This remark made Ming Chaofeng sneer, feeling that after accomplishing a few things, this low-grade character might have misunderstood his own status, thinking he has become a man above men? He immediately countered: What qualifications do you have to trade with Yanbao Sect's magical treasure?

Shi Chun had no time to argue with him, so he replied with facts: If the Commander can rescue Li Hongjiu and ensure that the magical treasure doesn't fall into others' hands, then indeed I have no qualification to trade it.

Stating facts can sometimes seem inconsiderate, and as the messenger, Gao Lian felt a pang in her heart but thought the other party was right, so she conveyed it as originally said.

After reading, Ming Chaofeng fell silent too, because the point was sharp, and if something is inevitably going to be lost, there's no point arguing over trivialities. However, it feels unpleasant letting such a small character manipulate things, instinctively wanting to suppress it, he questioned: If I want to trade with a magical treasure, I can directly trade with other parties. Why do I need your help?

Seeing this, Shi Chun felt disdainful, thinking if he could rescue them, would it have dragged on until now?

He immediately replied: Firstly, the Commander cannot secretly engage in such transactions due to his position; secondly, even if someone traded with the Commander, the Commander cannot guarantee the other party won't renege. By then, Gao Lian's group would walk right into a trap.

After sending this message, he continued with the second piece: Manxi can spare Li Hongjiu because I have Mulan Jin to speak for me, and I will only take away Li Hongjiu and the magical treasure. When everyone sees this, they won't spend time entangling with Gao Lian's group and will be in a rush to hunt me down; Gao Lian's group's crisis will naturally be resolved.

This message was intended for Gao Lian.

After reading this, Gao Lian was tempted, but she still relayed it to the Commander.

After considering, Ming Chaofeng asked about the real difficulty: Several factions are mixed together, supervising each other. It's not like any single party can decide to let them go; they're not blind and will inevitably get involved.

Shi Chun replied: The breakout is nothing the Commander should worry about; I won't risk my life jokingly, and I will find a way to resolve it. What I'm concerned about is what happens after the breakout, fearing a chase. I hope the Commander can help intercept the pursuers to assist my escape and also Li Hongjiu's escape.

The plan sounded troublesome, forcing Ming Chaofeng to weigh options, mainly thinking of whether Li Hongjiu could survive after escaping. After all, he had already been warned by the Royal Court, and if a big effort was made but failed to save him...

There's also the matter of Shi Chun. He had received instructions to deal with him, yet now considering intercepting for his escape—is it appropriate?

Due to Mulan Jin's involvement, knowing that she also sent people to hunt him down, Shi Chun would still actively approach for cooperation, even entrusting such a critical interception task to Ming Chaofeng; this courage started to earn Ming Chaofeng's respect.

Afraid he wouldn't agree, Shi Chun quickly threw in the prepared speech: I might understand Li Hongjiu better than the Commander. Though Demon Dew is odd, it's not enough to kill him; he can resolve it himself, but it takes time. If there were no hope of rescue, would I take such a big risk?

He not only said this now but would keep this narrative even if Li Hongjiu was later saved, claiming Li Hongjiu resolved it himself, avoiding suspicion about the Demon Book.

Seeing this, Gao Lian kept glancing at Li Hongjiu, who was sitting like a stone statue, slowly feeling that Shi Chun might be telling the truth.

And the phrase "Li Hongjiu has hope" directly cornered Ming Chaofeng.

Ming Chaofeng furrowed his brows.

After all, Li Hongjiu is the Sect Master's precious one, and if the Sect knows he could have been saved but wasn't, that would be awkward.

The problem is that there's already a third person who knows about their conversation, and who knows how many more will know later. Ming Chaofeng even briefly hoped that Gao Lian's team couldn't escape and were silenced.

Then realization dawned on him—if Gao Lian's group was killed, it would be useless; Shi Chun's mouth is still there, and even if wanting to silence Shi Chun, one must agree to cooperate first, otherwise wouldn't even know where he's hiding.

Moreover, Shi Chun's argument made Ming Chaofeng suspect that Li Hongjiu could indeed detoxify himself. With increased understanding of Demon Dew, Li Hongjiu's reaction seemed abnormal, as the duration dragged on unusually long.

Thinking this made him uneasy. This all hinted at evidence that Li Hongjiu could detoxify himself.

After pondering, he replied: If you really can rescue them, I will command the troops to intercept the pursuers for your escape.

This was a subtle agreement, apparently waiting to see what Shi Chun could achieve.

Shi Chun replied: Once preparations are complete, I will contact the Commander.

The two sides reached an agreement, temporarily ending this contact.

Ming Chaofeng tossed the communication spiritual artifact to his subordinate and then retrieved the mother-child talisman, directly contacting Manxi to inquire about the situation, wanting to confirm if Shi Chun's claims were true.

The Commanders have means of contacting each other.

Elsewhere, the observing Wu Jinliang saw the situation progressing further and had to softly remind Shi Chun: "He sent people to kill us. What if he arranges the rear guard and ends up killing us too?"

