Chapter 299: The New "Brotherhood"
Afternoon, the stronghold hall.
The hall was bustling with noise as hundreds of people gathered.
On the upper platform, Li Meng and his group of five stood overlooking the scene.
The vagabonds in the hall whispered among themselves, their gazes filled with fear whenever they glanced at the black-robed figure above.
Suddenly, Li Meng rose from the large chair he was seated in.
This simple action caused Rose, who was in the hall, to react subtly.
"Silence!"
Rose turned and shouted crisply.
Her voice quickly brought the chaotic hall to silence.
All eyes turned to Li Meng on the upper platform.
"Rose, bring the drinks!"
Rose nodded, clapped her hands, and female vagabonds waiting nearby brought trays of cups filled with liquor.
Soon, every person in the hall held a cup of alcohol.
"Drink it. After this, I'll be your boss from now on!"
The vagabonds exchanged uncertain looks.
Was this his intention all along? Just to make them his subordinates?
But why?
After all, they were crippled and had nothing of value to offer.
Some hesitated, while others downed their cups in one go.
"Ahhh!"
Suddenly, a scream erupted in the hall, startling everyone.
It was followed by the sound of a cup shattering.
"The drink is poisoned!"
A one-armed vagabond fell to the ground, writhing in pain, his expression twisted in agony. The sight made the rest of the vagabonds pale.
They had lived miserably but were still alive. Now this man wanted to poison them?
Why? What was his purpose?
"My… my hand!"
The vagabond on the ground gasped, drenched in cold sweat, the pain of his severed arm unbearable.
Then, something miraculous happened.
The stump of his arm began to split open, and bone and flesh grew visibly before everyone's eyes.
In less than a minute, his lost arm had regrown.
The new arm was smooth, soft, and unblemished.
"My… my hand?"
As the pain subsided, the vagabond stared at his hand in disbelief.
His severed arm had grown back?
The man sat dazed on the ground, completely at a loss.
"It's the drink! The drink healed his arm!"
Someone immediately guessed the connection.
Seeing this, several vagabonds wasted no time and drank their liquor with elated expressions.
"Ahhh!"
The hall was soon filled with anguished screams.
The excruciating pain caused many to collapse, writhing in agony.
But regrowing lost limbs was worth any amount of suffering.
The sound of cracking bones echoed throughout the hall as severed limbs and legs regenerated visibly.
Rose stood frozen, watching the chaotic scene unfold before her.
She had no idea the liquor given by the boss could regenerate lost limbs.
Rose touched her prominent chest. Her disability was internal; her damaged organs had been healed partially by a priest but not completely. Intense physical exertion still caused her heart severe pain.
She raised her head and looked at the boss on the upper platform.
Her expression firmed as she picked up her cup and drained it in one gulp.
"Crash!"
The cup fell from her hand and shattered on the ground as Rose clutched her chest and collapsed.
Only then did she understand why the others had writhed in pain.
The pain was unbearable, nearly suffocating.
"Don't overindulge. Drinking too much can kill you."
Li Meng's voice carried through the hall.
Ogres weren't farmed for their regenerative properties because their flesh and blood were toxic. Only goblins could resist the toxins.
Li Meng's flesh and blood lacked poison, but medicine always had side effects. Too much, and it could cause the body to rupture.
His words made the vagabonds who were about to drink more stop in their tracks.
After more than ten minutes, the hall finally quieted.
The vagabonds looked at each other in amazement.
They had never dreamed of regaining their bodies and becoming whole again.
Li Meng stepped back and sat down in the large chair.
"Everyone, salute the boss!"
Rose raised her arm, her voice commanding.
The vagabonds straightened their expressions, turned to the upper platform, and bowed in unison. "Boss!"
This scene made the three girls on the platform grin.
Their boss really had a knack for gathering followers.
Li Meng, looking at the crowd below, was quite satisfied.
"Good. From now on, this is our home. We'll remain the Brotherhood, but the words 'Thieves' Guild' must go."
"Rose, from now on, you're the vice leader of the Brotherhood!"
Hearing this, Rose's expression shifted. She placed her right hand over her chest and knelt on one knee.
"Yes, Boss!"
"Three years. Work for me for three years, and I'll set you free. After that, stay if you wish, leave if you must."
"There must be many elderly among you. Go home. Rose, give them enough funds to live comfortably in their later years."
Li Meng had no particular attachment to wealth.
The treasure in the vault was better spent than hoarded.
His generosity moved many of the vagabonds to tears.
The boss was truly a kind man, willing even to help useless elders.
"Yes, Boss!"
Rose's eyes shimmered as she lowered her head.
She hadn't expected the boss to be so generous and understanding.
"Spread the word: the Brotherhood welcomes anyone in need. Our doors are always open to the people of the slums. Even ordinary folk will have a place to serve the Brotherhood."
"Yes, Boss!"
Rose's face flickered with worry.
The slums housed countless people. Could the Brotherhood handle them all?
"Rose, start repairing the abandoned houses near the stronghold. Those are unclaimed lands. Once restored, they'll become Brotherhood assets. Understand?"
Hearing this, Rose's eyes brightened.
That's right, the ruins around the stronghold were unclaimed.
Repairing them would make them valuable properties of the Brotherhood.
"Yes, Boss. I know what to do now."
Rose was glad the boss wasn't a miser. His willingness to spend money so freely made him delightful to work with.
"Boss, the Brotherhood Thieves' Guild has backers in the Council Tower. Trouble is bound to come."
A rough-looking man in the crowd spoke up loudly.
"Doesn't matter. Whoever dares stand in our way will be destroyed!"
Li Meng's casual wave carried an air of dominance.
His words filled the followers with fervor.
Their boss was strong—undefeatable.
After all, he single-handedly wiped out the Brotherhood Thieves' Guild.
"We won't stoop to theft or robbery. The Brotherhood will become a dungeon-exploration guild. Train hard, regain your strength. Dismissed!"
"Yes, Boss!"
And thus, the new Brotherhood was officially born, while the Brotherhood Thieves' Guild faded into history.