Chapter 177 - Submit or Be Clobbered
“Farewell.” Yu Shangrong turned to glance at the disciples on the sword altar and nodded at them perfunctorily with a faint smile on his face. His body flashed away, and in just a blink of an eye, he was already 100 feet away. In the next second, he passed through the altar’s barriers and vanished.
Luo Shisan felt the pressure lift from his shoulders. He quickly descended. As soon as he descended, he staggered slightly
“Master!” Two of Luo Shishan’s disciples ran up to him to support him.
Luo Shisan calmed himself down before saying, “Notify the elders that I’ve changed my mind… Ding Fanqiu is a core disciple of the Yun Sect. The sable magnolia is but an object. A man’s life is worth much more. Agree to the exchange.”
“Understood.”
…
In a pavilion among the mountains that was several miles away from the sword altar.
Si Wuya looked in the direction of the sword altar and said with a smile, “Second Senior Brother, you made an exception for Little Junior Sister. What a surprise!”
“Yes, master.” Mingshi Yin eagerly ran to fetch Zhu Honggong.
In no time at all, Mingshi Yin was leading a puzzled Zhu Honggong into the great hall.
Zhu Honggong had lost some weight over the past month. When he returned to the great hall, he still felt nervous. He was behaving even worse than a newcomer. His eyes kept darting around everywhere. He fell to his knees and said reverently, “Greetings, master! May you live to see a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations. May you live forever and ever!”
Mingshi Yin frowned. ‘This pig is really stealing my spotlight!’
Lu Zhou said, “Old Eighth, since you were tricked into committing your sins, I’m now giving you a chance to redeem yourself.”
When Zhu Honggong heard this, he was overjoyed. He said, “I’m willing to redeem myself. I won’t even frown if I have to climb a mountain of blades, plunge into a sea of fire, or walk with knives on my sides!”
“Very good,” Lu Zhou said, “I hereby choose you to bring back the sable magnolia from the Heaven Choice Temple.
Zhu Honggong was puzzled. ‘Heaven Choice Temple?’ He was momentarily stunned. A bitter expression appeared on his face, but he did not dare to oppose his master.
When Lu Zhou saw the reluctance on Zhu Honggong’s face, he asked, “What? You’re unwilling?”
“No, no, no… I’m willing! I’ll surely return with the sable magnolia!” Zhu Honggong pulled a long face and spoke with zero sincerity.
Mingshi Yin said with a smile, “Hurry up then. It shouldn’t be a problem for you, judging by your relationship with them. Believe me, we won’t put you in harm’s way. Remember, you’re only there to negotiate. Send word to us if anything happens…”
“I’ll head out right away.” Zhu Honggong nodded and bowed. He walked backward out of the great hall.
Lu Zhou looked at him leaving until he was out of sight before saying, “When will the Yun Sect’s special envoy arrive?”
“In six hours.”