Breaking the Deadlock

The situation changed again, and Chen Lin quickly retreated.

He could not tell whether being drawn here was part of the rules or a coincidence, so he dared not act rashly.

And that carriage was very likely the bandits' intended target.

"We opened this mountain!"

"We planted this tree!"

"If you want to pass through here!"

"Leave your toll behind!"

Though the four bandits had become steeped in evil, they still delivered their opening lines. Their reason had returned as well.

This made Chen Lin lean even more toward He Chengfeng's analysis. The key to leaving this place was probably hidden in those four lines—most likely in the words "leave your toll."

A toll? Fine. How much?

No sooner had Chen Lin thought this than a gentle voice came from inside the carriage. It sounded calm, as though the speaker paid the bandits no mind.

The bandits froze too. They had not expected such ready compliance and failed to react for a moment.

Watching from afar, Chen Lin's eyes flickered. So the toll really was the key. The question was whether they wanted spirit stones, some special currency, or something else entirely.

The bandit leader finally came to his senses. He turned to his men and asked, "How much do you think is appropriate?"

"Boss, we're here to abduct someone."

One of his men offered the cautious reminder.

The leader waved a hand. "We're not the ones who want to abduct anyone. Someone hired us to do it. What the hell do we need a person for? We want money!"

His man still seemed unconvinced. "But then we'll lose our reputation!"

"Reputation?" The leader's eyes bulged. "I'm a damn bandit! What the hell do I need a reputation for? Is there something wrong with your head?"

After that rebuke, the