Chapter 40: Conflict [Still Seeking Continued Reads!]

"Risking your lives to rid you fools of the curse, you don’t even show gratitude—yet you dare wear that expression? Do you think I have no temper?"

Li Hu’s words weren’t spoken calmly; his aura surged violently, his face flushed with rage as he glared at the group, clearly furious.

Yet the words “fools” from his mouth instantly ignited the long-suppressed resentment everyone had been holding.

Shi Qing had already taken two steps forward, ready to retort, but Luo Ming blocked him.

Seeing Luo Ming’s pleading gaze, Shi Qing clenched his teeth and held his tongue.

But Li Hu’s anger hadn’t subsided—especially after seeing Shi Qing’s movement. He knew exactly what the man intended. Luo Ming’s intervention didn’t calm him; instead, his tone grew even more cutting.

"What? You’re offended by being called fools? Do you think if we two leave, that wooden puppet curse shows up, you lot together could even match it?"

Shi Qing could hold back, but the other four camp leaders couldn’t.

Hong Gang, Huang Yong, Lu He, and Chen Ying all stepped forward.

But before they could speak, Yang Ning, who had been watching coldly, spoke up.

"Enough, Huizi—shut up!"

Though he interrupted Li Hu and halted the brewing conflict, Yang Ning’s face also showed deep dissatisfaction as he looked at the group.

"Luo Leader, you were the one who personally asked us for help. All of you agreed to cooperate fully. You all saw the wooden puppet curse’s strength—I won’t repeat it. If you truly don’t need our help, say it now. Li Hu and I will leave immediately!"

Hearing Yang Ning’s words, Luo Ming’s heart plunged into turmoil.

Not just him—even the other four camp leaders, who had already decided to withdraw, including Shi Qing, the one with the heaviest losses, all hesitated.

Anger aside, Yang Ning’s words slapped them hard with reality.

Without these two, they truly had no chance against the wooden puppet curse.

If Yang and Li truly left, given the curse’s murderous nature, all six camps would surely be wiped out.

"Big brother, no matter how much you say, they won’t understand. Kind words can’t save those who want to die. Let these fools perish on their own. Let’s go back!"

"Your Excellencies, please calm down."

Seeing Li Hu pull Yang Ning to leave, Luo Ming rushed forward, bowing deeply to apologize, his voice strained: "These past days, each camp has lost many Woodcutting Realm fighters. The leaders are desperate—please, Your Excellencies, show some understanding."

Luo Ming had no choice—these camps in Redwood Ridge were truly weak.

Cut off from the outside world, if Yang and Li left, they’d be utterly isolated. When the curses came, no one could stop them.

Seeing Yang and Li’s expressions soften from their earlier resolve, Luo Ming continued:

"Forgive me for speaking bluntly—this can’t go on. In half a month, the four camps have lost twenty-nine Woodcutting Realm fighters.

I won’t fear your ridicule: we’re a remote backwater. Aside from Luo Ge’s camp, which is slightly better, the other five camps rely entirely on their Woodcutting Realm fighters to survive.

If they all die here, even if the curses don’t kill them, the people in each camp will starve or freeze to death."

Yang Ning once again silenced Li Hu with a glance, paused in thought, then spoke gravely: "I understand your plight, but I must be clear: the curse’s growth rate is beyond your imagining. Right now, you’re no match for it. If we wait a few more days, how strong it will become is unthinkable."

He paused, raised his head to meet Luo Ming’s gaze, and continued earnestly:

"Believe me—sacrificing these few lives to destroy that wooden puppet curse is entirely worth it!"

Li Hu couldn’t hold back either, sneering:

"Fools, sometimes sacrifice is unavoidable. If you don’t even understand this basic truth, how dare you call yourselves leaders? You’re lucky to have met us two. If not for our shared humanity, we wouldn’t lift a finger to help you."

"Your Excellencies, I admit you’re powerful and indispensable against the curse—but my Stone Camp’s Woodcutting Realm fighters are now reduced to just my brother and me. We simply can’t spare anyone or offer any help."

Though Li Hu’s words held truth, his constant use of “fool” and “idiot” pushed Shi Qing past his limit.

Stone Camp had suffered the heaviest losses—he’d been the most eager to withdraw. Li Hu’s repeated insults only fanned the flames of his resolve.

Still, Shi Qing knew he couldn’t afford to offend them. His tone was stiff, but his face showed no trace of displeasure. He bowed deeply to the two, then turned to Luo Ming:

"Luo Leader, I’m truly sorry, but my brother and I must withdraw. We’ve been out over half a month—our camp is likely out of food already. If we don’t return, people will starve."

Luo Ming opened his mouth to plead, but seeing only Shi Dong standing alone behind Shi Qing, he bit back his words. Instead, he glanced at the moon’s position in the sky before saying:

"Brother Shi, dawn’s coming soon. Return to Luo Ge Camp first. At nightfall tomorrow, I’ll pack a sack of crystal fruits for you to take with you."

Hearing this, Shi Qing’s face lit up with gratitude.

"Thank you, Luo Leader—I’m deeply indebted!"

Seeing the other four leaders stir, as if ready to follow Shi Qing, Luo Ming quickly spoke: "Your Excellencies, the four leaders—the dawn’s nearly here. Let’s return to camp and discuss what comes next together?"

The four leaders exchanged glances, hesitated, then nodded.

Meanwhile, the moment Shi Qing declared his departure, Li Hu’s face darkened. He even took a step forward—had Yang Ning not held him back, he might have struck.

Seeing Luo Ming truly agree to let Shi Qing leave, Yang Ning frowned deeply, glanced at the other four leaders, thought for a moment, and stayed silent.

He gestured for Luo Ming and the others to go ahead, then followed with Li Hu, lost in thought.

As the group moved farther away, Li Hu turned to Yang Ning and whispered: "These idiots are ungrateful. Big brother, let’s leave. Go back, bring reinforcements—this curse won’t escape."

Yang Ning’s face flickered with hesitation, then he shook his head:

"Bringing others means this curse won’t be ours anymore. And the round trip takes too long—it’ll grow even stronger. Even we might not be able to handle it then."

After speaking, Yang Ning stared at the retreating group, sighed, then added:

"We’ve already severed one of its hands—it’s weakened. Let’s make one final attempt. If it fails, we return for help. As for these people… let them fend for themselves."

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(End of Chapter)