Although Zhang Hao did not need Hai Lan's protection, her attitude still moved him. At such a critical moment, Hai Lan had not forgotten to look after him, a person she had just met. This strengthened Zhang Hao's resolve to help Hai Lan overcome this difficulty.
"Miss Hai Lan, perhaps the situation is not as bad as we imagine," Zhang Hao said gently, looking at Hai Lan.
For some reason, seeing Zhang Hao's confident expression immediately eased Hai Lan's anxious state of mind. However, Hai Lan knew that the Merchant Group could face an attack from those Demonic Beasts at any moment. If she hesitated for another moment, perhaps the entire Merchant Group would lose their lives.
"Kid, do you know what you're saying? If we don't leave now, do you want to stay and feed the Demonic Beasts?" Uncle Ku Er already had an issue with Zhang Hao. Hearing Zhang Hao's words now, Uncle Ku Er immediately became enraged.
Zhang Hao knew that Uncle Ku Er had a strong opinion about him. However, he did not dwell on it; time would prove everything.
"Kid, if you're timid, go back to the carriage. But let me tell you, we won't protect you, this coward," Uncle Ku Er mocked Zhang Hao.
"Exactly, this kid has been eating and drinking well all the way, but hasn't contributed any effort. He's simply a parasite."
"Right, don't mind him."
"That's right, we don't welcome such an ungrateful person at all. Anyway, whether we live or die this time, he has nothing to do with us." The person who said this was the Middle-aged Deacon of the Tonghua Merchant Group. They were also very dissatisfied with Miss bringing this burden.
The people of the Heavenly Might Mercenary Group and the Tonghua Merchant Group vented all their anger onto Zhang Hao, which left him quite speechless. Although he felt some dissatisfaction in his heart, he knew that this was not the time for conflict.
Hai Lan saw that Zhang Hao had provoked anger and opened her mouth, wanting to ease the tension between the two sides. But she also knew that at this time, saying anything more would be useless. She could only try her best to protect him later.
"Miss Hai Lan, let's go! If we hesitate any longer, perhaps we will have to pay a greater price," Uncle Ku Er said anxiously, looking at Hai Lan.
Hai Lan knew she had to make a decisive decision. Looking at the dense black Demonic Beasts around them with fierce eyes, Hai Lan gritted her teeth and said, "We break through!"
But although Hai Lan had made up her mind, the surrounding Demonic Beasts had already completed their encirclement and began to close in on the Merchant Group from all directions.
Seeing this, Uncle Ku Er's face immediately turned pale. Just a moment ago, he was still preparing to strongly advise Hai Lan to break through, but now, the Demonic Beasts were ready to launch an attack, proving that they had completed their encirclement. The possibility of them breaking through had been reduced to the lowest point.
Despair filled Hai Lan's eyes as well.
"Hahaha!"
Just then, a triumphant laugh came. From the hillside, dozens of Martial Warriors swooped down and stood in front of the group of Demonic Beasts.
It was strange that those Demonic Beasts did not attack these Martial Warriors. Standing at the very front were three Middle-aged men. Two of the Martial Warriors were very strong, with the cultivation of Martial Master (8th Layer). The one standing in the middle was not strong, only at the Martial Warrior (9th Layer) cultivation. Although the Martial Warrior in the middle was not strong, everyone could see that the two Martial Warriors beside him treated him with extreme respect, as if he were their leader.
"Welcome everyone to Black Demon Ridge, we are the Seven Stars Bandit Group!"
"Was it you who controlled these Demonic Beasts to attack us?" Hai Lan asked through gritted teeth.
"That's right, to be precise, I controlled them," the Middle-aged man in the middle said, his gaze fixed on Hai Lan with interest.
"Why? Our Tonghua Merchant Group has no grievances or enmity with Ge Xia," Hai Lan said angrily.
"Hahaha, naive, do bandits need a reason to rob?"
All the bandits burst into laughter, laughing wildly. Although the people from the Tonghua Merchant Group and the Heavenly Might Mercenary Group were angry, they dared not speak out at this moment. After all, their lives were currently in the hands of the other party.
"If I'm not mistaken, you should be Yuan Tai, right?" Hai Lan asked calmly, looking at Yuan Tai.
The Middle-aged man in the middle was slightly startled and said with a hint of surprise, "That's right, you actually recognized me. It seems you have been to West Peak Kingdom."
"You are indeed Yuan Tai. With Ge Xia's identity as a Beast Master, why come to Black Demon Ridge to be a bandit?" Uncle Ku Er asked, looking at Yuan Tai in surprise.
"Hahaha. This question is simple. As a Beast Master, it is naturally safest in a place with Demonic Beasts. These millions of Demonic Beasts are all my subordinates. Here, I am like a fish in water, how could I not be happy?" Yuan Tai said with a matter-of-fact laugh.
Uncle Ku Er fell silent; Yuan Tai was right. With these Demonic Beasts, he was king. There was no one who could do anything to him. Even a Martial Warrior at the Martial King level would not be too willing to make an enemy of him here.
Hai Lan took a deep breath and looked at the people of the Seven Stars Bandit Group. She said, "What do you want?"
"Hahaha, what do we want? Bandits, of course, want to rob for wealth," Yuan Tai said lightly, looking at Hai Lan.
"Alright then, we will leave these goods for you. You let us go," Hai Lan exhaled deeply.
"Not bad, you are sensible."
"Then can we leave now?" Hai Lan's heart filled with joy.
"No!"
"You're playing with us. We are willing to leave the goods, what else do you want? Do you want to fight to the death?"
Not only Hai Lan, but even Uncle Ku Er was enraged at this moment. He glared fiercely at Yuan Tai.
"Hmph, fight to the death? Do you have the qualifications? As long as my millions of Demonic Beasts attack together, all of you will be annihilated. Not only here, but also in the periphery, there are thousands of Demonic Beasts. Tsk tsk, do you think your few people can resist them?" Yuan Tai said smugly.
"Then what do you want?" Hai Lan suppressed her anger and looked at Yuan Tai.
"Hehe, I am a person who not only robs for wealth but also likes to rob for beauty. Miss, I see you have extraordinary looks. As long as you are willing to come to the mountain stronghold and stay with me for a few days, I will agree to let you leave. How about that?" Yuan Tai's gaze was fixed on Hai Lan without blinking.
"What!"
Hai Lan's face changed color, and even Uncle Ku Er was furious. These people were too wicked. They were simply insane.
"I will not agree. If you push me too hard, I will fight to the death with you," Hai Lan's body emanated a terrifying aura.
Martial Master (8th Layer)
Zhang Hao was slightly startled. He had not expected Hai Lan to be a Martial Warrior at the Martial Master (8th Layer). It turned out that Hai Lan was the strongest person in this group.
"Martial Master (8th Layer)? Tsk tsk, not bad. But I have thousands upon thousands of Demonic Beasts. I'll see how many you can kill. Anyway, there are plenty of Demonic Beasts here! However, are you really willing to watch your friends die for you alone?" Yuan Tai smiled slightly, still launching a psychological attack on Hai Lan.
This was exactly Hai Lan's weakness. If it were just her alone, she would naturally rather die than agree. However, Uncle Ku Er was here, along with so many people from the Tonghua Merchant Group.
"Miss, don't agree to them, we are not afraid of death!"
Several Deacons of the Tonghua Merchant Group also expressed their stance one after another.