517 To Follow the Path to One’s Own Doom (1/2)

Wang Lu could actually understand Ouyang Shang's decision. In essence, they were, after all, the same type of people.

Whether as a lead disciple or Big Brother, these titles were bound to bear enormous pressure simultaneously as they were lofty and brilliant. After all, the rights and obligations must be equal. When any Junior Brother or Sister fell into a dangerous predicament, they must bravely step forward as the Big Brother, even if it was not the best choice.

For the impeccable tacit understanding and trust between the golden generation, for the illusory will of the people… or perhaps for the insistence of the heart. In short, it was not just Ouyang Shang, common people would often handle things like this; the optimal solution has been put in front of their eyes while they have to choose others. This was the reason why people in Jianghu1 couldn't make the decisions on their own.

Of course, Ouyang Shang wasn't simply following the path to his own doom. Wang Lu could also understand one or two of his assurance.

First of all, the opponent used the using-the-hostage-to-threaten-their-own-side tactic, which was a plot rather than an overt one. Using a plot meant that the other party did not have an overwhelming advantage in terms of strength. Otherwise, the opponent could just crush them directly here, so why bother doing such a troublesome thing? After all, the golden generation has just begun to grow, and for those old experts in immortal cultivation world, they were nothing but a high-level ant.

If it was a real Unity Stage cultivator here, perhaps he could kill the entire golden generation in an instant, so there was no need to go through the complication of taking the broken arm and using it as a deterrent.

The other party's strength was not enough, so it was necessary to supplement it with the plot. Taking this into consideration, if they made the sudden advance with their strongest force, it was possible to decide the outcome before the other party had enough time to fully launch the plot to fruition.

This was Ouyang Shang's idea. While he seemed to be impulsively shouldering the burden of a Big Brother, he had actually made quite rational thinking and judgment.

Nevertheless, in the final analysis, this was still a risk. Moreover, In Wang Lu's view, the potential benefit could not offset the risk. Therefore, he would rather make the opposite decision, unfortunately...

”Very well, I'll go with you on this.”

Ouyang Shang gawked a bit. Having Wang Lu as a hand to help was naturally the best because he deeply understood the strength of this time traveler Junior Brother. But… Why?

It was just because of their great tacit understanding, they could understand each other's insistence in their own opinion, and therefore Ouyang Shang was very clear that when Wang Lu's opinion was very different than his own's one, there was basically no possibility to turn back to a consensus. Going on their separate ways was the best result, so how could he change his mind so quickly?

Was it because of Wang Wu? Ouyang Shang slightly shifted his gaze but quickly gave up thinking about it—now was not the time to think about this issue.

Wang Lu also said, ”I suggest we send two Junior Brothers to report back to the sect, to tell the Elders about the demon race incident. This is a major event in Nine Regions, so it should not be delayed. What do you think, Senior Brother?”

Ouyang Shang's eyes turned serious. ”Sending two Junior Brothers back to the sect? You…”

”Initially, I intended to go there by myself, but considering that speed is not my forte, I'd rather use my strength where I would be needed the most, which is in Ghost Weeping Forest.” Wang Lu's explanation was reasonable, but Ouyang Shang was very clear that this was not Wang Lu's innermost thought.

The opponent threatened in a bloody way. In addition to asking them to the Ghost Weeping Forest, they were also warned not to spill out the matter regarding the demon race. And Wang Lu's suggestion was undoubtedly a provocation against the opponent.

This would put both groups of people at risk. When those two people returned to the mountain, they might encounter some unknown ambush, and the hostage at Ghost Weeping Forest might be killed.

Of course, looking from another point of view, this was also a risk that they must take. The delivery of the letter was indeed very important… The more the other party worked hard to deter them, the more the validity of this point was proven. And this also showed that the other party had not yet sealed all the means of sending the letter. Of course, there was a great risk in sending the letter, but if they were being too overcautious, then they would not be able to do anything. But...

”Very well. Junior Brother Lu Li…”

Ouyang Shang called out a person's name, but Wang Lu quickly intervened, ”Junior Brother Lu Li is versatile, so it would be too wasteful if he's just used to simply send a letter. It's more suitable for him to act here. I suggest he become a part of the rescue teams.”

Ouyang Shang hesitated for a moment, and then acquiesced to this suggestion and replaced the two Junior Brothers. The two young cultivators were delighted for being picked by Ouyang Shang, feeling that they were deeply trusted.

However, Ouyang Shang beckoned at them to depart as soon as possible, no need for talking too much about it.

Because he really couldn't look straight at the enthusiastic face of the two Junior Bothers.

After the two Junior Brothers had left, Ouyang Shang was silent for a while, and then said to Wang Lu through primordial spirit, ”Junior Brother Wang Lu, are you that pessimistic about sending the letter?”

Wang Lu said, ”I just don't want useful people to take on too much risk. In my timeline, Lu Li will become a great cultivator… Those who survived the catastrophe should not die so early.”

”Ha, this excuse of yours is just so-so. In your timeline, I'm also a dead person, so why do you waste your time on me?”

”Very well then, I'll tell you the truth. I have a good relationship with Lu Li. As for the other two, I wouldn't become so distressed if they died.”

”... Well said.” Ouyang Shang sighed. He wanted to speak his mind but didn't know how to say it.

Wang Lu coldly said, ”The taste of sacrifice is not pleasant, but sometimes, a sacrifice is inevitable. What we can do is to minimize the scope of the sacrifice as far as possible and not penetrate into a bull's horn2 which would lead to an even bigger sacrifice… I know that as the Big Brother, on some things, you can't help but have to do it, but I actually have a way to get you out of this current predicament.”

”Please elaborate to me.”

”It's very simple, tell Liu Xian and his team about our current bitter experience and risk. Let them decide whether to continue to ask for help or sacrifice themselves.”

”You!”

Wang Lu said, ”If they are really members of the golden generation of Spirit Sword Sect, they should make a rational choice. They would probably even threaten us with their lives to prevent us from going there. At that time, you will have no burden at all. Of course, I know that this kind of thing is a completely subjective guide as well as a self-deception. You are the kind of person that really can't do those type of things, so I will do it for you. The result will be the same.”

”…”

”Don't be so angry, my sacrifice is the same here. In that group… Liu Xian and I actually have a good relationship.”