The Demon Lords

Chapter 1028 - 243: Gamble!

This sleep, Zheng Fan didn’t rest well, repeatedly dreaming about himself gloriously abducting the princess, or being shot into a beehive by Chu State archers on that day.

The reason for such dreams largely lies in Lord Zheng’s own unsettled mind.

Previously, during military expeditions and battles, there weren’t as many concerns; this time, it was self-inflicted.

Unwilling to just take a pawn-like princess back,

yet frightened that releasing the princess would lead to self-blame or a more disastrous outcome.

Fundamentally,

it’s about one word—greed.

Now, the growing ambition of Lord Zheng stands in fundamental conflict with his survival instincts.

Finally,

daylight arrived.

The morning meal was simple, just last night’s pastries, making do with them.

Zheng Fan saw the bat on A Ming’s shoulder, squinted slightly and asked:

"A new pet?"

The bat reacts to A Ming almost like a zombie reacts to Liang Cheng, nearly instinctively calling him daddy.

A Ming glanced at the black bat,

and said:

"It’s someone else’s, I stole it. It should be looking for the princess; the Chu royal family likely has some special markings."

"Did it tell you that?"

"Yes."

"Why didn’t you report it last night?"

"Because I felt it was meaningless."

Zheng Fan nodded, accepting this view and not feeling that A Ming was negligent.

Because now, their only option is to remain hidden. It’s known that outside Xiayong County, tens of thousands of armed forces from various Chu State families are searching for the princess.

If exposed, survival chances are minimal.

"My lord is planning to release the princess back?" A Ming asked.

"I have considered it."

"That’s quite a gamble."

"Still hesitating whether to place the bet."

A Ming looked at Zheng Fan and said, "My lord, do you want to hear my honest thoughts?"

"Go ahead."

"Regardless of how things turn out, let’s have fun."

"A Ming, have you ever considered a question?"

"What question?"

"That the same bet means entirely different things for you and others."

"Seems like it, but I think..."

A Ming fell silent.

Zheng Fan unexpectedly raised his head to look at A Ming, "Why did you stop speaking?"

A Ming took a deep breath, looked at the bright sunlight outside, and said, "We don’t need to worry excessively about these things. I’ve always thought that staying alive is for better enjoyment, to experience life, and not just about survival. Furthermore, the balance of this matter isn’t about whether we can survive; even if we return the princess carefully and adequately arranged with the Fan Family’s help, going back on the original route wouldn’t be too difficult.

It’s just a matter of loss, and loss is loss, but my lord, think about it; if it succeeds, wouldn’t it be fascinating? The Regent of Chu, which is equivalent to the Chu Emperor, would be your elder brother."

Zheng Fan started to ponder.

A Ming opened the wine skin and took a sip.

Zheng Fan stood up, walked to the pond, started undressing, and then walked into the pond to bathe, continuing to scrub the dirt.

In hindsight, the prior caution was indeed necessary. Regardless, the priority is not to involve the Fan Mansion.

After bathing, he emerged, changed his clothes, and instructed Siniang to pack a large box of... cornbread.

Siniang specially made these in the morning because the Fan Mansion’s ingredients were too refined to take directly; feared they might be recognized.

Additionally,

Zheng Fan carried a bucket, which also had a floating chamber pot inside, with paper inside the chamber pot.

A Ming saw this scene upon coming out and exclaimed, "So meticulous."

Zheng Fan nodded and said, "That’s why I always found it absurd when watching historical dramas, seeing protagonists locked up for days without a chamber pot inside."

"Tsk tsk." A Ming clicked his tongue.

Zheng Fan carried his things towards the artificial rock mountain, saying, "A Ming, what you said was very right earlier. When I come back from below, I’ll make a decision."

"Okay, my lord."

A Ming bent down, swung his arm in respect.

When he stood up, he was startled; vaguely, his heart seemed to tremble.

"My god, really?"

A Ming smiled, looked at the black bat on his shoulder, and lightly flicked its little head.

Just now, A Ming felt the sensation of progressing, almost, just a hair away.

Perhaps, when the lord returns to make a decision, it might happen.

Even A Ming found it somewhat absurd.

Is this it?

"What’s wrong?" Siniang asked.

A Ming shook his head, "I’m afraid that saying it will jinx it."

"Is it about progression?"

"Hmm? Is it that obvious?"

"Because besides progression, there’s nothing else we need to be cautious or even superstitious about. I can’t think of a second matter."

You’re a vampire,

What superstition do you have!

"Oh dear." A Ming exclaimed.

Siniang, holding a cigarette, said, "Actually, when I heard you talking to the lord earlier, I thought you finally wanted to speak your mind to him."

"I didn’t. I’ve just been focused on drinking lately."

"Casual words may be the most sincere."

"Siniang, I’m not progressing yet, don’t jinx me into failure."

"What’s yours will eventually be yours. Right now, if you can progress, that would be very beneficial."