" Leo perked up, "So, do you want to hire the Mercenary Union for protection?"

Qin Weiqi shook his head and rejected that option immediately.

"I have too many enemies, and if you take the case, it will affect the Mercenary Union negatively." He said, "My enemies are high-ranking individuals. I can't affect my benefactor's business by bringing unnecessary troubles."

Surprisingly, he was a considerate man. At first glance, it seemed that he was just some weak-willed man that had no power or influence at all. But it appeared that he actually cared for his people and his benefactor.

As a City Lord, he must've known what kind of trouble Leo could attract if he accepted the protection.

"I can't ask for your help directly. But I have a request for you instead."

"What is it?"

"Please hide me. The letter I sent through my subordinates and the rumor I spread, it's all to buy me some time." Qin Weiqi looked at Leo and Astrid, "I need some time and a place to hide from those who hunt me down."

"So you're going to fake your death."

"Exactly."

A typical tactic for those with authority who wanted to escape assassination, but Leo understood that there was nothing else Qin Weiqi could do in his situation. He was alone and had no support, and even though he had the title of City Lord, he didn't have the strength to fight off the assassins sent after him.

The man sighed, "I will be hunted down if I stay as a City Lord. And I don't want to endanger those around me either."

"Then what do you want to do?"

"Disappearing. Disappear and live a normal life."

Leo looked at the City Lord. His expression was resolute, and his eyes were full of determination.

Would that be a good decision for him? Disappear and live a normal life, abandoning his duty to protect the people and city, leaving his post to someone else who could be worse? Or was this even an option?

It was something to consider, but in the end...

"Fine. As long as you pay us, we will work. We don't care about anything but money and profit. But... Having a City Lord missing in a place where we just opened our branch will make us look bad, don't you think? Do you have a plan to make yourself disappear without bringing a bad name to us?"

"I have prepared for this. This is why I sent that letter to the Union."

Qin Weiqi then took out a stack of documents from his robe, and Leo saw a lot of information written in it.

"This is my will and some information about the criminals and thugs in Qin City. My will states that everything will go to my adopted son." He explained. "My adopted son's name is Qin Shangyu, and he will inherit everything I own. Don't worry, he's a capable man and knows my situation. The Mercenary Union won't be affected by this. Rather..."

"Many jobs will pop up, huh? You think this through." Leo grinned.

"Yes. And if it comes to that, I will recommend you to my successor." The City Lord said, "I will also pay for this. I don't know how much you will charge me for hiding me, but I am sure it will cost a lot."

"Not as much as you think. We have Hao Sect's cooperation to create a new identity. I suggest hiding in the new Capital. There is no Beggar Sect yet in that area so you can integrate yourself pretty quickly. If you have some skill, I can even create you a background as an apprentice from an artisan in a village in a remote place." Leo suggested.

"That is good. I have always wanted to be an artisan. Hahahaha." Qin Weiqi smiled and nodded, "That will do. How about the payment?"

"Just tell your successor to pay. We will negotiate the price later. You will have to pay for a new identity, your living expenses, a new home, and your security. Is that alright?"

"Sure. Thank you." Qin Weiqi then bowed deeply to him, "Thank you so much for accepting my request. I will be in your debt forever!"

"You don't need to bow, City Lord. We're just doing our job." He said, turning to Astrid who looked back with respect and trust in her eyes.

'Good. You learn.' Leo grinned inwardly. Astrid was finally able to control herself, not letting the emotion and situation clouded her judgment. That was the first step to becoming a great leader.

And then, he realized something. He hadn't fulfilled the promise of making Astrid meet with her family again. Arranging meetings with Peng Clan was difficult after he tore their letter and returned them back in pieces.

Well, now it would be easier. With help from the City Lord, it would be easy to make a reason to meet Peng Clan again.

"Let's go. I have to make sure your disappearance will be perfect." He then looked at Qin Weiqi. "And we need to make a new face and new identity for you. But before that, I might have to ask for a favor from you."

"Anything."

"Good." He then turned to Astrid, who looked back at him with eyes filled with curiosity and expectation. He smiled at her and ruffled her hair, which made her blush slightly.

***

Leo gave Qin Weiqi a room to hide in the building until everything was ready and went to the second floor office room with Astrid.

"Do you understand the situation now, Astrid?" He asked.

Astrid nodded, understanding what her leader meant.

"I understand. I was too quick in judging and let emotion get the better of me."

"Yes, you are. That was a good learning experience." He was satisfied with her answer and nodded, "Now, tell me what you know about it. I will judge your understanding and add some information if necessary."

Astrid thought for a bit and began explaining.

"As the City Lord of the city, Qin Weiqi was the highest authority of the region, and he is a noble and rich man. The situation in the Central Plains right now is pretty bad. With Sects and Clans trying to fight over control..."

Her words trailed off as she thought for a bit before continuing.

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"He's not safe, so he decided to hide and leave the position to someone else." She said, "The power struggle and the upcoming war made him lose the protection from the higher up. He's not safe, so he has to go into hiding."

"That's about right." Leo nodded approvingly. "But not completely. If that's the case, he won't relinquish his power to his successor and just disappear. There must be something more."

"Is it because of his successor?" She asked, and he responded by smiling at her. It seemed that she had hit the bull's eye with this answer, and he was quite pleased by it.

"He chose to die and disappear to protect his successor. Which means, there is a power within Qin City that is bigger than him. Someone capable of killing a city lord in his manor without leaving any traces behind." He said, "That, or the one responsible has a backing of a higher power than him."

"You're correct."

To be honest, Leo understood the situation perfectly. He secretly contacted Nabi and asked for explanation when he followed Qin Weiqi earlier

As expected from a City Lord, his office in his house contained a lot of important documents that were not meant to be leaked. And, thanks to Nabi who was able to read the document fast, they could quickly grasp the situation and make a good plan to counteract it.

In a simple term, Qin Weiqi was about to be assassinated alongside his successor to take control of the city.

It was a simple but effective ploy.

Qin Shangyu was his successor and a good candidate for the position of City Lord, and with him in charge of the city, the current City Lord could retire peacefully.

Not only that, with Leo showing his face in the City Lord manor later, the culprit would know that Qin Weiqi's successor and the Union were working together. Thus, they wouldn't suspect the truth, especially with the City Lord spreading false rumors and making a fake letter of his own to trick them.

At the same time, the traitor would back away, fearing the Hallowed Insect would find out about their identity and get back to them.

As expected, Qin Weiqi was not as weak-willed as he looked.

'Good job, Nabi.' He thought.

"Well done. But remember, Astrid. This case is just one among many that will come in the future. There will be more and more people coming to the Mercenary Union and seeking help, so you need to stay sharp and think of the best way to solve it."

"Yes, Leader. I will keep that in mind." She replied, nodding her head earnestly. Her eyes sparkled as she listened to him speak.

Leo looked at her, and she stared back with eyes filled with admiration and expectation.

He thought that he could leave this case entirely to her.