Yue Wenzhu, Ke Jiangyun, and Gao Haicheng spoke up, immediately silencing the crowd below, whose attention was now fixed on the trio, with many faces flickering uncertainly.
"Gentlemen, you may now make your stance clear, to pay or not to pay, rest assured, as Master declared beforehand, you are free to choose, without any coercion, and those who do not wish to pay will face no blame from the Holy Church!"
The tone of Hou Yuduan was still even and composed, impossible to fault and bearing no trace of threat.
"With the Fifth Young Master's assurance, I am at ease. Our Huangshan Sect in Pinghu County truly lacks the funds, I hope for the Fifth Young Master's understanding!"
As Sect Master Qiu Liben of the Huangshan Sect spoke, many with wavering expressions turned their gaze towards Hou Yuduan, eager to gauge his reaction.