Cheng Yan knew very well that Yao Tang was still unconscious simply because she refused to wake up just yet.

Even so, he wasn't keen on hearing Yu Chenspew out some nonsense about her. No one was allowed to say such vile things aboutYao Tang, not evenCheng Yanhimself.

Yu Chen glanced atCheng Yan's menacing expression and felt a chill run down his spine. The hair on his arms and neck stood on end.

Then, Cheng Yanopened his mouth and spoke slowly:

"Clearly, you and Xiao Bingare accomplices."

Yu Chen immediately saw red.

Although Cheng Yanwas wrong, he didn't bother to correct him. He wanted to vent his anger, one way or another.

He threw caution to the wind and roared, "Yes! That's right, I'm her accomplice! I brought you all here on purpose to make that girl fall into a coma! Are you satisfied now?"

Yu Chen swept a glare over the crowd, his eyes blazing with anger.

Meng Yang was already struggling with his own rage as it was, andYu Chen's outburst made him snap.

He strode over to their captive and punched him in the face. Before Yu Chencould even take a breath,Meng Yanglanded another punch, square in his nose.

Not content with this, he also kicked Yu Chenhard in the stomach.

"Ah!"Yu Chen's face was drained of color as he spat a mouthful of blood.

"How dare you hit me?" he cried out, glaring daggers at Meng Yang.

His hands were balled into fists. He was raring to fight back, but his binds were too tight. He couldn't even lift his arm an inch.

Livid, he turned to Xiao Bing. "Tell them,Xiao Bing! If one doesn't wake up from the illusion, will they not sleep until they die?"

It wasn't as though he hadn't said anything wrong. If Yao Tangwas able to wake from the illusion, she would have done so by now. Since she was still in a coma, that only meant that she was doomed to sleep until her death.

To think that he got beaten up for something he didn't do…

Yu Chen glared atXiao Bing, waiting for her to reply.

He wanted to shift everyone's attention to her. After all, this was all her doing. It had nothing to do with him, and he was suffering a great injustice by getting tied up like this.

As shrewd as she was, Xiao Binginstantly knew whatYu Chenwas trying to do.

But she couldn't blame him for it. She had been the one to put them in the illusionary realm, so if anyone had to take responsibility for the turn of events, it would be her.

But her interest was piqued by the young man in the center of the group. She could tell at a glance that he was the one in charge. Perhaps she could strike a deal with him, one that would benefit all of them.

Xiao Bing lookedCheng Yanstraight in the eye and smiled. When she spoke, it was like they were familiar acquaintances, chatting while on a random stroll.

"You're the one who has the last say, right?"

All heads turned at that, and everyone stared at Cheng Yan.

"Oh?" Cheng Yansaid, sneering.

He wasn't interested in speaking with Xiao Bing, butYao Tangstill wasn't awake, so he might as well have a bit of conversation to kill some time.

"I can remove the illusion and wake the girl up. In return, you must let me go unharmed and swear never to enter this forest again. If you go back on your word, I'll make sure that this girl dies a violent death."

Xiao Bing crossed her arms over her chest and smirked. "Well, what do you think? This is a good deal for both parties, isn't it? After all, it was you guys who thoughtlessly barged into this land. If you accept my offer, you might still be able to leave this place without incurring any loss."

Her voice rang out with certainty, as if she had already predicted that they would choose to save Yao Tangno matter what.

At the very least, she knew that they wouldn't let her rot away in sleep forever.

And so, Xiao Bingwas surprised to hearCheng Yan's response.

"Never."

His rejection was blunt and immediate.

Meng Yang andQin Jingexchanged a look, but refrained from saying anything.

Now that Yao Tangwas incapacitated, it wasn't unreasonable forCheng Yanto take over the reins. She had always been his priority, so they expected them not to take her condition lightly.

With that said, they had the utmost confidence in him. Cheng Yanwouldn't have refused the bargain if there was no other choice.

Maybe he still had an ace up his sleeve…

As for Lin Xin, she was so consumed by her grief that she failed to properly assess the matter. The moment she heard thatYao Tangcould be saved, her eyes lit up. And whenCheng Yanrefused, she felt like she had been thrown into a dark abyss.

She didn't understand why he didn't jump at the chance to relieve Yao Tangof her comatose state.

It was a rare opportunity! If her condition got worse, what were they supposed to do then?

Lin Xin opened her mouth to argue, but balked at the sight ofCheng Yan's stern expression.

She bit her lips to stifle her sobs as she went on another round of crying.