"We need some time to discuss our deal with you again."
That was how the hunting party's captain finally answered the master of the old house.
Another tentacle slipped out through the crack in the door, reached into the cauldron, stirred the bubbling Mushroom Soup, then withdrew.
A faint rustling came from behind the door.
Zheng Qing tried hard not to imagine a Great Octopus hiding behind the door and licking its own tentacles.
"The soup isn't ready yet." After the rustling stopped, the master of the old house generously offered his guests more options. "You still have some time to make your final decision."
The visitors from another world gathered by the small courtyard gate, far from the cauldron, forming a small circle.
Jiang Yu directed the glowing Mushroom Sprites. A small portion clustered in the center of the circle, providing the necessary light for this impromptu meeting, while the rest stood between the circle and the house's front door, ensuring that the Dark Wizard named Engra behind it could not make any moves in secret.
For the sake of deterrence, Nikita and Zhuzhu were also placed within the circle. With their backs to the front door, they stood directly opposite Zheng Qing, covered by the gun muzzle of his rune gun. For safety, a wide gap had been left between the two of them and the others, enough to fit a banner through.
The banshees showed no displeasure at this arrangement and cooperated readily.
"Should we accept this deal?" At the start of the discussion, Zheng Qing bluntly voiced his concerns to his companions. "This isn't First University, and the supplies we brought are very limited... His memories have been contaminated by the Starry Sky Pollution. That's extremely dangerous. Extremely dangerous."
Almost everyone agreed with that assessment.
Except