Ma Dafu wasn't quickly persuaded by Ren Zhong's "few words" to immediately dedicate himself to Ren Zhong's camp.
Even if he was indeed moved, one side was an elusive ideal, and the other was the objective reality.
Ma Dafu had many shackles on him.
He couldn't be as decisive as Ren Zhong.
He wanted to join, but inevitably had concerns about Ma Xiaoling.
No matter how many achievements Ren Zhong had to package himself, Old Ma still firmly believed it was a path to certain death.
He was already advanced in age and didn't fear death.
But Ma Xiaoling was still young.
She was innocent.
This became Old Ma's Achilles' heel.
"Ren Zhong, I won't betray you."
"I know."
"But whether I should earnestly join requires careful consideration."
"I understand."
"I hope you understand my dilemma, Ma Xiaoling is still young. This decision doesn't just affect one person."
Ren Zhong: "I understand too."
