Three Thousand Great Daos

"How did it go, Patriarch?"

"Yeah, yeah, what did you find out? Is there a way to get out?"

"Patriarch looks positively radiant. You must have found a way out, right?"

Everyone looked hopefully at Zheng Wu, who had hurried back, their faces full of anticipation.

They could not wait to escape this place.

"Uh, well, this, this..."

Seeing how eager everyone was to leave, Patriarch Zheng Wu awkwardly rubbed his nose and said sheepishly, "Actually, I think... uh, staying here is pretty good too. Look, the scenery here is beautiful, the birds sing and the flowers bloom, it's lovely..."

"How about we just don't leave?"

"What? Patriarch, you?"

Upon hearing Zheng Wu's words, everyone's expressions changed at once.

"Patriarch, how could you possibly think that?"

"Yes, Patriarch. Didn't you swear solemnly before that you would take us out?"

The more they spoke, the angrier they became, so much so that they forgot about the offense of insubordination. One of them directly said, "Patriarch, forgive this subordinate's boldness, but I still wish to ask: did Patriarch receive some benefit, or is there some profit to be gained by staying here, that made you suddenly change your mind?"

"Nonsense."

Zheng Wu immediately cursed.

"Do you think your Patriarch is the kind of man who forgets righteousness at the sight of profit?"

"I, Zheng Wu, have lived my life openly and honorably. Could a few pecks of rice possibly make me bow my back?"

Zheng Wu spoke with righteous indignation.

At the same time, he waved his hand and took out the most valuable treasure on his person.

"Not to mention some trifling benefit—even a peerless treasure as precious as the one in my hand could never make me bend even half my waist!"

"If you do not believe me, I can