“This is not a good start to any negotiation,” Lu Na said.

“I don’t know what to tell you. I’m a bandit leader and I can’t allow you to do any more of those crazy techniques,” Yang Deli said. “You three have caused the deaths and injury of so many of my men. I can’t give you another chance to do so.”

Sun Ren said nothing and only glared at the man. She gripped her sword harder. If Lu Na didn’t act fast, Sun Ren was going to make a last stand with these men, most likely ending in their deaths.

“We’re out. So why don’t we start again? I promise you we will not use any more techniques until our conversation is over,” Lu Na said.

“And why should I believe you?” Yang Deli asked.

“Because we’re not the ones that attacked you nor are we the ones that set up a trap at an inn to drug and rob travelers.”

Lu Na looked around at the men surrounding her. Many of them looked afraid of Sun Ren. These guys wouldn’t want to have a final stand against her.

“Besides, I’m ready to give you everything you wanted and more. All you have to do is negotiate in good faith and we can all walk away from this. No one else needs to die today.”

Yang Deli waved his hand back and all the men took three steps back. They kept their swords trained on them, though.

“Talk.”

Lu Na kneeled down on her heels and took a deep breath. If she was going to die, she would not die with a cramp.

“First off, my condolences for the men you lost. We gave your bandits a chance to go their own way after the first encounter on the main road. Their attack at night forced us to do something more drastic to send a message.”

Yang Deli glared at one of his men before nodding toward Lu Na.

“Second, all you want is money and valuables, right? That’s what all bandits want. But what if I can give you something better than that?”

“I’m listening.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard about the labyrinth near this village. I heard from a farmer yesterday that was talking about a group trying to get in and discover its secrets. What if I told you I have a way to uncover the secrets of the labyrinth?”

“And you would just give it to me for your lives? A treasure that is worth more than this current corrupt empire?” Yang Deli scoffed.

“It’s that or die, so yes, it would be worth it. Besides, if you are that group entering the labyrinth, you should know that many kingdoms and empires have tried to get in, all bearing nothing but a death sentence. No one comes out.”

Yang Deli was silent. This was good for Lu Na. Maybe she could get him intrigued with the next part of the plan.

“I have a way of getting to the secret and when I do, the labyrinth will open up, allowing anyone to leave. All I would need from you is help to get there and we can both share in the benefits.”

“What’s stopping me from torturing you until you give me the secret?”

Lu Na took out the silver phoenix hairpin. It glowed a faint red. She gave it to Yang Deli.

“That’s the secret of getting into the secret. Do you know how to work it? Do you even know what it is?”

Yang Deli turned the silver phoenix hairpin in his hand over and over, looking at every part.

“How do I know you’re not saying anything so that you can live?”

Lu Na held out her hand until Yang Deli gave her the hairpin back. She focused on Nugua’s technique until she could see the small dot on the phoenix’s back. With two taps and then a small rub, a map popped up.

Yang Deli wasn’t the only one that was surprised.

Lu Na was only hoping to show the map that brought them here to the labyrinth. Instead, the hairpin was showing a map of the inside of the labyrinth. It showed what looked like a large city with square blocks and huge sections that were wrapped around in a circle. There was a small room in the center with a lot of ancient writing.

“Teach me how to use the hairpin.” Yang Deli pointed his sword right at Lu Na’s neck.

“As I said before, I’m willing to give you everything you want, but these threats are useless.” Lu Na tapped the silver phoenix’s back and the map disappeared. She passed the silver hairpin to Yang Deli. “The button is on its back. You press it to turn it on.”

Yang Deli sheathed his sword and looked at the hairpin again. He brought over a few other men to look at it. They all tried pressing various parts of the hairpin, but nothing happened.

“So instead, I have a proposal,” Lu Na said.

“No. I still like the idea of torturing you until you agree to listen to my commands. I don’t like being threatened by others,” Yang Deli said. “Kill the others.”

Lu Na took Sun Ren’s dagger and placed it on her own neck.

