Even the ninth level of the Divine Dao would be out of luck?
That threat landed in
Han Shuang bristled slightly, her delicate brows shooting upward. "Elder Zhen, I never would've guessed that someone who looks so unassuming could spin tales with such flair!"
"Haha, and why does Sect Master think I'm spinning tales?"
"Are you not?" Han Shuang said, irritation creeping into her voice.
"Tell you what—shall we make a wager?"
"A wager?" Han Shuang asked, unwilling to back down. "What kind?"
"I bet that you won't be able to walk out of my cave dwelling." Jiang Chen grinned.
"Your cave dwelling?" Han Shuang cast a dismissive glance around. "This place of yours barely has any restrictions. I could step right out."
That was true enough. Since this was a temporary dwelling, Jiang Chen hadn't set up many restrictions or formations. He didn't want to draw too much attention.
With his and the four divine beasts' cultivation levels, restrictions were largely irrelevant anyway. Anyone who got close, they could sense with ease.
Besides, the Gold-Munching Mouse clan was stationed all around the area. If someone truly approached, the mice wouldn't just sit there quietly.
"If the Sect Master is that confident, then why not make it a wager?" Jiang Chen said cheerfully.
"Fine, it's a wager! What are the stakes? If I win, you lay out your entire plan exactly as it is—no lies, no omissions. Do you dare?" Han Shuang challenged, almost defiantly.
"Of course I dare. That's only fair!" Jiang Chen appeared equally fired up, as though she had roused him. "But what if the Sect Master loses?"
"Same stakes for me. I'll lay out everything—my entire plan, holding nothing back. No omissions, no lies. If I go back on my word, may Heaven strike me down and the earth swallow me whole!" Han Shuang spoke with absolute confidence.
"Good!" Jiang Chen slapped his thigh. "Then it's settled. Sect Master, this is a gentleman's wager. Whoever loses must keep the other's secret—no revealing it, no selling it out, no interference, no sabotage whatsoever. Not even the slightest obstruction is permitted. This must be agreed upon. Can the Sect Master honor that?"
This was, naturally, exactly what Han Shuang had been about to say herself.
"Agreed, straightforward! I was just about to say the same." Han Shuang's combative nature had been thoroughly stoked by Jiang Chen.
It was clear enough that Han Shuang's words carried their own share of confidence.
In truth, she had mentally run through the scenario dozens of times. She was certain that breaking through Jiang Chen's cave dwelling and walking right out posed no problem whatsoever.
Even if this Elder Zhen truly was at the ninth level of the Divine Dao and had been concealing his strength, Han Shuang was equally sure of herself. In her eyes, the outcome was a foregone conclusion—she would win.
The two of them then swore their oaths and formalized the agreement.
Once the terms were set and both sides confirmed everything was in order, Han Shuang didn't wait for Jiang Chen to speak. She smiled confidently. "Elder Zhen, you were the one who proposed this wager. If you lose, don't you dare go back on your word."
Jiang Chen chuckled. "As long as the Sect Master doesn't go back on hers."