Do we really need help to relay the message? We weren't whispering or avoiding anyone; everyone clearly heard it.

Truth be told, the conditions are quite enticing. The eyes of the Mingshan Sect group lit up instantly, and they were visibly tempted.

Although Li Hongjiu didn't fully catch the nuances, he sensed it from their slight reactions. His heart couldn't help but feel a touch of smugness—he knew this bunch came for this. Otherwise, they would've killed him long ago.

For the matter of survival, he felt more at ease.

But who would've thought Shi Chun's expression would suddenly turn solemn, disbelief surfacing before shifting into a look of anguish. "Brother Jiu, what you've said is going too far. You and I are like-minded, our brotherhood is as high as the heavens, as deep as the sea. How can it ever be used as a bargaining chip?"

"No, no, no, no!" Li Hongjiu hurriedly stiffened his neck and corrected himself, "Brother, you've misunderstood. The friendship between us brothers isn't borne out of rivalry; it's a life-and-death bond. Even if you asked Brother Jiu to die for you, it would only take a word from you. How could the bond between us ever be used in a transaction?

Even losing my head would only leave me with a bowl-sized scar. How can that compare to our camaraderie as vast as the sea and sky?

You yourself mentioned that this matter isn't solely up to you. I'm simply trying not to put my dear brother in a tight spot. That's why I'm asking you to relay the message to your comrades as an explanation."

While he spoke beautifully, inwardly he was cursing. He wanted to ask—over what's clearly a negotiation here, do we have to maintain such false appearances?

Inwardly, he criticized the pretense as over the top, but the honeyed words still flowed fluently, not daring to show a shred of defiance. Ultimately, he thought: damn it, whatever you say goes, since I slipped and ended up in your hands.

More importantly, the other side's excessive hypocrisy made him somewhat nervous. It wasn't logical. He feared they were really playing him and, once they were tired of it, would reveal some cruel truth: "Did you really think we'd let you go?"

The group from Mingshan Sect was visibly distracted. Someone almost accidentally inhaled the toxic air in this place. Upon seeing Mr. Li continually challenge their expectations, they couldn't help but think—is this really the same Li Hongjiu who unleashed unrivaled power, whose capabilities rendered even fifth-grade magical treasures useless, and who killed so many they fled in disgrace?

Could it simply be someone who looks like him?

What surprised them even more was their own leader.

"No!" Shi Chun shouted abruptly, pulling their attention back. Shi Chun waved his hand and yelled, "I am but one of them! If I were to agree to use my brother's life as a bargaining chip, then what face would I have left to show in the future?"

Really? When will this end? Li Hongjiu sighed deeply. "My good brother, isn't this about saving me? Surely your face can temporarily…"

Before he could finish, Shi Chun interrupted, "No! If they want me to agree to such a deal, they'll have to step over my dead body first—otherwise, it's completely impossible!"

"..."

Li Hongjiu stared blankly at his indignant younger brother. Hearing such resolute words, he didn't know how to respond. Even pandering seemed impossible; he truly wanted to ask what this guy was trying to pull.

Shi Chun turned to face the rest of the group again, reiterating firmly: "I will never agree to such a deal. If anyone dares to force me, I will fight them to the bitter end!"

Seeing that he seemed utterly genuine and uncompromising, the Mingshan Sect group froze in confusion. They, too, wanted to ask what exactly he was trying to stir up.

Wu Jinliang wiped his forehead forcefully. At first, he also thought the leader was grandstanding and overacting. But given his understanding of the leader, it didn't seem to be that simple. He, too, was unsure of the leader's intentions this time.

Looking back at the group's expressions, all wanting an explanation, Wu Jinliang adjusted his large blade and cautiously suggested, "Chun Tian, how about you step aside for a moment and discuss further with everyone?"

Shi Chun glanced at the group and saw their intent. He hummed an acknowledgment, signaling agreement. He then turned back to Li Hongjiu, saying, "Brother Jiu, wait here for a while. I'll be back shortly. Rest assured, if I can't ensure you leave here alive and intact, then I will swear to share life and death with you, brother. Even if it's not born in the same year, month, or day, I'll die in the same year, month, and day with you! Heaven and earth shall bear witness to this vow!"

