Silad received the message from Mu Lei, his expression turning somewhat complicated.
"Take a look!"
He forwarded the message to Flash Thunder, though his heart felt heavy.
He knew Mu Lei must have objections.
Not only had they failed to carry out Mu Lei's original strategic plan, they had instead been dealt a knife by the other side and had no choice but to ransom one person back. Mu Lei had probably also seen through his desire to save Leiya.
Flash Thunder took it and read it, showing little expression as he looked at Silad. "Who are you planning to ransom?"
"Leiya! After all, she's the strongest!"
Silad gave an answer that did not surprise Flash Thunder.
A faint smile appeared on Flash Thunder's face. "You decide."
Silad was rather helpless as well. He had originally intended to obtain intelligence from Leiya and the other two, then engage Tianli Sect in a tug-of-war and find a way to stall for time until the beast tide erupted. By then, neither side would have the energy to spare.
Yet Tianli Sect refused to play by the rules. Perhaps their previous terms had all been a smokescreen—their true goal had been to force them to ransom someone.
"We need half a month to prepare!"
Silad returned to the reception hall and looked at True Lord Qingshui.
Qingshui said calmly, "No. Ten days at most. Otherwise, this proposal is off!"
"Damn it!"
Silad gritted his teeth, nearly drawing his blade to chop Qingshui into mincemeat. He forcibly suppressed his rage. "Fine. Ten days. We'll exchange supplies and hostages at Snowfall City!"
"Agreed!"
True Lord Qingshui nodded and looked at Silad. "Can you now decide which one you're choosing?"
Silad looked at the three of them, a troubled expression surfacing on his face. In the