Chapter 103 Decision

The lights brightened with the wind, and Guozhao Zhiqiang could smell something strange in the air. He heard cries for help and grunting before he could see the tunnel exit. He knew whoever was on the other side of the tunnel was calling for his help. At the end of the tunnel, he saw a man wielding a sword against a white object on the ground. He thought for a while, maybe it was a child, thinking of this, he quickly drew his sword from the scabbard on his back and rushed towards the person standing on the other side of the tunnel.

Guozhao Zhiqiang's dragon sword made Bandit Sū fly backward and hit the tree trunk. He continued to walk towards Bandit Sū angrily. The sound of the dragon sword he dragged was as loud as metal grinding against each other.

Unexpectedly attacked by an unknown person, the bandit left the merchants and rushed towards Bandit Sū. Two bandits helped Bandit Sū up, and Bandit Sū spit out blood. Bandit Sū wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked angrily at Guozhao Zhiqiang who was standing between him, Lu Min and the white fox.

Guozhao Zhiqiang pointed his sword at Bandit Sū and asked angrily, "Where is he?"

As soon as Deming heard Guozhao Zhiqiang's voice, he suddenly opened his eyes. As soon as he looked up, he saw the back of Guozhao Zhiqiang's robe fluttering with the dusk. He slowly limped forward and bit Guozhao Zhiqiang's hem.

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked madly, "Where is he? Where did you hide him?"

Bandit Sū asked confusedly, "He who?"

Master Lu begged, "Great hero, save us, those bandits are going to kill us." He pointed at Bandit Sū. "He wanted to rape my granddaughter."

The merchants knelt down and begged, "Great hero, please help us. Please save us."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "In that case, it is impossible for you to leave here alive." He pushed the white fox away with his feet. The dragon sword in the right hand rushed forward and swung towards Bandit Sū.

Bandit Sū pushed the two closest bandits to Guozhao Zhiqiang. Guozhao Zhiqiang cut the two bandits in half with one sword strike. Guozhao Zhiqiang flew over the two dead bodies. Bandit Sū grabbed another bandit and pushed the bandit towards Guozhao Zhiqiang. Guozhao Zhiqiang hit the bandit on the chest hard, Guozhao Zhiqiang, in a fit of rage, punched the bandit ten yards away to the ground with all his strength. Guozhao Zhiqiang stood in front of the seven bandits.

A trace of anger flashed in Guozhao Zhiqiang's eyes, were lit with anger, but he wanted to end all this quickly and return to his brothers. He wasn't sure who had called him here. He conjured the icicle talisman and sent it to the bandits. Each icicle summoned stab the seven bandits at once. As soon as the icicle was desperate, the bodies of the seven bandits fell to the ground.

A young merchant said, "I know who he is."

Another merchant asked, "Who is he?"

The young merchant said, "The black Hunter. Guozhao Zhiqiang..."

The merchants muttered, "Thank you Black Hunter."

Guozhao Zhiqiang turned to the merchants and asked, "Who among you summoned me?"

The merchants shook their heads.

Master Lu said, "No matter who it is, that person is not us."

Deming ran straight to Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "Zhiqiang...look at me...I summoned you...look down at me."

Guozhao Zhiqiang looked down at the injured fox who was barking at him. Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "You shouldn't be around such a fox." He threw a spell on the ground, and Shan emerged from the white fog.

Shan asked, "Zhiqiang, why are you here? Should you be down south having a faceoff with King Chono?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "Someone summon me here?"

Shan looked at the ground and stepped back slowly. "A celestial fox. These foxes are rare, but very dangerous," he said, looking at the merchants. "Have you heard the story of the nine-tailed fox?"

The merchants nodded.

Shan pointed at Deming and said, "When he grows up, he will be a nine-tailed fox. I heard that males is more dangerous and powerful than females."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "Go tell Nianzu to summon me back."

Shan suddenly disappeared, and a white magic circle appeared on Guozhao Zhiqiang's palms. Deming quickly grabbed Guozhao Zhiqiang's hem and refused to let go.

Lu Min shouted, "Little white, let go of the black hunter's hem." She was about to rush towards Deming but was stopped by Master Lu. "Little white...little white."

When Guozhao Zhiqiang opened his eyes again, he saw Guozhao Zhaohui and other juniors standing in front of him. Guozhao Zhiqiang looked down, and the white fox was still holding the hem tightly.

Guozhao Shanquan asked, "Senior brother, who called you? Why would a fox follow you through the portal?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "I don't know."

Guozhao Shanquan squatted down and looked at Deming. Guozhao Shanquan said, "This puppy is seriously injured." He picked Deming up. "Don't worry, little guy, you were lucky to meet me today."

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "Where are Nianzu, Ah Liang, and Ah Kun?"

