MMB Chapter 971 - 825: Impossible to Refuse
Chapter 971 - 825: Impossible to Refuse
Whether it was Shen Moming who came to greet them or Li Hongjiu who stood up inside the cave, they both had unusual discoveries.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, who returned, seemed unchanged, still the same as before.
Different were Tong Mingshan, An Wuzhi, and Zhu Xiangxin; their aura seemed distinctly different from before, as if a sense of groundedness from some new depth had been added, like someone with fair skin suddenly getting a tan.
They couldn't immediately identify what specific changes occurred in the three of them; it simply felt as though even their walking gait had subtly altered.
All eyes then focused on Chen Wuji, who was missing a leg.
Shen Moming hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "What happened here?"
Chen Wuji shook his head and replied, "It's nothing, Hao Ji... can't come back."
He wasn't particularly concerned about his disability because Shi Chun had told him there were spiritual pills that could restore him, and he believed it, as Tong Mingshan's regrown arm was solid proof.
Except for the one shouting "sister," everyone else in the cave fell silent. This group had been together for over twenty years through thick and thin, but they had never before witnessed a comrade fall.
Given the urgent situation, Shen Moming suppressed his mixed emotions and first sought Shi Chun to talk privately.
The two went outside the cave, and what Shen Moming wanted to discuss was naturally the shocking incident of someone sneaking up on them earlier. If it was just about that, there would be no need to avoid others.
The main point was Li Hongjiu had instantly killed Chang Shifei and others, and he saw Li Hongjiu search a thousand or so tokens off Chang Shifei.
Shi Chun wasn't too surprised by Li Hongjiu's ability to seize tokens. After being informed that Manxi had combined the East Victory and Beiju tokens, he had guessed that it was Li Hongjiu who acted.
What surprised him was how Chang Shifei and the others had no strength to fight back against Li Hongjiu, being killed instantly upon first confrontation. Shi Chun had seen the roster, and Chang Shifei was ranked quite high.
Of course, such an anomaly occurring with Li Hongjiu wasn't too surprising.
Shen Moming couldn't clearly explain the method of killing, only gesturing about the scene when it happened.
"Li Hongjiu actually has a method of killing through chanting..." Shi Chun muttered to himself. This clearly wasn't a skill from the Yanbao Sect; he realized Li Hongjiu had more techniques than he had imagined.
Originally, the matter of Li Hongjiu assisting him with Thunder Sword cultivation, he felt maybe it wasn't necessary anymore, since Wu Jinliang had already learned it.
Unlike other cultivation techniques where Wu Jinliang could only grasp about eighty to ninety percent or be a dilettante, Li Hongjiu's unique moves, Wu Jinliang truly mastered them to the full extent. This was what Wu Jinliang discovered himself. He found that Li Hongjiu's unique moves were different from others, which might require cultivating specific attribute techniques as a foundation to exert their essence. Li Hongjiu's unique moves did not, so Wu Jinliang learned them perfectly.
Shi Chun realized that it was no longer about him needing Li Hongjiu but that Wu Jinliang needed Li Hongjiu even more.
After returning to the cave, Shi Chun immediately sought out Li Hongjiu and also asked to talk privately.
Without others around, without beating around the bush, Shi Chun spoke directly, candidly prioritizing practical matters, "Brother Jiu, all the one to two thousand tokens of Chang Shifei have fallen into your hands?"
Li Hongjiu glanced at him, nodded with a sound, "You already knew."
Shi Chun asked again, "What do you plan to do with these tokens?"
Li Hongjiu responded calmly, "Do you think I have a second choice?"
The meaning was clear; as a member of the Nanshan Team, and since the Commander of the Nanshan Team was his senior brother, these tokens he seized would naturally be handed over to his senior brother, which would also account for him not aiding Nanshan later on.
Shi Chun also expected this, as Shen Moming mentioned the tokens being on Li Hongjiu, and seeing that Li Hongjiu showed no intention of handing them over, he had guessed it.
And this was the reason he didn't want Dongguo Shou to come. Upon hearing that both sets of tokens were combined, he knew it couldn't have been achieved by Shen Moming alone, so he understood that Li Hongjiu wouldn't easily hand over the tokens.
If Dongguo Shou came and Li Hongjiu refused to hand over the tokens, Dongguo Shou wouldn't negotiate with intricate deals; powerful individuals rely on strength to solve issues. With the strength to solve problems directly, they wouldn't bother with diplomacy and would inevitably end up in a deadly battle with Li Hongjiu.
If the two fought, he'd be caught in it, and helping either side wouldn't be appropriate.
Therefore, he couldn't let Dongguo Shou come; he also wanted the tokens but not through Dongguo Shou's methods.
Now that Dongguo Shou hadn't come, he naturally suggested amicably, "Brother Jiu, I do have a suggestion, perhaps you might listen."
Li Hongjiu glanced at him, scoffing, "I know you're skilled in deception, but I'm not falling for it. I'm aware your tokens are all with Shen Moming. I had the opportunity to act but didn't, so don't target my tokens."
Shi Chun didn't defend himself, speaking calmly and rationally, "Brother Jiu, how about this, let's keep it simple and decide based on the final outcome. If the Nanshan Team can seize victory with your thousand or so tokens, just on your Reputation as Brother Jiu, I won't target those tokens in your hand. I'll ensure they're safely returned with you to the team.
