Chapter 388: I Make The Call!
I Make The Call! . . .
The one and only argument they could muster was, "More people means more power, after all."
Yet, everyone was acutely aware that even with ten thousand additional individuals bolstering Ling-Bao Hall's ranks, it would scarcely make a dent in their dire predicament, given that the entire world had marshaled against them.
In spite of this, the ten individuals couldn't help but feel elated due to Feng Zhiling's recent utterance: "If you want to leave, we can ensure your safe return to your respective homes. That is our offer."
It was an enticing proposition.
The five noble clans had labored tirelessly and now sought an alliance with Ling-Bao Hall in a shameless fashion, but why? The answer lay in Feng Zhiling's words. They sought it out of necessity, the need for a chance to survive.
Cha Eun Xiao was playing a shrewd hand, projecting an unwavering demeanor, unswayed by the looming threat of doom. It imbued him with a potency that far exceeded their own.
This was an undeniable truth.
In fact, after laying all their cards on the table, although Feng Monarch had humiliated them thoroughly, he had, in the end, presented them with a lifeline.
This was the price of this negotiation.
Now the ball was in their court, and they had to contemplate how to respond.
"You seek an alliance? You yearn for protection? Then you must endure the insults and beseech me!" That was his stance.
It incited fury and agony, but they had no recourse but to endure it.
If they played their cards right and appeased Feng Monarch, they would become allies and thereby gain an opportunity to safely retrieve their supreme dan beads. If not, as Feng Monarch had declared, they would all perish together.
Each of them had their role to play. They had to entrust their fate to the whims of the heavens. They recognized it but dared not utter a word.
Even the elder from the Dongfang Clan could do nothing more than look at Long Tianyun, his gaze brimming with inquiry.
Every word was laden with consequence.
One misstep, and they would be doomed. None were willing to shoulder that burden.
Though the others harbored no fondness for Long Tianyun, they had to concede that, in the current situation, only he was capable of navigating the treacherous waters.
Amid the scrutiny of the nine others, Long Tianyun was perilously close to unleashing a stream of profanities.
In truth, he was already cursing within the recesses of his mind. [Damn it!]
[I was preparing to negotiate with Feng Monarch, to position us favorably. That would have allowed us to strike a favorable deal. But that old coot had to barge in and sabotage everything simply to usurp the credit. He ruined everything I had constructed. Now we're left in silence with all the problems laid at our feet. Am I fated to be the one to clean up after your mess...
Dammit! Even if I am, this doesn't seem remotely solvable now!
What do you expect me to do!]
Long Tianyun was lost in thought for a brief moment. He observed Cha Eun Xiao cautiously, who reciprocated his gaze.
In the eyes of Cha Eun Xiao, there emanated an aura of sovereignty, akin to a sovereign descending to the mortal realm. This glimpse unveiled the true essence of his character.
After a moment's reflection, Long Tianyun cleared his throat and sat up straight. He spoke with the utmost solemnity, "Given that Feng Monarch has steered this conversation to its current juncture, our options are limited to reddening in embarrassment. I wish to extend my sincere apologies for our previous impoliteness."
He bowed slightly, his tone gravely respectful.
This gesture held immense significance to Long Tianyun. As the head of the Long Clan, he was a man who wouldn't even bow to a king. Yet here he was, representing the five noble clans, bowing to Cha Eun Xiao. His display of respect was undeniably sincere.
Cha Eun Xiao found himself taken aback by Long Tianyun's swift and astute response. The bow and apology indicated that he couldn't press the issue further and slap them with more insults.
So, he gave a nod of acknowledgement.
"Now that our conversation has reached this juncture, let's be open and forthright," Long Tianyun respectfully proposed. "Our current hope is to ensure the safe return of the supreme dan beads. Nothing else takes precedence."
"While supreme dan beads might be something you can create at any time, for us, they represent an opportunity that has not arisen in thousands of years. It is our aspiration, one for which we are willing to make any necessary sacrifices."
"We are prepared to make any sacrifices or pay any price for this singular opportunity."
"We would like to ask you, Feng Monarch, what you require in return for your assistance."
"Anything you ask for, we are willing to give our lives for," Long Tianyun declared resolutely.
This was a powerful statement. In making it, he ceded all control to Cha Eun Xiao.
Deep down, Long Tianyun was resigned to their fate. He thought, [I will lay everything bare, and you can take what you desire from me. The only thing we covet is the safe return of the supreme dan beads. Nothing else holds significance.]
In other words, everything else was negotiable.
Cha Eun Xiao was taken aback. He glanced at Long Tianyun and responded with a placid tone, "Master Long, you are making an admirable move. Retreat to advance. Truly remarkable."
Long Tianyun responded with utmost sincerity, "It is the only course available to us."
"To be perfectly candid, this is not a tactical retreat for advantage, but an unambiguous expression of our stance." Long Tianyun inhaled deeply. "As long as the supreme dan beads are safely returned, even if you were to demand our servitude or our lives, we would willingly oblige, without any regrets."
"We believe in what Feng Monarch has stated."
Long Tianyun affirmed, "At this moment, I can confidently speak for everyone in my clan, asserting our unwavering commitment to your request."
"Likewise for our clan!" declared the elder from the Dongfang Clan.
"Us too. We would gladly lay down our lives for you and for the promise the supreme dan beads hold for our clans' future," the representatives from the other noble clans chimed in unanimously..
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