"Huff, huff~"
Chen Jie panted for a long time before finally feeling much better. The Chang Chun Skill within him was operating frantically, gradually restoring his strength.
At this moment, a sound came from outside the Ming King Hall.
Rustling.
Chen Jie instantly became alert. He got up, moved his body, and found he could act normally without delay. So he stood up and looked at the doorway.
Sure enough, after a moment, a few figures appeared at the door.
Leading were two girls, followed by several people of various builds.
Chen Jie looked over. Yes, it was indeed those from the Zoroastrian Sect.
Leading them were Han Shantongâs daughter, Han Lingâer, and Liu Futongâs granddaughter, Liu Caidie.
Behind them were the elders Chen Long, Monkey, and Mei Tu, and at the rear were people escorting Du Xiong.
A group of people walked in. Liu Caidie saw Chen Jie looking disheveled and noticed the hall had been damaged to such an extent that even the great doors had been taken down.
She quickly asked, "Brother Chen, are you okay?"
Chen Jie gently shook his head and said, "Iâm fine."
"Where is the mad monk?"
Liu Caidie asked curiously. Chen Jie replied, "Didnât you see him when you came out?"
Liu Caidie shook her head and said, "No, we were very cautious along the way, staying hidden in the bushes, and didnât see the mad monk."
Chen Jie looked at the others, who also shook their heads, indicating they hadnât seen the mad monk.
Chen Jie furrowed his brow and said, "This guy is really lucky."
Chen Jie thought that if the Demon Slayer Monk had escaped outside and encountered Liu Caidieâs group, given his physical condition at the time, he would likely have been doomed, but since he didnât encounter them, it seemed fate hadnât decided his demise yet!
While thinking this, Han Lingâer looked around nervously and said, "Brother Chen, whereâs my brother?"
"Yes, where is Prince Ming?"
Listening to Han Lingâerâs words, Liu Caidie also spoke up. Upon hearing this, Chen Jie pointed towards the tunnel and said, "Inside."
Upon hearing this, Han Lingâer clasped her fists and then rushed down the tunnel with Liu Caidie.
Outside, only the three elders and Du Xiong remained.
Chen Jie looked at the three elders and asked, "Have the people from the Six Great Sects gone down the mountain?"
The three elders said, "Yes, the people from the Six Great Sects have already descended the mountain, as have the people from the Divine Dragon Sect."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Why have they left too? Arenât they here to rescue the Little Ming King?"
The three elders replied, "You helped them rescue the Little Ming King, so their mission is considered complete. Moreover, although the Divine Dragon Sect and our Zoroastrian Sect have some old ties, they have split long ago, so they wonât get involved in the subsequent matters."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie didnât say much, as the internal affairs between the Divine Dragon Sect and the Zoroastrian Sect didnât concern him much. He wasnât planning to interfere either. After some small talk, Chen Jie looked at the three elders and said, "You guys go in and see when the Little Ming King is coming out. Yushan Shangren asked us to ring the Unity Bell, letâs not delay."
Upon hearing this, Mei Tu smirked and said, "Hehe, letâs not wait for him, the Little Ming King doesnât have the guts to come out."
Chen Long and Monkeyâs expressions showed they agreed the Little Ming King was probably scared out of his mind.
Seeing this, Du Xiong also spoke mockingly, "His cult members are fighting for him, yet he hides away. How can such a monarch succeed? I really donât understand why you insist on defending him and making him the leader of the Holy Sect."
Du Xiongâs words were met with the agreement of Chen Long and the others, but Chen Long still shouted, "How audacious! Du Xiong, youâve become a prisoner, and yet you dare speak so arrogantly. Arenât you afraid of losing your life?"
Du Xiong responded, "If I must die, so be it. A man born into this world, what is there to fear about death? But you want me to swear allegiance to Han Linâer, such a coward, just kill me already to spare me from saying something too ugly later!"
Monkey frowned and said, "Your father is a rebel, yet youâre allowed to live because of the Venerableâs mercy. How dare you pick and choose? Do you think the Venerable dares not to kill you?"
Du Xiong laughed loudly and said, "Kill me, and what then? Do you think Iâm afraid of death?"
"What I, Du Xiong, fear in this life is dying without the honor of a real man!"
Chen Jie listened to this and looked at Du Xiong, saying, "Then you tell me, what is the mark of a real man?"
Du Xiong was stunned and couldnât speak for a moment.
Chen Jie said, "A real man is born into this world to wield a sword and achieve unparalleled feats. A real man must have his own dignity; wealth and rank canât corrupt him, poverty canât move him, and force canât bend him. A real man must serve his country and people and be renowned for his righteousness and integrity. How many of these have you achieved?"
Du Xiong listened to this, looked at Chen Jie, and replied, "I will not bend under force!"
Chen Jie chuckled and said, "If you truly werenât moved by force, you shouldnât be here now; you should have died in battle within the Ruins. The fact that you were captured and brought here indicates you didnât abandon your will to live. Isnât this a form of surrender?"
Hearing these words, Du Xiong fell silent.
Chen Jie said, "Donât feel defiant. First, a real man is born to wield a sword and achieve unparalleled feats. What accomplishments do you have? Your life has always been meticulously planned by your father; youâve always been a tool. Have you ever lived for yourself?"
"I..."
Du Xiong was stunned, looked at Chen Jie, and then fell silent. Chen Jie continued, "Additionally, a real man, wealth and rank canât corrupt him, poverty canât move him, force canât bend him. First, wealth and rank canât corrupt you. Think, once you gain the upper hand slightly, you feel invincible. Poverty canât move you. Have you ever pursued a dream unyieldingly despite adversity?"