Haotian Quan, seeing no one speak, suddenly stood up and patted his chest. "The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen. We cultivators are here for the common people. Since no one else will speak, I will represent them. I will personally guard the encirclement!"
Haotian Quan's words effectively pulled everyone into the fray.
Huang Yong, standing nearby, had a grim expression and cursed inwardly.
"This inhumane wretch," he thought, "whose sect was destroyed by evil spirits, now wants to drag others down with him. Can he be any more despicable?"
Beside him, Immortal Aunt Wangyou also chimed in, "Although I am a woman, I am willing to contribute."
Li Tianxiang (ninth on the Black List) nodded in agreement, "Saving the common people is what we cultivators should do. Our Formation Sect is also willing to contribute."
Seeing this, Ding Han also nodded, "Saving the common people is our duty. My Character Rune Sect is also willing to contribute."
Ding Han, having just joined the Black List, was eager to make a good impression.
Meng Dalong and Ge Zhou exchanged a glance and followed suit.
They had no particular sect affiliation, so it didn't matter to them.
With the Black List experts speaking up, the sect leaders of the remaining factions, though reluctant, could only agree.
After all, they couldn't go against the dominant forces.
Seeing their eagerness, Huang Yong finally realized.
He had been set up.
Chen Shanhe, standing nearby, also understood that this charade was being put on for him, Huang Yong, and the other sects.
Huang Yong looked at Chen Shanhe, signaling whether he would just accept this.
Chen Shanhe shook his head helplessly. In this situation, all they could do was swallow their pride.
There was no other way; they couldn't openly confront the Heavenly Master's Mansion.
Yu Daohan looked at Nan Jingshuo and couldn't help but admire the old fox.
This "Hongmen Banquet" was clearly prepared for Chen Shanhe and Huang Yong.
After all, both were Black List experts, and their sects were first-rate powers.
This move was truly masterful.
Nan Jingshuo seized the opportunity and looked at Chen Shanhe and Huang Yong. "The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen. What do you two have to say?"
Chen Shanhe, though unwilling, spoke, "Since everyone is willing to contribute, I, Chen, am naturally willing as well."
Seeing Chen Shanhe compromise, Huang Yong could only agree, "Since the Yan Shu Sect is willing to contribute, my Corpse Herder sect will naturally not fall behind."
Just as the atmosphere was heating up with patriotic fervor, Zhang Xiaoqiang suddenly stood up and asked, "May I ask, Master Nan, how many disciples should each sect send?"
Zhang Xiaoqiang's question was like a shot of tranquilizer, and the hall fell silent once more.
This was the crux of the matter.
No matter how passionate they felt, upon hearing this, everyone turned to Nan Jingshuo, awaiting his answer.
Nan Jingshuo knew this was the key issue and fell into contemplation, not rushing to answer.
The encirclement was in a critical state; one or two hundred people would not be enough to resolve the urgent situation.
However, the patriotic sentiment that had just been ignited could not withstand such a blow.
Everyone watched the silent Nan Jingshuo, waiting for his response.
Zhang Xiaoqiang, sensing that the encirclement would require far more than a couple of hundred people, slowly spoke, "I presume the encirclement requires quite a number of disciples."
Seeing Zhang Xiaoqiang say this, Nan Jingshuo saw no point in hiding it and nodded, "That's right. The encirclement is precarious and indeed requires a great many people."
Zhang Xiaoqiang's lips curved upwards. This was exactly what he had been waiting for. "The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen. My Yan Shu Sect is willing to send two hundred people!"
"My Yan Shu Sect will send two hundred people. I believe the leaders of the first-rate sects seated with me will not be stingy. Of course, weaker sects can send fewer disciples; that is understandable."
Zhang Xiaoqiang's words stunned and shocked everyone present.
Chen Shanhe and Huang Yong nearly fainted, looking at Zhang Xiaoqiang in utter bewilderment.
"Has this kid gone mad?!"
Even Nan Jingshuo was somewhat surprised; this far exceeded his expectations.
Haotian Quan burst into laughter, "Hahaha, young man, you're truly righteous! Two hundred disciples is no small number. The other sects surely won't be stingy, right, Brother Huang and Brother Chen?"
Haotian Quan was now in a state of desperation. His own sect was gone; he might as well drag as many others down with him as he could.
Chen Shanhe clenched his fists, the sound of them creaking, but he suppressed his anger and smiled, "Naturally."
Huang Yong, though furious, could only grit his teeth and agree, "Since the Yan Shu Sect is so generous, my Corpse Herder sect will certainly not be outdone."
Seeing the two agree, the first-rate sects like the Zhen Bao Sect also pledged their support.
Only Yu Daohan, standing nearby, remained silent, his gaze icy as he watched Zhang Xiaoqiang.
"This move is truly vicious," he thought, "hurting the enemy while also harming oneself."
His current position was the same as that of Zhen Bao Sect and the others; they were all first-rate sects.
This was two hundred people! The Yan Huo Sect sending these disciples would leave them with very few, with no chance of recovery.
But the Yan Shu Sect was different; they were wealthy and had plenty of resources to rebuild.
Seeing Yu Daohan's silence, Zhang Xiaoqiang smiled and said, "Sect Leader Yu, it's time for you to state your position."
Even a fool could see that this was aimed at Yu Daohan.
Yu Daohan looked at Zhang Xiaoqiang, his palms involuntarily clenching, then slowly relaxing. A smile appeared on his face as he stood up, bowed to Nan Jingshuo, and said,
"As everyone knows, the Yan Huo Sect is merely a small sect and cannot afford to lose these two hundred people. However, the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen. I am willing to send thirty people to the encirclement voluntarily, and I myself will personally lead the disciples to fight alongside them."
This was the limit of what Yu Daohan could do.
Everyone present knew the situation of the Yan Huo Sect. For the sect leader to personally lead disciples to support them was already a great sacrifice.
Nan Jingshuo, knowing that if the matter continued, it might spiral out of control, quickly spoke, "Since that is the case, it is decided. For sects below the first-rate, the number of disciples sent will be determined by their own strength."
Seeing that Nan Jingshuo had spoken, everyone fell silent, indicating their agreement.
"Since everyone agrees, the Gathering of Heroes Assembly will now conclude," Nan Jingshuo said slowly.
With his objective achieved, there was no significant purpose in keeping them any longer.
Chen Shanhe rose to leave as the matter concluded. The once crowded meeting hall had already seen more than half of its attendees depart.
Huang Yong looked at the departing Chen Shanhe and asked, "Brother Chen, can you truly swallow this insult?"
Chen Shanhe smiled faintly, patted Huang Yong's shoulder, and said, "What can I do if I can't swallow it? Do you dare to confront the Heavenly Master's Mansion head-on? One must have a broad mind."
With that, he continued to walk away, leaving Huang Yong seated.