Chapter 1471: No Need to Choose
Lei Bao's defiance somewhat surprised Yang Haoran. He hadn't expected Lei Bao to be so unyielding, refusing to soften even when facing death. However, Yang Haoran wasn't annoyed by this, nor did he develop a bad impression of Lei Bao. On the contrary, he admired Lei Bao's toughness. The more unyielding such a person was, the more loyal they would be once subdued.
"Heh heh, you're not afraid of death, but are your subordinates also unafraid of death? If I hadn't left them a path to survival, they might have been willing to fight to the death and drag a few down with them. But now that I'm willing to give them a way out, do you think they still want to die?"
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile, and his question rendered Lei Bao speechless for a moment.
Lei Bao couldn't help but look at his close subordinates. Although their expressions hadn't changed much, there was a subtle difference from before, which made him vaguely guess some things. At this moment, Yang Haoran continued to speak.
"I think, even if you don't consider yourself, you should consider these close subordinates. They've followed you through life and death, and must have earned considerable merit. I don't believe you could truly bear to push them into a fire pit, letting them die when there's clearly a way out."
Yang Haoran's words were quite vicious, somewhat intending to sow discord. If Lei Bao still refused to yield, his subordinates would inevitably become dissatisfied with his decision.
"If there's a way out, of course I won't push them into a fire pit. As long as they're willing to submit to you, I'll have no objections. But don't you dare think I'll submit to you!"
Lei Bao still wouldn't bow his head. Yang Haoran smiled, didn't speak further to Lei Bao, and instead turned his gaze to the other Demon Saint.
"What I just said to him, I actually want to say to you as well. I want to know how you choose?"
Yang Haoran asked with a faint smile. As he spoke, everyone's gaze couldn't help but shift from Lei Bao and fall upon Hou Yu. Even Lei Bao's close subordinates were no exception, let alone Hou Yu's own trusted men.
Under everyone's gaze, Hou Yu's expression turned ugly, his brows furrowed tightly. He didn't immediately give an answer, but only after some consideration did he speak to Yang Haoran in a deep voice.
"I want to make a bet with you!"
Hou Yu's answer was irrelevant to the question, but Yang Haoran's face showed a hint of interest.
"Heh heh, what do you want to bet, and how will we bet?"
Yang Haoran continued to ask. Hou Yu immediately gave his reply.
"If you want me to submit to you, you'll have to show me strength that I can acknowledge. Fight me. If you win, I'm willing to lead my people in submitting to you, and I won't go back on my word. If I win, you must let all of us leave."
Yang Haoran listened, then smiled without speaking. He didn't immediately give a definite answer, giving the impression that he was hesitating, or perhaps evading.
"What, are you afraid to bet with me?"
Hou Yu gave a cold laugh, his expression showing undisguised disdain. His words seemed intended to provoke Yang Haoran.
"Can I bring my Guardian Spirit? As a Spirit Master, it's quite reasonable to bring one's Guardian Spirit when fighting someone, isn't it?"
Yang Haoran asked with a smile. As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Zhong Siyu, who was standing nearby. Zhong Siyu sensed Yang Haoran's gaze, and also heard his conversation with Hou Yu. She first glanced at Yang Haoran, then shifted her gaze to Hou Yu, before cracking a grin. Her ferocious smile was filled with provocation.
At this moment, Zhong Siyu was in a good mood. Today's great battle had not only let her fully indulge her craving, but also allowed her to eat her fill. Whether it was nutritious was irrelevant for now; at least she was full. Therefore, being full, she not only didn't contradict Yang Haoran in this situation, but instead very cooperatively showed her might to Hou Yu.
As Zhong Siyu's ferocious smile came into view, Hou Yu's expression not only didn't improve, but grew even uglier. The reason was that he had witnessed Zhong Siyu's terrifying strength. He didn't know Yang Haoran's strength, as he hadn't seen him act, but he had clearly seen Zhong Siyu's one-sided slaughter of the sea demons, and the memory was still fresh. He understood his own power, so he knew he was no match for Zhong Siyu. If Yang Haoran brought Zhong Siyu into the fight, even if Yang Haoran's combat power was zero, Hou Yu wouldn't win, and he certainly wasn't naive enough to believe Yang Haoran's combat power was truly zero.
