Chapter 104 - Negotiations Break Down

Chapter 104: Chapter 102: Negotiations Break Down"Can’t we do something a bit more laid-back?" Lu Hong sighed, and Bai Tianhang just smiled, shaking his head as he continued, "Pretend I didn’t hear that, okay?"

"I dare not leave any loose ends or give rise to any gossip in such affairs," Bai Tianhang said. "I have already made meticulous plans; all that’s lacking is an opportunity to eliminate the powerhouses of the demon clan. When I saw the strength you displayed in the border forest, I knew the opportunity had come."

"Are you sure I can defeat those demon clan powerhouses?" Though Lu Hong had greatly advanced in rank, he might not hold any advantage against the seasoned strongmen of the wasteland.

Bai Tianhang shook his head, "Not sure, but there is still a chance. Without you joining, I don’t stand any chance at all."

"So it’s a gamble, huh?" Lu Hong spread his hands. Why did everyone he encountered seem as unreliable as General Hammer?

"Not exactly. I have detailed information on these demon clan powerhouses that can help increase your chances of victory. Besides, the outcome of a duel doesn’t necessarily depend on the battlefield. These demon heavyweights have weaknesses; they have families too."

"Though you say all this, I still don’t really want to join your endeavor. I came to the demon clan to find something. I don’t want to get involved in any major trouble," Lu Hong still rejected Bai Tianhang’s proposal.

What a joke, having him take the lead in killing demon clan powerhouses? Wouldn’t the demon clan’s wrath be solely focused on him? Then, when the demons sought revenge, they would certainly target Lu Hong first. He wouldn’t dare take on such an unfortunate task!

"Really not interested?" Bai Tianhang asked, "Once it’s done, you will become the demon clan’s foremost War God, enjoying endless glory and riches. Isn’t this worth fighting for?"

"Glory and riches?" Lu Hong gave Bai Tianhang a look, "Are you trying to hoodwink me?"

The grand promises made by Bai Tianhang didn’t seem to offer anything substantial. It looked like Bai Tianhang took him for a fool.

"Not satisfied?" Bai Tianhang smiled, "As long as you help me eliminate the obstacles, I can send a military force to assist you with the affairs of the Red Nation."

"Red Nation?" It seemed that Bai Tianhang was quite well-informed; he had even dug up information regarding his visit to the Red Nation.

"After Luo Bolun took over following Luo Yi’s departure, he extensively purged dissent. Now, there are not many in the Red Nation who support Luo Yi. If you could return with a military force to aid her, her odds of defeating Luo Bolun and reclaiming the Luo family’s power would increase manifold," Bai Tianhang stated matter-of-factly, "Do you find this trade satisfying?"

"Still not satisfying," Lu Hong shook his head. Although Bai Tianhang had discovered that it was Luo Yi who had brought him to help in the wasteland, he had guessed wrong about her intentions of coming back; she had no plans to seize power. Therefore, the offer of military support held no allure for Lu Hong.

Seeing Lu Hong’s refusal, Bai Tianhang was noticeably flummoxed this time.

"Are we done here? Can I go now?" Lu Hong scanned the encircling guards, who had been placed in blockade by Bai Tianhang. These men couldn’t hold him back.

"You can’t leave!" Bai Tianhang’s expression darkened, "If you don’t help me, I will choose to kill Luo Yi."

"Heh," Lu Hong scoffed, "What, since seduction didn’t work, you’re resorting to threats now?"

"It’s a last resort. I have been plotting to take over the demon clan’s power for many years in secret. We only lack a clearing of the demon clan’s top forces, and no one else but you can do it," Bai Tianhang said with a touch of reluctance, "Your refusal means ruining everything we’ve painstakingly worked for over the years!"

"I don’t care about your hard work; why can’t you cultivate your top forces?" Lu Hong retorted, "I believe Luo Yi still has the ability to protect herself and won’t be killed so easily."

Bai Tianhang was now completely speechless. How could this man be so impervious to both carrots and sticks?

"Isn’t our alliance mutually beneficial? I could control the entire demon clan, while you could easily help Luo Yi seize power in the Red Nation. Thus, two-thirds of the wasteland’s territory would be ours!"

Lu Hong, remaining unresponsive, coolly replied, "Oh, and how would that benefit me? What good is owning more territory?"

"..." Bai Tianhang felt this man might have something wrong with his brain, "Do you really not desire the power that comes from being second only to one and above tens of thousands?"

