At the moment they heard Xiao Qi say he had come to rescue them, it was like they had caught a lifeline, desperately trying to hold on.
They were too exhausted, both mentally and physically, having already broken down, so they wanted someone to come to their aid, not wanting to make the effort themselves.
However, Zhang Yu’s words pulled them back to reality. They were acutely aware of how terrifying this place was, and they wanted to try with even the slimmest hope, to strive to get out.
So, why not cooperate?
"I’m willing, please help me."
Zhang Yu was the first to stand up, seriously looking at Bai Zhi. The girl seemed very young, only about seven or eight years old, but she could come here, help rescue people, how could she be as selfish as she claimed?
"Little sister, I know you’re not selfish at all. If you were, you wouldn’t have come to this terrifying place. I know you must be extraordinary, thank you, and sorry for the trouble. I will cooperate."
As Zhang Yu stood out, naturally, more people followed suit.
Bai Zhi finally breathed a sigh of relief. If they hadn’t agreed, she wouldn’t have been able to handle so many people.
"Alright, and when we leave, you must follow me completely, listening to my commands. If you take a wrong turn, it could be the end of us all."
It was still necessary to make things clear in advance, not to have them come running to her with problems later on—she wouldn’t take responsibility for that.
"Okay, we understand."
Bai Zhi began to insert needles for them. Don’t underestimate this task; it was very draining. Zhang Yu found that the moment the needle pierced his skin, he felt a warm surge, followed by a newfound strength. After treating more than a dozen people, Bai Zhi already looked pale as a sheet, extremely pallid.
Wu Wa hurried over to help Bai Zhi sit down.
"Ah Zhi, are you okay?"
Wu Wa glared fiercely at Zhang Yu and the others—it was their fault Ah Zhi was so exhausted, looking so pale.
"It’s okay, just a bit tired, don’t worry, I can manage, okay?"
Bai Zhi had no energy left, and Wu Wa quickly took out rice balls for her to eat since they wouldn’t spoil in the winter.
All the others watched, swallowing hard. It had been a long while since they had eaten anything. The people here only gave them the basics.
After eating a few bites, Bai Zhi regained some strength.
"Wu Wa, give them all the food in our bags, let them eat as well."
"Ah Zhi..." Wu Wa hesitated, unwilling.
"If they eat and regain strength, we can get out, right?"
Bai Zhi smiled at Wu Wa, just as Xiao Qi, who was watching from outside, came back.
Seeing them eating, he hurriedly spoke up.
"There are people coming, quite a few. How are things here, Xingxing?" Only then did Xiao Qi notice Bai Zhi’s particularly pale complexion, looking like she was completely out of energy.
"Alright, brother, we’ll just wait for them here."
Bai Zhi had no energy to go out, and before she could finish speaking, people had arrived.
Seeing Goh You, one person immediately spoke up.
"Goh You, son, are you okay?"
It was Goh You’s father, who was extremely worried to see his son.
Wu Wa immediately pulled Goh You back, upset that he even thought of running away.
The man became furious in an instant.
"What are you doing, trying to rebel? Let go of my son, or I won’t be polite with you."
The man was backed by more than twenty others who were holding iron rods.
At first glance, they were not to be messed with.