Mo Huaâs thoughts raced, and he quickly understood the situation; he immediately waved his hand and said:
"I surrender."
This move left Xie Liu and Water Yama confused.
"What do you mean by this?" Xie Liu frowned and asked.
Mo Hua said, "Werenât you trying to negotiate for hostages? We will be your hostages. Otherwise, when the Taoist Court arrives, with Golden Core Realm Supervisors leading them, they will unhesitatingly slaughter all of you."
Xie Liuâs face twitched, "You really know how to think for us..."
Mo Hua sighed and said, "I canât help it; I have a kind heart."
Xie Liu paused, looking at the shattered Rouge Boat around, the spreading sea of flames, and the cultivators struggling amidst the fire, then glanced at Mo Hua, the instigator in front of him, with a twitching expression, left speechless.
Water Yama didnât believe him, narrowed his eyes, and said, "What do you intend to do?"
"Not doing anything. Those who know when to yield are wise. Iâve used all my tricks; I canât defeat you, so naturally, I surrender. Otherwise, should I recklessly fight to the bitter end and be slain by you?"
Mo Hua spoke with an air of inevitability.
Water Yama furrowed his brows even tighter.
"Of course, I have conditions," Mo Hua continued, "Though we will be hostages, you must not harm a single hair on us."
Water Yama couldnât help but mock, "Why?"
Mo Hua declared resolutely, "Because I hold the Water Prison Forbidden Box!"
Water Yamaâs eyes turned red, while Xie Liu was taken aback, "What Forbidden Box?"
Mo Huaâs expression became somewhat odd.
Water Yama, at the Foundation Establishment Peak, was aware of the Forbidden Box, yet Xie Liu, at the Golden Core level, knew nothing?
He knew less about the Gui Water Sectâs secrets than Mo Hua, an outsider...
No wonder despite being at the Golden Core level, he would be assigned to such dirty work.
If faced with a real issue, he would likely just be a "scapegoat"...
Mo Hua pondered inwardly.
The significance of the Water Prison Forbidden Box was something Xie Liu didnât understand, but Water Yama definitely did. Despite his cold and dark demeanor, his gaze noticeably wavered.
The Water Prison Forbidden Box was extremely crucial.
Its importance even surpassed killing Mo Hua.
However, dealing with Mo Hua was akin to making a deal with a cunning fox, leaving Water Yama unsure.
Mo Hua glanced back, then said, "Consider wisely; the Taoist Courtâs people are approaching fast, we donât have much time."
"Agree to my terms; with hostages, you gain bargaining chips for escape, and a chance of obtaining the Water Prison Forbidden Box."
"Otherwise, it will be a do-or-die situation."
"We die here, and the arriving Supervisors kill you. Even if you are lucky enough to survive, you will never get the Water Prison Forbidden Box."
Mo Huaâs demeanor was composed, logical and convincing.
Xie Liu and Water Yama exchanged a glance, faces darkened in silence, finally, it was Water Yama who gritted his teeth and said:
"Fine, I wonât kill you, but you must behave as âhostagesâ, or donât blame me for being ruthless."
"Alright!" Mo Hua nodded.
Water Yama felt increasingly uneasy; why was this brat suddenly so agreeable?
But with the Taoist Courtâs spirit boat drawing nearer, he didnât have the luxury to ponder.
"Letâs go!" Water Yama said in a deep voice.
"Where to?" Xie Liu frowned.
Water Yama glanced at Xie Liu, then lowered his voice, "At this point, we can only retreat to that place..."
Xie Liuâs eyes trembled, face paling slightly, seemingly fearing that place greatly.
Yet at this juncture, there was no other choice, he could only silently nod.
"That place..."
Behind them, Mo Hua, who overheard their conversation, couldnât help his eyes brightening, and subtly nodded as well.
"Junior Brother Mo..." Hua Qianqianâs voice trembled slightly.
"Itâs okay," Mo Hua reassured, "Senior Sister, donât worry."
Hua Qianqian nodded but looked at Mo Hua with worry and self-blame.
Beside her, Ouyang Feng also displayed an embarrassed expression.
He knew Mo Hua excelled in concealment, and could escape if he wanted to, but he stayed to negotiate and delay these two villains all for him and Qianqian.
They were the ones holding Junior Brother Mo back.
Ouyang Feng sighed inwardly.
Then Xie Liu used a token to open a storage box aboard the Rouge Boat, and from it, took out a brand-new, small spirit boat.
Xie Liu boarded the boat first.
Water Yama cast a dark glance at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua calmly said, "Letâs go."
Then he took the lead, jumping onto the spirit boat, and Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian followed him onboard.
Water Yama piloted the spirit boat, gradually distancing them, and any cultivators who approached were repelled by Xie Liu with a single sword strike.
Thus, the group, aboard the small spirit boat, departed from the fire-filled Rouge Boat, heading toward the thicker fog in the distance.
After they left, the Taoist Courtâs men also arrived, drawing swords, gripping Spirit-binding Locks, beginning to capture the cultivators on the Rouge Boat...