Inside the hall.
Only the dejected valley master of Hundred Flowers Valley, Hua Yuling, and the triumphant "great contributor," Hua Wuyi, remained.
Hua Wuyi looked at the valley master who had filled him with resentment and humiliation for centuries. A flicker of satisfaction passed through his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
He said, "Valley Master... things have come to this. Try to accept it. The Marquis of Chu isn't bloodthirsty. As long as we cooperate, our lives will at least be safe, and Hundred Flowers Valley's legacy can be preserved."
Hua Yuling opened her eyes and stared at him hollowly, her voice hoarse. "Hua Wuyi, do you think you'll get what you want? Bargain with a tiger for its hide, and you'll end up in its jaws!"
Hua Wuyi smiled dismissively. "At least I took my chance. Better than spending my whole life as a dog beneath your feet—beneath the feet of you women. Enough. Come with me. It's time to announce it and make everyone in the valley accept reality. That will spare us more needless bloodshed, too."
Half an hour later.
The bell in the main hall of Hundred Flowers Palace rang thirty-six times.
Its deep, far-reaching tolls spread throughout Hundred Flowers Valley.
Every elder, steward, deacon, and disciple of Hundred Flowers Valley who was present in the valley was urgently summoned to the square before Hundred Flowers Palace.
Everyone was uneasy, uncertain what had happened.
Had the Marquis of Chu's army reached Hundred Flowers Valley so soon?
When they saw Chief Elder Hua Wuyi and Valley Master Hua Yuling emerge side by side from Hundred Flowers Palace and stand atop the high jade steps, many silently breathed a sigh of relief.
But they soon sensed something was wrong.
Valley Master Hua Yuling was deathly pale,