The scene was chaotic. Lin Yun knew that strength alone wouldn't be enough to earn their genuine submission, but he also knew it was the only way to force them into an alliance.
Cao Yuzhe glared at Lin Yun, his pride refusing to yield easily. Yet, he couldn't deny the hard logic in Lin Yun's words. Things had already progressed to this point; could they truly pretend to be mere bystanders? Given Lin Yun's temperament, the fact that he hadn't killed them on the spot was already an act of extraordinary mercy.
"Whether you're willing or not, if you want to stay alive, your only choice is to cooperate with me," Lin Yun stated calmly. "That is the only path that might still offer you a chance."
"Of course," he continued, "you are free to refuse. But you alone will bear the consequences that follow."
As he looked at the men before him, a faint smile played on his lips, his eyes betraying not a hint of tension. While Cao Yuzhe had seemed vehemently opposed just moments ago, Lin Yun knew it was irrelevant now. Cao Yuzhe's opposition meant nothing; he was powerless to change the current situation.
Even Cao Yuzhe himself understood that he no longer held the upper hand. He had considered resisting, but the sheer force radiating from Lin Yun had swiftly crushed that notion. This man wielded a terrifying power, and Cao Yuzhe had no ability to turn the tables. Rather than take a foolish risk, it was better to abandon such naive thoughts.
"We've grown tired of fighting in this place," one of the men said, his voice weary. "If we cooperate with you, will it just lead to more endless problems? Are we all fated to die here before this can finally end?"
Lin Yun simply smiled. When his gaze swept over them, he could already see what their futures held. But even knowing what he knew, he offered no specific warnings. He just nodded slightly.
"I certainly won't ask you to throw your lives away for nothing. In fact, I can tell you that there are great opportunities to be found here."
"I can lead you deeper into this mysterious, treasure-filled land."
"Naturally, you would only need to follow me for a certain period. If you no longer wish to continue the journey after that, you are free to leave. I will not stand in your way."
"As long as you do not attack me first, I will not kill you. I swear this on my Sword Heart."
Zhou Damao was taken aback by Lin Yun's declaration. He had no intention of letting these men off so easily and had been about to offer his own interpretation of the terms, but Lin Yun's resolve remained as firm as ever.
Lin Yun was fully aware of the consequences of breaking such an oath. But he also knew exactly what kind of men stood before him. He could see their futures, so he was already prepared. Although Cao Yuzhe had agreed to cooperate, it was merely a reluctant compromise. The man was still defiant at heart and would not hesitate to betray Lin Yun if an opportunity arose.
But to Lin Yun, such thoughts were insignificant. He held the absolute advantage and had no fear of any trouble these men could possibly cause.
Seeing the solemn look on Lin Yun's face, Cao Yuzhe's earlier suspicions finally began to fade, and he breathed a sigh of relief. While they were still trapped here, at least now they had a clear path forward. Perhaps this could lead to a better outcome after all. With that thought, Cao Yuzhe's resentment subsided, replaced by a more optimistic view of what was to come.
"These monsters are incredibly strong, and their attacks are ferocious," Cao Yuzhe said, a hint of a challenge in his voice. "To this day, we still have no idea where they came from. You want to face them head-on? Do you really think you have what it takes?"
Lin Yun just gave a casual smile. "I'm aware of everything you've said. I also know my own strength may not be as great as you imagine. However, I remain optimistic about our current situation."
The reason Lin Yun was so determined to investigate was because the recent events had revealed the immense trouble lurking beneath the surface. No matter how he looked at it, he could not simply ignore these developments. His decision led directly to the current outcome, and regardless of what lay ahead, he would not give up his investigation. He knew that the seemingly simple Qiluo people would soon become a major problem for them.
And the "Lord" whom Doroze had mentioned earlier had piqued Lin Yun's curiosity even more. What kind of being could command such reverence from men like them?
After reaching a simple agreement to cooperate, Lin Yun led the disciples of the Red Ghost Sect deeper into the tomb. According to Cao Yuzhe, his group had already ventured quite a distance before one of their elders commanded them to stay behind and stop Lin Yun's pursuing party, which led to the ensuing chain of events. Initially, it shouldn't have been a problem. With their strength, dealing with a single Lin Yun should have been a simple task. But at the most critical moment, the unexpected appearance of the Qiluo people had completely altered the situation, turning them into Lin Yun's captives. Though their hearts were filled with resentment, they could do nothing but accept it.
Lin Yun ordered several Red Ghost Sect disciples to take the lead. He followed closely behind them, keeping Cao Yuzhe by his side. If any of them dared to make the slightest unusual move, Lin Yun would eliminate them in an instant. However, he trusted they were smart enough to understand what was expected of them in this situation. Acting rashly would bring them nothing but ruin.
And indeed, it seemed the recent lesson had been learned. The men were much more subdued, understanding that they were no match for Lin Yun in a direct confrontation. Rather than cause more trouble for themselves, it was far better to be obedient. They might even gain some benefits from him in the process.
Time ticked by. As they journeyed onward, their path remained surprisingly, and peacefully, clear of trouble.