This question left the Mingshan Sect group unsure of how to respond. They wanted to ask if he was joking. Are we in any position to make such a monumental decision?

If we can make such big decisions, then what do we need you, the Master, for?

It wasn't a joking tease; they genuinely felt this way. If it were among themselves, they might not necessarily be convinced by anyone. But for Shi Chun, they had already accepted that major decisions should be made by Shi Chun, which made them feel at ease.

As we travel, reality positions everyone accordingly, based on results and abilities.

Moreover, is it real? Such a monstrous figure, our arch-enemy, finally fell into our hands, can we release him?

They couldn't understand Shi Chun's thoughts, but Wu Jinliang did.

Wu Jinliang immediately realized that this wasn't said for anyone else, it was specifically for him, although it seemed to be directed at everyone.

With a reinvigorated spirit, he widened his eyes, stepped towards Tong Mingshan, and yelled with raised arms, "Don't let him go, don't release him, kill him!"

The Mingshan Sect group looked uniformly at him, not because they found any problem with his words, but because the tone was off. They couldn't understand his sudden burst of anger and enthusiasm, which seemed inexplicably out of place.

It also left Li Hongjiu feeling a bit embarrassed. He turned his head sharply towards Wu Jinliang, who had just been snickering at him, but now seemed as if they had a grudge as deep as killing his father.

Using Tong Mingshan's figure as cover, Wu Jinliang jabbed at Tong Mingshan's lower back, repeatedly reminding and hinting.

Tong Mingshan, not being foolish, quickly understood the implication from Shi Chun's question and immediately responded, "Can't let him go!"

Shi Chun took out the Ice Sheep to catch his breath, then, with a heart-wrenching look, said, "Why go so far! As they say, 'no fight, no acquaintance.' I greatly admire you, sir, and would like to put aside past grievances and bond as brothers, hoping everyone can consider that I, too, have worked tirelessly for everyone's sake and grant me this favor."

Upon hearing this, Li Hongjiu turned to stare at him, showing an innocent expression, a feeling of inexplicable salvation. Before, he longed for these guys to spare him. Now, he wanted to ask, is it true?

If he's playing with him, there is no need.

The problem is, he couldn't figure out why Shi Chun would spare his life; he couldn't offer them anything, right? As a ruthless person from the Land of Exile with no moral compass, if they let him go without any gain, even he wouldn't believe it.

But he truly couldn't think of anything he could offer in return, perhaps to protect them while they escaped?

After thinking it through, if it wasn't just playing with him, this seemed like the only reason how to safely leave the Divine Fire Domain.

Without help, it would be an insurmountable obstacle for the opposing group.

Understanding this brought him some comfort, realizing he might survive this as long as they needed something from him; he wasn't so stubborn after all, and would surely live as long as there was a need.

But for Wu Jinliang, he kept twitching the corners of his mouth. As he considered himself the most knowledgeable about Shi Chun, the present Chun seemed like a stranger. He couldn't understand what Chun wanted to do, but the tone and language seemed strangely familiar, unlike the pretense of the past.

It wasn't hard to recall why because such phrases were rare.

He remembered turning the pages of the 'Mountain and Sea Lantern' book often read by Chun Tian, a story about the 'Wuyang Palace' master's legend, who reportedly loved becoming sworn brothers with others.

'Wuyang Palace' exists outside the Cultivation World, detached from worldly affairs. Its master and companion have vanished, and the current Empress came from Wuyang Palace, although she claims her actions have nothing to do with it, the palace inevitably bears some blame due to her conduct.

While he understood the origin of Chun's similar statements, Wu Jinliang still couldn't comprehend Chun's intentions, but it didn't hinder his cooperation.

Feeling like he'd just heard the joke of the century, Wu Jinliang laughed heartily towards the sky, "Face? What's face worth? Shi Chun, is your face more important, or are everyone's lives?" He pointed forcefully at the Mingshan Sect group and then at the 'Iron Dumpling' wrapped Li Hongjiu, roaring angrily, "He's hunting us down. How can we ever let him go?"

Fine, however slow the Mingshan Sect group may react, they were once the elite disciples of various sects. When did Wu Hehe ever dare speak to the Master like this? This demeanor doesn't even fit what Wu Hehe should exhibit; he seems like a stranger.

They understood. This guy was playing double-act with the Master.

The dismissed Shi Chun turned his gaze expectantly to Tong Mingshan, humbly pleading, "Sect Master, it's rare for me to ask this. Can you do me this favor?"

Only the neck upwards could move for Li Hongjiu, whose eyes blinked rapidly, trying to appreciate everyone's reactions.

If Tong Mingshan didn't know how to cooperate, he wouldn't have been fit to lead the sects at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference. This time, he even matched the expressions seamlessly, responding in a deep voice, "Shi Chun, it's not about giving face or not. Wu Jinliang is correct. Don't you know he's hunting us down? How can we leave such trouble for the future?"

"Correct, he must not be released."

"Yes, he absolutely cannot be forgiven."

"Sect Master, releasing him will surely cause endless troubles in the future."

The Mingshan Sect group began to chatter vehemently, all appearing extremely angry, as if they wanted to tear Li Hongjiu to pieces.

"Sigh." Shi Chun bowed his head mournfully, slowly turned to face the Iron Dumpling, and sighed, "Mr. Li, I truly admire you. I greatly wish to bond as brothers with you. But you and I both understand, reality is reality. They have a point, too, and I'm powerless."