Should the situation be the opposite, wherein you bring back the tokens yet the Nanshan Team has no hope of winning, then I hope Brother Jiu would assist me. I have no choice, as the Xuanji Token Master saved me from Life Prison, yet I am still a criminal at large. As you know, despite being disconnected from the outside for twenty years, once entering the Demon Realm, I am pursued by various parties. Therefore, I need merit to secure an identity capable of somewhat shielding me from open and covert threats."
Shi Chun watched the other party eagerly after speaking.
Li Hongjiu was already frowning in thought.
However, the result and problem-solving method that Shi Chun provided left him no room for refusal.
Besides being harmless, it also involved personal relationships. Shi Chun presented his own predicament, and after repeatedly risking his life to save Li Hongjiu, finally made such a proposal that did not cause any loss. How could he refuse?
After thinking it over multiple times, Li Hongjiu responded calmly, "Alright, let's go with what you said."
Shi Chun immediately clasped his hands in thanks.
This was the benefit of not having Dongguo Shou present; if Dongguo Shou were here, he would never accept such negotiations. He wouldn't gamble that other teams would keep their promises. He would definitely want to get the Token first.
After settling things with Li Hongjiu, Shi Chun felt at ease and could hide in Extreme Abyss without worry; otherwise, he would have to go out to grab the Token.
While he was relieved, Dongguo Shou got busy, either leading the crowd or going alone, attacking everywhere, and seizing continuously, unstoppable.
Other teams lost their top players able to spar with him, narrowing their room for maneuver in all aspects, causing the situation to become one-sided.
In just a single day, he seized over two thousand Tokens, forcing various teams to break up their Tokens to pieces to delay being robbed, hoping to secure opportunities through time.
This in turn gave others in the Heavenly Court a chance to strike out everywhere and gain some credit.
The number of Tokens for the Heavenly Court Team was growing rapidly. Even the higher-ups outside sent messages in to commend Manxi, saying he did well and encouraging him to continue.
Manxi was naturally pleased and relieved with the current harvest, resolving his concerns over the Mingshan Sect's hibernation, as Dongguo Shou could handle it alone.
However, he did bring up one matter with Mulan Jin, hoping to borrow from Shi Chun a set of Battle Armor capable of withstanding the Sky Splitting Sword for Dongguo Shou to use, just to be safe.
Manxi's concerns were understandable, so Mulan Jin did not refuse. She brought it up when Shi Chun contacted the outside periodically.
Shi Chun couldn't refuse, though reluctantly, he still lent it.
Fortunately, it wasn't lent for free, and like last time borrowing the Sky Splitting Sword, it was noted as credit.
He also felt relieved by Dongguo Shou's efficient seizing effort. Judging by the accumulated Token numbers, the win should be secure.
Ironically, Manxi struggled to borrow the Battle Armor, yet Dongguo Shou declined the goodwill, saying wearing the armor with a broken arm was inconvenient and would affect the performance of his Divine Skills.
In short, he politely refused.
Manxi was furious, cursing his arrogance.
Little did they know, Dongguo Shou wasn't truly arrogant, but rather had a knot in his heart, not wanting to be told he succeeded thanks to Shi Chun's favor after working hard for nothing.
Half of the main players from major teams died at Shi Chun's hands, and he hadn't snatched any. Now, able to achieve merits smoothly, it was clear he was riding on coattails.
What's more exaggerated was Shi Chun's once-thriving group now lying low, not competing or fighting with him, letting him go for merits as carefree as can be, seemingly more carefree than he was.
If he were to wear someone else's armor, how could he bear it?
In the East Victory Team's central control, Wei Mo put down the Mother-child Talisman, looking at the mirror image where Dongguo Shou was rampaging, his jaw clenched.
Recently, Nanshan, West Niu, and Beiju contacted him frequently. The situation was one-sided; discussing coordination and cooperation was one aspect, and urging him repeatedly to use the Sky Splitting Sword to murder Dongguo Shou was another. Clearly, they were extremely pressured.
He, however, insisted he didn't have the Sky Splitting Sword, stubbornly claiming it couldn't be found.
Seeing a bout of slaughter end in the mirror image, with Dongguo Shou seizing dozens more Tokens, Wei Mo questioned somewhat doubtedly, "Why isn't he wearing Shi Chun's Battle Armor? Could it be Shi Chun is unwilling to offer it? It shouldn't be like this. This matter isn't up to Shi Chun's willingness."
Tao Zhi next to him also put down the Mother-child Talisman, and transmitted, "Sir, Blue Child is also asking when we will act."
Wei Mo glanced at him and transmitted back, "Not yet."
The same question received the same answer several times; Tao Zhi had to remind him, "Sir, the decisive battle is not far off; time left for us is running out."
Wei Mo glanced at him, slowly revealing his thoughts, "If Shi Chun had left Extreme Abyss with those Tokens, I would have acted long ago. Who would have known that fellow would stop fighting and curl up in Extreme Abyss, not coming out? It seems he won't reemerge until the decisive battle ends. With that, our target is singular… Unfortunately, Dongguo Shou doesn't have enough Tokens yet. His 'Inch and Mile' Divine Skill collecting Tokens is much more efficient than us. This isn't something we can compare by chasing and chopping with the Sky Splitting Sword. If it's just about grabbing a few more Tokens, it's meaningless. Either don't grab, or win a definitive victory!"