Tang Jianqiu froze, looking at Yun Zhaochен in considerable surprise. He had never expected Yun Zhaochен's refusal to be so decisive. After all, Yun Zhaochен was a true gentleman; even when Tang Jianqiu had betrayed and sold out the two of them, Yun Zhaochен had not openly broken with him.
"Of course I'm not going!" Ye Fangge's tone left no room for negotiation.
"I have some bad blood with Mo Yao. You all know that," Liu Shan'a said.
Then Tan Hemu, Qiu Meng, and Lian Pingchao each stated their position. None would join Mo Yao's side.
Fang Yun stood to one side without answering. These matters had nothing to do with him.
Tang Jianqiu's expression turned ugly. Suppressing his anger, he looked at Yun Zhaochен and said, "Zhaochен, we've been friends for years. Would I ever harm you? I've already given Mo Yao a military pledge that I would bring you over. How am I supposed to explain this to Master Mo?"
"Just tell him the truth. Master Mo has room enough in his belly to sail a boat; a great man is generous of heart. Naturally, he won't quibble over trifles," Yun Zhaochен said.
"But there are only six of you... no, there's also one little Metropolitan Graduate, so six and a half. If you enter the Dragon Race Hall now, you're certain to die! Even Wei Huangan said he might not be able to enter the main hall, let alone you! Joining forces benefits both sides. How can you fail to understand such a simple truth?" Tang Jianqiu urged them with painstaking earnestness.
Ye Fangge sneered. "Since we're not going, you should leave. Also, our young friend Yun Fang recently became a Hanlin Academician. He's not a little Metropolitan Graduate."
Tang Jianqiu ignored Ye Fangge and continued looking