Liu Buli's words sounded a bit frightening.
But everyone knew very well that every word he spoke was serious and he was absolutely not joking.
Everyone knew that Liu Buli was not the type to suffer in silence.
They also knew very well that this man, who looked beautiful like a cat, was actually a beast that devoured people without spitting out bones.
If he really had the ability to slay dragons, he would certainly be very willing to kill those humans he disliked after finishing the job.
The situation became complicated again.
The awkward smiles on everyone's faces were about to break.
But Liu Buli waved his hand and took the initiative to dismiss them, saying, "Forget it, I have my own messy affairs to deal with lately and no time to get into trouble with you. I originally called you here to discuss where to find that escaped dragon after we solved the problem. But now I'm not in the mood, so do as you please and don't bother me again."
Hearing this, the others couldn't help but get their hopes up again. They clearly thought that Liu Buli had obtained some useful information and planned to leave them behind to search for the dragon's whereabouts himself.
So, someone immediately said to Liu Buli, "Sect Leader Liu, if you have any troubles, you can tell us! We did such an embarrassing thing this time. If we don't find a way to help you, we'll feel bad ourselves. Since you have something you're worried about, why don't you tell us! We'll all be very happy to help, won't we?"
When he asked this question, the other cultivators around understood what he meant. So, one after another, they eagerly expressed their thoughts, their sincerity such that they were afraid Liu Buli would dislike any of them and leave them behind.
Just looking at them made Liu Buli feel unusually disgusted and amused. However, since they brought up the topic themselves, Liu Buli naturally didn't mind continuing. He nodded and said, "I know you're willing to help me, but you really can't. I'm currently worried about my personal emotional problems. Do you think any of you are good-looking, or possess any extraordinary talents that would catch my eye? If not, how do you think you can help me in this regard?"
Completely unexpected, at such a critical moment, Liu Buli was actually thinking about romantic matters. Everyone felt his words were incredibly fake, yet looking at him, they couldn't help but feel it might be true.
For a moment, it was impossible to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and everyone's expressions became stiff and unsightly. Only Liu Buli waved his hand again and said, "When Master Lin Kong left earlier, he said something that I found very reasonable. Everything that exists has its own reason. If one species is to be wiped out, it is ultimately humans who will be affected. To be honest, I do want things from the dragon. But I'm also afraid of retribution. If you have no fear in this regard, then go by yourselves, you don't need to inform me, nor do you need to bring me along."
Liu Buli's attitude this time was exceptionally resolute. He had made his intentions very clear: he was unwilling to participate in this one-sided slaughter.
For the others, whether he participated or not, at least for now, didn't seem to make much difference.
If he participated, it would indeed be a good help. But correspondingly, after the dragon slaying was completed, a significant portion would have to be given to Liu Buli to satisfy him.
But if he didn't participate, at most, it would just be one less helper, and also one less major recipient of spoils. Thinking it over and over, the latter seemed more advantageous to them.
Having reached this conclusion, they suddenly felt much more at ease with Liu Buli's refusal to participate. They even actively comforted Liu Buli, hoping he could quickly recover from his heartbreak and pursue the destined one he desired.
Although they said these words, from their gazes and occasional remarks, Liu Buli could tell that they had already concluded that the person Liu Buli had taken a liking to was Master Lin Kong. And the main reason Liu Buli was not participating in their dragon-slaying war was that he had listened to Master Lin Kong and wanted to appear obedient to leave a good impression on him.
Even though Liu Buli understood the implied meaning in their words, he maintained a smiling expression, showing no intention of refuting.
The more he acted this way, the more it confirmed their guess. Liu Buli himself was too lazy to argue. Anyway, they could continue their wild speculations. When he rescued Lu Wuming from the ghost city, all these boring rumors would naturally be dispelled.
Still thinking about Lu Wuming, Liu Buli was too lazy to waste any more words on these people. He waved his hand, signaling the elders and hall masters around to escort the guests out. He himself, with his hands behind his back, listlessly returned to his own courtyard.
This farce finally came to a somewhat clumsy end. After all the outsiders were sent away, Shen Muzhi and the others returned to Liu Buli's courtyard.
Seeing Liu Buli leaning on a chair in the middle of the courtyard with a pensive expression, Shen Muzhi felt a bit helpless. He walked up to him and said, "Wasn't the original plan to go dragon-slaying with them? Why did you suddenly change your mind? By rejecting them so perfunctorily, aren't you really worried they'll suspect that you and Master Lin Kong made a secret deal and are planning to go dragon-slaying by yourselves?"
"They will definitely think that, and I don't care," Liu Buli said with a smile. "I originally wanted to go with them because I thought it was the best way to shut them up. I know they wouldn't believe me even if I said I didn't know where the dragon had gone. But now I have more important things waiting for me to do. As for whether they believe it or not, it really doesn't matter much. Anyway, there are their informants in this sect, and they know very well whether I've left or if Master Lin Kong has returned. That saves me the trouble, doesn't it?"
...
(I have some things to deal with tomorrow, so I'll rest for a day.)