Zheng Yaozu said, "You are not going to believe this, King Chono asked Nianzu to go over for a peace talk, and Tingfeng, Ah Liang, Ah Kun, and Gen went with him."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "If there is peace talks without bloodshed, that is a better solution."

Chuju walked up to Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "I originally disagreed, but then I had to agree. I will feel so wrong, if I drag everyone down with me."

Yu Lie said, "Lady Chuju, you did a good job."

Tian Xiang said, "You should also be proud of yourself."

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "How long have they been gone?"

Tiang Xiang said, "Not long after you appear."

When Lee Nianzu, his three brothers, and Gen approached King Chono, the smile on King Chono's face brightened when King Chono saw Lee Nianzu.

King Chono stood up and walked to Lee Nianzu. He smiled and said, "I know you hadn't left yet. Come eat and drink with me?"

Lee Nianzu said with a smiled, "I do apologize to King Chono, but I don't drink while on duty."

King Chono said, "You can drink tea."

Tam Kun said, "The weather is not suitable for tea."

Tam Liang said, "Let's get to the point." He sneered at King Chono.

King Chono sighed angrily at the Tam brothers. He said, "No one will mind if you two don't talk."

Lee Nianzu said, "King Chono, you invited us to come here for peace talks, please tell us what you are putting on the table."

King Chono said, "What do you think I should put on the table as a bargain chip?"

Lee Nianzu said, "It would be wise if, his highness to choose not to shed blood."

King Chono said, "Lee Nianzu of Cloud City, sit down and have a chat with me. Continue to waste my time and let the Xian flee longer. I guess you will have the final showdown with me while those weak Xians cross the border." He smiled. "You are so naive. I will tell you that there are at least a thousand archers waiting for them at the border."

Lee Nianzu has no choice but to sit down on the mat prepared by King Chono's men. He looked at King Chono and said, "Let's begin."

King Chono said, "You can go first. What do you think?"

Lee Nianzu said, "My suggestion is that His Highness will bring His Highness's people back to his own territory, leave Green Forest, and release all the slaves."

King Chono took a sip of tea and smiled at Lee Nianzu, "Hunter, tell me, why would I do that?"

Lee Nianzu said, "So, his highness will not get to face us in a battle. You might have the manpower, but we have the skill. If his highness doesn't believe my words, you can summon any hunter and ask them."

King Chono said, "No matter how skilled you are, you will still be tired after all. When you are weak and tired, I still have enough people to take down Green Forest and kill everyone in Green Forest."

Lee Nianzu said, "So, won't His Highness seriously talk to me about peace talks?"

King Chono said, "I have a third way out for the people of Green Forest, but this third one depends on you, Lee Nianzu of Cloud City."

Lee Nianzu asked, "What's your proposal?"

King Chono smiled and said, "If you go back with me, I will leave Green Forest forever and free all the Xian enslaved elsewhere, but once you leave my side, I will lead my entire army, bring them to the frontier, and kill anyone who stands in my way." He smiled at Lee Nianzu. "What do you say, Lee Nianzu of Cloud City, what do you say? If you agree, I will withdraw. If you disagree, we will fight until the last person." He took another sip of tea. "Now the lives of the Xians, your brothers and sisters are in your hands. Agreed they breathe, disagree they die."

Zheng Tingfeng said, "Nianzu, you don't have to listen to him, we can fight them?"

King Chono said, "Behind me, there are many more skilled generals and more soldiers coming." He waved his hand. "Advisor Chu passed my order down, for every half an hour if I have no answer, order the guard to kill one captive Xian."

Advisor Chu, "Yes, your highness." Advisor Chu slowly walked back to camp.

King Chono said, "Hunter Lee, you are running out of time. You must hurry to make a decision, because once the horn sounds, it means that an innocent person will die because of your indecision."

Lee Nianzu sighed and asked, "What's the benefit of leaving this decision to me?"

King Chono smiled and said, "Because Lee Nianzu of Cloud City, you are a very interesting person." He drank his tea.

Lee Nianzu said, "There is a condition, before I make a decision."

King Chono put the teacup on the table, "You have no conditions to bargain."

Lee Nianzu smiled slightly and got up slowly. He said politely, "Then we have nothing to talk about."

King Chono watched Lee Nianzu turn and leave. He stood up and shouted, "What are your conditions?"

Lee Nianzu turned around and said, "I live according to my own wishes, and I will not serve you and your court."

King Chono roared frantically, "What did you say?" He took a deep breath and tried to control his anger. After a moment of calmness in his heart, he realized that if he did not agree with Lee Nianzu's condition, he would never meet another person who was so merciful to others. He sighed and closed his eyes. "Okay, I agree with your terms on one condition."

Lee Nianzu asked, "What's your condition?"

King Chono looked straight at Lee Nianzu and said, "You can never leave my side unless I say so."