Zi Yun froze.
He never would have guessed that Ye Zichen would threaten him with this as a starting point.
The Zi Family of Bibo City had fallen, and the demons had taken control of the entire clan.
Given Zi Yun's cultivation and abilities, trying to save his clansmen from the demons was a pipe dream. Even if the clan elders woke up and recovered from their injuries, it was impossible.
The marriage alliance with the city lord was over. It seemed his only hope was Ye Zichen and the others.
"Despicable," said Zi Yun through clenched teeth as he clenched the key fragment.
"If saying this makes you feel any better, then go ahead and say it."
Ye Zichen's lips curved into a smile. "I'm no saint. I don't have to pity the world's pitiful people. Indeed, perhaps my methods were a bit despicable. You don't know Gu Li's methods, but after clashing with him several times, I do. If I save your clansmen, I'll most likely die tomorrow. I'm risking my own life.
I'll use your entire clan's lives in exchange for a calamity you can't protect. Isn't that … a good deal? "
Ye Zichen shrugged, his eyes flashing with a not-quite-decent smile.
"I have my reasons for wanting this God Emperor Tomb fragment no matter what. It doesn't matter if you call me despicable or take advantage of others. If you give it to me, your clan won't die. If you don't, don't blame me for being heartless. "
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy. Zi Xia bit her lip and stood between the two of them, unsure of what to do.
Zi Yun furrowed his brows and glanced at the Great Sage. "Supreme Treasure, don't you like my little sister? Are you really going to just stand by and watch the Zi Family die?"
For a long while, the Great Sage lowered his eyes and said nothing.
"Hmph, Zi Xia, did you see that? This is the Supreme Treasure you like? In order to get what he wants, he's even willing to use our clansmen as hostages. Did you see his cold, emotionless face? You've wasted thousands of years waiting for him, "snorted Zi Yun. "I don't think they're doing anything wrong." In the face of Zi Yun's sarcasm, Zi Xia smiled indifferently and said, "It's true that our Zi family doesn't have the ability to protect this key fragment. An innocent man will get into trouble because of his wealth. We've known this since we were young. Since this fragment is a disaster for the Zi family, why not?
Why don't you give it away? "
"Even you--" "What about me, tell me?" Zi Xia sneered at Zi Yun and said, "Elder Brother, you've been making irresponsible remarks like a lunatic. You're the one who asked for the Joker, and you're also the one who criticized the Joker. You're the one who didn't let me be with Joker, and you're the one who did. You treat me like a baby.
Become what? What would the Supreme Treasure be? Are the two of us your tools to protect our race? "
"What do you know!" Zi Yun rebuked angrily.
"I don't know anything, and I'm too lazy to understand. But now, the problem is right in front of you. You can either give the fragment to Joker's friends, and they can go and save our clansmen. Otherwise, you can keep your fragment, and we'll burn incense for our clansmen next year. It's that simple, "Zixia said.
Suddenly, Zi Yun's face stiffened. He rubbed his fingers and fell into deep thought.
Although Ye Zichen's expression was cold, he was actually a bit nervous. He was worried that Ziyun would reject him resolutely and not give him the key fragment.
The Great Sage's silence just now meant he was on his side, but Ye Zichen believed ….
Given his relationship with Zi Xia, he absolutely couldn't just leave the Zi Family to their fate. Ye Zichen couldn't possibly be so cold as to ignore them. Even if it was out of respect for Zixia and the Great Sage, he had to help.
He had his reasons for wanting the fragment of the God Emperor's tomb. He had to hold on to it no matter what.
In order to hide his nervousness, Ye Zichen crossed his legs and stared ahead coldly. He instinctively pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
Time ticked by.
The room was so quiet they could hear each other's breathing clearly, but in Ye Zichen's heart, it felt like a pendulum clock was ticking.
As time passed, his emotions grew more and more agitated. He extinguished a few of his cigarettes.
"How can you guarantee the survival of the Zi Family?"
After a long silence, Zi Yun looked up at Ye Zichen.
"I can't guarantee anything." Ye Zichen stamped out his cigarette, then rose to his feet. "I'm not sure about Gu Li's arrangements, and I've never had the upper hand against him. Forgive me, but I can't answer your question."
"Then you …."
"When I said I'd guarantee the survival of your clansmen, I meant not all of them. I'll do everything in my power to keep your parents, elders, and brothers alive. But I can't guarantee the survival of your clan's guests, maids, and guards. I can even save them. "
Ye Zichen looked Zi Yun straight in the eye.
"That might sound unfair to them, but the world isn't fair to begin with. On the battlefield, only generals, nobles, and nobles are protected. I've never heard of anyone protecting a soldier; that's the advantage their status gives them, "said Zi Yun." The same is true for the Zi Family, so I can only do my best to save the most important people. As for those I can't save, all I can do is mourn for them. But you can't blame me for that. At the end of the day, their calamity was brought upon them by your Zi Family, not me ….
I'm just trading with you. "
"Then why don't I just hand it over to the demons?" asked Zi Yun.
"You could give it to him, and the demons might really just take it and leave. Gu Li might still keep his word."
"Since that's the case …." "But like I said, I'm determined to get this key fragment!" Ye Zichen changed the topic. "If you give it to him, I'll take it. If I end up harming any of your Zi Family members, don't blame me. Or rather, Gu Li, who's always been at odds with me, will protect you and find a place for you to live. Gods?
Or demons? That's your choice! "
Zi Yun fell silent once more. After a while, he looked up and nodded.
"Alright, I agree. But you have to wait until the Zi Family is safe before I give it to you."
"That's for the best. Let's have a pleasant cooperation!"
Back in Greenwave City, the Zi Family
Gu Li's expression hadn't been particularly good since returning to Greenwave City from Ziyan City.
"Ye Zichen!"
He sat in his room, his brows furrowed in fury. He narrowed his eyes as he looked into the mirror at his hideous face. His two companions were also in the room.
"Give the order ….."
He gnashed his teeth and relayed his plan. After they left, Gu Li rose from his chair and looked out the window at the hazy moonlight.
"You're always going against me. You even want to steal An Lu from me."
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