"Hey, hey, didn’t you just say it was you controlling the demon clan? The pinnacle of power would be yours, not mine. Besides, even if the Red Nation is secured for Luo Yi, that would still have nothing to do with me."

"You... you’re a founding hero of our new regime. How could you not be granted a superior position when the time comes?" Bai Tianhang continued his persuasion, "Going solo will never work. Take your ambush on Sa Re in the border forest, for instance. If you had a powerful army at your command, killing Sa Re would have been as simple as lifting a finger."

"Why don’t you just lift a finger to kill the powerful demons? Why the hell do you need me?" Lu Hong shot back, and Bai Tianhang was left speechless for a moment.

Finally, with a helpless sigh, he said, "They’re too strong. It’s not something that can be solved by numbers alone. And I can’t create such a huge commotion."

"Psh, you just said with power, you could do it easily," Lu Hong twisted logic so successfully that he removed himself from Bai Tianhang’s calculations.

"So what do you want to convince you to help me?" Bai Tianhang truly didn’t know how to persuade Lu Hong; the man was recalcitrant and had a knack for argumentativeness.

"I simply don’t want to help, that’s all. It’s better to steer clear of throwing one’s life away for a cause," Lu Hong stated, waving his hand dismissively as he prepared to leave.

Before Bai Tianhang could speak to let him go, the guards around them stepped forward, blocking Lu Hong’s path.

Lu Hong sneered, "Do you really think you lot can stop me?"

"You can’t stop him; let him go," Bai Tianhang said, knowing the strength of his adversary and that these soldiers certainly couldn’t detain Lu Hong. He then said, "Tu Ku Lu, the human situation is dire among the demons. Even if I don’t trip you up, you’ll find it impossible to move an inch here, let alone find what you’re looking for."

"I’ll leave it to fate. I’m not particularly fixated on that thing anyway," Lu Hong replied as he walked through the encircling guards and disappeared down the empty street.

At that moment, an elderly retainer hurried to Bai Tianhang’s side and said, "Family Head, he knows we’re plotting a coup. Why didn’t you trap and kill him here? If word gets out, Demon King Yan will never let us off."

Bai Tianhang gave a wry smile, "Do you think I don’t want to? I’ve clashed with him in the shadows countless times just now. His strength is unfathomable. Even with the Demon Ruler, I couldn’t gauge his true power level, which shows he far exceeds the peak of a fourth-level standard."

"You might be overthinking it, Family Head. That kid probably just has something to shield him from magical instruments’ prying. Just mobilize the City Defense Army, label him a human assassin, and when the whole city unites, do you really think we can’t take down this arrogant brat?" The Bai family retainer disdainfully glanced towards the direction where Lu Hong had vanished, adding, "How dare a mere mortal be so insolent to the Family Head of the Bai family."

"Enough, A Bo. Since I chose not to act, there’s no need for any schemes against him afterward. Remember, do not provoke him," Bai Tianhang took a deep breath and paused before continuing, "Unless it’s a sure-kill situation; if he escapes, my Bai family might never know peace."

"This servant will heed the Family Head’s command and will remember your words without fail, ensuring no mishap occurs."

Satisfied with the assurance from the old servant, who had served three generations of the Bai family, Bai Tianhang nodded. The retainer was meticulous and ruthless in his actions, a truly obedient hound.

Having shaken off Bai Tianhang, Lu Hong finally relaxed. Although the displayed strength of his opponent seemed non-threatening, he knew too well that a human family thriving among demons had hidden depths. Bai Tianhang might have appeared young and clean-cut like a good person, but behind the scenes, he was definitely a cunning scoundrel. Lu Hong couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

It wasn’t until he had passed three street blocks that Lu Hong was finally out of the reach of Bai Tianhang’s guards’ controlled area. He pushed open the door to a bar.

"Barkeep, a glass of juice, please!"

It was now high noon, and there weren’t many patrons in the bar. The owner, a tall demon, looked up at Lu Hong’s call and said, "Humans don’t deserve to drink here. Scram!"

Facing the demon’s rudeness, Lu Hong stepped forward and pressed the bar owner’s head down onto the counter, "I’m not in a great mood right now, so it would be best not to irritate me!"

The bar owner wasn’t a coward, and though he didn’t know how he had been overpowered so quickly, he had to reclaim his dignity!

"I...,"

??? This human is quite strong. Let’s try that again!

"You..."

Despite giving it his all, the bar owner couldn’t break free from Lu Hong’s grip.

"Why don’t you let go already!" the owner cried out in anger after his futile struggles, "If you don’t let go, how can I pour your juice?!"