After William gave his answer, Qian Wendao fell briefly silent.
He pressed his lips together, worrying about the future, and said nothing for a long while.
William raised an eyebrow and tapped his cane lightly against the ground, urging him on. "Domain Master Qian, why have you suddenly gone so quiet? Has the cold night wind brought you to your senses, making you regret that grand declaration about willingly going to your death?"
Qian Wendao shook his head. "No. I was just thinking about a few things."
"Truth."
William nodded slightly and spread his hands in a show of regret. "In that case, I have magnanimously agreed to your request. But what comes next troubles me greatly-how are we to take this first step toward establishing trust?"
He analyzed the situation at a leisurely pace. "You have no trust in me whatsoever, so naturally, you cannot accept walking into my camp first and then hoping I will show mercy and release the hostages."
"Likewise, I find the schemes of you natives quite devious. I cannot possibly release those two hundred thousand bargaining chips first, then sit around waiting for you to come out. What a truly vexing impasse."
"This is easy to resolve. Release them first, and I will leave the city immediately afterward." Without any hesitation, Qian Wendao gave his answer.
At those words, William burst out laughing. "Qian Wendao, are you taking me for a three-year-old you can fool? If I let those bargaining chips run free first, what reason would you have left to crawl out of that safe turtle shell and meet me?"
"As long as you release them, I will fulfill my promise and leave the city in person." Qian Wendao's voice was firm and unequivocal.
"Truth."
Hearing the Lie Detector's voice, everyone gained a