"Since they don't need us, I doubt they'd have the audacity to seek us out now that we're fine," Song Lian said, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he cut to the chase. "Besides, with Chu Jin, why would they need us anymore?"
"After all, one Chu Jin is worth all of us. If it wasn't for Chu Jin's strategies and contributions, Su Ling and the others wouldn't have had such great success, and we wouldn't have been imprisoned by Su Ling and her group, left to fend for ourselves."
Song Lian knew who the true instigator of their predicament was, but he refused to face it. At such times, a scapegoat was necessary. And Chu Jin was undoubtedly the best candidate.
As Song Lian spoke, he looked at Wen Shangyin. "Therefore, perhaps what we worry about will not come to pass."
"As for the fact that we are still alive, Shang Qi and Su Ling might know, or they might not. But even if they did, what difference would it make? Before they left, they said that fate determines life and death, and wealth depends on heaven. We survived through our own abilities, and it has nothing to do with them."
Holding his cigarette, Song Lian stopped smoking and looked down. "We settled our accounts with them long ago."
Since Song Lian and Wen Shangyin began to interact as brothers, Song Lian's way of speaking had changed. He was no longer circuitous but direct and to the point. From the moment Shang Qi and Su Ling abandoned them to their fate, their grievances were settled.
Wen Shangyin absorbed every word Song Lian spoke. He pondered seriously and then looked at Song Lian, smiling. "Ah Lian, I'm finding I can't do without you more and more. You're truly amazing!"
Wen Shangyin's praise was sincere, not a sycophantic attempt to curry favor with Song Lian. The worries that had troubled him were instantly dispelled by Song Lian's few words, bringing clarity to his state of mind. It was true that after their ordeal in the prison area, their slate was wiped clean with Shang Qi and Su Ling. With Chu Jin, the Zombie King, what need did Shang Qi and Su Ling have for them? It was better this way; it saved him a lot of trouble.
With this thought, Wen Shangyin spoke again. "Then we don't need to stay here any longer. We should go back."
Just as Song Lian was about to reply, he saw a subordinate rushing in, and he fell silent.
The subordinate, upon entering, looked at Wen Shangyin and respectfully reported, "Master Yin, there's a woman outside who wishes to see you. She claims to have news about the castle opposite and wishes to report it."
"Who?"
The subordinate looked at Wen Shangyin. "Xu Yan."
After hearing the subordinate's report, Wen Shangyin turned to Song Lian. "Is this person from Su Ling's side?"
Song Lian thought hard before looking at Wen Shangyin and shaking his head. "No, she was likely brought back from the prison area."
"That's interesting," Wen Shangyin said, a mocking smile on his face. "Bring her in."
"Yes."
The subordinate turned and left. Moments later, he returned with Xu Yan. Xu Yan, with a backpack and a new outfit from head to toe, exuded confidence. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Wen Shangyin and Song Lian.
Wen Shangyin waved at his subordinate, who obediently left the tent. Once the subordinate was gone, Wen Shangyin turned to Xu Yan. "What do you want to tell me?"
Xu Yan looked at Wen Shangyin, their gazes meeting in the air. She bit her red lips and said in a sweet,娇滴滴 voice, "I want to tell you some private secrets about the owner of that castle. I think you'll be very interested!"