Contradictions

"Taking such a huge risk to help you bunch of losers get rid of the grotesques, and you don't even show gratitude. Instead, you dare to give me that look? Do you really think I have no temper?"

Li Hu's words were far from calm. His aura surged, his face contorted in rage. He glared at everyone, his expression one of extreme displeasure, clearly having lost his temper.

However, the word "losers" he uttered instantly ignited the long-suppressed dissatisfaction of everyone present.

Shi Qing took two steps forward, but just as he was about to retort, Luo Ming, standing in front of him, stopped him.

Seeing the pleading look in Luo Ming's eyes, Shi Qing gritted his teeth and held back, remaining silent.

But Li Hu's emotions had not yet subsided. Seeing Shi Qing's movement, he knew this man intended to argue back. Luo Ming's intervention didn't placate him; instead, his tone became even more cutting:

"What, you don't like being called losers? Believe it or not, the moment my companion and I leave, that Wood Puppet Grotesque will come, and all of you losers combined won't be its match."

Shi Qing could endure it, but the leaders of the other four camps couldn't.

Hong Gang, Huang Yong, Lu He, and Chen Ying, all four stepped forward.

But just as they were about to speak, Yang Ning, who had been watching coldly, spoke up.

"Enough, Hu Zi, stop talking!"

Although Yang Ning interrupted Li Hu and halted the conflict between the two groups, he looked at everyone with a clear expression of strong dissatisfaction.

"Leader Luo, you were the one who asked us to help before, and all of you promised to cooperate fully. You all have eyes; I don't need to elaborate on how powerful that Wood Puppet Grotesque is. If you truly don't need our help, say so now, and Li Hu and I will leave immediately!"

Hearing Yang Ning's words, Luo Ming's heart was immediately filled with struggle.

It wasn't just him; even the leaders of the other four camps who had already decided to withdraw, including Shi Qing, who had suffered the most losses, looked hesitant.

Anger was anger, but Yang Ning's words were a harsh slap of reality.

Without these two, they were indeed no match for the Wood Puppet Grotesque.

If Yang and Li were to truly leave, given the Wood Puppet Grotesque's bloodlust, their six camps would surely face destruction in the end.

"Big Brother, no matter how you say it, they won't understand. Good words can't persuade a ghost determined to die. Let these fools fend for themselves, let's go back!"

"Esteemed sirs, please calm your anger."

Seeing Li Hu pulling Yang Ning to leave, Luo Ming quickly stepped forward, bowed and apologized to the two, saying sheepishly, "These past few days, many Lumbering Realm combatants have died in each camp. The leaders are all anxious, please be understanding."

Luo Ming had no choice; the camps in Redwood Ridge were indeed too weak.

Coupled with their isolation from the outside world, if Yang and Li left, they would truly be without aid. When the grotesques attacked, there would be no one to stop them.

Seeing that Yang and Li's expressions were no longer as resolute, Luo Ming continued:

"Please forgive my bluntness, but continuing like this is not a solution. In the past half-month, four camps combined have lost twenty-nine Lumbering Realm combatants.

I'm not afraid to admit it, sirs, this is a poor and remote area. Except for Rogue Camp, which is in a better situation, the other five camps rely on those Lumbering Realm combatants for survival.

If they all perish, then the people in their respective camps, even if not killed by the grotesques, will likely starve to death or freeze to death."

Yang Ning once again stopped Li Hu, who was about to speak, with a look. After a moment of thought, he said gravely, "I understand your difficulties, but I can also tell you clearly that the speed at which the grotesque's strength is increasing is beyond your imagination. You are completely outmatched by it now. It's hard to imagine how strong it will become if we delay a few more days."

He paused here, then looked up and met Luo Ming's gaze, continuing with a sincere expression:

"Believe me, sacrificing this many people to eliminate that Wood Puppet Grotesque is completely worth it!"

Li Hu couldn't help but interject at this point, a cold smile on his face:

"Fools, sometimes necessary sacrifices are unavoidable. You don't even understand such basic logic, and you call yourselves leaders? You're lucky to have run into us. If it weren't for the fact that we're all human, we wouldn't be offering our help."

"Esteemed sirs, I admit that you are highly skilled and powerful, and that only you can deal with the grotesque. However, Big Stone Camp's Lumbering Realm fighters have all died except for my brother and me. We truly cannot contribute anyone or offer much help."

Although Li Hu's words made sense, his constant calling them "losers" and "fools" finally pushed Shi Qing past his limit.

He had already suffered the most losses and was the most inclined to withdraw. Coupled with Li Hu's disrespectful behavior and repeated mockery, it added fuel to his desire to leave.

Even so, Shi Qing knew that these two were not people he could afford to offend. Therefore, although his tone was stiff, he dared not show any displeasure on his face. He simply bowed respectfully to the two, then turned to Luo Ming and said:

"Leader Luo, I am truly sorry, but the two of us must withdraw. We've been out for over half a month, and our camp should be low on food. If we don't return soon, people will starve."

Luo Ming opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him to stay, but looking at the solitary Shi Dong behind Shi Qing, he held back. He merely glanced at the position of the moon in the sky before saying:

"Brother Shi, dawn is approaching. Let's return to Rogue Camp first. Tomorrow night, after dark, I'll pack a bag of Crystal Fruit for you to take."

Hearing this, Shi Qing's face immediately showed gratitude.

"Thank you, Leader Luo, Shi Qing is immensely grateful!"

Seeing the other four leaders showing signs of wanting to leave with Shi Qing, Luo Ming quickly spoke up, "Esteemed sirs, leaders, dawn is approaching. Let's return to the camp first and then discuss future matters together?"

The four leaders exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

Meanwhile, from the moment Shi Qing announced his intention to leave, Li Hu's expression had turned very grim. He even took a step forward, and if Yang Ning hadn't stopped him, it seemed he might have resorted to violence.

Seeing that Luo Ming had indeed agreed to let Shi Qing leave, Yang Ning's brow furrowed deeply. But glancing at the other four leaders, he thought for a moment and decided to hold back from speaking.

He gestured for Luo Ming and the others to go ahead, and Yang Ning followed behind with Li Hu, lost in thought.

Seeing that everyone had put some distance between them, Li Hu turned to Yang Ning and said in a low voice, "These fools are ungrateful. Big Brother, let's just leave. We can go back and get some reinforcements, and that grotesque won't escape."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Yang Ning's face, but he finally shook his head:

"If we call for reinforcements, this grotesque won't be ours anymore. Besides, the round trip would take too long, and its strength would definitely increase. By then, we might not be able to handle it ourselves."

After saying this, Yang Ning looked at the group ahead, fell silent for a moment, sighed, and continued:

"We've already severed one of that grotesque's arms, so its strength should have decreased significantly. Let's try one last time. If it doesn't work, we'll go back for reinforcements. As for these people... let them fend for themselves!"

The readership is skyrocketing, thank you all. This is the recommendation period for the new book, so I'm just asking for your continued readership. If you have any extra votes, please give them too. Thank you, thank you!