"Your departure from Barren Mountain Dragon City was too hasty!" Hong Ding said cheerfully, hugging a wine jug as he took a sip.
Lin Bai raised his eyes and looked at Hong Ding.
Hong Ding slowly said, "The theft of the Peacock Mirror has been sealed off by the higher-ups of the Peacock Clan, so very few people actually know about it. Right now, the Peacock Clan is waiting for someone to leave Barren Mountain Dragon City—especially someone from our human race!"
"Lin Bai, do you believe me when I say that if I let you leave now, the moment you stepped out of Barren Mountain Dragon City, you'd be stopped by an expert from the Peacock Clan? Without even asking questions, they'd kill you outright and search your Storage Bag for the Peacock Mirror!"
Lin Bai kept a calm smile on his face. "Senior Hong Ding, I truly didn't steal the Peacock Mirror. I don't know who took it either. I want to leave because I've spent these days seeing most of Barren Mountain Dragon City, and it's still dull and tasteless. I want to leave Barren Mountain Dragon City and continue cultivating!"
Hong Ding shook his head with a smile. "That's true. With an incident as serious as stealing the Peacock Mirror, how could the culprit possibly admit it so casually? I won't press you about it anymore, but I have to tell you this: if you leave Barren Mountain Dragon City now, you'll certainly be walking into a dead end. Don't leave. Stay here with me, and I'll ensure you're safe and sound!"
Lin Bai asked bitterly, "Senior Hong Ding, why are you helping me so much?"
Hong Ding smiled. "I have a grudge against the Peacock Clan. Anyone who opposes the Peacock Clan is my friend!"