Chapter 1788: Chapter 1788: Good News and Bad News

Crossing the forecourt and arriving at the main hall of the central courtyard, Li Feng directly sat in the upper seat, while Lei Ba and the other two sat on the lower sides.

Li Feng glanced at Lei Ba and the other two below: "For the three of you to wait for me here, it clearly shows that you are people of integrity. To be honest, I previously considered coming here and possibly not meeting anyone."

"I am pleased that the three of you are here." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Previously in the Underground Palace City, I told you that my current situation is not good. Many people want me dead on this journey, and already two groups have ambushed me on the way, and who knows how many more want to kill me."

"In the battle of Underground Palace City, I paid you to work for me. It was a battle of life and death, and you have justified the money I spent."

"And going forward, I will still face life and death."

"I won’t beat around the bush. If you three wish to leave, I will return your freedom. You will be free men from now on, not just you, but those war slaves outside as well."

Li Feng said.

"Oh, are you not playing tricks of feigned retreat? If you want us to risk our lives for you, there’s no need to play tricks. We hail from the Duel Arena and have long taken life and death lightly. As for the contract, we will not defy orders."

Shadow raised his eyes playfully towards Li Feng.

Lei Ba also hummed in agreement: "Shadow is right, there’s no need to test us like this; it’s meaningless."

Zheng Tailan also nodded.

Li Feng was not embarrassed. Instead, he earnestly looked at the three of them: "You might think I am tricking you, but truthfully, the enemies I face are far beyond your capabilities."

"So deceiving you bears no necessity. Though we came together due to a contract, we have fought side by side, sharing life and death."

"As I said before, in the battle of Underground Palace City, you have justified the price I paid, and the road ahead is likely laden with life and death."

"Since you have treated me sincerely, I, Li Feng, will not repay kindness with enmity, so I offer you a choice. Leave now and I will bear no resentment. You can directly reclaim your contracts."

After Li Feng spoke, he took out a stack of contracts. Those who ended up in the Duel Arena essentially sold themselves there, losing their freedom. Some even signed death contracts, which dictated dying in the arena with no other path available.

"You three, take this and announce my decision outside. I won’t hold back those who want to leave, but choosing to stay means facing numerous life-and-death situations, possibly entrusting your lives to me."

"Explain the situation to everyone clearly, go ahead."

Shadow and the other two exchanged glances, then Shadow stepped forward and took the contracts. The three of them exited the hall. As they left, Ran Yue turned to Li Feng: "What are you really thinking?"

Li Feng said lightly: "I need a group willing to follow me, not a mere group of Death Soldiers and war slaves."

Perhaps these two seem indistinguishable. These Death Soldiers and war slaves were trained by the Duel Arena to go to their deaths without refusal, as they bore restraints within them. The contract itself held the key to lifting such restraints.

Once the restraints are lifted, they naturally won’t be bound and can achieve freedom.

If Li Feng only wanted these people to do dirty, tiring work for him, it would be acceptable, but he needs a force of warriors willing to obey orders.

Someone he can entrust with his back like the Dragon Guards.

"What if they all leave?" Ran Yue looked at Li Feng, considering his actions as gambling, but to Ran Yue, this was undoubtedly foolish.

The reason these people remained was because Li Feng held their contracts, and the penalties for escaped slaves in Ancestor Dragon City were severe.

Now without these restraints, if she were in their place, she would definitely leave, knowing all too well the fate of becoming a slave—it was simply a nightmare.

"If they all leave, then they leave." Li Feng smiled faintly, indifferent, as different paths don’t converge. Though Li Feng needs a camp of trusted aides, if he doesn’t have one, it doesn’t matter.

As Li Feng finished speaking, cries of freedom echoed from outside.

Listening to these shouts, Ran Yue turned her head to Li Feng: "It seems you’ve unfortunately predicted correctly. I bet most of them will indeed leave, and those who stay won’t be many."

"Oh, caught you gossiping behind my back again."

Before Ran Yue finished speaking, Shadow appeared in the hall. Ran Yue frowned; this woman was so elusive.

After speaking, Shadow ignored Ran Yue and looked at Li Feng, squinting: "One piece of good news, one piece of bad news, which would you like to hear first?"

"Hmph, your good news isn’t you planning to stay, is it?"

Ran Yue looked at Shadow’s foxy demeanor and coldly snorted.

"If you stay silent, nobody would think you were mute. Fine, I’ll just say it. The good news is that everyone appreciated your goodwill and decided to accept it because they think you’re a good person."

"Hmph, indeed good news."

Ran Yue spoke sarcastically.

"Now for the bad news: going forward, you’ll have to support over five hundred people with food and lodging, plus monthly payment."

Shadow squinted at Li Feng.

"What, aren’t you supposed to leave?"

"Who said we were going to leave?" Shadow looked at the shocked Ran Yue, who bit her pearly teeth: "Are they not shouting outside?"

Shadow curled his lips: "Everyone’s free now, can’t they shout a bit? Although we are free, we still need to earn a living. Besides fighting, we cannot do much else; so, we can only stick with you through life and death."

"What, not welcome?"

Li Feng stood up from his chair and walked out of the hall, leaping onto the roof beam, where many war slaves in the courtyard saw Li Feng and quieted down.

Li Feng looked at these war slaves and said: "I understand your choice now. I’ll say just one thing to you: following me might lead to death, but you’ll never be lonely."

"From today onward, you are members of my personal guard camp."