Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 329: Stick to One’s Guns

Chapter 329: Chapter 329: Stick to One’s Guns

"All right then, since we’ve aired our grievances, let’s get back to business." Old man Tian wore a grim expression, seemingly on the verge of losing his temper.

Gu Fan saw his chance to change the subject and quickly nodded, "Right, now that we’re all in the same boat, we must stick together."

Luo Jingrong chimed in, "Old man, you have quite the temper. We’ll get straight to the point, have you ever heard about the Eternal Life Clan?"

Old man Tian didn’t answer, but slightly furrowed his brows. Before he could speak, Ning Qi spoke first, "What Eternal Life Clan? You mean the ancient race’s ruins you were talking about? The recipes they left behind for longevity and curing all illnesses?"

At this interruption, Lin Xi snorted coldly, "Your mere presence here is an honor – don’t assume you can ask any question you please."

Upon hearing this, Ning Qi fumed but got no reaction from Gu Fan who crossed his arms and focused his attention on old man Tian.

Luo Jingrong continued, "Once the devil returned, we had no choice but to gather the four maps hoping to find a way to counter it."

Old man Tian wore a look of disbelief, "That devil is just a rumor, are you trying to trick me?"

Gu Fan shook his head, "Old man Tian, if you’re also a keeper, you should know that the devil is not just a rumor. We’ve encountered it. It was terrifying. It took a combined effort to repel it unexpectedly, but such a tactic won’t work a second time."

"Do you know why the maps should never be assembled? If the devil gets them, it would be a disaster. It would definitely destroy the precious treasure left by the Eternal Life Clan." Old man Tian looked opposed, implying reluctance to collaborate any further.

Gu Fan didn’t give up: "Do you have any means, old man Tian, to decode the last part of these maps?"

"I know nothing. Don’t ask me anymore. Furthermore, I advise you to value your lives and leave. You would never find it even in ten years." Old man Tian finished speaking, and Lu Yi seemed puzzled, "If we can’t find it, then you should rest assured, why did you come?"

Upon hearing this, old man Tian’s face darkened, a flash of sternness in his eyes frightened Lu Yi into silence.

Old man Tian continued, "Do you know what I see in your faces? Greed, greed for the treasures left behind by the Eternal Life Clan. You aren’t here to defeat the devil, you’re here for your own benefits."

His words pierced Luo Jingrong, Du Jun and the others. They had no pretensions of grandeur, their motives were indeed selfish.

However, Gu Fan said, "So, old man, what do you see in our faces? Is it also greed?"

The old man looked at Gu Fan’s serious face and sighed, "There’s no greed on your face, but those who venture near Yuxueyun Mountain, trying to get their hands on the Eternal Life Clan’s legacy, cannot be trusted."

Su Hui broke the silence, "Old man, do you know how many of our capable colleagues we’ve had to sacrifice to capture that devil? If we can’t figure out a way to defeat it, more people will fall victim. If the devil is an abomination created by the Eternal Life Clan, then isn’t it their responsibility to eradicate it? Regardless of the treasures left behind by the Eternal Life Clan, if they remain buried and unutilized, isn’t that meaningless?"

"Say no more. I know nothing. I’m not any keeper. If you won’t leave, then I will." With that, old man Tian stormed out of the tent, leaving behind a tense atmosphere. Their last hope seemed to have slipped out of their hands.

But then Ouyang Jin said, "Wait a moment, I will still lead the team. No matter what, I will uphold our agreement, I have a sense of professional integrity."

Everyone couldn’t help laughing, "Alright, we get it, we won’t cheat you out of a single cent."

Ouyang Jin looked slightly embarrassed as he said, "I’m going after old man Tian, to try and sway him."

"All right, hurry." Now, they could only pin their hopes on Ouyang Jin. Whether or not he could persuade old man Tian to join them was up to him.

When Ouyang Jin rushed out, the blizzard was raging as ever. Luckily, he had goggles, allowing him to see despite the howling winds. But the visibility was poor due to the heavy snowfall.

Ouyang Jin took a chance, walked some paces, and saw a figure standing resolute in the blizzard, apparently old man Tian.

Overjoyed, Ouyang Jin hurried forward and said, "I’m glad you didn’t go too far, or I wouldn’t know how to explain."

"I’m leaving, you should come with me." Old man Tian’s cold words left no room for negotiation.

Ouyang Jin looked troubled, "Old man, please help them."

Old man Tian grimaced, "Help them? Little Ouyang, do you know what they want to do? They want to break into something which should remain buried forever."

At this, Ouyang Jin shook his head, "I believe in Gu Fan, I believe in Su Hui, I trust them. I believe they know what they’re doing."

Upon hearing this, old man Tian frowned and questioned, "Why, why do you trust them so much? What have they done for you?"

"They haven’t done anything for me, but when we were in the outer regions, I saw that Gu Fan is a reliable person. He doesn’t act solely for his own interests." Ouyang Jin’s voice grew more assured, unafraid of old man Tian’s stern look, and he continued, "Old man, do you know Gu Fan led us to the outer regions, just for a promise made in the past, for twelve unrelated classmates? Su Hui, Lu Yi and the others could have stayed out of it, but they chose to follow Gu Fan."

Now, old man Tian seemed greatly interested, curious about what Ouyang Jin and the others had experienced in the outer regions.

Ouyang Jin decided to share everything, how they faced dangers united, how Gu Fan led everyone to Qianye Country, their relationship with Lin Xi and Queen Qianye included.

Old man Tian looked astonished, "What do you mean, are you saying that formidable woman in the tent is..."

Ouyang Jin nodded, then noticed something odd; he could no longer feel the blizzard.