Su An was taken aback, but instantly understood what was going on.

Kidnapping a prince to negotiate with the government would offend the imperial court and be defined as a serious crime of rebellion.

However, if they were to use her, an ordinary woman, to negotiate with the prince, they would at most offend the prince, which would be a much less serious offense.

The entire basement was completely silent. Su An looked at the people huddled together beside him, their faces pale and thin, fear and despair permeating the narrow space.

She sighed inwardly and couldn't help but admire Feng Chunlian even more. She was both organized and courageous, and her wisdom and courage were admirable.

"I can agree to help you, but I hope you can lay down your weapons and stop the rebellion."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Feng Chunlian's eyes, and she nodded slightly, saying, "As long as we can survive, we are willing to return to our nests and find peace."

But just then, a slight sound came from above the secret passage.

Everyone tensed up and stood up alertly, looking in the direction from which the sound came.

A moment later, Su An saw a familiar, tall figure striding towards them.

Fu Zhun's face appeared even more stern in the dim light, his eyes sweeping over the people in the secret passage like sharp swords, finally settling on Su An.

Seeing that she was unharmed, his tightly furrowed brows visibly relaxed a bit, and he silently softened his gaze.

"Fu Zhun? How did you find me?" Su An was both surprised and delighted, and tried to run towards him as she spoke.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he moved, his arm was gripped tightly, causing him to hiss in pain.

Turning her head, she saw Xue Sha, looking wary, holding her tightly and refusing to let go. "You're still a hostage, don't you dare run away!"

Then, as if disappointed in her, he glared at her and said, "And have you forgotten how this prince treated you? You still rushed over there like a lamb, have you forgotten the pain once the wound has healed?"

These words left everyone present bewildered, but Su An felt both angry and amused.

Does this mean they still remember Fu Zhun's unfaithful affair?

"Let her go." A chilling atmosphere suddenly swept over them.

Fu Zhun casually grabbed one of the men he had brought from the Blood Lotus Sect headquarters, his strong fingers gradually tightening around the man's throat.

"I have said, if she loses even a single hair, I will slaughter an entire member of your Blood Lotus Sect."

"Erdan!" Upon seeing this, Feng Chunlian's face paled slightly, and she hurriedly took two steps forward.

"Master, I'm so sorry! I brought the prince to the secret passage. Otherwise, the prince would have killed my whole family!"

Erdan, a dark-skinned man with a bruised and swollen face, was powerless against Fu Zhun and burst into tears as snot streamed down his face.

Fu Zhun's eyes were like those of a hawk, and his gaze toward Feng Chunlian, the cult leader, grew increasingly cold. "You cannot escape. I have already placed gunpowder around the area, and this place will soon be blasted to the ground."

"If you hand over the people, you will still have a chance to escape and survive."

Upon hearing this, everyone present gasped in shock, staring wide-eyed at the terrifying figure in disbelief.

Are you crazy?!

If we don't hand over the people, are we supposed to blow up the secret passage and kill everyone?!

"Wait! To be honest, Your Highness, I have already discussed this with Miss Su. We have not harmed her in the slightest, nor do we intend to oppose Your Highness. Please show mercy, Your Highness. We are both willing to negotiate!"

Feng Chunlian hurriedly spoke up, slapping Xue Sha away, "Let go of her now! You mustn't be rough with Miss Su!"

Although she was reprimanding Xue Sha, her pleading gaze was fixed on Su An, and she gently pushed Su An towards her as she spoke.

Su An was still stunned by Fu Zhun's cold and ruthless words.

Realizing what had happened, she lifted her skirt and walked over slowly, her eyes filled with a complex and touching light as she looked at Fu Zhun. "I'm fine. The sect leader didn't do anything to me. The Blood Lotus Sect's rebellion also had its reasons."

"Let's release this...Erdan? Let's talk things over peacefully and make money together!"

Fu Zhun had already taken her hand and examined her carefully. He didn't say a word about what she said, but simply brushed the dust off her cheek and said in a deep voice, "This place is dangerous. You should leave with the soldiers first, and I will follow you."

Su An met his gaze into those dark eyes and saw intense killing intent within them. Startled, she grabbed his hand. "You're going to attack them?"

“The rioters should be detained, but the cult leader must die.” Fu Zhun narrowed his eyes sharply. “They have committed numerous evils and their hands are stained with the blood of many government officials. Their leader’s blood must be used to atone for their sins.”

Upon hearing this, the Blood Lotus Sect members immediately became alert, surrounding Feng Chunlian and glaring at Fu Zhun with resentment.

"You're talking nonsense!"

"Your government is the one that has committed countless evils and is intolerable to Heaven! The cult leader was only trying to protect us, so what right do you have to convict her!"

Su An nodded heavily and anxiously explained, "That's right, they really had no choice. If it weren't for the government forcing them, they wouldn't have taken this path!"

Fu Zhun's brows furrowed, and he looked at her with a helpless expression, saying, "You're too naive. Robbing the government is a serious crime. If they aren't punished, how can we uphold the law?"

"The Blood Lotus Sect has been in turmoil for a long time. We must make an example of them to deter others. This matter is not open to discussion."

The unequivocal tone at the very last moment sent chills down one's spine.

Su Anqing involuntarily took a step back, looking at Fu Zhun with a hint of unfamiliarity.

By the way, the person in front of me isn't the God of Wealth I've known for over half a year, but the cold and ruthless Prince of Zhenbei.

From setting up the scheme to find the Blood Lotus Cult headquarters until now, their actions have been ruthless and merciless. As long as they strike at the heart of the matter and achieve their goal, it seems that nothing else matters!

A surge of anger welled up inside her, and she gritted her teeth, glaring at Fu Zhun. "You're the one who's far too heartless! It's true that the law is the foundation of a country, but the law should also consider human feelings; it shouldn't just be cold, hard rules!"

Fu Zhun was stung by that intense gaze and clenched his fist in displeasure.

He turned his head slightly, his deep voice becoming more forceful: "Now is not the time to throw a tantrum. You go out first, and I will explain things to you later."

"Someone come here."

At his command, two soldiers stood awkwardly in front of Su An, trying to respectfully invite him forward.

However, at that moment, a loud bang was heard, the earth shook violently, and the entire secret passage trembled violently!

Fu Zhun's face turned cold. He had originally intended to detain these refugees, but they were stubborn and refused to listen, so he had no choice but to remain there forever.

"Let's go!" He ignored the Blood Lotus Cult members, grabbed Su An's wrist, and tried to lead the team away.

"You dog prince, you think you can just leave after blowing up our secret passage?" Blood Fiend was furious when he saw this. He shouted and grabbed his weapon, charging towards Fu Zhun.

"Since we won't negotiate, then we'll all die together. Taking a prince down with us isn't a loss!"

The long sword, carrying a murderous aura, came straight at him. Fu Zhun's eyes sharpened, and he dodged to the side, only managing to avoid the bloodthirsty attack after being knocked back two steps.

The surrounding air seemed to suddenly turn several degrees colder.

Fu Zhun's dark eyes turned slightly cold. He swung his long sword, and his inner force, carrying an invisible sword aura, slashed towards Xue Sha!