Hou Yu wasn't clear about Yang Haoran's past identity, but he knew about Spirit Masters. For a Spirit Master to bring their Guardian Spirit into battle was a common practice. A Spirit Master without a Guardian Spirit would have their strength significantly reduced; this was a recognized fact. Therefore, it was indeed reasonable for Spirit Masters to bring their Guardian Spirit when fighting others.
Yang Haoran wasn't intentionally deceiving Hou Yu. It was true that he used to be a member of the Underworld Office, but now he no longer was. He had not only cultivated many Spiritual Arts, but also possessed his own Guardian Spirit. So, his claim of being a Spirit Master was indeed justifiable.
"If you're afraid to bet, just say so. No need to play games with me!"
Hou Yu's face darkened, and his tone was somewhat exasperated.
"Hmph, I think he's just afraid to bet!"
Lei Bao added at this moment. Although he hadn't fought Zhong Siyu today, he had witnessed her formidable power. He had dealt with Hou Yu for countless years and naturally knew Hou Yu's strength very well. Therefore, he knew that if Zhong Siyu participated in the bet, Hou Yu had no chance of winning. In his eyes, Yang Haoran's action was an evasion, deliberately using Zhong Siyu as a hired thug. This approach seemed utterly disgusting to him, which was why he spoke out to mock Yang Haoran.
"Hmph, Lei Bao is right. You're just afraid to bet. If you don't even have this much ability and courage, yet still want us to surrender, don't you think that's utterly ridiculous?"
Hou Yu snorted coldly, then spoke to Yang Haoran, the disdain on his face thickening considerably as he spoke.
"Heh heh, you two seem to have forgotten your current situation. You are prisoners, and I am the victor. I control your lives and deaths. It's one thing for you to make demands of me, but to propose such outrageous conditions? Don't you feel any shame?"
Yang Haoran asked with a faint smile. Hearing Yang Haoran's words, before Hou Yu could speak, the impatient Lei Bao blurted out first.
"One word: do you dare or not? Don't be so wishy-washy. If you don't want to bet with Hou Yu, you can bet with me. As long as you win against me without your Guardian Spirit, we'll submit to you. If you lose, then let all of us leave. From now on, we'll keep to our own sides of the river!"
Lei Bao's tone was very impatient. Upon hearing Lei Bao's words, Hou Yu couldn't help but frown tightly. He glanced at Lei Bao, but didn't say much, seemingly acquiescing to Lei Bao's proposition.
Yang Haoran's expression remained unchanged, still bearing a faint smile. He hesitated slightly, seemingly contemplating something, before gently nodding.
"Heh heh, since you've put it that way, if I don't accept, wouldn't I be a coward? I have so many subordinates watching, and I don't want them to be ashamed because of my refusal. So, I'll take the bet."
Yang Haoran smiled faintly. From his words, it seemed as though accepting this wager was somewhat forced for him. Whether it was genuinely forced, or merely a pretense, he knew, and his trusted subordinates who knew him well also knew.
Seeing Yang Haoran agree to the bet, Lei Bao's face broke into a sneer, looking as if he was waiting for a good show. In his view, Yang Haoran had been coerced into accepting this wager. Conversely, Hou Yu's brow remained tightly furrowed, as he couldn't shake the subtle feeling that something wasn't right.
"Since you're willing to bet, then choose one between me and Hou Yu. I advise you to choose Hou Yu; his strength is a bit weaker than mine. The reason I'm giving you this warning is because you can't use your Guardian Spirit, which will significantly reduce your strength. Choosing a weaker opponent would be relatively fairer for you, so no one can say we're bullying you. If you really want to choose me as your opponent, that's fine too, but don't welch on the debt if you lose!"
Lei Bao spoke with a sneer. Judging from his expression and tone, he seemed quite confident about this wager.
Hearing this, Yang Haoran first glanced at Lei Bao, then looked at Hou Yu, and finally said with a smile.
"Heh heh, choosing back and forth is too troublesome, and it won't be good no matter who I pick. So, why don't you two just come at me together?"
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