Li Hongjiu continued to blink rapidly, his expression shifting colorfully, wishing to say, don't these sects know how your kind came together? During the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, everyone was tricked disastrously by you, and everyone was ousted from the sects only to be pulled out of prison by you again.

So, do the sects appear blind and deaf, unaware you are the leader of this group?

The issue is, given your grandson-like capability, saying you're humble before them, who believes that? Do I, Li Hongjiu, look that foolish?

But knowing in his heart is one thing; those thoughts must stay hidden within, not to be exposed for face-slapping purposes.

To everyone's surprise, Shi Chun suddenly turned around, as if truly abandoning the matter, waving his hand at the crowd with his back towards them, saying, "Forget it, whether he lives or dies, you decide."

Li Hongjiu watched him walk away, his gaze flashing upon seeing Wu Jinliang dramatically brandishing a ridiculously oversized knife, dragging it towards him with ominous intent clearly displayed.

"Sigh." Li Hongjiu couldn't help but sigh, wishing to shout, could you stop fooling around and directly ask what you want? I've shown myself to be so cooperative, what else can't be said directly, is it necessary to scare me like this?

Reaching before him, Wu Jinliang suddenly lifted the knife single-handedly, wielding it with both hands, then aggressively swung it at Li Hongjiu's head with roaring winds.

Xiao Sheng, holding the Ice Sheep nearby, quickly withdrew his hand to avoid it.

Li Hongjiu believed this knife wouldn't touch his head and wanted to shut his eyes off to ignore it.

Yet, after thought, decided against it, bearing the thought that while under others' roofs, you must lower your head, so he'd better cooperate in case he guessed wrong?

So he immediately shouted, "Hold on!"

Shi Chun also swiftly turned, waving a hand and shouting, "Spare him!"

The wind caused Li Hongjiu to close his eyes as stray hair fluttered, and the knife edge barely stopped before his forehead.

The wind halted, and Li Hongjiu slowly opened his eyes and glanced around, internally cursing, stopping so timely, why take such a big circle?

He became increasingly assured of his thought.

Shi Chun quickly rushed back, shoving away the overhead knife, half leaning on the Iron Dumpling, face-to-face with Li Hongjiu, saying, "Sir, do you have any last words, feel free to speak. I'll definitely convey any messages, and anything I can do, I will not fail my duty. If there's a single dishonest word, may I be struck by lightning!"

Lightning strikes? Li Hongjiu blinked repeatedly and couldn't help doing so.

After forcing himself to hold back, his lips adjusted, blew off the stray hair hanging from his eye lashes, revealing a sincere expression, "Is it okay not to die?"

"Hmm?" Shi Chun slightly tilted his head, what kind of last words are these?

Fine, Li Hongjiu revealed a face full of sincere emotions again, saying, "Senior brother, no, Brother Chun, ever since our first official encounter, my admiration for Brother Chun has relentlessly grown, often sighing towards the sky, shaking my head with regret towards the earth, desperately wanting to become sworn brothers with Brother Chun."

Each member of the Mingshan Sect group, one by one, stared at him in stunned petrification.

Shi Chun, dumbfounded for a moment, couldn't help but ask, "Then why weren't you willing to stop hunting me down?"

Li Hongjiu displayed a pained look, "Born at the wrong time, each serving his master. Why did I persistently hunt you? As wise as Brother Chun is, it must be clear. I swear to heaven, I didn't mean to hunt Brother Chun down; I merely wanted to capture you alive, to provide an explanation to my superiors and safeguard your lives from external threats."

Turning his gaze intensely to each one, "You've seen how the factions are furiously against you; I had no choice but to take this last resort, pursuing you relentlessly. Even your heel should understand, I wish to find the Secret Technique of the Divine Fire, how could I possibly directly kill you? You're all misunderstood."

He redirected his gaze back to Shi Chun, with utmost sincerity, "If there's any falsehood, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death!"

After speaking, he again adjusted his lips, puffing away the recurring stray hair glinging to his eye lashes.

That venomous vow took true mastery, as Shi Chun envisioned the scene of the person before him wielding lightning, recalling being struck by lightning himself, enhancing his cultivation as a result.

Indeed, if not for this, he wouldn't go in circles to keep this man alive, seeking unnecessary trouble for himself?

He also realized his previous oath was problematic, and wasn't sure if the responder's vow was deliberate.

All in all, the older brother doesn't lecture the second older brother, so he decided to pass on that, still kindly brushing aside the unruly locks for Li Hongjiu, sighing, "Each serves his master, an impeccable logic. If not for this, I would sincerely swear you in as my big brother, unfortunately..."

Li Hongjiu interrupted with nod after nod, "There's a chance, there's a chance, we can put this behind. I, Li, being slightly older, shall shamelessly address you as a brother. Brother, since we resonate deeply, what words can be unsaid, or what grudge cannot be resolved? There's truly no need for fratricide, it will be a lifelong regret."

Shi Chun lamented, "Brother Jiu, the issue is not mine alone to decide; you've seen their stance."

Li Hongjiu nodded like a pecking chick, "Understood, understood, I get it. Would you help talk to them? In the Yanbao Sect, my words hold some weight. As long as I live, when the portal reopens, I can ensure your safe passage away."

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