177: Su Chen, who was willing to be a hostage

With Xiao Qing's task completed, it was Xiao Hei's turn.

Now was the chance. If handled well, he could go over and have a word with Xiao Hei.

As long as he could start a conversation, obtaining lottery tickets would be as easy as turning over his hand?

"Su Chen, speak quickly! What method do you have to deal with them!"

Su Chen smiled faintly:

"Simple! The people outside can't help, but the people inside this Secret Realm can.

The other side has many people, and so do we.

Many hands make light work. Have you forgotten I have over a dozen friends trapped by you over here?

If you release them all, we can join forces against the enemy and relieve quite a bit of pressure for you.

We might not be able to handle the strong ones, but we're confident in dealing with the weaker third and fourth-tier ones."

"All of them..."

Xiao Qing was a bit hesitant. This was 17 people and a cat. If they were all released, even one person running amok or scheming would pose a hidden danger to them.

If Big Brother joined the battle and no one was guarding the array eye, the chance of them stealing it would be very high.

Furthermore, Su Chen had been hiding his strength all along. If not for this incident, he might have almost gotten away with it.

This man was a ticking time bomb. Giving him the manpower would be like releasing a tiger back to the mountains; the threat to them wouldn't be any smaller than that of the Heavenly Fiend Cult.

The fact that she and Su Chen could talk now didn't change the fundamental truth that they were enemies.

"Miss Qing, you need to consider this clearly. Quite a few people have come this time, and there are only two of you snakes.

Your brother is still at a critical moment in his Breakthrough. He definitely wants to delay this big battle.

The Heavenly Fiend Cult is a danger to you, but it's also a threat to us. Regardless of any consideration, we all need to deal with these people."

"The times are different now. When there were few of them, the two of us could handle it, but what about now?

The other side has over 2000 people!

Forget people, even if they were 2000 steamed buns placed here for the two of us to chew through, how much time do you think that would take? We simply can't manage.

If you want to reduce the pressure, the best way is to release all my people."

"I can't make this decision.

I'll take you to talk to my brother."

...Xiao Qing's true form had already relayed the whole story to Xiao Hei.

Xiao Hei also found this matter a bit difficult to decide.

The main issue was that releasing everyone could really cause trouble.

But he also found it hard to refuse. If the entire Heavenly Fiend Cult entered, he would have to deal with those few seventh-tier members first. But what about the rest?

They needed to be held off for a while, and he couldn't rely on his sister.

Su Chen hurried over non-stop, looking at Xiao Hei with great delight.

Your sister's task is done, now it's your turn!

Xiao Hei didn't give Su Chen the slightest friendly look:

"Say what you have to say.

I can tell you very clearly, don't underestimate my strength. I can deal with these people alone!"

Although help was needed, Xiao Hei still maintained a superior posture, showing no intention of backing down.

"But you need to Breakthrough. Us helping can also buy you time, right?

Let us deal with the small fry who come in first, so you don't have to worry..."

After talking for a long time, Su Chen felt the timing was about right and got to the main point:

"I know what you're worried about, Big Brother Hei. How about this: I'm willing to stay behind as a hostage."

"Hostage?"

Xiao Hei and Xiao Qing spoke in unison, not expecting Su Chen to say such a thing.

Ignoring their reaction, Su Chen said solemnly:

"Yes, a hostage!

I'll stay as a guarantee. If any of my friends cause trouble, you can kill me first as a warning!"

Being a hostage was great! Once he became a hostage, he'd have a reason to stay with Xiao Hei, and then he'd have the chance to earn lottery tickets and complete tasks!

Anyway, with his second life, he naturally wasn't afraid of death.

Not to mention that his own death wouldn't matter; it was another question whether this snake could even defeat him.

"Are you sure? Those people are ultimately your friends; they might very well betray you for profit!"

"No, I believe in them!"

'Ding, obtained Xiao Hei's favorability, lottery ticket +500.'

