Lu Hongyan's initial panic subsided. Survival instinct overpowered her fear. She slowed her breathing, feigning submission, while her peripheral vision rapidly scanned her surroundings. Yang Wanli's exhaustion and the faint trembling of the blade pressed against her neck offered a glimmer of hope.
"Old man..." Lu Hongyan rasped, deliberately softening her voice to appear weak. "Wang Yi... what exactly did your boss offer you? Black Wind Stronghold can give you ten times as much! Gold? Women? Or... your son's life?" Noticing Yang Wanli's advanced age, she threw out the bait to test the waters.
"Bullshit!" Yang Wanli spat. His grip tightened, pressing the blade deeper into her skin until a thin line of blood welled up. "I'm from Stone Village! The boss saved my entire family's lives! Who gives a damn about your filthy stronghold's—"
