Elder Shi's objective was clear: he wanted to know the way out, but he didn't want to sacrifice his life in vain.
"I don't know the way out, at least not yet," Xiao Man said, looking at Elder Shi. "Elder Shi, how about we cooperate?"
"Cooperate?" Elder Shi frowned slightly. "How do we cooperate?"
"I will be responsible for finding the way out, and Sun Village will provide protection for White Wolf Village," Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "When I find a way out, I will be the first to share it with you. How about it?"
"To exchange protection for Sun Village for a vague promise?" Elder Shi chuckled. He found that the young people nowadays were truly audacious. Such a scheme of getting something for nothing was being played on him.
"To others, it might be a vague promise, but for Elder Shi, it's different," Xiao Man said to Elder Shi, her tone decisive. "Otherwise, Elder Shi wouldn't have personally brought people to Ruoshui River to find me." Sudang Novel Network
Elder Shi narrowed his eyes. "A mere vague promise is not enough."
"Once I find the way out, any villagers from Sun Village who do not wish to leave with Elder Shi will be protected by White Wolf Village. Coupled with this, I believe Elder Shi won't refuse."
Elder Shi did not rush to answer this time. Sun Village also had elders, and most of them were unwilling to leave their homeland. The elders believed in returning to their roots and would rather be left behind than abandon the land they had lived on for a lifetime.
Xiao Man was not in a hurry, waiting for Elder Shi's reply. Compared to other villages, White Wolf Village had a decent reputation. If the elders of Sun Village were unwilling to leave with Elder Shi, Elder Bai would surely make arrangements for them. However, other villages might not. If these elders remained in Sun Village, they would not have a good life. This was the most sensible choice.
"Deal."
"May I ask, Elder Shi, does your village have any records pertaining to this place?" Xiao Man inquired. If she could find the most accurate records of this place, she might find clues.
"Yes, in our village. I wonder if you dare to go."
"Elder Shi's invitation, this junior would not dare to refuse," Xiao Man replied without hesitation. If it were Black Panther Village, she would have to reconsider, but with Sun Village, she didn't need to worry too much.
"Xiao Man, this matter still..."
"Are you returning to White Wolf Village first, or are you coming with me to Sun Village?" Xiao Man interrupted Huo Lei's words and asked.
Huo Lei glanced at Elder Shi. "I'll go with you to Sun Village."
"Please, Elder Shi, lead the way."
Elder Shi smiled and led his people towards Sun Village. Xiao Man's gaze drifted towards a nearby hillside, a flicker of an unreadable light flashing in her eyes. She had not only come out today to find clues but also to lure those interested in her. She hadn't expected to catch such a big fish!
"Young friend, what is it like outside?"
"Is Elder Shi asking about outside the wilderness, or the other side of Ruoshui River?"
Elder Shi fell silent for a moment. "Beyond this realm."
"It's similar to the wilderness, survival of the fittest, the strong prey on the weak," Xiao Man said slowly. "The place I come from has four major powers, the Four Great Sects. Below the sects are the Five Great Families, and below the families are the Seven Great Schools, and below the Seven Great Schools are the Eight Wildernesses."
"Which faction do you belong to, young friend?"
"I belong to no faction," Xiao Man said softly. "However, the Four Great Sects all hate me to their bones."
Elder Shi stumbled. "Why?"
"Because the Four Great Sects wanted to capture me, but their attempt backfired, resulting in heavy losses. Naturally, they hate me deeply," Xiao Man said, smiling at Elder Shi. Her smile was bright and sunny, yet it sent a chill down Elder Shi's spine.
"Solely by yourself?"
"No, I independently established a sect called the Eight Directions Sword Sect," Xiao Man said, her eyes twinkling. "It occupies a piece of land and contends with the Four Great Sects."
Elder Shi turned his head, thinking that such a young woman, a mere girl, could make up such a story about founding a sect. It was laughable. He would settle accounts with her once they found a way out.
The man beside Elder Shi kept stealing glances at Xiao Man, appearing as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, he said nothing.
As the group left Ruoshui River, Elder Bao finally emerged from behind the hidden hillside. "Elder Shi actually brought people here to capture someone. Now that he has captured her, can we confidently attack White Wolf Village?"
"Priest, this subordinate observed that Elder Shi didn't seem to be capturing the person, but rather inviting her. Moreover, they talked for so long without any conflict. Could there be any unforeseen circumstances?"
"It was too far, and I couldn't hear clearly what they were saying." Elder Bao was eager to attack, but he lacked hostages to force the people of White Wolf Village to open their barrier. He was troubled. "Let's wait and see how Elder Shi deals with these two."
"Priest, why don't we go and ask Elder Shi to hand over Huo Lei?" someone beside him suggested. "Huo Lei is the number one warrior of White Wolf Village. With Huo Lei as a hostage, White Wolf Village will surely open its barrier."
Elder Bao pondered for a moment and nodded. They had reached an agreement with Sun Village. Elder Shi wanted outsiders, and they wanted White Wolf Village!
Thinking this, Elder Bao sent a few people to Sun Village to demand Huo Lei. He expected them to return with Huo Lei, but they never came back. When he sent someone to inquire, he discovered that the people he had dispatched had been detained by Sun Village!
"Outrageous! What is that old man Shi Potian trying to do?" Elder Bao roared in anger. "He clearly agreed to cooperate..."
"Priest, Elder Shi did not explicitly agree. He only said he would consider it..."
"Shut up!" Elder Bao grabbed a wine bowl and smashed it at the speaking man. "He didn't object, which means he agreed. Since he agreed and then detained our people, does he think he can go back on his word now that he has the outsider in hand?"
"If Sun Village goes back on its word and allies with White Wolf Village, Priest, will we end up like Yanhu Village?"
Elder Bao's expression changed drastically. Yes, if Sun Village allied with White Wolf Village, it would be extremely disadvantageous to them. They had to completely disrupt the relationship between these two villages and bring Sun Village into their camp.
"Elder Bao, I have an idea," Elder Lu, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"What idea?"
Elder Lu leaned towards Elder Bao and whispered something. Elder Bao's ashen face finally improved, and a cruel smile curved his lips as he said to Elder Lu.
"This idea is excellent. Since it was your suggestion, this matter will be entrusted to you. If you do well, you will be richly rewarded!"
Elder Lu's body stiffened. "Elder Bao, the warriors of Milu Village might not be a match for them."
"It's alright. I will assign a few skilled fighters to you. Ensure this matter is handled perfectly. I await your good news!"