Those words were exactly what Yan Tianlu wanted to hear. "What deal?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "I'll help you reclaim your position as lord of Python Jiao Island, and you'll help me rescue Hu Zhongyang and those men from the Great Kang Navy."
Yan Tianlu said, "What qualifies you to bargain with me? Once my internal injuries heal, I need only go out and raise my arm in a rallying cry, and everyone will flock to my side. I built Python Jiao Island single-handedly. How could I let someone else take it so easily?"
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "You certainly have confidence in yourself, Island Lord Yan. Since your brothers dared to make a move against you, they must have made preparations on every front. I'm afraid that once you step outside, all your former brothers will turn their weapons against you."
Yan Tianlu fell silent again. Hu Xiaotian was right. He nodded and said, "There's an exit here through which we can swim outside, but plenty of people must be searching out there. The moment we show ourselves, we'll be exposed." He paused before continuing, "Tang Jiucheng has already reached the level of Qi-Condensing Arrow. He struck me with three arrows. Had the Heaven and Earth Mirror not protected my heart, I would probably have died at his hands. Even so, he badly damaged my meridians. I have only forty percent of my former fighting strength left." Yan Tianlu gave an honest account of his condition, displaying complete sincerity. That meant he had agreed to cooperate.
Seeing the drawn-sword tension between the two finally ease, Yan Nujiao could at last set her mind at rest.
Hu Xiaotian asked, "Is there only one exit?"
Yan Tianlu said, "The other exit is the way you came in."
Hu Xiaotian shook his head. "Both