Wu Jinliang couldn't help but grin silently.

"..." Li Hongjiu's lips trembled. Given the gravity of the words, he had no idea how Shi Chun intended to walk back on his promise later without utterly humiliating himself. The most critical aspect was, his confidence was starting to waver.

Initially, he believed he was relatively clever, but now, his mind wasn't as certain anymore.

Other than helping this group escape Divine Fire Domain, he truly couldn't imagine how he could be of any other use to them.

Simultaneously, he swiftly gathered his wits, ensuring his posture and response remained unwavering. Righteously, he declared, "Brother, this absolutely cannot be! All of this is because of me. My death would be insignificant; you, however, must remain alive for a greater purpose. Otherwise, to whom could my unfulfilled last wishes be entrusted?"

Shi Chun waved his hand dismissively, unwilling to listen. He strode away, genuinely uninterested in his opportunistic elder brother's nonsense. He had never seen lies spun so convincingly; hearing more might leave him at a loss for rebuttal. For now, he needed to step aside and compose himself.

As Li Hongjiu watched Shi Chun depart, someone suddenly grabbed him by the mouth. It was Xiao Sheng, carrying the Ice Sheep, who shoved it into Li Hongjiu's mouth apologetically. "You suck on it yourself first."

After saying this, he immediately rushed off, chasing after the group. He, too, wanted to know what their leader meant—was he really giving up on the chance to escape alive? How was this acceptable?

"Mm… mm…" Li Hongjiu grunted helplessly, but nobody paid attention to him. In the end, he could only resign himself to the situation, occasionally trembling.

This cursed place hadn't seen sunlight for years—it was cold.

The nearby lake was frozen, which wasn't surprising. With cultivation restricted, his physical sensations were unbearable. On top of that, he was wrapped in chains that offered no reprieve from the chill.

Irritating strands of hair clung to his eyelashes. With something obstructing his mouth, he couldn't even blow them away. He exhaled warm breath, gazing at the distant starry sky.

The Mingshan Sect group headed directly into a cave where An Wuzhi had previously secluded himself for training.

Besides those on watch duty, everyone else gathered. Wu Jinliang glanced at their expressions and silently sheathed his blade. He genuinely couldn't grasp Shi Chun's plan this time, so he remained silent, wary of saying the wrong thing.

No one spoke for a while until Chu Jingtang quietly jabbed Tong Mingshan.

Alright, having absorbed the most Divine Fire and burdened with the Sect Master's title in name, Tong Mingshan reluctantly took the lead, "Leader, the man has expressed willingness to trade for our escape. Why not agree?"

Shi Chun had anticipated this question. He certainly needed to provide clarity; otherwise, internal discord could arise, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation by that shameless smiley-faced tiger. Internal chaos would be a disaster. He had led enough brothers to understand this well. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone the extra mile to offer an explanation.

He snorted, "Don't be fooled by his nonsense. Word has already spread about our efforts to find the Divine Fire Secret Technique. So many sect elders are standing guard outside—can he really help us escape just like that? To rely on him, we'd first have to let him out of our control. Holding him captive achieves nothing. The commotion is so big; every exit is being closely watched. At this point, even the elder Jin Guiqi from Shudao Mountain might struggle to get us all out."

His words sparked some concern in their gazes. They, too, had been secretly anxious about the escape. What good was immense wealth if they couldn't leave?

Chu Jingtang chimed in, "Leader, since he made such an offer, shouldn't he at least provide a convincing plan? He might genuinely have a workable solution. Why not hear him out first? It doesn't hurt to listen, does it?"

Shi Chun shook his head, "Haven't you realized yet? He's someone who can tell you whatever you want to hear. Can his words be trusted? There's no need to hear his nonsense. Whether he truly has a plan or is bluffing, even if his plan is sound, we can't place all our hopes on him alone."