Shi Chun replied calmly, "The problem shouldn't be significant, as long as we hold Li Hongjiu hostage and several factions' mirror images are watching, daring him not to act recklessly."

"..." Wu Jinliang was stunned, contemplating rescuing and hostage-taking at the same time?

However, it seems not to be a conflict; rather, it feels quite good, and he immediately grinned again.

Shi Chun then took out the mother-child talisman to contact Wei Mo and sent a message: I might be able to make Li Hongjiu's team not resist, perhaps even make them hand over that magical treasure.

At this moment, Wei Mo was pacing on the high platform of the Central, occasionally glancing at the situations on the mirror image and Mountain River Map, pondering and worrying.

The mother-child talisman connecting Pang Tiansheng and Shi Chun was now in his hand. He had seen Shi Chun's message before but didn't bother to respond.

Firstly, having waited half a day without seeing Shi Chun fall into the trap, and realizing he had overthought, plus knowing later that Li Hongjiu was poisoned with something incurable, he knew Shi Chun's astuteness wouldn't let him be baited again.

Therefore, after glancing at the message, he didn't bother to respond because something more important now required his attention.

The East Sixteenth Squad was surprisingly headed towards Li Hongjiu's position.

The leader of the East Sixteenth Squad was Yan Zhili, a disciple of the Su Yuan Sect.

This truly was not ordered by Wei Mo; Yan Zhili had led his team in chasing various teams and incidentally headed in that direction.

Upon realizing their direction, he immediately felt ominous.

Just as he expected, Yan Zhili's actions quickly triggered reactions from all parties, and respective teams swiftly commenced corresponding movements.

It couldn't be helped; the top squads were being meticulously monitored by everyone.

Wei Mo also didn't want an early king against king confrontation; the king in hand was the trump card for the final battle. Once all the token's light spots were awakened, without a solid backbone, his team would only face pursuit.

If kings clashed now, no one could guarantee their king would definitely surpass the opponent. The ranking of sects doesn't represent the combat strength of its members, not to mention that none had yet revealed their ace, so who knows if they carry hidden tricks or trump cards in.

Mustn't act recklessly, needs further observation.

Seeing things weren't right, he already sent a message to Yan Zhili's side, advising him to halt the aggressive advance.

At this moment, he was observing other parties' movements. If Yan Zhili halted and others continued, he would have to let Yan Zhili rush to compete.

The big killer weapon in Li Hongjiu's hands had been revealed, immensely powerful, posing great threats to his ace, and couldn't watch it fall into others' hands. Now there formed a known stalemate over there.

Everyone knew that this magical treasure would be hunted down no matter whose hands it ended up in. It's just about who can seize it and vanish it from everyone's sight.

He suddenly noticed a new message from Shi Chun. Wei Mo took out the mother-child talisman, glanced at it, and stopped, ceasing his pacing while letting out a cold laugh.

The other's message was akin to breaking the silence; knowing that Pang Tiansheng's mother-child talisman was already under his control.

He straightforwardly revealed his identity in reply: Shi Chun, what trick are you trying to play?

Seeing that the other seemed not to grasp his meaning, Shi Chun clearly expressed again: I can contact Ming Chaofeng. I might be able to make Li Hongjiu's team not resist or hand over that magical treasure, in exchange for a way out for Li Hongjiu.

Upon hearing about contacting Ming Chaofeng, Wei Mo immediately understood, instinctively tugged his chin's beard wryly, realizing that truly, with the relationship between Shi Chun and Li Hongjiu, it might actually be feasible.

He was well aware that under the current conditions, Ming Chaofeng wanting to directly snatch back the magical treasure was unrealistic. If not wanting to be besieged by the four, can only sit back until the treasure is lost before contending again, likely to agree.

Thinking it brought a chuckle, going around and around, this guy still aimed to rescue Li Hongjiu.

He even felt a bit envious of Li Hongjiu; truth or fake friend, encountering such an actually helpful fake friend was rather nice too.

He immediately counter-questioned: Isn't this something you should discuss with Manxi?

Shi Chun replied: He is our team's commander. Do I have the eligibility to bargain with him? He also decides not Pang Tiansheng's fate.

Wei Mo quickly turned his head towards the corner of the tower where Pang Tiansheng occasionally coughed, feeling a bit of unexpected joy, and mulling over that since Bian Weiyin entrusted Shi Chun, there must be a reason.

Thinking of how Shi Chun once arrived at Wukang Mountain, beseeching him for Bian Weiyin's backing, he raised his brows and let out a silent 'tsk', realizing that the relationship between these two was not simple.

He glanced at the stalemate on the Mountain River Map and asked: Boy, you're quite cunning. Words from your mouth sound unreliable. Only now the message comes; you're roughly aware of the scene's situation; the teams intercrossing, eyes all tightly fixed, no way my team can aid you even if desired.

Shi Chun replied: As long as Ming Chaofeng can coordinate and I can mimic your people to approach the target, I could rush in, seize Li Hongjiu and that magical treasure rapidly, and exit at top speed. Although I can break through, I still need everyone present to assist fully. Afterwards, various parties will surely pursue; please arrange people to respond, as that's crucial.

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