“I’ll kill myself right here and your dream of ever getting to the secret room of the labyrinth dies with me. That hairpin won’t work for anyone else.”

“So it looks like we’re at an impasse. I’ll allow the other woman to live, but not the man. He’s too powerful,” Yang Deli said.

“No. We all live, or no one lives,” Lu Na said.

Yang Deli unsheathed his sword and stood over Hen Li.

“You’re not foolish enough to kill yourself even if I were to kill this man. I doubt you even have the conviction to kill yourself.”

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Lu Na grimaced. He was right. She didn’t think she would kill herself. She wanted to live. But what could she do?

Lu Na glanced at Sun Ren. Maybe she couldn’t do it, but someone else could.

“You’re right. But I know someone who would kill me if it meant that some bandits couldn’t get their hands on the ancient secrets of the Xia dynasty.” Lu Na handed her dagger to Sun Ren.

Sun Ren flipped her dagger in her hand and placed it at Lu Na’s neck.

“It’s not like your friend would do that either,” Yang Deli said. “I can see it in her eyes. She adores you too much.”

“My name is Sun Ren. My father is Sun Wentai, Marquis of Wucheng. And I have killed more friends than you possess.” Sun Ren glared at Yang Deli.

“Oh, the daughter of our greatest rival. Your father has killed so many of my men, too. I won’t need that girl when I have you. You’d make enough ransom to arm and supply my men for years.”

This was not the outcome Lu Na expected. It was spiraling out of control and soon enough, Yang Deli was going to kill Hen Li or all of them. She reached inside her chest pocket and grabbed an earth wall ward.

Better to suffocate and think of a new plan than to deal with this dishonorable bandit. Hopefully, this time Nugua can help shape the dome so that there are air holes.

“Don’t move little girl,” Yang Deli said. He put the tip of his sword against Hen Li’s chest. The monk only continued to snore against the weapon without a care in the world. “You use any of your techniques and I skewer him.”

The back door swung open.

“And if you skewer him, I’ll skin you alive,” a familiar voice said.

In seconds, the back courtyard was filled with young men and women in dark blue tunics. A large wintersweet flower was embroidered on the back. They each had a summoned spirit with them that flooded the courtyard with spirit energy.

Leading them all was Elder Hen, dressed in his purple tunic. His face looked saggier and more creased, if that were possible. Even the scar over his left eye looked like it had a rough few years. Only his hair was immaculately tied in a long ponytail.

A large metal rooster followed behind him. It dashed forward and knocked the sword from Yang Deli’s hand, forcing him back. It stood over Hen Li’s prone body.

Senior Wong walked in afterwards with a scowl. Her dark blue tunic had seen better days.

For the first time, Lu Na was actually happy to see the Wintersweet Sect. She wasn’t happy about the smell though, as every disciple smelled like they’ve showered in the toilet. Yet that was the least of their worries. With Elder Hen here, he’d definitely protect his own son. And dealing with them was infinitely easier than dealing with the bandits. At least they had some integrity.

“Lu Na greets Elder Hen.” Lu Na cupped her hand and bowed at the waist.

“I’ll deal with you later.” Elder Hen walked up to Yang Deli and glared at him. “I’m sure you recognize who we are from our uniforms, but just in case. I’m Elder Hen of the Wintersweet Sect. These three are under our protection.”

Yang Deli smirked.

“Of course I know who you are. But you are far away from your sect, Elder Hen. You are in my territory now.”

“While that is true, we have you outnumbered. And if you don’t let these three go, I’ll destroy this entire village if I have to. I’ve done it before.”

Yang Deli’s smirk faded. He looked around at all the spirits gathered in the courtyard.

Lu Na couldn’t guess what was going on in the bandit leader’s mind, but she remembered clearly when Senior Wong attacked her home. With just that one metal rooster, she tore through her walls and her guards like they were petals on a flower.