Looking at Su Chen's resolute gaze, Xiao Hei was somewhat moved. He hadn't expected Su Chen to go this far.

They say cutting off an arm to save a life, but who cuts off their head to save a life?

If Su Chen had offered to leave the others as hostages, Xiao Hei would have definitely disagreed. But him staying himself changed the meaning entirely.

If he stayed, and his friends caused trouble, he would be the first to die!

Xiao Qing came to Xiao Hei's ear and whispered:

"Brother, I think it's an opportunity. Let's use them for now.

We need people to hold them off for a while. This group is best suited as labor.

Besides, Su Chen staying as a hostage will also serve as a significant deterrent to the others, making them think twice before acting."

After discussing, the two siblings agreed to Su Chen's method.

"Alright. Seeing that you're willing to vouch for them with your life, I can let them out and give them a chance.

If you perform well this time, I'll find a way to send you all out safely."

"Big Brother Hei is wise.

Can I have one more day of free movement today? I need to reunite with my friends first.

I'll discuss everything clearly with them so they don't run around confused after coming out and bring disaster upon themselves."

"Fine."

Whew~ Success.

Once I'm with you, won't finishing the tasks be a matter of days?

Just wait. Once I finish my tasks, who will be the hostage is not yet certain..."

"Su Chen..."

Xia Weiyu called out to Su Chen, hesitated slightly, but then changed the topic:

"Then we'll split up and gather everyone together first."

"Alright. Be careful. If there's danger, have Xiao Qing tell me."

Having settled the plan, Su Chen and Xia Weiyu split up to first bring everyone out of the illusion and gather them in one place.

He had to go himself. Otherwise, if Xiao Qing the snake explained it, Yang Junlong and the others definitely wouldn't believe it, and a fight that would anger the two snakes would be unavoidable.

These people emerging from the illusion included some who were happy and some who were reluctant to leave.

The reluctant ones were people like Wu Yongtang, who still couldn't stop referring to himself as 'Zhen' (imperial 'we').

Once everyone was gathered, Xiao Qing withdrew the surrounding Clones.

Wen Hemo was the first to ask:

"Su Chen, can you explain now?"

Before Su Chen could speak, Yang Junlong shouted first:

"Let me tell you!

You're able to come out all thanks to my boss's efforts. You should be thanking him!

After my boss broke the illusion, for your sake, he even struck a deal with that Venomous Snake!

Do you know what great sacrifice my boss made for you? He willingly became a hostage, using his life as a guarantee just so you could escape the illusion safely.

If not for my boss, you'd all be waiting to die in that illusion..."

Yang Junlong spoke passionately, spraying saliva. After he finished explaining everything...

While everyone listened to Yang Junlong recount the whole story, Su Chen listened to a series of System notification sounds... 'Ding, obtained Long Hanjie's favorability, lottery ticket +100.'

'Ding, obtained Wen Hemo's favorability, lottery ticket +100.'

'Ding, obtained...'

Long Hanjie expressed his gratitude first:

"Su Chen! I never expected you to make such a great sacrifice, actually staying behind as a hostage to guarantee our safety."

Su Chen said with righteous magnanimity:

"It's nothing! Trading my one life for over a dozen of yours is worth it!"

Long Hanjie clasped his fists:

"In my life, Long Hanjie, I most admire friends like you who are willing to take a knife for their brothers!

I am determined to be your friend!

No! From today on, you are my big brother, Brother Chen! Accept this bow from your little brother!"

Su Chen hurriedly supported him: "Hey, Long Hanjie, what are you doing? We're all friends, no need for this!

To be honest, just being able to be friends with you is enough for me. I don't deserve to be called 'Brother Chen'."

"No, Brother Chen, don't try to dissuade me. It's settled!

From now on, your business is my business. I'll definitely help!"

'Ding, obtained Long Hanjie's favorability, lottery ticket +100.'