>>5171381The next moment, a command rings through the temple grounds. “BRING THE PRISONERS!”
You’re out of time. Without a sliver of hesitation, you break the nearest window, gliding down with True-Sight in one hand and your Astral Wind Whisk in the other. Zhang Hong exits in a similar fashion with a sword of pure green jade, emblazoned with golden runes.
In the distance, you see a group of bound disciples being herded to your location. Their mouths are sealed, leaving them unable to scream. Among them is Junior Liang Junze, who you met when you first arrived. The colour from Zhang Hong’s face seems to quickly fade.
Li Zhu, now at least three metres in height, with an intrepid physique and skin as dark as night, laughs coldly. “Surrender. Or they will all perish.” He points at the moving group behind, eyeing the two of you with now blood-red eyes.
You grit your teeth.
“On second thought… How about this?” Li Zhu continues. “Both of you stand there like good boys and await your punishment. Every time you try to resist or fall to the ground, one of them dies”
Zhang Hong’s killing intent soars. “You fiend!”
“Oh?” Li Zhu grabs one of the disciples, proceeding to break his limbs one by one before hurling him to the ground, cracking the stone tiles below. “Want to resist more? I’ll give you a moment to ponder it carefully.”
Your face darkens as Zhang Hong looks on in horror.
“Fine!” Zhang Hong boldly announces. “I accept your terms. But leave Brother Guan out of this.”
“Deal.” Li Zhu says after a moment of silence.
“Brother Zhang, what do you think you’re doing? You’ll die if you take his rage alone!” You look at Zhang Hong worriedly. “I can endure as well.”
“This matter is that of my Southern Jade Temple, as an outsider, I can’t have you sacrifice any more for us.” Zhang Hong lowers his voice and continues to whisper, “Do not worry, that cry just now must have caught the attention of the neighbouring sects. As long as I can hold out for a few minutes, they should intervene!”
“What if they don’t?”
“Does it look like they won’t?”
You look up at the ominous red clouds above accompanied by phantoms circling and howling through the night sky. It would be pretty unusual if no one came to investigate, especially the allies of the temple.
“Exactly.” Zhang Hong states. “Someone is sure to come.”
“What if other elders show up?”
Zhang Hong doesn’t answer.
“One more thing.” He mentions, handing back your Supreme Apotropaic Amulet. “Thank you for all the help you’ve provided so far. If I live, I will be sure to pay you back one-hundred fold.”
It seems he’s dead set on leaving you with at least a chance of escaping.