“What guarantees do I have that you won’t do that anyway after I’ve let these three go? We’re bandits and I’m sure we might have killed some of your disciples in the past.” Yang Deli had taken a step back from Hen Li already.

“You don’t. But what I can guarantee is that we won’t kill you all here right where you stand. We only want these three and the hairpin that foolish girl showed you.” Elder Hen had taken a more relaxed stance with his hands behind his back.

Yang Deli turned his sword and swung it at Elder Hen’s head. The move kicked up a large dust cloud.

“Or I can simply kill you now and I won’t have to worry about the—”

Elder Hen swung his fist out and threw Yang Deli back a few steps.

“You think I’m some novice summoner? I’ve fought more dangerous soldiers than you. Now leave the hairpin and get out of my sight or I will kill everyone here.”

Every summoner within the courtyard took on an offensive stance, facing down the bandits. Their spirits looked ready to pounce.

Lu Na activated her earth wall ward and encased the three of them into a dome. This time, there were small holes near the bottom that let in air. Regardless of what Yang Deli chose, she would not endanger their lives.

“Thank you Nugua,” Lu Na said.

“You’re welcome. Now stay in here until it’s safe,” Nugua said.

“Let me out. I can’t allow that scum to live,” Sun Ren said.

“But Elder Hen is out there too. He’ll handle him,” Lu Na said.

“No, I can’t leave it up to chance. He knows who I am. He’s no normal bandit. He’s one of the rebel leaders. If I can kill him now, then it would be one less thing for my father to worry about.”

“But…” Lu Na couldn’t argue with Sun Ren when she was so determined. She touched the side of the dome and it opened with the help of Nugua.

Elder Hen greeted them.

“It’s over Young Miss Sun and Young Miss Lu.”

Lu Na deactivated the earth dome. There was no point in trying to stall against Elder Hen. His horse spirit had almost broken through her earth wall last time when it was powered by the entire bar of null metal. This one was only powered by the earth spirit energy from the ground.

There was no sign of the bandits. Lu Na’s silver phoenix hairpin was in Senior Wong’s hand. She was studying it until she locked eyes with Lu Na. The hatred oozed out of her entire being. Maybe it was the smell or the wretched state of her tunic, but Lu Na could only feel pity for her.

“Here.” Senior Wong passed the silver phoenix hairpin back to Lu Na.

“I’m assuming you already know about the secret of my hairpin,” Lu Na said.

Elder Hen nodded.

“We were watching the entire thing unfold from a distance. We hoped they would simply tie you up and take you back to their base of operations near the labyrinth. But when Yang Deli threatened to kill my son, I couldn’t stand by any longer.”

Everyone glanced at Hen Li’s prone body, still snoring away in the middle of the courtyard. He had turned over onto his side and used his arms as pillows. Lu Na wished she could do that, but maybe in a comfortable bed instead.

Sun Ren cupped her hands and bowed to Elder Hen.

“I thank you for your assistance, Elder Hen of Wintersweet Sect.”

“At least your father taught you enough respect to know who your elders are,” Elder Hen said. “But next time, maybe you won’t devise some silly plan to run away from us. We could have helped you a lot more before this.”

“No, that was my idea,” Lu Na said. “I was the one who told Sun Ren and Hen Li to run from you. Your sect has not been kind to me or my family.”

Elder Hen kneeled down beside Hen Li, patting the snoring monk’s head.

“I thought we were past this. You helped my son out of jail. I thought we could work together.”

“So now maybe we go our separate ways?” Lu Na asked.

“Oh no, I’m not that naïve to let you go. No, I think we’re going to work together a little longer now that I know you have a map of the labyrinth. To start, I’m going to allow Senior Wong to stay with you two ladies day and night. She really wanted to spend some quality time with you two after what you’ve done to her father back at the Wintersweet compound.”

“It will be my pleasure,” Senior Wong said. Her eyes gleamed more malice than Lu Na had ever seen coming from a person. It didn’t help that she had an evil smirk to follow it.

What kind of hell was this woman going to put them through?