Tong Mingshan furrowed his brows, "Leader, then what's with all the brotherly chatter?"

Shi Chun spread his hands, "Isn't it obvious? To build rapport with him."

"..."

The group collectively displayed speechlessness.

Chen Wuji, exasperated, voiced their shared thoughts, "Leader, if you're not even trusting his promises, how does fostering a relationship with him help at all?"

Shi Chun: "Don't overthink it. I'm not expecting him to be useful in this situation. I just genuinely want to be friends with him. You don't think those 'heartfelt words' I gave him earlier were insincere, do you?"

"..."

Their expressions immediately turned bizarre and colorful—clearly questioning, "Do you think we'd believe that? What kind of mind would it take to believe it?"

Even Wu Jinliang scratched his head in confusion.

Shi Chun sighed, "I know you don't believe me, so let me put it another way. I have plenty of methods to get us out; we don't necessarily need him. I can't reveal the details yet, but you just need to understand this: as long as we haven't given up the Divine Fire Secret Technique, it remains our ultimate ticket out of here. We'll definitely escape. What we should consider is how to leave most appropriately and respectably.

As for Li Hongjiu, that smiley-faced tiger—never place all the hope of escape on just him. There's no point in trading anything with him. If I can persuade him to help, then great. If he refuses, no deal will make him change his mind. Forced cooperation will yield nothing. And when he's capable of retaliating someday, do you think he wouldn't seek revenge?"

The logic wasn't hard to comprehend, but the group only half-understood, clearly still grappling with it.

Zhu Xiangxin asked skeptically, "Leader, do you really intend to just maintain a friendly connection with him and ultimately release him outright?"

Shi Chun pondered briefly, organizing his thoughts carefully before responding, "We're actually in no position to coerce a deal. The ultimate decision lies with him. Once we release him, he can backtrack at any time.

In truth, this negotiation is more about us seeking his assistance, putting us in a disadvantageous position.

When the tables turn, and he needs something from us instead, then all your concerns will become moot. Soon, you'll see for yourself."

Having said this, he waved dismissively—it wasn't necessary to preemptively disclose his step-by-step plans to the group, gesturing for everyone to leave the cave.

The group, perplexed, exited the cave, while Shi Chun hurriedly ran back to Li Hongjiu.

Li Hongjiu, still trembling, let out a few muffled sounds.

Shi Chun immediately extracted the Ice Sheep from his mouth, gently patting his cheek in reassurance. "Brother Jiu, my words carry weight among them. I've already convinced them to let you go."

Li Hongjiu's eyes widened in surprise. His lips moved slightly as if wanting to ask, but no words came out—would he truly be released unconditionally?

Shi Chun helped tidy up his disheveled hair further. "Brother, if you want something, just say it outright—there's no need for snatching. It undermines your elegance. Isn't it about the Divine Fire Secret Technique? Once we're outside, I'll absolutely hand it over to you. You know we're not a legitimate Artifact Refining sect anyway; keeping that thing is more trouble than it's worth—it's like holding onto a hot potato. To put it bluntly, once you take it away, we'll actually feel relieved."

Li Hongjiu blinked a few times.

Shi Chun continued, "There's one more thing I need to clarify with Brother Jiu—about the matter of us killing your sect's disciples…"

Bringing up this subject caused Li Hongjiu's heart to sink significantly. Nevertheless, he decisively replied, "Don't worry—it's over. The matter is over. Let's erase it all from the slate; no one will ever bring it up again."

Shi Chun shook his head, speaking earnestly, "Brother, which eye of yours saw us kill them? It had absolutely nothing to do with us. The blame was arbitrarily hurled at us—aren't we wronged? This cannot be simply erased; it will leave lingering resentment. Rest assured, I've got a good idea of who the real culprit might be. Before the assembly ends, if I can't make the murderer reveal themselves to you, clarifying this misunderstanding, then you don't need to acknowledge me as your younger brother. I won't have the face to call you my elder brother. I'll die here in Divine Fire Domain and won't leave!"

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