Chapter 295: The Unfulfilled Promise

"Pack your things and head to headquarters with Qi Heng and the others in a moment. Qi Heng, Zhang Xue, put aside whatever you have on hand for now; the top priority is to escort little brother Lu Yu safely back to headquarters. Can you do it?"

"No problem, President!" Zhang Xue replied with a serious expression and a firm tone.

"President, I, Qi Heng, promise you that as long as I have a breath left, I will never let brother Lu suffer the slightest harm." Qi Heng's voice was resolute and filled with determination.

A flash of reluctance crossed Song Tian's eyes, but it was mostly replaced by gratification.

He had long expected this day would come.

With Lu Yu's talent, how could he possibly stay holed up in a small place like Yongan City forever?

Headquarters was the vast world where he could truly display his skills.

"Wait a second." Lu Yu raised his hand, looking puzzled. "President, when did I say I was going to headquarters? How come I have no memory of that at all?"

"???" At this question, even Kong Ming was stunned.

What was this situation? Since ancient times, it has been said that people move to higher ground and water flows to lower places. In this day and age, there was actually someone who would turn down the superior conditions of a big city and insist on staying in a small one? This was simply mind-boggling.

"Little brother Lu," Qi Heng said with a simple, honest smile, patiently persuading him, "Headquarters is located in the prosperous Nanshan Great City, which is the core area of the entire region. In terms of safety, the tiny Yongan City simply cannot be compared to it."

"Nanshan Great City is as solid as a rock, with extremely strict defenses and powerful A-Class Awakened guarding it. Even if a Beast King-Grade Fierce Beast came aggressively, it wouldn't gain any advantage and would only have to retreat in defeat."

"That's right, little brother Lu," Zhang Xue also chimed in to persuade him, "If you're worried about going to headquarters and being in an unfamiliar place without friends, there's no need for that at all. There are plenty of Martial Artists in headquarters around your age."

"Everyone is like-minded, so you definitely won't feel lonely. Moreover, you can meet more outstanding talents there, which will be of great help to your growth and development."

"Kid," although Yao Lao was not very satisfied with Lu Yu's behavior of being obsessed with money, he still hoped he would come to headquarters.

On one hand, he was eager to master this improved Alchemy as soon as possible; on the other hand, he also wanted to correct Lu Yu's values, which had been polluted by money.

"Do you know how many people break their heads trying to get into Nanshan City but can't? I know you might feel quite comfortable living in Yongan City now, hmph, but once you get to headquarters, you'll know what true comfort and ease are."

"Little brother Lu, if you have family in the city, headquarters will send people to pick them up and arrange everything properly. You can rest assured about this; headquarters will absolutely not treat your family unfairly," Kong Ming said with a smile, attempting to dispel Lu Yu's concerns.

"Sorry, President." Lu Yu still refused. "I can't leave here yet because I still have some things to finish."

Everyone looked at each other in dismay.

"Still have things to finish?" Kong Ming asked in surprise. "Tell me, what is it? If the Association can help, we will definitely help you solve it."

Song Tian was also anxious and quickly said, "Brother Lu, what could be more important than entering headquarters? Don't keep it hidden; tell us, and I'll help you handle it. You should hurry back, pack your bags, and go to headquarters with Senior Qi and the others. This is a rare opportunity; if you miss it, it will be gone forever."

Lu Yu shook his head slowly.

The matter he spoke of was, naturally, rescuing Ji Bingyu's sister, Ji Wanqing.

Since a man had made a promise, how could he give up halfway?

After all, the two sides did not belong to the same faction. Even if the negotiations were successful and the upper echelons of the Awakened Association demanded that the group in Yongan City hand over Ji Wanqing, would they obediently listen?

They might even destroy the evidence. Those people would not easily comply and would certainly try every possible way to shirk responsibility or create trouble.

Besides that, he could not rest easy regarding his family and friends in the Zhai.

Of course, there was also a very crucial point: staying here, he could refine True Qi Pill in peace and improve his strength without worrying about being disturbed.

But if he went to headquarters...

Whether he could refine pills in peace would be a question mark.

"President, I appreciate your kindness, but I really cannot leave at the moment."

"You kid, why are you so ungrateful?" Yao Lao couldn't help but get angry, his face turning bright red. "In what way is headquarters not thousands of times better than this place? Huh? In what way is it not thousands of times better? Think about it carefully; this is an opportunity to change your destiny. Don't be a fool!"

"Alright, Yao Lao."

Kong Ming waved his hand, shook his head helplessly, turned to look at Lu Yu, and said earnestly:

"Little brother Lu, have you really thought it through? Although Yongan City seems peaceful for now, this world is unpredictable, and no one can say for sure how long this peace can last. If you encounter any danger, headquarters will be too far away to help, and that would be troublesome."

"Sorry, President." Lu Yu still insisted on refusing.

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward and fell into a stalemate.

Qi Heng and the others didn't know what to say.

To be honest, Lu Yu was the most independent person they had ever met.

Song Tian was also extremely anxious and couldn't help but persuade him: "Brother Lu, the President and the others have good intentions, you..."

Lu Yu smiled at him.

"Sigh." Song Tian let out a long sigh and swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

"Fine." Kong Ming compromised helplessly. "If you ever change your mind, let me know anytime, and I will send someone to pick you up."

"Okay, thank you, President," Lu Yu said.

"You're welcome." Kong Ming waved his hand, his eyes revealing regret and worry.

He was truly worried that Lu Yu might encounter some misfortune staying in Yongan City.

"It seems I will have to pay more attention to the movements in Yongan City from now on. If there are any signs of a Beast Tide breaking out, I will immediately send someone to pick him up," Kong Ming decided secretly in his heart.

Next, the group discussed a few more details, and then they ended the video call.

As soon as it hung up, Yao Lao couldn't help but complain: "Kong Ming, what exactly were you thinking before? Why did you have to agree to his first condition? Aren't you afraid this kid will open his mouth like a lion in the future and make even more excessive demands?"

"Yao Lao." Kong Ming had long expected him to ask this and explained with a bitter smile, "Have you ever thought about what would happen if one day he could improve the True Qi Pill Prescription just like he improved the Blood Qi Pill Prescription today?"

"What! Im-, improve the True Qi Pill Prescription?" Upon hearing this, Yao Lao's eyes widened, and his breathing became rapid in an instant.